Catania Calls Acting Chair Mendelson an Honorable, Honest Choice | Politics

From Brendan Williams-Kief: Today, Councilmember David A. Catania (At-Large) released the following statement on the District of Columbia Council’s vote to name Councilmember Phil Mendelson (At-Large) Acting Chairman of the body:

“I fully support today’s vote to name my At-Large colleague Acting Chair.  Mr. Mendelson is an honorable person and is honest to the core.  Though we have disagreed on certain issues through our 14 years of service together, I respect him and the work that he has done.”

“At this time of upheaval and crisis for the District, where residents are seeking real unity and stability in their government, the behavior of some of my colleagues today was an embarrassment. The fact that some members made decisions on who to support in today’s vote based on their personal ambitions is a shameful abdication of their oath of office and a disgraceful disservice to the people of the District.”

“To the citizens of the District, I would like to say that we face many months of acrimony and uncertainty ahead. In the coming weeks, I urge residents to reach out to their elected leaders to remind them why they hold office.  People want and deserve to be represented by ethical and diligent individuals who hold their obligations to their constituents and fidelity to their oath above personal ambition or sense of entitlement.”