County Councilman Ken Oliver Indicted
The state prosecutor's office yesterday announced the indictment of Baltimore County Councilman Ken Oliver on felony theft charges and assorted campaign finance regulations related to two checks he wrote from his campaign account to his personal account. The total alleged take is about $4,000 -- not much compared to the $195,000 he's reported raising since 2001, but it would be against the law nonetheless.
Oliver came to the council in 2002 amid much fanfare -- he was elected from a new district designed to create a majority-minority seat, and he became the first (and so far only) African-American to serve on the body. He had the backing of the Randallstown political establishment and narrowly defeated Democratic activst Penny McCrimmon to take the seat.
The idea of his election and the creation of the new district was to get a different voice on a council that was dominated by white men. But over his years on the council, he hasn't gained much of a reputation for shaking things up. Although he's not in the power clique of the council (Moxley-Kamenetz-Bartenfelder-Olszewski), he's not exactly a thorn in their side either. I covered his election and spent a fair amount of time on the county's west side back then, enough to pick up a strong sense among the residents out there that their community wasn't getting its fair due. I'd be curious to hear from people in the district to see if you think Ken has improved that situation or not.
Comments
I did not support Ken Oliver in the 4th District Baltimore County Council race - I supported Penny McCrimmon.
I was once active with the Baltimore County African American Coalition whose primary purpose was to advocate for equal treatment of African Americans in all facets of life in Baltimore County. Mr. Oliver, an original member of the group, abandoned the group once he decided to make a run for the Baltimore County Council.
Just as Mr. Oliver abandoned the Baltimore County African American Coalition so did he abandon the African American community. Thereafter, Mr. Oliver was and has been an impediment to significant progress for African American progress in Baltimore County. His lack of "vigor" and reputation as a go along to get along person was not well suited for the County Council, but may well have been for the Baltimore County Planning Commission. Mr. Oliver's lack of understanding of the issues facing the African American community and lack of vision dampened the spirits of most African Americans in Baltimore County when he was elected.
Nevertheless, the elected African American leadership in Baltimore County, the current and former county executives and others wholeheartedly placed their support behind Mr. Oliver, who by all accounts, lacked the "vigor" to perform the job.
The African American elected leadership in his part of the county knew or should have known that Mr. Oliver was not the right person for the job, but arguably they traded away the interests of the African American community for the expedient and obedient servant Mr. Oliver.
Mr. Oliver has been indicted, however, he is innocent until proven guilty.
Nevertheless, his inability to appropriately and vigorously represent his constituents is not in dispute. Rumors have been around for years regarding his lack of vigor which has been witnessed over the years by those journalists who cover the County Council work sessions and meetings. His alleged inability to remain awake and/or dozing during council work sessions and county council meetings has been observed by fellow council members and is perhaps legendary. Therefore, if true, it is not a stretch to surmise that Mr. Oliver's approach to advocacy for his constituency met with the same vigor he exhibited at the county council work session.
During my attendance at council work sessions, I personally observed him to nod off. Initially, I assumed that the demands of the position and his efforts for the African American community had zapped his energy, however, this may have been usual and customary for Mr. Oliver.
Finally, it is a sad commentary that a group of people who waited so long for serious representation, an African American, on the County Council had to settle for Mr. Oliver who has failed to live up to the lofty expectations of being a "first" in Baltimore County. Whether he is found innocent or not what can't be ignored is that he obviously needs to pay attention to his constituents as well as management of his campaign funds. His past transgressions, if true, may have caught up with him and it is not something to behold. If Mr. Oliver is ultimately convicted and removed from office all of those politicians, African American and otherwise, who supported him should publicly apologize to the citizens of Baltimore County, especially the African American citizens of the 4th Councilmanic District. To do otherwise, would mean they tolerated, condoned and supported the behavior of Mr. Oliver.
Regardless of whether he is found innocent of all charges, he should do the right thing and resign from office. His continued service and effectiveness will be forever tainted by the quagmire he has created. His constituents need and deserve better representation. The taint of his most recent transgression will have made him totally ineffective to conduct council business on behalf of his constituents. Should he decide to resign, it would be the honorable thing to do, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, whether Mr. Oliver is exonerated or is found guilty the citizens of the 4th councilmanic district are the real losers in the morass.
Posted by: Bob Gates | January 9, 2009 10:59 PM