WHO: Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon
WHAT: Along with Dixon, City Comptroller Joan M. Pratt, City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake and other members of the City Council are all taking a 2.5 percent “salary adjustment.”
WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: City administrators will have no raise in 2010 and overtime for police and firefighters has been cut. Employees throughout the state are preparing themselves for furlough. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is returning some of his salary because as governor he can’t take a furlough. But Dixon? Dixon said she’s not returning anything — she said she deserves a raise even though the city faces declining revenues and city agencies must make cuts across the board.
WHERE TO VENT: Call the mayor’s office to complain: 410-396-3835
Today’s Bright Bulb: Food for the hungry
Despite a 25 to 50 percent increase in the number of people seeking help from the Maryland Food Bank, it has kept up with demand because of an increase in donations, bucking a trend. We can help the food bank meet the growing need by grabbing another can of green beans while grocery shopping and dropping it off in the store’s collection box. Remember, not all donations have to be cash, and this story only proves that every little bit helps.
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Today’s quote of the day
“This city needs to shut down on that day. … Our schools need to be closed and children need to be sitting with their parents.” — Jimmy Gittings, president of the Baltimore City administrators union, speaking about the decision to close city schools on Inauguration Day.
