Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez

Dear Friend and Neighbor,

As 2013 comes to a close, we look forward to a new and exciting time in New York City. But before we look ahead, I would like to take this time to look back at the great accomplishments of the past year and the progress we have made as a community and as a city.

This was truly the year of the progressive shift, not only in government but in communities across New York. So many rose up, came together and brought important issues to the forefront of our social discourse, that helped for foster change and set the framework for a brighter future. 

• We took stock of the growing inequality in this city and around the country and made sure our newest citywide elected officials heard our call;
• We stood united against the misused and discriminatory "Stop and Frisk" policies of the NYPD, leading to a major victory in a federal courthouse and at City Hall with the passage of the Community Safety Act;
• We continued to push hard for the rights of workers in our city, turning a small effort into a national movement, and even saw a victory here in our own Washington Heights community after workers were restored to their jobs following their courageous act in stepping up against illegal labor practices;
• And we passed the Paid Sick Leave bill so that our city's hard working people can take the time they have earned and deserve when they or their children fall ill.

These accomplishments and more exemplify the continued push for a more just and more progressive New York City and make me particularly excited for the coming year.

The coming year will build upon these efforts as our newly elected citywide officials enter office with a strong mandate for change. We will work toward universal pre-k for all students so that they get the jump needed on their educational careers; push for investments in affordable housing so that our communities remain stable and sustainable; rebuild the trust between our police and communities of color so that our city remains one of the safest in the world; and increase economic development and opportunities in communities left behind over the past decade, so that we build the human capital necessary to see all of our city thrive in the future.

I would like to thank you for your continued advocacy in and on behalf of our community and I wish you a happy and fruitful new year. I look forward to continue collaborating with you in the year ahead to make our community and our city as great as it can be.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ydanis Rodriguez

Council Member, Northern Manhattan