Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley accused Gov. Robert Ehrlich of treating Baltimore “like an outcast and a pariah” Tuesday after the governor skipped a breakfast announcing the location of the Chubb insurance processing center.
Ehrlich, who was on the agenda to appear along with O?Malley, canceled without explanation at the last minute, sending Aris Melissaratos, secretary of the Maryland Department of Economic Development, instead.
But O?Malley said Ehrlich?s absence was a sign that the governor “is not a partner” with the City of Baltimore.
“I guess the governor only likes bad news about Baltimore,” said O?Malley, who is challenging Ehrlich in the gubernatorial race.
The governor?s spokeswoman Shareese DeLeaver said in response: “The governor?s commitment to Baltimore is reflected in the state dollars that keep the city running,”
She said that, despite the agenda circulated, the event was not on Ehrlich?s official schedule.
“The mayor needs to stop whining,” she said.
Political undercurrents dominated the day as city business leaders gathered downtown at The Center Club for the announcement of the location and staffing of the Chubb Corp.?s Baltimore processing center. Slated to employ 250 people and lease 45,000 square feet in the Montgomery Office Building in Southwest Baltimore, the opening was hailed as “another sign of progress” by the mayor. On hand to welcome Chubb officials were members of the Greater Baltimore Economic Alliance, the Baltimore Development Corporation as well as Baltimore City Council President Sheila Dixon. Dixon, who did not speak, joined O?Malley in giving the city credit for luring Chubb.
“It?s really a city economic effort,” she said, though clarifying later that it was “regional as well.”
As to why Ehrlich canceled, even Melissaratos was at a loss: “I don?t know.”
Asked if the governor?s absence was political, Melissaratos was unequivocal: “Absolutely not.”
“We never let Maryland suffer because of politics,” he said.
The attendees were tight-lipped about Ehrlich?s cancellation.
Only O?Malley would speculate: “Maybe the governor?s not a morning person.”
