Prince George’s County: (Real) Leaders Wanted

I hope all of you read the story in yesterday’s Washington Post (published May 6) regarding the alleged screws being put to Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Terrance Sheridan by the office Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) and Prince George’s Senator Nathaniel Exum (D-Dist. 24) in regards to having an inspection license issued to a garage that in a five month period, gave out more than double the number of inspection certificates when compared to other garages in the same period.

I admittedly did not see the story, which is kind of odd because I glanced over the front page. Turns out that the article was below the fold. I did not hear about the story until I was driving up to Aberdeen for the first of I hope many appearances in studio on the WAMD (970AM) program “Word on the Street with Warren Monks.” (I was listening to the commish, Ed Norris on WHFS (105.7FM))

I do not know what is more appalling in this situation. Is it the fact that despite at least three MSP superintendents (including Norris) backed up the now former commander of the division, Capt. Robert Bambary, in refusing to issue a new license to the Capital Heights garage, O’Malley’s office stepped in at the behest of Exum? How about Exum’s conspiracy theory of the MSP was “acting as the prosecutor, the judge and the jury” in addition to his long shot “jail” comparison? Or, is it the inflammatory possibility that he whipped out the race card to hold up the confirmation of Sheridan, just to help out a business that was not in his district?

Believe it or not, Exum’s actions are not a surprise to me. As a Prince George’s County resident, I have seen a lack of integrity lately in our local leadership. County Executive Jack Johnson (D) has hired people based on their commitment to the county and not by their experience. Keep in mind, these are brilliant people, but they are not being placed in their field of expertise, and the results were so-so if not bad. However, I can’t fault the hires for not turning down the job if the pay is good.

Johnson was also tap dancing when it came to the Prince George’s Hospital System crisis, which was ultimately fixed by the state. In a one-year span, Johnson floated two possible suitors as buyers of the hospital, but one suitor was not capable to run the system and there was no true confirmation on the second one.

This is also the same Johnson who has no real accomplishments to show in his six years as county executive, well, other than his not so good mocking of Elliot Ness when it comes to apartment complexes and nightclubs. His re-election in 2006 after his infamous statement that rape is not a crime shows how apathetic (or lazy) voters are to incumbents. The saying “people deserve the government they elect” is a strong understatement.

Let’s not also forget that when it came time to appoint someone to the senate seat of the late Gwendolyn Britt in District 47 earlier this year, it was Johnson who interfered with the selection process of the Democratic Central Committee, who from my observations was ready to pick former Del. Rushern Baker. Johnson’s sole motivation was to rack another “W” over his alleged arch nemesis (who in my opinion has more brains and a better vocabulary than Johnson. By the way Mr. Johnson, relationalship is not a word, sir.)

Then there is County Council Vice Chairwoman Marilynn Bland (D-Dist 9) who was part of the pre-2002 elected school board. Her claim to fame back in 2000 was charging a family trip to Disney World on her board issued credit card. Apparently, that has yet to humble her as The Gazette in August 2006 reported that she spent nearly $300,000 in day-to-day expenses since starting her first term. This number was at least $100,000 higher than the closest member of the council, Councilwoman Camille Exum (D-Dist 9) who happens to be the daughter of the previously mentioned state senator. She (Exum) spent just above $195,000. Most of the other council members at that point only spent between $100,000-200,000 for expenses.

The county council as whole at one point was suspected of using county issued credit cards for personal purchases. Then last year, The Washington Post reported that the incumbents running in 2006 gave some grant money from the National Harbor Community Outreach Program to organizations that did not request any grants from the organization. On the flip side, those listed as receiving grants from the program have yet to see a dime. That was part of a bigger picture in which money went directly and indirectly to friends of the committee members who were responsible for awarding the grants.

In short, I would like to say to the elected and appointed leaders of Prince George’s County, the county in which I live, that you are making the county look bad. It’s bad enough that crime and education continues to be an issue, but these ethical lapses of judgment are appalling.

No county council member should spend nearly $300,000 in four years, no matter how big the district is. County Executives should not be meddling in party affairs. If they are there as a party member voicing an opinion, fine, but outside of that, let the voice of the majority of the members rule. To that end, elected officials should also respect the rules and the laws. There should not be special exceptions made because you are elected. Above all, RACE SHOULD NOT BE USED WHEN IT NEED NOT APPLY. What does the treatment of minorities by the state police have anything to do with a garage that is rubber-stamping dangerous vehicles through a safety inspection?

In 2010, my fellow Prince Georgians should do some homework before they vote out of inertia again. They need to send a message to county and state officials that they will no longer accept leaders who are more for themselves than the community in which they are suppose to serve. If we don’t, then we will repeat this same cycle all over again.

P. Kenneth Burns is the editor/writer of Maryland Politics Today and a columnist for PolitickerMD.com. He also contributes to Red Maryland and Salisbury News. His email is kennyburns@marylandpolitics.us.