MARTY SAMPLES THE TASTES OF THE BOROUGH AT ‘BROOKLYN EATS’

On October 18, Marty joined the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce at the Brooklyn Marriott for the eighth annual “Brooklyn Eats” food and beverage tasting festival. “Brooklynites have known for years that we are the top destination for foodies in the city,” said Marty. “The popularity of Brooklyn Eats and our booming restaurant scene prove that Brooklyn is one of the culinary centers of America.” More than 800 guests sampled food, wine, and beer from 60 different restaurants. In addition, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce awarded three scholarships for academics, culinary expertise, and community service to New York City College of Technology students Latoya Mason, Shakia Hall, and Ronney Williams.

MARTY DENOUNCES SWASTIKA GRAFFITI ON JEWISH INSTITUTIONS IN BROOKLYN

On October 18, Marty issued a statement denouncing the disgusting appearance of swastika graffiti on Brooklyn Jewish institutions. These vial acts are disheartening to all Brooklynites, but in nearly every instance they have been the work of deranged, misinformed individuals who often do not understand the true, painful meaning of the swastika. “These horrendous incidents do not reflect the Brooklyn attitude – the respect and dignity that we show each other every day,” said Marty. “One of Brooklyn’s greatest strengths is our religious and ethnic diversity, which make our borough a model for tolerance and understanding.” Police have since arrested a Bay Ridge woman on charges of criminal mischief believed to be related to the case. And Marty and others continue to work with the City’s Anti-Bias Task Force to eradicate such actions in the future.

MARTY WISHES BROOKLYN’S MUSLIM COMMUNITY “RAMADAN MUBARRAK”

On October 18, Marty joined Brooklyn’s Muslim community in celebrating the beginning of the annual month-long Ramadan holiday, which began Friday, October 15, and continues through November 14. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown to commemorate the holiday of forgiveness, generosity and purification. The momentous event marked the first-ever official celebration of a Muslim holiday at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Marty was joined by Erhan Yildirim of the United American Muslim Association, Debbie Almontaser of Women in Islam and Abdur Rahman Farrakhan of Masjid Al-Jamiyah and the Ocean Hill-Brownsville Tenants Association, as well as Brooklyn Muslims from around the world. “Brooklyn is proud to be one of the Muslim capitals of America,” said Marty. “I believe Brooklyn should serve as a model for the rest of the world of religious tolerance and coexistence — because we prove that we are all children of the same god.” Marty also announced that for the first time ever, a breaking of the Ramadan fast, or “iftar,” would take place at Borough Hall on November 10.

MARTY PUTS THE BRAKES ON OUT OF CONTROL AUTO INSURANCE RATES

On October 19, Marty and Assemblymember Jim Brennan presented the findings of a report titled “Putting the Brakes on Out of Control Rates: An Examination of Brooklyn's Record High Automobile Insurance Rates and How They Can Be Reduced,” which proposes solutions to Brooklyn’s auto-insurance crisis. Brooklynites pay thousands of dollars more for car insurance than residents in any other part of the country. For example, a 35-year old male with a good driving record in Albany pays about $420 for basic coverage. That same driver living in Brooklyn would have to pay over $2,600 which is a difference of over 600%. “Brooklyn drivers cannot afford and should not have to pay the highest auto insurance rates in the country,” said Marty. “We are calling for a drastic revision of the entire auto insurance system so that all Brooklynites will have access to the affordable car coverage that drivers in other boroughs around the state and across the country take for granted.” The study was prepared by the Borough President’s Task Force on Equity in State and Local Policy, which is chaired by Asssemblymember Brennan.

HOLLYWOOD STARS COME OUT IN BROOKLYN FOR “FINDING NEVERLAND” PREMIERE

On October 25, Marty, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Miramax Films co-founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein hosted one of Brooklyn’s first Hollywood-style premieres for Finding Neverland, which opens in theaters November 12. The star-studded night at the Brooklyn Museum included appearances by Oscar-nominated actress Kate Winslet, Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, actor/director Ben Stiller, actress Radha Mitchell, and director Marc Forster. “This premiere of Finding Neverland takes us one step closer to re-claiming our title as the film capital of America and becoming Hollywood East,” said Marty. “We thank Senator Clinton and Brooklyn-born Harvey and Bob Weinstein for bringing a little movie magic to Brooklyn. One thing about filming, producing or premiering in Brooklyn is that nowhere in America has more character — and characters — than Brooklyn, and you certainly never run out of material.”

CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY HOSTS ECONOMIC SUMMIT TO AID HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

On October 25, Marty, Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham and Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry Senior President and CEO Dr. Roy Hastick hosted an economic development seminar to explore new economic development opportunities that will help to repair the damaged region and find new ways to strengthen the partnership between Brooklyn and Haiti. “What happens in Haiti affects us all, because Brooklyn is the center of commerce and culture for Haitians in America,” said Marty. Deputy Borough President Graham has visited the island twice in 2004 to support relief efforts there on behalf of the borough. “While I have been overwhelmed by the devastation that I have witnessed during my trips to Haiti, the spirit of the people, like the spirit of the people of Brooklyn, is alive and well,” said Graham. “These programs will help our brothers and sisters in Haiti rebuild their communities today, as well as give them hope for the future.”

THE PULASKI BRIDGE TURNS 50

On October 27, Marty, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, the Polish American Congress and the City’s Department of Transportation marked the 50th Anniversary of the Pulaski Bridge, which has connected Greenpoint — the Polish capital of Brooklyn — with Queens since 1954, when it replaced the wooden Manhattan Avenue Bridge. Among those present at the ceremony were Vice-Consul of the Republic of Poland in New York Marek Skulimowski; Polish and Slavic Center President Bozena Kaminski; DOT Deputy Commissioner and Chief Bridge Officer Henry Perahia; Polish American Congress President Frank Milewski, DOT Acting Borough Commissioner Lori Ardito; Polish American Congress Chairperson Chet Szarejko; and Polish American Congress Secretary Richard Brzozowski. The bridge is named after General Casimir Pulaski, the Polish cavalry officer who offered his personal services to George Washington in the Revolutionary War. “Greenpoint has the largest Polish community in our borough, and Brooklyn is proud to be the Polish capital of America,” said Marty. “Queens got lucky when this bridge was built a half-century ago, because the residents of our eastern suburb got even easier access to the promised land: Brooklyn.”

MARTY ALLOCATES $500,000 TO SUPPORT MUSICA AGAINST DRUGS PROGRAM

On October 28, Marty joined Dr. Alma Villegas, Executive and Artistic Director of Musica Against Drugs, and program participants to announce $500,000 in new funding from his 2005 budget for the vital community organization. The funds will go toward renovating the Art Center for Community Healing, the building that houses Musica Against Drugs. Founded in 1989 on the border of Williamsburg and Bushwick by Manny Maldonado (1953-1995), Musica Against Drugs provides counseling, nutritious food, community health education, and referral services to help 1,500 clients per year deal with the physical aspects of drug addiction, HIV and AIDS. The group’s creative arts program focuses on emotional support, and includes theater presentations, art exhibitions, music shows, poetry readings and more. “Drug addiction, AIDS and HIV are serious problems for the world, for America — and, sadly, especially for Brooklyn,” said Marty. “We commend Musica Against Drugs for not only using the power of arts and culture to make life better for those that are suffering — but for truly representing the best — el mejor — of Brooklyn.”

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH “CELEBRAZIONE” AT BOROUGH HALL

On October 29, Marty celebrated Italian-American Heritage Month in Brooklyn with a special program at Borough Hall. Honored guests included Minister Antonio Bandini, Consul General of Italy in New York; Father Enzo Fortunato of the Convent of Assisi, in Scala, Italy; and Dr. Angelo Gimondo, Chair of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York. A number of Italian-American Brooklynites were commended for their contributions to the Brooklyn community, including Gerald Bertuna, Angelina Pontone, and the Landscape Gardeners Association. “Brooklyn is the proud home of one of the largest Italian-American communities in all of North America,” said Marty. “Staten Island might think they’re the new Little Italy — but I have good news for you — Brooklyn is Italia grosso! Like the special ingredients that make every pasta sauce distinctive, Italian-Americans are the spice of life that make Brooklyn unique.” Noted Italian sculptor Silvio Amelio’s exhibition “Il Parnaso” (“Mythology and Reality”) also opened Friday, and will be on display at Borough Hall through November 10. The sculpture series joins Amelio’s magnificent sculpture of “La Musa Di Brooklyn,” which was unveiled at Borough Hall in October of 2003.

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Dana Borell was a Manhattan Beach community activist who truly represented the best of Brooklyn.

Vincent Grippo, former Superintendent of Community School Board 20, was a great Brooklynite.