Young to seek private donors to restore city rec programs
Baltimore’s second most powerful politician, City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, will be calling on private businesses and civic leaders for donations to restore youth recreation programs cut in the latest city budget.
The Board of Ethics has waived article 8, section 6-26, of the city code (prohibiting an elected official from soliciting a gift from a person doing business with the city) in order to let the Council president’s office raise cash and in-kind contributions from individuals and corporations.
Young said the funds will go to the Department of Recreation and Parks to supplement youth activities reduced or eliminated because of a limited budget, including swimming, sports, cooking classes, talent shows, theater productions, academic mentoring and arts and crafts activities. He will also seek money for more senior programs.
Bernard C. "Jack" Young (Photo by msa.md.gov)
Because of budget cutbacks, hours for city pools have been placed on staggered schedules. This means that all 13 “walk-to pools” will close this Sunday (Aug. 21) for the season, while the municipal pools at Druid Hill and Patterson parks will remain open until Labor Day.
Young was required by the ethics panel to get Board of Estimates approval for the solicitation drive. On Wednesday the board gave its blessing, with Young, president of the board, abstaining.
The ethics panel dealt with the question of soliciting city contractors in the following manner: they called on Young not to single out or target companies and individuals that do business with, or are regulated by, three entities: Board of Estimates, City Council and Recreation and Parks.
Instead, such so-called “controlled donors” should be solicited by Young “in the same manner as all other potential donors,” the panel said.
The city’s budget for recreation centers has been cut by $500,000 this year. Nearly half of the 55 centers are scheduled to be transitioned into partnerships with community groups, non-profits, city schools or others. As a result, as many as 10 rec centers may be permanently closed.
Last year, 306,504 young people participated in after-school and out-of-school activities run by Recreation and Parks, with 95% participating for at least three weeks, according to the agency’s annual report.