A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From The Baltimore Sun: Union Calls for Full Investigation into Housing Authority of Baltimore City
"Union leader Glenard S. Middleton called Thursday for a 'full investigation' into the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, following allegations some maintenance workers demanded sex from female residents to make repairs.
"Middleton, director of Maryland Council 67 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said workers that break the law must be held accountable. The union represents more than 500 workers, supervisors and administrative officials employed by the housing agency.
"He said the union is 'appalled' by the allegations. Eleven women have signed on to a federal lawsuit that prompted a criminal investigation by city prosecutors.
"'AFSCME does not condone any illegal or inappropriate conduct,' Middleton said in a statement. 'While the vast majority of workers abide by the rules and provide critical services, and we will aggressively defend due process rights, anyone who breaks the law must be held accountable for their actions.
"'We welcome an open, exhaustive and transparent investigation that will deliver justice to the residents we proudly serve.'”
From The Washington Post: Maryland Gov. Hogan Announces Plan to Overhaul Baltimore Bus System
"Months after killing Baltimore’s premier transit project, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday unveiled plans to overhaul the city’s bus service, calling it a 'notoriously abysmal' system that stifles residents’ ability to obtain jobs and commute efficiently.
"'Baltimore’s current transit network is a mess. It is poorly integrated and simply does not make any sense,' Hogan (R) said in announcing the $135 million plan.
“'It’s unacceptable for Maryland’s largest and most important city to have an antiquated and broken transit system,' he said.
"Hogan said the overhaul, which is to be completed by June 2017, will connect residents to 745,000 jobs in and around Baltimore and give 205,000 more people access to high-frequency transit.
“'We believe for the city of Baltimore this is a tremendous improvement to the transit system that frankly does not currently exist,' Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn said.
"The plan scraps most bus routes in the city as it transitions to a new color-coded system. It includes nine new or enhanced “regional job connections” to locations that include Fort Meade, Towson and White Marsh. And it adds 10 more hours of Sunday light-rail service, 12 high-frequency bus routes, six transit hubs, 23 car-share locations and 83 bike rack locations."
From WBAL TV: Baltimore Commissioner Addresses Van Use by Officers in Freddie Gray Case
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDiKf8puCEk
More at WBAL TV
