In Ward 8, Barry Strives to Reshape Legacy

The point was driven home a few weeks into his term when Barry proposed one of those creative budgeting maneuvers he was famous for as mayor. The plan found extra money for a low-income housing program, but it would have put a hole in future budgets.

Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) was having none of it.

Why not? a stunned Barry asked.

"Because we don't do business like that anymore," Cropp said.

Colleagues also have rejected Barry's calls for greater confrontation. When Barry called for council members to boycott the inaugural parade because the Bush administration was sticking the city with its bills, few followed.

Council members said Barry's poor health and frequent absences have reduced his influence on policy decisions.

Records show that Barry, who is paid $92,520 a year as a council member, has missed nearly a third of all meetings of the full council, more than any other member. Some of the 151 votes he has missed include those on raising the minimum wage, establishing a low-income housing tax credit fund and authorizing a $474,260 emergency payment to Greater Southeast Community Hospital.

Barry is also a District appointee to the Metro board, but he hasn't attended a board or committee meeting since February, agency records show.

Barry defended his sporadic attendance by saying his allegiance is to his ward.

"My priority is to be in my district as much as possible -- inspiring, educating, uplifting and doing things such as Elvans Road," Barry said. "Going to committee meetings is not as important."

He said other council members have focused on the legislative process to their political peril, noting that voters tossed out three incumbents last year, including Barry's predecessor, Sandy Allen.

"They lost -- all three of them," Barry said. "I'm not going to get stuck downtown."