Bernard C. ?Jack? Young
President
Baltimore City Council

100 N. Holliday Street, Room 400 a Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410-396-4804 0 Fax 410-539-0647
E-Mail 

April 3, 2019

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller
The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Maryland State House

100 State Circle

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Mr. President and Mr. Speaker:

As you are aware, Baltimore City is going through a very difficult period in its history, with Mayor
Catherine Pugh taking a leave of absence for health reasons while simultaneously facing serious
allegations into her conduct as an elected of?cial. lam writing to you today to ask for your leadership in
preventing our City from suffering insult on top of this grave injury.

Senate Bill 883 and House Bill 990 - collectively known as the bill? would be the final nail in
the coffin of Pimlico Race Course, and would lay the groundwork for the Canadian Stronach Group (TSG)
to move the Preakness from Baltimore. Chief Operating Of?cer Tim Ritvo has made his company?s
intentions clear, writing Governor Hogan on February 8, 2019, that ?the Pimlico facility has reached the
end of its useful life as a major event venue.?

As Baltimore's Ex-officio Mayor, I am determined that the City of Baltimore will not lose the Preakness
on my watch. The City cannot afford to lose the nearly $50 million economic impact provided by the
Preakness. Therefore, I strongly oppose the MEDCO bill and implore you to not pass this legislation,
which will land yet another brutal blow on Maryland?s leading city.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and thank you in advance for standing with Baltimore
during this challenging time by tabling SB 883 and HB 990. While these are my ?rst few days in this
temporary position, you both know that I am dedicated to this City and will passionately defend it. I am
asking you to please stand with me.

I pledge to you that I will bring my team to the table to negotiate an agreement that bene?ts all parties

involved without unduly damaging any stakeholder. Most importantly, we can, and should, come
together to advance the interests of our entire state.

5/

Si v.

Bernard C. ?Jack? Young
Ex-Of?cio Mayor of Baltimore