BROOKLYN CONTINUES THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR FIREHOUSES

Marty and a number of other Brooklyn elected officials are still leading the fight to get the City to reopen four Brooklyn firehouses - Engine Company 204 in Cobble Hill, Engine Company 209 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Engine Company 212 in Greenpoint and Engine Company 278 in Sunset Park - that were closed last week. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Edward Starkey will rule within the next couple of weeks on the lawsuit filed by Marty and 16 other elected officials and community activists to stop the City from closing the four firehouses in Brooklyn and six city-wide. “This is a sad day for Brooklyn, but this battle is far from over. Brooklyn will never take it on the chin,” Marty said. “Closing these or any firehouse is an incredibly dangerous decision, especially during these uncertain times. We all understand the enormity of our budget crisis, but we can never sacrifice safety for savings. There are alternative ways to save this very small amount of money, and it is finally time for Mayor Bloomberg to wake up and realize that closing these houses can cost lives. We believe we have a strong case and that we will prevail.” On May 25th, Marty rallied with Brooklynites and Assemblymember Joan Millman and Councilmember Bill de Blasio at Engine Company 204, and he also visited Engine Company 212 to show that Brooklyn refuses to allow any firehouse to close.

MARTY LAUNCHES GRAFFITI-FREE BROOKLYN CAMPAIGN

On May 19th, Marty launched his Graffiti-Free Brooklyn campaign by unveiling two, high tech graffiti removal trucks that are dedicated to cleaning up both residential and commercial properties across Brooklyn. Marty, who is partnering with the New York City Economic Development Corporation in the program, helped remove graffiti that covered a building owned by the Glorious Church of God in Christ in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Bishop Perry Lindsay was thrilled to watch all of the graffiti being removed. Marty was also able to arrange with the City for an additional 10 trucks to blitz various Brooklyn commercial districts throughout the week that have been repeatedly victimized by graffiti. The trucks, which cost $130,000, combine both high volume paint spraying and power washing capabilities. They are totally self-contained and highly mobile units that allow the trucks to respond quickly and navigate narrow streets. Each truck can clean up to 20,000 square feet of graffiti per day versus only 2,000 square feet using rollers and brushes. Each truck can erase up to 1 million square feet of graffiti a year. Brooklynites can call 718-802-3875 to report graffiti they want removed from either residential or commercial buildings.

HUNDREDS OF SENIORS JOIN MARTY IN PROTESTING THE ELIMINATION OF MILLIONS FOR ESSENTIAL SENIOR SERVICES

On May 20th, Marty and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields joined with hundreds of seniors to protest the elimination of $7.5 million in Borough President discretionary funds. Marty supports more than 70 senior programs throughout the borough with more than $1.1 million in funding from the Department for the Aging. These funds have been allocated to the Borough Presidents since the early 1980s. “This funding is used for core services such as meals, transportation, recreation and legal services,” Marty said. “Without it, some programs would close or significantly scale back their days of operation, communities would lose their transportation programs, seniors at risk of eviction may not have legal representation, fewer meals would be served and recreation programs cut. Even during these challenging financial times, we can never abandon those who have made our city what it is today. These centers and services are crucial lifelines to those in need of everything from critical care to companionship. Destroying them is unconscionable and will destroy lives.”

HAPPY 120TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR BELOVED BRIDGE!

On May 24th, Marty co-hosted with Mayor Bloomberg an incredible daylong civic celebration and tourism initiative filled with a variety of special events for everybody throughout the borough in celebration of the Brooklyn Bridge’s 120th birthday. Marty kicked off the day by walking over the Bridge to Manhattan with Senator Chuck Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg and Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall, but you can bet all of the action was right here in Brooklyn which is why he walked right back to the promised land! From free tours to many of the borough’s interesting tourist destinations to concerts throughout the day at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park capped by performances by the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, beetroot from Williamsburghand a laser and lighting spectacle, the Brooklyn Bridge to the World Celebration was a great way to honor the world’s most famous bridge and to launch Brooklyn’s tourist season. Check out all of the great photos from the celebration at www.brooklyn-usa.org. Watch out for the 125th birthday in 2008!

SPIRIT OF BROOKLYN POSTER CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

On May 21st, Marty, together with Audrey Anastasi and the Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition, announced which Brooklyn artist best represented the Spirit of Brooklyn. Artists from throughout Brooklyn participated in the borough-wide Spirit of Brooklyn poster contest, including photographers, graphic artists, painters and computer artists. The judges selected Philomena Marano’s paper-cut composite image of Brooklyn scenes as the winning entry. Marano’s Brooklyn is bright with color and includes such landmarks as the Parachute Jump and the Brooklyn Bridge interspersed with musicians and dancers. Balloons festively fly across the urban landscape. This poster will eventually be available for sale. The winner received a $1,000 gift certificate courtesy Artist and Craftsmen Supply located at 211 North 8th Street in Williamsburgh. The judges also selected submissions to be included in the exhibition at Brooklyn Borough Hall by Spencer A. Burnett, Tom Callan, Glen Fuenmayor, Adam Gould, Thomas Hagan, Robert Jackson, Michelle Krauss, Murray Melnick, Letitia Plate, Barbara Shea and Answerd Stewart. The artworks will be on display in the Community Room Gallery.