Jessamy Fire Burns Gathering On Sunday At Farmers' Market And More News

9 comments

July 17, 8:22 AM

by Adam Meister, Baltimore Politics Examiner

 

 

Only two councilmen besides Jim Kraft have emailed me back with opinions. The emails that Bill Cole (11th district) and Bill Henry (4th district) sent me are below.

"From:
"Henry, Bill" <Bill.Henry@baltimorecity.gov>

Adam -
 
Great timing!  I was just trying to come up with the right words to explain where I am on this, and so now I can explain it to you and anyone else who cares also...
 
If I, as an ordinary citizen and a constituent of the State's Attorney in my own right, am offended and disappointed by Ms. Burns comments, it would certainly be appropriate for me to express my displeasure in whatever forum or fashion I chose.  I could write a letter to the editor of every paper in town, picket the courthouse, blog, send the State's Attorney a strongly-worded email, call her...whatever.  I would be exercising both the freedom of speech we are all guaranteed and the corresponding responsibility to inform my elected officials of my views.
 
However, should I - as the city councilman for the 4th district - express disappointment in the behavior of another elected official's staff as an elected official, I believe it should be because my district and my constituents have expressed to me that they are offended and disappointed.  Clearly, Councilman Kraft has had that interaction with his district and I applaud his willingness to advocate on behalf of those he represents.
 
I'm not saying this because I hope to generate dozens of irate phone calls or emails to my office, by 4th district residents who are convinced that the State's Attorney should take some action on this matter.  What I do hope is that any of my constituents who are upset about this remember that they are also a constituent of the State's Attorney - all of the constituents of all the elected officials you have called out above, also elect the State's Attorney.  If enough of them are unhappy about another elected official's actions or inactions, why use the Mayor and the City Council as middlemen?
 
My two cents, anyway.  Thanks for the opportunity to share my views on this, Adam.  Take care!
 
- Bill"

Here is what Bill Cole had to say:

From:
"Cole, William" <William.Cole@baltimorecity.gov>

Adam,

As I said in an email to Anna yesterday, I cannot even begin to imagine or understand all that she has been through in the last year.  What happened to her husband was unconscionable and her suffering has been prolonged and exacerbated by the incredibly insensitive remarks by Ms. Burns.  I know that I found the comments to be offensive so I can only imagine what Anna thought after reading Exhibit A.

I do not know Ms. Burns at all, but I certainly believe that a full public apology to Anna is warranted.  I know that if she were my employee, I would insist on the apology.  If she were my employee, Anna would also receive my personal apology.

As it is, Ms. Burns is not employed by me but by the elected State's Attorney of Baltimore City.  The State's Attorney controls all hiring and firing for her staff just as I handle all personnel decisions on my staff.  She has no right to tell me who to hire and fire and I have no right to tell her who to hire or fire.

I know what I would do, however, if I were her boss.

Bill

Please keep emailing representatives including your state level reps (I will post their email addresses soon).  They ALL need to know that this is big movement that they need to give an opinion on or face the consequences come election time in 2010 and 2011.

By the way if you want to email me you please send your messages to Adam At AdamMeister Dot Com.

Anna Sowers will be on the Ed Norris show at 3PM on 105.7FM today.

I am going to be on the Brian Wilson show at 2PM on 105.7FM today.

I am really excited about the farmers' market gathering on Sunday.  I have always been a fan of people getting together and peacefully speaking out against government incompetence. Nothing shows our leaders that we are fed up like a good old fashioned gathering.  Nothing sparks a movement like a gathering. So I hope this is the beginning of a new political awareness and perhaps even the beginning of a revolution to change Baltimore for the better politically. When we look back on all this it will be great to know that Zach Sowers was the person who brought so many people together for a noble cause and he will be remembered fondly for it by many.

I hope some of our leaders show up and stand by Anna and demand the firing of Burns.  Please bring video cameras and put the footage on youtube. I will post any footage I receive on this site.  Video can be very powerful.

I think it is a great idea to meet up at the farmers' market. You can come down to purchase  food and contribute to the local economy while at the same time support a worthy cause by making your presence know.  I heard Anna will say a few words between 9:30 and 9:45 and should be around until at least 10AM. Get there at 9AM though.  She is going to provide some information on how all of us can make a bigger difference and help bring about some long needed change in local government.

Get pumped! It is going to be quite the happening!

I love this song: 

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