At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown can chalk up a win for female power in the District government. Along the way, he got some sweet payback on a political rival as well.
On May 31, at the request of Mayor Adrian Fenty, Council Chairman Vincent Gray introduced a confirmation resolution for Narda Newby to serve on the D.C. [...]
References Available for Comment
When you're a young, inexperienced administrator jumping into a demanding job, it's always nice to have some good references. It's even better if they are available for comment at your job announcement.
When Acting D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee was introduced to the press today, Mayor Adrian Fenty made sure her patron was [...]
D.C.'s two rookie councilmembers engaged in their first head-to-head negotiation over a pressing matter today. The talks took place over the traditional council breakfast, where members hash out their differences before each bimonthly legislative meeting.
It wasn't exactly a big fight. The battle was over seating arrangements on the council dais for Ward 7's Yvette Alexander [...]
You might think At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown and Mayor Adrian Fenty have reason to be political rivals. After all, Brown was a co-chair of the Linda Cropp for Mayor campaign. His father was a field operative for Cropp. Brown also spiked the nomination of one of Fenty's fundraising wizards, lobbyist Max Brown, who was up [...]
With the Opening Day for D.C. pools fast approaching, the big questions are starting to be raised for Mayor Adrian Fenty: The queries don't have to do with whether residents will be charged admission to swim or if the Department of Parks and Recreation will have enough money for summer programs.
The pressing issue involves a [...]
Here's a little something Ivy City residents who might have concerns about adult-themed clubs coming to their neighborhood should know: You already have one.
Club proprietor Bob Siegel isn't waiting to rebuild his adult-themed empire after his eviction from the stadium site. In order for Siegel to serve drinks and have live entertainment, he needs the [...]
Ex-councilmember Vincent Orange wasn’t the only D.C. dealmaker who felt it necessary to be seen at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention.
Board of Education President Robert Bobb was on hand. According to sources, he was there to mingle with several of his consulting-gig clients. Ubiquitous lobbyist John Ray wouldn’t miss a chance to schmooze [...]
When Vincent B. Orange Sr. was the councilmember from Ward 5, he never tired of talking about his biggest success. Orange claimed to have wrangled the Brentwood Home Depot during a trip to Las Vegas. For at least five years, the councilmember was part of the city's delegation to the gambling mecca for the annual [...]
D.C. congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is taking up the task of keeping the Post's corrections column up to date. A missive from her spokesperson Doxie McCoy arrived via e-mail shortly before 11 a.m. indicating that a Washington Post story which stated that an unnamed Republican had placed a hold on the school reform bill [...]
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans got screwed when the council passed pay raises for themselves last December.
The law grants raises only to councilmembers sworn in after Jan. 1, 2007. The starting salary for the two rookie lmembers who will be sworn in Tuesday night will be $122,000. Council vet Evans remains at the low end [...]
After a tough campaign, some political operatives might kick back for a while. And it seems like a person who worked from the 2005 beginning of mayoral election season straight through to the May 1, 2007, special election in Ward 4 would deserve a long vacation.
Not John Falcicchio. The guy who was "Johnny Business" for [...]
Mayor Adrian Fenty's staff is lucky they were turning their draft paper on school governance in only to their boss. Had it been delivered to an 11th-grade social studies teacher in the D.C. Public Schools, the author would be in real trouble.
Since the Fenty crowd is so fond of borrowing from the policies of other [...]
Finally—proof that payoffs for political favors can be beneficial for city residents.
Last Saturday, during an auction to benefit Eaton Elementary School, a basketball in a display case signed by Washington Wizards all-star Gilbert Arenas brought in $300 for the school. The ball, which is now in the hands of an unnamed Eaton parent, was donated [...]
During his days on the D.C. Council, Harold Brazil sometimes used fashion changes to make statements on various legislative matters.
In 2002, when the city faced a tight budget, Brazil shaved his trademark mustache as a sign of austerity. He wore a red Nationals baseball cap during key moments of the baseball stadium debate. After he [...]
Victor Vandell may have lost the special election in Ward 7 to Yvette Alexander, but he certainly spent his last day as a candidate riding in style.
LL spotted Vandell leaving one voting precinct in a dark-colored luxury car, complete with a driver. The car drew a lot of attention from poll workers, mainly because it [...]
