 Families across Baltimore have to balance their budgets each and every day, and my administration will not move forward under a different set of rules. I strongly believe that citizens should have a voice in the budget process to ensure open and balanced governance.
As many of you know, we recently announced that the City is projected to have a $15 million deficit in Fiscal 2015, and a $30 million shortfall in Fiscal 2016. While we have confronted much larger deficits in the past, it is important to remain vigilant to continue the progress we have made in Baltimore City. After all, we know that in order to grow Baltimore, we must remain on a fiscally sustainable path.
When I first became mayor, the City faced a historic $750 million budget deficit. I knew we had to give the taxpayers a responsible government, and I was not willing to kick the can down the road. I knew that meant making some tough—and often unpopular—choices. However, I was up for the challenge.
With urgency, we crafted the City’s first 10-Year Financial Plan. In the years since, we have made amazing progress— reduced our structural deficit by $300 million, while simultaneously reducing property taxes and avoiding significant cuts to services. And this year, Baltimore City received its first bond rating increase in more than seven years, demonstrating a growing trust in Baltimore’s stability. While we have made significant progress, we still have more work to do.
This week, I announced the latest effort to get our fiscal house in order and allow the public to have a direct say in the critical decisions to balance Baltimore’s budget. With Budget Live!, a new interactive website, Baltimore’s residents have an open and readily available portal to view the budget, ask questions, share their input, and tell us how they would address the difficult budget decisions facing our City.
Budget Live! gives citizens an opportunity to tell city government the areas in which they want to see us invest more, and where they feel we can cut waste.
I am asking Baltimore’s residents to help us move our city forward and make the right investments to grow our city. I want Baltimore to be the model for citizen engagement as we work to confront our budget challenges—here at home, as well as at the state and federal levels.
I urge you to visit Budget Live! between now and January 30, 2015 to participate in our interactive budget experience—Balanced Baltimore. Together, I know we can fulfill the promise of a more efficient and transparent government, by making the tough choices necessary to grow our city.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at my website or by email at mayor@baltimorecity.gov. You can also follow the Mayor’s Office and be a part of the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
 Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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The Baltimore Sun
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 Poe and the Oriole Bird pose for their photo with Santa Claus at Mayor Rawlings-Blake's holiday celebration at City Hall, Happy Holidays, Baltimore! As anyone from Baltimore will tell you, Jolly Old Saint Nick is a die-hard fan of the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles. Photo by Mark Dennis.
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Holiday Service Changes
City offices will be closed on Thursday, December 25 due to the Christmas holiday and on January 1 due to New Year's Day holiday. Please note the following changes to City services:
- There will be no curbside trash or recycling collection. For those whose regular collections are on Thursday, the make-up days will be Saturday, December 27 and Saturday, January 3.
- No bulk trash collections will be scheduled.
- Citizen drop-off centers will be closed, including the Quarantine Road Landfill.
- Mechanical street sweeping will not take place.
- Parking meters will not be in effect.
- Citizens will be unable to access city offices for bill payments or permits. Some bills can be paid online at www.baltimorecity.gov.
NOTE: City offices and facilities will be open on Friday, December 26 and Friday, January 2. Trash and recycling collections will take place as scheduled on those days.
Homeless Point-in-Time Count Volunteers Needed
The Mayor’s Office of Human Services needs your help to conduct its annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count during the week of January 25, 2015. The PIT Count advances The Journey Home—Baltimore’s plan to make homelessness rare and brief. Through the PIT Count, Baltimore City is able to identify individuals, families, and youth experiencing homelessness, in order to connect them with housing and support services. For more information or to register as a volunteer, visit www.journeyhomebaltimore.com/events.
Façade Improvement Grant Money
If you own a small business in Baltimore, you may be eligible for funds to improve your façade. These programs aim to aesthetically improve the look of Baltimore's business districts while making revitalization efforts affordable for small business owners. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, exterior paint, new windows, siding, awnings, transoms, landscape improvements, and sidewalk repairs. For more information contact Baltimore Development Corporation at 410-837-9305 or mklipa@baltimoredevelopment.com.
BSO & BSA Perform The Nutcracker
December 19 – 21
Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Avenue
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) will once again collaborate to present Tchaikovsky’s full-length holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The BSO will be conducted by Maestro Robert Bernhardt and will feature 120 students from BSA’s high school and TWIGS after-school and weekend programs. The production is choreographed by Boston Ballet Executive Director Barry Hughson. For more information, visit www.bsomusic.org.
Druid Hill Park Winter Solstice Celebration
Revised Date: Saturday, December 20, 6:00 pm
Druid Hill Park
The Friends of Druid Hill Park present the fourth annual Winter Solstice Celebration. Celebrate the time of year when the darkness begins to fade and the earth prepares for a new cycle of growth. Bask in the light of a blazing solstice fire, take a hay ride, retell storied legends, create your own Winter Solstice resolution, and enjoy a number of other activities focused on the solstice. For more information, visit www.druidhillpark.org.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Sunday, December 21, 7:00 pm
First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, 12 W. Franklin Street
Mark the return of the sun at the 11th annual Winter Solstice Celebration. Celebrate the season with songs, poetry, drama, and seasonal refreshments. Participate in the extinguishing of the old year’s fire and the lighting of the new, the turning of the Wheel of the Year, and other annual rites. For more information, visit www.firstunitarian.net, call Pat Montley at 410-252-6074, or email solstice@firstunitarian.net.
Plants & People Sunday: Sprouts
Sunday, December 21, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Rawlings Conservatory, Druid Hill Park
Join Baltimore City Recreation and Parks and introduce your youngsters to the world of plants! Pre-K and early elementary children will enjoy a craft activity and story time. Story hour begins at 2:30 pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This month's theme is Poinsettias—just in time for the holidays. For more information, visit www.rawlingsconservatory.org.
Plants & People Sunday: Science Demonstration
Sunday, December 28, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Rawlings Conservatory, Druid Hill Park
Explore the science behind the plants with Dr. Stone! Bring your curiosity to the conservatory, and discover the interconnection between plants and people in our everyday world. This month's theme is Poinsettias—just in time for the holidays. For more information, visit www.rawlingsconservatory.org.
Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular
Wednesday, December 31, 9:00 pm – 12:30 am
Inner Harbor
Ring in the New Year with live music from area bands, and stick around for a grand fireworks display at midnight. For details, visit www.promotionandarts.org. And make sure to stop by the Southwest Vacations space in Bicentennial Plaza, where you can dance the night away at the All-Inclusive Hard Rock Hotel stage, take a virtual trip with a green screen photo booth, and enter for a chance to win a tropical getaway to Cancún, courtesy of Southwest Vacations and Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Click for more information, including official rules.
Christmas Village in Baltimore
Through December 24, 11:00 am – Close (Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 pm; Friday – Saturday: 8:00 pm; Christmas Eve: 5:00 pm)
West Shore Park, Inner Harbor
The Christmas Village in Baltimore returns with even more authentic experience. This traditional German Christmas market features more than 40 vendors peddling traditional European arts, crafts, holiday gifts, and refreshments. For more information, visit www.baltimore-christmas.com.
Holiday Sale & Festivities at Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower
Through December 27, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, 21 S. Eutaw Street
Throughout the holiday season, the resident artists at Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower will offer special holiday pricing. Participating artists’ unique works can be purchased for as little as $5. View artwork throughout the building, including 15 floors of working artist studios and special exhibitions. Special clock room tour gift certificates will also be available for purchase. For more information, call 443-874-3596 or visit www.bromoseltzertower.com.
It's a Wonderful Life
Through January 4, Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
(closed Christmas Day)
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory, 3100 Swann Drive
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks present the 2014 holiday poinsettia show, It's a Wonderful Life. Tour the conservatory and enjoy all the magic and whimsy of the holiday season. Santa Claus will visit the conservatory on Sunday, December 7, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm and Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. A fine selection of poinsettias will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.rawlingsconservatory.com or call 410-396-0008.
ArtsCentric Presents “The Color Purple”
Through January 4, Fridays - Saturdays, 7:30 pm; Sundays, 5:00 pm
Boston Street Theater, 5625 O’Donnell Street (inside the Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center)
Join ArtsCentric for The Color Purple. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, beginning 90 minutes before the show. This production of The Color Purple is suitable for ages 12 and up. General admission is $25. For group rates, call Sequina DuBose at 410-241-9492 or email info@artscentric.net. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.artscentric.net or call 410-205-5130.
It's a Waterfront Life
Through January 19, 2015
Inner Harbor
This year, the Waterfront Partnership's annual holiday campaign is even more robust—a new seasonal ice rink at McKeldin Plaza is sure to make this a holiday season to remember! Visitors to the waterfront will also find special events, discounts, and deals on all kinds of festive activities. Don't forget to get your picture with Santa Claus or to take in a holiday laser light show. For a complete listing, visit www.itsawaterfrontlife.org.
Waterfront Partnership Ice Rink
Through January 19, 2015
McKeldin Plaza, Inner Harbor
The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore is thrilled to bring the return of Baltimore's holiday ice rink. Enjoy ice skating, special programming, and events throughout the holiday season. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for children; bring your own skates or rent a pair for $3. For more information, visit www.itsawaterfrontlife.org.
Ice Rink Hours
- Monday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
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