Twelve years ago I made a decision to enter public service and since then I have devoted my time and energy to making our community and City a little more livable. Simply put, this job has been my life. From my days as a staff person to my tenure now as the City Council Minority Leader, I have lived and breathed this job. There are many moments of frustration, but the exhilaration of solving problems for a senior citizen or seeing a student use a new computer that I have provided to her school is unmatched.

Forging a strong working relationship with the Council Speaker Gifford Miller, I have used my leadership in the Council to develop a common sense agenda. In a body that is overwhelmed with folks who think the same and espouse the same philosophy, I have demonstrated that there is another view--one shared by thousands of middle class New Yorkers who feel they often foot the tab without enjoying the benefits. I am proud to be a voice in City Hall for the hard working outerborough residents. And I have never lost sight of the fact that the guy who hits the pothole on his way to work or the mother who comes home to an erroneous water bill knows how important it is to have a Council Member whose actions indeed do speak louder than words.

Whether it was voting “no” on a measure to raise property taxes, pushing for senior housing, leading the fight to tackle the problem of overdevelopment, making the timely availability of mammography services for women a reality or ensuring that our children have the resources needed to succeed, I have taken action every day on behalf of the people who elected me in February 1999, November 1999 and November 2001.

On November 4, 2003, I will be up for re-election for the fourth time in nearly five years. That is why I am asking you to allow me the privilege of providing you with an effective voice in city government and to continue taking action on issues that affect your quality of life.


(Statement reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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