Nine of the 14 applicants for the City Council seat vacated by William H. Cole IV tonight signed a letter requesting that the Council send the nomination of Eric Costello back to the vacancy nominating committee.

They write that “the lack of public deliberation. . . causes us – and the people of the 11th district— to question the integrity of the selection process.”

“It is impossible for us to believe that all Committee deliberations occurred in public – as the Council rules require.”

Fingers have been pointing at Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young for exercising undue influence over the nomination process.

Tonight’s letter was signed by Melanie Ambridge, Jon Kucskar, Rob LaPin, Arthur McGreevy, Harry Preston, Bill Romani, Greg Sileo, Benjamin Smith and Shannon Sullivan.

The controversial selection of Costello by the nominating committee, whose members were picked by Young, will come before the full Council for a vote next Monday (October 6).

Here is the full text of their letter:

Members of the City Council:

We write to express our disappointment with the recent 11th District vacancy nomination process.

Three years ago, the City Council received significant public criticism for the manner in which it filled a Council vacancy. To avoid the appearance of impropriety when the next vacancy occurred, the Council created new rules, which explicitly provide that all Nominating Committee deliberations occur in public sessions.

The lack of public deliberation in this instance causes us – and the people of the 11th District – to question the integrity of the selection process. Fourteen candidates spent over four hours discussing their backgrounds and priorities. Yet the Committee voted on only one nomination without meaningful discussion of that candidate’s qualifications. Only one of eleven committee members supporting him provided reasoning for his vote. It is impossible for us to believe that all Committee deliberations occurred in public – as the Council rules require.

In addition, we are deeply concerned that Committee members did not have a legitimate opportunity to review letters from individuals that supported or opposed individual candidates. At least 250 people in the 11th District offered their views in the public record. Many residents unaccustomed to joining the political process wrote letters supporting candidates, under the belief that their letters could have an impact. As even some Committee members recognized, it is an insult to these individuals that their views were not considered before the final vote.

We write not to disparage the current nominee. We hope the Committee fully considers him for the vacancy, just as we hope that the Committee would fully consider all nominees.

Ultimately, the selection process has caused residents across Baltimore City to question their trust and confidence in our political system. It is bad for the 11th District and the entire City that this selection process is tainted. We ask that the City Council send back the current nomination to the Nominating Committee so that the Committee can give full consideration to all candidates.

Respectfully,
Melanie Ambridge
Jon Kucskar
Rob LaPin
Arthur McGreevy
Harry Preston
Bill Romani
Greg Sileo
Benjamin Smith
Shannon Sullivan