In Atlas We Trust
Written by Matt · Filed Under Local Ink, The Dirt
October 11, 2007 | Print this post
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As one Dagger reader in attendance described it, last night’s Aberdeen FOP candidates forum was “pretty vanilla.” That it was. There were no meaningful outbursts from the crowd, and only glimmers of passion from the candidates. Even the powerful 
Redshirts showed up in their new, more subdued blue shirts. The questions, written down by attendees and apparently selected for mildness by FOP officials, were beach balls. But some of what went down before – and after – the forum was a bit more interesting.
Before things got started, as 19-year-old mayoral candidate Nicole Burlew (who could make national news with her campaign if she sharpens her act just a bit) stood for a TV interview, we at the Dagger hung out in the background at Festival Park, booting a soccer ball around. Mayor Simmons stopped by, and it was only a matter of minutes before he’d removed his suit jacket and was bearing his right bicep, showing off fresh ink. Flew the guy up from Florida to do the job, Fred said, explaining that he’d been to famous tattoo shops in Vegas and South Beach, but could never find an “artist” qualified to give him his only tattoo: that of Atlas. Anyone who’s been in the War Room at City Hall might have noticed a statue of the Greek Titan, a revelatory symbol of Fred’s guiding philosophy; the same, still red from the etching now holds up a bluish sphere on the mayor’s arm. Just as the conversation turned to how clean the park looked, a homeless woman approached to ask Fred why he doesn’t put out ashtrays.
The mayor told the woman that he sends someone from the city to clean up the park for at least two hours every day (it shows, by the way, whether he was exaggerating or not); he then 
pulled out the plastic wrapper of a new City of Aberdeen pin he’d just opened to demonstrate that he tends not to toss trash on the ground. The woman, haggard and smoking a cigarette, kept needling him. Then, sounding and looking a lot like a cop for someone who’s not, S. Fred said, “You need to move along now. It’s time for you to move along.” And she did.
Just inside the American Legion post, I noticed that the FOP had signs up stating that “Only Aberdeen city residents may complete a question form” for submission to the candidates. I wonder if Art Helton, famous for living in Darlington and voting in Aberdeen, dropped a query into the box. And, if bygone city council candidate Steve Johnson got into a debate with the FOP members, who were actively policing the rule, about the finer points of the definition of “residency.” Incidentally, Johnson told me last night he’s planning to seek an injunction from the city’s board of elections, allowing his candidacy. Johnson, chairman of the city’s Economic Development Commission, did not want to get into the details before filing his next round of paperwork, but insisted he’s still planning on taking a run at a council seat. Don’t count him out yet.
Finally, a note on that Aberdeen pin I mentioned before, or, more specifically, on the city’s logo. Struck us here at The Dagger odd that S. Fred’s campaign signs bear the city’s logo, which just doesn’t seem to fit the norm (then again, neither did his infamous “Who is John Galt?” airplane stunt). But another of the mayor’s signs – “In Fred We Trust” – has some folks riled, as one attendee last night commented: “He’s replaced God’s name with his own … having his god complex, he feels he can replace God’s name with his own.” All this and an apocalyptic 1984-style vision from Councilwoman Ruth Elliott (during her closing remarks), not to mention a Baltimore Sun reporter aiming a video camera at Councilman Dave Yensan while he explained how the city doesn’t have a water problem. Not such a vanilla night after all.
Unfortunately I was unable to make it last night. I was looking forward to cornering some of the candidates to find out when they are going to respond to the questions I sent them
How much money is Steve Johnson willing to waste? How do you think the residents would feel if they knew that the chairman of the city’s Economic Development Commission wasn’t an Aberdeen resident?
Was Fre’s tatoo articed licensed in Maryland, or is this another instance where he skirts around the law?
Now he can’t be a blood donor.
The young Miss Burlew proved one thing last night: She hasn’t a clue. She had no real answers to any of the questions, stating for the most part she would try to find out what to do and would do the right thing. That certainly inspires confidence. And her closing remarks showed her inexperience. Her seven point plan included all drivers from out of city and taxing out of city workers. Avery Ward needs to teach her a few lessons on government. She is cute, though.
I am very interested to hear the Dagger and readers thought on who stood out at the Meet the Candidates Night. If I were to rank them by order of which Mayoral Candidates stood out I’d say the “kinder, softer” spoken Fred Simmons. If I had to pick two Council Candidates that stood out it be Rick Denu and Mike Hiob. It seemed like Mrs. Elliott jumped to the growth boat, saying we need it and “high dollar homes.” Is she voting for the Annexation of the Wetlands, again? Just something I found interesting. As for that, all candidates last night mentioned smart growth. Well, let’s see it. Aberdeen is already behind the 8-ball. Will there be enough homes for these people by 2010-11? It doesn’t look like that there will be in Aberdeen, at least not city limits.
There’s something symbolic about The Dagger crew kicking a soccer ball around Festival Park with Mayor Simmons and City Council Prez Hiob while the ‘real’ media swooned over mayoral-candidate Burlew and kept their cameras trained on her every move.
I was too distracted by the mayor’s new tattoo (and near confrontation with the homeless couple) that I forgot to ask him about his campaign signs, which appear to be adorned with at least one of the city’s many official insignias. If I remember correctly (this came up before when former Harford County Sherriff Tom Golding sent campaign press releases out with the HCSO logo at the top), election law prohibits the use of the official government icon of the office holder in any campaign material. Then again, this is Aberdeen - where Darlington residents can vote and mayoral candidates can put out signs and fly small airplanes announcing their candidacy months before the designated period.
Speaking of Simmon’ new tattoo, I cracked up when I read the comment a few posts up about Fred not being able to donate blood now that he has ink in his arm. Of all the put downs the oft-beleagured mayor gets on this blog, that might be the one that stings the most.
Fred’s Tattoo guy is working out of a house without a permit from the health department way to go Fred make your tattoo guy pay taxes while he stays in deen
Harry T - Is that all you have to offer? I am sure you have something better to do than worry about a tattoo.
Mike H. I know your reading…
Sounds like Harry T has some inside information! Maybe he frequents the same ‘tattoo guy’. The afternoon soaps on television have more drama than this.
Not hardly … just stirring the pot thats all, just like the rest of you
Looters and Strikers….
Philosophers have been around for centuries. They write books and give seminars trying to instill in us their “views of life.” A strong person stays focused and is not influenced by their teachings. Each person is unique and has intimate philosophies to the way they view life and, more important, how they approach life.
Now, let us briefly discuss Ayn and her book, “Atlas Shrugged.” Ayn was going to name her book “The Strikers,” it was her husband who named the book “Atlas Shrugged.” Even though I have the final four chapters to read, I have found that there are some truths in the book when Ayn shows through different characters what motivates people to do good or evil. To a degree I believe in Ayn’s theory that whatever a man decides it is he and he alone who must live with it and it is no concern of another. The exception to Anys theory is some decisions, right or wrong, have a direct or indirect impact on another person or society. If we would agree 100% with Anys theory, society would accept each act as, “what ever floats your boat.” I do however agree 100% with her approach to life when she writes that joy is found in the person who values their life.
Dagny, in my eyes, is the true hero of the book. She has great courage, optimism, integrity, and energy. Even after she receives a glimpse of the peaceful atmosphere that the ideal man has created, she doesn’t stay. She remains committed to her passions and does not hide behind a protective shield. Her commitment is to her railroad and the people. When she returns to the world, they try their best to discredit her…the looters (as Ayn calls them) attempts to blackmail Dagny by attacking her character; she quickly turns the table when she faces her offenders and tells the truth and she does it with no guilt. She will not become a victim.
John hides behind a protective screen occasionally venturing out in the world so that he can initiate, behind the scenes, a great destruction of the world. How? By snatching the good and brilliant people and placing them with him behind the protective shield. Thus leaving the world in shambles. Point: Could you imagine if all of the Christians in this country shared the same philosophy? To remove themselves from the world and hide behind a shield as they watched the world literally go to hell. Churches would be empty.
So I ask you… is John a hero or a coward? Dagny is probably fighting a losing battle by not agreeing to stay with John behind the protective shield, but (I hope) that the remaining chapters reveal that win or lose she ran her own race and was not influenced or intimidated by the IDEAL MAN.
Dagny
This is addressing “God help Aberdeen to dump Fred Simmons” comment…. ridiculous.
Fred Simmons did not even personally bring that artist to Aberdeen, and many of the fire fighters also got tattoos from the same artist.
May we look on to more important issues of the city….
For the record…you can give blood if you have a tattoo. Thanks.
From the initial article by Matt:
“Flew the guy up from Florida to do the job, Fred said, explaining that he’d been to famous tattoo shops in Vegas and South Beach, but could never find an “artist” qualified to give him his only tattoo: that of Atlas.”
Unless Matt’s lying about his conversation, it sounds a lot like Mr. Simmons specifically brought the artist up from Florida to perform the task.
Sounds like citizen has a personal relationship with S. Fred. Where is that tattoo, anyway?
BTW, One can donate blood after a 12 month waiting period only if the tattoo is legal. I think the post was questioning the legality of the tattoo and whether the artist was licensed to operate in Maryland.
Wow, is that all they have? Sounds like ACT need to do a little better than this kind of manure.
No personal relationship here, just speaking my mind.
Let’s see, by definition Elliott comitts election fruad and all observer for observer, An Aberdeen Voter, and God help Aberdeen to dump Fred Simmons are worried about is a tattoo?
That’s stupid.
Hey EMPLOYEE….After working that street corner you stand on , brush your teeth and clean up take, a cold shower and get OFF THE CRACK! you are the stupid one!!!!
Wow, is that intellegent or what? If you feel it necessary to attack me personally being anonymous, then you are part of the problem. Is this JB-82? It has to be, it’s the same intellengence level. Stop by sometime, we can discuss your issues.
Fred Simmons was endorsed by the Aegis. Guess someone noticed that he has been better for this City than any other cannidate or previous Mayor/Council President.
Well, smoke break’s over!
Employee, Maybe you shoud be watching that $100K wall rather than blogging on company time. You should also quit smoking.
This must be the comedy blog! All kinds of garbage to catch up on!
Any local paper endorsing a candidate under Grand Jury Investigation has got to be on some kind of drugs. I will be calling and cancelling my subscription.
Do you mean Ruth Elliott?
Opps sorry under investigation by the State’s Attorney
Employee,
If you read some of the other posts, you’ll notice that Ms. Elliott didn’t commit election fraud as the results had already been certified to and accepted by the Mayor and City Council on December 11. Or can’t you read like Daddy?
Employee……I agree completely!
Concerned Citizen, cancel your subscription. Ruth Elliott did commit fraud, or did no one read the blog?
I don’t care what the article from Matt said, the artist has a house here that he lives in part time, and DOES have a Maryland license to do tattoos, and NO, Fred Simmons DID NOT personally hire him to come to Maryland to do tattoos. This artist has been coming here for quite a few years to do tattoos for the fire men and so on. Please get the facts straight.
Blame the ones at fault, not the ones with the title.
Please don’t be petty, if a election is decided over a tattoo, Aberdeen will deserve every bad decision that comes with their elected Mayor Bennett.
Terrible Decision.