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December 17, 2011, The Baltimore Sun , City councilman presses for property tax overhaul
The chair of the City Council's Taxation Committee is proposing to raise the property tax increase ceiling from 4 percent over three years to the statewide limit of 10 percent over five years — part of his plan to slash the city's high property-tax rate in half by 2016. "We're starting this discussion about lowering property taxes … by raising property taxes?" Councilman William H. Cole IV said when Stokes first proposed his legislation in March. More…

December 9, 2011, Baltimore Business Journal, Marathon organizer Corrigan 'interested' in operating Baltimore Grand Prix     
The organizer of the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival says he’d consider leading the Baltimore Grand Prix if its debt problem is resolved. City Councilman William H. Cole IV, who helped in organizing the race, said the deadline is not going away. “Obviously time is not on their side at this point. Their debt is significant and obviously very real.” More…

December 8, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore officials aren't giving up on Grand Prix       
The president of IndyCar's commercial division, expressed confidence in the management team that has proposed buying a controlling stake in Baltimore Racing Development Inc., the event organizer. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Councilman William H. Cole IV, key backers of the Grand Prix, said they want to see race organizers right their ship and stage another event in Baltimore next year. More…

December 8, 2011, WJZ-TV, Documents Show Baltimore Grand Prix $12M In Debt     
Can a company take-over save the Baltimore Grand Prix? There’s a plan in the works. “I want to make certain that the city taxes are paid, the amusement taxes are paid, and if there is a 2012 race there has to be a plan that allows it to be sustainable moving forward. We don’t want to have to do this every year,” Councilman Cole said. More…

December 2, 2011, The Daily Record, Rallo’s Diner in Locust Point         
When Rallo’s shut down in September,  Matthew Gurczynski stepped up and opened Big Matty’s Diner rehiring all of Rallo’s cooks and waitresses. The same group of 25 regulars comes in each morning for breakfast, including City Councilman William H. Cole IV. More…

November 21, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Md. warns it may seize Grand Prix firm’s assets        
The state has threatened to seize assets of the company that runs the Baltimore Grand Prix to recover nearly $600,000 in unpaid taxes.  Councilman William Cole said the company…needs to generate revenue quickly — through either ticket sales or sponsors — to salvage the event for 2012 and beyond. More…

November 13, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Second Grand Prix may hit a wall    
The city faces a tough choice: either help BRD shore up its finances and operations, and trust that it can turn itself around in time to lay the groundwork for the 2012 race, or start over with a different group. "I've fielded calls from people interested in talking to [BRD] about sponsorships," he said. "If people know they have solidified their back-office structure and resolved their debt structure, I think people will be lining up. I've heard from a number of companies, both locally and regionally, that are interested in sponsorship." More…

November 9, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Grand Prix organizers seeking candidates for CEO position  
Leaders of the financially-strapped company that produced the Baltimore Grand Prix have been interviewing candidates to take the helm of the group, officials said Wednesday. Councilman William H. Cole IV, a strong backer of the race, praised the group's efforts to import new leadership, but warned that they faced a daunting task. "I'm pleased to hear that they're actively reorganizing themselves, but they still have far to go," he said. "At the end of the day, they need to pay their debts and their taxes and fees." More…

November 8, 2011, Baltimore Business Journal, Grand Prix future unclear if organizers miss city deadline    
If Baltimore Racing Development can’t pay off more than $1.5 million in debt owed to the city by Dec. 31, city officials said Monday they would terminate a five-year deal with the group to operate the open-wheel street  City Councilman William H. Cole IV, a major proponent of the inaugural Grand Prix, left open the option of another group coming into the run event in 2012 if Baltimore Racing’s deal with the city is terminated. “The only way I could see it happening is if someone came in and bought the whole thing, including the debt,” Cole said. “They have to reorganize and refinance, or sell.” Cole said it’s too early to rule out Baltimore Racing Development as the Grand Prix’s promoter, however. More…

November 8, 2011, AutoWeek, Baltimore Grand Prix in jeopardy amid promoter debts  
The Baltimore Grand Prix--which debuted in September to rave reviews from competitors and fans--could disappear from next year's Izod IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series schedules unless its promoter finds a way to settle outstanding debts. City councilman William H. Cole IV said, “The only way I could see [the races] happening [in 2012 if the debt is not paid] is if someone came in and bought the whole thing, including the debt. They have to reorganize and refinance, or sell.” More…

November 7, 2011,The Baltimore Sun, City threatens to end deal with racing group    
City officials threatened Monday to end their contract with the company that staged the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix race, saying it owed the city more than $1.5 million — a development that casts doubt on the future of the three-day racing festival. "They've got to work out their debt issues in a timely fashion, or there isn't going to be a Year 2," said Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents the Downtown area and worked closely with the race group to prepare for the event. More…

November 7, 2011,  Associated Press, Baltimore Grand Prix in jeopardy
Officials threatened Monday to terminate the city's five-year contract with organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix if the group doesn't restructure and pay its debts to the city and vendors. The frustrating thing to Grand Prix booster and City Councilman William Cole is that the group is facing these problems despite the event exceeding attendance expectations and the racing series that participated and many spectators want to come back next year. That points to structural problems BRD has to figure out, he said. More…

November 7, 2011, Daily Record, Baltimore threatens to cut ties with Grand Prix organizer   
City officials vowed on Monday to sever ties with the organizer of the Baltimore Grand Prix unless the company pays its bills and climbs out of the red and into profitability.   Baltimore Racing Development owes the city more than $1.5 million, according to city figures, and has been beset by lawsuits from unpaid vendors since the inaugural race over Labor Day weekend. “They’ve got to get their act together. It was a great inaugural event but if they want to have a second year, they’re going to have to kick it into high gear quickly,” Councilman Cole said. “We’re not going to wait forever for this to get resolved. More...

November 2, 2011, The Baltimore Sun,  Grand Prix 'struggling' financially, facing suits over unpaid bills  
Organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix are grappling with mounting financial problems, including a missed loan payment. "They've got to figure out a way to make this thing work," said City Councilman William H. Cole IV, one of the staunchest supporters of the event. "They've been struggling mightily coming out of the first year to keep everything together. I'm hoping they find a way to weather the storm." More…

Oct. 27, 2011, Baltimore Sun, Homeless find support in Occupy Baltimore camp       
As word spread about the blankets and growing size of the encampment, City Councilman William H. Cole IV expressed concern that the homeless would go to McKeldin Square instead of reaching out for professional help. More…

Oct. 24, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Facing write-in challenge for council, Branch steps up campaign    
Running for re-election against a feisty write-in candidate, City Councilman Warren Branch acknowledges he has stepped up his efforts. Branch has been less active legislatively than other first-term councilmen, such as 4th District Councilman Bill Henry and 11th District Councilman William H. Cole IV. They have achieved passage of two and three times the number of bills, respectively, that Branch has. More…

Oct. 18, 2011, Baltimore Brew, Jack Young breaks with mayor, says city’s rec centers should stay open - Rec budget should be increased      
The closing of recreation centers should not be an option, says Baltimore’s second highest elected official. Councilman William H. Cole IV (11th District) said he found the discussion over rec enters “painful but necessary due to the reality of the budget situation.” He said Rawlings-Blake was taking the right approach by exploring creative solutions like privatization and consolidation to make the city’s rec program more sustainable. More…

Oct. 17, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Deal would raise 700 janitors' wages in Baltimore by 4%     
A bargaining committee late Sunday struck an agreement that would give 4 percent annual raises to 700 Baltimore janitors. Earlier this month, the janitors were joined by Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV and Nick Mosby, who defeated Councilwoman Belinda Conaway in the Democratic primary, as they rallied at the corner of Light and Pratt streets. More…

Oct. 5, 2011 The Baltimore Sun,  Janitors rally for higher wages   
Dozens of union janitors and their supporters rallied at the Inner Harbor on Wednesday evening to call for higher wages. Wages for the union's more than 700 Baltimore workers range from $10.90 an hour ($11,336 annually) for part-time cleaners to $11.40 an hour ($23,712 annually) for full-time cleaners. Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV and Nick Mosby, who defeated Councilwoman Belinda Conaway in the Democratic primary, joined the protesters at the corner of Light and Pratt streets. Cole said he was there to make sure residents of Baltimore get "something that resembles a livable wage."  More…

Oct. 4, 2011, Maryland Daily Record, Under Armour wants TIF for HQ expansion    
The Baltimore City Council is expected to consider a request by Under Armour Inc. for tax increment financing bonds to fund a portion of the company’s massive expansion at Locust Point’s Tide Point complex. City Councilman William H. Cole IV, whose district includes Locust Point, said the TIF expansion request has been met with optimism. “I’m thrilled they decided to expand in place and remain in the city. It’s a very good signal.” More...

Sept. 19, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Bill would require notification before cutting down city trees    
Baltimore City Council members introduced a bill Monday that they say would close the "loophole" that allowed contractors to cut down dozens of trees along city streets without proper public notification in preparation for the Baltimore Grand Prix. "Even if the city is the party removing the trees, it still needs to be posted," said Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents downtown. More…

Sept. 6, 2011, The Daily Record,  Grand Prix was boom or bust for eateries     
City restaurateurs say the Baltimore Grand Prix brought record-breaking business to eateries within walking distance of the race course, but operators of establishments at greater distances say their sales suffered significantly. “I think some of it we can work on improving next year to help restaurants market themselves to race fans,” said Baltimore City Council member William H. Cole IV, who represents much of the Inner Harbor area. More…

Sept. 6, 2011, Editorial, Baltimore Sun, Baltimore on the fast track - Our view: Although it may have been a shock to some, much-anticipated Grand Prix race appears to have turned out well for Charm City    
The turnout of spectators was greater than promised…The big race on Sunday was a TV ratings hit…That translates into a lot of favorable publicity for Baltimore and revenue for the various vendors, hotels and other businesses that depend on tourism dollars…Indeed, the typical coverage seen and heard on local TV and radio stations was nothing short of glowing. More…

Sept. 6, 2011,  Abc2news.com, We can do better next year   
The first ever Baltimore Grand Prix is in the books, and city officials say traffic should be back to normal after the Labor Day weekend holiday. City and race officials are working to determine the economic impact of the race. "As successful as it was this year, we can do better next year," said Councilman William Cole (D-11th), a long-time supporter of the Grand Prix. More…

Sept. 2, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Grand Prix fans flood city for practice runs
After years of planning, months of street-clogging roadwork and days of elaborate construction, the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix roared into reality Friday. "There's a big sense of relief right now. It hasn't been an easy journey," said Councilman William H. Cole IV, a longtime champion of the race. More…

Sept. 2, 2011, The Baltimore Sun,  Many residents along Grand Prix course excited   
Throughout Ridgely's Delight and Otterbein, the two residential neighborhoods most closely pressed against the 2.1-mile Grand Prix course, some planned to flee town because of the traffic and noise, many are eager to experience a new spectacle, saying that's why they moved to the heart of the city. "Without support from the neighborhoods around the track, we would never have even tried it," Councilman Bill Cole said. More…

Sept. 2, 2011, Baltimore Brew, How loud will the Baltimore Grand Prix be?       
Earplugs would be wise at the corner of Paca and Russell streets on Sunday: a study projects the roar of race cars could reach 118 decibels. City Councilman William H. Cole IV, in whose district the race is being run, said his visit to Long Beach for the Toyota Grand Prix proved to him that the noise will be “tolerable.” More…

August 30, 2011, The Daily Record, City businesses counting on Grand Prix boost          
Baltimore’s hotels and restaurants are looking forward to sold-out tourism business from the Baltimore Grand Prix that starts Friday, even if hotels aren’t fully booked yet. Baltimore City Council member William H. Cole IV said he will assess with city officials and race organizers the economic impact on small businesses, which is still expected to be greater than what a typical Labor Day weekend would create. More…

August 26, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Camden Yards vendors will have to move for Grand Prix    
During the races over Labor Day weekend, vendors will have to move far from the action on the race course. In the meantime, they complain Grand Prix preparations have limited pedestrian access to their stands during the potentially lucrative weekend Orioles series against the New York Yankees. City Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents the area and was an early proponent of the race, says even with the move, the Grand Prix will wind up helping the vendors. "If this was a normal Labor Day weekend, the Orioles rarely play that weekend," Cole said. "It's three days they wouldn't have had any business." More…

August 25, 2011, Maryland Daily Record, Mayor, police chief, businesses all need Grand Prix to succeed
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who faces a primary election just nine days after the race, and Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III see an opportunity to change Baltimore’s “Wire”-fed perception; city tourism officials see an opportunity to build Baltimore’s reputation as a sports hub and tourism hot spot; and downtown business owners eye the race as a way to make a few more dollars on an otherwise dull tourism weekend. Baltimore City Council member William H. Cole IV said that after 18 months of planning the race, the event is doing exactly what he had hoped it would do. “It’s selling a lot of tickets, and it fills hotels and restaurants,” Cole said. More…

August 15, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore City Council wants say on school board members    
Those who make money selling parking spots on Ravens game days may feel the squeeze from the city. Councilman William H. Cole IV said the city is missing out on tax revenue from "rogue" parking operators who sell spots around M&T Bank Stadium, and he wants the city to crack down. More…

August 13, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, The long road to the Baltimore Grand Prix    
Glossy race cars are set to dart down newly paved roads alongside the Inner Harbor, bearing on their sleek frames the aspirations of city and state officials who are betting on the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix to draw tens of thousands of race fans, pump tens of millions of dollars into the local economy and burnish the image of the city. "If you're ever going to change the city's image, if you're ever going to grow a tax base and change perceptions, you have to be willing to try new things," said City Councilman William H. Cole IV, an early supporter of the race, which will run through his district. More...

August, 2011, Baltimore Magazine, The Fast and the Furious  
Grand Prix-related road repaving and curb reconfiguration on major thoroughfares began seriously irritating many white-knuckled commuters snarled in downtown traffic. But Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Councilman William H. Cole IV—are convinced that despite short-term hassles the Grand Prix can be a long-term winner by making Baltimore a preeminent Labor Day destination, whether you're a gearhead or not. More…

August, 2011, Baltimore Magazine, Publisher's Note      
I've been a supporter of the Baltimore Grand Prix all along, and thanks to early backing from players like Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Councilman William H. Cole IV, a couple dozen private investors, and the efforts of the organizers to get community feedback, I am convinced this will succeed. More…      

August 11, 2011, Catholic Review, Appreciation for the building’s namesake continues to grow at Charles R. Uncles Senior Plaza    
It is located in the 600 block of Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue, which was renamed “Fr. Charles R. Uncles Way” June 10, in recognition of the first black to be ordained a priest in the United States. City Councilman William C. Cole, who was guided by Jesuits at Loyola Blakefield and St. Joseph (Pa.) University, said the occasion “was humbling for me.”  More…

August 5, 2011, Gazette.net, Gearing up for a Baltimore Grand Prix      
Race cars tearing through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with thousands of spectators crowding around typically congested streets means a world of possibility to Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV.  Cole, said the benefits of the city’s first Indy car street race far outweigh any political risks associated with orchestrating such a major event two weeks before the primary election for mayor and City Council. More…

Aug. 3, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Grand Prix to plant more trees than it cuts         
City officials and Grand Prix race organizers tried to quell the anger about tree removal by explaining that far fewer trees were being removed for spectator grandstands than previously reported, and that the Grand Prix had agreed to plant nearly four times as many trees as it was cutting down — increasing rather than whacking the downtown's meager tree canopy. "I don't like taking down any trees, for sure," said William H. Cole IV, the City Council member who represents downtown, "but I will tell you that there's a net gain.” More…

August 2, 2011, Value My Vote, Examiner.com, Interview

August 2, 2011,  ABC2News.com, Tree removal plan for Baltimore Grand Prix criticized      
Preparations for the Baltimore Grand Prix this Labor Day weekend are causing some controversy. A report published this week stated that 136 trees were being removed or replaced along the race route. Councilman William Cole -- who's been a strong supporter of the Grand Prix plan -- says the actual number of trees being removed or relocated is fewer than 50. He also says the process has been going on for years to make Pratt Street more pedestrian-friendly. More…

July 29, 2011, Baltimore City Paper, With no primary challengers, 11th District’s William Cole braces for the general election       
City Councilmember William Cole (D-11th District) was under the impression he only faced one challenger in the Nov. 8 general election: Libertarian Douglas McNeil. In fact, Baltimore City Republican Central Committee Chairman Duane Shelton also entered the race. “That’s new,” Cole said, adding that, “I’m planning on running a full general campaign.” More…

July 26, 2011, Bmorenews.com, Demolition project marks start of transportation improvements at State Center     
The demolition at 890 Linden Avenue today, attended by Mayor  Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole, IV and others was a significant marker in the State Center redevelopment project. More…

July 26, 2011, Press Release, Mayor Rawlings-Blake Participates in Westside Demolition Project that Makes Way for Transportation Improvements to MLK, Jr. Boulevard       
Continuing the City’s progress in creating a vibrant neighborhood on the Westside of downtown, today Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined by Councilman William H. Cole, IV… participated in a demolition project at 890 Linden Avenue that makes way for transportation improvements at the intersection of Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. Boulevard and Howard Street. More…

July 6, 2011, WBAL, Councilman Cole responds to questions about safety and security downtown in preparation for the Baltimore Grand Prix.  Interview

July 18, 2011, The Daily Record, Grand Prix offers city a chance to shine    
The Grand Prix will bring some of the world’s leading drivers to Baltimore for an event that is incredibly popular in much of the world but is less well known in the United States. Supporters see it as an opportunity to bring 100,000 spectators to a series of downtown events, to get hours of national television coverage. And they point out that the street repaving had to be done anyway, is part of a budget that is not transferrable to other projects, and that it will not be an annual cost. Public officials like Councilman William H. Cole IV and Del. Keiffer Mitchell are fully committed and vocal supporters of the project. What they have in common is the belief that muddling along and making marginal changes won’t be enough to move the Baltimore economy to a higher level of growth. More…

July, 12, 2011,  CityBizList, Baltimore Grand Prix Initiates Community Mitigation Fund Over $100,000 Earmarked for Community Projects      
The Baltimore Grand Prix and its owners, Baltimore Racing Development, delivered the first of three checks to a neighborhood surrounding the Grand Prix circuit as part of a Community Impact Mitigation Fund they created. "When we first started discussing the Grand Prix concept, Mayor Rawlings-Blake and I stressed that the neighborhoods most inconvenienced by the race should receive an immediate benefit," said Councilman William Cole. More…

July 10, 2011, The Daily Record, UM BioPark looking to expand    
While new development in much of Baltimore has slowed, a plan to expand the geographic boundaries at the University of Maryland BioPark and clear the way for a total of up to 2 million square feet of lab, hotel and office space will be considered by the City Council on July 18.  That also means jobs, says William H. Cole IV, a member of the City Council whose 11th District is on the cusp of the UM BioPark. “It presents an opportunity to create a larger anchor for that side of Martin Luther King Boulevard,” Cole said. “You can build a neighborhood around that. The growth will bring new residents to Baltimore and hopefully keep them here.” More…

July 8, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Grand Prix: organizers make donation to affected neighborhoods  
Organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix say they have made their first payment toward a $100,000 donation to nine downtown communities affected by the event, which will be held over the Labor Day weekend. "When we first started discussing the Grand Prix concept, Mayor [Stephanie] Rawlings-Blake and I stressed that the neighborhoods most inconvenienced by the race should receive an immediate benefit," Councilman William H. Cole IV said. More...

July 7, 2011, The Daily Record, Baltimore neighborhoods get first part of Grand Prix money         
Downtown Baltimore’s neighborhoods are about to see some of the benefits of the Baltimore Grand Prix, in terms of cash. Officials from Baltimore Racing Development LLC, the organizer of September’s Grand Prix, agreed in their contract with Baltimore City to pay $100,000 annually to the neighborhoods most affected by the race. The first set of checks to the neighborhood organizations went out two weeks ago, with about $33,000 being split among nine neighborhood associations, said Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV. More...

July 7, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Owner of landmark South Baltimore restaurant dies     
Vincent Rallo, a former banker who in retirement took over Rallo's Restaurant, a Locust Point landmark since 1941, died this morning at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson. "It's been an institution in South Baltimore forever," said Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV. "I've eaten breakfast there every morning for 17 years.” More…

July 6, 2011, WBAL-TV, Still No Answers In Harbor Shooting, Stabbing - July 4 Fireworks Marred By City Violence        
Police continued to look for clues Wednesday in connection with a pair of violent July 4 incidents at the Inner Harbor. "I don't know that you necessarily change everything just because of one or two isolated events," Councilman Bill Cole said. "But it certainly causes you to step back, take a look, evaluate whether we should be changing things, look at what other cities are doing, look at what's happening in other cities and make sure there are not trends we're not catching on to." More…

July 05, 2011,The Baltimore Sun, Fourth of July incidents mar Inner Harbor's image     
On one of the most festive days of the year, in one of the safest places in town, amid a veritable battalion of police, a bullet appears to have fallen from the sky to strike a 4-year-old boy. "The whole thing is just mind-boggling," Councilman Bill Cole said of the marred holiday. "How do you stop that? I don't ever feel unsafe there. I walk with my kids there. I ride my bike there at night since I like to see what's going on there. I never feel unsafe there."  More…

June 28, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Response to homeowners' lead dust concerns highlights holes in system - Federal Hill mothers directed to multiple agencies before anyone investigated their complaints about renovation project        
When Sally Dworak-Fisher and other neighbors contacted federal, state, and local authorities about concerns that construction dust at the Henrietta Street house might contain toxic lead, everyone said some other agency was responsible. "It's one of those issues that seems to fall in that gap of enforcement levels in city, state, and federal government," said City Councilman William H. Cole IV, who also contacted many agencies on the neighbors' behalf.  It took days — and the intervention of Cole's office, as well as inquiries from The Baltimore Sun — before any government agency responded to the residents, and visited the neighborhood. More…

June 6, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, University of Maryland to close for Grand Prix race - Law, medical schools cancel classes but hospital to stay open           
The University of Maryland will close its downtown campus for three days because of the Baltimore Grand Prix auto race. Councilman William H. Cole IV, who said the festival will be an economic boon to Baltimore, stressed that workers will still be able to enter buildings during the race and that most parking lots will be open. "There is no scenario where we have asked people not to open," said Cole, whose district includes the downtown area and who is one of the Grand Prix's most vocal supporters. More…

May 21, 2011, abc2news.com, Steps from Pimlico, residents say city doesn't care     
City crews have been working hard to make the area around Pimlico shine for the Preakness Stakes. But some people who live near Old Hilltop say those crews must have missed a few spots. Property records show the city of Baltimore owns the vacant lot across from Tyrone White’s home -- and White says it hasn't been mowed in more than a year. There’s no quick fix for that, but Councilman Cole has introduced a resolution that would consolidate mowing services into one department instead of 6. “There should be one entity that everybody can call to report these unmowed lots so that we can get it done,” he said. More,,,

May 9, 2011, Daily Record,  Zip lines, volleyball courts and other attractions pitched for Inner Harbor      The Baltimore Development Corp. released Monday its list of nine proposals for new Inner Harbor attractions. Proposals range from volleyball courts to observation towers to zip lines and kayak tours. The BDC has convened an advisory panel of prominent business and community leaders, including 11th District Councilman William Cole, to assist in the review of the proposals. More…

April 28, 2011, Baltimore Sun, Cole files for council seat, ending speculation on council president bid Councilman William H. Cole IV announced today that he has filed to run for the seat representing the 11th district, ending speculation that he would run to be council president. Cole said, “This is the toughest job I've ever had, but I've enjoyed every minute of the challenge. Thanks to all of my constituents, friends, and family (particularly Michelle White Cole) for the tremendous support and encouragement. I'm looking forward to four more years." More…

April 21, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Road projects tie up downtown traffic - Grand Prix preparations, utility work cause headaches  
The current spate of traffic tie-ups, which are expected to continue a couple more months, are the result of a combination of utility projects and the city's continuing effort to prepare streets for a Grand Prix auto race in September. Councilman William H. Cole IV, a Grand Prix supporter, said much of the work being done for the race is rebuilding roads that were due for rehabilitation anyway. Cole said the utility work — not the city's race preparations — is causing most of the headaches for his South Baltimore constituents. More…

April 6, 2011, The Baltimore Guide, State aid might ease budget woes      
Members of the Baltimore City Council say that the budget cuts for 2012 will not be as drastic as those for 2011, and that some of the announced cuts may not be necessary if the City of Baltimore receives the aid it expects to get from the state. The mayor intends to follow through on her proposal to shift management of as many of half the city’s recreation centers to private nonprofits. “I think it’s a rather smart way of keeping rec centers open,” said Eleventh District City Councilman William H. Cole IV. “The details of the transfer are important, of course.” More…

April 5, 2011, Investigative Voice, Arrest of high level DPW official prompts councilman to question city's employment practices - MAYOR  JOINS  COUNCILMAN BILL COLE IN CALLING FOR HEARING TO PROBE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYMENT POLICY 
The arrest and guilty plea of a Department of Public Works superintendent named Michael Lucas on charges of fourth degree sex offense last year, a top level supervisor whose ability to keep his job despite a series of criminal charges, is prompting a key city councilman to call for hearings on Baltimore's municipal employment practices. “While I recognize that the policy now requires employees who are arrested for certain crimes to report the incident,” said City Councilman William H. Cole 4th (D-11th), “I'd like to explore that policy to determine if it goes far enough.” More…

April 3, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore police identify victim in downtown club stabbing       
Baltimore police have identified one of the victims of the multiple stabbings that occurred early Saturday inside the downtown nightclub Bourbon Street. "What bothers me is in every single one of these incidents, it's just stupid fighting between individuals, but instead of settling it the way everybody used to settle things, a weapon is involved," City Councilman Bill Cole said. More…

April 1, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Grand Prix organizers announce new sponsors - Sunoco, GEICO among sponsors   
Organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix announced new sponsors Thursday for the three-day street racing festival slated to be held around the Inner Harbor over Labor Day weekend. Sunoco will be the fuel sponsor of the Baltimore race. Other sponsors include GEICO insurance, Transamerica/AEGON, Greenspring Energy, Enoch Office Products, and HVM Racing. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Councilman William H. Cole IV have been strong advocates of the racing festival, which organizers say will draw as many as 100,000 visitors and generate as much as $70 million in economic impact. More…

March 31, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, 72,000 Baltimore residents to find themselves in new City Council districts Friday   
About 72,000 Baltimoreans will find themselves represented by a new City Council member on Friday morning, according to an opinion issued late last week by the city’s law department that contradicts the city’s past practices. Council Vice President Edward Reisinger, who swapped vast tracts with Councilman William H. Cole IV, said that they were working closely to address the concerns of residents who were moved to new districts. More…

March 19, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, City attorney says mayor may vote on Hopkins deals    
Baltimore's city solicitor says Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake may vote on matters relating to Johns Hopkins, as long as she recuses herself from issues directly related to the division for which her husband works. Councilman William H. Cole IV, one of the mayor's closest allies on the council, said Friday he was pleased with Nilson's opinion. "I know the mayor has always been extremely careful about these types of issues," Cole said. More…

March 17, 2011, NorthBaltimore.Patch.com, Councilman Defends Mayor Against Sun Article - Councilman William Cole, D-District 11, calls Baltimore Sun article 'misleading.'
Councilman William Cole is attacking a Baltimore Sun article questioning whether Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake violated the city's ethics code by voting on deals with Johns Hopkins, her husband's employer. In an e-mail sent from his private account, Cole, D-District 11, called the article "misleading" and said it was apparently driven by "flawed political opposition research." More…

March 9, 2011, WYPR – FM,  City Council Moves Closer To Process For Filling Vacant Seats   I
n early December, Agnes Welch retired after serving as Councilwoman of the 9th district for almost 30 years. In accordance with Baltimore City Council rules, a nominating committee formed consisting entirely of council members in order to find a replacement. The process, according to Councilman William Cole representing the 11th district, was not ideal. “Making decisions about a replacement for a district that we don’t represent was awkward at best. The new process would be transparent.”  More…

March 7, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Stokes details plan to cut city property taxes      
City Councilman and mayoral candidate Carl Stokes unveiled a plan Monday that he says could cut property taxes in half over the next five years, while council colleagues and a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called the proposal unrealistic. “We’re starting this discussion about lowering property taxes … by raising property taxes?” Councilman William H. Cole IV asked after Stokes introduced his legislation at the council meeting Monday evening. More…

March 05, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Condo owner wants gun range at Ritz-Carlton penthouse   
With no official paperwork or applications for permits filed with the city, talk of a private gun range is just that. And as much as city leaders talk about seizing illegal guns, and as much as criminals in the city seem to use guns, the topic of a firing range for legal gun owners has apparently never come up. More...

February 16, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Few residents attend hearing on City Council redistricting     
If the redistricting plans are approved, District 11, that of Councilman William H. Cole IV, would lose Reservoir Hill and gain the South Baltimore neighborhoods of Federal Hill, Riverside and Locust Point, which had been part of Council Vice President Edward L. Reisinger's district.  More…

February 2, 2011, The Afro-American, City Council Considers Changing Vacancy Process    
City Council members are proposing changes to the vacancy filling process requiring 11 residents of the vacated district to serve on the council’s vacancy nominating committee. Two city council persons from abutting districts would also serve on the panel. Councilman Bill Cole said a special elections option would be beneficial, but is not a guarantee. “The only thing we can control is our vacancy selection process,” he said. More…

February 1, 2011, Editorial, The Baltimore Sun, Filling City Council vacancies        
It's heartening that council members are considering ways to reform the [replacement] process. Councilman Bill Henry has the most straightforward proposal — creating the option for special elections — but it appears to have only tepid support. More likely to pass is a proposal by Mr. Young and Councilman William H. Cole IV to diminish the council's role in the selection process. Their idea is that whenever a vacancy occurs, the council president would assemble a committee to vet applications to fill the seat. Eight committee members would come from neighborhood associations in the district, three from business owners in the district and two would be council members from adjacent districts. That group would hold public interviews with the candidates and make a recommendation to the council, which would then have the final say. More…

January 31, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Under proposal, community panel to choose City Council members     Under a proposal by Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young and Councilman William H. Cole IV, community association members and business leaders would join two council members from contiguous districts to nominate a candidate. Council members currently decide who will fill a vacant seat. Cole described the current process of choosing a replacement as "awkward." "We heard from a lot of people who didn't like the process," he said. More…

January 31, 2011, The Daily Record, TIFs increasingly fuel city projects        
What is a TIF?  The acronym stands for Tax Increment Financing, a little-understood form of public investment in urban redevelopment now favored by the city of Baltimore. When City Hall approves a TIF to help finance a new development, bonds are sold to investors. The bonds are to be repaid not with city general funds but with future property taxes from the new development. This financing mechanism decreases the upfront development costs, but it also decreases the amount of property taxes that flows into city coffers from the new development until the bonds are paid off. Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV says TIFs are an essential development tool for the city. More…

January 31, 2011, Press Release, Young And Cole To Introduce Change To Rules Governing Vacancy Nominating Committee, Change in rules would give community larger role in selecting replacement council members.
City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young and Councilman William H. Cole IV will introduce today a change to the rules governing member vacancies on the City Council. The rule change, which will be submitted during Monday’s council meeting, will reduce the number of elected officials participating in the vacancy nominating process and substantially increase the number of community members who participate in nominating a replacement council member. More…

January 30, 2011, Baltimore Sun, Mayor to unveil new City Council map
For months now, members of the Baltimore City Council have been telling Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake what they'd like to see when she draws new boundaries for their districts. Staffers say the redistricting plan she is scheduled to unveil Monday reflects a good-faith effort to divide the population evenly, keep neighborhoods whole and respect the racial makeup of the city, as required by federal law. "I'm pleased we're able to reconnect neighborhoods again," said Councilman Cole. More…

January 21, 2011, The Baltimore Sun, Grand Prix organizers no longer focused on title sponsor
Organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix say that they are no longer focused on landing a title sponsor for the three-day racing festival and would be content with a number of smaller backers. About $2 million in private equity has been invested in the race, and smaller stakes are available. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Councilman William H. Cole IV, whose district includes the downtown area, are among the race's biggest boosters. More…

January 18, 2011, Baltimore Brew,  Solar panels proposed for Science Center parking lot fuel debate in Federal Hill     
A plan by the Maryland Science Center to allow Constellation Energy Group to put solar panels on carport-like structures in the Center’s Key Highway parking lot is sparking opposition from some Federal Hill residents, who say the project will be an eyesore blocking views of the Inner Harbor. Among those involved in talks between the science center and citizenry so far are City Councilman William H. Cole IV and Irene Van Sant, of the Baltimore Development Corporation. More…

January 11, 2011, Daily Record, Former McCormick site at Inner Harbor auctioned for $11.5M
The former McCormick & Co. Inc. factory site, one of the most valuable properties in the Inner Harbor, was sold at auction Tuesday for $11.5 million. City Council William H. Cole IV, whose district includes the property, said he wouldn’t want to see another hotel, but a mixed-use plan would make the most sense. Cole said the proximity to tourist attractions should also make the spot more pedestrian friendly. More…

January 9, 2011, Baltimore Sun, Officials look at downtown club security after shooting  
Sunday morning's fatal shooting near a west side club follows similar incidents at other downtown establishments in recent years, and city officials say it will lead to more discussion about security surrounding Baltimore's nightlife. “The city had improved security by padlocking problematic venues, using the liquor board's enforcement strength and demanding clubs increase their security measures.” said City Councilman William H. Cole IV. “I do think, generally speaking, when you look at overall crime numbers, particularly downtown, Central District has done a wonderful job keeping visitors and residents safe." More...

March 25, 2010, WBAL-TV, Budget Proposal Includes 600 City Layoffs
The city's Department of Finance on Wednesday presented a preliminary budget that calls for the layoffs of more than 600 city employees to help close a $121 million budget deficit. Councilman Bill Cole said, it's time to find serious solutions to a serious problem. “What we can do is look at our parking tax and make sure we're getting everything we can out of that from the people who come in every day," he added. More…

March 23, 2010, Baltimore Sun, SRB declines her pay raise; will others follow suit?
Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake's office just sent out word that she will voluntarily decline the 2.5 percent salary increase she was automatically slated to get under a 2007 law. City Councilman William H. Cole IV just wrote in to say he's declining the raise. He writes, "I gave the money back to the city last year and will be doing the same again this year. I wish we had a mechanism to refuse the raises outright." More…

March 22, 2010 Investigative Voice, SPACE SPAT — Dispute with developer threatens to sink city’s residential parking program.
A brewing conflict between developers of the newly renovated Professional Arts Building in historic Mount Vernon and community leaders there has led to a standoff that has left some tenants without parking permits while community leaders cry foul over promises made during the approval process to provide more off-street parking. The conflict could put the program that covers nearly 40 city neighborhoods where parking is scarce to a legal test it may not survive. “Everybody in the community wants this to be a success,” City Councilman William H. Cole IV said of the apartment building. "But the neighborhood has reached a tipping point where there just isn’t any more space.” More…

March 19, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Rawlings-Blake plans to merge city agencies
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake plans to merge several city agencies, abolishing as many as 15 positions and saving up to $1.5 million, The Baltimore Sun has learned. Among those protesting are hospitals, which would be hit with a tax of up to $350 per bed. Nonprofits, which receive city services, should help shoulder the tax burden, Councilman William H. Cole IV said, because city residents already pay staggeringly high property taxes. "If you increase property taxes, you would tip the balance and push people out of the city," he said. More…

March 19, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Survey of possible Grand Prix race to cause parking restrictions downtown
Drivers will face parking restrictions and possible delays downtown Saturday as a helicopter crew conducts a survey of the likely route of a proposed Grand Prix race in Baltimore. Councilman William H. Cole IV, one of the prime advocates of bringing the race to Baltimore, said its impact could be bigger than that of a Preakness. More…

March 10, 2010, Baltimore Sun,  Talking trash in B'more

The Inner Harbor is frequently awash in floating and submerged trash.  A City Council committee held an "informational hearing" Tuesday on how to reduce the torrents of refuse and debris that flow into the harbor every time it rains. "It feels like we are in some cases going backwards, not forwards," said Councilman William H. Cole IV, chief sponsor of the December 2008 resolution calling for an inquiry into the harbor's trash problem. More…

March 8, 2010, Editorial, Baltimore Sun, A question of integrity

Councilwoman Helen Holton was reappointed chair of the a powerful Taxation and Economic Development Committee by the new city council president, Bernard C. "Jack" Young even though criminal charges against her remain unresolved. She had supported Young over Councilman William H. Cole IV in Young’s bid for City Council president. Many of the plum assignments Young has made so far have been to council colleagues who publicly supported him over Cole. Mr. Cole now serves on only one committee (down from 5, including Acting Chair of the Taxation and Economic Development Committee).  Cole’s top council supporters saw their responsibilities downgraded, too. More…

March 5, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Ethics bill heads for council consideration - Committee approves Rawlings-Blake measure

A bill that would reconfigure the city's ethics board was unanimously approved by a key committee Thursday and will be considered by the full City Council on Monday. A companion bill by Councilman William H. Cole IV was also approved by the committee. Both bills address problems in the city's ethics policy that came to light during the corruption investigation that led to former Mayor Sheila Dixon's resignation. More…

March 5, 2010, Investigative Voice, NO PARKING! — City councilmen, residents run out of patience with flawed parking-pass software - Online Registration/Renewal/Payment Program Causes Delays, Frustration For Area Residents

In the end, it was a constituent in her seventies who drove Baltimore City Councilman Bill Cole to the brink of frustration with the residential parking software. In an email to the freshman councilman, the woman told how a two-minute process online to pay for her residential parking pass had turned into a 45-minute ordeal. "This is such a mess," said Cole, the day after he fired off an angry email to Baltimore City Parking Authority chief Pete Little asking him to junk the software that has been problematic since the city installed it last April. More…

March 5, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Ethics bill heads for council consideration - Committee approves Rawlings-Blake measure

A bill that would reconfigure the city's ethics board was unanimously approved by a key committee Thursday and will be considered by the full City Council on Monday. A companion bill by Councilman William H. Cole IV was also approved by the committee. Both bills address problems in the city's ethics policy that came to light during the corruption investigation that led to former Mayor Sheila Dixon's resignation. More…

February 28, 2010, Baltimore Brew, Waiting for FiOS, Baltimore? Verizon says ‘Fuhgeddaboutit!

Progressive Maryland is leading the charge on this issue and a couple of city council members, William H. Cole IV and Mary Pat Clarke, are involved as well and are planning a hearing on the matter next month. More…

February 26, 2010, Baltimore Business Journal, M&T Bank to foreclose on Hollander 95 Business Park

M&T Bank is planning to foreclose on and auction off the Hollander 95 Business Park, a 51-acre, city-backed redevelopment of the former Hollander Ridge public housing project in East Baltimore. The $32 million project, launched before the recession set in, promised to bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in new investment to the city. Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV said he understands why the city would pass on the opportunity to buy back Hollander 95 given Baltimore’s financial shortfalls. He said he is disappointed East Baltimore will not be getting the jobs and additional investment promised by Hollander Rock, at least for the immediate future. More…

February 26, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Ethics Board changes hit snag - Rawlings-Blake's bill doesn't do enough to curb mayor's power, city councilman says
A push by Baltimore's new mayor to revamp ethics safeguards after a City Hall corruption scandal has been temporarily stymied by a City Council member who says the proposal doesn't go far enough. When Councilman Henry left the committee meeting early, the committee lacked the quorum needed to vote on the bill. Councilman William H. Cole IV, a fellow Democrat, described himself as "shaking with rage" after Henry left the meeting. "It was abundantly clear that there was at a bare minimum a plan to move the mayor's bill," he said. More…

February 25, 2010, Baltimore Business Journal, Baltimore delegate wants to extend last call to 3 a.m.

A Baltimore delegate wants to extend last call at some downtown bars and clubs by an extra hour, a proposal met with opposition from some local lawmakers. Baltimore City Councilman William H. Cole IV, who represents the 46th district, said there needs to be more communication between the neighborhoods affected before any law is passed. “I don’t understand why you would introduce legislation like that without at least communicating to the neighborhoods and businesses that would be impacted by the change,” said Cole, adding he has yet to speak with Oaks regarding the bill. More…

February 25, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Changes proposed in Baltimore public safety pension plan - Police, firefighters would have to contribute more, wait longer for benefits
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Councilman William H. Cole IV had requested last year that a task force, led by Greater Baltimore Committee president Donald C. Fry, review the city’s public safety pension program. The fixes, which include consolidating investment funds and eliminating lump-sum payments, would save the city as much as $60 million, according a report issued Wednesday by the task force after studying the issue for more than six months. More…

February 24, 2010,  WBAL-TV,  Council Member Shortage Puts City Ethics Bills On Hold

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and 11th District Councilman Bill Cole came up with legislation to revamp the city's business ethics laws. One bill gives a clearer definition of doing business with the city; the second makes the city ethics board more independent.  When Councilman Bill Henry left the meeting early, the Council committee lost the quorum necessary to vote to tighten the ethics rules, putting progress of both bills on hold. "I just want to put on the record that this committee is choosing to delay the two most significant ethics reform bills in the last five years -- if not the last 20 -- because we do not have enough participants to vote," More…

February 24, 2010, Baltimore Messenger, What are we, chopped liver? Where is Baltimore FiOS?

Matthew Weinstein is on the warpath against Verizon, which has brought FiOS, its heavily advertised brand of high-speed, fiberoptic Internet service, to much of the state, but not to Baltimore City. City Council member William Cole IV has introduced a non-binding resolution calling on Verizon to bring FiOS to Baltimore. Cole said a coalition of community groups has formed to call for FiOS in the city, and that a public hearing on his resolution is being scheduled for March or early April. More…

February 23, 2010, WBAL-TV, Snow Removal Focus Of City Legislation

Two historic snow storms -- and the continuing cleanup -- were a hot topic of discussion at a Monday night City Council meeting. "I don't think anybody questions that they tried hard and worked hard," Councilman William Cole IV said of work crews. "The things we need to look at are how to improve those practices." Cole put forth a resolution that would bring together representatives from all city agencies involved in the storms to figure out what went right and wrong and what needs improvement. More…

February 22, 2010, Baltimore Brew, Developer still seeks to knock down historic “Superblock” buildings on Baltimore’s decaying west side – Developers want to demolish the Art Deco McCrory's Building 

Some of the finest examples of historic preservation in Baltimore are on the rickety west side of downtown, right where the city may need them most. Local preservationists are frustrated by what they see: one square block of empty, largely historic buildings, waiting for a city-designated developer who wants to destroy many of them to build modern retail buildings. City Council member William H. Cole IV, whose district includes downtown, has asked BDC’s director, M. Jay Brodie to “terminate the Superblock five-year partnership with the developer.” More…

February 19, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Members back overhaul of Baltimore Ethics Board - Panel also backs bill to bar officials from taking gifts

February 15, 2010, Baltimore Sun: B'More Green, Plastic checkout bags in crosshairs again

Baltimore City Council is scheduled to take another run Tuesday at reducing the proliferation of plastic bag litter around the city. A bill, introduced by Council members Henry, Cole, Kraft, and Clarke, would requir10e merchants to levy a 25-cent fee on every plastic bag dispensed at carryout. Exceptions would be granted for bagging up fresh fish and meat, candy, cooked foods, dairy products, fruits and nuts and ice. More…

January 28, 2010, Editorial, Baltimore Sun, Ethics make a comeback

Between the plea deal and resignation of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling opening the floodgates of corporate money in elections, January hasn't been a great month for open, transparent and ethical government. Efforts signal a growing consensus that government must be more accountable. City Councilman William H. Cole IV is proposing reforms to eliminate the potential loopholes in the ethics law. Both Council President Blake’s and Mr. Cole's legislation deserve support. More…

January 26, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Measures would target ethical issues raised during Dixon probe.

January 26, 2010, Investigative Voice, PAYROLL PROBLEMS -  Probe of sex offender heats up as City Council reacts

The investigation into how a convicted sex offender stayed on the Baltimore City payroll during an eight-month prison stint entered its second week. "It's disturbing, and concerns me,” said City Councilman William H. "Bill" Cole 4th (D-11th). “We need to make certain this doesn't happen in the future... not put citizens in harm's way." More…

January 25, 2010, WBALtv.com, City To Strengthen Ethics Laws, Ethics Board - Legislation Comes As Fallout From Dixon Corruption Case

Two bills will be introduced at Monday night's City Council meeting that are intended to toughen Baltimore's ethics law and overhaul the city's ethics board. A measure sponsored by Councilman Bill Cole, D-District 11, seeks to clarify and expand the ethics law. “People need to understand that their public officials are operating above board at all times -- that they're not being unduly influenced by gifts or by relationships that may in fact be polluting our process," Cole said. More…

January 23, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Rawlings-Blake, Bealefeld and citizens patrol Fed Hill bar scene

111^th District Councilman Bill Cole joined a group of about 30 police officers, elected officials and citizens crowded around the entrance to Arabian Nights, a hookah bar on Light Street in Federal Hill, at about 1 a.m. as Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III asked the owners what they were doing to help the community. More…

January 22, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Fatal stabbing worries Seton Hill, Orchard Mews

January 12, 2010, WBALTV.com, Double Duty: Mayor, Mayor-To-Be Get To Work
Mayor Sheila Dixon’s $83,000 pension has sparked an online Facebook frenzy started by 30-year-old mortgage broker Josh Dowlett, who plans to lead an in-person protest at City Hall on Tuesday. The protest was on the radar of Council president Rawlings-Blake and, according to her spokesman, she asked Councilman Bill Cole to launch a review of elected officials' pensions. "If we're talking at a time when fire and police pensions are in trouble and we're talking about the possibility of having to cut benefits long-term, shouldn't we be also talking about the same thing for elected officials?" Cole questioned. More…

January 12, 2010, Baltimore Sun, Rawlings-Blake calls anger over Dixon pension 'understandable' – Incoming mayor asks review of elected officials' benefit plans
Baltimore's mayor-to-be Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake vowed Monday to re-examine the city's pension plan for elected leaders in the wake of outrage over Mayor Sheila Dixon's $83,000-a-year benefit and to strengthen ethics laws governing city officials. Rawlings-Blake asked Councilman William H. Cole IV, a close ally on the council, to lead a review of pension plans for elected officials across the state. "We're going to look at other jurisdictions with executive-based government to see if we're in line or not," said Cole, who chairs the council's taxation and finance committee. The analysis should be completed within the next week or two, he said. More…

January 11, 2010, Investigative Voice, TOW TIMING — Alleged towing scam targeting Ravens fans leads to criminal probe
Ravens fans who were lured into a private lot behind the Holiday Inn off Russell St. in Baltimore were told by a man who collected a $25 parking fee that their cars would be safe for the duration of the team’s final home game. Roughly 20 motorists returned to find that their cars had been towed by Auto Barn, a city-sanctioned towing company that has a contract to remove unauthorized cars off the private lot. Councilman Bill Cole said that, while predatory towing was a constant complaint, many of the private lots surrounding Ravens Stadium also have failed to pay parking taxes. The lost revenue is costing the city $100,000 annually for Ravens game days alone. More…

January 8, 2010, bmorenews.com, City Councilman Bill Cole comments on mayoral transition: Listen

January 8, 2010, Baltimore Sun, 4 council members vie for presidency - Young, Cole seen as front-runners for Rawlings-Blake's job
Now that City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake will become mayor in February, the job she is leaving is up for grabs and council members wasted little time expressing their interest in the office. While four of her colleagues have expressed interest in the office, two are believed to be the front-runners: Councilmen Bernard C. "Jack" Young and William H. Cole IV. "The mayor just resigned [Wednesday]," Cole said. "I need to talk to my colleagues. I'm more focused in making certain that Stephanie has a smooth transition." More…

December 18, 2008, Baltimore Sun - Seton Hill's frustration shines a light on drug wars “City Councilman William H. Cole IV told me that when the light was on Orchard Street and working, ‘the drug activity dispersed.’ Cole immediately called David E. Scott, the public works director. ‘It may not be his department, but he understands you can't throw up a white flag and say we give up,’ the councilman said.” More…
 
December 15, 2008, Daily Record,  After deal, manufacturer to stay in West Baltimore plant
"Baltimore City Councilman William Cole, who represents the district that is home to both Gillin’s property and the Westside Superblock, a massive mixed-use project that has been a major bone of contention for eminent domain activists, said he can see both sides of the issue." More…

December 11, 2008,  Baltimore Sun, Mayor defends pay increases, She will keep her raise; some council members won't - Councilman William H. Cole IV, who faces a furlough from his full-time job with the University of Baltimore and has three children, said he would donate his $1,425 increase to a charity that does work in his district. "It is not the amount of money, it is the message," he said. Cole is also considering legislation that would make it possible to forgo pay increases in years when the city faces a budget deficit. More…
 
December 11, 2008, Baltimore Sun, Fighting to save MARC's late trains, Commuter, council members appeal for the 10:05 - William H. Cole prompted eight colleagues on the 15-member council to join him in a letter asking Gov. Martin O'Malley to spare the 10:05 train. They contend that a late train is critical if Baltimore is to attract residents who work in Washington, including members of the incoming Obama administration. More...