Major corporations, including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Whiting-Turner Contracting and Constellation Energy, made contributions to help pay for Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon?s inaugural celebration.
The weeklong celebration featured the inauguration at Morgan State University, a ball, a fete for city employees, a parade and events honoring the elderly and families.
Some contributors, including Constellation, do millions of dollars? worth of business with the city.
But Dixon spokesman Sterling Clifford defended the practice of using private donations to fund inaugural celebrations.
“We spent that week celebrating the jewels of Baltimore, which I think is a worthwhile activity and that much more worthwhile since it was funded privately rather than with taxpayer money spent on it,” Clifford said.
Contributors also included a powerful union, the 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which supported Dixon during her campaign.
All told, a nonprofit that oversaw financing for the events received $728,000, including $50 for each ticket to the inaugural ball.
Dixon took the oath Dec. 4 at Morgan State, and a ball that evening at the Baltimore Convention Center drew about 3,000 people.
One of Dixon?s former political adversaries said the money could have been better spent.
“If they have so much money, why don?t they put it in the school system?” asked state Del. Jill Carter, who lost to Dixon in the 2007 mayoral election. “I think there are better uses for that kind of money in a city that has so little.”
Major donors
» CareFirst BlueCross
BlueShield, $25,000
» Grant Capital Management,
$25,000
$25,000
» Whiting-Turner Contracting,
$25,000
» 1199 SEIU United Healthcare
Workers East, $25,000
» P&J Contracting, $22,500
» Miles & Stockbridge, $15,000
» Washington Gas, $15,000
» Wheelabrator Baltimore,
$15,000
» Constellation Energy, $15,000
» Lexington Square Developers,
$15,000
