Fenty’s Smart Car is a smarter choice.

Mayor Fenty travels everywhere in a Smart Car. It’s not as eco-sensitive as Tommy Wells’ bike, but really, for a mayor who probably does have to drive everywhere it’s quite a good choice.

Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. doesn’t seem to think so. At a recent groundbreaking in Eckington, according to Bloomingdale (For Now) (via Richard Layman):

In a cheesy comment, he noted that he had driven from the Wilson Building in a V8-powered SUV, while Mayor Fenty had driven over in his Smart Car. Councilman Thomas told Mayor Fenty that he should abandon the Smart Car and get back in something with “more horsepower” so he could make it to these events more quickly. All things said, I’d much rather that those driving would all follow the Mayor’s example instead of barreling around in gas guzzlers like the Councilman.

Would Thomas really rather everyone took up more space, guzzled more gas, emitted more pollution, and created more danger to pedestrians, other motorists, and (through rollovers) themselves by driving big muscle SUVs? More likely Thomas doesn’t really want those things, but is instead still stuck in the testosterone-laden “big car equals power” mindset.

Councilmember Thomas recently launched a major initiative to providee asthma screenings and education for Ward 5 residents. Ward 5 has the second-highest asthma rate in DC, surpassed only by Ward 7. Thomas should have praised Mayor Fenty for arriving at the event in a Smart Car, avoiding dumping more pollution into Ward 5’s air. Thomas should set an example toward improving the health of his constituents by dumping the SUV for a Smart Car, Prius, taking the bus, or bicycling the short distance from his house to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro to get to work when he doesn’t have to attend groundbreaking ceremonies.

Over a third of the residents of Thomas’ ward do not own cars; it’d be great to see Thomas thinking about their needs instead of reinforcing the antiquated notion that owning a big SUV is the American Dream.