This year, our fight against fare increases and token booth closings saved over 100 station token booths including the 157th Street station token booth. As a leader in the CUNY student movement in the early 90’s, I organized demonstrations in defense of affordable higher education for poor and working families. I have taught in NYC public schools the past nine years. I founded the Dominican Youth Union and Dominicans 2000, two organizations serving our youth and the community at large. I led the fight by teachers, parents and community members against privatization of four public schools. Even in this time of budget cutbacks, as a Councilmember, I will continue fighting for quality education, smaller class sizes, increased salaries for teachers, and better training and recruitment programs.

My background as an educator has prepared me to represent Upper Manhattan as an advocate and a legislator. As your Councilmember, I will fight for our community by promoting legislation and supporting programs that: strengthen rent laws and regulations; preserve and expand our stock of affordable housing; foster constructive dialog between the community and city agencies; reduce crime and police misconduct; strengthen domestic violence laws; provide healthcare coverage for all; protect workers’ rights to unionize and bargain collectively for better wages and working conditions; improve medical, social, recreational and care facilities for seniors; defend the democratic rights of the foreign-born; monitor and improve air quality and the environment in our neighborhoods; and protect each and every New Yorker’s human and civil rights.

I am proud to be endorsed by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, State Senator Eric Schneiderman, the Audubon Reform Democratic Club, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement, and Norman Siegel and many others -- and I will be honored to have your vote in the Democratic Primary for City Council on September 9, 2003.




(Statement reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)

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