(An unpublished letter-to-the-editor submission on 09/11/2026 to the Baltimore Sun)
God help you if you chose to do anything counter to the “King of Baltimore’s” wishes. First Isabelle Cummings, actually trying to do her voter-chartered job in pursuing fraud, waste and abuse, ran afoul of the mayor’s agenda clearly touching super sensitive information regarding the mayor’s pet programs like MONSE. He has engaged the entire might of the city and state government legal teams to thwart her ability to conduct her sworn duty. Where there is smoke there is fire.
Now, Councilman Mark Conway is in the crosshairs of the Mayor’s wrath. Using Council President Zeke Cohen as his foil to lash out at Conway for pursuing a voter reaffirmation of the powers of the Inspector General’s office (to pursue corruption wherever in city government it may be found). Conway was unceremoniously removed as Public Safety Committee chairman under the guise of his being less collaborative than other council members. Mark Conway appears to be an intelligent, collaborative and caring representative of his district just attempting to ensure the right thing is done.
The Mayor clearly sees his own powers as unlimited. I believe continuing actions such as these will come back to haunt him. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And don’t forget the Mayor’s own infamous quote, “if it’s not illegal, then it’s appropriate”.
The Willow 