Marion Barry reveled in reclaiming his spot at the center of the city's political arena yesterday and promptly plunged into the debate over how and where a baseball stadium should be built in the District.
Beaming as he embraced one supporter after another at his campaign headquarters in the heart of Southeast Washington, Barry vowed that as Ward 8's D.C. Council member, he would defend the interests of the District's poorest residents, who he said have been shut out of the city's economic renaissance.
A day after his victory in the Ward 8 council primary, Marion Barry rushes to greet supporters on a bus on Martin Luther Avenue SE.
(Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post)
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"We're going to put 'East of the River' on the map," Barry said during an informal discussion with reporters outside his headquarters. "I'm going to make us one Washington, where east meets west."
The former four-term mayor, who soundly defeated incumbent Sandy Allen in Tuesday's Democratic primary, wasted no time in staking out positions on an array of issues, including the proposal by a fellow Democrat, Mayor Anthony A. Williams, to finance a publicly funded baseball stadium downtown through a tax on major businesses.
Barry said that he would oppose the use of any taxpayer funds for the project and that a stadium should be built on the property where Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium now stands.
In Georgetown, meanwhile, Major League Baseball officials met with local officials for about 12 hours yesterday on the city's bid for a baseball team. Williams stopped by the marathon session, but details of the discussions were not available. "It was a very productive meeting," said Mark Tuohey, chairman of the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission.
Major League Baseball President Robert DuPuy said the effect of Tuesday's elections, if any, on the city's baseball prospects was unclear. "We have no reason to believe that the elections have changed the D.C. offer unless and until we are told otherwise," he said.
Of public financing, Barry said: "Over my dead body. I don't believe we should spend one cent of taxpayer money on a stadium."
He added: "These owners stick you up. I won't let them stick you up."
As Barry spoke, motorists on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue slowed down to honk their horns, people waved from passing buses and some stopped to shake his hand. After five years out of public office, the former mayor was enjoying the prospect of his return -- virtually guaranteed by Tuesday's primary.
"Victory is mine. Victory today is mine," Barry sang softly beneath his ever-present straw hat.
Barry, who received no endorsements from elected leaders, called his triumph the most gratifying of his career because he had never faced so much opposition, including from friends such as the Rev. Willie F. Wilson. Wilson, longtime pastor of Anacostia's Union Temple Baptist Church, withheld his support this time, although he has supported the former mayor in past elections and Barry is a member of his congregation.
"It makes it sweeter," Barry said.
Wilson said that he did not think Barry would harbor any ill feelings and that he wouldn't be surprised if Barry came to church Sunday.
