The worst kept political secret in town has seemed to gain some exposure, you know the one, Baltimore City Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector maintaining her “official residence” in her district (our neighbhorhood), but pretty much living with her boyfriend at his Inner Harbor condo.
I mean, I’m sorry, but we as constituents don’t ask forso much that we hope our elected officials can actually deliver, but could we at least demand that you live in the place that votes you in office?
Plenty of us would love to spend a night in an Inner Harbor hotel or apartment, but we can’t afford it. Something about day school tuition and having to live within proximity of our synagogues.
Come on Rikki, you know better than this. At least, I hope. You represent people who are your friends and long-time neighbors. You have created a negative “buzz” on this one, something we all do without.
You hear best from your constituents when you shop with them, when you worship with them, when you run into them at the JCC or walking on the street. Your constituents aren’t in the Inner Harbor, and neither should you be, if that is you still want to represent us at all.
Representation is a 24/7 business.
Also, Rikki, how important is it for the City Council that we have a so-called “Jewish seat” on the Council, and you’re not full-time in the neighborhood you’ve been given the responsibility to represent?
You run for re-election, make sure you tell everyone in the district you’re there full time for them. Because, truth is, I don’t think you are anymore.
And if the Jewish community is smart about this one, and we do have this so-called “seat” on the City Council, maybe it’s time to vote someone in who at least wants to spend the night here.

I have called our supposed representative’s office on more than one occasion to hear those famous words, “someone will get back to you in a couple of days.” I have yet to hear back from anyone in Rikki Spectors office. We need a representative that cares about our issues. For example - why do city policemen act as crossing guards for sunday church worshipers going to Baltimore Hebrew when there is no traffic, yet we can’t get a crossing guard for children trying to get to Yeshivat Rambam during rush hour traffic on weekdays. I have yet to have our councilperson explain it to me despite at least 2 or 3 phone calls. Perhaps she stop being a sycophant for Sheila Dixon and start being a representative for the Park Heights community.

As Greg points out, I certainly made this an issue in my campaign. However, this issue like other issues that I brought up did not gain any traction what so ever. Where was the media back then? Why doesn’t anyone want to question Rikki’s record?

I guess the 5th District will have another four years to consider this question since no one is running against her. I even recall her saying that her current term would be her last one.

This was one our our key points in the Cahan campaign for City Council.  Unfortunately, Mr. Cahan announced he was making Aliyah just before the election, so it became a moot point.  The fact is most of the constituients vote knee-jerk Democrat and don’t really care or know that there could be something better.  It’s a shame.

Maybe someone who doesn’t refer to O’Malley as President…