“TAKE YOUR MAN TO THE DOCTOR” KICKS OFF

On September 21, Marty joined close to 30 Brooklyn hospitals and health care providers and Best of Brooklyn, Inc., to announce Take Your Man to the Doctor Week, an innovative public health campaign that will launch during the week of October 4 – 10. Take Your Man to the Doctor Week, now in its second year, is a call to action for men of all ages, ethnicities, and social standing to regularly visit a doctor, and for the women who love them to make it happen. There is a huge disparity between men and women in the frequency of doctor visits, and statistics show that men are more likely to visit with the encouragement of a loved one. During last year’s campaign, Brooklyn hospitals and health providers worked together to provide more than 2,200 men with free health screenings. “Last year, our Take Your Man to the Doctor campaign inspired me and many other men to go to a doctor regularly,” said Marty. “My wife, Jamie, made the first appointment for me and scheduled herself a check-up, as well. Then it occurred to me that if all the women in Brooklyn did the same for the men in their lives - and we know there is no more persuasive group than Brooklyn women - their determination would help ensure healthier Brooklyn men.”

BAY RIDGE LIBRARY GETS DUSTED OFF

On September 22, Marty helped to cut the ribbon for the $2.1 million renovation of the Bay Ridge Library, at Ridge Boulevard and 73rd Street. The 15,880 square foot library has received a top to bottom facelift that includes a new roof and lighting, new heating and air conditioning system, new elevator, new meeting rooms, upgraded computers, a new First Five Years Room for preschoolers, new express check-out machines and more. Designed by Sen Architects of New York, the building is fully complaint with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The New York City Council under the leadership of former Council Member and New York State Senator Martin Golden and the ongoing support of Council Member Vincent Gentile allocated the funds for the project. “I commend State Senator Golden for initiating the renovation of Bay Ridge Library and Council Member Gentile for ensuring the completion of the project,” said Marty. “This renovation symbolizes the joining of the library of yesterday with the library services of tomorrow for children, families and seniors to enjoy today and in the years to come.”

MARTY CONDEMNS MTA PLAN TO CLOSE BROOKLYN TOKEN BOOTHS AND RAISE MTA FARES

On September 27, Marty issued a statement opposing the MTA’s proposal to close even more Brooklyn token booths while again raising mass-transit fares. Last year, 23 part-time token booths in Brooklyn were shuttered at the same time fares increased from $1.50 to $2 per ride, amidst serious concerns about the transparency of the MTA’s finances. “Brooklynites need and deserve safe, convenient, and affordable public transportation. Now the MTA is planning to increase MetroCard costs again, and close another 115 part-time station booths and 49 full-time token booths citywide,” Marty said in the statement. “Thirteen of these full-time booths are in Brooklyn. Taking employees out of our subway system — when we are doing everything we can to protect the safety, convenience and security of our riders — makes no sense. Mothers with strollers, the elderly or the disabled who may need assistance, and those riders that have questions deserve the attention of real, live MTA staff. Vital customer service should be the last cuts made, whatever the financial challenges faced by the MTA. I urge Governor Pataki to use his ‘national clout’ with President Bush to deliver the funds necessary for his New York City constituents to have the public transportation system they richly deserve.”

MARTY BLASTS WATERFRONT POWER PLANT PROPOSAL

On September 29, Marty, under the leadership of State Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Councilman David Yassky and members of the Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and Planning (GWAPP), joined together on the steps of City Hall to blast the State Task Force’s decision on the power plant proposal along the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront. The New York State Siting Board on Electric Generation Siting and Environment recently voted to give TransGas Energy Systems an additional 60 days to submit more testimony regarding their new scheme to build the power plant "underground" at the North 12th Street site, continuing the procedure indefinitely. “The Williamsburg-Greenpoint community has had enough last minute changes in plans — enough delayed decisions, and enough disrespect for the future of this vibrant neighborhood,” said Marty. “A power plant in the middle of a neighborhood with such potential would derail all of the plans on the table for the future of the waterfront. Our vision for the waterfront is parks and affordable housing – Brooklyn will not stand for anything less. Our borough demands that this charade end - because enough is enough!”

GRAFFITI FREE BROOKLYN BLITZES BOROUGH

On September 29, Marty, Councilmember Diana Reyna and the Economic Development Corporation kicked off a Graffiti Blitz at Kid City in Bushwick. After graffiti trucks removed graffiti at Kid City, they cleaned 44 sites in Bushwick and Williamsburg. By the end of the week, the trucks had cleaned more than 40 blocks. “This graffiti blitz is part of our ongoing efforts to keep Brooklyn graffiti free,” said Marty. “Graffiti, if left unchecked, causes people to look upon their neighborhood in a way that is not conducive to neighborhood improvement and preservation. In 2003, I allocated $130,000 to purchase two graffiti removal trucks because I want Brooklyn to be the cleanest that it can be so that all our residents and businesses can take pride in their neighborhood.” This Graffiti Blitz is part of Graffiti Free Brooklyn, a program started in fall of 2002 by Marty in partnership with the Economic Development Corporation. So far, more than 400 sites have been cleaned throughout Brooklyn. Brooklynites should call 718-802-3875 to report graffiti that should be removed from residential or commercial buildings.

MARTY MARKOWITZ SUPPORTS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR THE NEW YORK FILM INDUSTRY

On September 28, Marty attended a press conference hosted by Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, representatives of State Senate Leader Joseph Bruno, and Steiner Studios Chairman Douglas C. Steiner to announce an agreement to bring the production of Mel Brooks’ latest film, The Producers: The Movie Musical, to Steiner Studios in Brooklyn this fall. Mel Brooks was also in attendance. “The movie industry was born in Brooklyn and so many of its stars were born and raised here,” said Marty. “That’s why I am so excited that, with today’s announcement, movie production is back in Brooklyn — big time. I am especially pleased that Mel Brooks — who was born in Williamsburg — is the first filmmaker to get the ball rolling in establishing Brooklyn as the premiere filmmaking and TV production facility on the East Coast. Soon it will be like the early days when Brooklyn was the predecessor for Hollywood, and I can’t wait to watch The Producers’ premiere, right here in Brooklyn.” The Producers will be one of the first films to take advantage of the State’s new film and television incentive program, the Empire State Film Production Credit program, which was signed into law by Governor Pataki at the event, with the enthusiastic support of the Brooklyn Assembly and Senate delegations. The program will provide tax incentives to feature films and episodic television shows that do a majority of their filming on qualified New York State soundstages, and will allow the City to provide additional tax incentives to films and television programs produced in the five boroughs with the “Made in New York Incentive Program.”

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Dr. Oscar Allen, husband of Hattie Allen, a prominent doctor and a devoted Brooklynite.