For News Archive: 1999 - 2002

December 18, 2008, Baltimore Sun - Seton Hill's frustration shines a light on drug wars

“City Councilman William H. Cole IV told me that when the light was on Orchard Street and working, ‘the drug activity dispersed.’ Cole immediately called David E. Scott, the public works director. ‘It may not be his department, but he understands you can't throw up a white flag and say we give up,’ the councilman said.” More…
 

December 15, 2008, Daily Record,  After deal, manufacturer to stay in West Baltimore plant

"Baltimore City Councilman William Cole, who represents the district that is home to both Gillin’s property and the Westside Superblock, a massive mixed-use project that has been a major bone of contention for eminent domain activists, said he can see both sides of the issue." More…

December 11, 2008,  Baltimore Sun, Mayor defends pay increases, She will keep her raise; some council members won't - Councilman William H. Cole IV, who faces a furlough from his full-time job with the University of Baltimore and has three children, said he would donate his $1,425 increase to a charity that does work in his district. "It is not the amount of money, it is the message," he said. Cole is also considering legislation that would make it possible to forgo pay increases in years when the city faces a budget deficit. More…
 

December 11, 2008, Baltimore Sun, Fighting to save MARC's late trains, Commuter, council members appeal for the 10:05 - William H. Cole prompted eight colleagues on the 15-member council to join him in a letter asking Gov. Martin O'Malley to spare the 10:05 train. They contend that a late train is critical if Baltimore is to attract residents who work in Washington, including members of the incoming Obama administration. More...

December 11, 2008,   Baltimore Sun,  Make youth funding a priority, group demands

Members of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development want Mayor Sheila Dixon to commit to spend the first 25 percent of any economic stimulus package from the incoming Obama administration on youth center renovations. Councilman Cole supports the stimulus package commitment. More…

December 11, 2008, Baltimore Examiner , City resident wonders if tow truck drivers are on the take

Councilman Cole is investigating a complaint that a tow truck driver took money from the owner of a car about to be towed; then didn’t tow the car. "If a city truck is involved in something like this, that is very distributing," Cole said. "We have enough problems with parking in Federal Hill and South Baltimore, so we need to make sure tow drivers are doing their jobs." More…

December 10, 2008, Baltimore Sun:  Dixon defends salary increase: Mayor says she, others deserved increases because city employee union members also got pay hikes
Councilman William H. Cole IV, who faces a furlough from his full-time job with the University of Baltimore and has three children, said he would donate his $1,425 increase to charity that does work in his district. More...

December 7, 2008, Fox News, Channel 45, Interview about restricting 7-Eleven hours

To view interview: News

December 5, 2008, WBALTV.com, Official Tries To Block 24-Hour 7-Eleven: Store To Be Built In Historic Neighborhood - Councilman Bill Cole introduced a bill Thursday that would restrict the hours of any convenience store in the historic area. Instead of operating 24 hours a day, he proposed that stores close from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. seven days a week. More...

December 5, 2008, Baltimore Sun,  Bill introduced to block Mt. Vernon 24-hour store
"Seeking to prevent a 24-hour 7-Eleven store from opening near the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon, Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV introduced a bill today that would restrict the operating hours of any convenience store in the historic district." More...

December 4, 2008, The Johns Hopkins Newsletter, Future convenience store in Mt. Vernon faces controversy - Cole intends to introduce legislation this Thursday aimed at curtailing some aspects of the development. His bill will propose that no convenience store may operate between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in a landmark district. More...

December, 2008, Urbanite, The One-Percenter

Stephen Walters, a professor of economics at Loyola College, asked the City to cut the property tax by more than 50% during a meeting of the City Council Special Committee on Property Tax Reform chaired by Councilman William H. Cole. “The mayor understands the issue, and she’s already cited slots revenue as one way to help with this,” says Cole, “But the bottom line is we’d still have to cut.” More...

November 26, 2008, Baltimore Examiner, Baltimore housing officials blast evicted family

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City dismissed claims of a Towns of Terrace family that their eviction from their home was related to an ongoing dispute over a unpaid $4,000 water bill. City Councilman Bill Cole, D-11th District, who met with residents and city water officials last month, said poor record keeping at Edgewood has exacerbated the problem. “If you have a water bill that is supposed to be $60 a quarter, it’s hard to explain how someone ends up with a $4,000 bill.”

November 14, 2008, Baltimore Sun, Liquor board revokes license of Mt. Vernon bottle club

Councilman Cole supported the Mt. Vernon Belvedere community at a hearing that resulted in revocation of the bottle club license of the Suite Ultralounge nightclub located in the basement of the Belvedere Hotel. More...

October 24, 2008, Baltimore Sun, City tries new tactics in running dirt-bike fight

Police say their options have been limited as they grapple with the nagging problem of dirt bikes in Baltimore. It's too dangerous to chase them, they say. A law took effect last month that allows police to seize any unlocked dirt bike - in an alley, driveway, front yard, or street. A court can then order the bikes forfeited, and they are later destroyed. More...

October 24, 2008 Baltimore Sun, Water bills mount as dispute drags on

About 45 residents of the development at Saratoga Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard gathered with members of management last week to discuss the bills. City Councilman William H. Cole IV, who was present at last week's forum, said he expects many of the bills will be reviewed and adjusted. "In talking with some of the tenants, these aren't isolated incidents," he said. More...

October 24, 2008, WMAR ABCNews.com, Controversy over huge water bills
In an effort to resolve some huge water bills in a public housing development, Councilman Bill Cole called for a meeting Friday at City Hall. Cole says, "It's incredibly unfair to evict people for not paying water bills when they didn't know they were supposed to be getting water bills, particularly when you can't prove they received one." Councilman Cole says tremendous progress was made at Friday's meeting.  Edgewood Management has agreed to meet individually with the tenants who received an outstanding water bill and review each bill to determine the tenant's actual consumption. More...

October 23, 2008, Baltimore Examiner, City eyeing freeze on out-of-state travel as Dixon departs for Egypt, City Councilman William Cole, who chairs the council’s special committee on property tax reform, said he does not support using rainy-day money now. “We could just be seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of the deficit, right now. I think we have to look at saving money instead tapping into new funds.” More...

October 16, 2008, Baltimore Examiner, Thoughts on the Red Line and the Baltimore light rail system

"Last week, I had the tremendous opportunity to travel to Portland, Oregon… to examine that city’s comprehensive public transportation system. Almost exclusively above ground, Portland has a dynamic light rail system that connects seamlessly with its bus lines and its downtown trolley line…  I dreamed a little bit about a Baltimore that has a truly integrated and connected public transportation system. If we take the right approach with the proposed Red Line, that dream might be a small step closer to reality", said Councilman Bill Cole. More...

October 14, 2008, WMAR ABCNews.com, After violent night, calls for nightclub to be shut down

Outside the Belvedere Hotel, three people were injured in a fight that started in a nightclub in the building's basement.  “I've seen enough to know that something's got to change there; it's a residential building, by and large. It's a condo building and we need to do something to help the people that are living there,” said Councilman Bill Cole. More...

September 26, 2008, Baltimore Sun, City Council explores options to close budget gap

Most City Council members agreed last week that the city's worsening financial situation merits budget cuts, but they're not sure Mayor Sheila Dixon's list of $36.5 million in proposals is the best way to close the gap. More...

September 24, 2008 - Baltimore Sun, Korean merchants protest nuisance law

Because of a procedural matter, a Baltimore Circuit Court judge instructed the liquor board to review its decision not to renew Chang K. Yim's tavern license. Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents that area, said, "The facts haven't changed at all. They couldn't keep the inside of their establishment safe for their customers." More...
 

September 18, 2008 - Baltimore Examiner, Korean store owners protest ‘padlock law’

Linden Bar and Liquors owner Chang Yim Baltimore’s is joining other Korean merchants fighting back against the “padlock law” – the statute they argue unfairly blames Korean business owners for criminal behavior beyond their control. But City Councilman Bill Cole, who spearheaded efforts to close Linden Liquors, said Yim did not do enough to control crime. More...

September 16, 2008 - Baltimore Examiner, Weak city finances crimp property tax reform debate

City finance officials said Monday that a steep drop in tax collections over the summer could stall plans to cut taxes. Still, the worsening economy did not deter City Councilman Bill Cole, D-11th District — who heads the council’s committee on property tax reform — from seeking new sources of revenue to provide tax relief now. More...

September 16, 2008 - Baltimore Examiner, 3 Minutes with Baltimore City Councilman Bill Cole

Cole shared his thoughts with The Examiner on the prospects for property tax relief. More...

September 10, 2008 - Opinion, Baltimore Examiner, Tell Baltimore City to cut taxes today

At 4 p.m. Councilman Bill Cole will hold the first meeting of his Special Committee on Property Tax Relief.  Nothing is more important to the future of this city than this effort to make it more “capital friendly." More...

August 16, 2008 - Baltimore Sun, Liquor store ordered closed: Site of drug deals, killing violated city nuisance law - “Closing the store will make the neighborhood safer because drug dealers will no longer be able to congregate there”, said Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents the area. More...

August 14, 2008 - Baltimore Sun, Ruling due on liquor store: Violence may force vendor to close under city nuisance law

Police officials held an administrative hearing yesterday for Linden Bar and Liquors, which was notified last month that it might be closed under the city's new public nuisance law because of criminal activity in and around the store. Central District commander and City Councilman William H. Cole IV testified at the hearing. More…

August 13, 2008 - Daily Record, Developer to convert historic Terminal Warehouse

In what some say is a rare example of cooperation between city officials, preservationists and a developer, the historic Terminal Warehouse building in downtown Baltimore is to be converted by RWN Development Group into about 150 rental apartments and 20,000 square feet of first-floor retail. Councilman  William Cole praised the developer’s cooperation with city planners and preservationists. More...

August 12, 2008 - Baltimore Sun, Police to sustain Federal Hill patrols

Baltimore police will maintain their increased presence in the community indefinitely in the aftermath of two killings that shook up the neighborhood in June. Federal Hill residents also want to restrict parking around the park. City Councilman William H. Cole IV said, "It would cut down on the number of people coming into the neighborhood at night and parking, and it addresses a 20-year-old problem of not enough residential parking." More...

August 8, 2008 - Baltimore Sun, Letter to Editor: Homeowners bear city's tax burden

"While our businesses enjoy low taxes, our homeowners are subjected to the highest property tax in the region with dire consequences for the city...But starting Sept. 4, Baltimore will have a more representative review of the matter with the launch of the City Council's Special Committee on Property Tax Relief chaired by Councilman William H. Cole IV." More...
 

July 31, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Carryout, liquor store warned; Closings possible under nuisance law  

"I think the city needs to use every tool in its arsenal to get that location closed and protect the community," said City Councilman William H. Cole IV, whose district includes Linden Liquors. More...

July 30, 2008 - Mayor Dixon Release  City sends notice of padlock hearing to Linden Bar and Liquors

"These two establishments have been a major obstacle for this neighborhood," said Councilman William Cole. "The Mayor and her commissioners did the right thing by acting quickly to close the businesses down." More...

July 22, 2008 - Baltimore Sun Editorial  A public safety matter - Our view: Fight over Baltimore liquor store needs speedy result

Residents of nearby Reservoir Hill, with the help of Councilman William H. Cole IV and Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake, have been trying for a year to get the store owner to take seriously their concerns that the store is a magnet for drug dealing and violence. More...

July 21, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Man shot and killed at embattled liquor store

North Avenue business focus of resident protests. Cole says, "This was preventable. If he had taken the actions the Police Department and others had asked of him, I dare say this tragedy might have been prevented." more...

July 10, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  City to offer refunds
Nearly 2,000 residents in Charles Village and Bolton Hill could receive small property tax refunds because of a city error that inflated their tax bills. "I'm thrilled that the mayor is taking this step," said City Councilman William H. Cole IV, "The city is doing the right thing." More...

June 16, 2008 - City Council President Release - Cole to chair Property Tax Reduction Committee

City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the creation a new Special Committee on Property Tax Relief  to examine long-term solutions to Baltimore's burdensome property tax rate.  “This new Special Committee will lead our efforts in Baltimore to address this complex issue and turn thoughtful ideas and recommendations into concrete legislation." Councilman William Cole IV will chair the committee.  More... 

June 12, 2008 - The Examiner  Present at the funeral 

As Councilman William Cole IV (D-11) said, “If we’re sitting back waiting for slots, we are going to find ourselves with a city with a population that continues to decrease and a lot of empty houses as people flee this burdensome tax rate.” More...

June 11, 2008 - The Examiner  Baltimore nixes property tax relief in ’09 budget

“We have to address this property tax issue,” said Councilman William Cole IV, D-District 11, the only lawmaker to support Kraft’s proposal. “If we’re sitting back waiting for slots, we are going to find ourselves with a city with a population that continues to decrease and a lot of empty houses as people flee this burdensome tax rate.” More...

June 10, 2008 - The Examiner  Baltimore City considers fining out-of-town drug buyers

The proposal targets non-Maryland residents as well as those from Baltimore’s suburban counties who buy drugs in the city, said bill sponsor Councilman William Cole IV. “They feed this drug war and then they leave, and leave us to deal with carnage,” Cole said. “I’ve been looking for a way to make them pay for the problems they cause.” More...

June 10, 2008 - Baltimore Sun Unwanted Visitors

"Mr. Cole is correct that suburbanites who come to Baltimore to buy drugs are making a bad situation worse. And he deserves credit for creative thinking, which the city surely needs more of."  More...

June 7, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  A suburban drug surcharge

Suburban and out-of-state residents who come to Baltimore to buy drugs could be slapped with a $1,000 fine...
Arguing that the city's pervasive drug trade and crime should be dealt with regionally, City Councilman William H. Cole IV, the measure's chief sponsor, said the bill is intended to spread the financial burden of policing to out-of-town drug users. More...

June 6, 2008 - The Associated Press  $1,000 fine proposed for suburban drug buyers

Councilman William Cole says the fine would be part of a regional approach to drug enforcement. He says suburban buyers would be "paying for the cost of their arrest." Cole says he got the idea as he watched out-of-state vehicles rolling through neighborhoods and pulling up to drug corners." More...

June 5, 2008- Baltimore Sun  2 Votes On City Budget Put Off

Baltimore officials abruptly canceled last night two City Council votes scheduled on the city budget, suggesting that last-minute negotiations over youth funding and property taxes might still be in play. More...

May 30, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Benefits districts to be asked to pay for tax error

Baltimore's benefits districts will be asked to pay for the cost of a property tax error that might have caused thousands of residents in Charles Village, Bolton Hill and other neighborhoods to overpay their tax bills.  More..

April 17, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Liquor board fails to renew license at North Avenue store
"City Councilman William H. Cole IV, whose district includes the store, testified that he has received more calls about Linden than any other establishment." More...

March 28, 2008 - Baltimore Sun   Letter to the Editor

"Artist Lee B. Freeman and his advisers obtained the permit for this fence project after following the city's existing rules. But those rules are clearly flawed. And the fact that the permit was issued without a public hearing is troubling. I propose to change the approval process so that no city-owned park space is completely closed for more than 72 hours without a public hearing and City Council approval." City Councilman William H. cole. More...

March 29, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Park will no longer be fenced in

Rest of student's work removed today. "William Cole IV...plans to introduce a proposal that would require the city to hold public hearings before barring public access to a park for 72 hours or more." More...

March 29, 2008  - Baltimore Sun  Tax bills for some in city might be too high

Questions arise over use of credits in benefits districts

"City Councilman William H. Cole IV, whose district includes parts of Mount Vernon and Bolton Hill, said the districts have been beneficial and have spent the money wisely. He said something must be done to reduce property taxes: "I do think we need to start capping it, because we've taxed people out of this city." More...

March 20, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Fenced Parks in Mt. Vernon

"A fence surrounding the grassy areas at Mount Vernon Place is part of a project sponsored by the Walters Art Museum and MICA. City Council member William H. Cole IV, after fielding complaints from citizens yesterday, said he intended to review the city permits issued to the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Walters Art Museum, which sponsored the project. He also filed a request yesterday, asking the parks department to open one of the four squares to the public. "I'm not against art," he said. "I think it's wonderful, but I don't understand how you can close off what is really the only green space within blocks - all four spots. That part is a bit troubling." More...

March 17, 2008 - Baltimore Sun  Ban on Trans Fats

"Baltimore joined a growing number of cities that have banished trans fats from prepared food after the City Council approved a ban tonight that received little opposition from either residents or restaurateurs. "It's the right thing to do," said City Councilman William H. Cole IV. "Anything we can do to have healthier options for Baltimore residents." More...

March 9, 2008- Baltimore Sun  Heads of Schools to Gain Power

"Appearing before a City Council committee last month, Alonso was questioned by Councilman William H. Cole IV, who said he was worried that some principals don't have the budgeting skills that will be required. Alonso replied, "If you can trust a principal with 400 kids but not with a spreadsheet, it doesn't compute." More...