Vincent C. Gray faces several challenges: a looming fiscal crisis, a divided city, and associations with individuals and businesses with questionable ethics. Unless addressed promptly and forthrightly, they could severely damage his mayoralty — even before he’s inaugurated.
The current budget shortfall of $175 million has been addressed somewhat by the hiring and spending freeze ordered last month by Mayor Adrian Fenty. But Gray has said the problem could balloon to more than $300 million by 2012 — the first budget for which would be responsible. Before he talks tax hikes, Gray has to reduce spending, cutting programs and streamlining agencies. Failing to take such action could signal he lacks toughness.
Contrary to popular belief, the city’s poor and working class aren’t the only ones suffering. Middle- and upper-income citizens have seen dramatic drops in the return on their investments. The values of other assets also have declined. In other words, the economy has been an equal-opportunity destroyer. Few people can afford tax increases.
But reaching that delicate fiscal balance may be easier than bridging the city’s racial and economic divides or stepping away from friends and campaign associates who raise eyebrows among voters.
Nearly 28,000 individuals — 24 percent of voters in the general election — appeared to have participated in the campaign to write in Fenty’s name. The coalition that led the effort now has formed Progress for DC. The group has promised to scrutinize the new mayor’s policies and politics.
Gray spokesperson, Doxie McCoy, said Gray knows he has “a lot of work to do to bring together a divided city.” The “one city committee” under his transition team will “help lead that effort,” she said, adding, “[He] will work every day to reach those who did not vote for him.”
But that outreach could be for naught. Some of those voters already are comparing Gray with former Mayor Marion Barry. They cite Gray’s decision to hold a victory part at Love nightclub, whose owners owe the city nearly $1 million in business and personal taxes. It’s unclear whether Marc and Ann Barnes used the money from the event to pay down their debt.
Critics also have pointed to individuals Gray has appointed to his transition team, including its director. Reuben Charles II appears to have left a trail of unpaid taxes and bad debts in cities and states where he lived or worked before coming to the District three years ago.
McCoy said Gray has “made an inquiry” to the city’s chief financial officer about the Barneses’ debt and that Charles is working “to clarify any concerns” about his finances. “While no appointments to the Gray administration have been made yet,” McCoy said, “we remain confident in Mr. Charles’ ability to play a central role in the transition.”
The mayor-elect’s failure to cut the cord between himself and Charles won’t help connect him to disaffected voters, especially those who consider him a 21st-century version of Barry. Surely Gray knows once perceptions solidify, they almost never change.
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. E-mail her at [email protected].
