Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said he has not actually seen William Donald Schaefer’s ghost in City Hall but he believes he resides there.
Scott clarified remarks he made Tuesday, when he told a gathering of Schaefer aides and colleagues that he believes the former mayor’s spirit haunts City Hall.
“I’m sure,” Scott said on Tuesday, “it’s he who visits me on Saturdays in the office when the elevator that requires a key opens by itself.”
The occasion was a celebration for what would have been the 100th birthday of Baltimore’s 44th mayor, who died in 2011. It was two days after Halloween, when some dress up as ghosts, and one day after All Saints’ Day, the day when Christians recognize those who have reached heaven. In Mexico, Nov. 1 and 2 are recognized as Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, a holiday to remember friends and family members who have died.
Scott, the 52nd mayor of Baltimore, elaborated on his remarks today, saying he wasn’t kidding about Schaefer haunting City Hall.
“It’s not a joke,” Scott said. “The elevator definitely opens by itself. It’s the reason why I don’t take it. I’ve known that elevator to do that since I was a mayoral staffer.”
In order to make the elevator work, Scott explained, “they have a key. The only way the elevator opens and operates is with a key in there. But if you’re in there on a Saturday, it’ll just open by itself.”
Has he ever seen Schaefer’s ghost in the elevator or the mayor’s office?
“No. I don’t see anybody.”
Then why does he think Schaefer is behind it?
“He’s the only one that’ll work on a Saturday, that’s why!”
