Councilman Andy King delivered the first ever State of the 12th District Address Wednesday night before a capacity crowd of constituents in the Dreiser Loop Community Center Auditorium in Co-op City.
The address focused on a 12-point action plan to speed up economic growth in the district, address quality of life issues and promote community accountability.
Council Member King State of the 12th District speech listed ways to improve the District’s educational system, develop quality youth programs, affordable housing for today’s workforce, working with public housing tenant leaders and advocates to resolve housing issues, establishing a District 12 Cabinet to address quality of life issues in the 12th District, economic and business opportunities coming to the 12th District, establishing a 12th District Labor roundtable to meet regularly to discuss fairness in the workplace as well as labor issues; expand the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program’s (YEP) Connection Program, which brings together the community’s youth and police officers on a monthly basis; establishment of a health and wellness facility in Co-op City as well as health and wellness events throughout the District; infrastructure improvements and the establishment of business associations throughout the district and promoting community accountability.
Council Member King also listed his discretionary and capital funding distributed to community-based organizations and schools in the district, his piece of legislation enacted since he took office and bills proposed since January 2014.
“People pay attention to people who participate,” said Council Member King. “We sit here together tonight and tomorrow, we work together as a community.”
During the State of the Address, Council Member King honored 12 “Women of Excellence” for Women in History Month (pictured below). They were recognized for their tireless and dedicated energy to improving the lives of family, friends, and community. Honored were: Neva Shillingford-King, executive vice-president 1199 SEIU, president of AFRAM and co-founder of the Bronx YEP; Cynthia Richardson, president of The Surrey Co-op Apartments; Cheryl Dewitt, executive director of the NAACP Early Childhood Education Center; Vivien Nation of Crawford United Methodist Church; Saundra DeJesus, vice president of Eastchester Tenant Association; Kathy Blount of LOCAL 371, a Co-op City activist; Pastor Debora Jenkins of Faith at Works Church; Delores Debnam- president of Retirees of Dreiser Loop; Pastor Michelle White-Hayes of Greater Faith Temple; Michelle Sajous of River Bay Community Affairs; Marlene Cintron, Executive Director of Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation; and Mary Jane Helmrich, Principal of Saint Frances of Assisi.
Council Member Andy King honors 12 “Women of Excellence” during his State of the 12th District Address in recognition of Women in History Month. Photos c/o The Office of Council Member Andy King
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