Beau Fighera
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Four mayoral candidates met with the Roland Park Presbyterian Church community to discuss what they would do if elected mayor. These candidates include current Mayor Brandon Scott, former Mayor Sheila Dixon, Lawyer Thiru Vignarajah, and Businessman Bob Wallace. These discussions turned into debates nearly 30 minutes after the speeches began, attacking each others’ pasts and ideas for the campaign. The topics included cleaning garbage off the streets, crime prevention, gun violence, educational funding, and knowledge of Baltimore’s system.
Many highlights of the forum came from businessman Bob Wallace, who prioritized his campaign on educational funding.
“Education, education, education,” said Wallace multiple times throughout the forum. “A man or woman will do what’s on their heart. What we have to do is change the perception that children have of who they are in these schools. When there’s schools with no air conditioning and no heating, what do you think they’ll think of themselves? We have to be focused on how to change that.”
Wallace also capitalized when both Mayor Scott and Dixon attacked him for “leaving Baltimore for Ellicott City,” referring to one of his residences.
“Both Sheila and Brandon wear their badge of having never left Baltimore like it’s an asset,” said Wallace, bringing the crowd to laughter. “There is a big world out there folks… those of us who have traveled the world, who have learned how to build enterprises in the economy, who have come back to Baltimore, can bring value to the city.”
While Wallace’s trajectory ascended on Monday, along with the other two challengers in Dixon and Vignarajah, Mayor Scott undoubtedly moved further into Baltimore’s doghouse.
There were plenty of times during Mayor Scott’s speeches when citizens interrupted him, angry and impatient at the condition of their city. “They need to fact check him!” One citizen yelled while Scott was speaking about investing in poorer city neighborhoods.
Baltimore’s next mayoral event will be on March 15 at Reginald F. Lewis Museum, as Mayor Scott will converse with city youth about Women’s History Month.