City councilor seeks to flesh out Globe profile

I WRITE to thank the Globe for its profile of me and my work on the Boston City Council ("Councilor steps to his own beat," Page A1, July 2).

It seems there was not space to mention the many legislative matters I have championed in more than four years on the City Council. Just this year, I have filed more than two dozen on a wide range of matters.

Among the 2007 measures pending in committee are pieces of legislation I have authored on the school dropout crisis, commercial tax breaks, institutional expansion, creating a new city planning department, the redesign of City Hall, alternative fuel vehicles, global warming, recycling, gun safety policies, and youth violence.

The committees that I chair, Youth Affairs and Environment and Health, have been active and currently host just a handful of pending matters. We have scheduled two hearings, on recycling and on the use of loud "impact devices" in construction projects, for this month and plan hearings on all remaining matters this summer and fall.

I have also attended every weekly council meeting in 2007 and almost all budget hearings under my committees' jurisdiction.

In addition to official council meetings, community meetings, and personal meetings with advocates for legislation, my staff and I have assisted a diverse group of constituents from across the city with housing, education, public safety, economic, and health concerns. I remain committed to ensuring that all my constituents receive equitable services from our city.

I hope that this letter helps complete the picture of my work as a Boston city councilor at large.

FELIX D. ARROYO
Boston