The Ward 6 D.C. councilman was far from the District when Mayor Vincent Gray rolled out his budget on Friday. As Gray presented his $9 billion plan, Wells speaking at the University of Alabama, his alma mater. It was Wells' first visit in 20 years -- and his first since a powerful tornado pummeled Tuscaloosa in April. Wells, a "smart growth" advocate, said he was impressed Tuscaloosa is using those principles as it rebuilds.