» Bad Signs: “06-0515 Campaign Signs in Residential Areas ? Size”
Councilman Robert Curran?s bill would limit the size of campaign signs in residential neighborhoods to 16 square feet, excluding the massive and controversial 4-by-8-foot signs.
» The Skinny: City council members were unimpressed with Curran?s “bigger is not always better”speech.
» Now Hear This!: “06-0210R Emergency Resolution ? Baltimore City Board of Elections ? Election Day Glitches”
Resolution calling for the city election board to explain to the council late-opening polls, absent election judges and other glitches on election day.
» The Skinny: Council insiders said that the hearing, called 24 hours after the bill was introduced, shows that politicians can act quickly with votes on the line.
» But Not This!: With a resolution calling for investigation into arrest quotas, disbanding specialized units and reopening the investigation into the death of activist Robert Clay, the Public Safety Committee has a full agenda. But council insiders say the committee will not hold any hearings on these legislative items before the November election. No one?s in a hurry to discuss public safety until everyone is safely elected.
» I Can See Clearly Now: “I couldn?t see, people thought I was ignoring them on purpose,” said Shelia Dixon, president of the city council, commenting on the benefits of returning to the City Council?s? regular chambers and presiding over the meetings from a dais high above the fray.
During repairs to the facility, Dixon presided over meetings at ground level in the council?s temporary headquarters in the Curran room across the hall. Back in her old digs, Dixon now sits atop a perch that allows her a unencumbered view of talkative city council members.
» But Not That Clearly: Even with unobstructed sight lines, President Dixon did forget to acknowledge state Del. Jill Carter, Frank Conaway clerk of the courts and newly elected state Del. Frank Conaway Jr. The trio attended the council meeting to support the resolution to re-opening the investigation of the death of Robert Lee Clay. The introduction task fell upon City Councilmember Belinda Conaway.
