The Mission of the Baltimore Harbor Watershed
Association (BHWA) is to protect and improve the
environmental quality and the natural beauty of the Baltimore Harbor and its tributaries.

The organization was initially started in December 2002, by concerned Anchorage Condo residents, in Canton. The concerns were the constant trash pollution, as well as the water quality of the Harbor.

The BHWA was organized to address these issues, establishing short term and long term goals. BHWA is working with Baltimore City to install trash-netting systems at 27 storm drain outfalls around the harbor and is also developing outreach projects to help educate individuals about maintaining a cleaner watershed. Phillip Lee, P.E. and Delegate Pete Hammen of BHWA will be at our November 29th Meeting to discuss the great work their association is doing for all of us who enjoy the living next to the harbor.

With the Presidential elections behind us, the association goes back to business. The October meeting concentrated on angled parking, but like every meeting, there was so much more. As always, we welcome every reader of this newsletter to come visit us and see for yourself what we accomplish and are working on.

For those who could not attend our last crime walk - you really missed out. Accompanied by Major Bealefeld, Concilman Ed Reisinger and members of Feeral Hill South and Sharp-Leadenhall communities, we witnessed serval arrests and heard a behind the scenes account of the recent police shooing in SBIC that involved a robbery suspect and officers from the Southern District. Granted not every crime walk is this "exciting" but it does prove out walks make a difference. As we walk the Major imparts important crime fighting tips and gives us all updates and first hand reprots of crime in out neighborhood. This time with the Major is invaluable and I encourage everyone to attend out next walk scheduled for Thursday, October 28th at 7pm. We will meeting at Riverside Park under the mansion/gazebo and weave out way through the neighborhood. Again, the last walk was atypical because we were actually witness to a crime but but regardless if we see criminal activity occur or not we are still using this time to make out neighborhood safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Lastly, please make an effort to attend the upcoming RAG meeting as I give more details on out last crime walk as well as provide and update on the neighborhood crime stats. Also, I want to thank everyone who attended the Citizen's on Patrol (COP) training that took place on October 13th at the Southern District Police Station. If you were unable to attend but would still like to go through the training process please let me know so I can work to schedule another training date.

This newsletter goes out during a period some may say is the important election periods of recent memory. While most (including thie writer) have strong and even passionate views about President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry, one thing is clear: voting is not only our right but our responsibility. We get to decide who tuns the country, or the senate or the local council. We are part of an awesome world community, and we get oto have input on how this community is tun. From RAG all the way up to the Presidency! So it was no surprise that the September meeting focused on teh City Council District 10 vote and included presentations, and a question/answer session, for candidates Ed Reisinger (D, existing city council member) and Joe Collins (R, local businessman for 12 years at Federal Hill Motors). Both made compelling arguments and both seemed passionate about representing out communities. Some things discussed included waterfront renewal vision, cell phone use in vehicles, city dog parks, and improving 311. It would be inappropriate for this newsletter to comment on their positions. Instead, we urge our residents to keep up with their positions via the newspaper, or contaction them directly: Ed can be reached at: ereisinger@baltimorecitycouncil.com or 410-396-4822, and Joe can be reached at 410-547-7500. The basis of democraty is alive and well in Riverside!