Ruthzee Louijeune

As the new president of the Boston City Council, Ruthzee Louijeune has a lot of things — both big and small — on her mind.

Ruthzee Louijeune, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, was elected Monday by her colleagues as the new president of the Boston City Council.

The Boston City Council election was as sleepy as expected for an off-year contest with no mayor on the ballot. Just 19% of registered voters turned out to cast ballots for an eight-way at-large race and six contested district races. But behind those low turnout numbers on Nov. 7 was a quiet battle for the soul of the city.

Frank Baker won’t be appearing on the ballot this year. After 10 years in office, the District 3 City Councilor from eastern Dorchester is calling it quits. But you wouldn’t know it by his presence in last Sunday’s Dorchester Day Parade, where he practically jogged the three-mile route, zig-zagging from one side of the street to the other, shaking hands. Why?

In a process its Civil Rights Committee Chairwoman Ruthzee Louijeune called contentious, the Boston City Council has passed a second redistricting map with a 10-2 vote, sending the map to Mayor Michelle Wu’s desk for approval.

The Boston City Council on March 8 passed Mayor Michelle Wu’s rent stabilization proposal 11-2, with District 3 Councilor Frank  Baker and at-large Councilor Erin Murphy voting “no.”

Boston City councilors passed a resolution last week calling on the administration of Mayor Michelle Wu to increase the percentage of affordable housing required in new housing developments to 20% from the current 13% and to lower the building-size threshold at which the policy takes effect from nine units to five units.

On a hot and humid Sunday afternoon, thousands came out to enjoy the annual Haitian Unity Parade celebrating the Caribbean nation's 219th Flag Day with music, food and an opportunity for the community to access health services amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Boston City Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Brian Worrell gave speeches from the floor of the Ianella Chamber outlining their priorities for advancing racial justice in Boston.