In its final meeting of the year, the City Council bid a long farewell to eight-year Speaker Christine Quinn. For three hours, almost every Council member took the time to thank the speaker for her service. Quinn, who lost her Democratic primary bid for mayor, heard even some of her sharpest critics praise her achievements. The meeting also saw votes on 26 bills. The council passed a compromise bill banning foam food containers that Mayor Michael Bloomberg argued were virtually impossible to recycle. The Dart Corporation that produces the material has until Jan. 1, 2015, to prove the material can be recycled and resold in a viable way or else the ban will go into effect. The body also passed a bill that bans e-cigarettes wherever regular cigarettes are currently forbidden.
NEW FROM THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — The Longest, Darkest Night Of The Year: On December 21st, the longest night of the year, communities across America observe Homeless Memorial Day. Though it's been held for 25 years, it's usually not covered by the media. If ever it deserves coverage and thought, though, it's this year in New York City. Commentary by Jeff Foreman. READ MORE.
Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasio
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City Job Recovery Not Quite as Strong as Bloomberg Claims (NY Times)
De Blasio Denies Back-Room Deals In Speakers Race (Daily News)
Mark-Viverito Makes Her Case (Wall Street Journal)
De Blasio Launches Star-Studded Pre-K Campaign (Wall Street Journal)
Audit Reveals Payroll Abuse (Albany Times Union)
Assemblyman Accused of Sexual Harassment by Aides (Albany Times Union)
Council Spokesman Moving to REBNY (NY Observer)
7 Subway Lines Slated For Service Changes This Weekend (DNAinfo)