Annapolis Capital Punishment

CP attended the funeral of James Chase at the Mt. Olive AME Church on Saturday. Known to thousands of Annapolitans as "Chase" and sometimes as "Man", I knew him as the director of the Annapolis Department of Transportation and the "Man" who hired me in 1998. He might have known at the time that he was not going to be working with me for long as a new mayor was coming into office. Chase remained as the director for a few months. I don't know the details, and they're not important. What I can say that is important is that Chase was always respectful and fair toward me and for that, I went to pay my last respects to him although I did not know him very well or for long. He quickly and easily earn my respect. As far as I could tell, he was engaged in the daily operations of the department and knew the drivers, mechanics and supervisors and it has not been the same since. He was liked and respected by them for the same reasons that I liked and respected him. That's saying a lot.

The opening hymn sung in the church was WE’LL UNDERSTAND IT BETTER BY AND BY, which I think is also called "We are often tossed and driven". In kind of a funny way, that was a great choice for a man who helped make it possible for thousands and thousands of people to move around Annapolis for so many years.

In a day and age when fairness, respect and appreciation in government, or in any workplace seems to be going the way of the dinosaur, it makes it all the more special when a person treats others in such a manner. Based on the overflow crowd and the many kind tributes, it is clear that Chase was important to many people. I thank you Chase.

And now, a bit of the lyrics from By and By. I think it's a good message for all of us, especially those who continue Chase's work at the Department of Transportation:

Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,
And our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;
And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best,
But we’ll understand it better by and by.

For the lyrics to By and By visit By and By .

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