Baltimore Asks Voters To Approve $100,000,000 In City Loans

By Cathy Duchamp

In Baltimore, voters have a lot to consider on the bottom of the ballot: eight bond issues that add up to $100 million in city loans. The bond measure campaign is relatively modest.

Tom Stosur directs the Baltimore Planning Department. He’s not running for office. But he is on the campaign trail.

"Well, that’s part of my job. And I’m very bullish on Baltimore. This is just another case of a great investment in our future," says Stosur.

Voters will decide whether the city can take out $100 million in loans over the next two years to renovate schools, upgrade fire stations, and stabilize neighborhoods, among many other things. But you won’t see any television ads in this campaign.

"Our overall campaign budget to run this was about $30,000. Very modest and not enough to get T.V. time," he says.

And maybe not necessary if previous elections are any indication.

"We have not I’m proud and happy to say, lost a bond issue in the city of Baltimore since the mid-70s," he remarks.

But Stosur says he doesn’t take the record for granted. He’ll keep handing out bond measure brochures until the polls open tomorrow.