Hundreds join Facebook groups vs. Dixon pension
At 10 p.m. Sunday, the Facebook group "Sheila Dixon does not deserve an $83,000 pension" had 650 members. Organizer Josh Dowlut wants people to protest on City Hall steps at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sounds like the TV and radio stations are getting interested. Another FB Group, "Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon Does Not Deserve To Collect A Pension", had 800 members.
Dixon's ability to start collecting her pension from 22 years as an elected official does not seem to be in jeopardy, no matter how much people protest. She copped a plea last week, got probation before judgment and avoided conviction on charges related to errant gift cards. Judge Sweeney approved the deal. Under the Maryland Constitution she would have lost the $83,000-a-year annuity if she had been formally convicted. But she wasn't.
Dowlut has also cast the event as a protest against generous government pensions in general, which are eating up an increasing amount of taxpayer resources. Somebody should ask incoming Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake what she thinks about the city's pension system.
Comments
They want the same deals for themselves, when and if, they get caught in their crooked schemes.
Posted by: Eileen | January 11, 2010 11:07 AM
This thing has turned into a joke. Why even prosecute? The loss of her pension was the cherry on the ice cream. It's just more wasted state money in my opinion, her pension and the cost of the trial. The prosecutor should be embarrassed.
Why would the judge allow this? You have a guilty decision by the jury and you negotiate down to pbj???
Posted by: Dave | January 11, 2010 1:58 PM
dowlut can cry to the cows come home , who cares but a bunch of Facebook idiots , they all need to fget a LIFE
Posted by: larry g | January 11, 2010 2:18 PM
I understand the concept of probation before judgment saving the time and expense of a trial, but in this case judgment was made by the jury, which found Dixon guilty of the crime. This actually was a case of probation after judgment. How is that possible ?
I would like to see the Baltimore Sun do a story about the use of probation after a jury reached a verdict.
Posted by: MURRAY SPEAR | January 11, 2010 8:24 PM
All government employees should plan, save and invest for their own financial needs after they quit working. Their pensions and other post-employment benefits are way too generous.
Posted by: HGS2010 | January 12, 2010 6:19 AM
It would be nice if someone would publish her salary for each year she was in office and also the amount that she paid into a retirement system for each of those years.
And, obviously, as some council persons have stated, city council is not a 24/7 job if Ms.Dixon taught school also for most of the years she was a councilwoman
Posted by: cal | January 12, 2010 6:33 AM
That's probably the best point I've heard yet Murray. Thanks.
Posted by: Josh Dowlut | January 12, 2010 7:33 AM
The shame she has bought to herself and her family and the loss of her political career are enough Let Sheila Dixon keep her pension and live happily ever after..Sheila Dixon got caughtt doing what the "good ole boys" have been doing all along..
Posted by: Felicia | January 12, 2010 12:14 PM