In a fresh break with the mayor, City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young  said the city should hit the brakes on the Grand Prix race and focus its priorities on improving recreation centers, swimming pools and other “quality of life” issues.

“What does it say about our priorities as a city when we will move heaven and earth to continue a street race but will turn our backs on our most vulnerable citizens?” Young asked in an opinion piece to be published in tomorrow’s  Baltimore Sun. The article was posted on-line tonight.

Last month, Young voted against handing over four city rec centers to private operators at the Board of Estimates, one of the top priorities of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Young was a vocal supporter of the Grand Prix when it was announced in 2010. He conceded that point in his opinion piece. “But to continue to pursue the race, which has incurred a large amount [of] debt, is not the best option at a time when so many other important programs and services lack much-needed support.”

The Rawlings-Blake administration is now trying to broker a deal with a new promoter to continue the Grand Prix following the failure of Baltimore Racing Development to pay $1.7 million in fees and taxes.

The city is also requesting proposals from private parties to operate 14 municipal rec centers as a budget-saving measure.

The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment by The Brew. Lester Davis, a spokesman for Young, said the opinion piece “makes clear his thoughts about the city continuing to pursue an attempt to revive this race.”