FEATURED JOBS
How unfortunate that the Baltimore Jewish Council declined the request to sponsor a mayoral debate for the benefit of the Jewish community, which has 12,800 households in the city.
Although that seemed to be a perfect role for the council to play in the recent Baltimore County executive elections, the same request was denied for arguably the most important local municipal election in our region. The reason? “Unfortunately, because of a combination of issues including logistics, too many candidates, many other organizations sponsoring debates, and staffing problems, leadership decided not to do a mayoral debate.”
Hmmm. It’s just plain wrong that the BJC will preside over an election wrap-up discussion on Sept. 19 rather than have offered intelligent Jewish voters the opportunity to hear directly from candidates before they cast their ballots. FYI: of the 11 locally sponsored debates, our interim mayor, so eager to meet with and engage with her voting public, participated in four.
Personally, I am supporting Otis Rolley because I believe our city desperately needs new leadership and authentic vision. I am discouraged by an electorate who thinks that a mayor who refuses to provide a public accounting of the true cost of the Grand Prix, and accepts contributions from donors who need special permits from city hall, is a “proven leader.”
Inheriting an office is not the same thing as earning it. What Stephanie Rawlings Blake has earned is being part of the city hall leadership that has made us the fifth most violent, the sixth dirtiest and the seventh most murderous city in America. I think that after almost two decades as an elected official (and really, who cares if you were born in Baltimore?), it’s time to give someone else a chance.
We need a championship leader who knows how to tap into our city’s remarkable resources and create a fresh legacy for all of our children and grandchildren. For me, that person is Otis.
Lee Meyerhoff Hendler
