CCA Public Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Questions Can Be Submitted on Facebook) APPROVED
Location: United Evangelical Church
The meeting started at 6:35PM.
Welcoming remarks: Amanda Bourgeois, CCA President:
Amanda welcomed everyone thanking the United Evangelical Church for the space. She also thanked The Dive for the food.
Announcements - Amanda (Done after Team 46 recap):
Sail 250: This starts June 24. Festivals, air shows and list of ships can be found on the Sail 250 app or www.sail250md.org.
Dumpster Day – Maura Taylor: This is May 30 on Lakewood Avenue in back of the Safeway. Maura said it’s usually there between 7-8A. When it’s full the City is called. “Dumpster diving” is allowed. The metal is taken elsewhere so it’s not in the landfill.
Project ODSP (O’Donnell Square Project) – Amanda & Sharise (EnviroCollab): A board was shown with design. There will be a covered structure. Funding was received from the State with an additional $200,000 from Team 46 to create a permanent canopy structure. The RFP (Request for Proposal) is going out Wednesday, May 20. There was a popup in June 2025 with feedback given. The fence and art will be placed in an area that is TBD. The metal will be salvaged. People can get permits to use the Square. There will be electrical hookups and lighting. The BCRP (Baltimore City Rec and Parks) has been with the CCA on this project. Reviews are ongoing.
Presentations:
Team 46 Recap - State Senator Bill Ferguson, Delegates Luke Clippinger and Mark Edelson: Senator Bill Ferguson spoke about this being a very challenging year. He also feels it was a more productive year. One big concern was energy relief - $150 refund to consumers, data centers (75% demand), upgrades, renewable investments in solar and nuclear.
Maryland had the most exposure to the federal government cuts. The hope is to have the people having lost federal jobs join the private sector. Protections were put in place for immigrants.
Delegate Mark Edelson (prior CCA President) said it's good to see a packed room. Saying Team 46 is a “team” they had a tough year with a $1.5B deficit. They were able to balance the budget without raising taxes.
Mark also said that Baltimore City schools rated one of the best school systems to have recovered from the pandemic. There were investments made in child care. He mentioned a decrease in violent crime saying various people and government agencies deserve credit.
Delegate Luke Clippinger is the Speaker Pro Tempore. Being in this position he looks at the whole range of topics. He mentioned legislation in the City Council to target smoke shops.
Sail 250 starts June 24-29 and will welcome the world to Baltimore. He encourages us to participate. There are three air teams – the Blue Angels and the British and French Precision teams.
The air shows are June 27 and 28.
Questions and Answers:
Someone applauded Senator Ferguson for standing his ground on the redistricting issue. The senator said there were various opinions. Since things have shifted with the recent Voting Rights decision by the Supreme Court, there will be election conversations.
Senator Ferguson explained about energy auctions especially concerning data centers. These centers can raise demand even if not built yet. Saying both chambers did work together on this issue, Maryland does need to increase capacity. The issue of data centers and zoning issues was not tackled.
If the deficit is higher in 2027 then cuts may have to be made. Education needs to be funded. With less federal workers, state revenue has decreased. Entitlement programs need to be funded including health care.
Emergency care is the highest.
Juneteenth Event – John Ford: This is usually placement of a marker or a walk. More details to follow on Facebook or the CCA website.
Canton Canopy - Ted: There were two spring plantings this year with 50 trees planted. Two more plantings are planned for the fall. Information can be found on the CCA website or Facebook.
DPW – Department of Public Works – Haydee Batista: She mentioned the following: Composting, water restrictions, recycling issues (residents receiving a sticker if incorrect items are placed in the can) and materials being put in sink drains. Materials were left on the back table. Also, please call 311 if storm drains need to be cleaned.
Bluebird Education Network (Clay Hill Public Charter School) – Jane Lindenfelser: Jane thanked Team 46 for their help five years ago when Clay Hill opened. The school is located in the Bayview area on the site of the former Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. Now it is K-7; it will be K-8 for the 2026-2027 school year. There is an open house on Thursday, May 21 from 8-9A.
Canton Can Bros – Sean Boone, II: This is done Tuesdays after trash pickup and Thursdays after recycling pickup. There is a 10A-3P service window. They also do steps and patios. Cards were left with a QR code.
Waterfront Partnership – Tania Romero & Eva Shannon: They do recreation and are part of the Healthy Harbor team. The Harris Creek Rain Garden is in repair mode now.
Baltimore City DOT (Department of Transportation) – Monaye Easlefy-Smalls: This department deals with infrastructure, traffic calming, repaving and followup of 311 calls. She said more speed cameras are being installed. She wants people to be more comfortable with bike lanes. Information was left regarding Tiered Speeding Fines and DOT liaisons. Information about their projects can be found at: streetsofbaltimore.com.
Tranquel Essence – June 20th Event – Eileen & Rahmell: This event, Reel Talk, will be held Saturday, June 20 at the Canton Waterfront Park, from 9:30A-2P. This is about Fatherhood and Health & Wellness.
Candidates Running in the June 23 Primary (Five minutes each with no Q&A; materials at front desk):
Maryland’s 7th Congressional District – Kweisi Mfume: Kweisi Mfume spoke about voting rights being attacked. He was a sponsor of Medicare For All.
He feels that a two-year term is good for Congress.
State Senate Candidates – Bill Ferguson and Bobby LaPin: Senator Ferguson was a teacher. He said there are 14 new schools. He is able to deliver Investments in people. He said Maryland has the second most insured people. He mentioned that the downtown area is lacking investment. A bus system running east to west is needed.
He ended by saying he hopes to earn our vote.
Bobby LaPin talked about Project 2025 done in 2023 saying he knew what the Republicans were doing. He supported redistricting early in the campaign. He also mentioned electricity issues.
Baltimore City Sheriff – Sam Cogen & Sabrina Tapp-Harper: The sheriff said this is his first time in office. He said they “humanized the eviction process”.
Evictions are down 38%. His office helps with alcohol enforcement and smoke shops.
His office is also at many festivals around the City.
Sabrina Tapp-Harper spent 20 years in the BCPD and was a major. She then went to the Sheriff’s office where she worked in the domestic violence area. Also she has worked with education and training.
Miscellaneous:
The Gold Business Members were recognized on the agenda:
Allstate Insurance Company – Jim Craig
Holmes Glorioso Home Group of eXp Realty
Mike Doyle State Farm Agency
My Salon Suite
GAF
The Sheriff’s office was on site tonight with free Narcan training available. They were also giving out gunlocks.
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The FB page at Canton Anit-Racism Alliance is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/22056096642057.
Amanda thanked everyone who participated in and attended the meeting. We can be reached at info@cantoncommunity.org.
The meeting officially adjourned at 8:15PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Denise Aversa