Comptroller Schaefer — 85 years young

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Comptroller William Donald Schaefer celebrates his 85th birthday today with a party at Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library this evening, but the festivities started at the State House Wednesday morning.

First lady Kendel Ehrlich presented him with yet another cake and led the 100-plus audience at the Board of Public Works meeting in the ornate Governor’s Reception Room in singing “Happy Birthday.”

The crowd of bureaucrats and contractors weren’t quite sure what name to throw in at the part of the song where the celebrant’s name should go.

There was a mishmash of titles: “governor,” “mayor,” “William Donald” and “Don.”

“I hope all of you reach the age of 85,” said Schaefer.

He was in a generally cheerful mood even though “I’ve got aches and pains all over,” he said.

But he couldn’t resist one of his typical digs: “Thanks to the first lady for the cake, though I know it will be lousy.”

But Schaefer was full of praise of Gov. Robert Ehrlich, as he was on WBAL radio earlier in the day.

“You’re a good man,” Schaefer told the governor, sitting next to him. “You’re an honest man.”

Asked about the Baltimore Sun poll that showed Ehrlich and Mayor Martin O’Malley neck-and-neck in the race for governor, Schaefer told reporters, “I was happy to see that.”

“I don’t endorse,” said Schaefer on WBAL. “You know O’Malley is a nice guy. I used to be pretty fond of him and then we sort of had a parting of the ways.”

“The reason I like [Ehrlich], and this is not to talk about politics, he is honest,” said Schaefer. “That is a very important thing when you are governor that you don't play games with the taxpayers money.”

Souvenir hand-fans were handed out at the board meeting. They said “I’m a William Donald Schaefer Fan – Celebrating 85 Years.”

Ehrlich had Schaefer sign his fan, and quipped, “I might get 20 bucks for it on eBay.”

llazarick@baltimoreexaminer.com