Fenty friend approved for public service panel
By: Michael Neibauer
Examiner Staff Writer
March 3, 2009
The D.C. Council on Tuesday approved the nomination of Lori Lee, Michelle Fenty’s closest friend, to the D.C. Public Service Commission. Mayor Adrian Fenty first nominated Lee, a lawyer, to chair the District’s utility regulator last summer, but the appointment was held up amid public outcry over Lee’s lack of experience. Fenty instead named longtime Commissioner Betty Ann Kane as chairwoman and Lee as a member. “Clearly Ms. Lee’s credentials would indicate to me that she can learn this,” Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans said. Countered Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh: “It’s about the need to have a person who’s right away ready with experience and expertise in the complex areas in which the commission deals with, and Ms. Lee has neither.”


