Crime is down and spirits are up in Baltimore City. What comes next? We reconnected with Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry at Koco’s Pub on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to discuss transparency, real economics and what makes our town more livable.
Bill Henry, Baltimore City Comptroller, discussed the city’s financial transparency and improvements, highlighting the impact of ARPA funds on crime reduction and youth development programs like Youth Works. He emphasized the need for better budgeting to accommodate all applicants and criticized the current emergency procurement process. Henry praised the city council’s independence and the mayor’s investments in recreation and libraries. He also mentioned the importance of addressing the root causes of crime through better opportunities for youth. The conversation also touched on the city’s overall cleanliness and safety improvements.
- [ ] Follow up on the list of emergency procurements that the Comptroller’s office has been requesting.
- [ ] Advocate for budgeting the full demand for the Youth Works summer jobs program, rather than relying on outside funding.
Coco’s Pub and Maryland Lottery Promotion
- Nestor Aparicio introduces the show, mentioning the Maryland lottery and the Maryland crab cake tour.
- Bill Henry joins the show, discussing the Maryland crab cake tour and the Maryland lottery.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about their experiences at Coco’s pub and the Maryland crab cake tour.
- Nestor Aparicio mentions the Maryland lottery promotion and the Lucky Seven stubs.
Introduction of Bill Henry and His Role
- Nestor Aparicio introduces Bill Henry as the controller of the city of Baltimore.
- Bill Henry talks about his role and responsibilities as the controller of the city of Baltimore.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss the challenges and perceptions of Baltimore City.
- Bill Henry mentions his encyclopedic knowledge in various areas like transportation, housing, and redlining.
Discussion on Baltimore’s Reputation and Crime
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss the negative perception of Baltimore due to violent crime.
- Bill Henry mentions the impact of television shows like “The Wire” on Baltimore’s reputation.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about the need for positive portrayals of Baltimore in media.
- Bill Henry shares his frustration with the lack of investment in the library system and the need for more permanent residents.
Emergency Procurements and City Spending Transparency
- Bill Henry discusses the issue of emergency procurements and the lack of transparency in city spending.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about the challenges of making city spending more open and transparent.
- Bill Henry mentions the need for better checks and balances in the emergency procurement process.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss the importance of having a more transparent and accountable city government.
Impact of ARPA Funds on Crime Reduction
- Bill Henry credits the ARPA funds for the reduction in crime and violence in Baltimore City.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss the effectiveness of violence interruption strategies.
- Bill Henry mentions the importance of addressing the root causes of crime, such as lack of opportunities and better lives.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about the need for more investment in youth development and recreation programs.
Youth Works Program and Summer Employment
- Bill Henry discusses the Youth Works program and its importance in providing summer employment for city kids.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about the challenges of funding and expanding the Youth Works program.
- Bill Henry mentions the need for better budgeting to ensure that all eligible kids can participate in the program.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss the importance of providing economic opportunities for city youth.
City Council and City Government
- Bill Henry praises the current city council for being the most independent and proactive in addressing larger issues.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss the challenges of single-member districts and the pressure on council members.
- Bill Henry mentions the importance of having a balanced city council that can address both district-specific and city-wide issues.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about the need for better collaboration and communication between the city council and the mayor’s office.
Crab Cake Tour and Baltimore’s Culinary Scene
- Nestor Aparicio discusses the Maryland crab cake tour and the various stops on the tour.
- Bill Henry and Nestor Aparicio talk about their favorite Baltimore restaurants and dishes.
- Nestor Aparicio mentions the importance of promoting local businesses and culinary experiences.
- Bill Henry shares his experiences and recommendations for places to eat in Baltimore.
Final Thoughts and Future Plans
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry discuss their future plans and projects.
- Bill Henry mentions his desire to continue working on making the city government more transparent and accountable.
- Nestor Aparicio and Bill Henry talk about the importance of community engagement and involvement in city government.
- Nestor Aparicio thanks Bill Henry for his participation and contributions to the show.
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