Members of 74th Baltimore City Council sworn in as new president takes the reins

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

Members of the 74th Baltimore City Council were sworn in at the Baltimore War Memorial on Dec. 5. A total of four new members joined the Baltimore City Council, in addition to a new president, Zeke Cohen (D), who formerly served as a councilman for District 1. Cohen takes the seat from former City Council President Nick Mosby, who conceded to Cohen during the primary election in May.

Councilwoman Odette Ramos, of Baltimore City’s 14th District, states the Pledge of Allegiance inside of the inauguration ceremony for the 74th term of the Baltimore City Council.

Photos courtesy of the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor / J. J. McQueen

Before confirming the city council, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, who was inaugurated for the second time on Dec. 3, asked the members to approach their work in good faith and with love in their hearts for the people of Baltimore.

“We’re going to have to work together, as I always say, to do the right thing for Baltimore, which is not always the popular thing for Baltimore. We won’t always agree, and we shouldn’t. You all know me very well. I don’t like ‘yes’ people,” said Scott. “There will be moments that we disagree and end up on different sides of the vote. But, that is how democracy works, and that’s how Baltimore can be improved.”

Scott welcomed the four new members of the Baltimore City Council, which include Mark Parker (D-District 1), Paris Gray (D-District 8), Zac Blanchard (D-District 11) and Jermaine Jones (D-District 12).

He also sent special congratulations to Cohen.

“To my friend, soon-to-be city council president, Zeke Cohen, we know your love for Baltimore, we know your love for this beautiful family of yours and we know that you work every single day wanting nothing more than Baltimore being better,” said Scott.

Cohen began representing District 1 in 2016. A Massachusetts native, he came to Baltimore to attend Goucher College in 2004. Before entering public service, he worked for Teach For America, serving West Baltimore. Cohen also ran a nonprofit organization, The Intersection, which exposed local youth to community organizing and leadership.

During his run for city council president, he received endorsements from Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Maryland Council 3.

Henry, who like Scott was reelected for a second term, introduced Cohen as the new city council president, praising his hands-on approach in the Baltimore community.

“Zeke is more than just a passionate advocate for Baltimore’s neighborhoods, he’s a disciplined public servant who deliberates and collaborates. He is a data-driven solution finder who leads with his heart and with purpose,” said Henry. “He doesn’t just talk the talk about helping his constituents, he actually shows up, listens and gets to work.”

Cohen’s platform for council presidency centered on creating a more effective, transparent city government, improving public safety and growing the city’s population and infrastructure while ensuring legacy residents do not get displaced.

During his remarks, Cohen took time to praise every single member of the 74th City Council, touting their individual accomplishments in their districts. He said the council will collaborate to address trauma, public safety, climate change, the opioid crisis and education disparities.

He also thanked Baltimoreans for voting no on Question H, which sought to reduce the council from 14 to eight members.

“Over these next four years, we will be tested by tough national headwinds, but what doesn’t break us will make us stronger and more united. We don’t need to demonize other people to be great because whether you grew up in Honduras or Highlandtown, whether you live in Park Heights or Patterson Park, if you care about your community, you belong in Baltimore,” said Cohen. “It’s the honor of a lifetime to get to serve.”

The City of Baltimore will be represented by the following members of the 74th term:

Zeke Cohen, City Council President

Sharon Green Middleton, City Council Vice President / District 6

Mark Parker, District 1

Danielle McCray, District 2

Ryan Dorsey, District 3

Mark Conway, District 4

Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer, District 5

James Torrence, District 7

Paris Gray, District 8

John Bullock, District 9

Phylicia Porter, District 10

Zac Blanchard, District 11

Jermaine Jones, District 12

Antonio “Tony” Glover, District 13

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Maurice Scott enters the swearing in ceremony with Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry behind him.
Councilwoman Odette Ramos, of Baltimore City’s 14th District, states the Pledge of Allegiance inside of the inauguration ceremony for the 74th term of the Baltimore City Council.
Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry introduces the new Baltimore City Council President, Zeke Cohen.
Zeke Cohen speaks to those gathered for the swearing in ceremony, moments after officially stepping into the role of Baltimore City Council President.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and new Councilman Jermaine Jones, of Baltimore’s 12th District, share a moment at the swearing in ceremony for the 74th term of the Baltimore City Council.
Glen Middleton Jr., who represents Council Districts 1, 3 and 13 in the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, looks on as his mother, Baltimore City Council Vice-President Sharon Green Middleton signs her name to begin officially representing constituents in the council’s 74th term. Middleton lost her husband, long-time union man Glenn Middleton Sr., on Nov. 7. Still, the councilwoman, who represents District 6, showed up for the ceremony and those she represents.
Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, signs her name to officially represent District 10 in the 74th term of the Baltimore City Council.
Mark Conway will represent District 4 in the 74th term of the Baltimore City Council.
Councilman James Torrence, of District 7, listens as the ceremony proceeds with Baltimore City Council Vice-President Sharon Green Middleton in front of him.

According to information released by Joe Bowen, communications director for City Council President Zeke Cohen, the following committee appointments were made in the first meeting of the new council, which was held immediately after the swearing in ceremony on Dec. 5:

Budget and Appropriations