Activists Give Their 2 Cents at Fundraiser

A former police officer in Oregon who returned to law enforcement after a brief stint as a tax lawyer, Baumann said he quickly became disillusioned with life on the force because "officers are treated horribly and unfairly." When he assumes his union post in April, Baumann promises to push aggressively to address problems with deployment and to fix "the miserable morale problem" among the rank and file.

"There are not enough police resources, not enough officers," he said.

Orange Scolds Front-Runners

Council member Vincent B. Orange Sr. is sharpening his attack. With polls showing support for Orange in the single digits in the race for mayor, the Ward 5 council member blasted the perceived front-runners -- council member Adrian M. Fenty (D-Ward 4) and chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) -- at a mayoral forum in Ward 8 last weekend, accusing them of voting to deny Ward 8 representative Marion Barry (D) a "seat at the table" in the Wilson Building.

Orange was referring to a council decision to let at-large council members Carol Schwartz , a Republican, and David A. Catania , an independent, continue to chair council committees, while three Democrats, including Barry, have no chairmanships.

"Why should David Catania decide whether or not you get a hospital?" Orange demanded of the Ward 8 crowd. "These are the kinds of decisions you need to look at. And I would never, ever vote for a mayor that makes those kinds of decisions."

Activist to Shadow Senator?

Longtime Ward 8 activist Philip Pannell has decided to challenge Florence H. Pendleton for the nonvoting (but still coveted) post of shadow senator.

"The issue of disenfranchisement and the issue of statehood really does not get the attention it deserves, particularly from the Democratic Party," Pannell said. "We need to engage our residents more in this struggle so we can have more of a national conversation about this."

Pannell, who can be blunt and outspoken in the service of a cause, was last seen battling Rev. Willie F. Wilson and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan for inclusion of a gay speaker at last fall's Millions More Movement. Pannell said he would bring the same passion to the statehood issue.

The District's current senators -- Pendleton and Paul Strauss -- "are definitely in the shadows," he said. "If I win, I don't think I'm going to be in the shadows. As a person who's not comfortable with closets, I'm equally uncomfortable with shadows."

Staff writer Lori Montgomery contributed to this report.