Barry Seeks ‘Jaguar, Mercedes, or BMW’
Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry's on-again, off-again boycott went off again yesterday afternoon, when the mayor-for-life called LL to take issue with his "silly" item on Barry's new wheels.
To recap: LL noted that Barry is now driving an aging Toyota Corolla; it bears tags registered to the BMW that Barry used to drive and which happen to have $465 of parking tickets associated with them.
"You don't have anything better to do except write about tags [with] all the great problems of this city?" he asked. "Why don't you find something else to do?...Small minds think small."
Barry has a point. LL, however, retorted with a version of one of Barry's own lines: Don't judge him on one teensy blog item, but by his larger body of work!
Barry assured LL that the Toyota's tags had been legitimately transferred from his BMW, now unrepairable with a busted engine block, to the temporary Toyota while his dealer locates a more suitable ride.
"I'm looking for a Jaguar, a Mercedes, or a BMW," says Barry, currently in hock to the federal and District government for back taxes.
As for the four tickets he owes, Barry says he found out about them last week and immediately challenged them. Three of them were too old to challenge, he says, but he's pressing on with the fourth.
"Write it straight now," he told LL.
12:11 pm
I AM IN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH MR. BARRY, c'mon write something news worthy, this story is definitely NOT news worthy. Please write about the fact that Sinclair Skinner will NOT honor the Councils subpoena and appear as ordered. He, once again, is OUT OF THE COUNTRY ON BUSINESS...PULEEZE!!!
This is a newspaper, is it not, then report the news that people care about in an election year, not this trite mess!!!
12:13 pm
with 30% of his ward unemployed, and many more living paycheck to paycheck, a regular solid car isn't good enough for barry? he needs a luxury car?
step down, sir. you're an embarassment to public servants everywhere. you make me sick.
12:15 pm
@IMGoph. That was the first thing that came to my mind. Who is really out of touch with reality (and his constituents).
If Barry buys, rents or leases a luxury vehicle I think it is high time his garnishment is increased - clearly he has some extra dollars rolling around that can go pay his $400,000 in back taxes.
I am so glad I don't have his nerve in my tooth!
12:27 pm
Please someone in law enforcement run those tags to see if they were actually transferred. Last I checked having the incorrect tags on a vehicle or an unregistered auto was a lockup offense.
12:35 pm
City Paper keep the heat on this criminal CLOWN!
12:44 pm
Perhaps I am mistaken but you can't renew your registration with outstanding tickets right? I am doubtful the city would let you transfer tags if you have outstanding tickets either.
Just a thought.
12:52 pm
Don't judge him on one teensy blog item, but by his larger body of work!
Point to Debonis, I am getting a little tired of these "Car" articles (even the Mayors) but Your overall body of work is the best local politcs news out there!
2:00 pm
@Advoc8te:
Interesting point about the tickets. People are supposed to have "clean hands" before they can transact business with DMV.
Honestly, it's hard to know where one scam ends and another begins.
2:41 pm
Barry thinks the rules apply to everyone but him. His sense of entitlement, especially since he is a major tax scofflaw, is appalling.
3:25 pm
Advoc8te I believe has it correct. Please follow up Mike because you know if Marion is speaking he is lying.
3:45 pm
@Wendy: With all due respect, you are an idiot.
7:57 pm
Barry's assertion that he just found out about the first three tickets last week simply cannot withstand scrutiny. Those tickets were issued many, many months ago. Even assuming the ridiculous, ie, that someone snatched all 3 off his car before he saw them, the city sends follow up letters when the fines double. And how could the BMW tags lawfully be on the Corolla at the same time the BMW was in for repair? Remember, Barry was driving the Mercedes one month ago only because the BMW was in the shop.
Barry, please take an extended trip abroad with Graham.
5:56 pm
@Skipper so is your mother for birthing such a piss idiot as youself!!! Oh, and I have no respect for you!!!
I read the paper for news not prattle; this article is just prattle, not news.
5:07 pm
Show the mayor a little respect. He's above the law, and don't you forget it!