Baltimore lost a good man today. R.I.P. Kenneth Harris

I was shocked a few moments ago to read that former Baltimore City Councilman, Kenneth Harris, was killed this morning at The Northwood Shopping Center across from Morgan State University.

The plague of murder that has befallen this city has now snatched one of its most cherished sons.

Ken Harris was my councilman. He represented the community where I have lived for the past handful of years. He was an amazing councilman. He met with his constituents every Thursday night to hear directly from those who he represented. He took care of community problems immediately. I remember emailing him about street lights being out on my block and he promptly contacted the city on our behalf cc’ing us on the message that he sent to those responsible for its repair. We could count on Ken and his staffer Leslie to keep us community folks in the loop on any and every issue impacting our neighborhood. I remember how important I felt when we exchanged cell phone numbers and he would call from time to time.

I remember being on the radio with him a couple of times talking about different issues. Most memorable was the time when I was on Listen Up! with Farajii Muhammad (WEAA 88.9FM) and we were debating the issue of security cameras in schools. Ken was pushing the measure in the Council and I thought the money could have been used in other ways. We had a gentlemen’s debate and ended the conversation agreeing to disagree.

Ken was an amazing representative. That’s why some of us in this community were a bit saddened when he decided to run for City Council President. It’s not that we thought he couldn’t do a good job. He would have been an amazing City Council President. It was that we didn’t want to lose him. He was our special gift.

I remember him calling to request support for his campaign, but he didn’t need to. I was already in his corner and I tried to connect him to every group that I was a member of. I wanted to do everything I could to assist him. He didn’t have to run around making campaign promises. His work spoke for him and that’s the type of politician I can get behind.

I was out on election day passing out Ken Harris flyers and talking to voters about Ken Harris. Unfortunately, he didn’t win the office, but I went home a good tired because I did everything I could to help him help us. Baltimore City just didn’t have the good sense to put the man in office.

Now, something as disgusting as an attempted robbery has taken him away from us. My prayers are with his family – especially his wife and children – who were often seen by his side doing public service work. My prayers are with his church family – Huber Memorial and his Pastor P.M. Smith who I know was very very close to Ken.

Baltimore has lost a jewel of a man today. May this extremely tragic chapter in our city’s history serve as a catalyst for us to create the type of Baltimore City that Ken Harris worked so tirelessly to create.

Rest In Peace: Kenneth Harris. Well done.

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