Why so little progress in Baltimore?

It has been six months since we elected leadership to respond to the dramatic conditions oppressing the working and poor people of Baltimore. These conditions precipitated the Freddie Gray uprising in West Baltimore which spread to many low income areas in the city.

Our current mayor walked with the citizens in West Baltimore promising to address these awful conditions. City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young promised to help young people in their time of need. Nonprofit organizations mobilized to assist. Local foundations initiated efforts to assist. Universities stepped up to help. But the active, engaged presence of the top elected leadership is now missing.

Where are Mayor Catherine Pugh and Mr. Young in addressing the current housing crisis for low-income renters recently featured in The Baltimore Sun (“Officials want to end Baltimore rent court disparities,” May 1)?

Where are city leaders in stopping the immoral confiscation of homes owned by hardworking people, in many cases because the city mistakenly sent them enormous and inaccurate water bills?

Where are they in response to the needs of low-income workers? Despite campaign promises to support a $15 per hour minimum wage, they reneged after the election.

Where are they in response to jobs? Crime? Racial disparities? Education?

It’s time for the mayor and council president to step up and use their leadership to fix these problems! If they aren’t up to this challenge and continue to be missing in action, its time to step aside!