FentyReElect

"Next Week's Election is the most critical one I have ever seen" says Fenty supporter Claire Bloch

Dear friends,

Over the years, I have written to many of you with my unsolicited opinions about who is the best candidate in various DC elections.  This year is no different, though in the 23 years I have lived in the District, I can honestly say that next week’s election for Mayor is the most critical one I have ever seen.

In this election for Mayor, voters will decide whether we continue the positive changes that we have seen in this new century, or whether we turn back to the 1990’s—a time when this City was stagnant, at best.  Back to a time when we were known as the murder capitol of the world, when the children in our public school system were warehoused, not educated, when our agencies were in receivership, and when the Nation’s Capital was an embarrassment. 

Today—thanks to Mayor Adrian Fenty and his predecessor, Tony Williams—Washington DC is becoming a world class City.  As the Washington Examiner wrote in this week’s endorsement of Mayor Fenty, “On matters of substance, which will determine whether Washington becomes a truly livable place for residents of all races and in all wards, Fenty has a decidedly positive track record.  Under Mayor Fenty, Washington suddenly has a palpable sense that the city's major institutions and neighborhoods are finally moving in the right direction.  People haven't felt this way for decades.”

Unfortunately, many of Fenty’s detractors perceive that his arrogance is a more important marker than his achievements.  I disagree.  I also know that while Fenty may not always have the best people-skills, he is not arrogant.   He is a compassionate public servant who cares deeply about this City, it’s citizens, and it’s businesses.  As his wife Michelle recently said, her husband isn’t arrogant—awkward maybe—but not arrogant. 

Vince Gray is a nice, deliberative man.  But while his campaign promises to create one undivided city, his candidacy has done quite the opposite.  Gray’s campaign has tried to define this election as a choice between a man who supports the poor versus one who only supports the rich—a man who supports African Americans against a man who doesn’t care about them.  It is a dishonest and destructive claim by Gray.  It certainly is not evidence of a candidate trying to bring people together.

In his four years as mayor, Adrian Fenty has renovated parks, recreation centers and schools across D.C.  The beautiful new facility at Deal Middle School in Ward 3, is only one of ten neighborhood schools that have been renovated under Fenty’s watch, and there are seven more in the works.  Sousa Middle School in Ward 7, H.D. Cooke Elementary School in Ward 1, and the Walker Jones Education Campus in Ward 6 are all examples of state of the art facilities that Mayor Fenty has brought to neighborhoods across the City.  Twelve recreation centers have been built or modernized in the past four years, and another dozen are in the works.  These are reasons to be optimistic about the future of this City.  These are reasons to applaud Mayor Fenty.  These are why Fenty deserves four more years.

And there’s so much more that the Fenty administration has done… Crime is down, city services are reliable, potholes are repaired quickly, it is easier to bike in the City—and to take a taxi, and strong women leaders are making smart decisions (Police Chief Cathy Lanier, Deputy Mayor Valerie Santos, Chancellor Michelle Rhee, Housing and Community Development Director Leila Edmonds…to name a few.)   I could go on and on with reasons to re-elect Fenty, but I’ll stop here.

Mayor Fenty has been endorsed by The Washington Post, The Washington Examiner and Mayor Anthony Williams.  These endorsements uniformly urge citizens to continue focusing on progress rather than personality.  As Mayor Williams recently said at an event for Mayor Fenty,  "It's not about who's on your holiday card list. It's about who's delivering for this city,"

So, I hope you will join me in voting to continue this City’s great progress.  This election will be close, and every vote will count,  Please come out to the polls on September 14^th vote for Adrian Fenty.

If you would like to vote early, this link will give you information on where an when: http://www.dcboee.us/

If you would like to read more about Mayor Fenty’s accomplishments, click on this link: http://fentyreelect.com/accomplishments.php

The Washington Post endorsement can be read at this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/30/AR2010073003145.html

The Washington Examiner endorsement can be read at this link: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Why-Fenty-deserves-and-DC-needs-four-more-years--102302259.html

Also, please feel free to pass this e-mail on to friends and neighbors around the City. 

Thanks so much,

Claire

□         □         □          

CLAIRE BLOCH

202-425-6527

Cast an Early Vote for Progress and Results: Information on Early Voting

D.C.’s early voting laws are new this year, and we want to make sure you know exactly when and where to vote leading up to the primary. Get out and vote early to show strong support for Adrian Fenty!

Here are the locations where you can vote each day leading up to the primary: 

Monday, September 6th – Saturday, September 11th

One Judiciary Square, 441 4^th Street NW, 8:30AM-7:00 PM

Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Connecticut Ave NW, 8:30 AM-7:00 PM

Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue NE, 8:30 AM-7:00 PM

Hine Junior High School, 335 8^th Street SE, 8:30 AM- 7:00 PM

Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Ave SE, 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Monday, September 13th

One Judiciary Square, 441 4^th Street NW, 8:30AM-4:45 PM 

Tuesday, September 14th

PRIMARY DAY: Citywide voting from 7:00AM to 8:00PM

Check the  DC Board of Elections website to find your polling place.

Please contact our office at 202 525 5970 or campaign@fentyreelect.com if you have any questions. Vote Fenty to keep DC moving forward for residents. We’ve come too far to turn back now!

First Lady Michelle Cross Fenty Opens Up at Ward 4 Women For Fenty Event

Wow---As I look around the room I see the faces of so many friends and loyal supporters---you are our strength! I am happy to be here in my home ward-Ward 4-can we hear it for ward 4? Is ward 4 going to deliver 4 more years?  As many of you know Adrian and I have lived here happily for the past 13 years---thank you ward 4 for your support and your faith.  

As you all know-- I am usually not the person to give the speeches- so I am not quite in my element- .  I believe you also know that I chose at the outset to maintain my professional career, take care of my 3 young children and balance as much as a public role as my busy schedule would dictate.   And while I have not been very vocal or visible for these reasons I believe it is time to take advantage of my limited spotlight tonight to say a few very important things.

As concerned parents, I know you care that our public schools are no longer failing our children, and you also care that DC’s dedicated teachers have the chance to finally be paid what we all know they are truly worth.

As businesswomen in our own right, we all know that our government is working towards making this city the hub of thriving business and development so that District residents can be fully employed. 

As concerned neighbors we all know that our neighborhoods are the safest they have ever been in decades.  I also know that you are all excited about the creation of thousands of affordable housing units including the creation of the Housing First program which provides permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families.

As women leaders- I know that you appreciate a Mayor who has appointed many of the best and brightest women to leadership roles within the government and I know that you are all filled with pride, just as I am, when I watch these fine women make significant strides in education, public safety and economic development just to name a few.    Four years ago, would any of us have believed that we would have Chancellor Michelle, Chief Cathy, and Deputy Mayor Valerie? 

As mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins and friends, I know you all understand that it takes a compassionate leader to ensure that our weakest, youngest poorest and those least able to help themselves are given a strong voice so that their plight is   not forgotten.

As proud residents of this ward and of this entire city, I know that you all appreciate all of the steps we are taking in the direction of becoming a World Class City.

Our Mayor is a catalyst –ladies and gentlemen-speeding up much needed change in our City.  

But with all of the exciting changes that have truly transformed this great city, we all know that change has not been easy.

I often get asked—what is it like from your view.  I understand the question.  Yes, I have a front row seat … and yes I’ve learned a lot about politics in the last few years.  It’s tough, you need a thick skin and a good sense of humor.

I thought it would be good if I were able to give you a small glimpse into the Adrian Fenty- the person that I know.

I get to see the devastation on the Mayor’s face when he comes home from visiting a mother in the hospital after her child has just died.  

I get to see how disappointed he is when he talks to a group of unemployed young adults who can’t understand why and how the DC education system gave them a diploma but didn’t give them the tools they need to compete in the global economy.

I get to see him and hear him with his three phones perched on his lap at 3am in morning, having been up the entire night with his team, talking, texting, emailing his staff to figure out how to clear snow from our streets and get this city moving after  a record breaking snow storm threatened to immobilize us.  I assure you ladies and gentlemen-he is human!

What is most painful- is that there are people out there who believe that the Mayor does not understand their issues.  It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think that so many District residents feel disconnected from a mayor  born and raised in DC, who is married to me, and is raising our 3 children in the city where he’s spent most of his life.   He doesn’t just understand – he’s like everyone else here.  He’s lived with most of this issues and they are a part of who he is.

I know  that my husband fully understands the frustrations and problems of the people who feel like their neighborhoods never see any benefits regardless of who runs the city.   It is for this reason that it was so important for him to build a state of the art recreation center in ward 7 so that families in those communities could have a safe place for the kinds of activities many of us take for granted..    It is for this reason why it has been so important to work on lowering the crime statistics in all neighborhoods so that regardless of where you live –you have the same opportunity to be able to walk around and feel safe.   It’s why the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights said there had been a sea change in the separate but unequal school facilities since 2007 – because my husband will not tolerate a school system where all the nice schools are only in the nice neighborhoods, the way it’s been for decades in this city.

It’s hard for me to see my husband reduced to a one dimensional fictional  character – that has no semblance of  reality.  It’s shocking to hear people use “arrogant” as an adjective to describe him.   I would say awkward perhaps, definitely moving at a 1000 miles per hour means less time for subtle conversation.  But arrogance assumes that his directives of improving schools, lowering crimes, improving city services did not originally  come from the people, it assumes a lack of understanding of the basic tenet- that as Mayor he serves only at the pleasure of the people.  

It’s even harder ladies and gentleman to hear the reckless manufactured calculated and mean spirited aspersions cast on my husband, me and our family.   I have known Adrian Fenty for the past 16 years.  He is the most honest and honorable person I know.  If you remember anything today I want you to remember this.  The allegations on the contract steering are unequivocally, absolutely, categorically false.  My husband has treated the office of the Mayor with honesty integrity, character and fortitude.    

And I wonder …why the hate and the anger towards someone who in his heart of hearts has only one mission – and that is to effectively serve all of the constituents of this great city.

So as we close in these final two weeks, I have come to recognize a simple yet important truth …. I recognize that Adrian Fenty’s heart is with this City-the entire City- his city—I know that his dedication and commitment  to all of  the people of this City is  unflinching- because despite the stinging barbs, the relentless criticisms, the manufactured misconceptions, the political miring of issues- he gets up every single day-says goodbye to our two sons our baby daughter and me -closes the door tightly behind him and braves the political hail storm holding  steadfast---to this one important truth… that there is nothing he would rather do than serve All of the people of  Washington DC. 

Thank you all for joining us on this mission--- We appreciate the privilege of serving—and with your help we look forward to another four years!  

If you didn't see the Washington Post, NBC4, WAMU debate, read the Mayor's closing remarks here:

“When my wife Michelle and I, who is here today and I thank her for being here, bought a house and began raising a family, I entered politics to make my hometown better. I never imagined one day there would be people who would feel I was trying to run them out of DC, or who would think I was arrogant or who would think I cared more about some neighborhoods than others.

All I ever wanted to do was to give our kids a better education, make families feel safer in their homes, provide housing to the homeless and build better neighborhoods in communities that had been neglected. We’ve been able to do these things but I now know that in trying to make them happen so fast, I forgot to make sure that all of you realize I love DC as much as all of you.

If you don’t find it in your hearts to forgive me and give me a second chance, I will have no one to blame but myself. However, if you believe like I do that even mayors make mistakes and that people can learn from their mistakes; if you believe like I do that despite rising test scores, lower crime, better services and revitalized neighborhoods, the city’s best days are still to come; if you believe that we can never go back to the dark days of the past; if you believe in all these things, then I ask you to believe I me again. Believe in DC and believe in this campaign. Go to the Board of Elections and vote Fenty today.”

Welcome back

Results Are Non-Negotiable

Have you seen our most recent ad? If not, view it here:

My commitment

Sincerely,

Adrian Fenty

Remarks by the President on Jobs and the Economy

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  Please, everybody, have a seat.  It is wonderful to be here.  I want to acknowledge a couple folks who are present.  First of all, we’ve got Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton right here, doing great work.  (Applause.)  I want to thank Mayor Adrian Fenty for being here.  (Applause.)  We’ve got local city council members who are here with us today.  And I want to finally make sure to acknowledge Luc, Guy, and Neil Brami, the owner of Gelberg Signs.  (Applause.)   

I just had a chance to tour Gelberg Signs and see the outstanding work that they’re doing.  This is the last sign-making company in Washington, D.C., I just learned.  And the Brami brothers, their father worked here when they were young and they came to buy the company.  So it’s a wonderful story of entrepreneurship.  And I’ve been told that they don’t argue as much now as they used to when they were kids.  That’s the story I’ve gotten.

But the work ethic, the craftsmanship, the entrepreneurialism of this company is an example of what makes our country so great.  And I really commend them for the fine company that they’ve built.  I’ll be speaking about the challenges facing small businesses like Gelberg Signs in a moment, but first, I want to say a word about where we are in our economy more broadly. Read the full article.

Because of the Schools: Re Elect Fenty

A DC mother describes why we need Adrian Fenty's leadership to continue making progress in our public schools.

There is perhaps no issue more important to the parents of young children in the District of Columbia than education.  For many families, including mine, the state of the DC Public Schools is the determining factor between staying in the District or moving to the better performing schools of the suburbs.  The improvement achieved by DCPS over the past few years has been encouraging and gives hope that my family can continue to live in the city that we love.  But, the job is not done. A lot remains to be completed. For that reason, I support the reelection of Adrian M. Fenty as Mayor of Washington, DC.

I can't honestly say that Fenty's opponent,  Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray, will reverse the gains that Fenty has made. Frankly, even after the release of Gray's education plan it is difficult to predict the course Gray will take with the schools.  We don't even know if he will retain the schools' Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. There is uncertainty about Gray and with uncertainty comes risk. Now is not the time to take risks. Too much is at stake.  Therefore, I support the candidate whose commitment to improving the school system is unchallenged.

When I look out over the educational landscape from my front porch, I see the high performing Francis Scott Key Elementary School, the newly-renovated Hardy Middle School, and the soon to be renovated Wilson Senior High School.  I feel very lucky. Yet, when I look further, I see a lot of District schools that aren't performing, and whose buildings aren't being renovated. I could close my eyes to that reality and live comfortably in my Northwest DC enclave. But, I choose to live in a city, not an enclave, so what is happening elsewhere in the city concerns me. I am not satisfied with the performance of the majority of the DCPS schools. I know the parents of children who attend, or will attend, those schools are not satisfied either.  And, I know that Mayor Fenty is not satisfied either.  He deserves to the chance to finish the job he has started.

I have heard what people say. Many of these improvements started under former Mayor Anthony A. Williams, for instance. I don't wish to downplay the tremendous amount of improvement Williams brought to the city. I am thankful for his service. But, in 2005, while Williams was primarily interested in building a baseball stadium, Fenty authored a bill to finance school modernization.   What we see now is the result of the bill. Fenty laid the roots of today's harvest before even beginning his run for Mayor.  We need him to be here to compete the job he started so many years ago.  I hear that Alan Lew should be credited with the change. Again, Lew is a tremendous public servant to whom we all owe a great debt of gratitude. But, who is responsible for hiring Lew? Fenty, of course.  Has anyone asked Gray if he will retain Lew? Does Gray even know what he will do?

I know that I wouldn't want to have to leave the city because of the quality of the schools. I know many other parents -- parents who aren't even as lucky as me with their current schools -- feel the same way. They don't want to leave and I don't want them to leave. As far as I'm concerned, we are in this together and, together, we need to give Mayor Fenty the opportunity to finish the job. It is generally not a good idea to change captains midway through the voyage. It is definitely not a good idea now. Fenty has taken us this far, he deserves to take us the rest of the way.  That is why I support the re-election of Adrian M. Fenty as Mayor of Washington, DC.

Blogger Dr. Myers Endorses Fenty

BaancBlog endorses Fenty for swift constituent response, making sure residents see results

Baanc Blog Endorses Fenty

Mari posted her Fenty endorsement here. Here’s the editor’s.

Until the last couple of years, the editor was president of the Blagden Alley and Naylor court Association, so he had to pay attention to things like development and liquor licences in the area, among other things, and get guest speakers in to the Association’s monthly meetings. He had Mayor Fenty in twice, about a year apart. Once in the (now defunct) The Space, where the Mayor spoke and answered questions from about 80 people in the round. The second time was when he appeared at the Whitman meeting room with about 100 people. He handled both well, comfortably, and was well briefed beforehand on our concerns. The editor has seen Jack Evans perform that well many times, but not many others. It’s of note that after the Whitman meeting, the Mayor was walked out to a vacant piece of land on Tenth Street and told that the community wanted a park there for the kids we were now seeing more of. He told his people to make it happen, and it is.

The most impressive thing to the editor is the quality of people he picks. Starting at the lower level, with the “constituent services” group, three names come to mind: Joe Martin, Abby Peterson, and Mark Bjorge. The fact that 1218 Ninth Street is still standing and is in fact stabilized is due to Mark and Abby. The pressure on 916 N Street from the US Attorney’s office is Abby. The first round of grafitti removal is Joe. So many walks with inspection teams from DCRA and elsewhere in the DC government to force the cleanup of trash, or unsafe conditions is Joe’s enthusiasm for the neighborhood. Joe likes alleys, trashless alleys. The cross walk markings at Ninth and M are Mark’s doing. There are so many “little” things that got done, and are still being done. In all of the time that Fenty has been in office, there was only once that the editor thought one of the constituent service people wasn’t all that good. He disappeared quickly.

At the higher level, you’ve got Cathy Lanier and Michelle Rhee. The editor remembers when Fullwood was Chief of Police. Those were not good times for MPD, and thus for the neighborhood. Ramsey did good work, as did Tony Williams. They stabilized a bad situation. Lanier has taken several good steps, mostly from the quality of people we see around here in uniform. The change in quality of MPD is striking.

Not having kids, the editor is a bit distant from the schools problem. He also understands that Rhee is taking real risks, and thus so is the Mayor. He obviously has the courage to chance his office on changing the schools for the better. The DC teachers are still a strong voting bloc (even though very many have moved to PG and can’t vote here legally) which has worked hard for the status quo we have had.

The editor has no feel for Vincent Gray. He doesn’t recall any outreach to this community from him in the last four years. (Linda Cropp was here often enough, and knew us well.) The editor’s wife worked in the DC government back when, several levels down from Gray in DHS. She recalls him as smart, sure of himself, and not at all personalble.

Why I Am Voting for Adrian Fenty

Dear Neighbors:

Fenty 2010 launches a second round! Hear how Adrian Fenty continues to make great progress in the comunities.

Today the Fenty 2010 campaign launched its second round of television ads, each including a District resident whose community has seen great progress under Adrian Fenty’s leadership.

“These stories are just a few examples of what we’re hearing citywide,” said Adrian Fenty. “Going door to door every day, residents tell me how excited they are about new state-of-the art public facilities, better schools, and lower crime in their neighborhoods. They know that with four more years, they’ll keep seeing results.”

The three new 15-second spots, as well as three released last week, can be viewed online on the Fenty 2010 YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/fentyreelect).

Read on to hear why Sondra, Jack, and Mike are supporting Adrian Fenty.

Meet Sondra

“As a community advocate, organizer and mother of two young boys in the Rosedale Community, I'm a witness to the great things Mayor Fenty has done.  Mayor Fenty walked our neighborhood five times, even holding a cabinet meeting at the dilapidated recreation center to make sure his directors knew it needed attention. We watched as the Mayor and various agency heads walked through Rosedale, recorded a long list of complaints and concerns and resolved them right away. I told him of our need for a new community center and library, and how we lobbied for many years while we tried to keep hopeful about promises that were made to us. There was even one resident that had told the Mayor how he had been waiting over 27 years just to get his alley paved. The alley is paved now. This is why I support Mayor Fenty.”

Meet Jack

"I“Some people say Adrian Fenty doesn’t play well with others.  I’m the longest-serving Councilmember, and I know that Adrian pulls people together to get results. School Without Walls was long overdue for renovation. It finally got done because Adrian Fenty worked with the community, the Council and the school to complete the project. The District needs an executive who brings people together to get things done. That’s why I support Adrian Fenty.”

Meet Mike

“Adrian Fenty told Ward 8 we’d see the kinds of change we’ve been waiting for.  I’ve seen a whole lot of change since he came into office—new libraries, schools, grocery stores and new rec centers. I’m a graduate of the Calvin Woodland Foundation’s job training program. Mayor Fenty told me that if I completed the program, he would help me find a job. I’ve been working hard ever since. I’m voting for Adrian because he keeps his word.”

Fenty 2010 hits the airwaves! Hear how adrian Fenty has made a difference in these residents' lives.

Meet Kamili

"Some people say Adrian Fenty has changed, that he's arrogant. But as Councilmember, and then as Mayor, I know he’s shown the same determination in working with me and my community. For years we wanted someone to do something about the Tewkesbury apartment building, which was abandoned and a source of blight in my neighborhood. Adrian came along and took action. He made sure the blighted Tewkesbury apartment building got renovated into great affordable homes for ward 4 residents. And it wasn’t just this one example—the whole time, he was thinking about how to change the system so it wouldn’t happen again. He listens to folks, and then he gets about doing the job.”  Kamili Anderson, Ward 4.

Meet Scottie

"I own a DC-based construction company, and I’ve been a local business owner for over 25 years. I'm supporting Adrian because he's rebuilding our city, and he's making sure small local businesses have the opportunity to share in the work. Finally we have a Mayor who has a real sense of urgency about supporting small business. Adrian’s administration, with people like Neil Albert, have done an outstanding job of knowing what small businesses need to be successful and helping them get there. Some people say Adrian Fenty doesn’t support local businesses. But I know he’s putting the building blocks together to create support that we’ve never had. That’s why I’m supporting Adrian Fenty.” Scottie Irving, Ward 1.

Meet Monica

"Some people say Adrian Fenty hasn’t delivered for people East of the River. I know that’s not true—he’s renovating the old Congress Heights School, which had been vacant for more than 25 years. He’s modernizing the Washington Highlands Library, which is right in my neighborhood. We have new restaurants and grocery stores for the first time in decades. And it’s important to remember that we’re seeing decreased crime and increased test scores in Ward 8. I’m happy about that too. Adrian is different because he makes the difficult decisions—and you know he cares because he’s getting things done.” Monica Ray, Ward 8.

Look who else has joined the team! Fenty 2010 has had a busy week.

  Last weekend, we kicked off GoGo4Fenty with endorsements from GoGo icons Chi Ali and Suttle Thoughts, Big G and Backyard, Sugar Bear and EU, Ben and TCB, Junkyard, and D-Floyd. At an afternoon-long cookout, each endorsed Adrian Fenty as the candidate who has delivered for residents East of the River and throughout the District.

This past Monday, the Greater Washington Board of Trade endorsed our campaign. The BOT commended him for assembling a skilled team of leaders in District government and spending taxpayer dollars more efficiently rather than raising taxes.

Jim Dinegar, Greater Washington Board of Trade President and CEO, said: "Our endorsement of Mayor Fenty for a second term recognizes that the Mayor has developed a strong team of top talent, who he appropriately holds accountable for making progress," said Dinegar, acknowledging the fact that the Board of Trade did not endorse Fenty four years ago. "The Mayor has backed key initiatives important to the Board of Trade and to the region at large, especially by collaborating on rail to Dulles, prioritizing regional emergency preparedness and emphasizing the need to better manage government expenses rather than seek to raise taxes."

Wednesday night at Halo in Logan Circle Representative Jared Polis (D-CO), one of three openly gay members of Congress, endorsed Adrian. Rep. Polis cited the Adrian’s leadership in legalizing same sex marriage and his unprecedented progress towards reforming District schools.

Across the District, residents from all walks of life want test scores to keep rising, crime rates to keep falling, and city services to keep improving. That's why they're joining the Green Team.

You can show your support by joining us on Sunday at 11 AM at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Ave NW for the Palisades 4th of July Parade. Email Andrew@fentyreelect.com to RSVP.

Mayor Fenty deserves second term

As a longtime D.C. resident and founder of Lambda Rising Bookstore, I am writing to let the LGBT community know why I am supporting Adrian Fenty for mayor.

First and foremost, I always have great admiration for candidates who actually deliver on the promises they make during a campaign. Four years ago, Adrian Fenty promised us that he would improve the schools. One of his first actions as mayor was to bring Michelle Rhee on board to turn around what was, at the time, a failing education system. You may remember that there were schools in such disrepair that they could not open, schools without textbooks, schools in which it was simply too dangerous to learn. Today, our schools have undergone rehabilitation, they open on time, the students have textbooks, and safety has been improved dramatically. So have test scores, which are up 11 percent, the largest increase in the nation. And now, thanks to Fenty and Rhee, D.C. Public Schools have implemented a new health curriculum that educates students about gender identity and sexual orientation and developed resources for the schools that will help create safe spaces for LGBT youth.

Four years ago, Adrian Fenty promised improved policing and a corresponding decrease in crime, and he has delivered on both, with violent crime down 7.2 percent last year, far ahead of the national average. Only last year, he released the first bias-crime report in the District’s history, which provides the most accurate count possible of hate crimes in our history.

Four years ago, Adrian Fenty promised improved city services at a time when citizens could barely get through to city agencies on the phone. Today, communication by phone and website is vastly improved; you can actually reach public servants and get answers to questions, and the city is making much better use of new technology.

And four years ago, Adrian Fenty was forthright in his promise of support for marriage equality, as he had been since 2000. He made good on that promise, too, when he signed into law the historic Religious Freedom and Marriage Equality Amendment Act legalizing same-sex marriage in D.C. and is vigorously defending this in court and on the Hill.

Of course, there is much left to be done, but in the four years of the Fenty administration, the improvements already made are significant, and many of them impact positively on the LGBT community directly:

• Under Fenty’s administration, the Wanda Alston House was established, providing the first transitional housing program for LGBT youth and issuing updated guidelines for other housing providers offering safe space for LGBT youth.
• His administration released the first epidemiology report dealing specifically with the HIV/AIDS epidemic among men who have sex with men. He also released the most comprehensive reports on HIV/AIDS in the city. And under Fenty’s watch, condom distribution has increased so that the city is now giving away 4.2 million condoms a year.
• The Fenty administration launched and funded an annual GLBT economic development summit that has connected business leaders to government resources and has increased the number of LGBT businesses that are eligible to be on the District government’s supply chain from three to 15.

Citizens have talked for years about getting some of these items done. Mayor Fenty has made it happen. He’s not been shy about making the tough decisions. I know some criticize him for being aloof, but I base my decision on results, not on personalities, and my decision this year is to support Adrian Fenty for mayor because I believe he has proven an ability to get the job done.

Getting Things Done

The Green Team is out in every ward, every day. We're putting up thousands of yard signs and recruiting new volunteers. We're telling everyone we meet about Adrian Fenty's vision for better schools, driving down crime, and improving city services for all District residents. Voters are responding: on May 15, we won the first straw poll of the year at Ward 8's Matthews Memorial Church.

Throughout the District, we continue to see change and results under Adrian Fenty's leadership. Since our campaign headquarters grand opening on April 10th--just a little over a month ago--the Fenty administration broke ground on a new housing and retail project at the Rhode Island Avenue/Brentwood Metro Station, completed renovations at Edgewood Field and Recreation Center, broke ground on 344 affordable housing units at Sheridan Station, opened the new Anacostia Public Library, finished modernizations at Eaton Playground, and opened Ward 7's first fine dining restaurant, Ray's: The Steaks.

Adrian Fenty is rapidly achieving the kind of progress past politicians promised and never delivered. Put simply, Adrian Fenty is getting things done. As we approach the September 14th primary, help us make sure that things continue to get done in the District for four more years. Show your support by getting a yard sign, making a contribution, and joining us to knock on doors!