Annapolis Gospel Fest

(Caution this is a parody - it may offend - I'm hoping you'll laugh like I did.)

Annapolis- Welcome to the First AME Church in Christ Holy Name of the Redeemer in the Mosque and Synagogue of Annapolis. We have asked clergy members to move to the front, and please no crowding. Our invocations will be lead by a pair of renowned pastors from our state Reverends C.A.Museum, and His Eminence Fireinpants. Pastors please note our time is short (one week to be exact) so refrain from any shout-outs.

Reverend Museum –“In the name of the most holy Gorgeous Prince George’s County I want to welcome you to this preordained service. My name, I mean his name, shall be exalted above all others. If god had not created a more perfect region in the state of Maryland it would be my home county. Heavenly father please bless my county known for corruption, malfeasance, bribery, and our close proximity to Washington. We pray for our bounty as the most affluent Black jurisdiction in the state which we never fail to let people know. In god’s name we pray that my exploratory committee to run for higher office attracts people other than my Prince Georgians (Baltimore are you with me). Amen.”

Reverend Fireinpants- in his deepest southern drawl – “Father have mercy on our state for we often don’t understand what we do…like the last session when we took blasphemy to a new level by considering Same Sex Marriage. Heavenly, father that dreaded bill will not come up during this session if you will have your will. God we ask you to remember all those Prince Georgians who voted to kill this measure and grant them sizable tax free donations from your churches. In heavens name we pray, Amen."

Our Announcer is Brother Charles “I use to work in White Country/Black Gospel Radio Back in the Day” Robinson. Brother Robinson you have the mike.

I want to lay down the rules for this Gospel Fest.

1. All participants must sing from the same Hymnal.
2. Groups must prescribe to the call and response of Gospel Music.
3. Soloist cannot extend their songs by resorting to jazz scatting.
4. Straying from the provided text may cause primary political challengers. No political parties are exempt.
5. Winners and losers will be selected in the same manner imposed by such shows as American Idol, The Voice, and the X-factor.

Lastly, I want to let you know this event is being sponsored by the Pit- “You know we can smell it before we see it.”


First up is a trio known as “Sue Who” – It features an Irish singer, a Notre Dame fan, and a red/blonde Singer who favors a personal friend who went to the University of Maryland but doesn’t live anywhere near the school.

“Excuse me Brother Robinson?”

Yes.

“We have a featured vocalist.”

And who is that.

“Freda Getalong. She’ll be leading us in a song we just love. “Don’t Stray from the Hymnal or We’ll Hurt You.”


Let’s take a listen.

Our next performer is Evangelist Don’t Mess With Me Congresswoman. Evangelist Congresswoman, what song are you going sing?

“They Never Knew My Pain and Want to Marginalize Me”.

Let’s hear it.

I see we have a group resembling the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

“Brother Robinson, how many people can we have on stage?”

It’s up to you.

“We would like to start with several soloist who have variations on our theme ‘God Knows, What Were You Thinking When You Drew This Map’ followed by our chorus who will chime in with “They Are Here to Raise Your Taxes Jesus.”

You’re going to get this all in during the prescribed timeframe?

“Hallelujah we will.”

Get ready for soul stirring Gospel, folks.

This next group comes from the Church of the Evangelista of Montgomery County. Carmelita Pho Seoul Patel is its leader. What song are you planning to sing?

“Brother Robinson ours is a classic; ‘You Can’t See Me But I’m Here and the Census Proves It.’”

Ah, sookie –sookie now ya’ll gonna get a lot of praise for that one.

Are there any other performers? I’ll leave the sign-up sheet on the table in case of any last minute entries.

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to any person real or fictional is purely coincidental. This is parody.

Special Session Day One

Annapolis - Want to let folks see the process on the Opening Day of the Maryland Special Session to deal with redistricting. The focus was on maps with dueling press conferences. There was a lot of passion, take a look.

Special Session Day Two

Annapolis - The debate on the floor of the Senate was cordial but not persuasive. The body passed the governor's plan in tack. Take a listen to those who took to the floor.



The measure now goes to the house for second reader. Several attempts were in the House committee hearing the bill to make changes. Much of the changes came from Republicans which went not where.

Fluidity

Annapolis, MD – “I’m a little bit outside of the box. I didn’t come through the Democratic party establishment…the hymn book I do follow is one that’s about the concerns of average ordinary working people” a frustrated Representative Donna Edwards (D) Maryland extorted following her nearly hour long questioning at a Joint Hearing of the Annapolis Legislature. The legislative body is trying to tackle the thorny issue of congressional redistricting. Republican and Democrats tried to sort through the myriad of maps. Congresswoman Edwards joined a chorus of optimist who wanted no parts of a map conceived to reconfigure the state’s congressional districts.

The implausible map arrived in my twitter account on Saturday evening which kind of surprised me. It came close to a map drawn by a Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. Under the leadership of Jeanne Hitchcock, the group held 12 public hearings around the state. I’ve seen nearly 5 different maps of the newly drawn congressional maps of the state. It’s clear with a Democratic majority of the state one of two Republican congress people were going to be shutout in the process. The early idea was to redraw a district involving the 1st Congressional District but that prove untenable. It fell to the 6th Congressional District (Western Maryland) for change.

The 6th District under the new proposal will include all of western Maryland and portions of Montgomery County. The map looks to dilute the strength of pro-Republican voters, known as “cracking.”

The 4th District, which was originally drawn to carve out a minority majority district, will now include not only Prince Georges, and Montgomery Counties will now include parts of Anne Arundel County which it gave up to 6th District.

According to Governor Martin O’Malley, the state’s most recent data shows the growth of population occurred around the Washington suburbs. A sizable chunk occurred in Montgomery County and Prince George’s (with some spill over in Charles and Saint Mary’s Counties).

Future growth shows Frederick County will become a bed room community of Washington (which it kind of already has) is the area that was annexed to the 6th District.
There were a lot of people weighing in on the process. There were those with political ambition and those who used new software to generate models. In the past models resembled erector sets, dominoes, or Lego’s. Pick your favorite childhood metaphors.

Plausible Alternatives

It started with a number of emails from various constituents. Hassan Giordano began flooding my email box with questions about the dilution of African-American voters. Chiming in was Doni Glover of BmoreNews.com who also questioned the sincerity of African-American political leadership.

The issue that seems to consume these and others was a dilution of African-American representation in congress. The state has had its issues with providing its minority population with representation. Currently the state is served by two African-Americans, Rep. Edwards (Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties) and the Rep. Elijah Cummings (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard Counties). The recent census showed there are new growing minorities in Washington suburbs (Latino and Asian populations).

The suggestion these were not factored into the map consider was dismissed by the states chief executive. Any suggestion it would not pass the Voting Rights Act was summarily dismissed “it’s balanced.”

Members of the Republican Party and the newly formed Fannie Lou Hammer PAC under the direction of Carletta Fellows were not impressed by the final map and stage their own press conference.

Also mounting a challenge was Nancy Soeng, President of the League of Women Voters of Maryland Inc. She called “the process troubling.” In her testimony she challenged the politics at play.

Others challenging the legislation include Common Cause.

Here are some of the raw numbers which are in play; the state’s minority population makes up 40% of the state. 29% of the minority population is African-American. Opponents of the governor’s plan suggest there are enough minorities in the state to create another minority majority district.

This idea runs into reality and unfortunate the planners turn to computers to assist. Let me provide that old adage “garbage in garbage out.” Computers can count but they cannot discern.

In anticipation of a challenge, the state has consulted with Attorney General’s office. They have retained an expert through Assistant Attorney General Dan Friedman who will lead its litigation if it doesn't pass section two of the Voting Rights Act.

Sidebars

In a power move Del. Kumar Barve requested a meeting with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake. “Hey we need to talk I’m thinking about running for Comptroller, let’s talk.” Mayor Blake nodded with her traditional wry smile. The mayor is coming off a decisive primary win. She was just one of two of the state’s power brokers (Ike Leggett and Rushern Baker) who were in Annapolis. Some attribute the most recent acquisition of Indy Race Car series in Baltimore as a success. The mayor called the recent death of an Indy driver in Las Vegas “tragic.”

I also wanted to know more about her decision to privatize the city’s recreation centers. “We must get away from the status quo.” The mayor sent out an RFP for community groups and non-profits to consider taking over the nearly all the cities recreation centers. Only 7 groups applied. Hmmm?

Missing from the legislative session is a pair of legislators Sen. Jeanne Forehand and Sen. Ulysses Currie. There is no word of Forehands absence, Currie has been locked in a federal trial. At the trial the defense is starting to weigh-in. Two witnesses suggest the Senator isn’t very bright. Ugh…Currie was the chair Budget and Taxation Committee.

Tolls Go Through the Roof

(Baltimore) - Kind of knew this was coming, the Board Estimates has agreed to raise the toll fees around the state. If you've been driving for any period of time on the 95 corridor crossing the state line was a relief. The price for tolls from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York could drain your wallet like a "SUV at a gas pump."

Was the rate hike justified? The legislature was unable to get a rise in the gas tax, which pretty much would have fixed this problem (transportation trust fund has been raided to many times to balance the budget - be prepared to see legislature once again try to pass a gas in the special session. Hmmmmm?)

So you can imagine my surprise when I get a press release from Sen. E.J Pipken on the issue.

SEN. PIPKIN: “MDTA APPROVAL OF TOLL HIKES IS TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 2, 2011

“The process by which the MdTA is making outrageous toll increases is tantamount to taxation without representation,” said Senator E.J. Pipkin (R. Upper Shore 36), a vocal opponent of the MdTA proposed toll increases. “It doesn’t matter if it is called a toll or a fee; whatever takes money out of the people’s pockets is a tax.”

Senator Pipkin said that today, as was anticipated, “the MdTA rubber-stamped the huge toll increases proposed by its Staff.”

The MdTA board members are not elected, but are appointed by the Governor and answer to the Governor. It’s an independent authority that has the power to operate with very little oversight from the General Assembly. The MdTA can raise tolls at will and without a vote of the Maryland Senate or House of Delegates.

Pipkin said he will re-introduce legislation in the 2012 session to require that the General Assembly approve any toll increases, in the same way the state’s legislative body approves tax increases. “The people’s representatives should stand and be counted on the question of toll increases in the same way it does on tax increases,” said Pipkin. “There needs to be checks and balances in this process.”

There will be nine public hearings later this month where the MdTA will pretend to listen to Maryland citizen’s concerns. “However,” said Pipkin, “When all is said and done, whatever the MdTA wants, the MdTA will get.

Pipkin said that although the current system is flawed, the best chance of fighting the increase is through public participation at the hearings and he urges the public to attend to stop the rate hike. He also suggests calling the Governor’s office at 410-974-3901 to oppose the rate increases from occurring.

The increases are expected to generate $210 million, which would be used not just to offset maintenance costs but to pay off the debts for building the ICC in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Pipkin says the citizens of the rural areas of the state are paying a disproportionate portion of the toll increase. For example, the Bay Bridge proposed increase equates to an over 300 percent increase, while the Baltimore harbor crossings would see a doubling in tolls.

“This is just a continuation of Governor O’Malley’s War of Rural Maryland.”

So let me make sure I get this right. The rise in tolls is going to improve Maryland roads, really?

"I'm Shocked"

The email came as no surprise, here is the headline, "Join Senator Catherine Pugh for an important announcement about Baltimore’s future!"

I'm guessing the Senator from Baltimore can stop dodging questions about whether she is planning to run for Mayor of Baltimore. I kind of knew something was up, when Anthony McCarthy announced he was going to stop doing his talk show to run a Mayoral campaign.

I naturally assumed he was going to head up Councilman Carl Stokes run for Mayor (FYI, he hasn't announced), but no he was throwing his hat in with Senator Pugh.

By way of disclaimer I am a friend of Anthony McCarthy. We have talked politics for a longtime (I also urged him not to run for office after his last bid).
The field to become the next mayor of Baltimore will get a bit crowded on Monday.

I was one of the questioners at the last debate of the Baltimore Mayoral Debate at MPT. We had eight candidates on stage. I'm sorry this has become a joke. I'm all for people who want to seek office but there has to be process where there are fewer folks. The city has a budget of nearly $1.6 million. Sorry this is an adults job. The options for narrowing the field could include raising the fee to run ($7,000 to $10,000 sounds like a nice round number), force candidates to present signatures of 2000 registered voters along with the fee, and/or put in place an early runoff system where we get on the top to vote getter's on the ballot for party nominations.

I'm also reminded funding a campaign will get a lot of outside money. So who's in the race for now; Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Otis Rolley, Joseph T. "Jody" Landers III and Frank M. Conaway Sr. (remember Stokes has yet to announce his intentions).

On the Republican side there is Vicki Ann Harding.

Oh, this is going to be a race to watch.

Spotlight on PG Politics

The trial of former County Executive Jack Johnson came to end today with him pleading guilty to bribery charges. The guilty plea brings to the end a saga which made national news for its absurdity. In a federal probe agents confronted the former executive at this office after he was given cash. Johnson suggested the money was for his going away party.

He would call his wife Leslie and tell her to tear up a another check and hide nearly 80k in her bra. Authorities knew all this because they had wire tapped the chief executive's phones. Ms. Johnson had just been elected to the Prince Georges County Board. Following her arrested she was stripped of most her powers. Ms. Johnson's case has been postponed.

LT. OFF THE Market

Lieutenant Governor Antony Brown will not be getting a call from the reality TV Show the "Bachelor." Brown who has divorced his wife is engaged to Karman B. Walker. Ms. Walker is the widow of former Cpl. Anthony Walker, who died in a 2003 car accident (FOP President).

I find it very courious, of those who are consider a possible run for Governor of Maryland, his name keeps coming up. Shhh!!! don't remind him no LT. Governor has ever become the state's chief executive. There is a reason why. Check out the duties of the LT. Governor.

Maryland Constitution:

Section 1A. Office of Lieutenant Governor created; duties; qualifications.

There shall be a Lieutenant Governor, who shall have only the duties delegated to him by the Governor and shall have such compensation as the General Assembly shall provide by law, except that beginning in the year 1978 the salary of the Lieutenant Governor shall be as provided under Section 21A of this Article. No person who is ineligible under this Constitution to be elected Governor shall be eligible to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor.


[1970, ch. 532, ratified Nov. 3, 1970; 1976, ch. 543, ratified Nov. 2, 1976.]

The Travis Mitchell Interview

Baltimore - I've talked about Travis Mitchell in the previous article because of what I saw during a protest movement at Morgan State University. The University wasn't exactly happy over his efforts, but gave the school an argument it needed for more funding. His descriptions of his interactions with William Donald Schaefer are unique. While the Governor was surrounded by professional politicians his was out of the ordinary. I caught up with him in his home in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Charles: When you began the protest at MSU was it your intention to get the governors attention.

Yes. We realized that the ultimate goal of the protest was to negotiate with the key decision maker in the state. Early on it was decided that the protest was not a referendum on -- or a reflection of -- the leadership of Dr. Richardson, rather it was about historic underfunding for Morgan and what could be done to immediately redress past injustices and inequities.


Charles: Did you realize at the time what the reaction would be from the Governor.

We did not realize that we would directly engage with Governor Schaeffer so early on in the process, but we were hoping to do so. His reaction was mixed. Initially, he was digging in his heels to take a hard-line approach toward removing us from the building (our peaceful sit-in at Truth Hall) through the use of the National Guard. Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and other notable leaders within the African American community advised him to abandon that course of action. Over time, he began to engage in direct dialog with student leaders which was what we wanted.

Charles:Were you surprise when he did the walking tour of the campus to see for himself, and did you have any interaction with him.


I was not surprised that he came as this is what he agreed to do. However, as student leaders it placed us in somewhat of an uncomfortable situation because we wanted to protect the image of the university, but we realized that the public had to see our living conditions in order to understand our plight. One of the most effective outcomes of the movement was for the public to see (TV), hear (radio) and read (print) his reaction on the record.

I had direct interaction with Governor Schaefer as the spokesperson for the protest. He held several meetings with the student leadership and on occasion met with me privately during negotiations.

Charles: Looking back on what happen to school after the protest was their any question in your mind he (Gov. Schaefer) was the catalyst for improvement at the University.


One of the main points that often gets lost is that our protest was mostly about Morgan being able to maintain its independence without being turned into Maryland State or being governed by the Board of Regents for the University of Maryland System. We wanted Morgan to maintain its identity and its own autonomy. At the time Governor Schaefer hinted publicly that Morgan would fair better under the governance of the University of Maryland System. Another idea that was floated at the time was that perhaps it would benefit both Morgan and Coppin State to merge. This is why one of the primary aims of the protest was to dismiss both notions.

A few weeks after we vacated the building, five of us in fact marched from the steps of Truth Hall to the Governor's mansion in Annapolis as a reminder to the Governor that though the legislative session had ended, we wanted him to push through his pledges to expedite our renovation schedule during his Board of Public Works sessions in the summer. He followed through on his promise.Once Governor Schaefer changed his positions on those critical issues, the path was cleared for Morgan's renaissance to begin.

From that point on Governor Schaefer remained a catalyst for the capital improvements on Morgan's campus. He honored his word and his commitment and followed it up with action. His legacy in that regard can be seen on campus today as evidenced by the total renovation, expansion and beautification of the university.

Because my interaction with Governor Schaefer was limited to the Morgan Protest, I have no opinion regarding his political legacy. However, as it relates to Morgan, I am a fan and am grateful for his leadership. Unlike any other professional experience in my life, the weeks, months and years that I spent as a student leader in the movement was by far the most challenging, risky and rewarding. I have to thank Governor Schaefer for giving us the opportunity to excercise or rights as students and for agreeing to fully engage in public dialog and debate with us.

In fact, when I graduated, to my surprise He awarded me with the William Donald Schaefer Award for Outstanding Student Leadership. I was honored. To this day that award seems to represent the paradox that was the man.

Timeline

Morgan Students take over administration building (mid-March 1990)

Morgan Students lead a 2-mile caravan to Annapolis for a day of protests (Day 4 of protest)

Morgan Students crash Maryland General Assembly closing party (End of Session 1990)

Morgan Students march to Annapolis (May)

Board of Public Works approves expedited renovation plan for Morgan (July 1990)

Renovations begin on dormitories (Fall 1990)