Marty Drops 11 Pounds In Lighten Up Brooklyn

     After 8 weeks of eating right and exercising, Marty hit the scale for his final weigh in for Lighten Up Brooklyn, his borough wide challenge to get Brooklynites to lose weight. "Everybody who has participated in Lighten Up Brooklyn is a winner. This program wasn’t about crash diets," said the BP. "Brooklyn is such a wonderfully diverse and vibrant community that we want every-body to be as healthy as possible so they can enjoy our fantastic borough for many, many years to come."

On Friday, June 21st, we’ll announce Brooklyn’s top male and female weight loss champ who will each win a 4-day / 3-night trip for two to the Bahamas courtesy the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Also, the top weight loss champ at each weigh in station wins a free night at the New York Marriot Brooklyn. Just remember the neighborhood that loses the most weight will appear with Marty on NBC’s Today Show. Marty will also weigh in one more time on June 21st. Mitch Modell, the owner of Modell’s Sporting Goods, is also parti-cipating in Lighten Up Brooklyn. Marty has a bet going that he’ll lose more weight than Modell. If Marty wins, Modell will give Lighten Up Brooklyn participants a discount day at Modell’s.

BP Welcomes Governor Pataki to Borough Hall

     The BP met with Governor George Pataki on Thursday, June 13th, about a number of pressing issues for Brooklynites. "I want to thank Governor Pataki for coming to Borough Hall. I’m glad I had the opportunity to talk to the Governor about many important projects that are vital to the 2.5 million people in Brooklyn," said the Borough President. "I want to deliver for the Borough and getting a face to face meeting with the Governor is a part of that process. I expect this to be a very productive relationship."

The BP asked the Governor for help in lowering auto insurance rates in Brooklyn. He also believes that all 5 Borough Presidents should have a seat on the MTA Board. Marty additionally stressed that the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance should stay in Brooklyn. He believes it shouldn’t be relocated to Manhattan from Pierrepont Plaza. The Borough would lose nearly 200 jobs if moved. Other Key Projects in Brooklyn needing State assistance are the BAM LDC Cultural Center, the Brighton Beach Amphitheater at Asser Levy Park, the Park Slope Armory Renovation, the Brownsville Recreation Center Reconstruction, Lowes Kings Renovation and programmatic assistance to Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation. Governor George Pataki also announced $520,000 from the State Environmental Protection Funds Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) for three projects in Kings County. These projects will provide future waterfront access for the residents of Gowanus, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

The BP said, "I appreciate Governor George Pataki’s ongoing commitment to the redevelopment and creation of park land along Brooklyn’s waterfront. These three projects will help us achieve our common goal of returning Brooklyn’s waterfront to the people. I look forward to working with the Governor and his staff to implement these exciting projects. I also want to commend the residents of Gowanus, Williamsburg and Greenpoint, three of the most active communities in Brooklyn for their tireless efforts in helping to secure the Governor’s support." The BP’s Office, working in partnership with state and local agencies and the community will identify alternative paths to the river, priority loca-tions, street ends and other sites that can be developed for public access. This will expand on work already developed under previous EPF awards. The Governor announced $250,000 for the Brooklyn East Riveroute to prepare a concept and implementation plan to provide public access to the Williamsburg and Greenpoint waterfronts.

The Governor also announced $100,000 for Phase Two of the Gowanus Canal Rediscovery Plan. Under this project, the BP’s Office, working in partnership with the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation, will identify pilot locations for repair of bulkheads and construction of linear walkways, and plan for a pilot habitat restoration along the canal. This project builds on a strategic plan, being prepared through a previous EPF grant, to promote environmental restoration of the canal, increased public access and community revitalization. In addition, Governor Pataki announced $170,000 for the City of New York Parks and Recreation Department to prepare a master plan and construction documents for the reuse of the WNYC transmitter site located on the East River in Brooklyn. The City will work in partnership with state agencies and the community to investigate use of the site as a park to help meet the need for open space in Greenpoint.

BP Hosts Transportation Forum For Senior Citizens and the Disabled at Borough Hall

     On Friday, June 14th, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Marty hosted an important forum to give Brooklyn residents with disabilities, older adults, and their service providers an opportunity to express their concerns about public transportation accessibility and the Access-A-Ride para-transit program. "Brooklyn has the largest number of residents 60 and over of all five bor-oughs. We need a broad range of transportation options to meet the needs of this diverse and growing population," said Markowitz. The BP’s office has already awarded $1million in capital funds to Brooklyn programs that serve older adults for the purchase of 20 wheelchair accessible vans. Panelists include: Christopher Boylan, Deputy Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Councilman John Liu, Chairman, NYC Council Transportation Committee; Senator Seymour Lachman, Ranking Minority Member, Senate Transportation Committee; Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, 51st Assembly District.

BP Planning His 1st Housing Summit for June 27th

     Everyone living in Brooklyn deserves affordable housing. Over the past decade Brooklyn’s housing costs have risen dramatically. Despite a national residential housing boom, the borough has produced only a small fraction of the moderate and middle-income housing that it so desperately needs. This has forced many people, especially younger families, to leave Brooklyn or to live in crowded and unsuitable apartments. As part of the BP’s affordable housing agenda, Marty has organized his 1st Brooklyn Housing Summit on June 27th at Borough Hall to address this critical need. For more information on the conference, go to our website at www.brooklyn-usa.org or call 718-802-4042.

Marty Celebrates the Brooklyn Cyclones and Launches the Inaugural Borough Cup

     On Tuesday, June 11th, the BP proudly raised Brooklyn’s first championship pennant since the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series. Marty was joined by Cyclones Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon. The NY-Penn League championship flag will fly above Borough Hall in celebration of the Brooklyn Cyclones spectacularly successful first season. "Brooklyn is the borough of champions and the Brooklyn Cyclones definitely proved it last season," said Markowitz. "I know the Cyclones will continue to make us proud for many, many years to come. Jeff Wilpon and his organization are a tremendous asset to the community and are playing a huge role in the redevelopment of Coney Island." Marty along with Cyclones staff then traveled by boat to the middle of the Verrazano Narrows to mark the challenge of the Borough Cup with Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro and the Staten Island Yankees.

The competition between the two BPs is over which club will have the best record after their 12 game regular season series. The winning BP will also get a free dinner at the restaurant of his choice. "I’m confident that the Cyclones will bring home another pennant this season and we’ll prove to Staten Island and the whole world why Brooklyn is the sports capital of New York City," said Marty. He also called BP Molinaro a good sport since the Staten Island BP knows that the Cup will on display at Brooklyn Borough Hall every season. The Cyclones open their season on the road on June 18th against the Yankees.

Marty Wishes a Happy Father’s Day to All the Dads in Brooklyn

     "I just wanted to wish a Happy Father’s Day to Dads all over Brooklyn. Father’s Day for me has always been a very special. I lost my dad when I was nine years old. I grew up missing him on days like Father’s Day and I still wish my father were with me today. I only have fleeting memories of my dad, but those precious moments are still with me even at 57. Fathers across Brooklyn are often the unsung heroes of our families. They go to work early and come home late. But dads are usually always there to help with homework, get tickets for a Cyclones’ game or take you out for an ice cream cone when you are feeling down.

These seem like normal, everyday occurrences, but I know from my own personal experience that these are special moments that remain with children for a lifetime. For those of us whose fathers’ have passed, I want to remind you that there are tens of thousands of children in our borough that need positive male role models in their lives. Being a father isn’t just about biology. It’s also about taking time to mentor a young man or woman. There are so many young people in Brooklyn who are yearning for this kind of attention. Always remember to treasure, honor, respect and love your father every single day. That is the best Father’s Day present in the world."

 In Brief

On June 10th, Marty hosted "Brooklyn Chess Day" in the Plaza of Borough Hall. The 2nd Annual All-Brooklyn Scholastic Chess Championship Playoffs included more than 60 (kindergarten-12th grade) chess players from around the borough. He also attended the 37th Annual Commencement ceremonies at Kingsborough Community College. Marty also met on Monday with the Crown Heights Community Council.

On Tuesday, June 11th, the Deputy Borough President honored the National Student Nurses’ Association. Also on Tuesday, Marty attended the swearing in ceremony of all the new Community Board members at Borough Hall.

On Wednesday, June 12th, he attended the 17th Annual meeting of the Grand Street Business Improvement District. Marty also celebrated the opening of the Kingsborough Community College beach for the summer. Marty met his wife Jamie there on July 3, 1999.

Also on Wednesday, Marty was a guest at the 13th Annual Brooklyn Leaders Award for the NY Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Finally, he attended an Atlantic Bank branch opening in Bay Ridge.

On Thursday, June 13th, Marty attended the dedication of the Joseph J. & Violet J. Jacobs Building at Polytechnic University. He also attended the annual meeting of the Graham Avenue BID. Marty also welcomed the Metropolitan Opera to Prospect Park for its Free Parks Concerts. Finally, the BP presented a citation at the Brooklyn Housing & Family Services Awards dinner.

On Friday, June 14th, Marty attended a gala tribute dinner honoring Carlos Lezama at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

On Saturday, June 15th, he presented a proclamation at A.A.R.P’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at The Polonaise Terrace. He also was on hand to present the trophy for the 114th running of The Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park.

On Sunday, June 16th, the BP was given the title of "Sir Marty" at the Kings County Shakespeare Festival.