Top Stories
(2008-06-18)
BALTIMORE, MD
(wypr) -
TAPE: (4 SECONDS), track 1, 00:04
IC: You know, it's time for us to say, let's move this process forward.
Standing in front of an old brick school-house in West Baltimore's Upton neighborhood, Mayor Sheila Dixon made an important announcement this morning.
But her speech wasn't about the state prosecutors probe into city contracts that has been stretched some two years, led to guilty pleas by two Dixon associates, and yesterday resulted in a raid of her Southwest Baltimore home.
Mayor Dixon, who's not been charged with anything, told reporters yesterday she's not sure what the prosecutors are looking for, and wouldn't speak further on the topic today. Mayoral spokesman, Sterling Clifford.
TAPE: (6 SECONDS), track 4, 00:50
IC: I would probably refer you to all questions on this to the Mayor's attorney.
{ambi event} track 5, 00: 10-18 UNDER
Instead, Mayor Dixon announced creation of a new commission that will develop plans to rehabilitate P-S 103, where Baltimore native Thurgood Marshall, the nation's first African-American Supreme Court justice, attended elementary school under segregated conditions.
Mayor Dixon wants the historic landmark on Division Street, built in 1877, studied for an undetermined use.
TAPE: (7 SECONDS), track 1, 00:05
IC: And so, I'm so pleased that this group of great people behind me have agreed to be a part of this effort.
{ambi applause} track 2, 00:-02
While the mood was upbeat, few in this crowd, which included city elected officials, such as Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and community leaders, seemed oblivious to the cloud hanging over Mayor Dixon's administration.
{ambi gibson} track 2, 00:-02-10 up/under
Attorney Larry Gibson, a political advisor to former Mayor Kurt Schmoke, will co-chair the P-S 103 commission. He had this to say about Mayor Dixon's situation.
TAPE: (11 SECONDS), track 6, 00:10
IC: Well, keep in mind that not only is a person who's been charged with something presumed innocent, but someone who's not been charged with something is doubly presumed innocent.
State Senator Verna Jones represents the 44th Legislative District, where the school is located. She claimed the ongoing state probe on Dixon was unfair.
TAPE: (9 SECONDS), track 7, 00:50
IC: I think that it is a disrespect. I believe that everyone is not treated equally.
TAPE: (18 SECONDS), track 8, 00:05
IC: Reporter: Do you think as an African American official and woman there are double standards?
Sen. Jones: Yes. I do, I do. There are still isms,' unfortunately, still in existence and it's still a guy's network. Women have made great strides but there's still a disparity.
Across the city, residents offered mixed views. Judith Thomas, 54, of West Baltimore.
TAPE: (13 SECONDS), track 13, 00:23
IC: I think Mayor Dixon is doing a fantastic job and I think this whole witch hunt is based in racism and sexism. And they need to leave her alone and allow her to continue the successful path that she's already started.
Debbie Finney, a retired educator from Bolton Hill, saw the state prosecutor's probe into Dixon's past dealings differently.
TAPE: (7 SECONDS), track 18, 00:01
IC: You know, you say is it gender or it racial? I don't think it's either one. But I really don't know, I'm gonna wait and see.
Laurie Hollar, 31, recently relocated to Baltimore from Connecticut. The Mount Washington resident plans said she's taking a wait-and-see attitude.
TAPE: (9 SECONDS), track 20, 00:07
IC: I do think that our society is a very guilty` til proven innocent, so if nobody knows what's going on yet, I don't think anybody should be judging as of yet.
And Craig Fryer, a neighbor of Mayor Dixon's, watched events unfold Tuesday. He said he'd heard about the investigation some time ago, but figured it would have blown over by now.
TAPE: (10 SECONDS), MR ACT, track , 02:27
IC: Now you want see what the news is going to be. With every person that gets in you just keep waiting to hear that something bad is gonna happen. And I am wondering if it's getting in the way of what they're here to do.
I'm Donna Marie Owens, reporting in Baltimore, for 88-1, WYPR.
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