Baltimore City Councilwoman announces resignation
The Baltimore Examiner reported today that City Councilwoman, Paula Johnson Branch, is resigning from her seat effective March 3 - 10 months before her term is set to expire.Â
This story is special to me because I used to live in the 13th district where Branch ”served”. I was extremely disappointed in her lack of community outreach, her willingness to allow the community to be exploited by Johns Hopkins and other large developers, and her questionable character which was exposed during the trial of her former campaign treasurer, Momoh Abu Conteh.
Ms. Branch has been the epitome of the type of status quo politician that ensures that developers and special interest groups gain at the expense of the people. She said that she’s resigning to explore other opportunities. I wouldn’t be surprised if she pops up at Hopkins, EBDI, or somewhere like that with a 6 figure salary….a “consultant” or something.
While Branch is requesting that her district consider Vernon Crider, her legislative aide, to replace her, if the 13th district is smart they would see this as an opportunity to elect a true community leader to serve them on the City Council. My suggestion for the post? Glenn Ross. Ross ran against Branch in ‘04 as the Green Party candidate. He has a track record of standing up for community residents and is very active in a number of community associations/organizations. One of the things that I most appreciate about him these days is his involvement in conducting tours in East Baltimore - educating residents about how ghettos are systematically created and showing them the environmental racism that is allowed to flourish in Black, Hispanic, and poor neighborhoods. Last summer he did a fantastic “toxic tour” exposing some of Baltimore’s most dangerous public health sites.
I’m not sure if Ross is even interested any longer, but if not - whatever the residents in the 13th district do; they should organize now and identify who can best represent them on the City Council. The major political machines in East Baltimore have probably already selected their candidate - the question now becomes have the residents identified theirs - or will the status quo win again.
February 18th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
How great to see this posting - I think you are quite correct that the 13th needs a new kind of City Council person, and Glenn Ross is the best candidate. He has an excellent history of service to his community, and is a person of courage and honesty. I hope the folks of the 13th district will be able to see that they do not need to accept business as usual, which is what they will get if another member of the EDO faithful is appointed.
Sadly, the press in Baltimore is not making much of this - why is Branch resigning now? Is it over fear of indictment related to the Conteh case? What about her pension? What about her state job? Plenty of questions that may go unanswered.
February 18th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Your questions are key and pertinent. Mainstream media won’t investigage it, but we should keep our eye on what unfolds in the coming months with Madam Branch.
From what I read about the court case involving involving Conteh, it doesn’t appear that she quite “lied” under oath, but she sure was deceptive. I figure that she had to take the fall in order to protect other political and business leaders who would have had the spotlight of scrutiny shine on them if the case was allowed to continue.
Interestingly enough, Branch is totally oblivious to what her real legacy is in the 13th. She said this in a Baltimore Sun article dated 2/15/2007: “The legacy that I leave with the people is the legacy of providing good services to them, looking out for their interests and trying to improve their quality of life.”
Furthermore she reveals that she has accepted a real estate job from a yet unnamed company and had to leave the Council citing that it may pose some “ethical problems” if she was to stay. Ethics? It’s a little late to be thinking about “ethics” don’t you think, Madam Branch?
Try talking about ethics while standing on the dirt mounds in East Baltimore (aka Hopkins City) where poor and/or African American families used to live - Families that didn’t know that the catch that comes along with “urban revitalization” is “African American relocation”.
February 27th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I’m sure she is aware of her true legacy but it would be foolish on her part to acknowledge that. I think someone just like her, unfortunately, will be placed in that position.
There have been plans to “clean up” that area and others for years before they came into reality. I also remember family/friends talking about changes that were to come in the late 1980s. In the early 1990’s I remember seeing a few of those plans and of course it made me think back to what I had heard.
March 1st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Someone will be “placed in that position” only if we allow it to happen! Many people in Baltimore seem to have forgotten that these people, our elected officials, work for US! Considering the history of broken promises and powerful politcally machinery that is deaf to the needs of the community, it’s not surprising. I am overly optimistic perhaps but if a real groundswell of folks demanded the council do the right thing and appoint a genuine community leader like Ross, they would have to. Wouldn’t they? Anyone who is interested in this contact your councilmember. Or me.
March 6th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Maryland News > baltimore city
Applicants are sought for seat on City Council
Metro Digest
Originally published March 6, 2007
The City Council is accepting applications to fill the 13th District seat vacated by Paula Johnson Branch.
Branch resigned from the council, effective Friday, after more than 15 years as a member.
Those interested in the position should send a resume, a copy of their photo identification with proof of age and address, and a copy of their voter registration card to Jennifer Coates, director of the Office of Council Services, 100 N. Holliday St., Room 415, Baltimore 21202; or fax the information to 410-545-7596.
Applicants must have lived in the district for at least one year.
The application deadline is 10 a.m. March 21.
The council’s nominating committee will hold a public hearing for eligible applicants at 5 p.m. March 22 at City Hall. The nominating committee will then recommend a choice to the full council for confirmation.