Who's going to play mayor while she's in trial for 2 weeks?

I wish Mayor Dixon would put the city first and just resign as mayor.
She deserves her day in court but please spare the city the travesty of a sitting mayor on trial.

Regardless of the outcome of the trials, Mayor Dixon shows a lack of respect for her office and the citizens of Baltimore.

Wny?

While she has not been convicted of wrongdoing yet, she is indicted. The right thing to do would to have been to step aside until her name was cleared -- if this is in fact the case.

As you point out, the persecutor's case is just the tip of the iceberg in unethical at best conduct of Dixon in the past.

It is laughable that her defense says that Lipscomb, who is one of the biggest developers to benefit from city tax breaks, was not on the developer list ergo he is not an official developer.

The whole sorted affair makes a fool out of honest, hardworking citizens who have fought for decades to make the city a safe, honest and better place.

Dixon appears to have no shame, but what is worst, she appears not to understand that her conduct is wrong.

A sad day for Baltimore City.

I would respect her for once, if she did the right thing and stepped aside.

But, of course, this is a fantasy only written in fairy tales.

This Baltimore Sun editorial says that Baltimore residents really need to know what Sheila Dixon's "actions say about her moral compass, whether she regrets anything she’s done or whether she feels her conduct has been beyond reproach." Those questions should have been asked about Ms. Dixon's actions BEFORE she ever became Mayor. Unfortunately, the Baltimore Sun was asleep at the switch.

[In fairness, The Sun did uncover all the Utech and Dale Clark business. //AAG]

Who cares who runs the city while she is in court, anyone would be a huge step up! She is nothing more than a thief and con artist, she needs to be gone, Yesterday!

I do believe in the saying innocent until proven guilty, HOWEVER, Ms. Dixons actions over the past few months have me wondering what type of person she really is. How could you step into City Hall on a daily basis, when you are in the center of a scandal? Seems to me you would have taken a back seat to your job, until your name was cleared. I guess thats why she was snubbed by the Obama administration last year during his run for office. But what has me the most perplexed is that she was ELECTED to office. There were plenty of red flags and warnings that told me she would not be the best person for the job. In my opinion, she is guilty at least of arrogance.

Someone is running the city now?

I have been watching Mayor Dixon and her casual and defiant response to any of these pertinent questions. Her answers have been to give the middle finger to the media and the citizens of Baltimore metaphorically and literally in one case. And the media has played softball with her; she has controlled them and frequently put them in their places and they have obeyed by backing off. She doesn’t seem to be concerned with answering to the citizens of Baltimore either, is it because she doesn’t respect them, after all we are known to continue to vote for a legacy name regardless as to whether that elected official has brought any results to the city. And as an African American woman, I have to wonder is the reason the press is treating Mayor Dixon with kid gloves because she is Black and could claim any hard nose, hard hitting reporter is racist? I heard the head of one of the more reputable civil rights orgs complain that they thought if a public official was removed a republican might be put in place, so basically they are not concerned about the elected or in that case appointed officials positions or who could do the most for Baltimore’s most vulnerable citizens but strictly their political affiliation. Maybe that’s why Mayor Dixon is so casual and defiant, she knows despite the unbelievably unethical accusations against her, there is very little chance she would lose her seat. The NAACP and the Urban League will support her regardless and Baltimore’s citizens are used to being neglected, so this won’t make much difference to them. She can’t lose, and maybe that’s why she did it!

PS , isn’t it surprising that no other politician down at city hall is standing up calling for her resignation? It’s like the blueshield, they are all protecting each other helping each other line their pockets at the expense of the citizens of Baltimore!

Sheila Dixon is THE poster mayor for how business and politics is done and has always been done in this city and state - politicians and favored contractors in bed (literally) with each at the expense of taxpaying citizens. Her unethical conduct, arrogance and absolute disregard and disdain for the people she was elected to serve is the natural outcome of one-party rule. When there is no watchdog to oppose corruption this is what you get - a travesty of public service and unaccountable elected officials. The Green Party of Maryland and other third parties are absolutely necessary to a functioning, healthy government. It is past time for one-party rule by the Democrats who are strangling this city to end.

Maria Allwine
Co-Chair, MD Green Party

On a different note. A police security team for her vacation in Miami! Who even knows who she is outside of Maryland? Who even cares who she is outside of Maryland? Bea Gaddy's kitchen sure could have used that $4500!

Sheila Dixon has had questionable integrity for many years. I seem to recall a Sun article several years back when Dixon was still on the Baltimore City Council and the Sun addressed an issue of funds that every council member received each year and for which there was no accounting of how the funds were spent or even why the members received them. If memory serves me it was about $5000/year that each person on the council and the city council president received. Dixon was one of the folks who expressed surprise at being asked to provide for an accounting of this 'spending' money.

I think Mayor Dixon, like far too many other politicians of both of our major parties, seems to feel a sense of entitlement because of their lofty positions. What Dixon and many others seem to forget is that they work for us. They are supposed to be public servants but far too many have evolved into self-servants over the years and we now have the tail wagging the dog.

Sheila Dixon may emerge from her current legal troubles and be found innocent of breaking any laws but her past actions have at a minimum defined her as someone with a huge ego and who really is all about putting her personal interests far above those of Baltimore City.

In my opinion Sheila Dixon is just in politics for personal enrichment and not for the altruistic purpose of creating a better environment for Baltimore City.

The mayor is mentally ill. She should be seen by a court appointed psychiatrist to see if she is fit to stand trial.

Sheila Dixon has no moral or ethical compass; her affair with a married man cleary demonstrates that. She has treated this city as her personal piggybank for far too long and it's about time someone stopped her. She walks around town with an "I don't care" attitude and thinks she can do whatever she wants with no penalty. My major question is why isn't she being prosecuted for income tax evasion for not reporting the thousands of dollars she got from Doracon to pay her credit card bills? Ed Norris was sent to jail for getting a loan from his father to buy his house, which he repaid in full. This city has become a joke and will continue to be one until she leaves office.

Where is the righteous indignation "the shoe" displayed when Ed Norris used the same excuse for using the slush fund his predicessors used?

In this age where the lines are getting more and more blurred about what honesty is and should be, the concept of anything goes as long as you can convinced someone of your point of view has led us down this path. Ms. Dixon is not a victim but neither is any of the numerous people that commit dishonest acts and do not understand the choices you make will determined the consequences. What about doing the right thing for the greater good? Baltimore City. To drive through Baltimore City is torture. Someone needs to turn on the light!! of course the poor thinks she is great, the little crumbs she handed out would make anyone in that situation feels that someone cares but the moral compass is broken.

I think the timing of today's article and of this likely editorial is unfortunate. They will make it harder for Ms. Dixon to select a fair jury. Potential jurors who read the 11/6 article regarding her legal expenses will realize that, if they acquit Ms. Dixon, the taxpayers may end up paying/reimbursing the legal fees. Not good for the legal system; bad timing on the part of the Sun. Couldn't the Sun have waited until the jury is selected?

Hey Sun,

Who paid Marvin Mandel's and Spiro Agnew's fee's?

Don't forget about the time the city was paying her boyfriend 60k. He actually never worked for the city. That one was a good one and seldom brought up by the media.
Have you listened to the way she talks. If you closed your eyes, you would think she was mentally handicapped

I have never been a "fan" of Mayor Dixon, but I firmly believe in our system that says one is innocent until proven guilty. Mayor Dixon has worked for the citizen's of Baltimore for several decades. Through that time our ethics and legal standards have changed dramatically. Even though the prosecutor has presented what seems to be damming evidence it still may not convince a jury of her peers that she is guilty of anything. We all must wait for a verdict before we "hang" her. Her actions may seem immoral by today's standards, but what horrible crime is she really guilty of?

Ms Dixon has proved time and time again that the people of this city exist to provide her with power and status. Her crippling cuts to Fire and Police, her impunity in business deals and squandering of public funds...she is shameless and without concern for the people she represents. If Baltimore re-elects her...then they get exactly what they deserve, a crook.

For the few apologists who have commented on this editorial, all I have to say is you're out of sync with the growing, citizen outrage of the corruption and immorality demonstrated by Mayor Sheila Dixon and the majority of the City Council.

I believe Ms. Dixon and her army of high-priced mouth pieces are in for the surprise of their lives.

Dixon will be convicted by a Baltimore jury composed of honest and fair peers, who are sick of the corruption.

I predict she will have to be forced out of office even if she is found quilty.

HOWEVER, she and her hired law slickers might sense the tidal wave and quickly cop a plea Spiro T. Agnew style.

She should resign now.

Thank god Mayor Dixon brought us Safe Streets. She has required accountability of the police who walk the streets and the people who live on them. I am not worried about some gift cards when my family is now safe to live and work in Baltimore again.

Mayor Dixon is the hardest working Mayor we have had since Schaefer. Until she took office I was scared and ashamed to invite friends to visit from out of town. Now our streets are safe and cleaner and the attitude of City employees is noticeably improved. Let justice run its course-no one should be judged in the court of public opinion!

The only answer I am waiting for is the answer the judge gets from the jury foreman when he asks "have you reached a verdict?"

I suspect the answer will be NOT GUILTY.

She IS being tried in HER city. The city voters are not going to convict the hand that feeds and houses them.

I think it is about time that our elected officials are held accountable for their actions. One of the first things I remember about her is the first investigation into wrong doing by Sheila Dixon was a "closed" investigation. However, as soon as there was a problem that I believe was involving the fire chief, she made the statement in her "all too familiar arrogant attitude," that there would be a FULL and OPEN investigation done! Why wasn't her's a full and OPEN one??? If a man steals food to feed his hungry kids he will be sent to jail with her blessings but she is so above the law it seems. How can the morale of the city be anything with such actions of unjust treatment...black, white, yellow or whatever---wrong is wrong!

Do you seriously believe she'll actually be convicted of anything??? Jurors don't convict MURDERERS in this town, for cryin' out loud.

Please.....

I have known Mayor Dixon for many years and she has been one of Baltimore City's most effective and respected elective officials that I have ever known. She has always put the City of Baltimore first. She has made the streets of Baltimore safer than they have been in many years. She Is working hard to create desent housing for everyone. This is just a tip of the Ice-burg. I truly don't know what more you can ask of this GREAT LADY signed Curtis L. Myles

Anybody on this site commenting that Ms. Dixon deserves to resign needs to just take a breather. The woman has been running the city as well as - and in many cases BETTER THAN - we could ever have hoped for. Demonizing her might make some of you people feel better, but I know quite a few levelheaded individuals who are able to see past these unfounded accusations of moral weakness. Mayor Dixon is a STRONG woman and she deserves to know that there are many who support her and would gladly vote for her again in a heartbeat.

Sandy said: Thank god Mayor Dixon brought us Safe Streets.

Huhhhhhh!!??

Living in lalaland?

How many long walks do you take your children on after dark?

No wonder thieves like Dixon get elected!

She still seems unable to separate her personal and professional lives. To wit: the recent Fl vacation where she wants the city to pay for her bodyguard or whatever he is as well as the rental car. clearly, at least the rental car should be a personal expense; she was not on official business.

I have known Mayor Dixon for a long time, since she was first elected to the City Council. She has long been a great elected official. She has done an exceptional job for the City. She is a very hard worker. She has made life better for a lot of people. Her willingness to give her all means a lot for the citizens of Baltimore. She has made the streets of Baltimore safer than it has been in a very long time. She is making Baltimore City one of the leading Green Cities in America. Cleaner streets, safer roadways, cleaner water just to mention a few of the wonderful things our great Mayor is doing. Mayor Dixion is a champion in my eyes and that of many other Baltimore citizens.
Signed a friend always,
Curtis L. Myles

"The city voters are not going to convict the hand that feeds and houses them."

When has Sheila fed or housed anyone except herself and boyfriends?

Sandy

You think Baltimore is safe.

Don't get out much do you?

Few people would have the nerve to date a developer and vote on issues affecting his pocketbook (not to mention benefitting from his pocketbook by trips and gifts). Wait--I take that back: politicicans do this all the time. That doesn't mean they're all bad, but it does mean some of them are very bad.

Then there was the issue of Dixon "helping" her sister a couple of years ago. Many of her actions have been unethical; it's possible that she's legally guilty too, but even if not, she has brought shame to the office and the City by her cavalier behavior. And Rufus, in regard to "safe to walk the streets of Baltimore again": really? where do you live? And why have the police not told us earlier we have a serial rapist on the loose. Not even a hint!

"Thank You " Mayor Dixon for your dedicated passion and love for the City of Baltimore. Wake up look around this City of Positive change. The City is Cleaner, Greener and Healthier than ever. She's a mom and hard worker even amongst all the things that in fact are accusations not one proven fact, she runs this City, and never complains, and gives 100% everyday.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for all that you do for the City of Baltimore.

More Sheila Dixon clones check in.

If Ms. Dixon robbed a band they would say she was only making an early withdrawal for a future CD!

If she failed to report her income for 10 years -- by the way she once promised the Sun she would open her tax returns but didn't -- these posters would say she was too busy running the city and she wasn't to blame!

My prediction: When she is found to be bald-faced guilty, they will say she is a victim of racism.

Mark my words.

I am not a native Baltimorean thank God! I love this city I see that Mayor Dixon is a strong woman who loves Baltimore and who is willing to endure the harsh criticisms of the perfect residents of this fine city - who do no wrong and clearly up hold all the laws of this fine country- why have a legal system whats the point? the citzens have found her guilty on what the media has told them - without proof or evidence. Many people appear to dislike her for personal reasons, how she looks, how she wears her hair,how she talks - they dont seem to care that finally Baltimore is doing what other cities have been doing for years- Recycling,addressing the homeless population, etc Baltimore is becoming a fine city now when will its residents become fine nonjudgemental people? Mayor Dixon I wish you well

Dixon is shameless. At some tilting point long past, she lost the ability to be honest to herself. No one is all good or all bad, but taking money intended for the poor at Christmas is -- in lawyer speak -- "bad facts." Faced with bad facts, a good idea would be to show some humility. The strategy isn't on her radar. Her arrogance of power is trumped only by the legal egos defending her. And we are all the poorer for the theft of integrity, idealism, commitment and honor in government service.

Mayor Dixon is the first female to serve as the city's first female mayor. She is a single mom who works hard everyday. I support her because as a single father I know how hard single woman work. For those who are inpatient and want to judge her just remember this:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:12).”

Mayor Dixon is a democrat. Same type of behavior as dem Pelosi

I'm not sure what everyone else has experienced but i've been in a resident of Baltimore City for the past 20 years and it's never looked cleaner. In spite of the many distractions the Mayor appears to have the fortitude to get through tough times.

What' concerns me is how she's being dogged and ridiculed. If everyone was so interested in justice why not wait for the legal system to do its job? Instead the Sun and WBAL are focused on trying the Mayor in the court of public opinion.

From my experience she's been great for this City and focused on nothing more than the welfare of those who live here.

My son worked this summer for Youthworks and he's a better person for it. I don't know that there's another Mayor who put more young people to work?

Am i turning a blind eye to the fact that she's been indicted? Of course not but i'm willing to wait for justice to HER job so that we can move on.

i haven't followed this story so this is the first real overview i have read. i can't believe she is still mayor.

Shiela A. Dixon #909123
C/O M.C.I.W.
P.O. Box 535
Jessup. Maryland 20794

"Priceless"...

Who is going to pay her legal fees? It will be in the hundreds of thousands! The city has "furlough days," job freezes, job cuts, and so forth. The property taxes are huge. This is the story - I'm worried. If she is not guilty, we pay, if guilty, who pays? Can you ask her attorneys if they are working pro bono (ha ha). I used to work in a law office and know that once the meter starts running, you can't stop it.

People, you're COMMENTING on a POTENTIAL editorial. That's like complaining about the how bad referee's calls were before the game begins.
We have a legal system in place which, although very slow, will eventually try this woman's case.
Your personal opinion of her will NOT sway the case. it will only sell more newspapers.

Mayor Dixon cares more about the City of Baltimore than any other Mayor. The city has clean and safe streets. The city is in great hands with Mayor Dixon.

The employees of the City of Baltimore are the ones who make it cleaner, safer and more pleasant to visit or deal with, Not that Skelator looking She-Lies Dixon

I wish everyone would just give OUR Mayor a break. We are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Why don't we wait until the trial is over to pass judgement?

Mr. Green - As I was reading this, I felt like I was watching a train wreck episode of Hannity. Is that how low the Sun has to stoop to maintain readership?

Open-ended insinuations make for great drama, but so does Jerry Springer. I realize that this is an editorial, but other articles you've written led me to believe that you'd stay above the fray. I guess I was wrong.

- "Consequently, the issue has devolved into arguments that are absurd in the real world but crucial in court[.]" The courts are a reflection of society. I guess we should give up on both.

- "Regardless of whether prosecutors prove that Ms. Dixon wound up using gift cards solicited for the needy to buy electronics for her family, does she see any ethical problem with calling developers whose fortunes are tied to the permits and tax breaks she controls and asking them to make those donations in the first place?" Really? Asking wealthy Baltimoreans to donate to worthy causes is unethical? In that case, we should really shut down OSI, Abell, the Fund for Educational Excellence, and the rest of Baltimore's worthy foundations.

- "[H]e has filed no charges related to Ms. Dixon’s advocacy on behalf of her sister’s one-time employer. That doesn’t mean Mayor Dixon has nothing to answer for." This is Hannity/Beck at it's best. No evidence (and in fact greater evidence that no wrongdoing took place given no charges) supports an open-ended & ridiculous insinuation. Let's try this on for size... Reports suggest that some Sun writers threw several of their co-workers under the bus during the last round of cuts to avoid layoffs. Mr. Andy Green was seen talking frantically to several Sun writers in the weeks before the latest round of layoffs. We're not sure that Mr. Green was one of the editors who sold out his colleagues, but he still works for the Sun.

- "How can we be assured that the mayor is leading the city in the best interests of all its citizens, not just her family and friends?" Again, a single example of the many, many outrageous "questions 'we' want the Mayor to answer." Well, like most rational people, I base my opinions on proven actions... they speak much louder than words (or in the case of your dubious hypotheticals... a lack of words). Here's what I see: better schools, lower crime, better trash/recycling collection, better roads, greater chances for improved mass transit, and more youth opportunities, among many other positive steps for Baltimore since Mayor Dixon took office. All of this occurred despite the media scrutiny. Do I believe that these actions and results demonstrate that Mayor Dixon is leading the City in the best interests of residents? Yes, absolutely. I'm confused as to why you forgot to add those points to this article?

Mr. Green, please give me unfiltered access to 7 years of your life. Then give me access to a struggling newspaper that's grasping on a story for five years to portray an image of relevance. I promise you that I could ask questions and make insinuations that would pummel your reputation and accomplishments.

But... I wouldn't do that. Why? Well, because I understand that everyone makes mistakes. I also believe it's unfair and irresponsible to form and broadcast an opinion that's based on selective, unquestioned representations.

Unfortunately, I thought you did too, Mr. Green.

Was Sheila the Shoe handing out gift cards to all her employees who wrote in to give their praises to this CORRUPT immoral THIEF?

Mr Green and the Sun have been nothing but malicious in their assumptions regarding Mayor Sheila Dixon. What astounds me is that some of the citizens of Baltimore believe the unfounded hypothesies. Look at the many improvements that Mayor Dixon is responsible for, the many lives she has touched and helped and make your own conclusions. How many of your children have taken part in many of the youth programs started by our Mayor? Does it make sense that she would misuse a small amount of gift cards after giving so much? It is time to stand up for the city of Baltimore and our Mayor.

If she were really doing her job, would we have a trial in the first place? You have to remember that O’Malley had most of what is happening NOW in the city set up before he was elected as Governor. She really hasn’t done anything remarkable, but come under scrutiny.

It seems to me that some of the citizens living in Baltimore are living in a cave or on another planet. The city is NOT CLEAN (with the exception of the Inner Harbor); most citizens live in the less traveled neighborhoods of Baltimore where CRIME is RAMPANT and on the rise. Sheila Dixon is not looking out for you at all. As you can see, she is out for herself; and those in her family that do business with the city. I wash your hand, you wash mine.

Sure, some say that “OTHERS” before her did it. That might be true, but at least they had the smarts not to get caught while doing it... Then, you have to take into account, her IN YOUR FACE attitude when questioned. I really have a problem with this; she needs to remember that SHE WAS ELECTED by the people and those of us with SENSE want answers.

This goes way beyond gift cards...The outcome of this trial will impact future candidates for this office especially females (white or black).

Mayor Dixon has brought new and valuable programs to the city. She's working much harder than O'Malley ever did, while having to deal with the mess he left behind. Interesting that the Sun isn't interested in how much good she's done, only in the hearsay after the fact. When she's vindicated I wonder if the Sun will dedicate this much space to it.

City Resident calls out the BS for not listing Dixons good programs and then FAILS to list them for all to see.

There are so many other issues within our city that can be addressed! But we as a people get so caught up in the hatred for one another. Blessing to us ALL!