Call them the East of the River Bunch or DC3: They are the three new council members -- Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large) and Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) -- who hail from east of the Anacostia River. They are meeting regularly to keep each other informed and to plot strategy.
After all, three votes are better than one.
The goal of this loose confederation is to ensure that some of the city's poorest and neediest neighborhoods start wielding some political clout. But some City Hall observers are wondering whether this confederation will hold up if an issue comes along that pits political self-interest against the greater interests of their little kaffeeklatsch.
In the meantime, the three new amigos have brought on some seasoned staffers:
• Barry has hired PR maven and former campaign spokeswoman Linda Greene as his top aide in the John A. Wilson Building.
• Brown has hired Keith Perry, who lost a Democratic primary challenge two years ago to Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6).
• And Gray has hired as executive assistant Dawn Slonneger, a lawyer who worked with him at Covenant House.
Brazil's Prompt Return
It must have been homecoming day at the D.C. Council. Former at-large council member Harold Brazil, who left office on Jan. 2, showed up at the Wilson Building for Tuesday's council meeting, offering warm greetings to his former colleagues and whispered asides to aides and others present.
Early in the meeting, Brazil, a Democrat, held court in the hallway outside the council chambers.
"I'm just saying hello,'' he told anyone who asked what he was doing at the meeting. A lawyer by trade, Brazil said he's not representing any clients with business before the council. Not yet, anyway.
"I'm just keeping my eyes open,'' he said.
Current council members joked that Tuesday may have been the first time in the 14 years since he was first elected that Brazil has shown up on time for a council session.
Asked about that possibility, Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) laughed good-naturedly. "I'm not touching that one,'' she said.
Barry Bounces Back
Also on hand for Tuesday's council session: Former mayor Barry, who spent five days in the hospital last week for treatment of a bacterial infection with flu-like symptoms. At the Wilson Building, Barry appeared to be in good health and good spirits, joking with aides, slapping the backs of colleagues and cosponsoring practically every piece of legislation introduced.
