February Crime Report

After running an idea past John Boyle, I've decided to post an updated map of Columbia every week, pinpointing all of the crimes that take place. Blue pinpoints are vehicle thefts, green pinpoints are commerical crimes and red pinpoints are residential crimes.


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Source Remorse

"When you stand in the light of truth, the only place a lie can hide is under your feet."
-The Gonzo Journalist

Any journalism student will tell you that media law is a breeze. Memorize the terms, take the tests and forget most of what you learned after the semester ends, easy A. The last 24 electric hours have sent me to far corners of the internet. I've consulted experts, media law professors, even my old news editing text book.

Thursday night, Robert Tennenbaum took the offensive with a surprise attack on my senses. "Take down the post right fucking now," he shrieked. How do you explain to a screaming senior citizen that you're standing at a light rail stop in North Linthicum unable to check your blog, your email or even the MTA light rail schedule?

Shortly after the blitzkrieg, I got on the horn for technical assistance. Caller #5 had access to the internet and followed my step by step instructions, disarming the post and what I thought would be legal fallout. Then I recorded a statement as a podcast as a sort of personal PR move.

Statement


Almost a week later, I've received a lot of buzz about the "dust up" over the Tennenbaum post. Some people have commented anonymously that I have a one sided political agenda, or that I am portraying Tennenbaum as the "bad guy." Let me dispel the myths and half-truths.

This blog has no political agenda. When I interview residents about their Columbia experience, I publish quotes about what has worked and what hasn't. Robert Tennenbaum is not the bad guy. In fact I would encourage anyone who sees him to stop him and buy him a cup of green tea. I thoroughly enjoyed our interview, Tennenbaum has some amazing stories to tell. We may not have always agreed on things, but as the young people say, its whatever.

No Hard Feelings,

Jack Cole

Final Hearing for Downtown Plan

General Growth Properties released its fourth quarter earnings report Monday with a warning that it might seek bankruptcy protection. For those of you who don't know, GGP is the second largest owner of malls in the country and owns the mall in Columbia as well as the Harborplace in Baltimore.

[The company, which owns the mall in Columbia is in default on nearly $1.2 billion worth of debt and has slightly more than $2 billion worth of consolidated mortgage debt and unsecured bonds that mature later this year, according to its earnings report. -The Columbia Flier, Feb. 26, 2009]

GGP has dropped its dividend, reduced its staff by 20 percent and put most of its development projects on hold. The company is still trying to sell the Harborplace and other properties.

Meanwhile, behind the white walls of the GGP castle at lakefront, the company and many Columbia residents are working out the details of the new 30 Master Plan for downtown.

I urge all residents with a stake in the future of their city to attend the final public hearing on the plan, March 5 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Tyson 2 room of the county offices at 8930 Stanford Blvd in Dobbin. This is your last chance to make your voice heard and your opinions known, don't waste it!

Click here for details.