William Donald Schaefer Inner Harbor Statue Unveiling and Dedication

November 3, 5:05 AMBaltimore Celebrity Headlines ExaminerCheryl Taragin

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William Donald Schaefer stops to answer questions at Inner Harbor statue unveiling and dedication

They came to reunite with old friends, witness a Baltimore milestone, but most of all to honor the man whose vision transformed an antiquated shipping harbor into a multi-million dollar tourist attraction.

As the sun peeked through shifting clouds, hundreds of old colleagues, friends, and admirers filled the Inner Harbor to watch the unveiling and dedication of a statue memorializing his distinguished political career and laudable achievements. The Morgan State University Choir sang, Baltimore City College High School students marched, Baltimore City Police and Fire Departments presented, and a host of local dignitaries paid tribute to the man who almost single-handedly revitalized the City of Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer.

Speakers included MC Deborah Weiner, anchor of WBAL-TV news, Governor Martin O’Malley, Mayor Sheila Dixon, sculptor Rodney Carroll, and former Schaefer Chief of Staff and longtime friend Lainey LeBow-Sachs. The event also celebrated Schaefer's 88th birthday.

Willard and Lillian Hackerman, who were celebrating their 66^th wedding anniversary, joined those on stage but did not speak. The couple generously sponsored the entire event by commissioning the statue and underwriting the program.

First elected to City Council in 1955, then Mayor of Baltimore in 1971, Governor of Maryland in 1987, and State Comptroller in 1999, Schaefer is that rare blend of public servant, taskmaster, mentor, and friend who worked to serve his constituency in the only way he knew how. By getting the job done. Sometimes that meant asking his Health Commissioner to help a downtrodden woman in need of dental services, and sometimes that meant encouraging better teamwork among staffers by forcing his cabinet secretaries to temporarily change jobs.

“God, it was hard,” reflected LeBow-Sachs from the podium, “but what an amazing lesson we all learned.”

Although known among insiders for his leadership, integrity, loyalty and passion, Schaefer could also be an exacting boss, demanding action when nobody knew what was happening.

On occasion, he would storm into Cabinet, telling us that nothing was happening in the City or the State, and we were doing absolutely nothing to help people,” recounted LeBow-Sachs. “He would then walk to the window, gaze outside while jingling the change in his pocket, turn around, and walk out. We would just look at each other and see if anyone knew what was up, then go back and work harder, and harder, and harder as a team.

Even when you were furious with him and frustrated, you continued to work as hard as you could because that technique motivated you too, although we never understood why, she added.

Schaefer had a wonderful sense of humor and was not above acting quirky when it might further his agenda.

“The best example of the power of his instinct and his sense of humor was his now famous and hilarious dip in the seal pool at the Aquarium,” reflected LeBow-Sachs to appreciative applause.

Schaefer had lost a bet with a developer who said the National Aquarium would not open on schedule. When the initial date passed, he made good on his bet by turning the moment into a photo op. Clothed in early 20^th century bathing garb and carrying a Donald Duck squeaky, he jumped into the pool and came out smelling like a rose.

“It could have been a disaster,” she continued, “but in his gut he knew he could do it, and right from the moment he heard that amazing first laugh as he stepped out on to the pool, the show was on.”

LeBow-Sachs candidly recalled how Schaefer always did what he thought was right rather than politically expedient. He locked horns with the NRA, but still was elected to a second term as governor. Then there were times when he may have gone too far.

“The Governor loved to read every constituent letter,” LeBow-Sachs began. “Often he would write back. Often he would make a call. Often he would toss on his coast to make a personal visit. Some good, some not so good. He would write many letters to people. Some good, some not so good. And the not-so-good ones were really good. Like the time we wrapped up a bar of soap and mailed it to Joe Stern at The Baltimore Sun with clear instructions of how he could wash his mouth out with it.”

The crowd ate it up.

After the grand unveiling, Carroll discussed his 7-feet tall bronze creation and its symbolism. From the wear and tear of its shoes (replicated from an old pair in Schaefer’s closet), to the City of Baltimore tie clip, to the action memo inscribed with Schaefer’s birth date and phrases “Have you helped someone today?” and “DO IT NOW,” each tiny detail was meant not only to mimic his appearance, but also reflect Schaefer’s spirit and character.

“The statue really had to look like William Donald Schaefer,” Carroll explained. “Everyone knows him. He’s very specific, very unique. The other thing is that he’s such a character. And in his character he’s a master of subtlety. Just how he shifts, how he moves. So, there was an essence of capturing that stance. How he twists, using his body type and really nailing him down in this figure in order to get that character.”

When all was said and done, even the guest of honor marveled at the remarkable likeness as well as his incredibly good fortune to share such an honor with the people of his beloved Baltimore.