Commentary

by David A. PlymyerFeb 17, 2023

Baltimore’s Acting City Solicitor gave Mayor Scott bad advice when she told him the spending board meeting could be held without Henry and Mosby present.

Sep 3, 2022

Local media’s missteps are hurting Baltimore

Two recent examples show how bad information and spin, accepted unquestioningly from law enforcement, reinforce racist narratives about our city [OP-ED]

Nov 26, 2021

A gay Catholic’s open letter to the St. Francis of Assisi school and parish community

To those who stood up against an act of cruelty and bias, thank you for your bravery. To those who participated in it or stood by silently, please listen to my story. [OP-ED]

Aug 31, 2021

Inspector General oversight fight is a watershed moment for this city

If the advisory board succeeds in weakening our only effective watchdog, it will send a terrible message to city agencies and to government employees. [OP-ED]

Jul 6, 2021

Olszewski’s IG bill is now on hold, but questions about his motives will linger

The Baltimore County Executive pulls a bill that would cripple the Office of the Inspector General. Before memory of the episode fades, an analysis of just how serious this attempt to undercut good government was. [OP-ED]

May 24, 2021

Baltimore County IG is scaring the political insiders – and that means she’s doing her job

In a landscape where “good old boys” have ruled unchecked for years, will Inspector General Kelly Madigan be allowed to do her job? [OP-ED]

Special SeriesFeb 14, 2021

For Marilyn Mosby, a taxing question

Jan 29, 2021

Amid a pandemic, defendants are languishing in jail for lack of home detention funding

Nov 15, 2020

Muller Paz showed Baltimore what ending Democratic dominance could look like

Oct 22, 2020

Of Man and Mammon: An insider’s look at the decline and pending sale of a crown jewel of Baltimore churcheses

Sep 10, 2020

Why the city shouldn’t return the Columbus statue, not even in fragments

Aug 24, 2020

Amid Covid, the school system is once again making things tough for students

Aug 17, 2020

Destruction of records should be punished, especially if done by a lawyer

Special SeriesJul 11, 2020

Hogan’s failure to enact a travel quarantine is putting Maryland lives in jeopardy

Jun 9, 2020

One way to detoxify the police culture: Rein in their union

May 18, 2020

The Sheila Dixon story: It wasn’t just about the gift cards

May 9, 2020

The next battleground: Keeping the elderly in multi-generational households safe from Covid-19

May 3, 2020

One part of Baltimore watches the Blue Angels, as another is watched back by the police “spy plane”

Apr 28, 2020

How inaction by two federal agencies led to the spread of coronavirus in nursing homes

Apr 20, 2020

Maryland must start disclosing infections and deaths at nursing homes

Apr 10, 2020

In West Baltimore’s corner stores: no Purell at the door, but plenty of COVID-19 danger

Mar 30, 2020

With Calloway house teardown looming, an activist laments the lack of leadership that let it happen

Jan 28, 2020

Friends-and-family approach to filling legislative vacancies in Maryland must end

Dec 11, 2019

Worse than Young’s gaffes is his refusal to enforce a new law