On Tuesday, November 25, 2020 the City of Glenarden’s City Council failed to pass the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, resulting in: 

1. Loss of $378k in Covid-19 Relief Grant resulting in no Hazard Pay for Public Safety personnel.
2. No 3% cost of living salary increase for city personnel.
3. Understaffing and under sourcing of public safety and public works personnel and equipment.
4. No funding for the May 2021 election.

The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Glenarden to pass a balanced budget each year.  In Maryland, municipal budgets must be adopted before July 1 and are usually completed in late May or early June.  The City of Glenarden’s 2021 budget is already late (the fiscal year is from July 1-June 30) due to:

1. The City was shut down by then President Herring and Vice President Wilson from April-July which left the City Council delayed in furthering the business of the City despite countless citizens' push for virtual meetings to be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.  Although there were no meetings during this period, the Mayor did have a responsibility to submit a budget by April 15, which he did not. 

Despite these delays, current President Jones organized the Council to review the budget in numerous working sessions and public meetings.  The only Councilmembers that did not attend all of the working sessions and public meetings regarding the budget were Councilwoman Smallwood, Councilwoman Wilson, and Councilman Herring.  Nor did they provide notice of their absences.  Ultimately, there were two Council Members who voted against the budget, Councilwoman Smallwood and Councilman Herring. Their arguments against the budget, which should have been resolved in the prior working sessions, were thin at best. Councilwoman Wilson did not even attend the meeting and gave no prior notice of her intended absence.  Upon hearing from several constituents who implored Councilwoman Smallwood and Councilman Herring to change their vote so that the budget would pass, they continued to refuse. 

The inability of the Council to pass the budget is just one example of certain members' ineffectiveness.  The Council is responsible for managing taxpayers funds appropriately.  This petition is to request the City Council enter a vote of “no confidence” for Councilman Herring, Councilwoman Smallwood, and Councilwoman Wilson.  We believe their behavior with the financial management of the City, amongst other actions, demonstrate their inability to dutifully execute the requirements of their office. If you agree and are a resident of Glenarden, please sign below.