Leave it to the CityPaper to pull back the covers on questionable political practices in East Baltimore. In their latest edition, they published a piece about 13th district appointee, Vernon Crider. You’ll remember from a previous post that Paula Johnson Branch relinquished her Baltimore City Council seat early back in February 2007 to take a job in real estate.
She recommended that her legislative aide, Mr. Crider take the seat and complete her term. After an “open and transparent” process, it was no surprise at all that Mr. Crider was nominated to the seat and is planning to run for a full term later this year.
The City Paper, however, published a big “GOTCHA!” article about Mr. Crider entitled, “The Councilman Who Wasn’t There: Representative Democracry in East Baltimore“.Â
Citing the qualification that nominees to the vacant 13th district seat must have been residents of the district for at least a year; the City Paper smells a rat in the fact that Crider has listed his mother’s 13th district address as he and his wife’s primary address – despite the fact that he and his wife own a home outside of the district. The City Paper even went so far as to go to Vernon Crider’s house at midnight to check where his car was parked. (sidenote: NOW THAT’S GANGSTA!)
You guessed it - his minivan was parked at the house that’s outside of the 13th district. Does this disqualify him from filling Paula Johnson Branch’s seat? According to the City Council President’s office – not necessarily. So it appears that it is possible to represent a district where you don’t live. Now, that’s interesting particularly in light of the noise made recently about police officers who don’t live in Baltimore, but who are charged to police its residents.Â
We’ll see how this unfolds.
Nevertheless, what a warm welcome to Vernon Crider. (Talk about getting off to a good start) Welcome to political office, Mr. Crider. I hope you didn’t miss that sign a ways back that read “40 Miles of Rough Road Ahead“. (Buckle up, buddy – lol)
[NOTE: For full disclosure, it should be known that the City Paper has endorsed Crider's challenger, Glenn Ross, in past elections and has even named Ross "Baltimore's Best Community Activist". As Ross is gearing up his campaign for the September 11th Democratic Primary Elections, Crider should expect no love from CP. As a former resident in the 13 district, I like Ross too.]
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This scenario really stinks, of the naked contempt the politicians have for the average Baltimorean. Many people, dozens, called in to the council offices to support Ross, who DOES most certainly live in his district and has been working hard there, against all odds, to make a difference. Why do we tolerate this? I challenge people to object to this insulting nonsense!
With so many qualified and interesting candidates in the 6th and 13th districts it was amazing how the City Council almost unanimously picked the so called pre-hearing favorites in both districts. I guess it pays off to be politically connected when trying to get nominated to City Council. When they are allowed to make City Council a part-time job these results should not shock any of us. Single member districts were supposed to rid the Council of some political insiders. As of today we have yet to see a person who is not connected to the established political machine win an election. I think we are about to see some change. My name is Adam Meister and I am running for City Council in the 11th district. I am proud to say that I am not a name dropper. I do not know the political high ups in the state or the city. I know the regular people on the streets of Reservoir Hill (my home), Druid Heights, Pigtown, Seton, Hill, and Heritage Crossing. I have been on every street in this district. I am going to make this a full-time job (I already gave up my job for this campaign) and stress direct interaction with people. Come to my house on the 2200 block of Linden Avenue. This is true Baltimore. You can see the crack vials, the trash, and the empty houses. I know what the people want and I intend to bring it to them. I have a passion for Baltimore City. If you are tired of Johns Hopkins, University of Baltimore, BGE, Mercy and all of the other large institution owning our political officials and getting what ever they want then support me. Check out more at AdamMeister.com
Meister vs The Machine in 2007!
Regards,
Adam Meister
President of the Linden Avenue Block Club
http://www.AdamMeister.com