What’s up with D.C. Council member Jim Graham?
The Examiner’s Scott McCabe reported this week that the Ward 1 legislator wants to use fire department recruits as waitstaff, serving drinks and cake at his holiday bash. Some people worry that the recruits might miss critical training.
They should be more concerned about the standard being set.
“This is not something we sought. It was something that was offered,” Graham said Tuesday during a telephone interview with me. “I am relying on the judgment of [Fire] Chief [Dennis] Rubin, who made this offer.
“I don’t want this controversy,” added Graham.
Too late.
What’s more, Graham’s having a lapse of memory. In November, he actually requested that Rubin provide the recruits for the party, sources told The Examiner.
Rubin said the department sets aside time for recruits to perform community activities. He said the party is for the “underprivileged and senior citizens” and doesn’t think there is anything “wrong or illegal.”
“In my humble opinion, I think it’s the right thing to do,” he continued during the telephone interview with me.
Rubin repeatedly equated the department’s installation of smoke detectors in the homes of District residents with allowing recruits to act as party servers. When asked to identify council members for whom his recruits are providing a similar service, he didn’t name any.
Graham and Rubin may not have seen the harm before McCabe’s article. But their responses suggest there is a dysfunctional work culture and ethic in the District government. Wrongdoing happens all the time, and no one says anything. Tens of millions of dollars get embezzled and no one calls the police. Workers fail to perform their duties; they and union leaders become indignant when held accountable.
What’s the message when workers are made to carry out tasks not even remotely aligned with their jobs?
“[This] is not done to re-elect Mr. Graham or raise money for him. It does not take recruits from important study,” said Rubin.
“This is not a scheme where I am using my political influence to get something. No one is in any way taking advantage of public resources,” said Graham.
I want to take them at their word — except there does seem to be a pattern of behavior. Last year, Graham pushed the city’s recreation department to reduce the user fee for a corporate constituent. He also convinced Rubin to provide 31 recruits, four officers and a battalion chief to serve drinks and food at last year’s holiday bash. Then, there is Graham’s 63rd birthday party held in a government-owned recreation center; recruits worked that event.
If an agency director used a government facility for a birthday party or used employees as waitstaff, someone would be calling for an inspector general investigation. No less should happen in this case.
If government resources were misused — even unintentionally — Graham should reimburse the public coffers.
