This is absolutely a vote of no confidence in the mayor and it's plain to see. The reality of the matter is this: take a look at Shorter's resume---the guy is highly educated, well-credentialed, with a career that has spanned across multiple higher-performing and more functionally governed municipalities than Baltimore. As intelligent as he is, he's assessed the trajectory/competency/quality of city government and decided that, with him being here for less than 2 years, it is no longer worth his professional time and efforts to support the Scott Administration, regardless of Shorter being the city's first administrator and believing that he is doing transformational work. So Shorter's departure is very telling.

On top of that, the spin job by Mayor Scott's Senior Communications Director, Monica Lewis, is nothing short of incredible.

>“I’m sure people will begin to wonder about turnover but it’s very clear that Mayor Scott and this administration view it as an honor when other municipalities tap talent that is here,” Lewis said. “We firmly believe that it’s a testament to the strides that are being taken in the administration. People are not picked for opportunities like this unless they are doing great work.”

No Monica; we aren't stupid. Shorter was talented when he got here, not because working for Baltimore City government suddenly fostered development of his talents, sufficient to bring Prince William County knocking at our door to tap him as a new hire with them. Shorter doesn't believe in the vision and went looking for something else; his departure is NOT a testament to the strides being taken in the Scott Administration. It's more than slightly condescending on Lewis' part to think that anyone would go for this line of reasoning.