Marty Markowitz

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Marty Markowitz bigraphy, stories - American politician

Marty Markowitz : biography

14 February 1945 –

Marty Markowitz (born February 14, 1945) is the Borough President of Brooklyn, New York City, the most populous borough in New York City with nearly 2.6 million residents. Markowitz was first elected borough president in 2001 after serving 23 years as a New York State Senator. His third term began in January, 2010.

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.Mead, Rebecca: , The New Yorker (2005-04-25) 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.New York Times. (1999-11-21)

Political career

Markowitz began his public service career in 1971, at the age of 26, by forming the Flatbush Tenants Council in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush. The organization grew into Brooklyn Housing and Family Services, which is the largest tenants advocacy organization operating in New York State today .

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, as the Democratic candidate.

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, as did many other Democrats including 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 Northeast Blackout of 2003, Markowitz stood on the Brooklyn Bridge as throngs of fellow Brooklynites trudged home from work in Manhattan, holding a megaphone and cheering "Welcome home to Brooklyn!" to 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 frequently speaks at public schools in Brooklyn on occasions such as performances and graduations.

Markowitz has called for the demolition of the residences at Admiral’s Row, saying they are damaged beyond repair.Rubinstein, Dana: , The Brooklyn Paper, (2007-11-17) However, the Beardsley / Crawford & Stearns 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.Brownstoner staff: , Brownstoner, (2006-10-25)

During his four decades in public service, Markowitz has made the creation and preservation of affordable housing a top priority. Through capital funding and advocating for affordable units as part of the borough president’s ULURP (land use) authority, thousands of affordable housing units have been created, including inclusionary zoning in Greenpoint/Willamsburg and the Habitat for Humanity project in Ocean Hill/Brownsville. Markowitz also fought to save Starrett City, the nation’s largest federally-subsidized housing complex, and keep it “affordable forever.”