The news of D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown’s leasing of a luxury SUV for over $1,900 a month—after a first model was rejected—is reverberating around a city bound in financial straits.
On Feb. 22, the chairman apologized and said he had returned the vehicle to the Department of Public Works. He said he also plans to reimburse the city for his share of the use of vehicle once the lease is renegotiated.
“I apologize for the disruption this has caused, and I regret that I appeared insensitive to the financial challenges our city and residents face,” he said in a statement. “As Chairman of the Council, it is my duty to make responsible fiscal decisions regarding the District’s use of tax payer dollars. The fact that DPW procured the vehicle for nearly $2,000 a month is an unacceptable use of city funds.”
Here, District residents sound off on the issue:
Photos by Valencia Mohammed
 Jane Johnson, senior citizen organizer “Frank Nitti (Mayor Gray) and his boy (Kwame Brown) need proper rides but I think in this economy a tricycle would do.” |
 Nadean Williams, northwest resident SUV2 “Is he serious? He’s crazy! It’s not fair for him to ride around in luxury while government workers suffer. It just doesn’t make sense. Did he think we would not find out sooner or later?” |
 Valentine Jackson, master barber, Master’s Touch “I think it was a very bad decision. Did he honestly think he could pass this by educated voters? With the political climate the way it is, voters are watching everything politicians do. This is the same guy who overspent his own personal finances. Now he’s after ours.” |
 John Robinson, northwest resident “Kwame knew exactly what he was doing. Just like Johnson, he got caught. Something is beginning to smell real funky. He’s all about himself.” |
 Paul Pederson, warehouse worker “I think it’s corrupt. D.C.’s political leaders all behave this way. It is indicative of what they have been getting away with for years. They are going after the poor and working class to balance the budget while they continue to abuse and misuse city funds.” |
 Leo Alexander, entrepreneur, 2010 mayoral candidate “When I first heard about this, I had a ‘Huggy Low Down’ moment. Chairman Kwame Brown will definitely be a contender for ‘Bama of the Year!’ However, in all seriousness, this is a blatant example of a country club mentality that our local politicians have in the Wilson building. They are completely tone deaf – a $600 million deficit means nothing to them as long as they can continue to receive their perks, hire and pay their friends and family exorbitant salaries with our money.” |
