Well Wishes From Colleagues As Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs Announces Her Retirement
As you likely already know, Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs, who has served our area for 36 years, announced this past Sunday that she plans to retire at the end of 2014.
“Throughout my tenure as Assemblywoman, I am proud to have been at the forefront of significant issues in health care, education, child care, women’s equality, affordable housing, consumer protection and economic and environmental justice,” the Assemblywoman said in a statement. “My community service office has provided assistance to countless citizens, solving problems and handling concerns over quality of life issues, and obtaining benefits, informing and protecting your rights.”
We asked several of Jacobs’ locally-based colleagues what they had to say about the end of a Flatbush era.
From Assemblymember Jim Brennan, who works quite literally alongside Jacobs–both in Albany and at their joint headquarters on Cortelyou Road:
“I will be sorry to see Rhoda Jacobs retire; she is a valued friend and an outstanding public servant. She served the Flatbush community faithfully for 36 years and her office helped thousands of people in the community. She chaired the Social Services Committee in the Assembly and stood up for the poor and needy throughout her career. I wish her and her family good luck and best wishes. Thank you Rhoda from your friend Jim Brennan.”
From District 40 Councilmember Mathieu Eugene:
“Rhoda Jacobs has been a dedicated public servant who has provided her constituents with 36 years of outstanding service in the New York State Assembly. All of Rhoda’s hard work and perseverance enabled her to rise to the prestigious position of Assistant Speaker in the Assembly. Years before I was elected to public office, I had the privilege of working closely with Rhoda on issues that improved the lives of many people in our community. I wish Rhoda Jacobs continued success as she moves on to the next chapter of her remarkable life.”
From District 45 Councilmember Jumaane Williams, who says Jacobs recommending him for a housing director position at the Flatbush Development Corporation helped launch his professional career (full statement here):
“Personally, I am grateful to the Assemblywoman whom I have known since I was a student at Brooklyn College (BC), which she also represents. As student leader I even gave her an award for her work and dedication… I am confident that those of us who will take the baton from Assemblywoman Jacobs to continue representing and advocating for the Flatbush, Midwood and East Flatbush communities, will be inspired by her legacy.”
From District 44 Councilmember David Greenfield:
“Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs has fought for Brooklyn in the state Assembly since 1978. She has been a consistent voice of reason and leaves a distinguished legacy of accomplishments. I am sad to see her go but congratulate her on her retirement and appreciate her service.”
From Brooklyn Borough President and former New York State Senator Eric Adams:
“Assemblymember Jacobs has served us well. I enjoyed working with her in Albany and here in Brooklyn. Even as the demographics of her district changed, her popularity amongst her constituents stayed the same. I look forward to seeing her next chapter, and I wish her the best in retirement.”
From Church Avenue BID Executive Director Lauren Elvers Collins:
“We will miss the representation of Assemblymember Jacobs in the Church Avenue Business Improvement District. In addition to serving as a speaker at the BID’s 2012 annual meeting, she and her staff have advocated for the BID on initiatives to help the businesses of Church Avenue. Most recently, she joined Assemblymember Jim Brennan several months ago in urging the MTA to include refurbishment of the deteriorated Church Avenue B/Q station in their upcoming budget and we are awaiting the MTA’s response to that request. We wish her well!”
From Reverend Dan Ramm of the Flatbush Reformed Church:
“Rhoda Jacobs is an institution, and a good friend… She has always done what’s best for her community.”
From Robin Redmond, Executive Director of the Flatbush Development Corporation:
“I have had the pleasure of working with Assemblywoman Jacobs for over 15 years. It is unbelievable to think of the many projects we worked on together, from Jacob’s Ladder Project back in my earlier years, to the support for schools and PTAs throughout the years, to the great work we have been doing with the food pantries these past few years, Rhoda has been a true leader for the Flatbush community. We thank her for all she has done, and wish her a restful retirement from public service.”
From 42nd Assembly District Leader and New York State Committeewoman Rodneyse Bichotte, who ran against Jacobs for the Assemblywoman’s seat in 2012 and recently announced her intention to run again this year (full statement here):
“I commend Ms. Jacobs on her commitment to serving the 42nd Assembly District tirelessly and with great sincerity. Through constituent services and legislation, Ms. Jacobs has demonstrated her unwavering dedication to the communities she represented over the past three and half decades in office.”
We thank Rhoda Jacobs for her over three decades of dedication to the 42nd Assembly District, wish her the best in her well-deserved retirement at the end of the year. Assemblywoman, you will be an extraordinarily tough act to follow!
Photo via Rhoda Jacobs