Wendy Bozel
Candidate in May 14 primary
Democratic
Upper Fells Point
Age: 62 on day of General Election (Nov. 5)
Occupation: Baltimore City Public School Teacher
Education: AA Degree from Baltimore City Community College
BS Towson State University
Masters Degree Coppin State University
Previous political experience: I do not have political experience but I have been the President and Vice President for Upper Fells Point Improvement Association. Also, worked with the State of Maryland to write and receive a grant for $80,000 to make my neighborhood safer.
Why are you running for office?
Baltimore City wants a mayor who is not a criminal or an ineffective corrupt politician. Currently, and for the past 10 years, I am a Baltimore City Public Schools Teacher. It is time for a leader who is in the trenches and knows first hand what needs to be done to change Baltimore now.
Education and Crime go hand in hand 54% of students in Baltimore City Schools are 20 or more days absent and Baltimore’s youth are being shot at highest rate in a decade.
STOP YOUTH VIOLENCE- GET THEM BACK IN SCHOOL!
ENFORCE the State of Maryland’s Attendance Laws. Bring back Truant Officers
FOLLOW THE MONEY 4.4 Billion Dollar Baltimore City Budget, WHERE DID IT GO? We need an independent audit.
$1.7 billion is given to our schools but they are failing, because 164 principals are given $10-$20 million to manage. Centralize budgets, so every school in Baltimore City is a great choice.
We can’t have the same problems and the same people for another 4 years, AGAIN.
Let’s look for hope.
Baltimore’s homicide rate dropped in 2023 for the first time in nearly a decade. How would you maintain that decrease while also focusing on quality of life crimes that make residents feel less safe in their neighborhoods?
While Baltimore’s homicide decreased, other crimes increased like car thefts, which rose 182%. Robberies also increased. Non fatal shooting were over 600, if we did not have best trauma in the world our homicide rate would be higher. Those 19 and under in Baltimore are being killed and shot in 2023 at a pace not seen in at least a decade, according to a new Baltimore Sun analysis of police data.
I will implement Problem Oriented Policing (POP) the program places a high value on new responses that are preventive in nature, that are not dependent on the use of the criminal justice system. I will bringing together those at the grass roots level of the issues – hospitals, churches, community leaders, and representatives of the city – together, we can solve the problems causing crime.
Ending Safe Street and re-opening the Police Athletic Leagues. Youth crime was it’s lowest when they were open and Police Academy was fully enrolled.
Proactive not Reactive Policing.
Pressure is mounting to reduce Baltimore’s property tax rate, which is higher than surrounding jurisdictions. Do you think a reduction is possible and how would you accomplish it?
With careful planning and a firm commitment, Baltimore City’s property tax rate can be cut substantially, its tax base broadened, its economy strengthened and its communities made more equitable. I will cut property tax rates nearly in half through small, manageable increments over seven years.
Baltimore City with a lower property tax rate will increases in population, property values and real estate transactions will grow and diversify our tax base. At the same time, case studies indicate that jobs numbers will also increase as more employers are incentivized to move to Baltimore City, resulting in an growing pool of tax revenues.
How do you assess the performance of Superintendent Sonia Santelises and what do you believe is the mayor’s role in improving city schools?
I am a currently a Baltimore City Public School Teacher and the CEO should be judges by results and data. The budget is $1.7 billion and the CEO gives it to 164 principals who have total control of their $10–$20-million-dollar budgets down to the payroll.
The Mayor needs to push for centralize budgets so every school in Baltimore City is a great choice with money spent appropriately. Allow teachers to call a centralized department to request what they need (books, laptops, and supplies). I don’t want teachers to hear, ” Nit in the budget”
Baltimore City 54% of students were chronically absent last year, the highest percentage in the state. The graduation rate was 68.7%, placing it at the bottom of the state’s 24 school systems.
The Mayor can bring all city agencies to work together and address the reasons students are not coming to school or dropping out: transportation, housing, clothing and mental health issues. He needs to appoint.
Baltimore has been faced with massive increases in school spending under the state’s Blueprint for Education law. A structural deficit is expected in the coming year. How do you propose covering the mounting costs of education and other city spending?
Despite a massive budget of $1.7 billion our schools are failing. $15 to $20 million dollars are given to each of the 164 principals to decide how to budget. they are not financial officers. LET’S RESTORE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY! Centralize and realign budgets so every school in Baltimore City is a great choice with money spent appropriately.
Once schools are run centrally money will be saved because there will be increased buying power and oversight. This action will give principals their jobs back, instead of budgeting – allow them to increase attendance by meeting students and parents, supporting teachers, building community partnerships, and fostering positive parent relationships.
All other school districts are run centrally. They have much better results with less funding.
If we do have funding issues, I am sure we will find the money after the independent audit of all Baltimore City departments is completed. Where is the Casino money that was supposed to education?
Baltimore’s many vacant homes attract crime and decrease the quality of life for city residents who live in their midst. How would you assess the city’s current approach to vacant properties and what would your plan entail?
We’ve ignored this issue of vacant homes for far too long, resulting in the death of three city firefighters in 2022. Currently, there are more than 14,000 vacant homes in Baltimore.
My Plan
* Double Real Estate Taxes on Vacant Homes that are over a year vacant.
* Reestablish “Dollar Homes” but make sure the infrastructure in place.
* Start the path to home ownership for people on rental assistance. Instead of using rental assistance support out of state or country “landlords” to support home owners. This will build generational wealth in our most disadvantaged populations..
*Increase Green Spaces – use abandoned buildings or houses to create areas for trees, benches, grass or playgrounds. Greening Communities! Studies have shown designed and maintained green space can reduce violent crime & gun violence.
Many Baltimoreans rely on public transit to get to work and move around the city. What can the city do to improve access to public transportation?
With more community input the The Red Line is a proposed 14-mile rapid transit line that would run through Baltimore’s east-west corridor would be a good option.. It is the missing link between Black, working-class neighborhoods to the east and west and job-rich areas like Woodlawn, downtown Baltimore, and Bayview, as well as connections to existing rapid transit lines.
While waiting for The Red Line other means of transportation could be explored. On streets without dedicated bicycle infrastructure, curbside bus lanes could be used bike/bus lanes. Some cities give permit bicycles to us in bus lanes.
Shared bus-bike lanes can accommodate both modes at low speeds and moderate bus headways, where buses are discouraged from passing, and bicyclists pass buses only at stops. Bus-bike lanes are an option on streets where dedicated bus and separate high-comfort bicycle facilities cannot be provided.
Provide low cost Uber and Lyft Rides to get people to work or school.
A plan currently calls for the redevelopment of Harborplace into high rise buildings offering a mix of uses including apartments on the waterfront. Do you support this plan and if not, what would you prefer to see in its place?
Bramble is helping Baltimore. Harborplace was in receivership. Our leadership had not take action. Shops and stores vacant. Something needed to be done.
MCB’s include some past city plans — getting rid of the pedestrian nightmare that is McKeldin Plaza and placing the revived Red Line project in the heart of the city on Pratt Street. The promenade split into two parts with the lower portion designed to rise and fall with the harbor’s water level, making the space more resilient in the face of climate change is amazing.
The business and restaurants should be local with affordable rent. We need to save a part of Harborplace to use as a museum.
A festival atmosphere could be achieved, by allowing artist to preform and show and sell their artwork.
Tributaries flow into the harbor for all section of Baltimore City. Lets uncover them and make walkways/ bike paths to Harbor from all parts of the city North, South, East and West. Let’s make Harborplace accessible to all.
Editor’s note: Baltimore Sun Media received this candidate’s responses on March 15.
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