Balt. Mayor Joins Challengers At Campaign Forum

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has faced her opposition for the first time at a campaign forum.

The mayor appeared Thursday at an event focused on disability issues and was joined by a number of challengers. They included state Sen. Catherine Pugh, former city planning director Otis Rolley, former Councilman Jody Landers and Circuit Court Clerk Frank Conaway.

Some of the challengers criticized the government's efficiency by saying that frustrations felt by the disabled were a sign of bigger problems. Rawlings-Blake, meanwhile, touted the Mayor's Disability Commission, which makes sure that the city complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Rawlings-Blake had not attended a number of other forums at which candidates discussed issues like job programs and economic development.

She plans to participate in a debate in two weeks.

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