Important Message from the Network to Stop Foreclosures & Evictions and the Bailout the People Movement:

Below is a letter being circulated in support of an important step in the fight to stop foreclosures. Please add you name, organization's, etc. Email ASAP: apcbaltimore@pipeline.com or call 410-218-4835.

Also important reminder: Thurs., 6:30 P.M. Organizing meeting for the National March on Wall Street, at 2011 N. Charles St. Lower Level. The agenda will also take up the campaign to pass 09-0289.

Peoples Campaign to Pass Council Bill 09-0289

To the People of Baltimore and All Community Leaders:

The Baltimore City Council has heeded the call of community activists who have been working day and night to halt the rising tide of foreclosures and the harm that it is inflicting on our communities.

Council members Bill Henry and Mary Pat Clarke have courageously stepped up to the plate, along with others, and have introduced a ground breaking bill that would act as a powerful incentive to banks and lenders to restructure loans and keep families in their homes.

This bill would require 365 days notice after a foreclosure is placed on the docket before the sheriff can perform the odious job of putting families out of their homes.

Why is such a bill needed?

BECAUSE every economic prognosticator clearly indicates that the specter of joblessness and foreclosures will only grow worse.

BECAUSE, those who are losing their homes are not just statistics, they are hard working families who are suffering through an economic period that some are saying is as bad as the depression of the 30’s.

They are Christina Sumpter, a mom who lost her job and fell behind in her mortgage payments after her interest rates went up. She lives in a modest row home in East Baltimore. She wonders what’s going to happen after she exhausts trying to negotiate with Wachovia now owned by the billion dollar bailed out Citibank.

Will she be in the street?

Others are like Joe Bullock, who has waited over 3 months to get foreclosure counseling because the centers are clogged with people waiting to get appointments. He lives on the Westside. Mr. Bullock could lose his home because he became disabled and lost his job. He is now working but doesn’t know if tomorrow he’ll get the final notice.

BECAUSE, the banks and lenders who have received trillions in taxpayer bailout money are simply not doing what they are suppose to do: making mortgages affordable and keeping families in their homes. Those lenders who do the right thing—have nothing to fear from this bill.

BECAUSE, keeping people in their homes helps everyone. There is nothing worse for a community than boarded up vacant homes. Vacant homes attract rats. It devalues the entire neighborhood. It becomes a tremendous burden on city tax revenues and services.

BECAUSE, Baltimore City has an opportunity to set a national precedent for cities and people throughout the country who are looking for solutions to this crisis.

Join us at a Citywide Council Hearing on March 24, 10 A.M. at City Hall, 100 Holliday St. Testify on behalf of Council Bill Call (410) 218-4835 to add your name to the growing list of signers.

SIGN ON to the online petition to MAKE BALTIMORE A FORECLOSURE AND EVICTION FREE ZONE!

Network to Stop Foreclosures & Evictions 2011 N. Charles St. Bsm. Baltimore, MD 21218 For further information call: 410-218-4835 email: apcbaltimore@pipeline.com