Marty Markowitz is the Borough President of Brooklyn, New York City.

Personal life

Marty Markowitz born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in a Jewish family. His father, Robert, was a waiter at Sid's, a kosher delicatessen. When Markowitz was nine years old his father died; his mother, Dorothy, later moved the family to public housing in Sheepshead Bay. Markowitz graduated from Wingate High School in 1962.

He took night classes at Brooklyn College for nine years, and received his bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1970.

Markowitz and his wife Jamie Snow were married in 1999.

Political career

Markowitz became involved in politics in the 1970s, by organizing tenant and senior citizen organizations in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

He was elected to the State Senate in 1978, and spent over two decades as a New York State Senator for Brooklyn. During his time as a state senator, he was known for creating a series of oceanfront concerts and other festivals rather than drafting legislation.

Markowitz first ran for Borough President in 1985, but failed to unseat the incumbent Howard Golden. Markowitz subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for failing to disclose a campaign contribution; he was fined and performed community service.

Markowitz was elected to the borough presidency in 2001, on the Democratic Party line.

Markowitz was re-elected on November 8, 2005, with 79% of the vote, compared to 13% for Republican challenger Theodore Alatsas, and 7% for Gloria Mattera, the Green Party candidate. In the 2005 New York City mayoral election, Markowitz endorsed Republican incumbent Michael Bloomberg, along with many other Democrats like Ed Koch.

Borough Presidency

As Borough Presidents have little real power within City government, Markowitz has used the office to be an enthusiastic advocate for Brooklyn, promoting tourism and events borough-wide.

During the North American blackout of August 2003, Markowitz stood on the Brooklyn Bridge as throngs of fellow Brooklynites trudged home from work in Manhattan. Markowitz held a megaphone and cheered: "Welcome home to Brooklyn!", receiving thunderous applause. He repeated this during the 2005 New York City Transit Strike, inviting Brooklynites into Borough Hall for warm drinks and a chance to call loved ones.

Markowitz also is known for supporting many public schools in Brooklyn on occasions such as performances and graduations.

Markowitz has called for the demolition of the residences at Admiral's Row, echoing BNYDC boss Andrew Kimball's claim that the buildings are damaged beyond repair. However, the Beardsley / Crawford & Stearns report commissioned by the National Guard as part of the Section 106 review of the property disputes this claim. In 2006, Markowitz stated that "a crucial community resource must take priority over preservation at Admirals Row", presumably referring to the supermarket parking lot which will replace the historic Second Empire structures if the land is ceded to the city.

Atlantic Yards

Markowitz is a supporter of the controversial Atlantic Yards complex, which will feature a new home for the New Jersey Nets and 6,430 units of housing. His desire to bring an NBA team to Brooklyn had been known since his campaign for Borough President, and he was instrumental in persuading Bruce Ratner to purchase the team in 2004. In March 2008, Ratner acknowledged that much of the project was stalled - but that construction on the basketball arena would begin before 2009. This has angered many citizens, who have suggested that affordable housing should come before a sports complex for the developer's team.

In 2002 Markowitz appointed Dolly Williams to the New York City Planning Commission. In 2004 it was revealed that Williams, who is co-founder of a Brooklyn construction company, had invested a million dollars in Bruce Ratner's purchase of the New Jersey Nets. Williams announce that she would recuse herself from any decisions about the Atlantic Yards project. Williams is the only Brooklyn appointee to the Planning Commission.

On Thursday, April 3 2008, Markowitz and his wife Jamie Snow attended a controversial gala honoring Ratner at the Brooklyn Museum. The gala featured Japanese artist Takashi Murakami and a performance by Kanye West. Markowitz delivered an address to gala attendees, prompting protesters outside to take a break from shouting "shame" in order to chant pejoratives at the Borough President. During this event, Markowitz's wife Jamie took eight limited edition fiberglass placemats designed by Murakami; this move caused some controversy, since there were only enough produced to provide each guest with one. Similar limited edition Murakami placemats have sold for around $1,000 on ebay.

Support for the Irish Language

In June 2008, Markowitz urged the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Executive Director Elliot G. Sander to "include the Gaelic/ Irish language on its travel advisory posters released in conjunction with the Great Irish Fair scheduled to be held in Brooklyn’s Coney Island this September".

Markowitz also serves as the Chairman of the Brooklyn chapter of the Loyal League of Yiddish Sons of Erin.

Possible Mayoral Bid

Markowitz was mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2009 Mayoral election. Bloomberg was asked what he thought about Markowitz, and according to WABC, he said it was too early to get involved choosing a candidate, but said, "Markowitz seems very capable, and if he wants to run, he should run" (though this statement was made before Bloomberg himself, after having term limitations for mayor of New York City removed by a vote of the city council, announced and won a third term). WABC reported he had gotten 18% in polls for the Democratic nomination.

Markowitz's chief of staff, Greg Atkins left office to work for V3 corporation and was replaced by Brooklyn attorney, Carlo Scissura.

External links

• New York Finance Campaign Voter's Guide
• New Yorker profile of Markowitz

References

1. Mead, Rebecca: "Mr. Brooklyn", The New Yorker (2005-04-25)
2. New York Times. "Marty Markowitz and Jamie Snow" (1999-11-21)
3. New York City Campaign Finance Board: Candidate Statements (2001)
4. Rubinstein, Dana: "This 'admiral' is demoted", The Brooklyn Paper, (2007-11-17)
5. Brownstoner staff: "Marty and Mayor Deal Death Blow to B'kln History", Brownstoner, (2006-10-25)
6. Oder, Norman: "Ratner admits major AY delays, rising arena cost", The Atlantic Yards Report, (2008-03-21)
7. Kolben, Deborah: "HELLO DOLLY!", The Brooklyn Paper, (2004-08-21)
8. Wisloski, Jess: "REC-U-U-USE ME!", The Brooklyn Paper, (2005-03-19)
9. Oder, Norman: "'Shame!' Crowd outside museum shouts 'Ratner's bad for Brooklyn'", The Atlantic Yards Report, (2008-04-04)
10. Sederstrom, Jotham: "Marty Markowitz's wife, Jamie, moves fast for freebies at museum gala", The New York Daily News, (2008-04-07)
11. bebo blog
12. brooklyn-use news item of March 17
13. Sederstrom, Jotham http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/03/20/2008-03-20_marty_markowitzs_top_aide_to_quit_move_c.html
14. Susan Campriello http://www.cityhallnews.com/news/127/ARTICLE/1538/2008-06-13.html