GBC Leader - December 2001

December 2001

Headlines:

GBC Urges City Not to Raise Parking Tax While Reforming It

The Greater Baltimore Committee last month praised the city for reforming the way its parking taxes are assessed and collected, but urged city council members to resist the temptation to raise parking taxes in the process.

Even a modest tax increase "projects a negative connotation" to businesses considering locating in the city and to businesses in the city that are reviewing their options for renewing leases or expanding, GBC Executive Vice President Donald C. Fry told members of the City Council's Taxation Committee on November 7.

GBC Web Link: GBC News.

[top]

Discover Your Leadership Potential on December 6

What does it take to be a leader? Find out from Jan Houbolt, executive director of The Leadership, a program sponsored by the GBC, at the December 6 GBC/WQSR Business Breakfast Seminar, "Leadership, Vision & Results." Beginning at 7:45 a.m. in the GBC Board Room, Houbolt will discuss basic characteristics of successful leaders and show how you can tap into your own leadership potential.

A visible proponent of volunteer leadership and community involvement, Houbolt was recently selected by The Fullwood Foundation to receive the Fullwood Valued Hours Award in recognition of his many years of dedicated service that benefits diverse segments of the population. The Fullwood Foundation provides scholarships, cultural enrichment for youth, and sponsors awards that promote excellence.

A modern ergonomic office chair will be given away at this seminar, courtesy of event sponsor American Office. To attend, register online at www.gbc.org or contact Jay Stewart at 410-727-2820, x35.

GBC Web Link: GBC Calendar.

[top]

Commission Proposes Adding $274 Million per Year to State Funds for Baltimore City Schools

Baltimore City Public Schools would eventually gain almost $274 million per year in additional state funding under a new funding formula recommended by the Thornton Commission, the state task force charged with overhauling Maryland's system of financing public schools.

Tina M. Bjarekull, deputy state school superintendent, outlined the commission's recommendations for members of the GBC Education Committee on Nov. 6. Under the proposed new formula, the city's added state school funding would build from an increase of $37.1 million in the next fiscal year to an increase of $273.9 million in FY 2007, she noted.

GBC Web Link: GBC News.

[top]

Hippodrome Update Sissman Named BCPA President; Construction Start Nears

Contractual negotiations and private fundraising for renovating the Hippodrome Theater are in the final stages and the key economic partners are in place for construction to begin on the $56 million project in early 2002, according to Mark Sissman, the new president of the Baltimore Center for Performing Arts (BCPA).

On October 6, Sissman was named to head the BCPA, the nonprofit organization that brings Broadway theater to Baltimore and will oversee the Hippodrome's development and management. Sissman was previously a senior vice president at Bank of America.

The Greater Baltimore Committee, a long-time BCPA supporter and partner in fundraising, played a lead role in obtaining critical state and city funding for the Hippodrome renovation project. The Hippodrome and the Bank of America's Centerpoint project will serve as linchpins for the ongoing redevelopment of the city's west side.

GBC Web Link: GBC News.

[top]

GBC Co-Sponsors Downtown Partnership Campaign to Educate Public about Panhandling

The Greater Baltimore Committee and BACVA (Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association) are co-sponsoring a new campaign with Downtown Partnership to remind Baltimore residents, workers, and visitors that there are better ways to help needy people than by giving money to panhandlers.

The campaign is intended to discourage panhandling while encouraging support for organizations that aid the homeless. The organizations are urging people to "Put Your Change Where You Can Make One" by distributing 10,000 informational pamphlets at 100 hotels and retailers throughout the city. The pamphlet suggests better ways to help the city's homeless community - such as buying a poor person a sandwich or supporting an organization that addresses homeless issues - and offers strategies for politely declining when approached for money.

GBC Web Link: GBC News.

[top]

Experts Forecast Recession's End in 2002, Modest Long-term Recovery

Economic experts who addressed the GBC's Oct. 31 Greater Baltimore Business Outlook program agreed that the economies of the nation and region will experience a recovery in 2002. They cautioned, however, not to expect the double-digit investment returns of the 1990s.

"There's a limit to how much we can grind economic activity to a halt. There's going to be a recovery. That's a certainty," Alan D. Levenson, chief economist for T. Rowe Price Associates, told more than 250 GBC members and guests in the Maryland Room of the Hyatt Regency Baltimore. "There's never been an economic recovery without a stock market recovery," he added.

GBC Web Link: GBC News.

[top]

Businesses to be Honored for Community Service at Dec. 17 Mayor’s Awards

Join Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, the GBC and the Baltimore Development Corporation for the 2001 Mayor's Business Recognition Awards on December 17, honoring local businesses that have demonstrated significant corporate leadership and service for a better Baltimore. Large and small firms from throughout the Baltimore region will be recognized for improving the quality of life in Baltimore City during the luncheon at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Award winners will be announced in late November.

The cost is $50 for GBC members and $65 for non-members. To register, go to the GBC Calendar or contact Jay Stewart, 410-727-2820, x35.

[top]

Dec. 6 Rail Corridor Seminar Focuses on Environment

Roy Kienitz, secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning, will discuss "Rail Transit as an Environmental Asset and Opportunity" at the Dec. 6 symposium in the Maryland Transit Administration's Rail Corridor Symposium series, co-sponsored by the GBC. The 6:00 p.m. seminar will take place at Tide Point, 1040 Hull Street in Locust Point. The series is part of the MTA's effort to inform the public about the Baltimore Regional Rail System Plan. Admission is free.

The series is also sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Partnership and the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board.

GBC Web Link: www.baltimorerailplan.com

[top]

GREATER BALTIMORE COMMITTEE



			December 2001
	Headlines: GBC Urges City Not to Raise Parking Tax While Reforming It Discover Your Leadership Potential on December 6 Commission Proposes Adding $274 Million per Year to State Funds for Baltimore City Schools GBC MEMBER NEWS (Click on headlines for the full story): Hopkins receives $150 million for cancer research and patient care Mercy to begin clearing site for $110 million expansion project Villa Julie to hold IT information session on Nov. 28 Carl B. Fischer Named to Head Northrop Grumman's New Space Systems Division Downtown Partnership's Safety Escort Program begins winter hours Biddison joins Thomas Associates, L.L.P. GBC Board Member Eddie Brown donates $1 million to city library Babe Ruth Museum's new exhibit celebrates Baltimore Colts Jos. A. Bank, effective-e featured in Wall Street Journal for online clothing store Hippodrome Update: Sissman Named BCPA President; Construction Start Nears GBC Co-Sponsors Downtown Partnership Campaign to Educate Public about Panhandling Experts Forecast Recessino's End in 2002, Modest Long-term Recovery Businesses to be Honored for Community Service at Dec. 17 Mayor's Awards Dec. 6 Rail Corridor Seminar Focuses on Environment
	GBC Urges City Not to Raise Parking Tax While Reforming It The Greater Baltimore Committee last month praised the city for reforming the way its parking taxes are assessed and collected, but urged city council members to resist the temptation to raise parking taxes in the process. Even a modest tax increase "projects a negative connotation" to businesses considering locating in the city and to businesses in the city that are reviewing their options for renewing leases or expanding, GBC Executive Vice President Donald C. Fry told members of the City Council's Taxation Committee on November 7. GBC Web Link: GBC News. [top] Discover Your Leadership Potential on December 6 What does it take to be a leader? Find out from Jan Houbolt, executive director of The Leadership, a program sponsored by the GBC, at the December 6 GBC/WQSR Business Breakfast Seminar, "Leadership, Vision & Results." Beginning at 7:45 a.m. in the GBC Board Room, Houbolt will discuss basic characteristics of successful leaders and show how you can tap into your own leadership potential. A visible proponent of volunteer leadership and community involvement, Houbolt was recently selected by The Fullwood Foundation to receive the Fullwood Valued Hours Award in recognition of his many years of dedicated service that benefits diverse segments of the population. The Fullwood Foundation provides scholarships, cultural enrichment for youth, and sponsors awards that promote excellence. A modern ergonomic office chair will be given away at this seminar, courtesy of event sponsor American Office. To attend, register online at www.gbc.org or contact Jay Stewart at 410-727-2820, x35. GBC Web Link: GBC Calendar. [top] Commission Proposes Adding $274 Million per Year to State Funds for Baltimore City Schools Baltimore City Public Schools would eventually gain almost $274 million per year in additional state funding under a new funding formula recommended by the Thornton Commission, the state task force charged with overhauling Maryland's system of financing public schools. Tina M. Bjarekull, deputy state school superintendent, outlined the commission's recommendations for members of the GBC Education Committee on Nov. 6. Under the proposed new formula, the city's added state school funding would build from an increase of $37.1 million in the next fiscal year to an increase of $273.9 million in FY 2007, she noted. GBC Web Link: GBC News. [top] Hippodrome Update Sissman Named BCPA President; Construction Start Nears Contractual negotiations and private fundraising for renovating the Hippodrome Theater are in the final stages and the key economic partners are in place for construction to begin on the $56 million project in early 2002, according to Mark Sissman, the new president of the Baltimore Center for Performing Arts (BCPA). On October 6, Sissman was named to head the BCPA, the nonprofit organization that brings Broadway theater to Baltimore and will oversee the Hippodrome's development and management. Sissman was previously a senior vice president at Bank of America. The Greater Baltimore Committee, a long-time BCPA supporter and partner in fundraising, played a lead role in obtaining critical state and city funding for the Hippodrome renovation project. The Hippodrome and the Bank of America's Centerpoint project will serve as linchpins for the ongoing redevelopment of the city's west side. GBC Web Link: GBC News. [top] GBC Co-Sponsors Downtown Partnership Campaign to Educate Public about Panhandling The Greater Baltimore Committee and BACVA (Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association) are co-sponsoring a new campaign with Downtown Partnership to remind Baltimore residents, workers, and visitors that there are better ways to help needy people than by giving money to panhandlers. The campaign is intended to discourage panhandling while encouraging support for organizations that aid the homeless. The organizations are urging people to "Put Your Change Where You Can Make One" by distributing 10,000 informational pamphlets at 100 hotels and retailers throughout the city. The pamphlet suggests better ways to help the city's homeless community - such as buying a poor person a sandwich or supporting an organization that addresses homeless issues - and offers strategies for politely declining when approached for money. GBC Web Link: GBC News. [top] Experts Forecast Recession's End in 2002, Modest Long-term Recovery Economic experts who addressed the GBC's Oct. 31 Greater Baltimore Business Outlook program agreed that the economies of the nation and region will experience a recovery in 2002. They cautioned, however, not to expect the double-digit investment returns of the 1990s. "There's a limit to how much we can grind economic activity to a halt. There's going to be a recovery. That's a certainty," Alan D. Levenson, chief economist for T. Rowe Price Associates, told more than 250 GBC members and guests in the Maryland Room of the Hyatt Regency Baltimore. "There's never been an economic recovery without a stock market recovery," he added. GBC Web Link: GBC News. [top] Businesses to be Honored for Community Service at Dec. 17 Mayor’s Awards Join Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, the GBC and the Baltimore Development Corporation for the 2001 Mayor's Business Recognition Awards on December 17, honoring local businesses that have demonstrated significant corporate leadership and service for a better Baltimore. Large and small firms from throughout the Baltimore region will be recognized for improving the quality of life in Baltimore City during the luncheon at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. Award winners will be announced in late November. The cost is $50 for GBC members and $65 for non-members. To register, go to the GBC Calendar or contact Jay Stewart, 410-727-2820, x35. [top] Dec. 6 Rail Corridor Seminar Focuses on Environment Roy Kienitz, secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning, will discuss "Rail Transit as an Environmental Asset and Opportunity" at the Dec. 6 symposium in the Maryland Transit Administration's Rail Corridor Symposium series, co-sponsored by the GBC. The 6:00 p.m. seminar will take place at Tide Point, 1040 Hull Street in Locust Point. The series is part of the MTA's effort to inform the public about the Baltimore Regional Rail System Plan. Admission is free. The series is also sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Partnership and the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board. GBC Web Link: www.baltimorerailplan.com [top]
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