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NEWS RELEASEDistrict of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management
Assistance Authority FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHIEF MANAGEMENT OFFICER FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ANNOUNCES DEPARTUREWashington, D.C. Dr. Camille Cates Barnett, Chief Management Officer for the District of Columbia today announced her intention to leave her position within the next several weeks. In making her announcement, Dr. Barnett noted that her position was a transitional one designed to improve government services until political power could be returned to the District's elected officials. "That transfer of power has happened sooner than was expected at the time I was hired - and that is a good thing for the city. I strongly believe in home rule for the District, and a return to normal governance. I came to facilitate those changes by improving the management and delivery of services. The reason I am leaving is because I did what I came to do," said the CMO. Reading from a prepared statement, Dr. Barnett said that improvements have been made during her one-year tenure such as more repairs of streets, the replacement of parking meters, the restarting of recycling, the decrease in the waiting lines for vehicle inspection, restored alley cleaning, expanded health care coverage to children and their families, improvements in the operation of the morgue, reduced response times for fire and EMS, reduced property loss and fire deaths, a decrease in the time it takes to process building permits, a clean-up of areas in the city used for open drug markets, and the installation of new phones in District facilities. "Without the CMO's efforts, we would not have been successful in achieving the mandate Congress placed on the Authority in August of 1997. The transition to normal government has begun, and her work to facilitate change, by improving the management and delivery of services has been very successful. We thank Dr. Barnett for beginning the management reform and regulatory reform efforts," said Alice M. Rivlin, Chair of the D.C. Financial Authority. "Her leadership during the past year has been crucial to the Financial Authority, and to the District's success thus far." "On behalf of the District of Columbia, I would like to thank Camille Cates Barnett for her service to our city. She came here at a very difficult time and has made a substantial contribution to the management reform process. During her tenure as Chief Management Officer, Dr. Barnett built the foundation for performance management, performance contracts, and long-term strategic planning that will help the District improve service to its citizens," said Anthony Williams, Mayor of the District of Columbia. In closing Dr. Barnett said "From the many community meetings I have attended, I have been impressed with the pride and commitment people have in their neighborhoods and communities. It is a most significant asset of the District and one that gives me heart. It has been a great privilege for me to serve the citizens of the nation's capital. I thank all the many people who have made our progress to this point possible." ANTHONY A. WILLIAMS MAYORFor Immediate Release January 7, 1999 Statement by Mayor Anthony A. Williams Regarding the Resignation of Chief Management Officer Camille Cates Barnett"On behalf of the District of Columbia, I would like to thank Camille Cates Barnett for her service to our city. She came here at a very difficult time and has made a substantial contribution to the management reform process. During her tenure as Chief Management Officer, Dr. Barnett built the foundation for performance management, performance contracts and long- term strategic planning that will help the District improve service to its citizens. "Camille Barnett is recognized as one of our national leaders in public management and the District has been fortunate to take advantage of her professional expertise. She has recruited several highly qualified managers for our city, which will serve it well. "I respect her decision to leave the Government of the District of Columbia at this point in time as we begin returning to normal government operations under the leadership of elected officials. I am pleased that Dr. Barnett has committed to a smooth transition of responsibility." (202) 727-2980 |
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