D.C.'s Race for Mayor: A Candidate Forum
D.C's race for mayor is entering a pivotal stretch, with the Democratic primary looming on September 14th. Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray are the front-running candidates in the contest. Join us as Fenty and Gray sit down in the studio with Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood to talk about the challenges facing the city.
Guests
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Video
You can watch the entire debate in 3 parts on our YouTube channel.
A poll released this week indicated a stark divide for the leading candidates along racial lines. Kojo asks Mayor Adrian Fenty (D) and Mayoral Candidate Vincent Gray (D) about the significance of this polling, and how issues like streetcars and dogparks have developed racial subtexts.
Fenty and Gray discuss controversial firings in DC Public Schools, including allegations by some union leaders that the firings were racially motivated:
Fenty and Gray talk about their budget priorities, beginning with education:
Fenty and Gray respond to a caller's question about a recent election law that the mayor vetoed:
Comments
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Question for candidates:
Many DC neighborhoods have terrible parking for residents (especially for those without off-street parking). All electric cars (Nissan Leaf) are great for the environment. Do you see any hope for the future of electric cars in DC? Residents with garages seem to have no chance.
Mainline press reports have indicated that the Office of Mayor Fenty circumvented the Council's legal right and obligation to review and approve or disapprove city contracts valued at $1 million or more by obligating funds for DC recreation facilities through the independent DC Housing Authority. The Housing Authority--led by Fenty appointees, following the unfortunate departure of distinguished Director Michael Kelley--subsequently issued contracts for development of those recreation facilities to contractors with personal ties to the Mayor.
It is no secret that Mayor Fenty has pinned his re-election hopes on voters in Wards 2, 3, and 4, who appear to be turning a blind eye to what all evidence suggests is, at best, inappropriate--and at worst, illegal--manipulation of government rules for the benefit of those with personal ties to the Mayor. Indeed, the Mayor's support appears still to be strong among those voters--many of whom would have been outraged by such behavior if committed by a certain unnamed previous Mayor.
I'm amazed that we are even at the point of this candidate debate. How is it that Mayor Fenty has not yet suffered indictment of public opinion from every corner of the city, not to mention prosecutorial action from the US Attorney's Office?
Fairly significant funding has been and is planned to be sole-sourced to the Peaceaholics http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/Fenty-backer-in-line-for-no-b.... It is reported that the majority of that is for salaries and real estate. This article indicates the reason for the mayor's sponsorship of this organization is because the DC government offices that are responsible for the issues that Peaceaholics are allegedly addressing are ineffective. http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/37925/what-cost-peace What metrics does the Mayor go by that makes him confident that investing in Peaceaholics versus his own offices is in the best interest of his constituents?
Just saw this from @MoElleithee Fenty on Peaceoholics: I Don't Need Any Statistics http://t.co/qokBvpj
Fenty: when you were elected in 2007 you were all for DC statehood, what happened? @GrayforMayor: what is your position? #dcmayor
DC police have lost DNA evidence in more than 200 rape cases. If re-elected what is your plan for DC to build its own crime lab? #dcmayor http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/crime/Feds_-D_C_-police-have-los...
What development projects are happening and have happened in Ward 6, specifically the SW Waterfront during the Fenty Administration? Schools? Rec Centers?
Two of the most important groups in any community are seniors and our youth. What has the Fenty administration done specifically to enhance the lives of these two populations? What are future plans?
BACKGROUND: Both candidates should be familiar with “Ready, Willing and Working” (RWW) --- a 501c3 non-profit corporation that empowers homeless and formerly incarcerated men to break the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency and criminal recidivism by providing work opportunities, holistic programs and supportive services that allow the individuals to achieve permanent self-sufficiency.
This program is modeled after New York’s hugely successful “Ready, Willing & Able” (RWA) program – which has the full support of Mayor Bloomberg. Over 67% of participants who sign up for the program graduate into market-rate housing, private sector jobs and will likely never see another homeless shelter or be incarcerated again. RWW is seeing similar results in DC.
(Mr. Nnamdi may be familiar with RWW as he hosted our annual fundraiser “Magic & Miracles at the Mansion” last December and met many of the men who are in the program.)
Washington DC has one of the highest unemployment, homelessness and criminal recidivism rates in the country. Continuing to “warehouse” the homeless in low-barrier shelters with no work opportunities or supportive services only perpetuates the situation. Yet, the City continues to fund and support the low-barrier shelter system, as is evident in its decision to turn the Historic Gales School into another low-barrier (and even faith-based) shelter, 4 blocks away from the largest shelter in the District.
As the Nation’s Capital we could be a shining example of how to reduce homelessness by supporting proven programs like Ready, Willing & Working.
QUESTION: What is either candidate going to do to take real steps in solving homelessness and criminal recidivism in DC?
RWW website: http://readywillingworking.wordpress.com/
Mayor Fenty took a stand on changing the taxi system from zone to meter, Mr. Gray seems to be courting and taking the taxi drivers support - some have handed out flyers to riders they pick up - this has me concerned that Mr. Gray supports the idea of going back to zones. What has Mr. Gray promised to the taxi drivers in the city to have won over their support? Can Mr. Gray come out now and say he supports the meter system we now have in place?
While I understand that it may be rather like herding cats, it would be nice if Tom and/or Kojo would try to get the Mayor and the Chairman to actually answer the questions asked. It seems that even questions calling for a yes or no answer are being blatantly ignored. For example, do you think that the Chancellor should be sensitive to race in firing decisions? Or not?
I support Adrian Fenty and thank him for making DC a bike friendly city. As a young professional and homeowner in the District, I take advantage of being able to ride our bikes to work. This is one of the reasons why my husband and I decided to buy a house in DC.
With all the safety issues happening with metro and the release of the NTSB findings from the June 22, 2009 fatal accident that killed nine people. (1) Why has the mayor and council kept silent? (2) What is the city going to do to ensure the safety of DC residents? Please ask