Crystal Carter
Ms. Reynolds
DC History
20 March 2016

The structure of Washington, DC.'s city government has changed several times since the City of Washington was officially granted a government in 1802. From 1802 to 1812, the mayor was appointed by the President of the United States. Washington's first mayor was Robert Brent, appointed in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson. As time progress, the city's mayors were selected by a city council, popularly elected, etc. The purpose of a mayor varies across the country. Some cities are run by city councils who appoint a city manager. Others are run by a mayor, who is usually elected by the citizens. Mayors may have strong or weak powers, depending on the position given by the council. A mayor with strong powers makes executive decisions and has veto power over council decisions. On the other hand, when the city council makes executive decisions, the mayor has no veto power. From 2007 to 2011, Adrian Malik Fenty served as the sixth mayor of the District of Columbia. Many believe Fenty was an outstanding mayor and that the work he completed is legendary. Currently, Muriel Elizabeth Bowser serves as the eighth Mayor of the District of Columbia. Although Fenty benefited the nation’s capital in tremendous ways, Mayor Bowser has attempt to escape his shadows by decreasing the unemployment rate, increasing police presence in communities, and creating pathways for the middle class. During Fenty’s tenure, he added police officers to the streets and expanded community policing vision. For example, "Beefing Up" which is the policy of accepting anonymous text message tips from residents to cut down on any retaliation. According to Paul Wagner, reporter from FOX5 News “The homicide rate in the District dropped 25% in 2009; the homicide closure rate rose to 70%”. It is safe to say that, Adrian Fenty made the District a safer place and gave residents opportunities to participate in doing so. Also, Wagner stated “With Fenty, the homicides were at their lowest level since 1964, and that both violent crimes and property crimes had experienced a double-digit decline”. Not only were Fenty’s actions successful, but they were legendary because he made changes that the District had not seen for several years. The Fenty Administration awarded over $2 million from federal stimulus dollars for workforce development grants. The grants supported work skill trainings to help prepare and gain connections for jobs. “In 2010, The District of Columbia continues to show growth in the number of available jobs… it is ranked third in the nation for the largest percentage increase in new jobs “(DC Gov). Fenty not only provided many with jobs, but he made sure that everyone was experienced before walking in the door. To decrease the unemployment rate, Fenty thought of plans to benefit his representation, while essentially helping others. Lastly, Fenty renovated multiple libraries, parks and recreation centers. “Under Fenty, 16 neighborhood and school playgrounds were opened and nine play courts and fields were completed… thousands of affordable housing units were established or renovated “(LiquiSearch). Fenty modernized places within communities that a vast amount of children and adults rely on. In addition, Fenty implemented the "Housing First" program. The program provided permanent housing support for the city’s homeless. Throughout Fenty’s tenure, he worked extremely hard to assure that the District’s community was safe and that beneficial places within communities were modernized. Also, Fenty insisted in making sure that residents were interactive in having a healthy community. He not only provided many with jobs, but he made sure that people were able to have experience before starting the job. Everyone could benefit from Fenty’s contributions in a certain way and the contributions that he made changes that the District had not seen in a long time. Recently, Mayor Bowser decided to put more police officers on the streets in neighborhoods affected by violent crime. “There have been 103 slayings in the District of Columbia this year, a 43 percent increase over this point last year”( FOX5 News). This goes to show that, violence in the District has dramatically increased and severe actions must take place. However, residents did not agree with Bowser’s plan. Also, the article states, “Shouting "Jobs, not jails!" and "More police is not the answer!" the protesters accused the mayor of failing to address the root causes of violence”. Many residents disagreed with Mayor Bowser’s action because they believe that the primary cause of violence is not having jobs to occupy everyone, especially the youth, and that having police officers work overtime in brutal neighborhoods would increase violence instead of decrease. In solution, Mayor Bowser decides to extend the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), as a beginning to providing jobs, which decreases the unemployment rate. Aaron C. Davis , reporter from The Washington Post states, “Bowser redirects $5 million in taxpayer money to expand the District’s summer youth jobs program to age 24”. Yes, Bowser’s plan will decrease the unemployment rate, occupy a vast amount of the youth, and provide work experience. However, the program only last for six weeks, and providing a temporary, basic- level skill job will not benefit anyone, above eighteen in the future. Any male or female, over eighteen should be provided with a full-time, age appropriate job. Yes, temporally decreasing the unemployment rate, and funding summer job programs that expose more youth to the real world is acceptable and boosts Bowser representation. However, in reality, is not beneficial for the extended age group. Currently, Bowser planned to close the city’s main homeless shelter, D.C. General Hospital, and replace it with smaller shelter facilities around the city, in each ward. Ryan McDermott, reporter from The Washington Times, states “D.C. residents disagree with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to put a homeless shelter in every ward, criticizing not only the proposed sites but also the lack of transparency in the planning process”. It will take plenty of time to build shelter facilities in every ward. Residents fear that closing D.C. General before building shelter facilities will put tons of homeless back on the streets, adding to the amount of homeless already in their community. Also, Mayor Bowser’s lack of communication about future plans destroys the public’s trust in her. Residents simply ask for concrete plans, that the community is part of its process, but she repeatedly fails to do so. In conclusion,