Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty is running for re-election in 2010. A voter survey in the January 31 edition of the Washington Post found that the mayor's approval rating has dropped from 72% in January 2008 to 42% in January 2010. Among African-Americans, his approval rating was 29% -- down from 68% in 2008.
Poll respondents cited concerns including Mayor Fenty's refusal to give Nationals tickets to members of the City Council, a secretive trip he took to Dubai, and his failure to attend memorial services for the victims of the June 2009 Metro crash.
Now, a special counsel is investigating the Fenty Administration's awarding of some $86 million in construction project contracts without the approval of the City Council. Recipients of those contracts include Sinclair Skinner and Omar Karim. Both are college friends and fraternity brothers of Fenty's.
Mayor Fenty says that he is working to empower a new group of minority builders in the city, and that his administration has adhered to the city's requirements to do business with minority-owned companies. Critics say it has more to do with the contract recipients being friends of the mayor.
With his re-election prospects dimmed, what steps should Mayor Fenty take in order to rebuild his reputation?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/07/AR2010030701156.html
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By declining to comment and letting his network decline to comment on his behalf, Mayor Adrian Fenty is letting the conversation happen without him. "No comment" is a comment: "I'm guilty."
Major issues here include trust in government, racism, and local business economics. These impact how the public (local citizens) view the effectiveness of government and could impact how they vote, if at all if they don't trust government. The ultimate goal for Fenty, of course, is to get re-elected which he can do through rebuilding his reputation.
The major stakeholders include the voters (DC residents), Fenty's administration, Fenty's friends receiving the contract deals, and other contractors who feel they are not being given fair chance to compete for the contracts.
Fenty's messaging to voters needs to build trust. He needs to offer sincere apology for not going through the proper steps, vow to complete the proper steps and get proper approval next time, and then actually do that. When he does get proper approval, he needs to make sure the is aware, perhaps through press releases with the line "As approved by the council, this contract for [some project] has been awarded to [some company]." President Obama has been pushing government transparency in the current administration; Fenty must take a lesson from that.
To contractors, Fenty must properly publicize RFP's and must have a formal process for selection without any favoritism displayed. Perhaps he should even consider making documents available to the public or letting the public come in on RFP meetings if they haven't already. In any case, the council must be more involved so that Fenty does not appear to be trying to make sketchy deals without the public knowing.
Success can be measured either through public opinion polls or if Fenty is re-elected.
I'm not sure that there's all that much that I can add following Whitney's post! I agree that Fenty needs to start participating in the conversation and stop ignoring or downplaying what is going on around him. I also think that Fenty should address the allegations with a more transparent approach. He has an opportunity to acknowledge past mistakes, apologize and salvage some sort of support from DC residents if he starts honestly addressing the DC residents and council's concerns.
Very good job Whitney! I agree with Angela and how Fenty should be more transparent with the allegations and stop down playing the issues. He almost needs to be at the mercy of the public's opinion. But most elected officials help out their friends, so on that aspect i don't think that he should point fingers at others who do that. He needs to admit fault but give solid reason that is short and to the point on why.
This should be an interesting in class..
I agree. Great post, Whitney! I think you covered it!
I also wanted to add that this really relates back to a lot of what we talked talked about in terms of the Obama Administration retooling their communications strategy. Much of their issues management problem centered on their inability to control - or even lead - the conversation, and allowing adversaries, in that case Republicans, to lead the dialogue.
Mayor Fenty is also not leading the dialogue, and his adversaries and their accusations are believable. Trust in government and elected officials is a highly- charged issue, especially in a poor economic climate. It's going to be difficult for Fenty to rebuild trust.
By taking some of the steps Whitney outlined, like publicizing RFPs and involving the city council, Mayor Fenty could begin to give the impression of transparency. If he can successfully appear "reformed" he may be able to shape the conversation in D.C. media about him in a more favorable light.
Firstly, Mayor Fenty needs to openly acknowledge his mistake in awarding excessive funds without the council's approval. In an effort to re-build public trust he needs to show accountability for his actions. Secondly, he can attempt to enhance his image by reminding the public of the positive contributions he has made while in office. If his accomplishments are noteworthy, He may be able to re-establish some level of credibility. However, The special council's investigation at this time does not bode well for his re-election.
In order for Mayor Adrian Fenty to rebuild his reputation, he must restore trust. This can be accomplished by exercising open and honest communications. Further, Fenty needs to engage in the conversation, admit any wrongdoings, and move forward.
I agree with Perla that it may help Fenty to focus on his accomplishments while in office. Additionally, he should highlight a few specific future goals he may have for his administration.
Third party advocates and elected officials that can attest to his achievements and advancements while in office may also provide support and help boost poll numbers for Fenty this year.
Yes, the special counsel investigation may indeed pose a challenge for the Fenty Administration as the election approaches. To avoid a perhaps tarnished reputation, Fenty must now use effective strategic communications. Most importantly, he must communicate to voters that his administration's business policies and practices are fair.
I think Mayor Fenty should focus on his initial promises that got him into office in the first place: reform and transparency. Taking a step back and some time away from his friends would be beneficial as well; after all, this is about business and what's best for the city, not friendship. His messaging strategy for the issue of "pay to play" or the hiring of his friends should include ensuring that those awarded contracts were the most fit for the job and providing past projects they've worked on will help to show their skills. Reinforcing the fact that access does not equal bids and pointing back to the rejected proposals will help to confirm that message. Fenty should also stick to the message of his continued commitment to improving the city.
I agree with pretty much everyone else, Fenty can't continue to ignore the problem. He needs to address the issue and try to be as transparent as possible. He should also stop spending time with his friends when media is around because that is only fueling the fire. If possible he should show that the reason he picks these companies is because they are the best for the job and show the great aspects to the project.
The most important thing that Fenty needs to do right now is stop appearing in situations where it looks like he is abusing his job. Going to the Georgetown game probably wasn't a good idea. Also, since baseball season is starting soon he should give the council their tickets so that drama doesn't show up in the papers again.
Basically, he needs to exercise better judgment, answer his critics, be more transparent, and do a much better job of communicating his successes. He also needs better advisors - the fact that he didn't attend the funerals of the June Metro victims was just straight-up tone deaf on his part and that of his staff.
He must also do a far better job with the African American community. Many of them are upset over the policies enacted by Michelle Rhee, because a good proportion of those who've been removed from their positions are African-American. While these removals may well be justified, they are perceived by the community as a betrayal. A better job of communicating why these steps are necessary, with a minimum of blaming and disparaging, might help. But DCPS is to Fenty what health care is to Obama, however, and he can't make change without pissing someone off.
Also, like Obama Fenty comes across as aloof, but his refusal to answer his critics comes across as arrogant, which is the kiss of death. He needs to show some passion and prove to the citizens of DC that he cares more about them and the city than he does about enjoying the perks of power. That commitment to citizens got him elected, his inability to follow through once in office may get him replaced.
DC is a town full of big personalities and Mayor Fenty is letting them take the lead.
Fenty ran in 2006 on Greatness in Government -- better schools, strict budgets, a hands-on mayor with youth and energy.
That man is shrinking from the fight.
He gives no cover to public school chancellor Michelle Rhee when she goes before the City Council or fights the Washington Teachers Union.
DC Metro is in complete disarray. It received a very public lashing from the Federal Transportation Administration while it is without permanent leadership.
There is a leadership vacuum in a city that will (re)elect a felon if he has the gumption to run.
Mayor Fenty needs to take charge of this storyline. He has to get out in front. The one thing DC won't overlook is silence.
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