TGR: Dixon vs. Rawlings-Blake ’09: The Gloves Are Off!
By Doni Morton Glover, www.bmorenews.com
(BALTIMORE – June 13, 2009) – Well, it has been brewing for a while – sadly. It appears as if two former teammates are now rivals for the power to run the City of Baltimore.
Bleeps and blurbs have surfaced before in the press and through the grapevine, however, this time it is for keeps.
You see, once it hits the media in full force, it’s out there; public knowledge; everybody knows. There is no more need for speculation. The lines of demarcation have been drawn.
On one hand, the Baltimore City Council has challenged Mayor Sheila Dixon’s budget. They have suggested that the city’s first (black) woman mayor’s cuts could have been done differently – pointing to the closing of some recreation centers as an example of much needed services that are now in jeopardy.
On the other hand, the Mayor responded Friday with a memo that made small of the City Council’s issues and, further, seemed to castigate the Council in a minimal light as being ill-informed.
The next election isn’t until 2011. With the Mayor dealing with clouds of suspicion overhead and a pending case coming to trial in the fall, it appears as if the Council – under President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake – is intent on holding this Mayor’s feet to the fire. Some also say Rawlings-Blake might very-well want the city’s top post.
As for the Mayor and her current legal problems, the law says that one is innocent until proven guilty. Yet, for some reason the sharks seem to be circling. It's as if they smell blood in the water.
Amazingly, two women who have worked together to win in the last citywide election in 2007 are now at each other’s throats … in public … in the media.
The only thing I can think of is that 45 minutes to the south of here is Washington, DC. No, DC isn’t perfect; but black people there do seem to play the game rather well. Having a black mayor for three decades to them in a majority black city is the norm.
Not so in Baltimore, also majority black. And in 2011, there are already rumblings of a Michael Sarbanes and/or a Mary Pat Clarke mayoral run. Both are white. And both can do damage to either Dixon or Rawlings-Blake’s political goal: running the city.
Now, having a white mayor of a majority black city is not necessarily a bad thing. However, it does beg the question of the black population: What’s the matter with us? Why aren’t we better organized? Why don’t we have more young dynamic black leaders in Baltimore like a C. D. Witherspoon and a Tara Andrews waiting on deck to take the baton?
Who will lead Baltimore if, in fact, Mayor Dixon no longer is mayor? Is it Madame President? And if so, can President Rawlings-Blake maintain her resolve to lead in light of a Sarbanes attack for her seat?
Again, Dixon and Rawlings-Blake campaigned together the last time ‘round, and now they are at odds. How sad … for them, but more importantly, for the City of Baltimore which deserves nothing short of world-class service. Nothing less will do!
Read more from BMORENEWS.COM
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith Endorses Zirkin, Cardin, Morhaim, Stein, Almond:
The Team responded, "Jim Smith has served in all three branches of government: legislative, judicial, and executive, so he has wide experience and perspective. He knows the candidates and the issues, and, frankly, as he's not running for office, he has no political obligations except to speak his mind. So his endorsement means a great deal to us, and we very much appreciate his support and his vote of confidence." Read in Full >>
Breaking Into the Industry 101, Pt. I:
Want to build an airtight, recession-proof music business? How about becoming a successful singer, songwriter, and musician … or, just be in the mix to make money? We suggest you stop what you are doing right now, read and print out this article as a guide to help you get there. Beautifully Said is uncovering words of wisdom in a four segment article spread to help you discover whether or not you are on the right track, and save you time, money and energy! We tracked down President and CEO of the legendary Motown Alumni Association for insider’s scoop. Read in Full >>
TGR: Guest Editorial: Fred's Army ... on the Eastern Shore of Maryland:
"...Two years of stalling tactics by the County Council prevented completion of the statue by Fred’s Army. Currently, Talbot County and Easton elected officials have placed obstacles in the pathway of Fred’s Army that are undoubtedly based on the racist attitudes of its members,” said Jackson-Amis. Council tactics have refused to allow the African American Archeologists, Dr. Anna Agbe-Davies and Alexandra Jones access to the courthouse grounds to complete a required survey. Constantly, the Council changed the design requirements for the statue and after Fred’s Army had fully complied with the changes directed by Council, it then refused to give permission for the installation of the statue. Read in Full >>
Another Approach: Largo Medical Center - Project Outreach & Information Meeting - Tues., Aug. 31st:
Learn more by visiting the project website: http://www.anotherapproach.com/kp. Read in Full >>
What do you think?
3 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
Doni:
People are starting to talk about the things they want a candidate to do for them.
What are those things, and who will step up to do them, are important questions. . . .
-- Joan Floyd
Yeah but! The real elephant in the room is the person not identified in your picture. Catherine Pugh could emerge as the person to be reckoned with.
She has been on the council, she is already in Annapolis and knows her way around the capital, she is filling a senate seat by appointment, she has good press, is close to Bruce Bereano, and has steered clear of the current infighting and issues like the Brian Morris fiasco unlike delegate Carter, and Joan Carter Conway. And lets not forget James Craft, and long shot Bernard Young, and the real long shot the possibility that Mayor Dixon will be exonerated, and Ron Lipscomb found not guilty of bribery. Mary Pat Clark is still present and accounted for although age might be a problem for her since so many of the city's problems involve young folk, I am not sure she could get their votes. As for Sarbanes, like Terry McCauliff and Virginia, he does not have enough connections to the city to beat the known players.
Last but not least, Keiffer Mitchell is not dead yet politically or literally and all it would take is one good press event/idea to reposition him, or a good book about Baltimore politics showing he has a grasp of the situation to enhance his "brand" and chances.
Just some food for thought.
All the best.
I Don't think they are at each other I think they have differences and that's not a bad thing. Madame President was very civil in her comments about the Mayor in my recent interview with her on The Marc Clarke show.
Add a Comment
Please be civil.