Whatta year it’s been at YPP. From libraries to casinos, Seth Williams’ victory to Arlen Specter’s fight for political survival, from the tanking economy to School District chaos to the downward spiral of the Nutter administration – there was no shortage of things to write about and no shortage of work where YPP’s writer/activists were seeking change.

The year opened with hope and promise, from Ray to Dan to Marc’s call to arms:

And our job as activists is to keep building the movement not just to save our libraries but to change our government. Sooner or later we will find political leaders who understand that they can build on our movement rather than trying to govern in opposition to it.

It might be Michael Nutter. It might be someone else. But it will happen, because when the people are united in struggle in a liberal democracy, it always does.

In my opinion the YPP community more than delivered.

YPPers helped elect Seth Williams to office, championed libraries (in posts too many to highlight), campaigned against stupid cycling laws, got election returns published, watched Foxwoods go down and fought predatory casino legislation, held Specter’s feet to the fire, and had our fair share of laughs along the way. I loved YPP’s work this year in cross-posting with two new blogs – the Public School Notebook and Media Mobilizing Project. I deeply appreciated the opportunity to hear from the front lines of health care reform (Marc), environmental activism (Brady) and One Philadelphia’s work in redefining progressive economics for a progressive city (Stan). I also loved the addition of new writers like MMP’s Bryan Mercer and Todd Wolfson and their insights into media justice and the SEPTA strike. Thanks for the education y’all.

Thanks as well to the whole YPP community for allowing me to share and discuss some of the work I’ve been doing, from campaigning to get BRT patronage off the District payroll (which I first wrote about here at YPP 18 months ago) to challenging problematic city immigration policies to fighting Foxwoods and continuing the campaign against predatory gambling. YPP helped me “break” another story here (via the Notebook) by writing about the surprise resignation of SRC Commissioner Heidi Ramirez. It was sad to note that a June post on violence against Asian students became all too prescient about December’s appalling attack on dozens of Asian students at South Philly High and the school, District and Mayor’s equally appalling (lack of) response.

Like many folks, I’m not sure how much time I’ll have in the new year, but I’m looking forward to new writers and new ideas, and I’ll always be reading.

A few of my favorite posts of the year:

• Hannah Sassaman’s reportback on the Sugarhouse action which resulted in the arrests of 14 anti-casino activists. I can’t tell you the number of times I was told that casinos in town were a done deal and to stop wasting my time. But this action showed that the fight is as strong and frankly as smart and relevant as ever.

• Brady’s reporting on the sins of the natural gas industry and in particular the outrage of not taxing them was an absolute eye opener for me. It would of course make sense that our worlds would ultimately collide. With the potential demise of the table games bill (dare I hope), Rendell this past week announced a look into taxing the natural gas industry.

• This post on the Constitution Center's health care town hall meeting because I couldn't be there but wanted to be. (Similar shout out to Jennifer and the D.A. debate).

• Since YPP's crazy ex-server holds hostage Dan's post on why the Dad Vail will be back in 2010, I'll put up his beautiful rowing post from last spring. It was great to see someone incorporate their love and passion for something into moving posts that were both personally and politically relevant.

• In addition to Jennifer’s many posts on the criminal justice system, she really does her thing here calling out the media for its framing of women and violence and pointing out the things we should have noticed.

• Jethro Heiko’s response to Councilman DiCicco’s son’s threat: ‘cause it was so damn funny.

• YPP's best work is in the dialogue that follows. In that vein, I enjoyed the responses on teacher merit pay. It was a spirited and pointed discussion that stayed civil and smart even when we didn’t always agree.