Filling the Void in East Baltimore
There is an absence in Baltimore's Middle East neighborhood, the area affected by a major renovation project that is managed by Hopkins, the City Government and others through the East Baltimore Development Initiative (EBDI). Lots sit empty, waiting for construction to begin. These spaces stand ready with the promise of a new future, one that many hope will match the area's once-vibrant past.
But in the wake of the Save Middle East Action Committee (SMEAC) disbanding, there is yet more absence. There is no comment from a majority of the board. There is the absence of reporting from any other media outlets - in the week since The News-Letter broke the story about SMEAC's closure, no other journalistic organization has chosen to investigate. But most importantly, there is no organization dedicated to representing the interests of community members through the development process.
Like most organizations, SMEAC was not without its faults. Many felt the board had lost touch with the people it represented, the worst form of condemnation possible for a grassroots organization.
Others recognized the organization's strides in working with EBDI to implement policies that helped make a difference for residents, such as the House for a House program which helped relocated residents return to the neighborhood and purchase housing in the area.
As the community looks to create a replacement representational group, it is important to learn from SMEAC's successes and mistakes. The new group should work to hold itself to the same standards that it has demanded of EBDI. This should include financial transparency, democratic representation and timeliness in notifying its residents of all actions.
The News-Letter hopes that both EBDI and this new organization can put their grievances in the past and work toward the betterment of the area for all. As a show of good faith, EBDI should invite community members to work in their search for a permanent president. Members of EBDI are constantly stressing their role in supporting the community. By allowing community members to be involved in the search committee without being pressured into it by a SMEAC-type organization, EBDI could truly prove that it has the best interests of the neighborhood in mind.
We urge EBDI to open its board, allowing a member selected by the new community organization to serve amongst its ranks. At the same time, we hope the group that rises from the emptiness where SMEAC once stood will allow EBDI members to have their say as well. Only then can the absences in this community begin to be filled.
But in the wake of the Save Middle East Action Committee (SMEAC) disbanding, there is yet more absence. There is no comment from a majority of the board. There is the absence of reporting from any other media outlets - in the week since The News-Letter broke the story about SMEAC's closure, no other journalistic organization has chosen to investigate. But most importantly, there is no organization dedicated to representing the interests of community members through the development process.
Like most organizations, SMEAC was not without its faults. Many felt the board had lost touch with the people it represented, the worst form of condemnation possible for a grassroots organization.
Others recognized the organization's strides in working with EBDI to implement policies that helped make a difference for residents, such as the House for a House program which helped relocated residents return to the neighborhood and purchase housing in the area.
As the community looks to create a replacement representational group, it is important to learn from SMEAC's successes and mistakes. The new group should work to hold itself to the same standards that it has demanded of EBDI. This should include financial transparency, democratic representation and timeliness in notifying its residents of all actions.
The News-Letter hopes that both EBDI and this new organization can put their grievances in the past and work toward the betterment of the area for all. As a show of good faith, EBDI should invite community members to work in their search for a permanent president. Members of EBDI are constantly stressing their role in supporting the community. By allowing community members to be involved in the search committee without being pressured into it by a SMEAC-type organization, EBDI could truly prove that it has the best interests of the neighborhood in mind.
We urge EBDI to open its board, allowing a member selected by the new community organization to serve amongst its ranks. At the same time, we hope the group that rises from the emptiness where SMEAC once stood will allow EBDI members to have their say as well. Only then can the absences in this community begin to be filled.
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