In the 14 months since Baltimore's primary election, the City Council has found itself the subject of a federal investigation, its perks, hiring practices and expense accounts under scrutiny.

Its lax committee voting system has been forced into the public eye, and the city ethics code has been overhauled and strengthened. The council voted into office Tuesday will be doing business in a variety of new ways. The move to single-member districts greatly changes the council's review of development and zoning, and members will have to reach out across their districts to constituents, old and new.

District 13: Green Party candidate Glenn Lowell Ross has a 20-year record of service to community groups and offers an energetic alternative to incumbent Paula Johnson Branch, whose work on the East Baltimore biotech project can't offset missed chances to connect with constituents.

October 29, 2004