Deputy Mayor Phil Thompson (photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

The Racial Justice Commission convened by Mayor Bill de Blasio to revise the City Charter in pursuit of greater racial equity is nearing the end of its work and is considering several proposals that may end up on the ballot in the 2022 general election. The commission will vote on those proposals on December 3 – whatever it passes will be binding and appear on next year’s ballot – and issue its final report on December 13.

The ideas are broad changes to city government and its

Henry Garrido, the author (photo: District Council 37)

[Update: two days after this op-ed column first published, CD37 announces its support of Eric Adams for mayor]

On January 1, a new Mayor will take on what is — even under normal circumstances — one of the most important and challenging elected offices in our nation. New York City’s next executive leader will inherit a city ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting citywide shutdown. The events of the last year devastated our communities, shuttered businesses, and