Baker a No-Show for Roosevelt Club Meeting

Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker was scheduled to be the featured speaker at the Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt Club's general meeting on Friday night, but he didn't make it to the Greenbriar Community Center.

Instead, Baker's deputy chief of staff, Brad Frome, handled the duties of answering the questions that members of the Maryland Democratic organization had.

"[Baker] has a million and one things going on all over the place," said Frome, about Baker's absence, "For every event he does, he has to miss a dozen others."

Responding to questions posed mostly by Greenbelt residents, Frome said the county is focussing on the issues of development and crime.

"We want to see redevelopment inside the Beltway," said Frome. 

He said the county hopes to attract more developers by implementing new technology to fix the permitting process, which he described as "deplorable."

He also hinted toward two major developments. He said the county is going to announce in the "near future" a new business that will bring 550 jobs to the county and that a federal agency is possibly interested in a location in Greenbelt.

"More so than a state agency," said Frome.

Frome spoke for about an hour until leaving to allow the group to hold its social hour.

Local elected officials that were present included City Councilors Konrad Herling, Edward Putens, Judith "J" Davis, and Emmett Jordan. City Council candidate Bill Orleans was also present.