Nov 4, 2009 6:21 pm US/Eastern
Dixon Answers Questions About Upcoming Trial
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ―
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With Mayor Sheila Dixon's trial just days away, she again says she has no plans to give up leadership of the city -- even temporarily.
CBS
With Mayor Sheila Dixon's trial just days away, she again says she has no plans to give up leadership of the city -- even temporarily.
Mike Hellgren reports the mayor described what would happen in the event of an emergency.
Mayor Dixon was fired up Wednesday, saying she's "excited" about the prospect of putting theft charges behind her.
"Let me say this in closing, a lot of truth will come out," said Dixon.
Dixon, responding to question after question about her upcoming trial, explained how -- while spending upwards of eight hours in court each day -- she will still be able to effectively run the city of Baltimore.
"I have no reason that I'm going to resign. I'm going to go forth next week, so that all the information can be put out to the public," said Dixon.
She would not reveal the exact plans that would be in place if a major disaster struck.
"That system has been discussed with my attorneys and the judge, and if something drastic happens, and I have to be a part of it, then I will be," said Dixon.
She also declined to address how she will stay in communication with top advisors and police and fire officials as mobile devices are supposed to be turned off in the courtroom.
"No, I'm not going to be sitting in there looking at my BlackBerry. I think, if I understand it correctly, you can't bring your BlackBerry in there," she said.
The one topic that got the most heated response was specifics surrounding the charges she faces, including perjury for failing to report gifts from developers on her ethics forms and stealing gift cards meant for the needy.
'I'm not answering any more questions on this," said Dixon. "You want to go talk to somebody, go contact my attorneys."
The mayor also addressed $4,500 the Board of Estimates approved Wednesday morning to pay for her security detail while she was on vacation.
She said other mayors have done the same, and even with this expense in these tough economic times, her office has done its share to cut the budget.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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