Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty Sounds Like a Real Charmer/Asshole

Thumbnail image for Cover-8.jpg
Via WCP/Darrow Montgomery.
Washington, D.C.'s got a mayoral election coming up. As such, there's no better time for the Washington City Paper's Alan Suderman to run a terrific profile on the incumbent, Adrian Fenty, entitled "Adrian Fenty is a Jerk." Quite the thesis! How so?

Cops Think He's An Ass: Fenty acts friendly to officers when there are other people around. But when it's just Fenty or his confidantes, the mayor acts "very pompous and very much an ass," rarely bothering to acknowledge the security guys' presence.

Staffers Think He's An Asshole: "He runs his ship by fear; people are afraid of him," says one staffer. "He's one of the biggest assholes I've ever met in my life."

He Reportedly Thinks He's "The Fucking Mayor": Last December, according to multiple sources, Fenty kicked a trash can, slammed a door, and screamed, "I'm the fucking mayor," after learning that some much-hated New Jersey Avenue NW billboards were being removed without his being present for a photo-op. A Fenty campaign spokesman disputes the details of that event.

His Social Skills Have "Room for Improvement": "I think his social skills have a lot of room for improvement," says Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander. "It's gotten completely out of control."

A Shriveled Up Caterpillar May Present A Worthy Political Adversary: "I'd vote for a little dead bug before I'd vote for Fenty," said a retired schoolteacher at a recent Ward 7 straw poll.

The other side of the City Paper's story portrays Fenty's abrasive personality as a plus, something that "cuts through the bullshit" of what politicians typically wear 24/7. And of a guy who's overseen a period of supposedly decent living in D.C.

"The city's population is growing. People are generally happy with city services. Murders are down. And there's no imminent cliff the city's about to drive off.

Not knowing much about D.C., besides the fact that there's nothing to do there but run for office and smoke crack, a blogger from New York can't weigh in with proficiency on Fenty's record for civic change, though we can speak on the long tradition of assholes being able to get things done, for better or for worse.

This, however, speaks volumes to Fenty's perspective:

[Fenty] self-consciously tried to style himself in the mold of New York City's CEO-turned-mayor, Michael Bloomberg: steamrolling through adversity, making his agenda reality through sheer force of will.
As any New Yorker could tell you, if Fenty sincerely thinks its "sheer force of will" that has made Bloomberg's agenda a reality, he's pretty short of where he needs to be, both in perspective, and in his wallet. By, like, a few million. Fair warning: Know what you're getting yourself into, D.C.

[fkamer@villagevoice.com]

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: (Sent out every Thursday) Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy
Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

Links

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy