The end of one year and the beginning of the next is always a time for reflecting.  For me the end of 2007 also brings to an end my time in the Monroe County Legislature. Probably one of the most rewarding and frustrating endeavors so far in my life. Rewarding because, in the last few years I worked with a phenomenal caucus. Smart people with a passion for what they do, all from different backgrounds, all with the same goal, the good of the community. Frustrating because that aspect of the caucus was so rarely recognized by the majority, by the media, by people in general. Frustrating because rare was the occasion that the majority would “allow” minority initiatives to go forward. Now having said that —one caveat — drum-roll please…. I did get something passed. My very last act on the Legislature was to move to discharge a referral from committee; one I had submitted in September that was pending. It was Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence, prohibiting discrimination against victims of domestic violence in rental and evictions. It got early support from a couple of Republicans, and at the last meeting of the Lej, after the budget was passed– I thought well its now or never. I made the motion to discharge it from committee and the R’s took a recess and came back and passed it unanimously! It did feel pretty awesome! I have to thank Mike Barker from Fairport, once he expressed interest I was pretty much a pest and he convinced his caucus. Maybe there is hope there after all, of course now with a 15/14 split there may be even more hope! I will keep my eye out there.

And of course 2008 will bring my swearing in to City Council, which will prove interesting I am sure. I look forward to moving an agenda and hope that happens with more ease than down the street at the County. Call me optimistic!

My replacement is in the works… more on that in a few days. For now…. Happy 2008!