© 2024 WEAA
THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Help us keep this community resource alive by making a contribution today!

Calls grow for Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh's resignation in wake of children's book scandal

Facebook

The Baltimore City Republican Party is calling on Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign.  The city GOP says the Healthy Holly book controversy weighs down the administration and deems her unfit to serve.  

Party officials say the mayor's book and payment scandals with the University of Maryland Medical System and Kaiser Permanente indicate that she appears to have sold out to big business and health insurance companies.  Officials added that combined with her ailing health it's clear she is no longer capable of serving in public office.

Credit Facebook
Baltimore Acting Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young

Acting Mayor Jack Young says he does not want the job permanently.  Jack Young said after a meeting Tuesday with lawmakers in Annapolis, if Mayor Catherine Pugh decides not to return because of her growing children's book scandal, he is ready to take over the helm and run the city.  However, Young does not plan to seek the job in next year's election.  Young adds, he is filling in for the mayor as a "placeholder" and will run for City Council president in 2020.

“Everybody knows that my dream job at one time was to be mayor,” said Young. “But I found out that the president of the City Council is the best job in the world and I’m just going to do this as a placeholder. I will be running for the president of the City Council of Baltimore.”  Young has served on the city council for more than two decades and was elected council president in 2010.  City Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton takes over as ex-Officio President of the council while Young is acting Mayor.

As for worries of lack of leadership at City hall, Young’s effort Tuesday was to steady the ship. “What I can say to (the citizens) is Baltimore is strong and resilient,” said Young. “With the team we have here, we’re going to make sure that the city moves forward and just asking for their faith, their trust and their prayers that we can get the job done.”

Credit City of Baltimore
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh

Mayor Pugh is taking a leave of absence to focus on her recovery from pneumonia.  Her lawyer also confirms state prosecutors are investigating her no-bid deals to sell children's books.