City's Budget Agreement Saves Services, But Still Closes Firehouses

"Brooklyn is pleased that, even during these difficult financial times, most of our essential services have been saved thanks to the tireless efforts of Speaker Gifford Miller and the entire Brooklyn City Council delegation - Councilmembers Lew Fidler, Charles Barron, Tracy Boyland, Yvette Clarke, James Davis, Bill de Blasio, Erik Martin Dilan, Simcha Felder, Vincent Gentile, Sara Gonzalez, Michael Nelson, Domenic Recchia, Diana Reyna, Kendall Stewart, Al Vann, and David Yassky." Marty said. "Senior centers, day-care slots, after-school programs, libraries and Prospect Park Zoo will all receive the funding they need to remain open and operational. These programs and services are crucial components in the daily lives of Brooklynites throughout the borough. But all of Mayor Bloomberg's cuts were not restored. Despite intensive efforts by Speaker Miller, the Brooklyn delegation and myself, the Mayor refused to back down from his regrettable decision to close six firehouses, including four in Brooklyn. We all understand that sacrifices have to be made, but it makes no sense to sacrifice our first responders. But I'm hopeful that we will prevail in our lawsuit against the City to reopen all six firehouses."

Huge Victory for Brooklyn's Public Schools

June 26th was a great day for all Brooklyn public school students. The State's highest court ruled that New York City's 1.1 million students are shortchanged by the way the State funds our schools. "It is about time that our students in Brownsville and Sheepshead Bay are treated no differently than students in Binghampton and Syracuse," Marty said. "This groundbreaking decision is a huge step towards ensuring that all of our students get an excellent education." Marty supported the lawsuit as a senator and filed a friend of the court brief in support of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity's (CFE) appeal to the State Court of Appeals. Kudos to CFE, who first brought suit against New York State in 1993, for fighting so hard for our children's future.

Marty Urges Governor to Save Token Booths

Marty is urging Governor Pataki to sign a bill into law that would halt the closing of subway token booths for up to three years, and save 23 Brooklyn booths targeted for closure. The bill, passed in the last hours of the legislative session in Albany, would create a seven-member subway safety advisory panel with responsibility for reviewing ways to fight terrorism and crime in the subways. The panel has three years to issue its final report. Until the report is issued, no token booths may be closed. "If Governor Pataki cares about the safety and security of our straphangers, he must pick up his pen and sign this bill," Marty said. "Last year, token clerks made more than 60,000 emergency calls to report everything from heart attacks to criminal activities.

It makes no sense to strip the subway system of our first responders. We can never, especially in this day and age,sacrifice safety for savings." The MTA voted in March to close up to 62 token booths that will save just $6 million over two years. As a result of a lawsuit filed by the Straphangers Campaign in May, no booths can be closed while the case is on appeal. Since January, Marty has been actively fighting to keep all token booths open. The MTA's initial plan was to close 50 Brooklyn token booths. After inspecting nearly all of those targeted for closure, he repeatedly called on the MTA to immediately remove dozens of token booths from its list, due to very serious safety concerns. The MTA responded to his numerous requests by keeping almost 20 of these token booths open. In March, the MTA still placed 23 Brooklyn token booths on its final proposed list of booth closures.

Brooklyn Boosters Can Volunteer at Borough's First Tourism Center!

If you know and love Brooklyn, Marty is making you an offer that's impossible to refuse! "I think I know a lot about Brooklyn, but I'm certain there are many Brooklynites who are even more knowledgeable than me about our beloved borough," Marty said. "Here is a great opportunity for you to sell your favorite subject! Tourists are flocking throughout Brooklyn, and we need people with hospitality and/or customer service skills to lend them a helping hand. If you're ready to 'toot Brooklyn's horn,' while making sure visitors enjoy the wealth of treasures we have to offer, then we may have an exciting volunteer opportunity for you." Brooklyn's first tourism center, which will be located in Borough Hall, is scheduled to open later this year, but the staffing process has already begun. Call Stuart Leffler at 718-802-3647 to find out more information or to schedule an appointment with him. You can also fax him a resume at 718-802-3861.

New York's Favorite Free Summertime Concerts Start Soon!

If you love music, you're in luck because Marty is once again hosting the greatest musical talents in the world here in Brooklyn. The 25th Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series will celebrate its silver anniversary in style with an unprecedented lineup starting on July 10th with Dion and Little Anthony and the Imperials. From Rock and Latin to Oldies and Motown, Thursday nights at 7:30 at Asser Levy Park is the place to hear tremendous musical talent in a beautiful setting. The 21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series kicks off another scintillating season on July 14th with the Mighty Sparrow Show at Wingate Field, featuring the greatest performers of yesterday, today and tomorrow. And you don't have to worry about spending a fortune on tickets because all of the concerts are FREE!