Results, not rhetoric
When elected in 2017, Robin committed to bringing new perspective to the role of Town Councilmember, and to ensure that marginalized members of our community were given voice and included.
In that spirit, she spearheaded the creation of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory (IDEA) Board, which is engaged in the development of an Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Action Plan that will serve as a roadmap for not only the Town of Brighton, but the broader region, as we embark on improving community understanding and equity in this third decade of the 21st Century. In recognition of that and related work, Robin was honored to receive a 2019 Truth and Action Recognition Award from Brighton High School’s Black Student Union, for honoring Rosa Parks’ and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to social justice, education, and community building.
Community Choice Aggregation
After four years of concerted effort, the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program began operation in January 2021. Brighton residents enjoy renewable electricity at the rate of $0.0429/KWh, 77% less than the New York State average of $0.184/KWh and 68% less than the U.S. average of $0.1319/KWh. Furthermore, by keeping the electricity sourced within New York State, Brighton’s CCA preserves the Town’s eligibility to apply for grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to fund clean energy projects such as solar panel installations, LED conversion, or developing a Climate Action Plan.
to power their homes with clean, green, renewable electricity,
Concurrently with the implementation of CCA, Brighton also was able to leverage its partnership with Source Power to enable its citizens to opt into community solar, generating additional revenue for the Town amidst an economic downturn that is tightening municipal budgets everywhere. In a political environment where we are conditioned to accept kneejerk compromise, CCA truly has turned out to be a win/win/win in the form of lower electricity prices for consumers, continued eligibility for NYSERDA grants, and additional revenue for the Town.
Robin’s other accomplishments on the Brighton Town Board:
- A local law that prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income.
- A local law that requires disciplinary actions within the Brighton Police Department to be approved by the Town Board.
- Coordinating feedback for the State Department of Transportation with regard to improving plans for traffic routing and bike lanes.
- Coordinating with stakeholders to develop a letter in support of carbon pricing at the federal level and investment in infrastructure to ensure immediate and equitable action to address the climate crisis.
- A local law that requires contractors to have Renovations, Repair or Painting (RRP) lead certification when applying for certain building permits where lead may be disturbed, which was recognized with an award at the Annual Meeting of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning.
- Coordinating with stakeholders to establish a Complete Count Committee within the Town of Brighton to increase participation in the 2020 Census.
- Collaborating with the Director of the Native American Cultural Center to develop a territorial acknowledgment to recognize the historical and ongoing contributions of Native Americans to stewardship of the land encompassed by the Town of Brighton.
- Coordinating with stakeholders to develop a letter in support of legislative action implementing a Green Amendment within New York State, which would guarantee all New Yorkers the fundamental right to “Clean air, clean water, and a healthful environment.”