Dixon, Carter “duke” it out after radio appearance
Hat Tip: Stephen Janis/Baltimore Examiner
“They were at each other’s throats,†said Clerk of the Court and mayoral candidate Frank M. Conaway Sr. “It wasn’t nice. They were getting at it. I had to spread my hands to keep them apart.â€
The spat ignited after Dixon and Carter disagreed sharply over state control of city schools Thursday during a candidate forum on WOLB-AM.
Joined by mayoral rivals City Councilman Keiffer Mitchell, Conaway and city school administrator Dr. Andrey Bundley, Dixon and Carter clashed on-air over who should have control of the schools — the state or the city — while attacking each other in the process.
“Both Dixon and Mitchell were nowhere to be found at the legislative session this year when it came to ending the city-state partnership,†Carter said. “Sheila Dixon didn’t come to one single meeting to address the city delegation, not one single time.â€
Dixon fired back.
“Jill Carter didn’t see me because she wasn’t there at any of the meetings,†Dixon said. “She has the worst record.â€
Dixon added that the state delegation was little help when the city schools faced budget woes in 2004.
“We have legislators who are running for mayor who have not even been a part of the process in funding our schools,†Dixon said in an obvious slap at Carter. “That’s why we had the $53 million deficit.â€
But Carter said the city’s dismally low graduation rate meant the city-state partnership should end now.
She then slammed Dixon’s attendance record.
“There was not one single open-door meeting with the city delegates that you attended,†Carter said. “I will not sit here and be discredited.â€
That’s when the trouble began, Conaway said. “It was a cat fight.â€
Dixon spokesman Anthony McCarthy took issue with Conaway’s description of the disagreement.
“I think that Del. Carter was forceful and pointed in her criticism, and the mayor was equally responsive,†he said.
Carter also disagreed with Conaway.
“I was just forcefully setting the record straight with the mayor,†she said.
The exchange between Dixon and Carter led a lively morning debate that encompassed crime, commitments to minority businesses and improving parental accountability.
On the issue of crime, Dr. Bundley challenged Mitchell’s call for 400 more police officers.
“Let’s not create a police state by bringing in more police and making Baltimore occupied territory,†he said.
Conaway said the city’s crime problem should be left to the experts.
“All of us should take our crime plans and throw them in trash can,†he said. “We need to let the experts and criminologists run the police department.â€
Meanwhile, socialist candidate Robert Kaufman was steaming after being escorted out of Radio One’s offices by three Baltimore County police officers.
Kaufman was slated to participate in a debate today with the remaining candidates, but he thought he should have been included in Wednesday’s forum.
“It’s not the first time,†he said. “They gave me the choice of going to jail, but my stomach hurt too much.â€
August 9th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I know that supporters of both of these candidates visit this blog. Let’s try to remember the “Rules of Engagement” and be respectful even in disagreement people. Thanks.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Being new to the area, I’m not too familiar with either of ‘em. What’s your take, Heb?
August 9th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Dixon was very rattled byDelegate Carter. Sheila Dixon flung her headset off and threw it down on the table. Honestly, It was funny. But, the delegate conducted herself with class at all times. Dixon looked like she was ready to take it to the streets.
Bundley said “children are listening.” Delegate Carter said good they need to hear this, then she turnd to the children and said, “This woman has been on the city council for 20 years and she’s done nothing for you. What do you think about that.” I tell you, it was very funny. But, the delegate was smiling and Dixon was scrunching her face all up getting really, really pissed off.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I’m going to expound on the races a little bit later.
In the meantime, check out this site I just found:
http://www.truthaboutdixon.com/index.php
Apparently this is an effort to remind voters about Dixon’s past “transgressions.”
August 10th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I hope Ms. Carter can engage the Mayor in a more credible forum than The Larry Young Show. No credibility at all on that station other than Darrin Muhammed. Make yourself visible Ms. Carter in these dog days. You will have no problem passing Mitchell. If what I hear is true, crash Dixon’s endorsement party where the former mayor is due to speak on behalf of one of his favorite black lackeys.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I think Mitchell, Bundley and Conaway should step down and out of the race and yes let the Black Woman do something. I’ve changed my opinion as before. This may not win me any friends and it should not be called a cat fight. I am a Black Nationalist and I stand for Black people. If we are honest Carter has a stronger fighting spirit than many of the men. I do respect Mr. Conaway though, he is a little independent though he needs to be baptized in blackness. It is said that Mr. Conaway is into Real Estate. I wonder why he does not have more wealth himself. I don’t understand how Black Politicians that have made decent salaries do not and have not accumulated any independent wealth. Many politicians are frivilous and personally fiscally irresponsible. How can someone that does not handle their own wealth attainment and finances possibly run a city. Maybe I’m missing something, but somehow someone told Black Politicians that they are supposed to be poor. I hope Jill Carter does not listen to Poor people or the typical black middle class attitudes towards business, life, politics and wealth. Anyway, I almost feel sorry for Sheila Dixon she is a black woman though she does not love herself or black people. I wanted to believe though if you go to her website she does not speak of radio one 1010 AM. http://www.sheliadixon.com for her supporters to call. She suggests folk call the white shows 680 A.M. as well as 1090 A.M. I would like for Del Carter to open up opportunities for Black people. Meaning this Black people have a disproportionate amount of wealth. Some might say it starts with Education which she has fought for of course though I think that Del. Carter could have challenged some of the other candidates records on their support of her in Annapolis. Now just in all fairness and dailogue there was an article I believe in the sun comparing Del. Carters presence in Annapolis. I tried to defend this in dailogue before by my understanding of the Annapolis Culture. I theorized that with O’malley controlling yes Annapolis even from Baltimore or at least controlling many of the Delegates and Senators from Baltimore, Del. Carter was operating in a hostile environment and have basically been neutralized, isolated, ostracized and lynched. I understand this and it would be wise for her to understand and yes in fact speak out about how she felt in Annapolis around spies and turncoats. I do not know what her comments on this was though for those that are not controlled by the powers that be we understand. I wouldn’t want to vote on USELESS legislation anyway. So I would not show up either!!!
August 18th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Just to set the record straight about Delegate Jill Carter, the hardest working person, woman or man, that I have ever seen. She certainly works harder than most, if not all, of the other delegates in Annapolis. It was common knowledge in the last legislative session that Sheila Dixon never came to the Baltimore Delegation sessions because everyone was talking about how she was afraid to expose her lack of knowledge and some said she was afraid to face Jill Carter. Whatever the reason, she never came.
During the legislative session, Delegate Carter received a call while she was in session that her mother had been rushed to the hospital and that it was very serious. Delegate Carter left Annapolis and went to the hospital. She sat in the hospital with her mother every sngle day and night, all night long, never going home or to Annapolis for about a week. She said that bad things always happen in hospitals late at night, and while people are sleeping and not paying attention. She was not willing to take any chances of anything happening to her mother because she wasn’t there or wasn’t paying attention. I know Mrs. Carter went home and that the delegate stayed with her there for a few days as well, and after that, for the most part, the delegate was at just about every floor and committee session in Annapolis. She used to work in her committee until somethimes 10 and 11 pm, and later at times.
Sometimes there would be meetings and other events in Baltimore and people would want the delegate to leave Annapolis and attend them. She never liked doing it, but sometimes she did. I worked part-time in Annapolis and I saw these things first hand. I have great respect for Delegate Jill Carter because of her high principles and strong work ethic. This woman works all the time. I don’t even believe she sleeps. I have received emails from her at 3 am and 5 am in the morning. I’ve never even known her to do anything for fun. I’ve heard her say that she’s had fun before, so she knows what it’s like, and she’s more interested in being productive.
Delegate Carter is an inspiration to me and many of us young women and men could take a lesson in commitment and accomplishment from her.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
They love to stir up trouble dont they. Shelia is unprofessional & Del Carter simply tells the truth and they hate it. You know what though someone has to keep it real. I love and support her all day.