BP Hosts Brooklyn’s Congressional Delegation For An Important Policy Summit

For the first time in recent memory, Marty gathered Brooklyn’s Congressional delegation on Monday, June 3rd, to discuss a number of different ways that they can work together as a group on vital concerns effecting all of Brooklyn. One of the BP’s top priorities is to fight for more TEA-21 funding for expanded ferry service to the Brooklyn waterfront. The Congress members have also offered to share with Borough Hall access to the federal grant database, which will be extremely helpful in getting more funding for a variety of important local programs. Marty and the Congressional delegation also agreed that more funding is needed to combat AIDS/HIV and to build more affordable housing in Brooklyn. "This was an important first step that will hopefully result in Brooklyn getting more federal dollars for everything from better healthcare to more defense contracts for businesses throughout Brooklyn. This is the beginning of a collaborative relationship that will benefit every citizen of the borough. By all being on the same page, it increases our chances of maximizing the federal funds that Brooklyn deserves and needs. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved," Marty said. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez commented that "today was a unique day in Brooklyn’s political history. Since entering office 10 years ago, I don’t remember a meeting like this one ever being held at the Borough President’s office." Congressman Major Owens was also excited about this initial meeting. "The Brooklyn Congressional meeting with Borough President Markowitz effectively laid the foundation for continued dialogue on issues which impact on the future socio-economic growth of Brooklyn communities. I believe that this opportunity was also timely and constructive in identifying critical concerns and mapping a way towards bringing resources that will strengthen Brooklyn’s assets and help cultivate new and appropriate approaches to the development of the Borough." Marty and Brooklyn’s Congressional delegation agree that there will be regular meetings to begin the process of ensuring that more federal money comes to Brooklyn.

BP Strongly Opposed To Armed Patrols In Brooklyn

On Sunday, June 8th, a Queens rabbi said he had organized an armed patrol of more than 50 people to guard the streets of Borough Park and Flatbush starting next Sunday night in response to a recent news report that terrorists had plotted to attack the heavily Jewish neighborhoods in 1993 before attacking the World Trade Center. I believe this is a time for vigilance not for vigilantes. I want to assure everyone that federal, state and local law enforcement officials are working around the clock to make sure that Brooklyn and the entire city is safe. As President Bush and Police Commissioner Kelly have said, there are general, non-specific, threats against America and Jews, but no one in the community should be taking the law into his or her hands. I am in constant communication with various members of the Jewish community and law enforcement officials, and I want to reaffirm my complete confidence in those in charge of protecting the borough of Brooklyn. I also want to commend Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Councilman Simcha Felder, the Crown Heights Jewish Community Center and other leaders in Brooklyn’s Jewish com-munity for agreeing with me that this is a time for peace and prudence and nobody should do anything to inflame this situation.

Lighten Up Brooklyn Enters Its Final Week

There’s just one more week to go in our Lighten Up Brooklyn campaign, but last week Marty was as busy as ever. On Monday, June 3rd, he did his usual walk to work. Surrounded by a dozen Brooklyn chefs, in chef uniforms and hats, the BP took his weekly Lighten Up Brooklyn lunchtime power walk through Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 5th. The chefs represented various Brooklyn restaurants including Archives, La Violette Fancy Foods, Eamonn Doran, Junior’s, Grappa Cafe, Saul and Gage & Tollner. "Brooklyn has the best chefs in the world, and I’m so happy that they are supporting the Lighten Up Brooklyn campaign. You can still enjoy the wonderful food that they create in kitchens all over Brooklyn. Its just a matter of eating healthier and exercising," Marty added. On Saturday, June 8th, Marty teamed up with Weight Watchers to lose some calories while doing some good. Before going on a walk through Marine Park, he helped to collect non-perishable food that was donated to local food banks. The program culminates on Saturday, June 15th, with a final weigh in at Borough Hall Plaza starting at 10:00am. The neighborhood that loses the most weight will appear with Marty on NBC’s Today show. Also, the man and woman who lose the most weight will each receive a free trip to the Bahamas.

The Future Of Brooklyn Debated At Economic Conference

On Friday, June 7th, Marty in collaboration with Brooklyn College hosted a conference, "The Future of Brooklyn," that brought together business leaders, city planners, politicians and a host of academic experts to talk about the changes that have occurred in New York City since 9/11. "Brooklyn’s best and brightest are stepping forward to help lead the borough through these challenging times," said the BP. "Events like these bring many of these talented people together, which can have an incredibly positive impact on both Brooklyn and the City of New York." Participants in the conference included Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, who delivered the keynote address; Bill Thompson, comptroller, City of New York; Harvey Lichtenstein, former executive director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music; Marilyn Gelber, executive director, Independence Community Foundation; Sharon Zukin, Broeklundian professor of sociology at Brooklyn College and author of The Culture of Cities and After the World Trade Center; and Ron Shiffman, professor of urban planning at Pratt Institute and a former member of the New York City Planning Commission. Deputy Mayor Doctoroff was extremely bullish about Brooklyn’s future. "A comprehensive development plan for downtown Brooklyn, being championed by the city’s Economic Development Corporation, City Planning and the Downtown Brooklyn Council will allow for 11 million square feet of new Class A office space and 3 million square feet of new residential space," said Doctoroff. "If that space gets built, Downtown Brooklyn will have as much office space as downtown Los Angeles. Take that for stealing the Dodgers."

Marty Kicks Off Gay Pride Month At Borough Hall

The BP officially kicked off Gay Pride Month in Brooklyn on Wednesday, June 5th, by honoring a number of Brooklynites for their invaluable contributions to the gay and lesbian community. Brooklyn has one of the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender populations in the city of New York and is amongst the largest in the country. "During my career as a state senator, I have had the privilege of working with many fine community activists," Marty told to the crowd at Borough Hall. "In 1982, I was the first state senator to hire an openly gay staff person. In Brooklyn, our diversity is our greatest strength and asset. Working together, we learn from each other and everybody brings many different ideas and perspectives to the table." Among the honorees tonight were Jill Harris, the first openly gay or lesbian elected official in Brooklyn, Community Board 6 chairperson Irene Lo Re, Patricia Kelly, co-owner of Aunt Suzie’s restaurant in Park Slope, Christopher Goeken, a political consultant for Senator Marty Connor, Glenn Magpanty, a staff attorney at the Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Joey Pressley, an Executive Director of the New York AIDS Coalition and Casimiro Villa & Eduardo Valentin, owners of Friends Tavern on Atlantic Avenue.

Brooklyn’s Best

On Wednesday, June 5th, Marty officially appointed Joan Hodges as an Ambassador of Good Will for Brooklyn. The widow of baseball legend Gil Hodges epitomizes the heart and soul of Brooklyn. Marty presented a proclamation to the first lady of Brooklyn that lauded her for dedicating her life to both the legacy of her husband and the best borough in the world. "When I think of Brooklyn, I think of Joan Hodges. She’s the perfect representative for the borough and will do a tremendous job helping Brooklyn achieve greatness every single day," said the BP. Her main duty will be to lead Marty’s effort to try and land a NBA team for Brooklyn. Among the invited guests were Mrs. Tommy Agee, former Mets third baseman Ed Charles, Brooklyn Postmaster Joe Lubrano, Ray Lumpp from the New York Athletic Club, Brooklyn Cyclones General Manager Steve Cohen, Judge Luigi Marano and Louis Lombardi, Joan Hodges’ brother. New York Commissioner of Sport Ken Podziba also praised Mrs. Hodges for her tireless dedication to the borough and presented her with some beautiful flowers.

In Brief

Marty made a number of other appearances throughout the week.

On Monday, June 3rd, he helped open the Intel Computer Club at the Amboy Neighborhood Center.

On Tuesday, June 4th, Marty attended the funeral of Anthony Gliedman, the former Commissioner of Housing, Preservation and Development. Also on Tuesday, Marty was on hand for the induction of Nancy Sunshine as the 87th President of the Brooklyn Bar Association.

On Wednesday, June 5th, Marty toured the center at the Opportunity Development Association.

On Thursday, June 6th, Marty attended the gala concert for the Russian American Arts Foundation.

On Friday, June 7th, he presented a citation at the Bay Ridge Aquatics Institute for its Invitational Swim at Fort Green High School. He also attended the Sunset Salsa 2002 honoring the Governor, the Mayor & Bernadette Castro on Friday.

On Saturday June 8th, he participated in the middle school conference at Community School Board 17. He also went to the 7th Annual Parent Involvement Conference for the NY Alliance of Black School Educators. Finally, he walked in the World Trade Center Heroes Parade for the Beford Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

On Sunday, June 9th, Marty celebrated Rev. Mark Taylor’s 12th anniversary as pastor at the Church of the Open Door. Also on Sunday, Marty attended the 122nd luncheon at the Society of Old Brooklynites, where he is a member.