February Legislative Update
Dear Friends,
Representing City Council on the Board of International Sister Cities of Rochester (ISCOR) is an honor. Sister Cities were established in the 1950’s to bring citizens together in pursuit of mutual understanding and peace.
That work is particularly difficult now, with the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and appalling treatment of Ukraine.
Yet, the work of local diplomacy and relationship building – the “people to people” work of ISCOR – is more important than ever before. We need to take every opportunity that we can to exert local authority to do what is right and just in this world.
Hopefully in these uncertain times our citizen diplomacy efforts will grow ever stronger. This is why I stay plugged in to organizations like ISCOR, and it’s also why I insist on sending these monthly legislative updates you. To that end, I want to call your attention to two pieces of legislation that we just passed that will contribute to a healthier Rochester.
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We have approved a contract with a premier landscape architect firm and will be moving forward with a new master plan at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. This is an incredible opportunity because MLK should be our central park!
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Photo credit to Day Trips Around Rochester During the City Council Meeting (at approximately minute 50:06) I talked about the importance of adding some critical amenities to this park. There will be plenty of opportunities for formal public input, and I will keep you updated. In the meantime, please send me ideas of parks in other cities that could be a good model for the updated MLK Jr. Park!
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We also passed a measure to help the Rochester City School District invest in critical infrastructure in our shared spaces. RCSD makes some capital improvements every year, but this year they will be doing substantial work on key City facilities that the district also uses, including:
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Adams Street R-Center with Rochester Early College International High School
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Willie Lightfoot R-Center with Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School
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Frederick Douglass R-Center with Anna Murray-Douglass Academy
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City-owned playground with John Williams School
This project demonstrates ways that the City can partner with RCSD to support infrastructure that benefits all citizens. To read the details of this legislation, scroll to page 184 for Introductories 58 and 59.
Meanwhile, in addition to all our regular work, we have a campaign to run.
Please visit my website where you can:
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Donate! Even small amounts are vital because they indicate the number of people who are invested in my re-election.
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Volunteer! Even a couple of hours will lighten the load and buoy our spirits.
As always, I am here to listen to your ideas and concerns. If you are frustrated about what is happening in other levels of government and interested in contributing to a healthier Rochester, please reach out!
In service,
