I am truly, truly saddened by your article about Marion Barry (“He’s Still Marion Barry,” 2/3). I remember the contributions made by Mr. Barry. I honestly wanted to believe that he had turned his life around. I am a born-and-raised Washingtonian in her early 50s who migrated to Virginia several years ago. I saw the birth of Pride Inc., the Rat Patrol, Meals on Wheels, the origination of the Summer Youth Program, and so on and so on. These were programs designed by Mr. Barry to benefit the youth and the elderly in an impoverished and forgotten area. During Metro’s fledging years, I watched Mr. Barry fight for more Metro stations to be built in the inner city while suburban commuters, with only their best interests in mind, would only consider how far (and at the District of Columbia’s expense) to take the tracks into the outskirts of the city.

Mr. Barry was a vital and integral part of the healthy growth of this city. If there is a true friend left in his “inner circle,” please help him.

Alexandria, Virginia