Photo by erin_m
Good morning, Washington. Word spread quickly Monday that D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray was poised to announce his candidacy for mayor this week, likely on Thursday. WUSA9’s Bruce Johnson felt comfortable enough with what his well-placed sources were telling him that he ran with the story. But for his part, Gray is still trying to put on the brakes. Here’s the statement his office put out last night after the evening news:
“This evening it was reported on WUSA 9 News Now that Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray will announce in a few days that he is running for mayor. However, Gray said tonight he has not made up his mind on his intentions. The Chairman added he will not address the issue further with the media until the time comes when he officially announces a decision on his future plans.”
The District’s primary elections are now just six months away. Gray may still be claiming not to have made up his mind, but he’s certainly starting to run out of time.
Fenty Announces Jobs Program: D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty joined with the Washington Interfaith Network last night to announce a new program that will offer seasonal jobs installing home weatherproofing to 700 D.C. residents. Employees will receive job training and earn $13.25 to $25 per hour, the Post reports, and low income residents can also sign up to be the beneficiaries of said weatherproofing. With D.C.’s unemployment rate sitting at 12 percent, Fenty is looking for ways to improve that figure.
Parking Enforcement Beefs Up Again: Already feel like D.C.’s parking enforcement efforts are plenty zealous? Well it’s only going to get more hardcore, as more than two dozen new parking enforcement officers are about to begin job training, Alana Goodman reports in The Examiner. More importantly, the story makes sure to note that D.C.’s budget is leaning heavily on projected revenue from the tickets these additional officers are expected to issue, which would be great if people were already paying the tickets the city is giving out now. But thanks, presumably, to the economy, that’s not actually happening. “Millions in lost ticket revenue would compound D.C.’s already colossal budget troubles. District revenues are running $225 million short in fiscal 2010.”
Briefly Noted: Man, 20, charged in first Arlington homicide of 2010 … DCPS cash for grades program is running out of money … Fatal shooting on Langston Place SE … Ted Loza trial set for Oct. 4.
This Day in DCist: One year ago, Jim Graham withdrew his anti-loitering bill, and three years ago, we were gearing up for a spate of anti-war protests.
