FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Martha McKenna, 410-528-8011
July 24, 2007 -- Mayor Sheila Dixon today gained the support of the Baltimore Retired Police Benevolent Association and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
President Vernon Wilhelm said "this endorsement is based on her dedicated work and commitment to our goals of preserving police pensions as well as combating crime in Baltimore City." The Baltimore Retired Police Benevolent Association represents more than 1700 retired members of the Baltimore Police Department.
Mayor Dixon appreciates the organization's support, saying, "The retired officers have a lot of wisdom, experience and expertise to lend to our current force. I look forward to continuing to partner with the retired officers to improve our policing strategies."
In addition, Comptroller Peter Franchot made his support known as well, "Mayor Dixon has a lot of vision and energy." He supports the Mayor's crime plan -- to go after the city's most violent offenders, extend community partnerships and collaborate with federal and state law enforcement. Comptroller Franchot said "Mayor Dixon has already demonstrated that she has the leadership to pull the city together."
A lifelong West Baltimore resident, Mayor Dixon is an active member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church and numerous community boards. Before assuming her current role, the mayor worked as a public school kindergarten teacher and led the City Council as its distinguished first female African American president.
