I was very interested to read that Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young does not have the authority to remove Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector or any other member of the City Council from the Planning Commission as indicated by the Charter of Baltimore City ("Young can't kick Spector off planning panel," Jan. 7).
It was a definite violation of the charter. As one can see by the article in the paper, Councilwoman Spector's attempted removal was a definitely retaliation for her lone vote to ban plastic grocery bags and require all of Baltimore's police officers to wear body cameras. In my opinion, much time was spent on both of the bills when everyone knew Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was going to veto them. What was the big rush?
I also take exception to Mr. Young's statement, "If she wants to be the mayor's pit bull, she can go work for the mayor." I think he should be made aware that council members do not work for him or for the mayor. Council members are elected by the voters of their respective districts, and that is who they are there to represent in matters coming before the Baltimore City Council. I am honored to have Councilwoman Spector representing me.
Susan Simon, Baltimore