MARTY CHALLENGES STATE, AUTO INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO COME CLEAN ON BROOKLYN RATES

Marty is calling it “completely unacceptable” that the 30,000 Brooklyn drivers covered by New York State’s Auto Insurance Plan (AIP) will be hit with a 30% premium increase the next time they renew their policy. Premiums have almost doubled in just four years. “It’s absurd that for many of us the biggest investment isn’t our car, it’s our annual insurance bill,” Marty said. “It is getting extremely difficult, even for good drivers, to get affordable auto insurance in Brooklyn. That forces many drivers to either pay these exorbitant rates, register their cars out of state or even hit the streets without any insurance.” Starting August 15th, even a good driver covered by AIP will pay an incredible $5,101 a year just for the minimum liability coverage required by law. That’s compares to $2,665 approved in 2000, $3,420 approved in 2001 and $3,924 approved last year. If you’ve got a late model car and want comprehensive coverage, it will cost you at least $8,543. And it’s significantly higher if you’ve had an accident or moving violation in the past three years or are under 35 years old. A young male driver with a good record will still have to pay an astounding $8,470 just for basic coverage and $12,721 if you include comprehensive. Marty is calling upon and inviting Assemblymember Pete Grannis, Chair of the Assembly’s Insurance Committee, to come to Brooklyn this fall and join with him in conducting hearings into the causes of Brooklyn’s sky high rates and what more needs to be done to bring this crisis under control. He is also asking all Brooklyn drivers, insurance brokers or business owners to let him know about their auto insurance horror stories. Please send him an email at autoinsurance@brooklynbp.org.

MARTY UNVEILS NEWLY RESTRUCTURED COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Marty recently unveiled his newly restructured Community Relations Department to ensure that every community board, civic organizations and various other Brooklyn groups realize that Borough Hall’s expertise is just a phone call away. Robert Capano, Marty’s Senior Advisor for Community Relations and Legislative Affairs, is responsible for managing the department. “One of my main priorities is to make Borough Hall the most relevant office in the daily lives of all Brooklynites, and our new Community Relations Department will do everything humanly possible to meet this crucial goal,” Marty said. Bob is responsible for Community Board 10, Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights; and Community Board 13, Brighton Beach and Coney Island. He can be reached at 718-802-3878. Shedline Pierre is responsible for Community Board 3 and Bedford-Stuyvesant; Community Board 5, Cyprus Hills and East New York; Community Board 8, North Crown Heights and Prospect Heights; Community Board 9, South Crown Heights and Wingate; Community Board 16 and Brownsville; and Community Board 17 and East Flatbush. She can be reached at 718-802-4091. Jennifer Flores is responsible for Community Board 1, Greenpoint and Williamsburg; Community Board 2, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Clinton Hill and Fort Greene; Community Board 4 and Bushwick; Community Board 6, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope and Red Hook; and Community Board 7, Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace. She can be reached at 718-802-4032. Camille Socci is responsible for Community Board 15, Manhattan Beach and Sheepshead Bay; Community Board 18, Canarsie, Flatlands and Marine Park; and Community Board 11, Bensonhurst and Gravesend. She can be reached at 718-802-4047. Eric Fleischman is responsible for Community Board 12, Borough Park and Kensington; and Community Board 14, Flatbush and Midwood. He can be reached at 718-802-3870

RESPONSE TIMES INCREASE IN FOUR COMMUNITIES WHERE FIREHOUSES WERE CLOSED

The Fire Department released disturbing numbers last week showing how response times increased, some dramatically, in the four Brooklyn communities where fire companies were closed in May. The community served by Engine Company 204 in Cobble Hill saw an increase of 47 seconds. The average time jumped to 5:35 in June/July 2003 from the same time last year. The current response time is 45 seconds above the city-wide average of 4:50. The community served by Engine Company 278 in Sunset Park saw an increase of 25 seconds to 4:30 in June/July 2003. The community served by Engine Company 212 in Greenpoint saw an increase of 16 second to 4:23 in June/July 2003. The community served by Engine Company 209 in Bedford-Stuyvesant saw an increase of 11 seconds to 4:24 in June/July 2003. “These numbers are frightening because they illustrate what Brooklyn has been saying all along – closing fire houses will add precious seconds to an emergency situation where just a few seconds can mean the difference between life and death,” Marty said.

PEÑA HERRERA PARK DEDICATED IN SUNSET PARK

On August 5th, Marty joined Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Mayor Bloomberg, Council Speaker Miller and Councilmembers Vincent Gentile and Sara Gonzalez at the dedication of Peña Herrera Park in Sunset Park. The park is named for Maria Herrera, her son, Andy, her unborn son, and her sister, Dilcia Peña, who were tragically killed by a former police officer who was driving drunk on August 4, 2001. Peña Herrera Park is located on Third Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets, near the site of the fatal car accident

NEW YORK’S FAVORITE FREE SUMMERTIME CONCERTS CONTINUE

The 25th Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series continues on August 14th with a Special Mystery Guest – A Little Spanish . . A Little Pop . . A Lot Of Romance . . A Night Of Mystery . . And You’ll Fall In Love Like Never Before! - on Thursday night at 7:30 at Asser Levy Park in Brighton Beach. The 21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series continues on August 18th with a Noel Pointer Jazz Tribute featuring Regina Carter at Wingate Field. All tickets are FREE! For updates call 718-469-1912 or log onto www.brooklyn-usa.org

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Michael J. O'Gara, retired member of New York Police Department and husband of former DOT Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Kathie Keegan, passed away last week. Brooklyn is also mourning the loss of Maxine Needle’s mother. Our thoughts are with her and her husband, Saul