Oct 12, 2009 11:14 pm US/Eastern
NAACP Concerned Over Baltimore Leadership
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Mayor Sheila Dixon has been indicted and accused of misconduct and stealing gift cards meant for the poor.
CBS
There's concern over the future of leadership in Baltimore as Mayor Sheila Dixon faces the possibility of conviction.
Kai Jackson has more on who's concerned and why.
Mayor Sheila Dixon is fighting for her political career. She's been indicted and accused of misconduct and stealing gift cards meant for the poor.
"I'm being unfairly accused. Time will prove I have done nothing wrong," she has said.
Now Baltimore City NAACP President Dr. Marvin Cheatham says he's asking a simple question.
"What actually happens if a mayor is convicted?" he said.
Cheatham says NAACP lawyers tell him the governor may have the power to appoint a mayor if Dixon is convicted. The NAACP will support any legislation limiting the power of appointment.
"Does the president automatically get it? When does the election take place?" Cheatham said.
"I think you need to leave the law the way it is. You can't change the law every time a politician has a problem," said Delegate Pat McDonough.
Johns Hopkins political science professor Matthew Crenson says the law is clear and Maryland's governor would not appoint Baltimore's mayor.
"The state constitution says the governor is the person who removes that person in office, but the charter says the city council president shall succeed the mayor," Crenson said.
"If there needs to be some adjustment, it needs to be done now, not tomorrow," Cheatham said.
If there is any question, Crenson says ultimately the courts will decide.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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