Having just posted the below piece on "Who Wants To Be An Alderman?" it is saddening and perhaps ironic that we just learned of the death of former Alderman Joe Sachs. Joe was an Alderman because he cared and believed in public service and improving the town in which he lived in for so long. I think I first met him when he owned the Peppercorn, a little luncheonette in a building that also housed my family's medical offices. Our paths crossed many times and I always enjoyed Joe's company. As an Alderman, he knew the issues and tried to be fair and reasonable. He was funny and smart, some might say a bit "curmudgeonly" but in a nice way. He served his city, his constitutents and his community. He made a difference.
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4 Comments:
Mr. Foer
Thank you very much for calling to our attention the sad news that Annapolis Alderman Joe Sacks passed away – and thank you for your kind words about Joe.
When I first elected to the Westminster Common Council in 1999 and became involved in the Maryland Municipal League, Alderman Sachs was one of the first elected officials I met. He was very kind, knowledgeable – and had a great sense of humor. He always went out of his way to answer my questions.
He was an elected official who got involved in government for all the correct reasons. That sort of elected official is unfortunately an anomaly these days. He will be greatly missed.
In reference to your post about “Who wants to be alderman these days”; perhaps one answer is that community leaders such as Joe Sachs cannot be elected these days. Between the drive-by character assassination and folks who are rewarded for the empty expedient political rhetoric that passes as the development of sound public policy, who wants to take time away from their families to do the long hours and hard work?
Especially in Maryland where campaign deceit is indemnified by the Baltimore Sun and the Maryland Democratic party who maintains the dominant narrative that there is no such thing for being held responsible for your job performance as long as you are a Democrat.
Years ago, performance was performance no matter what your party – and a good job was recognized no matter what your political affiliation. No longer is such the case.
As an aside, as I am sure that it has been called to your attention, he was born in 1934…
Thank you again for your words about Joe in your post.
Kevin Dayhoff (former mayor of Westminster)
www.kevindayhoff.net
Dear Kevin Thanks for your note. I juxtaposed the 1934 to 1943 but had already corrected it before I received your email. I know you are an active blogger as well.
I am sure that Joe's many friends and family will appreciate your kind words.
As for your political comments, I agree with the degraded nature of politics and the general lack of character in the political process. I agree that the Baltimore Sun and the Democratic machine is the dominant "political narrative" as you say. I think both could do a lot better and so could most Republicans who tend to be dogmatic, far-right and self righteous...but so are many Dems. Thanks for reading CP and for writing.
I could not agree more with your comment, “I think both could do a lot better and so could most Republicans who tend to be dogmatic, far-right and self righteous…”
Thanks for all your work with the Capital Punishment. It has become one of my "must reads" for the Annapolis Opera.
In your initial post, "Annapolis Capital Punishment" you mentioned that you follow the Capital Gazette; do you also follow the Maryland Gazette? A friend, Staci L. George, started writing with Maryland Gazette recently and I always felt that she is a terrific writer...
Keep up the good work.
Kevin
www.kevindayhoff.net
Thanks very much Kevin....I enjoy your writings as well. The Capital keeps me busy enough, so following The Gazette is not in the picture.
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