Government
Gabe Klein leaving DDOT
Gabe Klein has announced that he will not be staying at DDOT. Linda Argo is also out at DCRA, and Bryan Sivak at OCTO. However, a number of other Fenty cabinet officials did not get letters asking them to leave. We'll have more analysis later.
Also, in unrelated personnel news, DCRA's Mike Rupert, the first great Tweeter in the DC government, got a new job and will be leaving public service.
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by Annoyed on Dec 8, 2010 10:26 am • link • report
PS: David, I think you have a typo in the second to last word of this post.
by Will on Dec 8, 2010 10:27 am • link • report
The region's commuters have suffered enough!
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 10:30 am • link • report
by Jim on Dec 8, 2010 10:31 am • link • report
by Some Ideas on Dec 8, 2010 10:33 am • link • report
Gabe Klein got sacked by the guy David Alpert endorsed.
by anonymous on Dec 8, 2010 10:35 am • link • report
by Neil Flanagan on Dec 8, 2010 10:36 am • link • report
I know the biking crowd liked him, I get it but he was never qualified for the position and he has taken quite a few lumps over his 2 year term to show for it.
And lest we forget that Gabe was wildly unpopular with Gray's largest demo. Anyone who even remotely thought Gabe would stay simply wasn't paying attention.
by freely on Dec 8, 2010 10:38 am • link • report
by Thayer-D on Dec 8, 2010 10:41 am • link • report
by mtp on Dec 8, 2010 10:41 am • link • report
This is the first of many more backward steps for the Gray administration. Fenty wasn't perfect, but he was forward thinking -- a trait that Gray has yet to exhibit. This is a sad day for the District!
by Maximillian on Dec 8, 2010 10:46 am • link • report
by Teyo on Dec 8, 2010 10:47 am • link • report
You're right, of course. This could be very similar to what happened with Rhee. She was dismissed and replaced with her aide-de-camp, an ex-TFA executive who was the lead DCPS negotiator on both the teacher's contract and the much despised (among WTU-types) IMPACT evaluation system.
She's essentially Michelle Rhee if Rhee's parents had been black instead of Asian. My guess is, that's not exactly what Gray's most ardent anti-reform supporters were asking for.
Hopefully the same thing will happen with Klein's termination. Who's the highest ranking black man at DDOT who shares every single one of Klein's objectives? Anyone know?
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 10:47 am • link • report
I doubt if there's anyone out there who wants the department to 'change course'. This 'course' was set a long time ago by Klein's predecessors. The problem here was in the implementation and management of the a course already set. It's been spun otherwise, but don't believe everything you hear spun.
by Lance on Dec 8, 2010 10:53 am • link • report
Lance, that's why I don't listen to much of what you have to say.
by Matt Johnson on Dec 8, 2010 10:55 am • link • report
by Nick on Dec 8, 2010 11:04 am • link • report
by Shadow Inc. on Dec 8, 2010 11:04 am • link • report
Oh, I don't know. You might want to take that up with @freely, who wrote:
And lest we forget that Gabe was wildly unpopular with Gray's largest demo. Anyone who even remotely thought Gabe would stay simply wasn't paying attention.
He seems to think there's some sort of groundswell of opposition to recent DDOT policies. Either that or the whole "Bike Lanes...For Who????" idiocy was really just about personal opposition to Klein? Perhaps "Gray's largest demo[!]" hated Klein because he listened to the traffic engineers but was overruled by Fenty on the Pennsylvania Ave bike lanes? Or was this tidal wave of populist outrage because he failed to get enough early buy-in from the Committee of 100 on overhead wires? Or maybe "Gray's largest demo" is "DC citizens who are either members, or fervent supporters of the Committee of 100"...
It's all so confusing. Of course, one thing we do know is that in situations like these, every picayune interest group wants to be the first to claim the scalp.
"DC's vegans voted for Gray disproportionately, and Klein's a hated meat-eater! Therefore his firing shows the mandate for a pro-vegan policies to which his successor must cleave!"
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 11:09 am • link • report
by David Alpert on Dec 8, 2010 11:09 am • link • report
by Lance on Dec 8, 2010 11:10 am • link • report
This is just another example of the revisionist history that many of rabid, anti-gray, ProFenty/SuperRhee messianiacs tend to invoke. Facts be damned!
Max wrote: "This is the first of many more backward steps for the Gray administration. Fenty wasn't perfect, but he was forward thinking -- a trait that Gray has yet to exhibit. This is a sad day for the District!"
I'm assume you're referring to the backwards act of keeping Rhee's personal choice as successor? Or was that forward thinking. Oh, well maybe it wasn't any thinking. Or maybe it was the little gremlin under the bridge?
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 11:11 am • link • report
Hey now! David never claimed Gray's policies would be "better" or even "as good" as those of Klein under Fenty. If I recall correctly, he argued that there was not any compelling reason they might not be as good or better.
Now, if those policies happen to be worse, his prediction will still have been eerily accurate.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 11:13 am • link • report
Gabe Superman Klein, a one man show, is now leaving.
Is that the sky I see falling?
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 11:15 am • link • report
by Jason on Dec 8, 2010 11:21 am • link • report
This is just another example of the revisionist history that many of rabid, anti-gray, ProFenty/SuperRhee messianiacs tend to invoke. Facts be damned!
Hmm. Speaking of "revisionist history", from the WaPo in October:
Funny, but I don't see anything there about *Rhee* choosing Henderson. Could you explain to me how the fired ex-political opponent of the Mayor-elect has the power to appoint anyone to anything? Seems like the "rabid, anti-Fenty, ProGray/Super...um...Henderson[?] messianiacs" might be engaging in some wishful thinking here.Seriously, I think some of the Fenty supporters might end up disappointed in a Gray mayoralty, but it's looking increasingly likely that the more rabid Gray supporters will feel a bit like liberals do about Obama.
We voted for Obama as a repudiation of the 2000s, and lo and behold, the guy opts for a continuation of every policy Bush ever implemented. Very frustrating!
But, yes, given that Gray's entire campaign seems to be--at this point--based on repackaging Fenty's policies in a shiny new wrapper with "One City" printed on it, coupled with the entire history of cynical big-city mayoral politics, I think it's entirely possible that race may lay a part in Gray's DDOT appointment choice.
Especially given that many, many Gray supporters pilloried Fenty for having a set of high-profile appointees that didn't reflect the complexion of DC residents.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 11:25 am • link • report
Anyone who claims he was bumbling along, or that Gabe moved forward on any project without adequate planning, simply wasn't paying attention, or doesn't believe any of the logic based blogging of GGW and its contributors.
Gabe pursued policies that promoted inter-modal travel. He wanted anyone who only wanted to drive, to be accommodated, just as much as he wanted to help those of us who prefer other modes.
This really is unfortunate, I hope Vince is able to pick someone with the same inclination for getting things done, not just sitting around and planning/collaborating for years to come, we've already planned a lot, let's actually put some more of those plans into place.
by S.A.M. on Dec 8, 2010 11:26 am • link • report
I admire and respect Alpert for what he's done, but his endorsement of Gray was the biggest piece of buck passing I've seen since sneaking into a strip club when I was 18. I can't accept that someone as intelligent and capable as Alpert actually believed Gray, as mayor, would not be harmful to many of the policies Alpert supports.
I'm not saying Gray is a horrible person and will be a Berry-esque mayor, but he will most certainly damage the pieces of city government which have directly improved many of our lives these past four years.
Many of us realized that months ago, and we don't even run an amazing, innovative blog. I have to believe Alpert knew better. I can't accept that he could not.
by Nick on Dec 8, 2010 11:27 am • link • report
Hmm. Not sure I understand. Why would you see any sort of emigration when every sign indicates that their preferred policies are going to continue on apace?
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 11:28 am • link • report
Obviously, this was David's plan all along. With Klein gone and the inevitable collapse of DC's transportation infrastructure now imminent, David will be able to write many more critical posts, resulting in a huge uptick in page views. I think his strategy was something like this:
1. Support Grey
2. Watch Klein get fired
3. ?????
4. Profit!
*removes tinfoil hat*
by Teyo on Dec 8, 2010 11:40 am • link • report
by Phil on Dec 8, 2010 11:40 am • link • report
In a perfect world, a politician will never disappoint any of his supporters. But we're not in a perfect world and in all likelihood, Gray will disappoint quite a few. That is how life works you know? No such thing as 100% satisfaction?Contrary to popular belief, many of us Gray supporters fully understood that there were things Fenty implemented that will be continued by Gray BECAUSE they are a benefit to the city. It is the rabid Fenty/Rhee crowd who assumed that supporting Gray means that you support rescission of everythying Fenty did. Even Rhee perpetuated that myth, one similar to the myth that "unions" bought the election for Gray.
Now I suggest you read the comments from the rabids on this site before you start saying that the Fentiers will be happy since Gray will continue these policies. If you really believe that, I task you to convince some of the commenters here that you're right about Gray and they're wrong.
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 11:43 am • link • report
Oh, please. We're adults here, so you won't get much traction with that kind of ginned-up outrage. If you think the racial make-up of the mayor's appointees is a complete non-issue in a town where the single largest voting block is african-american, but also a town that's on the cusp of becoming a black-minority city for the first time in a half century, I don't know what to tell you.
Gray's appointees will tend to be black for the same reason a white mayor is unelectable in DC. The optics are just too bad otherwise.
It's just silly to head for the fainting couch every time someone points this out.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 11:50 am • link • report
Oh, and the proof is in the pudding. It's not a question of who's happy *now*. Nothing's been done yet. It's a question of who's going to be upset four years from now.
And I stand by my assertion that a mayor who campaigned on promises to "rein in the developers" and bring along "those who have been left behind" is going to be a major disappointment to his supporters.
Those goals are simply unattainable, and they were the core of Gray's campaign message.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 11:54 am • link • report
Not to drag this hopelessly offtopic, but you're making an apples-to-oranges comparison.
The DC executive (ie. Mayor) has a significant (but not limitless) amount of power. If you oppose the building height restriction, or DC's lack of voting representation, you can't really blame Fenty/Gray for failing to act on them. It's outside of their control. However, the mayor does get to make a number of very influential staffing decisions, and can more or less control the city's trajectory, unless the Council really, really, doesn't want him to.
On the other hand, the US president is not a king or supreme dictator. His only major power is to sign legislation that is given to him by the congress -- the American President's powers are intentionally and deliberately very limited in the Constitution. If you want to blame somebody for continuing Bush-era policies, blame the Republicans (and conservative Democrats) in Congress for holding the government hostage until they got their way. Could Obama have been a better negotiator? Maybe. However, based upon the way that our government is structured, his hands have been tied for most of the duration of his presidency.
by andrew on Dec 8, 2010 12:01 pm • link • report
"Write a letter begging Vince to keep Klein and Tregoning"
"Klien let go, Vince doesn't even speak with him"
When will you admit buyer's remorse, David?
Too funny. So easily seduced by a little access / meet and greet.
by Lol'z on Dec 8, 2010 12:04 pm • link • report
You're right, the racial make-up is an issue and your post proves why. Despite the obvious makeup of Fenty's (and I dare say Williams) cabinet, you trumpet this crap about Gray's appointments "tending to be black" as if you've discovered something novel. You haven't.
But deflection is key to your argument. You believe that Gray appointed Henderson because she was black and I do not. Had she not been Rhee's deputy, I would argue for your position.
So again, yes race is an issue. An issue that hasn't passed you by apparently.
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 12:09 pm • link • report
I was speaking more to the *perception* of Obama by his core supporters than to the reality. I won't belabor the point, though I will say there are many things the President *can* do by executive order. That and the question "Could the President be a better negotiator?" hinges on the fine distinctions between incompetence and maliciousness.
In any case, I doubt anyone would argue that the Democratic base is happy right now, or feels they got what they voted for. For whatever his merits or policies, my prediction is Gray will be forced into a similar position.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 12:09 pm • link • report
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 12:12 pm • link • report
by Jason on Dec 8, 2010 12:15 pm • link • report
So glad we agree on everything. What exactly was your point about Fenty failing to appoint a sufficient number of black faces to top positions, then being booted out of office after one term--almost *unanimously* east of the river--for "not caring about black people"? Presumably Gray wants a second term--so it's unlikely he'll repeat what was essentially the major mistake of Fenty's term.
In any case, it must get frustrating to keep looking for a thin tissue of an opportunity to play the race card and not finding it. Why not put it away?
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 12:23 pm • link • report
Translation: "ain't shit getting done in the next 4 years"
Oh well. No doubt our loss is going to be another Citys gain. Maybe Baltimore could snag him.
by John on Dec 8, 2010 12:48 pm • link • report
This is very telling and sad for the future of Washington and the surrounding metropolitan area. You can say what you want about Gabe Klein "not being a transportation professional" or a career bureaucrat, but the point was that he (Klein) was turning the "culture" and thinking of DDoT around to a mindset of looking forward to solve the city's transportation problems instead of the "same ole poor customer dis-service". And Klein as a voice for progressive and innovative transportation programs could help change the tone in the entire metro region.
It is also very disturbing that Gray hadn't even spoken with Klein in the last 3 months and that race issues and divisions seem to be very alive and well in the district.
"Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was."
by Jester on Dec 8, 2010 12:48 pm • link • report
by Froggie on Dec 8, 2010 12:49 pm • link • report
But this has turned out better than expected. Rather than debate what we can accept as fact, you attach straw men, elephants, lions, tigers, bears and all sorts of fanciful stuff, to your argument. As an adult, I can comfortably say that those people "west of the river" who supported Fenty didn't do so because they thought Gray would do more for black people, even though many of them (now including you) suggest so.
Obviously, you are one of those smart people who can't get to the crux of an issue. That explains how you branded all Fenty opposition "across the river" solely to race. On this one, I'm hip to the game. What's striking is that since I know nonblacks (west of river) who voted for Fenty and I would never claim they did so for racially polarized reasons, even on a blog. Can you say the same?
As to your unanimous argument, this too is where I am hip. I witnessed this during the 2008 election where it was concluded that blacks overwhelmingly supported Obama because he was black. Not that we liked him more than Hillary of McCain but because he was black. Your quip is no different here.
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 12:53 pm • link • report
Remember that when Obama first announced he was running there was talk from some people that he might not be "black enough", whatever that means. Similar things were said about Fenty. The campaign, despite its "One City" mantra, had racial undertones suggesting this as well.
On the other hand, I'm just a myopic little twit who lives in Arlington and doesn't know any black people in Anacostia, so I guess I'm not actually qualified to talk.
by Teyo on Dec 8, 2010 12:58 pm • link • report
by S.A.M. on Dec 8, 2010 12:59 pm • link • report
Two years ago I thought Obama was going to change the world. I was also at the time witnessing competent, responsive government in DC for the first time since I was born here 30 years ago. I thought for the first time ever that perhaps democracy was working.
Now I look at Obama, hardly the face of change, and I look at the ousted Fenty and Klein. And I think, maybe Obama isn't so stupid after all... Had Obama really brought down the thunder like Fenty did would he have made it to another term. I'd argue not. But then I would have much rather he brought down the thunder all the same.
by John on Dec 8, 2010 1:02 pm • link • report
Now if Gabe is so irreplaceable then I think DC & America have a huge problem! Let's see who will be his replacement first! I'm sure there is a guy or a girl as capable as Gabe, maybe even more...
by Vincent Flament on Dec 8, 2010 1:03 pm • link • report
N.B. Gloria Jeff the Acting AWI Director under Nic Nicholson at DDOT/IPMA was once GM at Los Angeles DOT. (That is another story).
by Some Ideas on Dec 8, 2010 1:04 pm • link • report
I'm simply saying I think many of us foresaw the already-apparent issues with a Gray administration, with Klein's removal being just the latest chapter, and that Alpert seemed naive in his pre-primary post.
Everyone makes mistakes and this misstep does not tarnish his greater body of work. It just frustrates someone who felt helpless to stop what occurred in the Democratic primary.
by Nick on Dec 8, 2010 1:07 pm • link • report
...[T]his isn't so much a race divide (as HogWash would like to believe) as it is an age divide. Add a little class divide to complete the trifecta...
But they're all interrelated, right? DC's elderly are overwhelmingly black. DC's poor are--with the exception of a small Latino population--overwhelmingly black.
Heck, nearly *all* of DCs racial tension could be re-framed as class-struggle. You can bet Capitol Hill residents Grover Norquist and Donna Brazile have more in common as pertains to local politics than Donna Brazile has in common with a struggling single mother of three in Ward 8.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 1:07 pm • link • report
by MPC on Dec 8, 2010 1:13 pm • link • report
I think it happened because people heard that he worked with Barry and they attached every ill-motivation from there. He was "returning us back" to the days of whatever they wanted to accuse him of. IMO, Gray reminded them of an era (age) they didn't like not a race. But race did become secondary.
@Teyo, the same was also said about Williams, from likely the same group of people. Rememeber that? And Williams, like Obama ran and won.
by HogWash on Dec 8, 2010 1:14 pm • link • report
I'm just happy he's finally getting around to filling the positions.
by jcm on Dec 8, 2010 1:16 pm • link • report
- Bingo. Couldn't have said it better myself.
by Lol'z on Dec 8, 2010 1:17 pm • link • report
How many of Albert's meetings with Gray, of which I believe there was one, did Gray initiate?
How many times did Klein ask to talk to Gray?
I don't remember reading anything about Klein complaining of trying to talk to Gray about the future of his post, or about anything, and being unable to receive his ear.
Could just be that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Along these lines, one thing is clear about the outgoing administration: the DDOT head had much better access to the mayor than the chairman of the city council did. That concerns me a lot more than the lack of conversations between the not-yet-mayor and the people he was planning to sack.
by Jamie on Dec 8, 2010 1:19 pm • link • report
It seems like very darn comment thread in D.C. always, somehow, devolves to the issue of race... Pathetic.
It's about class. Race is just a proxy for class. Which means it's about race, too. And round and round we go.
Not sure why you find this pathetic, though. Given that it's *the* principal dynamic through which DC politics operates, that these topics are usually avoided at all costs in the name of "getting along", and that the conversation seems on the whole to be pretty respectful and honest, what's the problem.
We should be talking about race and class *more*, in my opinion, not less.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 1:25 pm • link • report
That's the issue right there. Alpert said "have faith in our ideas". Well if the soon-to-be-mayor sacks Klein without even talking to him for months how much "faith in our ideas" could Gray possibly have? Hey, but he had blogger round tables. woooo hoooo!
by Jason on Dec 8, 2010 1:35 pm • link • report
Why would that concern you? Does it concern you that the Secretary of State has better access to the President than Harry Reid does? Makes no sense.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 1:40 pm • link • report
If Gray had actually gone out and had long talks with all the department heads to discuss their future, then everyone here would be complaining about him being indecisive, too deliberative, and unable to make executive decisions.
Shocker, you can't win.
I love how everyone is already saying "our fears for the administration have already come true!" Perhaps you should at least wait until he's actually the mayor before saying "I told you so." He hasn't painted over any bike lanes yet.
by Jamie on Dec 8, 2010 1:43 pm • link • report
Harry Reid probably does have better access to Obama than he does, and I would certainly hope that the president communicates with the heads of the legislative branch more often than with the DOT head who nobody's ever heard of.
by Jamie on Dec 8, 2010 1:51 pm • link • report
by Phil on Dec 8, 2010 1:52 pm • link • report
by anonymous on Dec 8, 2010 1:58 pm • link • report
No, I disagree.
I understand why you want to change the analogy from the SecDef to Transportation, since Defense is considered one of the core functions of the federal government. That's obviously not the case with local government. But transportation remains probably *the* core function of local government. Hence dc.DOT == fed.DOD.
The Secretary of Defense (or State) at the federal level is the equivalent of the DDOT head at the local level. So my analogy is more apropos.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 1:59 pm • link • report
by Some Ideas on Dec 8, 2010 2:01 pm • link • report
If you are reading this, as a DC resident, I think you did an incredible job. Hopefully our new major won't undo all the good things you've done.
John
by JohnDC on Dec 8, 2010 2:02 pm • link • report
The city council writes laws. The legislative branch writes laws. The president signs laws. The mayor signs laws.
The DOT may be "the core function of local government" to you, because you want them to make more bike lines. I think if you asked most people, they would be concerned much more with crime and education than with bike lanes and streetcars.
But whatever your personal opinion, they all depend on legislation, and the city council has far more to do with the lives of most people day-to-day than Gabe Klein does.
Do you really think more people have heard of Gabe Klein than Jim Graham? Do you really think anyone outside GGW could tell you who Gabe Klein is?
by Jamie on Dec 8, 2010 2:06 pm • link • report
Too simplistic. It's not a question of the two being formally equivalent. It's a question of their relative profile in the government. Simply, DDOT--along with public safety, and yes, school administration--are the three hugely important core functions of local government. Not so much at the national level.
DDOT's prominence has nothing to do with bike lanes; why do you think that potholes, snow-removal, and the like (and school metrics, and crime stats) are the focus of every single election? Certainly in a way that DCRA is not.
As far as Gabe Klein's name recognition, I doubt 5% of Americans could name Obama's Secretary of the Treasury. You can bet that he spends more time with Obama than Harry Reid gets.
by oboe on Dec 8, 2010 2:48 pm • link • report
Are you concerned about Gabe Klein leaving because of pothole filling, snow removal, and trash collection? Those certainly are not the subjects that most often come up around here associated with his name, and I can't think of any reason to think that any capable manager, whatever his particular approach to urbanism, would decide they should not be important.
DDOT's prominence, to most people, is that they should never have to think about DDOT. They just want the potholes to be filled and the roads to be cleared.
But back to the sorts of conversations that should go on in government, if what most people want out of DDOT is that they do their job, why would the mayor need to have regular conversations with them? Like, how are those potholes going? Did you guys fire up the snowplows this year to make sure they work?
Policy making, on the other hand, is a political process that involves negotiation and lots of stakeholders who want different things. The fact that Fenty did not understand that is why he did not get re-elected.
by Jamie on Dec 8, 2010 2:58 pm • link • report
All y'all need to learn the names and roles of everything DDOT is really responsible for and does on a daily basis. You make yourselves look silly with your one note song.
by Some Ideas on Dec 8, 2010 4:52 pm • link • report
by Jamie on Dec 8, 2010 4:58 pm • link • report
Second, I, for one, personally suggested to Gray (twice) that he should keep Klein (and Scott Kubly, who I suspect will be out the door right behind Klein) unless he was drop-dead sure that he had someone better in mind.
He clearly has opted to do something else. So be it.
Third, considering that two former DC DOT\DC DPW directors - Tom Downs (who was far and away THE best WMATA board member DC ever sent into the Graham Building) and Cell Bernardino - are key advisors in the Gray transition team, I was frankly not surprised, though mildly disappointed, to hear yesterday that Klein was, in fact, either leaving or had been asked to resign.
Fourth, I suppose the back spin Gray could put on what I told him twice might be: what is going (or will go) on at DDOT that ONLY Klein (and Kubly?) were uniquely equipped to handle? By definition, a top drawer municipal transportation public policy executive should be able to pick up those batons and finish the race. Assuming, that is, that Gray does not have some fundamentally different directions and strategic objectives in mind for DDOT. In that case he obviously has grounds for wanting his own people in place in what you might call a mission-critical department like DDOT. (Bear in mind that this department in some form or other touches the lives (and affects the quality of life) over every citizen in this City.)
So, sixth, looked at from that perspective, it is only fair that Gray should be allowed to bring in the people he wants to further his agenda. That, after all, was the verdict from the voters in September and November, now wasn't it?
Harold E. Foster; AAG-ProfGeog: AICP
Acting Executive Officer
The Amériças Institute
Petworth
by Harold Foster on Dec 9, 2010 9:55 am • link • report
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