TWT | SIMMONS: For Marion Barry, this election’s different

Another thought provoking piece by Deborah Simmons of The Washington Times.  I must admit that her observation is spot on in regards to the Ward 8 community's overall perception of Barry's role (or perceived lack of action) in the fight against Calvary's plans to open a homeless shelter right on Anacostia's main street. A schism is nothing new but from what I have observed from many Ward 8 residents is that the complaints of poor leadership have moved from whispers to shouts to actions and that must be very concerning to any incumbent. Including video from the Calvary community meeting earlier this month highlighting an example of such a shift.

Your thoughts? Is there a divide? Are Ward 8 residents becoming frustrated with the idea of another Barry reign or is this "much ado about nothing"?

Go HERE for the full article.

Excerpt:

Unlike all of the other elections since he won his first in 1971, Mr. Barryisn’t battling the white man, Jim Crow, voter apathy or even a Republican. 

No, this time, Mr. Barry, 75, is in a war with an incumbent: himself.
See, Mr. Barry has been on the wrong side of several political and class skirmishes recently. 

The one that stands out is a NIMBY issue. 

Mr. Barry supported a 50-bed homeless shelter for women on prime Southeast real estate, while very vocal middle-class and working-class residents opposed the site but embraced the cause. 

And who could reasonably argue against either of the voters’ stances? After all, there were at least a half-dozen other sites the city could have chosen in Southeast.

Also interesting is that Simmons highlights the following challengers especially as potential threats come Election Day (which also tracks with what I am hearing/seeing in the streets):

So remember these Democrats’ names:
• Jacque Patterson, former chairman of the Ward 8 Democrats.
• Natalie Williams, who had Mr. Barry’s support to run the Ward 8 Dems but lost.
• Jauhar Abraham, whose credibility was ensnarled in an anti-crime contracting scandal.

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