Please print/download this letter. Next, sign and forward to the Mayor of Baltimore City by email, fax, or mail. Details: Mayor Rawlings-Blake Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor City Hall, Room 250 100 N. Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Phone (410) 396-3835 Fax (410) 576-9425

1. Date: _________________________
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Office of the Mayor, City of Baltimore
100 North Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland, 21202
Dear Honorable Rawlings-Blake:
We, the citizens of Baltimore City are dismayed that your administration is taking the initiative to
close many of the recreation centers. Surely, part of the $6.1 million “approved cuts” (savings) from
the Mayor's $2.3 billion operating budget by Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young can be used
to prevent these recreation centers from closing.
It has not gone unnoticed that the bulk of the recreational centers marked for closing are in the inner
city. The inner city? Isn’t the inner city the main part of our town that houses most of our lower
income citizens? Closing these centers would give rise to undesirable opportunities for our children –
especially those from families of little means. In particular, divisive criminal activities and gangs will
become even more inviting to young developing minds. Recreation centers are a proven positive outlet
for many of our youth, and closing them will send a strong message to the citizens of Baltimore City
that your administration does not value the future of our youth. To take away any structured,
educational and/or recreational programs loudly proclaims that your administration has little or no
regard for the overall welfare of our youth. Is this the legacy you want for your administration?
If it is, please keep in mind, “children are our future”. Darkening our children’s future by closing
recreation centers will undoubtedly shine an unfavorable light on anyone’s future that has a hand in
such a heartless measure.
We, the citizens of Baltimore City are extremely displeased and aghast that any official would have the
audacity to even suggest that our children’s future is of little to no importance and can easily be done
away with. This message will be heard by the multitude of concerned citizens once a single door of
hope and opportunity is removed.
We, the citizens of Baltimore City support evidence that any beneficial opportunities removed from
our youth will change their position in society. We expect our elected officials to protect the lives of
all the citizens of Baltimore City, especially our children. We will be listening and watching. We
charge your administration to make the correct decision for the edification of our youth- all of them.
Diversion of the approved savings to prevent recreation centers from closing, as well as enhancing
after-school and summer jobs programs would contribute to an investment in our future – our children.
Sincerely,
Appalled and Concerned,
Citizens of Baltimore City
Name: ___________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________
_________________________________________________