City leaders spend $30k on Vegas trip as local market struggles continue

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Residents along North Monroe Street in West Baltimore are calling for the return of a food market to their community, which has been without one for 11 years. The area is currently served only by carry-outs and corner stores, leaving locals with limited access to healthy food options.

"When you look at what your people are eating—salt and sugar and drinking alcohol—that's what we have in this neighborhood," said Doc Cheatham, the neighborhood president. Cheatham has spent over a decade urging politicians to help bring a new market to the area. "It's been impossible, I'm sad to say, it's impossible," he said.

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This week, Cheatham watched as nine city leaders traveled to Las Vegas for an annual shopping center convention, a trip costing taxpayers more than $30,000. The officials hope to attract new development to Baltimore through the event.

Howard Perlow, an event organizer, defended the trip, saying, "It's a place you can talk and try to do business. I mean Mark Sapperstein, who's developed all of McHenry Row and Canton, the shopping center, all those deals were done out there."

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However, not everyone is convinced of the convention's effectiveness. David Williams, a taxpayer advocate, said, "It really hasn't borne any fruit. There really is not measurable economic development in the city with their visit to Las Vegas."

In fact, the most recent supermarket opening in Baltimore, the Jumbo Fresh Market in Mount Clair Junction, was the result of grassroots community efforts, not the convention. "We're always hearing about these conventions they go to, but the sad thing is we never get a report when they come back, and we don't see any positive results as a result of it," he said.

Despite his ongoing fight for healthy food access, Cheatham expressed his frustration and dwindling hope. "Maybe someone will realize this is really harming people who I'm supposed to represent. But I've lost hope, I really have," he said.