* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Spector
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Request for State Action - Keep the Preakness in Baltimore
FOR the purpose of calling on the Maryland General Assembly to join Governor Hogan, the 41st Delegation of Baltimore City, and the Baltimore City Council in affirming the established policy that recognizes Baltimore City as the only possible home for the historic Preakness Stakes leg of the Triple Crown, and requesting that they refuse any attempts to change Maryland law to allow the Preakness to be moved out of Baltimore City.
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Recitals
There�s been talk about moving the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico, which has hosted the second leg of The Triple Crown for 140 years, to Laurel. On some level these discussions are understandable. Pimlico needs work to bring its facility up to par with Laurel Raceway. Laurel is closer to Washington and would attract people from that market. At either venue, the race stays in Maryland.
But in reality, a move out of Baltimore would be a significant mistake. In fact, the whole idea is an example of everything that�s wrong with how we�ve come to view the problems facing all our nation�s great cities. It�s all about money nowadays, about the easiest, least expensive, shortest term solution � regardless of the consequences to our people and the long-term impacts, which aren�t as easy to quantify.
In the past few weeks, the negative publicity our city has received has been devastating. The relentless headlines threaten to eclipse the many wonderful things about Baltimore that so many of our people have worked so hard to accomplish and that our neighborhoods have fought every day to preserve.
There was a moment after the riots and looting when people took to their streets to help clean up the mess. That�s Baltimore. We�re all in this together and we�re going to continue to do whatever we can to make our city an even better place to live and work.
And then the Preakness gave the world a chance to see yet another side of Baltimore. A city steeped in rich traditions that can work together to overcome its challenges. A city that is a joyful host eager to share those traditions with visitors from around the world.
The Preakness isn�t just a Maryland race. It�s a Baltimore race, a Pimlico tradition that brings jobs and income and favorable publicity the city needs. Current state law barring the Preakness from moving outside of Baltimore recognizes our city�s importance to the Preakness tradition. None of the recent developments in our City or in the racing industry can change that, and they should not be looked at as excuses to change the law and move the Preakness out of its rightful place.
Let�s have the vision to solve a difficult problem instead of opting for the less expensive, quicker solution regardless of whom it hurts. This city is our home, and it is the only proper home for the Preakness. For the great and enduring contribution Baltimore has made to our state and country, and for the extraordinary people who took to the streets to clean up their beloved, somewhat flawed, and occasionally difficult city � for all that and more, we should extend every effort, whatever it takes, to keep the Preakness in Baltimore. To do otherwise demonstrates a lack of initiative, a lack of creativity and vision � and a lack of respect for the good people of this great city.
To let the Preakness, its jobs, its income, and the positive attention it brings to Baltimore slip away down the road for some technical business reasons is not how we do things. That�s not how we solve our problems. And that kind of thinking is not what made us great.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Council calls on the Maryland General Assembly to join Governor Hogan, the 41st Delegation of Baltimore City, and the Baltimore City Council in affirming the established policy that recognizes Baltimore City as the only possible home for the historic Preakness Stakes leg of the Triple Crown, and requests that they refuse any attempts to change Maryland law to allow the Preakness to be moved out of Baltimore City.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House Speaker, the Mayor, and the Mayor�s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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