True public servant or totally self-absorbed
By Doni Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(BALTIMORE – November 20, 2009) – Many of us knew when then-City Council President Sheila Dixon was campaigning to be elected as mayor of Baltimore that she had a cloud of suspicion hanging over her head. It was common knowledge that “they” were after her. At the very least, we knew prosecutors believed that they had something on her … AND it wasn’t going to be pretty. Eventually, she would be forced to confront her issues.
Nonetheless, she received the majority of the votes to become mayor. And since then, many see a difference in Baltimore. Crime is being checked, according to locals. The streets are being paved, including Monroe Street. A noticeable difference is clearly underway.
Yet still, people were watching her case unfold on television … intensely at times … all the while wondering if she, the chief exec of this municipality would, in fact, have to answer some otherwise intrusive questions about her decisions, her lifestyle, and everything in between.
To her credit, she has maintained better than the most aggressive of Titans. The city has been run with a precision that many Baltimoreans have not seen in a long time, according to many interviewed this week. Her emotional status appears determined to continue doing the best job possible, regardless of the pack of reporters in her face 24-7. Personally, I think the average person would have cracked a long time ago – including the strongest of men.
So, she indeed has the empathy of many who are otherwise disenfranchised. Many people believe that this whole Dixon case has been a witch hunt by an overzealous prosecutor who, after years of investigation, has only come up with some otherwise petty charges. For instance, when was the last time one can recall seeing a mayor’s home invaded with her personal business all in the streets along with a relentless character assassination such that everybody, including the dog, is wondering if she did take gift cards meant for needy people.
People are asking: How are you not going to know the gift cards in question were meant for the poor? Didn’t you solicit them? Didn’t you tell developers A, B and C that they were for people who might not otherwise have a Christmas?
As others have noted, this case boils down to a question of whether or not the mayor knew what she was doing.
This case is all about the mayor’s character. And the truth is, many people – whether they are influenced by the media or not – are puzzled as to why a person who is making good money and apparently living a good life would allegedly stoop so low. People interviewed this week said that if she did take the gift cards, then that is a cruddy thing to do.
Repeatedly, references have been made to a man just 45 minutes south of here who has been through his own hell: Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry. Has the mayor of Baltimore endeared herself to the people as has Barry? Can she re-emerge from the ashes and reclaim her dignity and her position as the city’s chief exec despite the barrage of criticisms and legal charges? Has she made new black millionaires – even in the midst of the worst economic conditions this country has ever seen?
Filed in: Sheila Dixon.
Doni Morton Glover, the founder and publisher of www.bmorenews.com, has been a journalist for the past 15 years. He is a writer, photographer, and a political analyst for WBAL TV 11. Additionally, he is a local radio personality and host of “Empower Hour” on Radio One’s WOLB 1010 AM. The show is now in its 10th year and is the longest-running customized program on the station.
2011…
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It is very easy for most people to think they deserve more than they are getting. That is unfortunately human nature. Running the City of Baltimore is often a thankless task. One is often in a position where one can see others doing a lot less, reaping far higher financial rewards. Our society worships money not service.
The Mayor is young enough and bright enough to learn from the events in which she let herself be caught. It is a sad commentary on our society where a Michael Vick can return with mentors such as Tony Dungy to an entertainment job paying millions, and no one prominent is willing to step forth to help the Mayor learn and recover from a series of indiscretions. Where are the good people of Baltimore or the state who could help this woman? Michael Vick probably did not ask for help, but enough people thought he was worth saving. Surly someone who has done as much for the City of Baltimore as this Mayor has done is worth the effort.
If I call and ask you for a supply of gift cards during the holiday season, and they show up at my office, you can bet your life on the fact that I know where they came from. The gift card denominations were $25 and $50. Now $2000 will buy 80 $25 cards or 20 @ $50 ($1000) and 40 @ $25 ($1000). Once I have someone in my office, lets say my … admin assistant record the cards (vendor, value, etc.) for audit purposes, I can now delegate distribution. What I would not do is slip one or two in my Coach bag, or put the remaining gift cards in a Victoria’s Secret bag and place it in my dresser drawer. AND, it also seems suspicious that soliciting and receiving gift cards at City Hall had become regular holiday procedure.
In fact, this behavior started prior to becoming mayor. Remember the 2003 federal probe of city council records on hiring and acceptance of gifts? How about Utech? That was while serving as interim mayor.
When one knows they are being carefully watched -every move scrutinized, why in heaven’s name wouldn’t they be consciously aware of how they conduct business?
I agree, this case is entirely about character and integrity.
http://www.examiner.com/x-26432-Baltimore-Senior-Issues-Examiner~y2009m11d15-Adventures-in-Sheilas–wonderland–week-one