Marty accepts $275,000 grant from Feds to boost Brooklyn ’s economy

On October 16th, Marty received a $275,000 check for the Initiative for a Competitive Brooklyn (ICB) at the Inner City Economic Forum from Dr. David Sampson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Joining Marty was NYC Small Business Services Commissioner Robert Walsh, Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation President Joan Bartolomeo and Harvard Professor Michael Porter, founder of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC). “Everyone knows Brooklyn is the place for arts, culture, ideas and people. But with the help of ICIC, we will show the world that Brooklyn is also the place to do business,” Marty said. By analyzing our strengths and focusing our efforts on them, we will create more jobs for Brooklynites and make more money for investors smart enough to put their money in Brooklyn .” The ICB is an exceptional economic development effort designed to take a comprehensive look at Brooklyn ’s economy and produce a strategic economic plan that capitalizes on Brooklyn ’s strengths. ICB will be chaired by Marty; its President will be Stanley Brezenoff, President and CEO of Continuum Health Partners, Inc. The project will be conducted by the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), the national non-profit organization founded by Professor Porter. The project has received contributions or pledges to match the Economic Development Administration grant from Fleet Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, Independence Community Foundation, Citibank, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), and HSBC Bank.  

Brooklyn ’s greatest NBA players rally to lure the Nets

On October 14th, Marty joined Brooklyn NBA legends Connie Hawkins, Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, Albert King, World B. Free, Sidney Green and Forest City Ratner Companies CEO Bruce Ratner, in urging the New Jersey Nets to move to the greatest city in the world – Brooklyn ! The group reminisced about playing hoops in Brooklyn and discussing why this is America ’s basketball capital and everybody agreed that a NBA team playing in Brooklyn would be the most successful franchise in league history.

Italian-American Heritage celebration at Borough Hall

On October 14th, Marty celebrated Italian-American Heritage Month in Brooklyn with a special program at Borough Hall.  Marty honored a number of Italian Brooklynites for all of their contributions to the betterment of the borough. The honorees were: Linda Caristo, an active member of the Community Mayors of New York & New Jersey which is dedicated to helping handicapped and disabled children; Ralph La Gamba, the founding member of the Calabria Regional Association; Frank Naccarato, the Chairman of the Board of the Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Brooklyn; and Rick and John Russo, the founders of Uncle Louie G’s Gourmet Ices and Ice Cream. “Italian Brooklynites are part of the backbone of Brooklyn . We are enriched by your family values and community pride. Italian culture is alive and well throughout the borough, and Brooklyn benefits from this every day,” Marty said. “This special occasion is a great way to say thank you to those Brooklynites who selflessly sacrifice themselves for all of Brooklyn . You have made and will continue to make Brooklyn the greatest city in the world.” A unique sculpture modeled after the Lady of Brooklyn was also unveiled at the event. La Musa Di Brooklyn will be on permanent display at Borough Hall.  Marty also signed a partnership agreement with Via Appia Nuova in Rome and Willoughby Street and Fulton Mall in Brooklyn to promote cultural and commercial relationships between people living in each world-class city.  

World’s finest Children’s Museum is growing!

On October 16th, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the world’s first museum created expressly for children, broke ground for a $39 million major expansion of its building that will incorporate extensive energy-saving “green” (environmentally advanced) features, double the Museum’s size and serve 400,000 visitors annually. “This is a wonderful place for kids of all cultures to learn, explore, create, imagine, hope and dream. And the best is yet to come!”  Marty said. “I was thrilled to contribute almost $2.5 million dollars to this project that will double the museum’s space and hopefully its visitors. The driving force behind the museum is Carol Enseki – you are one of the best of Brooklyn !”

 

Marty urges Brooklynites to continue the fight against domestic violence

Marty is calling for Brooklynites to continue paying attention to domestic violence during October which is New York City ’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Too many Brooklyn families are still plagued by domestic violence. In 2002, 78, 441 calls from Brooklyn were made to police regarding domestic abuse incidents. Unfortunately, more domestic violence incidents and homicides are reported in Brooklyn than in any other borough. However, thanks to the combined efforts of the NYPD, the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, the Kings County District Attorney, and private and community partners such as Safe Horizon, local hospitals, and social service providers, domestic violence incidents and homicides have diminished significantly compared to the previous year. If you know someone in an abusive relationship please call 911, or the City’s domestic violence hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE, and get them the help they need.

Don’t forget to Take Your Man to the Doctor Week

Take Your Man to the Doctor Week (October 20 – 25) is a borough-wide effort to get the women of Brooklyn to drag the men in their life to the doctor.  We have a week packed full of free screenings and consultations in locations across the borough. We don’t care how you do it.  Trick him, bribe him or drag him to any of our free screenings because he’ll live to love you longer!  For a complete schedule of the free screenings, visit www.brooklyn-usa.org or call 718-802-3875.