Marty Submits Recommendation to City Planning Commission

On March 9th, Marty submitted his response to the New York City Planning Commission’s Downtown Brooklyn Development Plan. Marty approved the City's application for the Plan with conditions. The Plan is an opportunity for Brooklyn to expand a much-needed viable downtown district. “In preparing this document I sought balance,” said Marty. “Brooklyn needs development to create jobs and affordable housing, but like my neighbors and fellow Brooklynites, I too have concerns about traffic, housing, parking, transportation and historic preservation. We can grow and develop as a borough and maintain our uniqueness—they are not mutually exclusive.” The Commission will review Marty's recommendations before making its own recommendations to the City Council.

Marty Hosts Tree Funding Workshop

On March 9th, Marty co-hosted the Green for Green workshop with the organization NYC ReLeaf to educate Brooklyn residents about how to increase funding for trees in urban areas. Marty was joined by NYC ReLeaf co-chairs Douglas Still and Tony Emmerich, New York State Urban and Community Forestry Council Executive Director Nancy Wolf, and Brooklyn residents and environmental professionals. Following presentations about how best to lobby the city, state and federal government for increased funding for new tree planting and better tree maintenance, workshop attendees utilized their new skills to write letters to their elected representatives. "Trees make our neighborhoods more beautiful and livable, and they also provide important environmental and health benefits," said Marty. He also pointed out that Brooklyn is home to more than 600,000 trees, which cover 11.4% of the borough and filter 254 metric tons of pollution from the air. Marty added that securing funds for new trees is critical to Brooklyn's health: “The people in this room know better than anyone that in Brooklyn, money doesn't grow on trees.”

Marty Commemorates the Life and Legacy of Harriet Ross Tubman

On March 10th, Marty joined New York City Council Member Al Vann, and other elected officials and community leaders in celebrating the life of Harriet Ross Tubman. The event, which was part of a state-wide celebration of renowned African-American hero, also marked the introduction of a resolution to name Fulton Street between Rockaway Boulevard and Classon Avenue after Harriet Tubman. “Ms. Tubman’s selfless dedication to helping others and to wiping out injustice for black Americans make her a legend that all Brooklynites can identify with,” said Marty. “So it gives me great pride to join the Governor of New York State in declaring today Harriet Tubman Day in Brooklyn, USA.”

Marty Celebrates Women’s History Month at Borough Hall

On March 11th, Marty co-hosted the annual Brooklyn Power Women’s Networking Breakfast with New York City Council Member Tracy Boyland. Each year Marty recognizes the historical and contemporary contributions and achievements of women in every aspect of American culture. This year he honored: Sara Aprea Alcoff, with the Lucy Burns Activist Award; LaRay Brown, with the Shirley Chisholm Leadership Award; Valerie Oliver-Durrah, with the Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Humanitarian Award; Natalie Abatemarco, with the Lady Deborah Moody Founders Award; Zoe Koutsoupakis, with the Emily Roebling Business Woman’s Award; Dr. Josephine English, with the Lucille Mason Rose Community Activist Award; and Janet Riker, with the Betty Smith Arts Award. “In commemorating Women’s History Month, we celebrate the stories of ordinary women as makers of history, and "herstory," as well as women’s ongoing push for full equality and the many successes achieved throughout that struggle,” said Marty. Also, as part of the Borough of Brooklyn’s ongoing Women’s History Month celebration, an exhibit entitled Shape, Movement, Texture, curated by JoBeth Ravitz, is being displayed in the Community Room Gallery of Borough Hall until the end of March.

Marty Congratulates Abraham Lincoln High School Basketball Team on PSAL Championship

On March 17th, the Abraham Lincoln High Railsplitters took home the city's Public School Athletic League title for an unprecedented third consecutive year. In Madison Square Garden, in front of thousands of fans and celebrities including filmmaker Spike Lee and hip-hop artist-entrepreneur Jay-Z (a co-owner of the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets), Lincoln beat Queens' Cardozo Judges 74-65. “We should all be honored to claim Lincoln High’s basketball team as our own!" Marty cheered. "This championship proves once again that Brooklyn is and always will be basketball country." Lincoln superstar Sebastian Telfair, playing on the same MSG court as his cousin, New York Knick Stephon Marbury, scored his 3,000th point in the game, becoming the first student in New York City history to do so. "Like Lenny Wilkins, Stephon Marbury, Bernard King and other basketball greats, Brooklyn is the home of legends past, present and future," said Marty.

Marty Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a Festive Breakfast and Ceremony

On March 17th, Marty hosted an Irish-theme breakfast at Borough Hall for Brooklynites participating in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The event, co-sponsored by Marty, Al O’Hagan and Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, honored Matt Kennedy, a 99-year-old Coney Island native and advocate, who served as the Executive Secretary for the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce for many years. “From politics to sports to movies, so many of our greatest Brooklynites over the last century and a half hailed from Ireland or had their roots there,” said Marty. “Brooklyn has the luck of the Irish, and we’re lucky to have such a vibrant Irish community in our borough.”

Marty Announces Brooklyn's First Restaurant Week

On March 18th, Marty announced “Dine In Brooklyn,” Brooklyn's first-ever Restaurant Week, which will take place April 15th through April 22nd. More than 90 Brooklyn restaurants have signed on for Restaurant Week, and all have agreed to offer a three-course "prix fixe" meal for $18.98. The price was inspired by the year 1898, when Brooklyn joined New York City. Marty also wanted a price that is less expensive than Manhattan’s pricey $30.04 for its restaurant week. Dine In Brooklyn will also promote restaurants across the borough, and attract visitors from throughout New York City and beyond. “Brooklyn's restaurant scene is all the rage in New York City - our food is quality, quantity and value,” said Marty. “If you're into food, Brooklyn is the heartland!” A full list of participating restaurants is available at www. timeoutny.com/dineinbrooklyn.

Brooklyn Mourns

Aldo De Lucchi was Mill Basin's maitre d'extraordinaire for many years.
Sol Gorelick was a great Brooklynite: social worker, long-time member of the Community Advisory Board at Coney island Hospital, President of the American Lung Association of Brooklyn, member of the Shorefront Interagency Council on Aging, and member of the Community Advisory Board at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. We grieve his passing.
Sheldon Katz, longstanding Brooklyn real estate family member and philanthropist.
Rabbi Joseph I. Singer, of Manhattan Beach Jewish Center.