
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 3, 1995                   TAG: 9501060035
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

MAYOR-AGAIN MARION BARRY: DISGRACED, BUT NOW RESTORED

Four years after being forced from the mayor's office in disgrace, Marion Barry was sworn in as mayor again Monday after promising to make the nation's capital ``newer and better.''

During his absence, Barry served six months in prison for a drug conviction, got divorced, won a seat on the city council and got married for the fourth time.

Barry's inauguration was greeted with loud applause from a crowd of several thousand gathered in a gymnasium at the University of the District of Columbia.

At a luncheon for elderly Washingtonians and a morning church service, Barry devoted New Year's Day to reflections on spirituality, faith and redemption - themes he drew upon heavily during his political comeback from addict to mayor.

``Sometimes we get out of the valley where we've been, whether it's the valley of a bad marriage, the valley of alcohol and drugs, the valley of a business gone wrong, a child that won't act right.''

``Give me a chance to be successful and with your help I'll be successful,'' said Barry.

But many residents are waiting to see if Barry can demonstrate he is up to the task. Even the optimism of longtime Barry supporters like Basil Franklin is bittersweet.

``I just hope he can keep it together long enough to get the city back on its feet,'' he said.

by CNB