Residents, It's Time to Speak Out: An Open Letter from Glenarden Mayor Cross
Updated: Oct 10, 2022
Dear Residents,
First, thank you for allowing me to serve you. As your mayor, I am humbled and take the responsibility seriously. When I took office, I vowed to represent you zealously and that is what I will continue to do.
I am writing to shed light on a serious issue. Glenarden City Council has single-handedly decided to overhaul the government’s foundation, the City’s Constitution. Currently, our government structure was heading towards being balanced. Balance meaning, it is made up of an executive branch (headed by the mayor) and a legislative branch (headed by the city council). Arbitrarily, during a meeting, the city council decided they would like to restructure the government. They are seeking to further limit the mayor’s capacity and expand the council’s control even more. Under Maryland state law, they are permitted to make this change two ways:
1) they can change the charter alone, by a vote amongst themselves or
2) they can open the decision up to a vote by the people and put the issue on the ballot—in other words allow residents to vote.
Given how serious this change is, I am asking the council to afford residents a vote. I urge each resident to attend one of the upcoming Public Hearings on the matter—come out and voice your opinions. Such a monumental change to the City of Glenarden’s Constitution should be placed on the ballot for every resident to chime in. Your chance to send a message to the council and to speak out will be during one of the upcoming Public Hearings. The Hearing dates are Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 6:30pm and/or Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 7:00pm.
As your representative, it’s important to me that you be a part of this process.
Sincerely,
Mayor Cashenna Cross
PS: The council has a history of making important Constitutional changes without including the people. It's time out for a government not including its people. Enough is enough.
