In a city where the unemployment rate in some communities is as high as 20 percent, a debate over whether a grass-cutting contract to a Baltimore firm should continue is an important public policy discussion. Unfortunately, Mayor Vincent Gray didn’t prompt it directly. Rather, it was instigated mostly by the Washington Post, which has published multiple editorials about the administration’s effort to discontinue its contractual relationship with Lorenz Lawn and Landscaping. Lorenz is one of two companies sharing more than $2 million in lawn mowing business. The other firm — Community Bridges Inc. — is a certified District-based, minority, disadvantaged company; that designation won it preferential points. Still, Lorenz was hired to cut grass in six of the city’s eight wards. CBI was chosen for the other two wards.
Gray decided earlier this year not to exercise the option to continue the Lorenz contract and reopen it for competition. Each year, similar decisions are made without fanfare. It’s possible this case became suspicious because Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas had objected to Lorenz. Thomas is the subject of a criminal investigation for allegedly diverting $300,000 of public money for his personal use. Not surprisingly, whatever he does and says is being scrutinized by the public and media.
