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Marion Barry, 78, remembered by city leaders, friends

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON — Friends, foes and the famous spent Sunday remembering Marion Barry, the D.C. councilman and former mayor who died Sunday at 78.

Barry had been admitted Thursday to Howard University Hospital because he was not feeling well, according to D.C. council spokeswoman LaToya Foster.

Foster says that Barry was discharged at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and told her he was in good spirits. He then went home, watched some TV and then left the house to get something to eat. When he was returning home, he collapsed while getting out of his vehicle.

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An ambulance was called and his wife Cora went with him to the United Medical Center around 12:15 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 1:46 a.m. The Associated Press reports Barry died naturally of heart problems caused by high blood pressure, and his kidney disease was a contributing factor, according to the D.C. medical examiner. Barry had a kidney transplant in 2009, suffered from diabetes and was also a prostate cancer survivor.

Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser spoke at a press conference where she said she is saddened and shocked at the loss of Barry. “He was an inspiration, fighter and champion for the people of Ward 8 and he left a strong legacy.”

Mayor Vincent Gray ordered flags at all D.C. buildings to be flown at half- staff in Barry’s honor. “Marion was not just a colleague but also was a friend with whom I shared many fond moments about governing the city,” said Gray in a statement. “He loved the District of Columbia and so many Washingtonians loved him.”

*****

Former City Paper columnist Ken Cummins coined the phrase “Mayor for Life,” and says that Barry hated it at first, but came to love it, eventually using it as the title of his autobiography, published in June.

Barry was first elected mayor in 1978 after building a political career as an official of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and a local activist in Washington. He was re-elected in 1982 and 1986.

He made national headlines in 1990 when he was convicted and sent to prison for 6 months after getting caught in a sting smoking crack with a girlfriend in a D.C. hotel room. His career has been fraught with financial scandal and tainted by his drug abuse problems early on. But observers say his contributions to the city will be remembered as substantial and varied for years to come.

“There was the good Marion Barry and the bad Marion Barry, both in equal measure,” recalled longtime congressional correspondent and WTOP reporter Dave McConnell on air Sunday morning. “But I think as a larger-than-life figure Barry will be remembered as bringing bringing power and focus to to the Mayor’s office,” taking over in 1979 and heading the District’s redevelopment. “He knew what he wanted to do and would do it by any means necessary.”

“He continued to get back up,” Cummins said, “and I think that was one of the sources of his longevity and strength.” He adds, “If you look back, there is no one who has dominated local politic s and government for the last 50 plus years.”

Washington Post columnist and WTOP contributor Clinton Yates says that Barry’s legacy will be “a little bit better off than he thought it might be. But at the same time there’s gonna be a lot of people who won’t turn their eyes to what he did wrong.”

Yates says Barry’s durability stemmed from people’s ability to identify with his struggles.

“All of us … don’t live as easily as some people choose to live. And he was a guy who did not mind sharing that with the public.”

Barry was married four times and is survived by one son, Marion Christopher Barry.

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UMC, the hospital where Barry died, mentioned in a statement Barry’s “long history of social and political engagement in the District and across the nation,” adding that Barry “maintained a strong and heartfelt resolve to keep United Medical Center open for the people east of the Anacostia River.

“Without his involvement and continued work on our behalf we are certain that this hospital would not be where it is today. Mr. Barry taught us all so much about fighting for justice; fighting for the people; fighting for the poor — it now becomes our responsibility to keep his legacy alive.”

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III says that he, like so many, got his first job through Barry’s summer jobs program, “and he would remind me every time he saw me. …

“He was committed to making a difference in people’s lives – a visionary, who saw the potential of the city and believed that everyone deserved a fair opportunity to fulfill their potential.”

At Barry’s church, Union Temple Baptist Church, native Washingtonian Keith Johnson told WTOP that he was particularly impressed by Barry’s minority set- aside program, which he says “opened up the door for a lot of people who were locked out of a lot of opportunities from here.” The program sets aside a percentage of local government contracts each year to minority-owned businesses, and Johnson says “There was a lot of folks who didn’t like the program and the attacked it a lot. But under Barry that was a big program helped benefit a lot of people.”

*****

The tributes to Barry flowed in from local and national political figures throughout Sunday.

Councilman Jack Evans had the office next door to Barry, and said that it was “like having an historical figure as well as a colleague right within your reach. …

“Marion really looked out for people who were down and out and he will really be remembered for that.”

“His work on behalf of the Democratic Party has been second to none,” Ward 8 president Natalie Williams said early Sunday in a statement. “He definitely has set the bar for all Democrats to work together on behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, and especially those who he has fought for over the years here in Ward 8.”

“Mr. Barry will forever be an icon in D.C. for his deep commitment to social justice and bold political leadership, as well as his personal generosity and compassion,” said councilman-elect Charles Allen in a statement Sunday.

Sharon Pratt, who beat Barry in a 1990 election for mayor, told WTOP on Sunday, “He represented a new voice in the city — a community of activists.” She added that he sparked passions along “a racial divide, an economic divide in the city.

“He was quite a political tour de force.”

She added that she didn’t think Barry ever got over her beating him — whenever they went to lunch after that election, she had to pick up the check.

“Marion was a political genius, community outreach expert, champion of the overlooked and the left-out while emphasizing the inclusion of everyone,” said fellow councilwoman Anita Bond.

“He was a warm compassionate human being and proud public servant who was the only D.C. politician with coattails.”

“As a longtime resident of Washington, D.C. I can attest to the fact that former Mayor Barry was a consequential figure in the city that I call home. His vision, and his hard work helped to transform Washington into the world- class city it now is,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

President Barack Obama expressed his sadness over Barry’s death Sunday, also lauding him for advancing the cause of civil rights as a one-time leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

“Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Marion Barry. Marion was born a sharecropper’s son, came of age during the Civil Rights movement, and became a fixture in D.C. politics for decades. …

“Through a storied, at times tumultuous life and career, he earned the love and respect of countless Washingtonians, and Michelle and I extend our deepest sympathies to Marion’s family, friends and constituents today.”

The Rev. Jesse Jackson tweeted that Barry was “a great coalition politician” who will “remain high on the honor roll of freedom fighters.”

Barry released his autobiography, “Mayor For Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.,” in June. A segment on Barry aired on Oprah’s “Where Are They Now” program Sunday.

And back at Union Temple, Malika Henderson said, “What can you say — he’s the mayor for life even in death.”

*****

Artists were putting the finishing touches on a tribute to Barry on Sunday at 14th Street and Randolph Street NW.

Marion Barry mural

barry_mural (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

A mural of Marion Barry was painted at 14th Street and Randolph Street NW. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

Later in the day, a crowd gathered for a vigil organized in Ward 8. Participants marched, some with drums in hand, in Barry’s honor.

Marion Barry vigil

barry_vigil (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

"We’re going to miss a great leader," DC Council Member David Grosso said during a vigil for Marion Barry Sunday night. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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