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Tag: councilman

  • Marion Barry: Former D.C. Mayor Released From Hospital

    Marion Barry, the former mayor of the District of Columbia and councilman since 2005, has been released from a physical rehabilitation facility where he spent 16 days regaining his mobility and receiving treatment for blood and urinary tract infections resulting from diabetes. The councilman has had two other hospitalizations this year; his most recent stay was in the Medstar National Rehabilitation Network.

    He was released on Wednesday, a day before his 78th birthday. Before he was discharged, he jokingly said to reporters, “I’m the most popular elected official in the city.” He was certainly in good spirits, and he said that he is determined to serve out the remainder of his term as councilman, which expires in 2016.

    He stated that his health condition was not as severe as some had made it out to be. However, he will be putting his health “at the top of the agenda,” and taking more time to care for himself.

    Barry admits he had been preoccupied with taking care of everyone else and helping others that he had neglected to look after his own health. He represents Ward 8 on the D.C. Council, and is now on his third consecutive term. The area has been known to be the city’s most impoverished.

    The former mayor is gearing himself up for weeks of physical therapy, but he is up to the challenge. He also mentioned that he had managed to climb a flight of stairs successfully, and that he is a fighter. “I guess God gave me a certain amount of courage,” he said.

    In 2009, Barry was hospitalized for kidney failure and he underwent an organ transplant. Aside from having diabetes, he is a prostate cancer survivor. He is a controversial figure, being known for his alcohol addiction and drug abuse, among other scandals. He had also been arrested in 1990 for cocaine use during his third term as mayor, and was sentenced to six months in prison.

    Marion Barry Has Nine Lives

    Image via YouTube

  • Klingon Letter Of Resignation Submitted By Councilman

    Indian Trail, N.C. councilman David Waddell surprised fellow council after handing in his resignation letter. The resignation was not the surprise. Mr. Waddell, a grown man and a real politician, penned his letter in Klingon.

    For those who may be unfamiliar, Klingon a fictional race/language that comes from the popular Star Trek TV series. This is how David Waddell chose to resign; he thought it would be funny.

    “Folks don’t know what to think of me half the time,” said Waddell, so “I might as well have one last laugh”

    David Waddell said that the resignation will take effect from Jan, 31.

    Knowing that Klingon will be problematic for people to understand, Waddell decided to add a Bing Translation to the sentences.

    “Teach (the) city (the) constitution. I will return next time to witness victory. Resignation occurs in 2014 the 31st of January. Perhaps today is a good day (to) resign.” Waddell term would have expired in 2015.

    The letter was delivered to the town mayor, who was not amused by the gesture. He described it as childish and embarrassing.

    “It’s an embarrassment for Indian Trail, and it’s an embarrassment for North Carolina,” he said. However, the mayor wished him well. “I wish him the best, live long and prosper. I don’t know what else to say,” Alvarez said.

    (image)In an interview on Thursday, Waddell elaborated on his reasons for resigning. Waddell cited the town’s laxity to implement development plans and poor response to public records access as part of his reason for resignation.

    On the other hand, Mayor Alvarez said that Waddell was a conservative minority among development-minded liberals who are trying to improve the area’s infrastructure. He also said Waddell was constantly opposing everything including motions for adjournment.

    Waddell, a former plumber, said that he would be more useful if he attended board meetings as a citizen. The time would also allow him to speak out on community issues and possibly campaign for a senate seat.

    His replacement will be deliberated later this month.

    Main image via YouTube, image of  Waddell via Indiantrail.org