Annapolis Capital Punishment

He's not gone..completely. The man still known to many as THE Mayor of Baltimore is leaving government and probably won't be around Annapolis much more. Will they ever replace the sandwich named in Hizzoner at Chic and Ruths? Will he get angry if his server does not speak perfect English? Second perhaps only to the late Comptroller Louis Goldstein in the pantheon of Maryland public servants, perhaps Schaefer will be immortalized with a statue in his likeness, as has Goldstein. Baltimore legislator, and Mayor, Governor and then Comptroller, at one time Schaefer was rumored to be a potential Presidential candidate. I recall an article about him that appeared late in his tenure as Governor in which he was profiled as presidential material, and I believe the article was themed around the topic, "Beware of an old man in a hurry." Lately, it's become more like just plain old beware of Schaefer as his utterances and behavior got even odder. His disdain for successor Parris Glendening was a discomfort to watch and they sat next to each in many public forums, including as 2 of the 3 Board of Public Works members.

Though he may not be as well-liked as was Goldstein, famous for "God bless y'all real good", he is likely to be remembered as much for saying "Get it Done Now" as for being the towering figure in Baltimore that presided over its downtown and waterfront transformation. He does have a tower named after him just a few blocks from the Harbor Place for which many will remember him.

I look back over his career, and ahem, correct me if I am wrong, but was he ever so much as even implicated or suspected in any kind of corruption? I mean, the man may be a bit strange and may have said some bizarre and perhaps outrageous things, but he was always a hardworking and dedicated public servant--and as far as most can tell, an honest one. His life was public service. I had occasion to be near to and even speak with him once or twice. I remember how he would be walking around State Circle, slowly and alone, seemingly deep in thought, tailed by the State Police officer a few paces behind. It must have been lonely at the top.

We've had some unusual governors in Maryland. We knew what happened to Agnew. Mandel was considered effective, but we know he got into trouble. Blair Lee served for a brief period and then the lackluster Harry Hughes who was about as low key as they come. Glendening seemed to have little personality but somehow managed to alienate just about everyone. And Schaefer-"colorful", outrageous, funny, sometimes even weird, but by most accounts, a really decent public servant. Thanks for your devotion to Baltimore and Maryland. There are not a lot of people around like you and our state and its number one city (in this case I'll say it's Baltmore) are great in part, because of you.