Isaac Yitzy Schleifer
Candidate in May 14 primary
Democratic
Cross Country
Age: 35 on day of General Election (Nov. 5)
Occupation: Councilman
Education: University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business
Previous political experience: City Council for 7 years.
Why are you running for office?
I am running to continue building on the progress we’ve made. From passing multiple pieces of public safety legislation to help drive down crime, to relentlessly fighting to deliver basic city services like resuming weekly recycling. I am focused on holding agencies accountable to deliver great city services that residents of Baltimore City are paying for.
What are the most pressing issues in your district, and how would you address them?
Public Safety. The clearance rates are very low so we passed a charter amendment to increase rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects in violent crimes. We also passed legislation to address street racing that has been causing nightly disturbances.
Basic City Services. As the chair of the Council’s oversight committee we have been holding agencies accountable to delivering basic city services.
Baltimore’s homicide rate dropped in 2023 for the first time in nearly a decade. What do you believe is the council’s role in overseeing the police department and what would be your approach?
The council needs to hold monthly oversight hearings with all public safety partners to ensure they are working together to drive down crime and hold those committing crimes accountable.
What do you believe is the council’s role in facilitating responsible development in the city?
The council should play a larger role in any development that includes public funds. The council should have more say in what gets developed in their respective districts. Currently the Mayors office has an oversized authority to make these decisions.
Is the current structure of the City Council, and the balance of power between the mayor and council members, appropriate, and why or why not? If you would seek to change it, what would your model look like?
A strong mayor system has pros and cons. While I support many aspects of the strong mayoral system I believe the BOE needs to be more balanced so contracts are not decided by one office alone.
What are the most important issues the council has dealt with in the last four years? Name several smart decisions and several not-so-smart choices members have made.
Most important: Public Safety, consumer protections, affordable housing
Not-So-smart: Banning technology that is used to solve crimes
What weaknesses do you see in the delivery of city services? What can be done to improve response time and resident satisfaction?
Agencies that are tasked with delivering basic city services need to have people with operations backgrounds instead of just promoting people that are at the right place at the right time.
Editor’s note: Baltimore Sun Media received this candidate’s responses on March 12.
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