Baltimore needs better leadership

I invite Mayor-elect Brandon Scott, City Council members and other senior officials in city government into my Baltimore reality and to do the math.

City government can no longer afford to follow the same failed economic policies and lack of transparency. We citizens are sick and tired of the poor results from our leadership. We do not blame hardworking city employees, we hold elected leaders accountable (“Baltimore Mayor-elect Brandon Scott tests negative and is quarantining after being exposed to coronavirus,” Dec. 4).

In the 40-plus years I have been a homeowner, I have noticed some unacceptable trends.

First, my children had no concerns playing in our neighborhood. Today, the violent crime rate has increased by 64%. Ten blocks from our home, a man was gunned down the other day.

The real estate taxes I pay on my house have increased 400%, while my home’s value has only risen by about 250%. My water bill has gone from $25 a quarter to $240.

In 1980, our major streets had a street cleaner we knew by name, and police officers patrolled the neighborhood. Frankford area schools were among the best in the city and attracted many new families.

Our parks, recreation centers and waterways were staffed and well-maintained. Homes sold in weeks. All of these quality of life issues have been compromised because mayors and City Councils past kicked the can down the road repeatedly.

During that time, Baltimore taxpayers and small businesses have born the bulk of the cost of city services.

Preferential tax rates and perks go to big businesses only. To offset this, activists and community associations have stepped up to the plate and volunteered tens of thousands of hours each month. They provide those amenities that the city no longer supports.

Mayors, police officers, state political representatives and some people on the government payroll have taken bribes or squandered our last tax payments, but only a few have been prosecuted.

Multibillions of dollars in tax incremental financing deals have been awarded to wealthy waterfront developers while most poor and middle class neighborhoods and cultural institutions that make Baltimore great have been struggling.

The poor and the elderly have lost homes to tax sales while out-of-state investors have profited because of draconian city policies.

This has got to change now. Many Baltimore citizens like me deserve better. That should be the new mayor and City Council’s prime directive.