BROOKLYN MOURNS LOSS OF NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS

On January 24, Marty issued a statement mourning the loss of New York City firefighters in blazes in Brooklyn and the Bronx . “With hearts filled with sadness, Brooklyn mourns the loss of Brooklyn Firefighter Richard T. Sclafani of Ladder Company 103 and his comrades in the Bronx — Fire Lieutenant Curtis W. Meyran and Firefighter John G. Bellew,” said Marty. “ Brooklyn extends its deepest condolences to Firefighter Sclafani’s mother Joan, sister Joanne, and to all the family members of these three heroes. There is no greater service or greater act of courage than to put your own life in danger to protect others — and these firefighters have made the ultimate sacrifice. New York City ’s firefighters truly are the bravest.”

CALLING ON BROOKLYN’S MOST ROMANTIC COUPLES TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF LONG-LASTING LOVE

On February 11, Marty and his wife, Jamie Snow-Markowitz, will welcome more than 100 Brooklyn couples married 50 years more to the Grand Ballroom of the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge to renew their vows. Marty and Jamie will honor the devotion of these couples with a champagne reception, love ballads from their youth, and a wedding cake reception. “I encourage Brooklyn ’s most romantic couples to come and celebrate their devotion to each other,” said Marty. “ Of course, when Jamie and I have been married 50 years, I’ll be just 105 years old – and Jamie will be 21.” Brooklyn sweethearts should contact Borough Hall at (718)802-3717

BOROUGH BOARD MEETINGS OPEN CITY BUDGET TO PUBLIC COMMENT

Each year, the Brooklyn Borough Board — comprised of the Borough President, the Brooklyn members of the City Council and Brooklyn Community Board chairpersons — holds hearings to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget. Individuals and organizations are invited to discuss any issues or concerns regarding how the proposed budget may affect the quality of life or delivery of city services in your community. Registration to testify will be on-site the day of the hearing.  The first hearing will be held Tuesday, February 8, at 5:00 p.m. , at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom — 209 Joralemon Street (between Adams and Court Streets), Second Floor. The second hearing will be held Wednesday, February 23, at 5:00 p.m. at the Billie Holiday Theater at Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant — 1368 Fulton Street (between Brooklyn and New York Avenues). For additional information, please contact Ms. Ellen Oettinger at Borough Hall, (718) 802-3877.

MARTY URGES MTA TO PREVENT FUTURE SIGNAL PROBLEMS

 On January 26, Marty called on the MTA to address the transit system’s security issues and to implement measures that will lessen the burden of riders who depend on the A and C Lines. Marty joined City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, Council Members Christine Quinn, David Yassky and Letitia James along with Teresa Toro of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign at the entrance of the Jay Street A/C line in Downtown Brooklyn. Regarding the signal problems on the line, which have since been resolved, Marty said, “This is a wake-up call to the MTA to examine every one of its signal rooms in the New York City transit system and get them secure.” 

MARTY DELIVERS STATE OF THE BOROUGH ADDRESS

On January 27, Marty delivered his annual State of the Borough address, focusing on accomplishments of the past year, plans for Brooklyn in 2005 and beyond, and the achievements of individual Brooklynites who have brought pride and acclaim to the borough and who helped define the Brooklyn character.He also honored Brooklynites from the 369 th Corps Support Battalion of the Army National Guard who have returned home from service in Iraq . The address was given at the Brooklyn Museum , where Brooklyn performers and special guests, including actor and talk show host Tony Danza, shared the spotlight. Marty highlighted current projects underway, including the permanent lighting of the world famous Parachute Jump at Coney Island in June 2005, and a new terminal for the Red Hook waterfront that, beginning this fall, will bring the world’s major cruise lines — and thousands of tourists — to Brooklyn. “We will preserve and celebrate Coney Island’s magical personality, with a twenty-first century incarnation of its spirit that will make it even more fabulous than it was in its heyday,” said Marty. He also stressed his commitment to creating thousands of jobs and more affordable housing throughout the borough. The address can be viewed at http://www.brooklynusa.org/stateoftheborough.htm.

MARTY — “ BROOKLYN MUST NOT BE BARRAGED WITH GARBAGE”

On February 1, at the City Council’s Solid Waste Management hearing,Marty demanded that Brooklynites stop unfairly shouldering the burden when it comes to processing the City’s trash. One third of New York City residents live in Brooklyn — yet the borough is saddled with 60% of the city’s solid waste. “ Brooklyn has endured too many rumbling trucks, too many dirty streets, too much flying debris, too many putrid smells, and sky-high asthma rates for too long,” said Marty. “I am encouraged that the City is working toward a fairer and more equitable distribution of solid waste, but many elements of the current proposal violate this principle. All New Yorkers must start taking responsibility for the garbage we create — and that includes Manhattan .” The City’s new solid waste management plan includes more new facilities with more capacity in Brooklyn than in any other borough, but it does not guarantee any reduction in existing waste levels. Two new Department of Sanitation marine-transfer stations are proposed in Brooklyn , potentially two new rail-based transfer stations in East Williamsburg , and the facility for processing all of the city’s recyclable trash would be in Sunset Park .

MARTY — “HOUSE OF DETENTION MUST GO”

On February 3, Marty issued a statement calling on the City to permanently close the Brooklyn House of Detention, on Atlantic Avenue between Smith and Hoyt Streets. “On January 13 and February 1 my staff met with representatives of Council Member David Yassky, Assembly Member Joan Millman, State Senator Martin Conner, District Attorney Joe Hynes, Comptroller Bill Thompson, and local neighborhood associations and civic groups to advance a plan for closure of the jail,” said Marty. “The City should issue a request for proposals for the site, with an eye toward developing more affordable housing and creating a streetscape that will enhance this portion of Atlantic Avenue . I look forward to a constructive dialog with the administration leading to the reunification of Atlantic Avenue through the removal or appropriate reuse of this vacant eyesore in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.”

DESIGN UNVEILED FOR NEW DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN THEATER

On February 3, Marty joined Mayor Bloomberg, BAM Local Development Corporation (BAM LDC) Chair Harvey Lichtenstein, and Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) Founding Artistic Director Jeffrey Horowitz at the unveiling of the design for TFANA’s new 25,000-square-foot theater, which will be built in the BAM Cultural District in Downtown Brooklyn. “The stunning new home of the Theatre for a New Audience will help ensure that Brooklyn remains New York ’s creative capital for years to come,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz . “William Shakespeare — your new home away from home is at Flatbush upon Lafayette !” The Theater’s new home will be a 300-seat space, co-designed by architects Hugh Hardy and Frank Gehry, adjacent to the planned visual and performing arts library in the parking lot across the street from BAM.

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT YMCA CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING

On February 3, Marty joined Mayor Bloomberg and YMCA of Greater New York President & CEO Jack Lund to break ground for a new building at the century-old Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA at Bedford Avenue and Monroe Street . Marty is proud to be a major supporter of the new facility, which will include meeting space for community groups, expanded after-school programming, a teen club, and educational programs and health services. When completed, the building will enable the Y to increase the number of children it serves from 8,000 to 13,000 annually. It will also be the new permanent home of Bedford Academy , one of the City’s new “small schools.” Council Member Al Vann, Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Capital Campaign Chairman Alan Fishman (whose father attended the Y as a child), the students of Bedford Academy , and community members also attended. “The Bedford ‘Y’ has been a cornerstone of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community for a century,” said Marty. “It has given thousands of young people a place to play and learn after school, and the guidance and sense of community they need to succeed in today’s world.”

 

MARTY MOURNS LOSS OF OSSIE DAVIS

Brooklyn mourns the loss of actor Ossie Davis, who was 87. Marty issued a statement honoring his magical performances and his commitment to fighting for civil rights and human rights for all people. “ Brooklyn wishes to extend our deepest condolences to Ruby Dee and to the entire Ossie Davis family. When Brooklyn needed him, Ossie was there. We will never forget when he came to the rally at Brooklyn College to demand the restoration of democracy in Haiti . Ossie Davis — your tremendous strength of character on and off the stage will be sorely missed.”

BROOKLYN MOURNS

Carmine Carro, President of the Marine Park Civic Association for 16 years. He will be dearly missed.

Sylvia Kinsler , beloved mother of Robin Fidler, wife of dear Council Member Lewis Fidler, will be missed.