Some residents in Ward 3 have been asking themselves to whom is their D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh listening.
Good question.
Typically, ward representatives are parochial. They win praise for getting into the weeds: tracking trash collection, street repairs, economic development, crime stats and even the arrival of new residents. But those trivialities have seemed too trivial for Cheh.
She undoubtedly imagines herself a citywide legislator. Throughout her tenure, she has appeared more comfortable with the macro — some might say strangely macro or, as I have asserted, stunningly nannyesque. For example, this year, she pushed for a soda tax, hoping to reduce consumption of such beverages while reportedly helping to fund the cost of legislation mandating improvements in the quality of school lunches. Despite strong pushback, she was successful in getting certain sugary drinks included under the city’s sales tax.
Then, there was her bill to protect certain wildlife. Critters and their offspring that often are household nuisances found a champion in her. No more glue traps, among other things. Recently, she also proposed providing tax incentives for mom and pop stores to ensure they sell fresh fruits and vegetables.
What, no mangoes or bok choy in Ward 3?
Cheh, who’s up for re-election, might be forgiven her affinity for offbeat issues, if she got the important stuff right. But many residents said she hasn’t. As Exhibit One, they point to her recent endorsement of Vincent C. Gray for mayor in the Democratic primary. The supermajority of Ward 3 voters supported Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the continuation of his brand of education reform. Cheh knew a Gray victory could spell a future without Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
Cheh conceded to me that she has heard “a little bit of disquiet” about her Gray endorsement on the campaign trail. She said after she has provided an explanation, most residents have accepted her reasoning.
But others remain dissatisfied. They are giving moderate Republican Dave Hedgepeth a second look.
That’s a good thing — and not just because of Cheh’s stunning arrogance in the Gray endorsement.
A Catholic University law school graduate, Hedgepeth, 42, has lived in the District since 1997. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He and his wife have 6-year-old twin daughters who attend Murch Elementary School.
Hedgepeth has pledged to focus on things that matter to Ward 3 residents, including supporting small businesses and improving public safety. He said he sees nothing wrong in protecting residents from excessive property and income tax increases. And certainly had he been in office, he would’ve pressed to retain Chancellor Rhee rather than helping create the circumstances for her forced resignation.
Cheh has pounced on Hedgepeth’s party affiliation, pulling the worst examples from the party to strike fear in voters. But Hedgepeth is no “right-wing nut.” He is, however, all Ward 3. Some residents, including Democrats, believe that kind of representative on the council would be refreshing — and long overdue.
Jonetta Rose Barras’s column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
