Barry's Challengers in Ward 8 Race Eager to Take the Community Into a New Era

Young, a former advisory neighborhood commissioner, has lived in the ward for 15 years. She has focused on junk car removal and nuisance properties and sees the need for more affordable housing. But she said residents need to be told that public housing is "for a hard time, not a lifetime" and that 90 percent of all welfare recipients are single mothers -- a statistic that could be used to deter young women from having children on their own.

"That's the surest way to poverty," she said.

Another challenger, Charles Wilson, 32, moved to Ward 8 three years ago, settling in historic Anacostia. He is the co-founder of the Historic Anacostia Block Association, which draws new and old residents to monthly meetings to socialize, get updates on crime and hash out major issues. Wilson counts as his, and the organization's, biggest accomplishment bringing nearly $1 million in city grants to fix porches, repair roofs and spruce up 53 historic homes in his neighborhood. It was a little-used program that Wilson rallied neighbors to utilize.

In the midst of the election campaign, hammers are flying and concrete is being poured, spicing up homes that needed a touch-up. Not bad for candidate Wilson.

But incumbency has its privileges.

When a city agency tried to tax the grants of up to $35,000 to homeowners, Barry got a bill passed to stop it. And even without such help, Wilson said, residents remain emotionally attached to Barry. "People are afraid to let go," Wilson said. "But the ward is bigger than one person. Ward 8 needs youthful, bright and energetic young leadership to bring us together."

The most veteran of Barry's challengers is Sandra Seegars, who has run twice before. Four years ago, she got 5 percent of the vote. Seegars, an advisory neighborhood commissioner from Congress Heights, said that although Barry talks of a new Ward 8, most of the new housing is unaffordable to longtime residents. She is also concerned about what will happen at Poplar Point, the 110-acre site where the city is planning shops, housing and possibly a soccer stadium.

"I don't want a new Ward 8," she said. "I want it improved for the people that are here."

For Seegars, that means more police on the beat, walking or riding Segways. It means less-restrictive gun laws to allow citizens to arm themselves against criminals. And it means allowing Ward 8 residents to buy single 16-ounce beers at their corner store.

The D.C. Council, with Barry's support, recently passed a bill to expand the ban on single sales to wards 7 and 8. The measure, meant to cut down on loitering and public drunkenness, awaits congressional approval. Seegars said the ban discriminates against people who can't afford a six-pack or a case. Barry's response is simple: "Some people can't afford to drink."

Ahmad Braxton-Jones, 34, also dislikes the ban on single beers. But the candidate's primary message is that he is the type of leader the city needs to reach out to young people. For the past several years, Braxton-Jones has worked with youths in Woodland, helping them find jobs and stay out of trouble. It's time, he said, to make everyone -- young men on the corners, ex-offenders, young mothers -- believe that they can get a good job and support their families.

"We can sit on the front of the bus. We can vote," he said. "But can we have an economic prosperity that is inclusive of all residents? There is a disconnect between opportunity and the community."

Howard Brown, 22, said he is running against Barry because the same problems -- poverty, hopelessness -- that existed when he was born are still present. His primary campaign goal is to create an environment in which 100 percent of students graduate from high school. Currently, the figure is 47 percent. He blames the old-timers.

"We have a lot of people who have been in office with 'proven track records,' but that hasn't helped our community grow," Brown said. "We're talking about the same issues."

What's needed, Brown said, is someone to inspire residents to pick up the trash in front of their homes, to push for city recreation facilities, to report neglect and abuse, and to advocate for schools to remain open 24 hours a day.

"The truth stares us in the face every day," Brown said. "We have to change it."

At forums and debates, Barry has listened to his challengers and their critiques. But he doesn't give what they say much weight.

"It's easy to write a position paper," he said. "I have a proven track record."