Hello Brooklyn!
    Welcome to a new, weekly fax where we'll update you on issues of prime importance to Brooklyn and events at Borough Hall. We're also going to give you useful information on subjects ranging from the NYC budget to projects in the land-use review pipeline.
    I encourage your feedback. Just give my Communications Department a call at 802-3832 or e-mail us at brooklynbp@ hotmail.com.

Marty Markowitz

Borough Hall staff pores over Mayor's Preliminary Budget proposal; Borough Board public hearing is today

    As soon as Mayor Bloomberg released his Preliminary Budget proposal on February 13th, Borough Hall policy experts swung into action, poring over the fine print to see if Brooklyn was being treated equitably and if critical services to the most vulnerable Brooklynites were being slashed. On February 28th, Borough President Markowitz and his staff presented their initial findings to the borough's City Council delegation.
    On Monday, March 4th, starting at 9:00 AM in Borough Hall's Courtroom, Borough President Markowitz will chair the Brooklyn Borough Board's public hearing on the Preliminary Budget, and on March 6th, 6:00 PM, Borough President Markowitz will host his first meeting of the Borough Board and present the Statement of Budget Priorities to the Board for a vote. As required by the City Charter, the Statement will be presented to the Mayor by March 11th. (Next week's edition of Only In Brooklyn will include a summary of the Statement and a discussion of the BP's findings.)

Preliminary Budget proposal hits Brooklyn Senior Centers especially hard

    As the budget analysis got underway, Borough President Markowitz issued a public statement expressing special concern for the proposed 16 percent cut in the City's contribution to the Department for the Aging budget. The BP is particularly concerned that a disproportionately large number of senior centers proposed for closure and of new centers that would not open are located in Brooklyn. Brooklyn has the most seniors of the five boroughs.

 Markowitz proposes expanding the Board of Education and replacing Community School Boards

    In testimony before the New York City Council's Committee on Education last Tuesday, Borough President Markowitz proposed that the New York City Board of Education (BOE) be expanded to 11 seats, with the Mayor appointing the extra four seats above the current seven. The BP also said that the Mayor should appoint the Chancellor, with the advice and consent of the City Council. BP Markowitz further suggested that one of the Mayor's appointments could be an at-large member and the other appointments could each be from a different borough. The Mayor's six members should have specific relevant qualifications, such as expertise in education finance, pedagogy, or educational administration.
    On the local level, Borough President Markowitz urged that the City's 32 community school districts be replaced with School District Advisory Boards. Half the members of these boards would be parents of district students, one quarter would be district educators, and the other quarter would be community leaders and local businesspeople. They would be appointed in the same manner as City Planning Boards -- half by the BP and half by the local City Council Members. District superintendents would be required to brief the advisory boards before adopting the district's official educational plan, appointing or removing a principal, changing school zone lines or approving construction plans.
    The BP said that his proposals "go a long way toward maximizing parent involvement -- which is key to improving our schools -- and ensuring public accountability for educational performance while improving citizen access to decision makers."

Black History Month celebration packs Borough Hall

    More than 500 Brooklynites joined BP Markowitz at Borough Hall to celebrate Black History Month on February 26th. The program included a reading of Langston Hughes' poetry, along with dance and musical performances. Honorees of the evening event were: Bishop Sarah L. Johnson, Pastor and founder of the South Road Tabernacle Church; Meredith F. Coleman-Tobias, high school student and community activist; Carlota B. Butler, community activist and Housing Development Specialist for the NYC Housing Authority; Alonzo Sherman M.D., Vice-President and Medical Director of Hinsdale Medical Management; Edward Odom, Vice-President and Community Relations Officer at Citibank; and renowned photographer Chester Higgins, Jr.

New commissioners speak at BH breakfast reception series

    BP Markowitz has begun hosting a series of breakfast receptions at which the new commissioners of City agencies come to Borough Hall speak to meet with the BP, constituents and community organizations. On [date tk] Edwin Mendez-Santiagio, Commissioner of the Department for the Aging spoke. And on Monday, February 25th, Health and Hospitals Corporation President Dr. Benjamin Chu and Health Department Commissioner Dr. Thoman R. Frieden were the guests.

Murrow HS chess team champs honored with BP citations

    At a Borough Hall ceremony on Feburary 25th, BP Markowitz honored the Murrow High School chess team for winning the Citywide chess championship. Each team member was presented with a personalized citation. When on February 24th the team also won the New York State championship, the ceremony took on an even greater significance.
    Now the team is raising funds to go to Louisville, KY in April for the national championship. BP Markowitz is helping them collect enough money to go. Contact [name tk] if you'd like to contribute. Murrow won the nationals three years in a row from 1992 to 1994.

Lawmakers establish auto insurance Task Force

    Brooklyn has the highest automobile insurance premiums of any of New York State's 62 counties. And they're rising fast.
    So at a meeting held on February 21st at Borough Hall, BP Markowitz and NYS Insurance Superintendent Gregory Serio agreed to establish a new Brooklyn Autmobile Insurance Task Force to explore and advance innovative ways to reduce Brooklyn drivers' auto insurance premiums, including new tactics to fight insurance fraud, which is the major contributor to recent rate hikes. The Task Force may also examine establishing a special new Brooklyn good-driver risk group that would end the penalty good drivers pay just because they live in Brooklyn.
    Seth Cummins, General Counsel to the BP, will head the Task Force. Deputy Superintendent Louis PietroLuongo will be in charge of the Task Force for the Insurance Department. Key staff from the Department's Consumer Services, Property Bureau, and anti-fraud offices will participate. The meeting was also attended by members of Brooklyn's delegation in the State Legislature, and all Brooklyn lawmakers will be welcome to join.

Join Your Community Board!

    Community Boards play a significant advisory role in City service delivery, the budget process, and land use decisions. There's no better way to become involved in your local community. Call BH at 802-3883 for membership applications. They must be postmarked by March 15th to be considered. Members are appointed by the Borough President -- half of the members on the recommendation of local City Council Members.