Sheila Dixon

Call it the Sheila Dixon amendment. Although it was actually written in response to another corrupt Maryland politician who didn't know when to give up her hold on elective office, Question 3 on next week's ballot speaks directly to the turmoil Baltimore's gift card-stealing former mayor created in the weeks after she was found guilty in 2009. After years of scandal and a lengthy trial on theft and other misconduct charges, Ms. Dixon was found guilty by a jury of her peers in early December of that year.

Lt. Gov. Brown to separate from his wife Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown announced yesterday that he plans to separate from his wife of 15 years, Patricia Arzuaga. He did not provide a reason. "We continue to have great admiration and respect for each other," they said in a joint statement. "We ask for everyone to respect our privacy during this time of transition for our family." Brown and Arzuaga, both of whom grew up in New York and moved to Maryland after graduating from Harvard Law School, said that he will live close to their Mitchellville home so they both can be "actively engaged as parents" to their two children.

Former Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon has fallen behind by close to $14,000 on court-ordered payments stemming her plea deal in the corruption investigation that led to her resignation, according to state corrections filings. Dixon's probation agent sought a violation of probation charge, which was filed Monday, saying Dixon has made just four payments of $1,000 each since December 2010. A probation document says she is in arrears in the amount of $13,640. After stepping down from office, Dixon was required to give $45,000 to charity in addition to 500 hours of community service.

Did Sheila Dixon leave Baltimore in better shape than before she became mayor? Yes 26% No 64% Not sure 10% (1,322 votes, results not scientific) Next poll: : Do Baltimore-area school districts have too many snow days? Vote at baltimoresun.com/vote

OK, George, figure out how to get the Million Mom vote. Sheila Dixon needs her day job because City Council president (A) is not fultime; (B) pays to little; (C) is not fulfilling or (D) goes nowhere on the career ladder. Choose one. With the city closing closing Charles Street there's as easy way to Pennsylvania Station. They just aren't saying what it is. Rudy G. proved one again the New York is still the soap opera capital of the nation.

The funniest, and most disheartening, portion of your article "Dixon at work behind the scenes" (July 13) about Sheila Dixon and her "comeback" (be afraid...be very afraid) can be found in Lester Spence's comparison of Ms. Dixon with Marion Barry. I mean, he actually seemed to mean it as a compliment! Herman Meyer, Rodgers Forge

Baltimore's mayor fired Leonard D. Hamm, the city's eighth police commissioner in as many years. Dixon, facing a plague of murders that could top 300 by year's end and a pivotal mayorial primary in September, decided to dump Hamm after a poll conducted by The Sun indicated a lack of public confidence in the commissioner's leadership. ?I don't do things for form and fashion, I don't do things because it's politically correct.? Sheila Dixon

How interesting to read that Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's challengers are actually seeking advice from Sheila Dixon, a disgraced mayor who was charged with perjury, theft, fraudulent misappropriation and misconduct, and ultimately convicted of embezzlement ("Dixon at work behind the scenes," July 13). The Sun deserves thanks for making the next Baltimore mayoral election a no-brainer. Katherine Ambrose, Kingsville

There's a new parlor game in Maryland political circles, one that's way more fun than guessing who's behind omalleywatch.com: Who's FakeSheilaDixon? "I am having [Chief of Staff] Demaune [Millard] look into whether I can tax people for dressing poorly," FakeSheilaDixon wrote on Twitter yesterday. "It should be UnderArmour jumpsuits or DolceGabbana." Another bit from the Twitter feed: "I keep telling my citizens, if they are stuck in traffic just get your driver to turn on the sirens. People move right out of your way."

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon launched the first television commercial of her campaign yesterday - the third in this year's mayoral race. The 30-second spot focuses almost entirely on Dixon's time as mayor so far. What the ad says: Upbeat piano music kicks in as a male narrator says, "She's a tough-minded chief executive who gets things done. Sheila Dixon is a problem solver." Images - black and white stills and color video - show the mayor looking assertive. She is shown at a news conference behind a table of confiscated guns, talking with a child in a school setting and shaking hands on the street.