investigativevoice.com

By Alan Z. Forman

Standing about 30 feet from the inscription on the west wall of Baltimore’s Washington Monument commemorating the day America's much-beloved first president retired from public office, the embattled mayor of Baltimore, who was convicted two days ago of misappropriating gift cards intended for needy boys and girls, called on the city's citizenry to "remember our children" as she lit the monument Thursday evening at the highlight of a two-hour-long ceremony on Mt. Vernon Square.

After entering the packed gathering on the west quarter of the square to a mixed chorus of cheers and boos, Mayor Sheila Dixon, citing the eco-friendly lighting system used for the first time in the 38-year history of the monument’s holiday lighting, encouraged participants to “remember our children because they are our future, so they can live in an environment that is greener and safer.”

Unlike George Washington, who twice ran unopposed and was urged to continue as president beyond his second term, some have called for the mayor’s immediate retirement; others have been either silent or noncommittal. City leaders seemed reluctant to call for her resignation.

Despite her conviction on one count of misdemeanor embezzlement — fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary — regarding approximately $500 worth of gift cards to such stores as Target and Best Buy that she used for herself, her family, friends and staff instead of turning over to the needy children for whom they were intended, the mayor may remain in office at least until sentencing, which could be delayed until after her trial for perjury scheduled to begin in March.

“She’s still the mayor,” said District 13 Councilman Warren Branch as he entered City Hall Thursday afternoon.

“I am still a supporter,” echoed 3rd District Councilman Robert Curran, while 12th District Councilman Bernard “Jack” Young said, “I want to wait until the case runs its course before saying anything.”

In addition, Democrat Curtis S. (Curt) Anderson, who represents District 43 in the state House of Delegates and is chairman of the Baltimore City delegation in Annapolis, told one of the local television stations — WBAL-TV — he doesn’t think the mayor should have to leave office and that state legislators won’t punish the citizens of Baltimore for what he termed the mayor’s criminal behavior.

"To be honest with you, I don't think that stepping down or getting removed from office is appropriate punishment for this crime," he told the tv station, adding that "the mayor may lose clout and credibility in Annapolis, but I don't think Baltimore city will suffer...."

'IMPROPER' TO COMMENT

Gov. Martin O’Malley has declined comment, asserting that he considers it “improper” to comment on matters still pending before the court.

Federal officials, including President Obama and Maryland’s two United States senators, Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin, have kept their distance as have the two congressmen from Baltimore, Reps. John Sarbanes and Elijah Cummings, both of whom have refused comment. Like Dixon, all are Democrats.

Wearing a bright red coat in recognition of the beginning of the holiday season and accompanied by several council members and other officials, the mayor’s manner at the monument lighting was upbeat and cheerful, a far cry from the solemn demeanor she exhibited at a news conference earlier in the afternoon, at which she expressed “regret that the citizens of Baltimore have had to go through this ordeal with me.”

The “ordeal” began in 2006 when state prosecutors began investigating her alleged mishandling of gift cards donated for poor and disadvantaged children when she was president of the Baltimore City Council prior to becoming mayor following previous Mayor Martin O’Malley’s election as governor.

Describing the mayor’s manner in reading a brief statement at her earlier press conference, Annie Quinn, a resident of Parkville in Baltimore County who says “most of [her] friends live in Woodberry” and who took the Light Rail to that stop following the monument lighting, said she thought Dixon “sounded really sad this afternoon” and that what the mayor did was “stupid of her.”

Others at the lighting ceremony, most of whom seemed eager to voice opinions but were unwilling to be quoted by name, had the same reaction. Some seemed surprised at how upbeat she was at the Mt. Vernon ceremony, compared to how sad they said she seemed when reading her statement earlier before the tv cameras.

As she strode away quickly after reading the statement, Dixon ignored a question from one of the television reporters in attendance: “No apology, Mayor?” She left immediately without taking any questions.

Referring to Dixon’s impending removal from office, Quinn told a friend on her cellphone: “Now we’re going to get Stephanie [Rawlings-Blake, the City Council president who would succeed Dixon as mayor should she be required to leave office] — and that’s worse,” adding that Dixon has been “a glamorous, good mayor.”

Quinn said she thinks Dixon has an excellent sense of style and presents “a beautiful image.”

'A BAD THING; IT'S HORRIBLE!'

Others attending the Mt. Vernon festivities said the mayor “should resign immediately” and not, as one young woman put it, “play the system.

“It’s a bad thing; it’s horrible!” for her to remain in office, she said. “It gives the city a bad name. Who wants a mayor with a character like that?”

At least one city employee at the festivities did not see it quite that way. Identifying himself only as a 1971 Frederick Douglass High School graduate and lifelong Baltimore resident, he said Dixon’s removal from office “will not change how the system works” and that “putting one person out of office” will not end corruption in government.

Characterizing Dixon as “a scapegoat for how the system doesn’t work,” he said her alleged transgression “pales in comparison and magnitude to that of an Agnew or Mandel” — a reference to former Vice President and Baltimore County Executive Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned from office in 1973 as Richard Nixon’s vice president, and Marvin Mandel, the former Maryland governor whose defense attorney was Arnold M. Weiner, who is now Dixon’s chief counsel.

“What she did is trivial compared to what they did,” he said.

“It’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened,” in the opinion of Jeremy Cooney, 27, of Timonium, whose girlfriend lives and works in Baltimore and was meeting him to observe the monument lighting ceremony and festivities.

“If she [Dixon] realizes what she did was wrong, then she can effectively continue to govern,” he said, but in order for that to work it would be necessary “to take the money and power away from her.

“Stripping her from mayor," however, "is not necessarily the correct answer.” What she did “was terrible,” he added: “a rotten thing to do; an error in judgment,” but not enough to cause her removal from office.

Another Baltimore resident, a young man who appeared to be of the same age as Cooney and who declined to be identified, chimed in. “She got convicted — she doesn’t deserve to be in office. The American public deserves better. I’d lose my job if I got convicted — why shouldn’t she?”

“Her credibility is shot,” said another. “She should resign. How can she pretend nothing happened? She should set an example as a woman of integrity” and leave office gracefully.

PROBATION BEFORE JUDGMENT

Upon sentencing, Dixon will be required to leave office. However if Judge Dennis M. Sweeney, the retired Howard County Circuit Court judge who presided over her trial in Baltimore City, decides to grant her probation before judgment — “PBJ” — there would be no conviction under Maryland statute and she would therefore not be required to step down.

To date, Judge Sweeney has given no indication as to when he plans to pronounce the mayor’s sentence.

Joining Dixon in lighting the monument was Baltimore Orioles right-fielder Nick Markakis.

Performers at the monument lighting included, among others, the Baltimore City College Concert Choir; the Handel Choir — celebrating its 75th year; the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular Dancing Santas, featuring Baltimore School for the Arts dancers; the Institute of Notre Dame (High School) Choir; “Sounds of Downtown Partnership”; and singer Darlene Love, who was recently nominated for 2010 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Love told the crowd about her performance with Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street Band last month at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The monument lighting was jointly sponsored by the law offices of Saul Ewing, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (BGE), Downtown Partnership, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, and the city’s Department of Recreation & Parks, along with the mayor’s office, and was co-hosted by JoJo & Reagan from MIX-106.5-FM radio’s “Morning Show” and news anchor Mindy Basara of WBAL-TV’s “Morning Show.”

Basara explained to the crowd that the eco-friendly lights used on the monument this year are 12-watt LED bulbs, as compared to the 40-watt incandescent bulbs used previously.

The TV and radio stations were media sponsors for the event.

Numerous private parties — by invitation only — took place simultaneous with the monument lighting in the houses and offices lining the west side of Mt. Vernon Square.

The monument lighting was followed by a spectacular seven-minute fireworks display.

MAYOR DIXON’S DEC. 3 STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA:

“I am reflecting on the trial’s outcome, talking with my advisors — talking with God — and reviewing my options. I understand that this trial has engendered a range of strong feelings among citizens who love Baltimore just like I love Baltimore, and am committed to Baltimore. I deeply regret that the citizens of Baltimore have had to go through this ordeal with me.

“While I recognize that the issues before me go beyond the courtroom, my attorneys have advised me to limit my comments while the legal process continues.

“In the meantime, my administration and I will continue to do the people’s business without interruption, and we will continue to act in the best interests of this City.

“Thank you.”


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Senior Reporter Stephen Janis contributed to this report.