Curtis Johnson, Candidate for City Council - 11th District

In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received.

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation?

CJ: My wife and I have one car between us. With her working in Washington, D.C., and my job with the Maryland Department of Transportation, we frequently use MARC, light rail, the circulator, as well as Washington, D.C.’s transit system to get to our places of employment. 

My vision for Baltimore is that we create a comprehensive transportation system that is safe, affordable and reliable. Working for the Obama Administration and at Maryland Department of Transportation as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy Analyst has afforded me the opportunity to learn about transportation successes around the country that can benefit the 11th district and Baltimore. 

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore?

CJ: From a personal and professional standpoint I understand the importance of having a transportation network that allows people the opportunity to exercise in a safe environment. Last weekend while knocking doors in Locust Point, I saw how many people in Latrobe Park in Locust Point were on their bikes, playing basketball and enjoying the nice weather.

The same can’t be said for all parts of the 11th district. On the northern end, there are very few green spaces or places for kids to safely ride their bikes. I’d like to change that by developing public-private partnerships to not only create, but maintain green spaces thus creating a safer, healthier, more liveable Baltimore.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupant vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets?

CJ: As someone that has participated in Bikemore meetings and serve as staff to the Maryland Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (MBPAC) I've seen and solved these issues across the state and in the city. As city councilperson one of my first pieces of legislation would be to mandate all city transportation projects adhere to North American City Transportation Officials (NACTO) “Urban Street Design” standards which are designed specifically for cities as opposed to the antiquated American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards which favors cars.

In my conversations with neighbors throughout the 11th district, transportation is a high priority issue. In South and Central parts of the district, it’s parking and congestion. In the northern part of the district its the reliability of public transit options and safety. We owe it to the residents of the 11th district to provide a system that leads to economic mobility. 

My entire public service career has been dedicated to connecting people to transportation and ladders of opportunity. Through that work I’ve engaged with communities across the nation, the state, as well as here in Baltimore on effective delivery of transportation projects and I’ll bring that experience and talent to our city council.

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership?

CJ: In my day job, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Liz Cornish of Bikemore on these very issues by assisting the city in moving their downtown cycletracks from planning and design to go to bid, on time, this spring. I will continue to do the same as the 11th district city council person. I understand wholeheartedly the value of safe lanes for our cyclists and the importance of an integrated roadway system in a 21st century city. I know the ins and outs of transportation on the federal, state, and local level and I bring that experience and those connections to Baltimore.

The percentage of people choosing to take public transit or ride a bike for transportation is increasing in Baltimore, while the percentage of residents without access to a vehicle is over 30%. How would you rate the city’s current investment in sustainable transportation solutions for its residents, and as a council person what would you do to support increased investment?

CJ: The 11th district is the transit anchor to the entire city. With more light rail, MARC, metro stations than any other district, we owe it to the district and the city to provide safe, affordable and reliable service.
 

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents?

CJ: Connecting people to jobs is paramount to the success of Baltimore as well as its families. A major piece of my campaign platform is calling for the revitalization of both Howard St. and Pennsylvania Avenue. A better Howard and Pennsylvania means a better 11th district and a better Baltimore.

I am a firm believe that local jobs leads to less crime which leads to a better economic future. If we create a system that works for those that have no option, the system becomes inherently better for those that do. I will work everyday to make that a reality as the council person for the 11th district.

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members?

CJ: I want to work with our future mayor on building a safe, reliable, affordable and most important, comprehensive transportation system that connects residents to job centers as well as leads to livable, walkable, bikeable communities. Before we can engage in a transportation master plan, we must have a public safety master plan to ensure those who are using alternative forms of transportation feel safe. I see Baltimore through my son’s eyes as I know his his future is Baltimore’s future. I want my family to be able to walk, bike and take public transportation to the many wonders Baltimore has to offer. I cannot ensure that alone. I need my neighbors and friends in the 11th district to support this vision and vote for me on Tuesday, April 26th. Only together can we reclaim our future!
 

Issac Schleifer, Candidate for City Council-5th District

In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received. 

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation?

IS: I make sure – even in the winter - to walk several miles each week from my home to various locations, which gives me an opportunity to regularly meet people in the district and learn more about their interests and modes of transportation. When the weather is warmer, I bike all over the city; I ride a hybrid between a street and mountain bike, which gives me great flexibility to travel throughout Baltimore.

Because of the proximity of my office to my home, I do not rely on public transportation for commuting to work. However, I am very familiar with the commuting, as many of my closest friends commute to work, using bus, light rail and/or MARC train.

From my conversations with residents who use public transportation to navigate through the city, commuters are frequently complaining about travel time and costs to get to their jobs, and we have to make the city an easier place to work. For example, I have heard concern about insufficient parking at Mt. Washington Light Rail station, which is something we need to review, explore, and potential resolve. For those who ride buses regularly, there are complaints about insufficient bus shelters, which we must provide to protect them during inclement weather. Another area to explore for popular bus routes in offering digital displays of upcoming bus arrivals, so people know how soon their bus will arrive. It relieves frustrations and enables bus riders to call work if there are expected bus delays.

Those who walk and bike to work, or for personal errands or recreation, have concerns about their safety, and we should prioritize resources that benefit them, including working with transportation and safety agencies to create more bike lanes. I also believe we have to expand bike share opportunities, which not only encourage healthy riding, but offers an inexpensive transportation alternative to vehicles.

The city also must ensure equity in transportation priorities. Funding and projects should be spread through the city’s neighborhoods; today, low-income neighborhoods often do not receive sufficient priority for funding, and those are the ones with greatest need.

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore?

IS: I believe in today’s era of obesity, traffic issues, and pollution, we must emphasize the benefits of biking and walking to work. First and foremost, we must have strong publicity campaigns that encourage it, but we must initiate efforts that improve those options, both logistically and safety-wise.

We have to offer opportunities for people to bike more safely and affordably. Bike lanes will help ensure safety while helping to reduce congestion, noise, and air pollution, while enabling people to be more physically fit.

Bike sharing can play a very beneficial role in Baltimore City, as it has in other urban areas. It serves as a great connection between points in someone’s commute via public transportation, where there aren’t other options. Currently, the gaps between public transportation in Baltimore is a frequently cited reason why more people do not use public transportation. Bike sharing is often rejected because of costs to the government, but the benefits are great and the city should explore subsidizing costs, for example, by advertising on the bikes.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupant vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets? 

IS: A public relations effort to help the public understand planned changes can help increase awareness of the long-term benefits that will result from the short term inconveniences. In terms of long-term inconveniences, they can be alleviated with a community forum at which the public can raise issues and work with city officials to find solutions.
The proper planning and designing of bike lanes is critical.
While drivers generally believe that bike lanes cause more traffic congestion, proper designing and planning can actually decrease it. The City must inform the public of planned designs in advance, illustrating how traffic congestion has been considered.

And often, street parking and number of lanes can be considered in planning, and not necessarily reduced. In one section of New York City, planners were able to reduce the width of existing parking and driving lanes but keep the same amount, so adding a bike lane did not decrease what was already in existence. By providing documentation of existing examples, drivers will learn that the bike lane can actually reduce their travel time and congestion, without affecting parking spaces available. If the City commits to smart street design, it will be a win-win for everyone.

Prior to and during the implementation of the plan, the city should offer an option on the 311 line where people can submit their concerns which would be considered.

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership?

IS: There must be a consensus of the set of key performance indicators. The public should know what the governmental expectations are in reducing air quality, traffic congestion, and other benefits, and expectations and results must be made available to the public in an open and transparent manner.

Requiring regular reports to the public – before, during, and after the planning process - would help them feel the transparency. So can creating a committee, comprised of officials from different agencies as well as relevant non-profits and even community leaders, who ensure that agencies are working together and not independent of each other.

Moreover, I would work to understand the current processes utilized by city agencies, and to involve management consultants on a pro-bono basis to determine if changes need to be made in the processes.

We need to explore what was successful in other cities. For example, in Charlotte, the Department of Transportation created a six-step process - The Urban Street Design Guidelines – as a tool to plan and design transportation and travel changes in the city. Having good processes, publicizing the processes and the results, and providing regular reports to the public on the success of the projects can help alleviate concerns of the public.

The percentage of people choosing to take public transit or ride a bike for transportation is increasing in Baltimore, while the percentage of residents without access to a vehicle is over 30%. How would you rate the city’s current investment in sustainable transportation solutions for its residents, and as a council person what would you do to support increased investment?

IS: I believe the city has done some great work, but there is still a great need and sustainable transportation solutions must be a greater priority, particularly in light of reduced funding from the state and federal governments.

The city produces an annual report that provides information about sustainable transportation efforts, so we know what is working and where greater funds need to be prioritized. I believe that the city has seen tremendous progress, including the Circulator and increased bike use. As we review the annual results and determine what is working, we must prioritize those areas for expansion and increased progress, working closely with non-profits and professionals in those specific areas to determine what is appropriate levels of investing. We must utilize appropriate technology that can help reduce costs while increasing success.

Documentation indicates that in some urban areas across the country, sustainable transportation has been a recruiting tool to entice people back to Baltimore. The city must greatly publicize what it offers, as more residents and businesses relocating to the city will increase revenue to continue expanding the sustainable transportation solutions. We lack sufficient PR for sustainable transportation, but that is very costly. We should explore creative ways to raise awareness, such as partnering with some of the local universities to have their college students compete to create PR campaigns for sustainable transportation.

We must ensure that current projects (such as the Bicycle Master Plan) have sufficient funding for the long-term implementation, and that other badly needed solutions are implemented, with funding set aside for them.

To that end, I would explore the opportunity to designate a transportation fund for Baltimore City, to ensure that there is an automatic minimal funding every year of city dollars that cannot be re-designated.
 

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents?

IS: As previously mentioned, we must ensure equity in transportation funding, particularly in low-income areas. Traveling from one part of the city to another can be very cumbersome and lengthy, as well as costly. Moreover, the connectivity issues in public transportation often cause greater commutes in certain areas.

And while many city residents benefit from biking, it is possible that some of the most vulnerable residents cannot afford to purchase a bicycle and helmet, or to secure it properly from theft. We should explore partnering with corporations at the local, state and national levels to provide such equipment to city residents with local employment who could benefit from such. And bike sharing would benefit this population, particularly offering highly subsidized or free bike sharing for residents from certain zip codes.

Furthermore, we must work to entice new companies with appropriate jobs (and job training) closer to areas where residents have extremely lengthy commutes.

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members?

IS: Coming from the private sector, I bring the ability to approach transportation issues from a different perspective and new direction. My lengthy and strong record of community activism and success in working with community organizations and government agencies demonstrates my commitment to improving Baltimore, the city in which I have been a third-generation resident and in which I am raising my own family. I understand the transportation issues our residents face, and I bring the experience to be a fresh and loud voice on solving them. I believe if we work to bring more jobs to Baltimore, residents could stop commuting out of the city for work. If we lower crime, residents would feel safer using public transportation, particularly those who work beyond the traditional 9-5 jobs. And if we appropriately prioritize city funding for improved transportation, we could entice more people and businesses to our cities. April 26th is your opportunity to make tremendous change for Baltimore, and I will lead that effort.

Nick Mosby, Democratic Candidate for Mayor

 In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received. 

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation?

NM: I try to use public transportation when possible- during my 24 hour campaign session yesterday, I used the Light Rail to travel to my campaign office and posted about its importance on social media. I also enjoy biking with my daughters.

Prioritization of resources depends, in part, on the mode of transportation that we are discussing. In terms of transit writ large, we need to establish priority transportation corridors connecting the City East to West, particularly in developing communities that do not benefit from the City's supplements to MTA transit like the Charm City Circulator. We know that access to jobs via public transportation is a tremendous indicator of economic mobility, so investing in neighborhoods that have troubling employment indicators improves their economic opportunity while also increasing access to vital goods and services.

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore?

NM: At a fundamental level, when we talk about a City that is more walkable and bikable, we are talking about engaging in a culture change. A vibrant biking community can and should be a catalyst for more transit friendly development- rolling back parking minimums, implementing complete streets designs, and improving density, for instance. Those improvements make for smarter, transit oriented development irrespective of the mode.

The accessibility of walking and biking, however, along with the less expensive investment- as compared to other modes of transit- required for creating bike infrastructure, allow those modes to be the bellwether catalyst that begins shifting the City away from auto-first transportation choices. A population that is more willing to walk or ride bikes is also a population that is more willing to take the bus or rail, and just as importantly, to support a City allocation of resources for improving and expanding those other modes of transportation. If we focus on getting biking right in Baltimore, biking can and should become a vehicle for changing the way the City and its residents approaches multimodal transportation across the board.

Are you supportive of the city’s plan to implement bike share in 2016? If so, what do you believe to be the critical components of success?

NM: Yes, I absolutely support implementing bike share in 2016. There are three critical components to its success: 1) A critical mass of bike share bikes available, with sufficient "stables" at convenient locations, so that people can truly take advantage of and popularize the program. 2) Residents must buy into the program, which means the City should work with stakeholders and residents not just to determine the best strategy for implementation, but to sell them on the benefits of regularly using bike share. 3) Bike share can only flourish in Baltimore if it is both safe and convenient to bike in Baltimore, which means the City must expand and connect its bike lanes- and build protected bike lanes whenever possible- so that bike share users have a bikable grid to utilize. Of course, that grid must include high traffic destinations and significant population centers.

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership?

NM: The City must create offices of project management and contract management where professionals who are trained in delivering large capital projects on time and on budget can begin taking ownership of the City's capital improvements. Cities that utilize these offices get projects done more quickly, but also see significant cost savings. Moreover, revitalizing CitiStat and folding it within an Office of Data and Analysis is imperative. 21st Century governance requires meticulous tracking and storage of data, regularly reporting it internally and externally in the form of performance metrics, and then utilizing those metrics not just to respond to underperformance, but to proactively make decisions.

These offices are vital means to improved performance, but they only matter if the mayor truly embraces them and holds departments accountable to them. I am committed not just to reorganizing the mayor's office around these management tools, but to a truly open data government that allows everyday citizens to hold my office accountable whenever the numbers do not demonstrate adequate performance. For far too long, data has either been uncollected or obscured from public view, preventing citizens from knowing how well City Hall is or is not performing, and being able to respond informedly to the underperformance. That will not be the case in my administration.

What impact do you see increasing rates of biking and walking in Baltimore having on the public health and safety of our residents? In what ways will your administration invest in the creation of safe places to encourage more people to engage in physical activity?

NM: A city that bikes is a city that is more active, and a more active city is a healthier city. Healthier cities have less burdened public health systems, which leads to cost savings for residents and government alike, not just in health costs but in associated social service costs that are related to health. Cost savings allow for Baltimore to reallocate funding to proactive investments like Bus Rapid Transit or universal pre-k, so that we can focus increasingly on improving quality of life outcomes rather than dealing principally with the effects of poor quality of life outcomes.

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents?

NM: Many vulnerable residents live in communities with significant levels of vacant housing. Vacant infrastructure can be treated as an opportunity to redevelop these communities using transit oriented development models, such that transportation hubs become the centers of the community. My housing plan's use of BOLD (Building on Leveraged Development) Zones to focus the City's development incentives around neighborhood anchors in order to create a critical mass of investment meshes well with a transit oriented development model. Moreover, my housing plan calls for a stronger inclusionary housing law, in order to keep residents from being priced out of their communities as property values improve. Reimagining Baltimore's transit grid around transit hubs in neighborhoods that house vulnerable residents gives those residents access to external opportunity, but also helps them grow their property value if they are home owners, and promotes denser development with more proximate access to commercial goods.

An immediate step laid out in my transportation plan is creating job shuttles to centers of industry. We know that areas like Sparrows Point are going to be adding thousands of jobs over the next decade, and it is vitally important that we give our vulnerable residents access to those jobs now. My plan also focuses on improving the quality of extant modes of transportation like the MTA's buses, by working with the MTA to put GPS trackers on City buses now. We can also leverage the funding promised in the governor's new bus plan to expand the Charm City Circulator's routes to underserved neighborhoods. Implementing transportation demand management strategies and improving the City's usage of intelligent transportation systems are also important components of improved commute times. And of course, I continue to advocate a strategic bike plan with protected bike lanes as a very feasible point of access that can connect vulnerable residents more effectively with existing transit options.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupancy vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets?

NM: Leadership means being prepared to experience pushback when tough decisions are made. From the start, the City's mayor must move carefully and inclusively towards making the right transit decisions for Baltimore. Once the right decision is arrived at though, it is imperative that we stay the course and see the project through to a robust implementation.

One of the most important parts of this process that the City often comes up short on is communication. Residents deserve to be heard and meaningfully responded to before decisions are made, period. If residents are included in the decision making process, disagreement over the ultimate decision may remain, but there is an opportunity to earn the respect of the residents and to ensure their principle concerns about lane reallocation or parking decreases are adequately addressed. It is imperative that the City properly present its decisions to residents and win them over to the decisions' merit as well though. Explaining that parking minimums drive up the cost of rent, letting drivers know that a more robust bus system actually means less cars on the road to compete with them, or conveying that protected bike lanes improve safety for bikers and cars alike are just a few of the crucial truths that the City must make common knowledge. Misinformation and poorly conveyed plans are an area of improvement that my administration will improve upon, so that residents know they are receiving real benefits from a 21st Century transportation plan.

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members?

NM: I really encourage voters to look at the extent of the plans being offered by the mayoral candidates, and how their parts fit together to form a truly comprehensive vision for the City. We are the only campaign that has offered a comprehensive plan for the City, not confined to only two or three areas of emphasis. We are also the only campaign to release a detailed plan for transportation in Baltimore. You can find information for each of these at my website, mosbyformayor.com

Rodney C. Burris, Candidate for City Council- 4th District

In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received. 

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation? 

RCB: I walk a lot around my town. I enjoy it, and have spent many days and nights visiting the shops up and down the York Road corridor, as well as walking throughout the residential streets connected to the corridor.

I believe public transportation, particularly light rails, should be a priority of the city, influencing the state to help bring in such options

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore? 

RCB: I’m all for a walkable Baltimore being a safer, friendlier, more livable Baltimore. I believe small businesses and local shops all up and down or major corridors (North Ave, York Road, etc.) would greatly benefit from our walkable Baltimore.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupant vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets?

RCB: Bikes and bikers are a vital part of a healthy and thriving urban environment. Residents benefit when they know they have the option to bike; bikers feel secure when they have the benefit of designated routes.

Because of this, I am very much in favor of implementing successful initiatives like the “Bikeways” programs found in cities like Chicago and locales like Washington County, OR.

These programs have two major themes:

1. mapped routes that criss-cross the city
2. predominate usage of residential roads
   (think: ‘bus lines’, but safer, comfortable speeds, designed especially for bikes)

Many of these Bikeways routes have nodes along them where bikers can stop at shops, rest points, watering holes, bike repair facilities, etc. These nodal points display the bikeways design, offer route maps, and provide common points for bikers to relax and relate.

I believe in a program of this type as a way of life for the residents of Baltimore.

To help us accomplish this, I would be honored to work with organizations like the Balto Bike Club, Balt Triathlon Club, the Metro Wheelers, Bmore Bike Party, and of course, Bikemore!

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership? 

RCB: If I understand correctly, it would seem that the major points in this question are that city agencies, particularly Department of Transportation, have struggled in the past with three things:

1. procurement (buying the right goods and services in a timely manner)
2. project management (effectively or efficiently managing available resources
3. KPIs (clearly defining & measuring agency objectives.  

 This is probably a truism across all governments around the nation, inclusive of Baltimore (i.e., we’re not alone). However, the impact of such shortcomings are widespread. As a city resident, it is my desire to particularly help in this area. As councilman, it is a charge I believe I can help us accomplish.  

Because the powers of the councilperson are very specific in the City’s Charter Code, and do not cover direct authority of city agencies (such authority belongs to the mayor’s office), my efficacy here hinges on my ability to emphasize three things: ownership, accountability and transparency.

1. Ownership: This is buy-in. Everyone must feel an increasing part of both our collective problem and our collective progress. We all must have a vested interest. We must promote campaigns (e.g., “Our Baltimore”, “Baltimore Rewired”, IgniteBaltimore, etc.) that emphasizes the positive connected potential that we all share.
2. Accountability comes thereafter, and calls for having well defined measures in place to measure our productivity.  Clearly defining what department/agency/division is responsible for what aspect of the puzzle, then clearly defining what their specific/individual success looks like (coupled with prizes/penalties for success-levels), and then openly discussing/sharing performance scorecards, will greatly help increase accountability.
3. Finally, transparency. This is the notion of open government, and it involves 3 things:

1. 1. regularly informing stakeholders of the problems,
   2. regularly informing them of the progress, and
   3. regularly requesting feedback for collaborative solutions as we move forward.

 Influencing this process is work a council member in Baltimore can begin immediately. It is work I intend to be a part of for our families.

The percentage of people choosing to take public transit or ride a bike for transportation is increasing in Baltimore, while the percentage of residents without access to a vehicle is over 30%. How would you rate the city’s current investment in sustainable transportation solutions for its residents, and as a council person what would you do to support increased investment? 

 RCB: Audits. It is quite possible that the money we need for increased investment is sitting right under our noses, and just needs to be properly allocated. With accurate financial information, our city can prudently decide our future in regards to spending opportunities. 

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents? 

RCB: I’m working with a major corporation to help bring a significant number of jobs to the City. It is still in the works, and details are forthcoming. Please request to follow my blog (RCBmoreViews@gmail.com) to stay up to date on this initiative. 

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members?

RCB: What separates me from the pack?

I've a 3-point plan that's actually actionable--We can get my pan Done.

Secondly since 2004, my behavior has been 1) to share what I find out with you all 2) to offer a practical and pragmatic solution with short term and long term benefit, and then 3) to actually Execute on the plan.

Through this approach, I've brought improved quality-of-life to Bmore families for several years now; without the backing of big establishment dollars and without the mandate of an elected title compelling me to do so. 

The heart of our families is in me.  It's proven and it shows.

May I make a request?

May I request that you vote for me, and also that you tell as many people as possible about RCB's campaign for City Council?

I appreciate all you do!

Thank you for voting for me, Rodney C. Burris, as your next councilman!

La Vern A.W. Murray, Unaffiliated Candidate for Mayor

 In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received. 

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation?

LAM: While working for the State of Maryland over the last two and a half years I have often used the Baltimore Metro Subway to get around Downtown Baltimore. As it is an efficient way to quickly move throughout the downtown neighborhoods.

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore?

LAM: I believe that ulterior modes of transportation such as walking and biking most certainly foster a healthy lifestyle not only from a carbon footprint perspective but also a social one. When driving you automatically secluded to yourself and not open to many if any social interactions along your journey to your final destination. Walking or biking you most likely more aware or open of opportunities that could arise along your way. For example, while walking you may come across a shop you've never noticed and there is the possibility you might go in and shop. Now you've patronized a local business that would have never got that sale if you were in your car and solely headed to your final destination. So these kinds of choices can create a more sustainable city.

Are you supportive of the city’s plan to implement bike share in 2016? If so, what do you believe to be the critical components of success?

LAM: Yes as a city bike share could help alleviate our local traffic congestion and even foster a healthier city. However, as we being to move forward with these plans and select vendors for these services we must keep in mind that the full scope of the plan must be thoroughly thought out. These programs only reach their full potential when the infrastructure is in place and the culture is ready to receive it. So all things need to be considered such as, proper bike lanes/zones, secured systems, proper promotion and awareness of the program. The finally the key to the program will only be a good as those who use it. So education and information is a key component to successful bike share.

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership?

LAM: Our plan of action will include a thorough audit of all our city agencies and all its workers in order to root our any unnecessary operations. For too long those who have no true desire to effect positive change in Baltimore's City Agencies have been in power; abusing and misusing their authority to keep the status quo. This audit will include the removal of persons not performing at the optimal levels. There are no checks and balances currently in place to control this misuse of authority and many of the city’s departments have allowed a spirit of laziness and a lack of ethics to exist in the workplace. I plan to be a part of the task force personally as we do a thorough audit of our city agencies. This administration would prioritize stronger direct oversight and implement better checks and balances over our local departments. Our Citizens are the priority and no longer is the city going to foot the bill for employees to not perform to the best of their abilities to serve our city.

What impact do you see increasing rates of biking and walking in Baltimore having on the public health and safety of our residents? In what ways will your administration invest in the creation of safe places to encourage more people to engage in physical activity?

LAM: Overall it could and would eventually improve on our city’s health and promote a sustainable lifestyle. Renovating our current city parks, creating new pocket parks inside of our urban fabric, restoring proper street lighting and increasing law enforcement foot patrols to destroy the spirit of fear and foster a welcoming environment for communities to grow and co-exist.

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents?

LAM: We will work very closely with Governor Hogan who has already proposed $135 million to fill in the gap for the cancelled “Red Line.” The plan is to expand many current bus routes and establish new ones while also enacting a new “CityLink” system. A color-coded network of 12 high frequency MTA bus routes will service downtown Baltimore. The newly proposed BaltimoreLink system will deliver a unified transit network and includes renaming existing MTA modes: LocalLink (Local Bus), Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and MobilityLink to create an interconnected transit system. Every successful metropolitan city in the world has a well-integrated system where it is easy and simple to use all forms public transportation. This plan is a step in the right direction.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupancy vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets?

LAM: This is mainly an education problem. And it’s not one that the office of Mayor can handle on its own. It’s going to take partnerships with organizations like Bikemore, BikeMaryland, Baltimore Spokes and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group to educate our citizenry on the long term benefits that low impact transportation can have on city circulation problems, social dynamics, environmental issues, and most importantly on public health. At the end of the day if we aren’t here to enjoy the city we are trying to improve what is it all for? So it will be a team effort to inform and convince the city that making Baltimore a “bike-friendly city” is making a choice to bring it into the 21st Century and make it a first class city once again.

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members?

LAM: Yes, we are one city; any problem that affects one part affects the whole. I want the Office of the Mayor to be a conduit of communication and collaboration for all citizens. I for that reason I’ve chose to run as neither Republican nor Democrat because my bid for office is not about party lines, political platforms or creating a stepping stone. Too many of my peers before me have used this city as a way to achieve other political aspirations outside of Baltimore. It’s time for true leadership not political socializing. It is my desire to effect real change in my community at large and help all of us live up to the name Charm City. I've heard the call; I'm stepping out to face the giant of social decay confident that with Team Leadership we can revive this city once again. So, to the city of Baltimore I say, "Be opened, be inhabited, and be rebuilt."
 

Murray For Baltimore PO Box 12174 Baltimore, MD 21281 Twitter: @Lawmurray4mayor FB: Facebook.com\lawmurrayformayor