Fenty Willing to Step on Toes In Sprint to Solve D.C. Issues

The fire that destroyed Eastern Market had been extinguished for only a few hours when Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced a plan to pay millions of dollars to rebuild it.

No matter that the District's chief financial officer was on vacation and had not certified the decision to use surplus tax money. Or that Fenty did not know how much the reconstruction would cost. Or that the D.C. Council would have to pass legislation to make it happen.

To Fenty (D), acting quickly to maintain public confidence was more important than sweating the details, which he figured could be worked out later.

This approach was typical of the mayor's governing style during his first four months in office. In a hectic week, Fenty has sought to demonstrate that he will respond rapidly to residents in need, have an active hand in all city issues and make quick decisions when necessary. At the same time, his front-and-center method has created political tension. Other top city officials want to be included in the decision-making.

"I wanted to translate to the community that we're on the scene and that we take these incidents seriously," Fenty said of his plan to rebuild Eastern Market and the Georgetown public library, which burned within hours of each other Monday. "These two buildings represent the great history of our neighborhoods, and we're committed to getting them back as quickly as possible."

In the course of just a few days, Fenty exhibited the political sensibility that helped him cruise to office by sweeping every precinct: He held several news conferences and spent several hours at the fires. He lent his political clout to candidates in Tuesday's special elections for two open seats on the D.C. Council. He sanctioned some city workers and supported others. And he met with a grieving mother.

It is a governing style that might take some getting used to for a city familiar with the detached, deliberate style of his predecessor, Anthony A. Williams (D).

"The mayor responded so quickly that it doesn't even give people time to speculate or grouse what the response will be," said council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), whose turf includes Eastern Market. "The mayor stayed ahead of everyone else."

But, despite Fenty's relentless public politicking, the week was not completely smooth.

Aides to Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) grumbled that Fenty failed to invite her to a session Monday afternoon about how the government would respond to the fires. After all, she was on Capitol Hill lobbying for federal funds to help in the recovery.

And the office of finance chief Natwar M. Gandhi was surprised by the mayor's announcement that the city would use surplus tax money for the rebuilding effort. Gandhi has not certified a tax surplus and will not comment until next week, a spokeswoman said.

Still, Fenty remained sure of his footing. Since taking office, he has scored a wave of political victories, including the passage of his school takeover plan by the council. These successes seem to have emboldened him.