MARTY CALLS VIOLATIONS AT HOME-BASED DAY CARE CENTERS “UNACCEPTABLE”

On October 4, Marty issued a statement deploring the safety at some Brooklyn home-based day care centers, where problems have recently been reported. “The fact that Brooklyn is reported to have 60 home-based centers cited for serious violations is an unacceptable situation that won’t be tolerated,” said Marty. “We expect every Brooklyn day care center to provide the finest services for our children in the safest possible environment.” He also encouraged Brooklynites to visit the State’s Office of Children and Family Services website to obtain information on day care providers, and to call the City’s Department of Health at (212) 676-2444 with any complaints.

DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT YVONNE GRAHAM TRAVELS
TO HAITI TO ASSIST WITH RELIEF EFFORTS

On October 8, Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham traveled to Haiti as part of Borough Hall’s ongoing efforts to help rebuild the communities in Haiti that have been devastated by recent natural disasters. Graham announced the establishment of a micro-economic development program to assist the people of Fonds Verretes who suffered from a flood in May, and also identified new ways to help the victims of tropical storm Jeanne. “When I traveled to Fonds Verretes this August, I was overwhelmed by the destruction that I witnessed, but despite the fact that the entire community was destroyed, the spirit of the people, like the spirit of the people of Brooklyn, remained strong and alive,” said Graham. “By earmarking funds for activities that will produce a means of livelihood, we are establishing an economic program that will help families rebuild today, as well as give them hope for the future.” Graham will be working with Groupe D’Appui Au Developpement Rural (GADRU) to create the micro-economic development program that will provide grants to individuals for the purchase of livestock or agricultural products that were lost during the floods. The program will also provide micro-loans to small business owners to help stimulate their businesses.

MARTY COMMENDS MAYOR’S WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

On October 8, Marty applauded Mayor Bloomberg and Department of Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty for taking on the major issue of how the City manages solid waste. “This is a clear plan for the future that respects the complex needs of the residents, communities and businesses of all five boroughs,” said Marty. “The Mayor’s plan is absolutely correct in moving the City toward a more balanced situation where every borough handles its fair share of commercial and residential waste. Brooklyn has shouldered too much of this burden for too long.” The proposed plan includes opening a new waste transfer station on the Upper East Side, as well as modernizing and converting three Brooklyn stations to the new waterborne network’s specifications. Marty also supported these changes. “The Mayor understands that a successful future for New York City means moving toward rail and barge export of our solid waste. However, I expect that the Mayor will work toward a plan to reduce the amount of waste handled by the transfer stations in Greenpoint and Williamsburg so that these communities will also receive the respect they deserve.”

WINNERS OF 2004 “GREENEST BLOCK IN BROOKLYN” CONTEST HONORED

On October 12, Marty joined Brooklyn Botanic Garden President Judith D. Zuk and Independence Community Foundation Executive Director Marilyn Gelber at a Borough Hall event to honor the winners of the 10th Annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn Contest. This year’s program established a record of participation, with 224 blocks registering and more than 110,000 Brooklyn residents and businesses. The winners included: East 25th Street between Clarendon Road and Avenue D (residential); AaNT Association of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (between Nevins Street and Third Avenue) in Boerum Hill (commercial). (For a full list of winners and for more information about the contest, visit www.bbg.org/greenbridge.) “The Greenest Block awards are right up there with the Oscars or the Emmys when it comes to prestige and distinction in Brooklyn,” said Marty. “Just like at those awardsceremonies, simply being a part of the contest makes you a winner — because it means your community cares about making its quality of life the best it can possibly be.”

BROOKLYN: THE MUSICAL SUPPORTS BEST OF BROOKLYN

On October 13, Marty joined 300 generous Brooklynites under the bright lights of Broadway to enjoy a benefit performance of Brooklyn: The Musical at the Plymouth Theatre. At the end of the performance, Marty presented a proclamation to the creators of the new hit show declaring the date “Brooklyn: The Musical Day.” Best of Brooklyn, a non-profit organization that Marty serves as its honorary chair, hosted the benefit, and proceeds from the magnificent night will support the organization’s Camp Brooklyn program and the Brooklyn Tourism and Visitors Center.

MARTY CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

On October 14, Marty and City Council Member Sara Gonzalez hosted a celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month at Borough Hall. At the event, two individuals and one organization were honored for their contributions to Brooklyn’s Hispanic community: Frances Lucerna, co-founder and founding principal of El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice in Bushwick; Guillermo Linares, New York City Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs; and the Hispanic Young People’s Alternative (HYPA). “Brooklyn is so proud that Latinos are the fastest growing ethnicity in our borough — one out of every five Brooklynites can trace their roots to a Spanish-speaking country,” said Marty. “Although most come from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico, nearly every Latin American country is represented in Brooklyn — from Guatemala to El Salvador to Colombia to Peru, we are one great big familia.”

MARTY WALKS WITH BROOKLYNITES FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

On October 17, Marty marched through Prospect Park with Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham, City Council Member Yvette Clarke, and more than 8,500 Brooklynites took part in the four-mile “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” march around Prospect Park in support of the American Cancer Society, which last year helped raise more than $28 million for research, education, and patient support and advocacy programs to defeat the disease. Kudos to ACS’ Brooklyn region and its leader, Liane Lau, and to the many sponsors, volunteers, institutions, hospitals and colleges who made the walk such a huge success. “As we all know, Brooklyn has the strongest women in the world, but the fight against breast cancer is too tough to fight alone,” said Marty. “We are so proud that Brooklynites recognize that fact and walk together in the fight against breast cancer. And I look forward to the day when Brooklyn’s march against breast cancer grows larger than the one in Manhattan.” According to the American Cancer Society, in 2004 more than 215,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Alma Browne, mother of Ruth Browne of Marty and Assembly Member James Brennan’s Task Force on Equity in State and Local Policy, will be missed by all who knew her.

Jerry Cummins, father of Seth Cummins, former Borough Hall Counsel and now Chief of Staff at the City’s Office of Emergency Management, will be deeply missed.

Carol Mezzacappa, founder of Young Dancers in Repertory, passed away on October 12 after a long battle with cancer. Her memory will live on in the lives of professional dancers and those who love to dance, whom Carol introduce to the beauty of dance at an early age.