BP Talks about the Beginning of the War with Iraq

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the brave men and women in the Middle East as we begin this military conflict with Iraq," Marty said. "Brooklyn is behind you 100%, and we hope that every single person makes it back to the U.S., as soon as possible, safe and sound. I understand these are tense and trying times for everyone in Brooklyn and throughout the City, but I firmly believe that our police department is doing everything humanly possible to keep us safe and secure. I have been and will be in regular contact with Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly as Operation Atlas continues throughout New York City. There is no reason why you should not go about your normal routine. We are the most diverse place on the planet, and we cherish and celebrate that incredible diversity. Brooklyn serves as an example for the world to follow. During the coming days and weeks, we must not forget this important message."

Marty, Brooklyn City Council Delegation and Community Boards Fight for Brooklyn's Fair Share

On March 21st, Marty was joined by Councilman Bill de Blasio, Councilman James Davis, Councilman Erik Martin Dilan, Councilman Lew Fidler, Councilman Vincent Gentile, Councilman Michael Nelson and Councilman Kendall Stewart to announce the Borough Board is demanding, even during this fiscal crisis, that Brooklyn get its fair share of both state and city funds. The Borough Board supports a number of creative efforts to raise more than $1 billion to help close the City's budget gap, while calling on the restoration of critical funding for education, libraries, youth programs, parks and the fire department. The Borough Board is also unanimous in its opposition to tolling the East River bridges. And, for the first time, the Board is calling on the Governor and the State Legislature to restore devastating cuts that would cripple the City. "Brooklyn has been battered, and it is time that we battle back," Marty said. "Abolishing pre-kindergarten and astronomical tuition hikes; closing firehouses and libraries; tolling the East River bridges and hiking subway and bus fares are just unacceptable. As I testified in Albany, Brooklyn and the entire city need a lot of help. Up until now, Albany and Washington have not been answering our desperate pleas. New York is a national city with national needs. And we will make sure those needs are met. We are all united in our resolve to ensure that our borough is never forgotten or shortchanged." The Borough Board is comprised of the BP, Brooklyn's City Council delegation and the chairperson of each Community Board.

Marty Kicks Off St. Patrick's Day with Borough Hall Celebration

On March 17th, Marty, head of the Brooklyn chapter of the Loyal League of Yiddish Sons of Erin, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes and Al O'Hagan hosted their first annual Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Breakfast at Borough Hall. "Brooklyn would be a very different and much poorer place today, if it were not for Irish immigrants and their descendants," Marty said. "In 1850, at a small coffeehouse near the Fulton Ferry, the St. Patrick Society was organized as a self-help organization and to combat anti-Irish discrimination. It made great strides, and Irish immigrants and their descendents became inextricably woven into the fabric of Brooklyn through active participation in politics, through their work in the police and fire departments, and through many successful businesses across the city. Today's celebration continues the grand tradition of the St. Patrick Society and of Irish families in Brooklyn, and I am proud to be part of it."

New York Mourns Slain Detective

Funeral services were held on March 18th in Bedford-Stuy-vesant for Detective Rodney Jarvis, who was recently killed in Staten Island along with his partner Detective James Nemorin, trying to make an undercover gun buy. Marty represented Brooklyn at the funeral and urged that their important mission continue. "We must do everything we can to get all illegal guns off our streets. We must stop this violent epidemic before more innocent lives are lost," Marty said. The detectives left behind five children and donations may be sent to the DEA Widows' and Children's Fund, March 10th Undercover Fund, 26 Thomas St., New York, NY 10007.

Brooklynites Get Important Tax Relief

Marty, along with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, helped dozens of Brooklynites sign up for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For those who couldn't make it to Borough Hall, stop by the Brooklyn Center at 130 Court Street to file for your EITC. The Brooklyn Center, which is supported by a grant from the Independence Community Foundation, is open through April 15th from 3pm to 8pm, Monday through Thursday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. This one center has already helped more than 1100 taxpayers get back $2.5 million in refunds. Kudos Independence Community Bank and Independence Community Foundation for providing such a valuable service!

Do You Have the Spirit of Brooklyn?

Marty invites Brooklyn's thousands and thousands of incredibly talented artists, young and old, to compete in the Spirit of Brooklyn poster contest. The winner will receive a $1,000 gift certificate courtesy of Artists and Craftsmen Supply. All entries must be postmarked by April 21st. Please call Liz Koch at 718-802-3852 to request an application form or for more information.

Doing the Right Thing

By wishing a belated Happy Birthday to one of Brooklyn's favorite sons, director Spike Lee.

Brooklyn Loses Devoted Pastor

Reverend Elijah Pope, pastor at the Messiah Missionary Baptist Church in Brownsville, died this week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and congregation during this difficult time.