One of the reasons I enjoy Edward Ericson's reporting is his transparency. He tells us how here how long his interview with Rolley was, for example. He pushes interviewees for specifics, in this case names of campaign naysayers. He then goes to those sources, in this case Rick O. Berndt, for a clear and definitive response, and back to Rolley again. Ericson doesn't offer a comment on the exchange, but lets readers decide how to interpret the facts.

This is a well written, in-depth story. Mr. Ericson provides a good deal of fresh background on Mr. Rolley's life and career prior to his mayoral run. Mr. Ericson also cites sources (such as Mr. Berndt) who refute Mr. Rolley's narrative.

This piece expands nicely on earlier writings in the press, but there are no surprises, no questions that dig into things like how Baltimore could work better as a community or what would it take to get the community to unite behind being a better urban environment, what would it take to get developers to only build not only for the rich, what is a world-class city, can government be innovative??? Good journalism grabs me and makes me think, it should go beyond the facts.

A solid piece on somebody who desires to be influential to the future course of the city. Well researched and written.