Marty Honors World Aids Day

On December 2nd, the BP, along with the Church of the Open Door and the Names Project, honored World Aids Day at a Borough Hall ceremony. "Each year, we remember and honor the many family members, friends and loved ones whose lives have been lost to the tragedy of AIDS and reaffirm our commitment to preventing the spread of HIV through educational programs," Marty said. "Brooklyn has more African-Americans, more women, more children and adolescents, and more orphans diagnosed with AIDS than any other part of New York City." The BP is urging that Congress provide a more equitable funding formula for federal AIDS-prevention dollars, so that Brooklyn organizations receive funding in proportion to the need in the borough. He is also strongly advocating that significant City funds for AIDS prevention be allocated directly to Brooklyn-based organizations.

Marty Lights One of Brooklyn's Largest Menorahs

On December 2nd, Marty and Rabbi Aron Raskin of Congregation B'nai Avraham lit the Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht Menorah, which is the largest Menorah in Downtown Brooklyn. "In America, and particularly here in the borough of Brooklyn, we are fortunate to live in a tremendously diverse society - one in which we strive to respect all people, regardless of race, creed, or religion," said the BP. "This is the main lesson of the festival of Chanukah. I want to wish everybody a healthy and a happy Chanukah and holiday season." There was also a performance by the Yeshiva Ohel Moshe School Choir. This event was a collaboration of the BP, Congregation B'nai Avraham and the Chabad of Brooklyn Heights.

BP's Appointment to the City Planning Commission Honored

On December 4th, Dolly Williams, Marty's appointment to the City Planning Commission, was honored at a Borough Hall reception. "With three decades of experience in design, planning, and construction throughout the five boroughs, Dolly has a keen sense of how excellent planning and development support economic opportunity and help create vibrant neighborhoods," said Marty. "She is also a great Brooklyn story - by way of Trinidad and Tobago - and an inspiration to anyone who arrives in Brooklyn seeking to build a new life. Dolly is a pioneer, who turned a small trucking business into an incredibly successful construction company. Dolly Williams is a woman of great integrity, and I know that through her service on the City Planning Commission, she'll continue to be a tremendous asset to Brooklyn and New York City."

BP Honors the End of Ramadan with the Celebration of Eid Al-Fitr

On December 6th, Marty marked the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking, with a number of representatives from Brooklyn's Muslim community at Borough Hall. "I want to wish everyone in Brooklyn 'Eid Mubarak' during these very special days," said Marty. "This joyous occasion is another example of the incredible diversity that makes Brooklyn the greatest place in the world. Eid al-Fitr is also a time of remembering those in need. Muslims all across our borough will be making donations to special charities which is a message that Brooklynites of all faiths should remember during this holiday season."

Brooklyn's City Council Delegation Meets at Borough Hall

On December 3rd, Marty hosted a meeting of Brooklyn's City Council delegation at Borough Hall. A number of important topics were discussed including innovative revenue enhancement measures that are desperately needed during this fiscal crisis and Brook-lyn's critical shortage of affordable housing. Brad Lander, representing the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development & the 5th Avenue Committee, presented proposals to tackle this pressing problem by committing to a long term development plan for affordable housing, laying a foundation for future development and preserving the affordable housing we already have.

BP Helps 2 Brooklyn Churches Get Desperately Needed Funding

Since Brooklyn is the borough of churches, Marty was pleased to help two local churches secure crucial grants from Governor Pataki to help preserve their beautiful structures. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord in Williamsburg received $350,000 to help repair considerable water damage that threatened to close the church. The Cathedral was designated as a New York City landmark in 1969 and was registered as a National Historic Place in 1980. The Brown Memorial Baptist Church was awarded $200,000 to restore the masonry fa‡ade of the building and roof. Located in both the New York City and New York State registered Clinton Hill Historic Districts, the building was designed in 1860 by Ebenezer Roberts, who later designed the nearby Charles Pratt mansion. In other church news, congratulations to Pastor Thomas E. Moore on his 20th anniversary leading the Shiloh Baptist Church in Bedford Stuyvesant and on his 49th wedding anniversary.

Best Of Brooklyn

Congratulations to Chief Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum, who is the chief rabbi of one of the largest Satmar Hasidic communities in the world in Williamsburg, on the wedding of his granddaughter, Chana, to Yoel Shimon Friedman. More than 30,000 people from around the world celebrated the December 8th nuptials at the New York State Armory. Also, Fort Greene native Sean Campbell was one of just 32 U.S. students awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. The 22-year-old is a project manager at the NYC Economic Development Corp. and a graduate of the University of Chicago. The scholarship will allow Greene to study at Oxford University in England for 2 or 3 years.