(January 21, 1999 - Baltimore) -- The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) announced that the Honorable Kurt L. Schmoke, Mayor of Baltimore City, was elected Chair at a meeting of its Board of Directors on Tuesday, January 19. The Honorable C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, Baltimore County Executive, was elected Vice Chair. Mayor Schmoke succeeds former Anne Arundel County Executive John Gary, who was elected chair in June, 1998. Other board members include Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens, Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge, Harford County Executive James Harkins and Howard County Executive James Robey.

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is an organization of the region's elected executives which serves as a forum for identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs which will improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region. In addition, BMC provides technical support to the Transportation Steering Committee, the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Baltimore region.

"Over the last few years, BMC's work on such issues as computerized crime mapping and bank robberies has had a positive impact on the region," Mayor Schmoke said upon taking office. "During the next year we will continue to focus on public safety issues, as well as transportation planning, air and water quality and Y2K preparedness in the region."

Mayor Schmoke, a Baltimore native, was elected to his third term as chief executive of Baltimore City in 1995. He is a founding director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, which was created in 1992, and served as its chair in 1994-95. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Mayor Schmoke served as Assistant United States Attorney and State's Attorney for Baltimore City before becoming the first elected African-American mayor of Baltimore in 1987.