Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry today formally declared his candidacy for the D.C. Council seat in Ward 8, saying he is emerging from political retirement to save his community from mismanaged schools, skyrocketing home prices and neglectful city leaders.

Dressed in an embroidered shirt from Ghana and a straw hat from Jamaica, a gaunt-looking Barry emerged from a borrowed Mercedes Benz at his campaign headquarters in the heart of the city's poorest political subdivision. Through nearly an hour of laudatory introductions, the 68-year-old former mayor sat quietly on a folding chair, sipping water.

When he finally rose to speak, his voice was purposeful and strong.

"I thought I had retired from electoral politics. I really had. Then I observed the scene in Ward 8 in particular, and the city in general. And I was horrified about what's happening," Barry told about 100 cheering supporters before launching into a diatribe against lousy city services and "failing" public schools.

Although he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, has survived prostate cancer and has been deviled at times by drug and alcohol addition, Barry said his health is good and he's ready to serve.

"Someone asked me, 'Are you up to it?' " Barry told the crowd. "Damn right I'm up to it! With age comes wisdom. You know that, too, don't you? With age comes wisdom."

Barry spoke under a fluttering green and white banner bearing his campaign slogan: "Ward 8 Needs a Fighter." But as he mounts a Democratic primary challenge against two-term incumbent Sandy Allen, one question in city political circles is: Does Ward 8 still need Marion Barry?

Much has changed since the ward rallied around the former mayor 12 years ago after his release from prison on misdemeanor drug charges. Then, Barry counted on the forgiveness of the impoverished senior citizens, single mothers and dispossessed men who dominate the ward. They elected him to the council and formed the political base for his march back to the mayor's office under the banner of personal redemption

But these days, young professionals and middle-class homebuyers are moving into many neighborhoods in far Southeast Washington, taxpayers more likely to be focused on property values than Barry's promises of free college tuition and summer jobs.

"Many young urban professionals are not happy about Barry entering the race. Many of us see it as a digression," said Yavocka Young, 35, an ANC commissioner who bought a house in the ward in 1991 and is working to revitalize the Anacostia historic district.

"He tends to nurture those people who are down on their luck. But we can't just soak up all the social services the city has to offer," she said. "We have to be able to get in the game."