Maybe It Was the Free Chicken

"There is a direct link between good schools and a reduced crime rate," Holder said.

Holder, who once contemplated his own run for the mayor's office, said no other candidate even came close to winning his support. Public safety, Holder said, does not lend itself to on-the-job training.

Graham Rival Pleads Guilty

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Chad Williams , council member Jim Graham's only challenger for the Ward 1 seat in the Democratic primary, pleaded guilty last week in D.C. Superior Court to simple assault against his ex-girlfriend.

In March, according to the police report, Williams dragged Yvette Ross 15 feet and pushed her, head-first, onto concrete in front of his house.

The couple, who'd had an on-again, off-again relationship since 2004, were arguing over money.

Williams, 34, said he did not drag Ross 15 feet.

"I did grab her. . . . I grabbed her by the shoulder and escorted her out of my house," he said.

But in an interview, Ross described the incident as more of a grab-and-drag.

"He grabbed me in the kitchen of his home and he dragged me to his door. From the kitchen to the door, it's about 15 feet," Ross, 31, said.

According to the police report and Ross, the two were arguing over a handwritten promissory note. Williams said he had borrowed $1,500 from Ross.

"I needed some money quick. . . . I just never got around to getting it back to her," he said, adding that he had supported Ross financially in the past. "I didn't think she should be trippin' over $1,500."

Other than a gift, Ross said she could not recall financial assistance from Williams. When he borrowed the money, "he said he needed the money right away for his daughter," Ross said.