Marty Honors Staten Island Ferry Brooklynite Hero

On February 2, Marty honored Elaine Robbins, a dedicated, caring and big-hearted Brooklynite. Robbins made a generous donation of $5,000 to the Paul Esposito Fund, which provides much-needed support to the young Staten Island resident who lost his legs in the Staten Island Ferry accident in October 2003. Marty asked Brooklynites to come to the aid of surviving Staten Island Ferry accident victims after Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro identified a fund to assist with the medical expenses of uninsured victims. “All of us were horrified by the tragic Staten Island Ferry accident,” said Marty. “I know that Brooklyn is always there for a friend in need, so I urge Brooklynites to open their hearts and wallets to help the ferry victims. I salute and thank Elaine Robbins for her tremendous and magnanimous gesture, which truly symbolizes the spirit of goodwill toward others for which Brooklyn and its people are justly renowned.”.

Marty Delivers Annual State of the Borough Address

On February 8, Marty delivered his annual State of the Borough address at Midwood’s Edward R. Murrow High School. In the address, entitled "Respect: It’s A Brooklyn Attitude," Marty discussed Brooklyn’s rise to national prominence and the fight for Brooklyn to obtain its fair share of resources from the City and the State. Marty also spoke about the Nets arena project’s positive impact on Brooklyn. “Just as the Dodgers thrilled Brooklynites in the first half of the 20th Century, the Nets will be the team that unites us in the 21st.” Marty discussed many other exciting projects underway around the borough -- from Coney Island to Greenpoint -- and stressed the importance of creating more affordable housing in Brooklyn. He also commented on other issues including the environment, health care, seniors, and education. Martine Guerrier, Brooklyn’s new appointment to the Department of Education’s Panel for Educational Policy, was introduced. Other special guests included Brooklyn basketball great Bernard King, US Marine Sergeant Edward Chin, author Jonathan Lethem, and Junior’s Cheesecake legend Camille Russo.

Marty Delcares “We Are All Brooklyn”

On February 10, Marty joined the We Are All Brooklyn coalition in hosting a forum titled, “Updating Dr. King’s Dream: Immigrant Roles 40 Years after the March on Washington." The conference, designed to both demonstrate and celebrate the diversity and unity of Brooklyn while revisiting the noble work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featured keynote addresses from Dr. Edison O. Jackson of Medgar Evers College and Jagajit Singh of the Council of Pakistan Organizations. Marty spoke about the continuing importance of Dr. King’s legacy to all Brooklynites. “In Brooklyn, where so many cultures and nationalities live side by side, our residents know that Dr. King’s messages of empowerment, tolerance and freedom still ring as loudly as ever, from the foothills of Flatbush to the brownstones of Bedford-Stuyvesant,” said Marty. “The force behind our momentum is our diversity, our willingness to overcome differences between each other, and our ability to use that power to improve our lives.” The mission of the We Are All Brooklyn coalition is to promote and facilitate mutual understanding, appreciation and respect among the residents of Brooklyn’s diverse communities.

Marty Celebrates Chinese New Year

On February 11, Marty celebrated Chinese New Year at two banquets in Sunset Park. The Year of the Monkey was doubly welcomed at both Jade Plaza Restaurant and Ming Gee Restaurant. Special guests included The Honorable Liu Biwei, the Consul General of the Republic of China. “Welcome to the Year of the Monkey right here in Brooklyn’s Chinatown, Sunset Park,” said Marty. “I know all of Brooklyn joins with our Chinese community to welcome the New Year.” All proceeds from the banquets will benefit Camp Brooklyn, a Best of Brooklyn program that sends youth to sleep-away summer camp.

Marty Opens the Doors to New Tourism Center

On February 12, Marty cut the ribbon at the new Brooklyn Tourism and Visitors Center, which is located at Borough Hall. The Center will highlight and showcase Brooklyn’s rich diversity of ethnic and cultural institutions, its recreational attractions, urban beaches, amusement parks, historical sites and world-class restaurants and shopping areas. Joining Marty at the ceremony were NYC & Company Chairman Jonathan M. Tisch and President and CEO Cristyne Nicholas, and Martha K. Hirst, commissioner of the Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner, which designed the Center. “The Tourism and Visitors Center will promote every aspect of Brooklyn’s extraordinary diversity represented in our ethnic neighborhoods, cafes and restaurants, clubs and concert halls, galleries and museums, and cutting-edge performing arts and entertainment,” said Marty. “We are filling a void in announcing Brooklyn to the world, and the end result will be more jobs for Brooklyn residents and an infusion of well-deserved tourism dollars into our local economy.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked nearly two years of planning with tourism partners as well as the City of New York and NYC & Company, the City's official tourism marketing agency. In addition to providing maps, brochures, internet access to Brooklyn cultural and arts institutions, and good, old-fashioned friendly assistance on where to go and how to get there, the Center also a souvenir and gift shop that in the months to come will offer merchandise with a Brooklyn theme and crafts created by Brooklyn artisans.

Marty Honors Brooklyn’s Longest-Loved Valentines

On February 13, Marty welcomed more than 150 Brooklyn couples who have been married more than fifty years to Borough Hall for a champagne reception to reaffirm their vows and honor their devotion. The event was hosted by Marty and his wife, Jamie Snow-Markowitz, whohave been married for three years. Marty praised the couples for their commitment and love for each other. He noted how much has changed in Brooklyn since they first exchanged vows. “Sometimes we need to rekindle our devotion to each other,” said Marty. “So it puts a huge smile on my face, a spring in my step, and a glimmer of hope in my heart to officiate at the renewal of that love and devotion today.” Edwin Mendez Santiago, Commissioner of the NYC Department of the Aging. also greeted the longest-loved valentines before they reaffirmed their vows. Following the renewal, there was a champagne toast, and the wife of each invited couple received a rose.

Brooklyn Mourns

Larry “Curtis” Harmon was a longtime Brooklyn activist, and will be missed. Mrs. Ruth Lewis, wife of late New York State Assemblymember Woodrow Lewis, was a devoted Brooklynite.