Barbara Mikulski's advice to an ailing Baltimore: 'Stop whining'

Bizjournals.com ^ | 5/24/2018 | Melody Simmons

[simpson96]

The best way to move Baltimore forward from its blight, unemployment and horrific three-year cycle of violent crime and record homicide rates is to stand up to it with gusto.

"Stop whining and start winning," retired U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski told a group of about 75 business leaders at an informal panel Wednesday afternoon downtown. The event was sponsored by the Baltimore Efficiency and Economy Foundation, a nonprofit centered on civic advocacy, and held at 750 E. Pratt St.

Mikulski took the microphone after nearly an hour and a half discussion about how the city could turn itself around and move forward.

Titled "Preparing Baltimore for the next Amazon opportunity," the group that included developer Thibault Manekin, Parks and People President Lisa Millspaugh Schroeder and urban researcher Seema Iyer spoke of ways to fix the city and move it on a stronger path toward the future.

"Amazon was a grand slam. Why don't we go for singles and doubles? Let's think about that," Mikulski said, of the city's bid to lure the internet retailing giant to select Baltimore as its location for a second North American headquarters or HQ2.

The city's bid was rejected in February, but Mikulski implored the leaders to seek out other corporations to move to Baltlimore.

"I believe one of the first things we do is stop whining."

Mikulski, a Democrat, retired in January 2017 after 30 years in the Senate. The former social worker and City Councilwoman took the microphone and started wagging her finger at the room urging the city's business and elected leaders to "look at the assets that the city has that will not move on."

"Look at the waterfront — and we have more than one at

[Palio di Siena]

Nice summation. But don’t forget to give ol du burns credit for
destroying many of the great east balmer neighborhoods with sec. 8
vouchers.