Barry misses ceremonial meeting of D.C. mayors

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It was supposed to be a meeting of the mayors to honor a mayor -- but it was one mayor short.

Last week, the District held a ceremony to rename the 400 block of T Street Northwest "Home of Walter Washington Way" in honor of the late Walter E. Washington, the city's first mayor under home rule.

Mayor Anthony A. Williams and former Mayor Sharon Pratt attended the event, held on the street in front of Mr. Washington's former home, but former "Mayor for Life" Marion Barry was conspicuously absent.

Mr. Barry's name was on the morning's program as a speaker, and he was scheduled to make remarks after Mr. Williams and immediately before Mrs. Pratt.

Several speakers, including Mrs. Pratt, said during the ceremony that they were sure Mr. Barry would come before the ceremony was over.

He never did. Mr. Barry later said he could not attend because he was at the hospital with his 89-year-old mother, Mattie Cummings.

Working it

Kelvin J. Robinson, Mayor Anthony A. Williams' former chief of staff, has been barred by federal officials from working for the D.C. government.

So he has found a new job lobbying his old colleagues.