Women are reshaping politics.
As Every Way Woman follow women who are reshaping politics we realize there will be times that we will have to report on the ugly side of politics and power. It is very rare to see a female politician at the center of scandal unless she is the wife of a politician. But today Baltimore's Mayor Shelia Dixon agreed to a plea deal after a four-year investigation.
Sheila Dixon was the city's first female mayor. Her plea deal included that she step down as mayor and resign from office. The drama surrounding Ms Dixon and the city is coming to a close.
A choked up Ms Dixon said, “Today is a sad day,” there was no sign of the tough political image she is known for. “It is a cloud. But the sun comes out,” Ms Dixon said. Ms Dixon fought back the tears as she made her announcement.
What is disturbing to me is that Ms Dixon is accuse of stealing from the poor yet Ms. Dixon, a 56-year-old Democrat, gets to keep her city pension, which she would have had to forfeit with a conviction on her record. Plus her record will be wiped clean after completing all terms of the plea deal. I am sure this offer isn't made to every ex con after she completes her probation. She acknowledged that she made poor choices and that she "disappointed" herself and her constituents.
Ms Dixon potential as Mayor and as a political star was unstoppable. She won praise for her shrewd hires and firm, no-nonsense leadership. Violent crime declined during her tenure, with homicides hitting a 20-year low. She revamped the city's trash collection service, resulting in a big increase in recycling, and she partnered with other big-city mayors to call for tougher penalties for gun offenders.
But she has long been dogged by questions about her ethics, and after her indictment in January 2009, her administration seemed to stall, with several key positions remaining unfilled for months.
The irony of the story is that after satisfying her probation requirements she will be eligible to run for office again. Can you say Marion Berry?
