HELLO BROOKLYN!
ISN’T BROOKLYN BEAUTIFUL?
THE BROOKLYN CALENDAR GIRLS, D’ANDRE McKAY, AND BETHLENE PANCOAST!
BESIDES BEING EASY ON THE EYES — I INVITED THE LOVELY CALENDAR GIRLS AS A REMINDER THAT I HAVE THREE YEARS LEFT AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT — AND MY CALENDAR IS JAM-PACKED.
I ASKED THE TWO BEAUTY QUEENS TO INTRODUCE ME — BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT THE BEST OF BROOKLYN TODAY AND TOMORROW.
FROM EAST FLATBUSH — MISS NEW YORK SWEETHEART — D’ANDRE MCKAY!
AND FROM BAY RIDGE — MISS NEW YORK 2006 BETHLENE PANCOAST!
ON MONDAY, BETHLENE REPRESENTED BROOKLYN AND NEW YORK STATE AT THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT IN LAS VEGAS.
BETHLENE — IN BROOKLYN, YOU’RE ALWAYS A WINNER!
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF TONIGHT’S WONDERFUL PERFORMERS.
THE COLOR GUARD OF BOY SCOUT TROOP 261 FROM ST. AUGUSTINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN EAST FLATBUSH.
JUSTINE PERRY-SKYERS, THE BEAUTIFUL NIECE OF BROOKLYN ASSEMBLY MEMBER NICK PERRY — WHO SANG OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
THE GREAT DAY YOUTH ENSEMBLE, AND ITS FOUNDER LOUVINIA POINTER AND DIRECTORS GENIE WELCH AND PATRICIA CUNNINGHAM.
AND THE SILVER-BROWN DANCE COMPANY AND ITS FOUNDER, EVA SILVERSTEIN.
LET ME ALSO THANK CHAIRMAN ALAN FISHMAN AND PRESIDENT ANDREW KIMBALL FROM THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD —
NOT ONLY FOR WELCOMING US ALL TONIGHT, BUT FOR TRANSFORMING THE NAVY YARD INTO A POWERFUL ENGINE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR BROOKLYN AND NEW YORK CITY — THANK YOU.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE BROOKLYN’S DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT — AND A DRIVING FORCE IN IMPROVING OUR BOROUGH’S HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES —
A PROUD RESIDENT OF FORT GREENE-CLINTON HILL BY WAY OF JAMAICA —
THE ONE AND ONLY DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT YVONNE GRAHAM!
AND I HAVE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO EVERY BROOKLYNITE WHO HAD ME IN THEIR THOUGHTS LAST JUNE, WHEN I BECAME A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST CLUBS IN AMERICA — WHICH I CALL “THE STENT CLUB.”
IT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME TO KNOW THAT SO MANY OF YOU CARED — AND FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART — WHICH IS NOW MUCH HEALTHIER! — I SAY THANK YOU.
AS WE BEGIN 2007, WE CAN’T TALK ABOUT BROOKLYN WITHOUT BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT SANITY HAS RETURNED TO THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE.
WITH A HARD-DRIVING DEMOCRAT BACK IN THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE — THE BRILLIANT ELIOT SPITZER —
AND DEMOCRATIC MAJORITIES IN CONGRESS — THANKS ESPECIALLY TO BROOKLYN-BORN AND BRED SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER —
WE KNOW THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WILL BE BRINGIN’ IT HOME FOR BROOKLYN — AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON!
JUST THINK — IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS — 699 DAYS TO BE EXACT — PRESIDENT BUSH WILL RETURN TO HIS RANCH IN TEXAS.
WE ALSO HAVE A MAYOR IN MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, WHO I BELIEVE — REGARDLESS OF PARTY LABEL — WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE FINEST MAYORS THIS CITY HAS EVER KNOWN.
AND HE HAS A GREAT PARTNER IN GOVERNMENT IN CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN — AND I THANK HER FOR THAT UNIQUE INTRODUCTION.
YOU KNOW THAT BEHIND THOSE SMILING IRISH EYES ARE THE INSTINCTS OF A VERY SAVVY POLITICIAN AND A GREAT PUBLIC SERVANT!
I ALSO WANT TO SAY — TO ALL OUR COMMUNITY BOARD CHAIRS, DISTRICT MANAGERS, AND MEMBERS —
TO THE LEADERS OF OUR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES OF FAITH — AND TO THE HEADS OF OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND CULTURE —
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR BROOKLYN EVERY DAY.
YOU MIGHT NOT REALIZE IT — BUT RIGHT NOW YOU ARE SITTING IN THE LARGEST FILM STUDIO ANYWHERE OUTSIDE HOLLYWOOD — THE MARQUEE OF DREAMING BIG IN BROOKLYN.
SINCE OPENING IN 2004, WHAT I CALL “HOLLYWOOD EAST” HAS ALREADY GIVEN US FILMS LIKE “SPIDER-MAN 2,” “THE PRODUCERS,” AND “INSIDE MAN,” DIRECTED BY BROOKLYN’S OWN SPIKE LEE.
THE FATHER AND SON TEAM OF DAVID AND DOUG STEINER ARE VISIONARIES NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAD THE CHUTZPAH TO MAKE THEIR DREAM A REALITY — BUT BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZED EARLY ON —
THAT AS HOME TO THE MOST CHARACTER — AND CHARACTERS — ANYWHERE, BROOKLYN WAS THE PLACE TO DO IT.
DOUG STEINER — YOU’RE A TRUE BROOKLYN LEGEND — AND A MESHUGGENAH.
EVEN THE BRAND NEW “STAGE SIX” SPACE — WHERE WE HELD OUR RECEPTION TONIGHT — HAS STAR POWER.
ITS CATERER, ABIGAIL KIRSCH, WHO HAS BEEN A BIG HIT IN MANHATTAN — KNOWS THAT THESE DAYS, YOU JUST HAVEN’T MADE IT TILL YOU’VE MADE IT IN BROOKLYN.
“ PROMISE MADE — PROMISE KEPT”
WHAT WE NOW PROUDLY PROCLAIM “THE BROOKLYN RENAISSANCE” HAS EVOLVED FROM A WELL-KEPT SECRET — TO FRONT PAGE NEWS ACROSS AMERICA.
IN FACT, LAST MONTH THE INTERNATIONALLY-RESPECTED “LONELY PLANET” TRAVEL GUIDE NAMED BROOKLYN ONE OF THE HOTTEST TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
LONELY PLANET ONLY CHOSE THREE DESTINATIONS IN AMERICA —
HAWAII, WHICH I GUESS HAS BEAUTIFUL BEACHES — JUST LIKE BROOKLYN.
NEW ORLEANS, WHICH HAS CULTURE, WONDERFUL FOOD — OK.
AND — WHO WOULDA THUNK IT — THE CITY OF BROOKLYN!
WHY DID THEY CHOOSE BROOKLYN?
COULD IT BE OUR WILD PARROTS IN MIDWOOD?
COULD IT BE THE GLATT KOSHER PASTRAMI EGG ROLLS YOU CAN FIND ONLY IN BROOKLYN, AT DOUGIE’S BARBECUE IN KENSINGTON?
OR COULD IT BE OUR RENOWNED TOURIST ATTRACTION — THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING BOROUGH PRESIDENT!
IT’S TRUE, I’VE LOST A LITTLE WEIGHT.
WHEN PEOPLE CALL ME “THREE-QUARTERS OF THE MAN I ONCE WAS” — I TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT.
BUT SERIOUSLY, WHEN YOU GAVE ME THE HONOR OF SERVING YOU AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT, I MADE SOME PROMISES THAT I AM PROUD TO HAVE KEPT.
I SAID WE WOULD LAUNCH A TOURISM INITIATIVE AND CREATE A VISITORS CENTER AT BOROUGH HALL.
AS WE’VE SEEN WITH LONELY PLANET — AND ARTICLES IN CONDE NAST TRAVELER, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER, AND EVEN THE NEW YORK TIMES “ESCAPES” SECTION, TO NAME A FEW —
BROOKLYN HAS BECOME A DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR TOURISTS — AND IF THEY WANNA TAKE A DAY TRIP TO MANHATTAN — OK!
PROMISE MADE — PROMISE KEPT.
I SAID I WOULD ATTRACT THE CRUISE INDUSTRY TO BROOKLYN.
LAST APRIL, WE WELCOMED THE QUEEN MARY 2 AND THE CROWN PRINCESS TO THE NEW BROOKLYN CRUISE TERMINAL IN RED HOOK— AND I HEAR THE NEW QUEEN VICTORIA IS ON HER WAY TOO.
WITH PLANS FOR A SECOND CRUISE TERMINAL AT PIER 10 — AND HOPEFULLY, MAKING BROOKLYN A PORT OF CALL ONE DAY —
THIS TERMINAL SIGNALS REAL INVESTMENT IN RED HOOK AND OUR WORKING WATERFRONT.
PROMISE MADE 3⁄4 PROMISE KEPT.
I SAID THAT CONEY ISLAND WILL ONCE AGAIN BE AMERICA’S FAVORITE PLAYGROUND.
LAST JULY, I JOINED COUNCIL MEMBER DOMENIC RECCHIA TO FLIP THE SWITCH ON CONEY’S BRIGHT FUTURE WHEN WE LIT UP BROOKLYN’S EIFFEL TOWER — THE PARACHUTE JUMP — FOR ALL TO SEE.
THAT WAS JUST PHASE ONE — AND THE REAL BLING-BLING IS IN THE WORKS.
PROMISE MADE — PROMISE KEPT.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER RECCHIA, THE CITY, AND DEVELOPERS THIS YEAR TO REVITALIZE CONEY ISLAND —
BY SOLIDIFYING ITS STATUS AS THE TOP ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION ATTRACTION IN THE NORTHEAST — AND MAINTAINING ITS LEGENDARY FREAKISHNESS.
(MORE ON THAT LATER.)
I SAID I WOULD CREATE AN EVENT THAT WROTE THE NEXT CHAPTER IN BROOKLYN’S ILLUSTRIOUS LITERARY HISTORY.
LAST SEPTEMBER, THE FIRST-EVER BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL DREW TEN THOUSAND ATTENDEES TO A HISTORIC DAY-LONG EVENT AT BOROUGH HALL —
TO CELEBRATE THE LEGENDARY AUTHORS LIVING AND WRITING HERE IN BROOKLYN 3⁄4 LIKE JONATHAN LETHAM, NICOLE KRAUSS, PETE HAMILL, AND COLSON WHITEHEAD.
PROMISE MADE — PROMISE KEPT.
WE DEFINITELY HAVE SOME SERIOUS WRITERS IN BROOKLYN 3⁄4 ALTHOUGH I’M NOT SURE IF ANY OF THEM CAN REALLY SPELL FUHGEDDABOUDIT!
STAY TUNED FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th.
WHAT KIND OF BOROUGH PRESIDENT WOULD I BE IF I DIDN’T CALL ATTENTION TO BROOKLYN’S UNBELIEVABLE RESTAURANTS?
AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 4th ANNUAL “DINE-IN-BROOKLYN” RESTAURANT WEEK — AND WITH ALL THE ACCOLADES FROM FOOD CRITICS AND BLOGS AND CHOWHOUNDS —
CAN YOU BELIEVE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN BROOKLYN DIDN’T HAVE ITS OWN RESTAURANT WEEK?
PROMISE MADE — PROMISE KEPT.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS YEAR’S DINE IN BROOKLYN — MARCH 19th TO MARCH 30th.
OF COURSE, SINCE I JOINED THE STENT CLUB, I CAN’T GET ANY DESSERT OR FRENCH FRIES PAST MY WAISTLINE WARDEN — AKA GENERAL JAMIE!
BROOKLYN HAS AMONG THE HIGHEST AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN AMERICA —
NOT BECAUSE WE’RE BAD DRIVERS, BUT BECAUSE OF ILLEGAL “MEDICAL MILLS” RIPPING OFF LAW-ABIDING BROOKLYNITES.
WELL, I’M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT RELIEF IS ON THE WAY.
LAST YEAR — WORKING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID YASSKY — WE INTRODUCED A BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON MEDICAL MILLS.
AFTER THE COUNCIL PASSED IT — UNANIMOUSLY, I MIGHT ADD — I WAS PROUD TO JOIN THE MAYOR LAST MAY WHEN HE SIGNED IT INTO LAW.
PROMISE MADE — PROMISE KEPT.
“ THE BIG STAGE, BROOKLYN, USA”
WHERE DID DIRECTOR RYAN FLECK AND SCREENWRITER ANNA BODEN CHOOSE TO LIVE AND SHOOT THEIR HIT FILM “HALF-NELSON” — WHOSE LEADING MAN, RYAN GOSLING, WAS JUST NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR?
LAST MAY, WHERE DID ROBERT REDFORD COMMEMORATE THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL?
(IF YOU MISSED IT LAST YEAR, SUNDANCE — AND MY “OLDER TWIN,” ROBERT REDFORD — WILL BE BACK THIS YEAR, FROM MAY 31st TO JUNE 10th.)
WHERE DID LEADING ARCHITECT RICHARD MEIER DESIGN HIS NEWEST GLASS MASTERPIECE?
WHERE DID RISING STAR MICHAEL CHRISTIE COME TO REALIZE HIS DREAMS AS A CLASSICAL MUSIC CONDUCTOR?
WHERE DID ART-WORLD DYNAMO LAURIE CUMBO OPEN MOCADA — HER ACCLAIMED MUSEUM OF CARIBBEAN AND AFRICAN DIASPORAN ART?
AND WHEN ONE OF THE TOP CANCER SURGEONS IN AMERICA — DR. PATRICK BORGEN FROM MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING — WANTED TO MOVE UP IN HIS FIELD —
WHERE DID HE GO?
YOU KNOW THE ANSWER — BROOKLYN.
DR. BORGEN — THE NEW CHIEF OF BREAST SURGERY AT THE PIONEERING MAIMONIDES CANCER CENTER — IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT.
DR. PATRICK BORGEN!
AND THE HITS JUST KEEP COMIN’.
WHEN NEW YORK MAGAZINE PICKED THE #1 RESTAURANT IN NEW YORK CITY IN ITS FOODIES’ BIBLE, THE ANNUAL “CHEAP EATS” ISSUE — IT WASN’T IN HARLEM, QUEENS, OR EVEN THE EAST VILLAGE.
IT WAS ON THIRD AVENUE IN BAY RIDGE, AT TANOREEN, HOME TO THE MOST DELICIOUS MOUSAKKA AND FRIED EGGPLANT THIS SIDE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN.
I AM PROUD TO WELCOME THE ESTEEMED CHEF AND OWNER OF TANOREEN —
A PALESTINIAN NATIVE WHO WAS RAISED IN NAZARETH, ISRAEL —
RAWIA BISHARA — YOU’RE A BROOKLYN LEGEND IN THE MAKING!
MAGIC JOHNSON — NOW A REAL-ESTATE DEVELOPER — IS TRANSFORMING A LANDMARK INTO MAGNIFICENT APARTMENTS — AT “ONE HANSON” — AKA THE “WILLIAMSBURG SAVINGS BANK BUILDING.”
I’M PROUD TO SAY THAT BROOKLYN’S TALLEST BUILDING WILL REMAIN THE WILLIAMSBURG SAVINGS BANK BUILDING.
AND IT’S FITTING THAT IT’S BEING RENOVATED BY A VERY TALL MAN.
ALTHOUGH HE’S NOT AS TALL AS ONE OF HIS FORMER TEAM MATES — WHO ATTENDED ONE OF MY CONCERTS RECENTLY — KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR.
HOTELS ARE ALSO TURNING TO BROOKLYN.
FROM DOWNTOWN TO 4th AVENUE TO ATLANTIC AVENUE TO BAY RIDGE TO SHEEPSHEAD BAY — HUNDREDS OF HOTEL ROOMS ARE IN THE PIPELINE TO ACCOMMODATE THE INCREASE IN VISITORS TO BROOKLYN, INCLUDING THE NEWEST HOTEL - A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ON UNION STREET, JUST A BLOCK FROM THE SCENIC GOWANUS CANAL.
I CAN’T THINK OF A BETTER SYMBOL OF OUR PROGRESS THAN NEW HOTELS, AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THREE MEN WHO MADE THE CURRENT HOTEL BOOM POSSIBLE — BACK WHEN “THE BROOKLYN RENAISSANCE” WAS MORE OF A PUNCHLINE THAN A CATCH-PHRASE.
BEFORE THE MARRIOTT OPENED IN 1998, THE LAST MAJOR HOTEL BUILT IN BROOKLYN WAS THE HOTEL ST. GEORGE IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — IN 1930!
SO I WANT TO THANK BOTH THE DEVELOPER WHO MADE THE DREAM OF THE MARRIOTT A REALITY —
AND THE MAN WHO HAS MADE IT SUCH A SUCCESS — THE HOTEL DOUBLED ITS SIZE A FEW MONTHS AGO.
BRILLIANT DEVELOPER JOSHUA MUSS AND MARRIOTT GENERAL MANAGER SAM IBRAHIM — BRAVO!
THE THIRD PART OF THIS EQUATION IS A VERY SPECIAL GUEST TONIGHT.
HE HAD THE VISION TO KNOW THAT BROOKLYN WAS ON THE VERGE OF A BOOM — AND THE DRIVE TO GET THE MARRIOTT BUILT.
NO ONE WILL EVER SURPASS HIS 25 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AT BOROUGH HALL.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT HOWARD GOLDEN!
THANK YOU HOWARD — I AM ONLY BUILDING ON YOUR LEGACY.
THE WORD IS OUT ABOUT BROOKLYN, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
LAST MONTH, WE LEARNED THAT BARCLAYS, ONE OF THE LARGEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD, WILL KICK-OFF ITS EXPANSION IN AMERICA BY INVESTING $400 MILLION DOLLARS TO NAME THE ATLANTIC YARDS ARENA — THE BARCLAYS CENTER.
MORE PROOF THAT NOWHERE POSSESSES THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OR CAPTURES THE POPULAR IMAGINATION WITH MORE POWER THAN BROOKLYN.
WHEN YOU DREAM BIG THESE DAYS, YOU DREAM BROOKLYN!
THE NAMING OF THE BARCLAYS CENTER IS A MAJOR STEP TOWARD MAKING ONE OF MY OWN DREAMS FOR BROOKLYN A REALITY.
WITH THOUSANDS OF APARTMENTS FOR BROOKLYNITES OF ALL INCOMES, NEW JOBS FOR RESIDENTS OF EVERY SKILL LEVEL — SOLID, UNION JOBS — AN ARENA FOR MAJOR CONCERTS AND EVENTS, 8 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE, A NEW SCHOOL —
PLUS SHOPPING, A BOUTIQUE HOTEL, AND WORLD-CLASS ARCHITECT FRANK GEHRY DESIGNING IT — ALL ABOVE ONE OF THE LARGEST PUBLIC-TRANSPORTATION HUBS IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION —
ATLANTIC YARDS WILL HELP CREATE THE NEW CENTER OF CITY LIFE THAT OUR BOROUGH OF 2.6 MILLION RESIDENTS DESERVES.
AND I MADE A PROMISE THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP —
TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CONCERNS OF THOSE IN THE AREA SURROUNDING ATLANTIC YARDS, AND TO MAKE THIS PROJECT ONE THAT ALL BROOKLYNITES ARE PROUD OF FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
AND I KNOW THAT BEFORE LONG WE’LL ALL BE CHEERING TOGETHER WHEN THE BROOKLYN NETS LEAVE THE MANHATTAN KNICKS IN THE ATLANTIC DIVISION DUST — AND BRING AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP HOME TO BROOKLYN!
“ BUILDING THE NEW DOWNTOWN”
ATLANTIC YARDS IS PART OF AN EVEN GRANDER VISION FOR BROOKLYN.
IN 2004, I WORKED CLOSELY WITH MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND OTHERS TO LAY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR BUILDING A NEW DOWNTOWN FOR BROOKLYN.
WITH RENEWED ENERGY, WE’RE TURNING THAT PLAN INTO ACTION.
IN THE DAYS AHEAD YOU’LL SEE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAKE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE — ENTERING THE CITY OF BROOKLYN — EVEN BETTER.
YOU’LL FIND A NEW THEATER AT SCHERMERHORN HOUSE — NEAR HOYT STREET — IN A PROJECT THAT INCLUDES 220 LOW-INCOME APARTMENTS FOR THE FORMERLY HOMELESS AND WORKING ARTISTS —
AND ANOTHER NEW THEATER AT 110 LIVINGSTON STREET, THE FORMER HOME OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
AND YOU’LL SEE A REVITALIZED FULTON MALL THAT MAINTAINS ITS BUSTLING SHOPPING ATMOSPHERE AND ADDS NEW RESTAURANTS, NIGHTLIFE, AND OFFICES TO CREATE A VIBRANT 24/7 LIVE-WORK ENVIRONMENT.
ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING ELEMENTS OF THIS PLAN IS THE BAM CULTURAL DISTRICT — A BOLD EFFORT — LED BY BAM’S VISIONARY HARVEY LICHTENSTEIN —
WHICH WILL BUILD ON BAM’S CENTURY OF SUCCESS BY CREATING A CUTTING-EDGE, MIXED-USE ARTS HUB.
WE ALREADY HAVE THE ACCLAIMED MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER — WHICH IS ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCE LEGENDS, LIKE EVA SILVERSTEIN’S SILVER-BROWN COMPANY, WHO YOU SAW EARLIER.
AND IN COMING YEARS, WE’LL ALSO SEE A WORLD-CLASS DANCE THEATER AND REHEARSAL SPACE, OPERATED BY THE DANSPACE PROJECT —
THE THEATER FOR A NEW AUDIENCE — DESIGNED BY FRANK GEHRY AND HUGH HARDY —
NEW RETAIL SHOPS, AND A PUBLIC PLAZA WORTHY OF THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF AMERICA.
AND WHO KNOWS, MAYBE THIS IS THE PERFECT NEW LOCATION FOR NEW YORK’S FASHION WEEK!
BROOKLYN IS BLESSED TO HAVE ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MINDS IN NEW YORK CITY — AND AMERICA — LEADING THIS EFFORT EVERY DAY.
THE YOUNGEST CZAR IN AMERICA —
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARTNERSHIP PRESIDENT — JOE CHAN!
MAKE NO MISTAKE — WHERE THERE’S CULTURE, THERE’S LIFE, AND WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY ALWAYS HAS A HOME IN BROOKLYN.
THAT’S WHY IN ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, MY DREAMS FOR THIS BOROUGH ALSO INCLUDE NEW WORLD-CLASS CULTURAL FACILITIES IN SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL BROOKLYN.
I HAVE A PLAN TO BUILD NEW YORK CITY’S FIRST AMPHITHEATER AT CONEY ISLAND — A STATE-OF-THE ART, COVERED, OUTDOOR, PERFORMING ARTS VENUE AT ASSER LEVY-SEASIDE PARK.
THE CONEY ISLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER — AS I LIKE TO CALL IT — WILL ATTRACT TOP ENTERTAINERS WHO PLAY THE SUMMER CONCERT CIRCUIT AT JONES BEACH, THE WESTBURY THEATER, AND THE P-N-C BANK ARTS CENTER IN NEW JERSEY.
AND NOW, WHEN WE WANT TO SEE THE BEST CONCERTS, WE WON’T HAVE TO GO TO LONG ISLAND, OR NEW JERSEY, OR EVEN MANHATTAN — WE CAN STAY HERE IN BROOKLYN.
THE LOEW’S KINGS THEATER ON FLATBUSH AVENUE NEAR ERASMUS HALL HIGH SCHOOL IS THE LAST REMAINING “WONDER THEATER” IN NEW YORK CITY THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SUB-DIVIDED.
IT HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS — BUT EMPTY IT SHALL BE NO LONGER!
IT’S NOT JUST BECAUSE I HAD MY FIRST DATE THERE — ON THE LEFT BALCONY WHEN I WAS 16, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING.
(IN THOSE DAYS, IT WAS CONSIDERED GETTING SOMEWHERE TO PUT YOUR ARM AROUND YOUR DATE’S SHOULDER — SHE FLUNG MINE AWAY INSTANTLY BY THE WAY.)
JAMIE — I’M YOURS NOW, THAT’S WHAT MATTERS.
SERIOUSLY, AS THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF AMERICA, BROOKLYN NEEDS A GRAND THEATER TO HOST MEDIUM-SIZE CONCERTS, GRADUATIONS, BANQUETS, AND TV PRODUCTIONS.
WE CAN RESTORE THE LOEW’S KINGS TO ITS ORIGINAL SPLENDOR, AND ESTABLISH A BEAUTIFUL, LANDMARK VENUE THAT COMBINES THE APOLLO AND BEACON THEATERS INTO ONE —
AND BECOMES AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR FLATBUSH AVENUE — ONE OF THE CITY’S LARGEST RETAIL STREETS — AND FOR ALL OF CENTRAL BROOKLYN.
“ SMART GROWTH”
NEW YORK CITY IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY A MILLION PEOPLE BY THE YEAR 2030.
THAT MEANS BROOKLYN’S POPULATION COULD INCREASE BY MORE THAN 300,000 RESIDENTS — THE SIZE OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO.
WE MUST BE SMART ABOUT HOW AND WHERE WE GROW — AND WHERE WE DON’T GROW.
THAT MEANS STEERING GROWTH WHERE IT’S APPROPRIATE — ESPECIALLY NEAR MASS-TRANSIT HUBS —
IT MEANS TRANSFORMING MAIN STREETS LIKE 4TH AVENUE AND FLATBUSH AVENUE INTO OUR GRAND BOULEVARDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, WHILE PROTECTING THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS —
IT MEANS SPURRING DEVELOPMENT ON THRIVING COMMERCIAL STREETS LIKE BROADWAY IN BUSHWICK, PITKIN AVENUE IN BROWNSVILLE, FULTON STREET IN FORT GREENE AND BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, NOSTRAND AVENUE IN CROWN HEIGHTS, AND ROCKAWAY PARKWAY IN CANARSIE —
WHILE EXPANDING HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE FISKE TERRACE, MIDWOOD PARK AND WEST MIDWOOD, CROWN HEIGHTS NORTH, FORT GREENE-CLINTON HILL, DUMBO, SHEEPSHEAD BAY, AND OTHERS.
“ CREATING AND PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING”
OF COURSE — NO ISSUE IS MORE CRITICAL TO MAINTAINING THE ETHNIC AND INCOME DIVERSITY THAT DEFINE LIFE IN OUR BOROUGH THAN CREATING AND PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BECAUSE LET’S FACE IT, TODAY RESIDENTS DON’T LEAVE BROOKLYN AND NEW YORK CITY AS THEY ONCE DID, SEEKING A BETTER LIFE — THEY LEAVE BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD THE GOOD LIFE WE HAVE HERE.
I’M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS INDEED ON THE WAY.
IN EAST NEW YORK AND BROWNSVILLE — 2200 LOWER-INCOME HOMES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE EXPANSION OF GATEWAY ESTATES — AND THE THRIVING GATEWAY PLAZA SHOPPING MALL WILL ALSO DOUBLE IN SIZE.
ON VANDERBILT AVENUE NEAR STEINER STUDIOS, 400 APARTMENTS WILL BE BUILT ON THE FORMER “BRIG” SITE, MOST OF THEM AFFORDABLE.
CONEY ISLAND COMMONS — A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS — WILL INCLUDE MORE THAN 100 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING — AS WELL AS CONEY ISLAND’S FIRST “YMCA.”
AND THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS CITY WHAT IT IS — HAVE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO ENJOY THEIR GOLDEN YEARS HERE.
INSTEAD OF “VEGGING OUT” DOWN IN FLORIDA — LIKE THEY TELL YOU — WE WANT SENIORS TO LEAD ACTIVE, ENGAGED LIFESTYLES HERE IN BROOKLYN.
WHICH IS WHY I HELPED FUND PROJECTS LIKE SUNSET GARDENS, 80 NEW UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS IN SUNSET PARK, DEVELOPED BY LUTHERAN MEDICAL CENTER.
I WILL ALSO BE WORKING TO ATTRACT WHAT ARE CALLED “ADULT LIVING COMMUNITIES” —
HOMES FOR ADULTS 55 AND OLDER — ESPECIALLY SINGLE MEN AND WOMEN — TO LIVE WITH OTHER RETIRED, SEMI-RETIRED, OR WORKING ADULTS WITHOUT CHILDREN IN A SOCIAL SETTING.
AS WE CREATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING — WE MUST ALSO PRESERVE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
SOMETIMES THAT REQUIRES A FIGHT — AND A FIGHT MAY BE WHAT IT TAKES TO PRESERVE THE AFFORDABILITY OF THE NEARLY 6,000 APARTMENTS AT SPRING CREEK — WHICH WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN TO BROOKLYNITES AS “STARRETT CITY.”
I VOW THAT ALONG WITH MY FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS — WE WILL FIGHT TO PRESERVE THIS DEVELOPMENT — WHICH IS THE MODEL FOR DIVERSE, URBAN LIVING IN BROOKLYN AND AMERICA. I’VE GOT A MESSAGE: THIS WON’T BE STUY-TOWN PART TWO!
WITHOUT DEDICATED, ACTIVE RESIDENTS LIKE OUR NEXT GUESTS, THE EFFORTS OF ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL WOULD BE FOR NAUGHT.
IN 2006, WHEN THE TENANTS OF TIVOLI TOWERS OF CROWN HEIGHTS HEARD THEIR BUILDING WAS ABOUT TO BECOME THE LATEST MITCHELL-LAMA BUY-OUT, THEY DID NOT TAKE THE NEWS SITTING DOWN.
THEY FOUGHT BACK, AND DISCOVERED A CLAUSE IN THE ORIGINAL DEED FROM 30 YEARS AGO THAT PROTECTED THE AFFORDABILITY OF THEIR BUILDING FOR ANOTHER 18 YEARS.
IT WASN’T EASY, BUT IN THE END THEY PROVED THAT GREED AND OPPORTUNISM ARE NO MATCH FOR CHUTZPAH, MOXIE, AND THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — THE FIGHTING TENANTS OF TIVOLI TOWERS —
ALICE MITCHELL, STEPHANIE FULSON, MONIQUE HENRY, ELIZABETH BROWN, AND MARIA VALCARCEL!
AS BROOKLYN GROWS AND CHANGES, THE SOUNDS OF BROOKLYN BOOMING ARE NOT ALWAYS SWEET.
MY OFFICE HAS JOINED ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE ASSEMBLYMEN JIM BRENNAN OF PARK SLOPE AND JOSEPH LENTOL OF GREENPOINT-WILLIAMSBURG TO ADDRESS RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS BY IMPROVING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND PROTECTING THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS RESPONDED TO OUR EFFORTS BY BEEFING UP OVERSIGHT AND ENACTING STRONGER PENALTIES TO STOP ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES.
ONE COUPLE’S TIRELESS WATCHDOG EFFORTS HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING ON THESE ISSUES.
AARON BRASHEAR AND MICK HOLWIN — OF THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF GREENWOOD HEIGHTS — MADE CLEVER USE OF CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND PUT VIDEOS ON “YOU TUBE” OF BUILDING VIOLATIONS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD —
SO CITY AGENCIES AND EVERYONE COULD SEE THE EVIDENCE FIRST-HAND.
THEIR DEDICATION IS A BIG REASON WHY THE CITY RESPONDED SO QUICKLY AND STRONGLY.
AARON BRASHEAR AND MICK HOLWIN — YOU DO BROOKLYN PROUD!
“ GREEN BACK BROOKLYN”
WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE AND SMART GROWTH — IT’S ALL ABOUT GOING GREEN.
IN 2007, WE’RE GOING TO MAKE A BOROUGH-WIDE EFFORT TO “GREEN BACK BROOKLYN” — BY HIGHLIGHTING AND PROMOTING OUR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AT THE CUTTING-EDGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS.
LIKE GREEN DEPOT, IN GREENPOINT — ONE OF THE LARGEST ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS BUILDING SUPPLIERS IN AMERICA.
THE STILLWELL AVENUE SUBWAY TERMINAL AT CONEY ISLAND, WHICH GETS ITS POWER FROM SOLAR PANELS.
IN DECEMBER, THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF PARK SLOPE WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP “ECO-NEIGHBORHOODS” IN AMERICA ACCORDING TO “NATURAL HOME” MAGAZINE — CITED FOR ITS URBAN-RENEWAL AND PRESERVATION EFFORTS.
EVEN ADRIAN GRENIER— THE STAR OF THE HBO SERIES “ENTOURAGE” — IS RENOVATING HIS CLINTON HILL HOME TO BE AS GREEN AS POSSIBLE — HE EVEN USED RECYCLED DENIM FOR INSULATION!
WE’VE GOT THE GREEN SCHOOL IN WILLIAMSBURG AND THE ACADEMY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP IN BUSHWICK.
AND LAST YEAR STUDENTS AT AUTOMOTIVE HIGH SCHOOL IN WILLIAMSBURG BUILT A CAR THAT RUNS ON USED COOKING OIL — THE KIND YOU COOK FRENCH FRIES OR FRIED CHICKEN IN.
STUDENTS JEREMY ZAMORA AND TIMOTHY EDMUND ARE HERE TONIGHT — WITH THEIR TEACHER, THOMAS CASSINO.
YOU’RE PUTTING THOSE TRANS-FATS TO GOOD USE!
AND JAMIE — THE NEXT TIME YOU CATCH ME EATING FRENCH FRIES, I’LL HAVE THE PERFECT EXCUSE — I’M DOING IT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!
AND THIS IS THE YEAR EXXON MOBIL WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR CLEANING UP THE LARGEST URBAN OIL DISASTER IN UNITED STATES HISTORY —
WHICH OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS HAS LEAKED 17 MILLION GALLONS OF OIL INTO NEWTOWN CREEK — BETWEEN GREENPOINT AND QUEENS — THREATENING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF NORTH BROOKLYN RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
OUR WATERFRONT SHOULD BE A RESOURCE WE CELEBRATE.
JUST LOOK AT EMPIRE-FULTON FERRY PARK IN DUMBO — ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR VISTAS OF ANY PARK IN THE WORLD.
AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.
I’M CONFIDENT THAT THIS YEAR WE WILL BREAK GROUND ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK —
AN URBAN EMERALD INCLUDING 85 ACRES OF NEW PARKLAND — 85 ACRES! —THAT WILL STRETCH FROM THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE TO ATLANTIC AVENUE.
WITH LAWNS, BEACHES, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, BIKE PATHS, A MARINA — AND OF COURSE THAT VIEW! — BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK WILL BE TO THE 21st CENTURY WHAT PROSPECT PARK WAS TO THE 19th.
ADD TO THAT WORLD-CLASS RECREATION LIKE BROOKLYN’S ANSWER TO CHELSEA PIERS —
THE AVIATOR SPORTS COMPLEX AT FLOYD BENNETT FIELD — WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY BE THE NEW HOME FOR THE RANGERS’ MINOR LEAGUE HOCKEY TEAM —
PLUS 23 ACRES ON THE SUNSET PARK WATERFRONT THAT ARE BEING TRANSFORMED FROM BROWNFIELDS INTO ANOTHER GORGEOUS PARK —
THE NEW SOUTH OXFORD PARK NEAR ATLANTIC AVENUE —
THE RESTORED FORT GREENE PARK VISITORS CENTER 3⁄4
NEW CRICKET PITCHES IN CANARSIE 3⁄4
IMPROVEMENTS FROM SEBA PLAYGROUND IN MARINE PARK TO IRVING SQUARE PARK IN BUSHWICK —
AND THE HIPSTERS AND YUPSTERS FLOCKING TO INDIE-ROCK CONCERTS AT WHAT WE USED TO CALL THE McCARREN PARK POOL IN WILLIAMSBURG.
LET ME TELL YOU — IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE OUR NEW MOTTO BECOMES “BROOKLYN — HOW GREEN IT IS!”
“ THE PROMISE OF A BETTER BROOKLYN: PUBLIC SAFETY”
MY CENTRAL GOAL AS BOROUGH PRESIDENT REMAINS MAKING THE BROOKLYN RENAISSANCE REAL FOR EVERY BROOKLYNITE —
AND THE FIRST MOMENTS OF 2007 REMINDED US OF THE HOPES AND CHALLENGES AHEAD.
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, THE NEWEST NEW YORKER OF 2007 — YES, A BROOKLYNITE — WAS BORN AT LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL —
A LITTLE BOY NAMED OLADIPUPO.
THAT WEEK I VISITED OLADIPUPO AND HIS PARENTS — BROOKLYNITES BY WAY OF NIGERIA — TO OFFICIALLY WELCOME HIM TO BROOKLYN.
I HEAR HIS NICKNAME IS BIPO — HEY, THEY CALL ME BEEP TOO!
I WANT TO WELCOME HIS PARENTS — MABEL JOHN AND OLUSOLA KARIMU — AS WELL AS LICH PRESIDENT AND CEO RITA BATTLES, DR. BERNADETTE RUSSELL — AND — BIPO!
THE HEALTHY ARRIVAL OF THIS NEW BROOKLYNITE WAS A JOY AND A BLESSING.
BUT THIS IS A VAST BOROUGH — AND IN THE SAME FIRST MINUTES OF THE NEW YEAR — VIOLENCE CLAIMED THE CITY’S FIRST VICTIM — 26-YEAR-OLD JONATHAN RIDLEY, OF BROWNSVILLE.
WITH ALL THE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING IN BROOKLYN — I WILL NOT BE SATISFIED — NOR CAN YOU — UNTIL WE HAVE ERADICATED GUN VIOLENCE FROM OUR CITY.
SO I COMMEND DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES HYNES AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY THREE-AND-A-HALF YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR POSSESSION OF AN ILLEGAL GUN — NO EXCUSES.
AND I THANK MAYOR BLOOMBERG FOR HIS UNYIELDING LEADERSHIP ON STOPPING THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL GUNS INTO OUR CITY.
OF COURSE, ALL THE THINGS WE CELEBRATE IN BROOKLYN WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE CONTINUING DROP IN CRIME — AND WE OWE A HUGE DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO NEW YORK’S FINEST.
WE HAVE HERE WITH US TONIGHT COMMANDING OFFICER OF PATROL BROOKLYN SOUTH, CHIEF JOSEPH FOX — ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER —
AND OUR NEW CHIEF OF BROOKLYN NORTH — WHO SLEEPS IN QUEENS BUT WAS BORN, RAISED, AND MADE IT TO THE BIG TIME IN BROOKLYN — CHIEF GERALD NELSON!
I WANT TO THANK OUR OFFICERS IN UNIFORM IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT — INCLUDING BOROUGH COMMANDER ED KILDUFF — WHERE’S ED?
AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENTS OF CORRECTIONS AND SANITATION.
AND I WANT TO EXTEND MY SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY OF POLICE OFFICER FRANCIS HENNESSY, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN BROOKLYN LAST JANUARY.
“ THE PROMISE OF A BETTER BROOKLYN: EDUCATION”
IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE GLOBAL ECONOMY, THE ONLY PATH TO SUCCESS IS EDUCATION.
AND IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT A NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE — AS IT WAS FOR ANYONE IN MY AGE RANGE GROWING UP.
MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS STILL PROVIDE THAT GOLD STANDARD — BUT WE WON’T BE SATISFIED UNTIL EVERY SCHOOL EXCELS AT THAT LEVEL — AND GIVES OUR STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THE ZENITH OF THEIR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE A STAR OF OUR ACADEMIC WORLD WHO MOVED TO BROOKLYN AND IS DREAMING BIG.
19-YEAR-OLD KEVIN SHENDEROV, OF MIDWOOD, IS A BROOKLYNITE BY WAY OF UKRAINE.
A GRADUATE OF EDWARD R. MURROW HIGH SCHOOL — KEVIN IS NOW A SENIOR MAJORING IN BIO-CHEMISTRY AT NYU —
AND HE HAS ALREADY CONDUCTED IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY AND MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING.
TWO YEARS AGO, HIS BROTHER EUGENE WON A RHODES SCHOLARSHIP AND IS STUDYING AT OXFORD.
NOW KEVIN HAS FOLLOWED IN HIS FOOTSTEPS, HAVING BEEN NAMED A 2007 RHODES SCHOLAR.
HE ALSO PLANS TO RETURN TO OXFORD AND RESEARCH CANCER VACCINES.
WHAT A FAMILY 3⁄4 BRAVO KEVIN SHENDEROV!
AS WE ALL KNOW, NEW YORK CITY IS THE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING CAPITAL OF AMERICA — IF NOT THE WORLD.
AND LAST YEAR, THE NATION-WIDE BUYING POWER OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS SURPASSED $700 BILLION DOLLARS.
YET LESS THAN FOUR PERCENT OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING PROFESSIONALS IN OUR COUNTRY ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.
IT’S ALL ABOUT EXPOSURE!
THAT’S WHY I HAVE PROPOSED TO SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR JOEL KLEIN THAT WE CREATE A “HIGH SCHOOL OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING,” PREFERABLY IN CENTRAL BROOKLYN.
THE CHANCELLOR WAS VERY RECEPTIVE TO MY GOAL OF GETTING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE — ESPECIALLY IN OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THE SALARIES IN THIS FIELD MAKE A BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S SALARY LOOK LIKE CHUMP CHANGE.
AND I’M CONFIDENT THAT BY 2008 THIS PROMISING NEW SCHOOL WILL BE UP AND RUNNING.
“ THE PROMISE OF A BETTER BROOKLYN: HEALTH”
MY OFFICE CONTINUED THE “LIGHTEN UP BROOKLYN” WEIGHT-LOSS CAMPAIGN AND “TAKE YOUR MAN TO THE DOCTOR” INITIATIVES THIS YEAR, BECAUSE THEIR MESSAGES ARE STILL NEEDED AND RELEVANT.
EVEN FOR ME — I LOST 11 POUNDS FOR THE FIRST “LIGHTEN UP BROOKLYN,” BUT I FELL OF THE WAGON BIG-TIME.
BUT SINCE MY HEART SCARE — I HAVE BEEN WALKING MOST EVERY MORNING, AND SAVING THE JUNIOR’S CHEESECAKE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
BELIEVE ME, WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING AWAY FROM THE SWEETS — AND THE BAGELS, PASTRAMI, AND KNISHES — EVERY DAY IS A STRUGGLE.
BUT LET’S FACE IT, I AM BLESSED TO HAVE GOOD HEALTH INSURANCE AND DOCTORS I TRUST.
THAT WAS NOT THE CASE WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND MY FAMILY LIVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING — BACK THEN, THE KINGS COUNTY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM WAS OUR FAMILY DOCTOR.
FOR TOO MANY BROOKLYNITES TODAY, THIS IS STILL THE CASE.
WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES — BROOKLYN IS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
OUR BOROUGH TOPS TOO MANY OF THE WRONG LISTS —
FROM RATES OF CANCER TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, HIV-AIDS, ASTHMA, OBESITY, AND DIABETES.
THIS IS THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH, BUT WE’RE WORKING HARD TO CHANGE IT.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN RESPONSE TO THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES AT MANY BROOKLYN HOSPITALS —
LAST YEAR, MY OFFICE — BEHIND THE LEADERSHIP OF DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT YVONNE GRAHAM WITH SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED HOSPITAL FUND —
WORKED WITH A TASK FORCE TO ESTABLISH THE BROOKLYN NURSING PARTNERSHIP TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN MORE NURSES.
AND IN NOVEMBER, WE RESPONDED TO THE STATE BERGER COMMISSION’S REPORT ON HEALTH CARE FACILITIES BY TELLING IT STRAIGHT —
KEEP OUR HOSPITALS OPEN!
BECAUSE WHAT BROOKLYN REALLY NEEDS IS A COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE AGENDA THAT PRIORITIZES NOT ONLY HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY — BUT EQUALITY, ACCESS, AND PARTICIPATION.
LUCKILY, BROOKLYN IS HOME TO SOME OF THE TOP MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ANYWHERE.
WE ARE JOINED TONIGHT BY DR. STEPHEN CARRYL — CHAIRMAN OF BROOKLYN HOSPITAL CENTER’S PRESTIGIOUS SURGERY DEPARTMENT, WITH A SPECIALTY IN BARIATRIC SURGERY.
A NATIVE OF GUYANA, DR. CARRYL WAS RECENTLY NAMED ONE OF AMERICA’S TOP SURGEONS, AS WELL AS AMERICA’S BEST BLACK DOCTOR BY “THE NETWORK JOURNAL”!
DR. STEPHEN CARRYL!
“ BROOKLYN LEGENDS”
WE ALL STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE GIANTS WHO CAME BEFORE US, AND IN 2006 WE LOST OUR SHARE OF BROOKLYN LEGENDS.
BELOVED STATE SENATOR DONALD HALPERIN WAS ONE OF THEM — A PROUD SON OF MANHATTAN BEACH, A GRADUATE OF LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL AND BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL, AND A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE.
IN 1971, AT THE AGE OF 24, DONALD BECAME THE YOUNGEST PERSON EVER ELECTED TO THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE, AND SERVED FOR OVER TWO DECADES.
DONNY WAS ALWAYS SMILING, HE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS —
AND IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS HE REPRESENTED — MANHATTAN BEACH, SHEEPSHEAD BAY, BRIGHTON BEACH, GRAVESEND AND MIDWOOD — HE WAS TRULY LOVED.
DONNY’S DEDICATION TO BROOKLYN WAS THE MODEL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN HIS PATH — AND HE IS DEARLY MISSED.
EVELYN ORTNER MAY HAVE BEEN BORN IN MANHATTAN AND RAISED IN THE BRONX — BUT LUCKY FOR US, SHE BECAME A BROOKLYNITE.
SHE KNEW BROOKLYN’S HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS HAD A STORY TO TELL — OF COMMUNITY, PRIDE, PROGRESS — AND THE JOY OF LIVING IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.
LIVING IN PARK SLOPE LONG BEFORE IT BECAME A STROLLER DERBY — SHE MADE IT HER MISSION TO BRING SUBURBAN EXILES “BACK TO THE CITY.”
AND WITHOUT EVELYN ORTNER’S DEDICATION, WE WOULDN’T BE BOASTING TODAY OF THE PRIDE OF BROOKLYN — “BROWNSTONE BROOKLYN.”
THANK YOU EVELYN.
LAST WEEK, WE LOST A LEGEND — THE HEART AND SOUL OF BROOKLYN’S CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY.
BY FOUNDING THE WEST INDIAN AMERICAN CARNIVAL IN 1967 AND MOVING IT FROM HARLEM TO EASTERN PARKWAY — WHERE IT HAS GROWN INTO THE LARGEST PARADE IN NEW YORK CITY —
CARLOS LEZAMA HELPED MAKE BROOKLYN THE PROUD CARIBBEAN CAPITAL OF AMERICA.
I LIKE TO JOKE THAT I’M A TRINI FROM TOONA POONA —
BUT CARLOS WAS TRINI TO THE BONE 3⁄4 I THINK HIS BIG HEART POUNDED TO A CALYPSO BEAT.
HIS DAUGHTER YOLANDA LEZAMA CLARKE HAS MADE IT HER MISSION TO ESTABLISH NEW YORK’S FIRST CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM TO HONOR HIS MEMORY — AND I PROUDLY SUPPORT HER.
SHE IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT — SO WE CAN ALL SAY— “JUMP UP” AND THANK YOU CARLOS!
I AM DEEPLY SORRY TO SAY —
JUST THIS MORNING BROOKLYN LOST ANOTHER GIANT — A WARM, GENEROUS MAN NAMED GILBERT RIVERA.
BORN IN PUERTO RICO AND RAISED IN BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, 20 YEARS AGO GIL OPENED A SMALL HARDWARE STORE ON PARK AVENUE IN BEDFORD-STUYVESANT 20 YEARS AGO THAT HAS SINCE BECOME ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL BUILDING SUPPLY COMPANIES IN AMERICA —
PROVIDING MATERIALS FOR LANDMARKS LIKE THE TIME WARNER CENTER AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE, THE NEW MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, AND BROOKLYN’S NEW FEDERAL COURT HOUSE ON JAY STREET.
GIL HAD JUST OPENED A SPARKLING NEW HEADQUARTERS ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN OCEAN HILL-BROWNSVILLE, WHICH DEMONSTRATED ONCE AGAIN HIS COMMITMENT TO HELPING BROOKLYN GROW AS HIS BUSINESS GREW.
GILBERT RIVERA’S SUCCESS AS A HISPANIC-AMERICAN ENTREPRENEUR WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL BROOKLYNITES.
“ BROOKLYN MOURNS”
I NOW ASK THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER A FEW OF THOSE THAT MADE LIFE BETTER FOR BROOKLYN WHO WE LOST IN THE LAST YEAR.
DAMON ALLEN
SARAH PARSONS BLOW
NIXZMARY BROWN
DIANE CARRINGTON
JOSEPH CHIN-COTTA
JACKIE CONNOR
JUDGE CONRAD DUBERSTEIN
REV. MONSIGNOR FRANCIS J. FAHY
SADIE FEDDOES
RUTH G. GORING
DAISY HSU
HON. THOMAS R. JONES
REVEREND WILLIAM A. JONES
MATT KENNEDY
SYLVESTER LEAKS
ELLA MINTON
HAROLD MONDSHEIN
CHANEL PETRO-NIXON
FRANK NOCELLA
ANTONINO PARISI
FRED RAND
DEWEY REDMAN
BILL REINHARDT
BISHOP HERON SAM
ANTHONY SCICCHITANO
GRAND REBBE MOSES TEITELBAUM
BETTY TREZZA
REV. DR. V. SIMPSON TURNER
REBECCA VEAL
EDNA WILDMAN
WE ALSO REMEMBER THE BROOKLYN SOLDIERS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO OUR NATION IN THE LAST YEAR.
I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO WELCOME MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES, MANY OF WHOM TRAVELED GREAT DISTANCES TO BE HERE.
BEFORE I READ THEIR NAMES, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO PLEASE STAND.
NAVY PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS — JOSEPH ALOMAR
ARMY STAFF SERGEANT — DWAYNE PETER LEWIS
MARINE CAPTAIN — JOHN J. McKENNA IV
ARMY FIRST SERGEANT — BOBBY MENDEZ
ARMY SERGEANT — MARIO NELSON
ARMY SERGEANT — YEVGENIY RYNDYCH
MARINE LANCE CORPORAL — NICHOLAS J. WHYTE
ALL OF BROOKLYN MOURNS YOUR LOSS 3⁄4 AND WE THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR YOUR SONS’ HEROIC SERVICE TO AMERICA.
“TRUE BLUE BROOKLYN”
WE GO NOW FROM A SOMBER NOTE TO A TRULY UPLIFTING ONE.
U.S. ARMY SPECIALIST NOE SANTOS-DILONE IS A PROUD SON OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WHO MOVED TO BEDFORD-STUYVESANT WHEN HE WAS 14.
IN 2005, WHEN SPECIALIST SANTOS-DILONE WAS SERVING IN IRAQ, THE CONVOY HE WAS RIDING IN WAS BOMBED AFTER TRIGGERING A LASER 3⁄4 AND IT COST HIM ONE OF HIS LEGS.
SPECIALIST SANTOS-DILONE WAS ONE OF 33,000 SOLDIERS IN OUR MILITARY SERVICE WHO ARE NOT YET U.S. CITIZENS.
SO LAST YEAR WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH WAS WORKING THE ROPE-LINE AT AN EVENT IN WASHINGTON AND WALKED PAST HIM 3⁄4
SPECIALIST SANTOS-DILONE … A BROOKLYNITE REMEMBER! —
GRABBED THE PRESIDENT BY THE ARM AND TOLD HIM — VERY DIRECTLY —
“I'M NOT A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES 3⁄4 AND I WANT TO BE ONE.”
THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS THE “BROOKLYN ATTITUDE” ON DISPLAY IN ALL ITS GLORY.
AND I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT AS OF JULY 24th, 2006, NOE SANTOS-DILONE IS A FULL CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
NOW, LITO, AS HE’S KNOWN, HAS BEEN RECOVERING AT WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
BUT — WHEN HE HEARD THAT BROOKLYN WANTED TO GIVE HIM A PROPER HERO’S WELCOME HOME — NOTHING COULD KEEP STOP HIM FROM JOINING US TONIGHT.
WE STAND IN AWE OF YOUR SERVICE — AND WE WELCOME YOU HOME AS A PROUD BROOKLYNITE — AND AMERICAN!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — ARMY SPECIALIST NOE SANTOS-DILONE.
SO MANY OF THE GREAT BROOKLYNITES I’M FEATURING IN MY REMARKS TONIGHT ARE IMMIGRANTS —
AND SPECIALIST SANTOS-DILONE IS YET ANOTHER POWERFUL EXAMPLE THAT SOME OF OUR MOST DEDICATED — AND PATRIOTIC — AMERICANS WERE NOT BORN HERE.
NOW I PROMISE YOU — IT’S TIME — FINALLY — FOR THE GRAND FINALE.
WHAT MAKES LIFE IN OUR BOROUGH SPECIAL AND EXCITING IS WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING CRAZY OR BEAUTIFUL WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STREET OR SITTING ON THE SUBWAY — AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS STOP, SHAKE YOUR HEAD, AND SAY — ONLY IN BROOKLYN!
FOLKS LIKE ROSLYN BECK OF BROOKLYN HEIGHTS.
WHEN ROSLYN NOTICED THAT TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS COULDN’T FIND THE ENTRANCE TO THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE FOOTPATH 3⁄4 SHE USED A LITTLE BROOKLYN CHUTZPAH AND MADE HER OWN SIGNS AND TIED THEM TO TREES AND STREET POLES.
WELL, THE CITY GOT THE HINT.
THANKS TO HER EFFORTS, PERMANENT SIGNS ARE BEING PLANNED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO TAKE A STROLL ACROSS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE IN THE WORLD.
ROSLYN BECK, THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US THE WAY!
SISTER MADELEINE KAVANAGH AND HER TEAM AT THE ST. JOHN'S MOBIL SOUP KITCHEN IN BEDFORD-STUYVESANT TRAVEL AROUND CENTRAL BROOKLYN EVERY DAY IN A WINNEBAGO — COMPLETE WITH A KITCHEN, COMPUTER, PHONE, AND FAX INSIDE.
SHE PROVIDES HOT MEALS TO NEEDY RESIDENTS, PLUS INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, LEGAL SERVICES, AND EDUCATION.
SISTER KAVANAGH HAS BEEN A NUN FOR 47 YEARS — AND BEFORE COMING TO BROOKLYN IN 1999, SHE SPENT TWO DECADES IN BOLIVIA, RIDING MULES TO REMOTE VILLAGES TO WORK WITH ORPHANS AND LEPROSY PATIENTS.
SHE HAS OBVIOUSLY PROVEN SHE’LL GO THE DISTANCE FOR OTHERS 3⁄4 BY MULE OR BY WINNEBAGO —
SISTER MADELEINE KAVANAGH!
CAB DRIVER DANIEL CAROU OF BENSONHURST INSPIRED US LAST YEAR WITH HIS SELFLESSNESS AND HONESTY.
WHEN HE NOTICED THAT A FARE — WHO HAPPENED TO BE A “DAILY NEWS” REPORTER — HAD LEFT HIS WALLET BEHIND 3⁄4 HIS FIRST THOUGHT WAS TO WORRY ABOUT HIS CUSTOMER.
SO HE TOOK TIME OUT OF HIS DAY TO DRIVE THE WALLET BACK TO ITS OWNER 3⁄4 WITH HIS ID, CREDIT CARDS, BANK INFORMATION — AND $1400 DOLLARS IN CASH — ALL INTACT.
NOW THAT’S GOOD BROOKLYN KARMA.
DANIEL CAROU!
FROM GENEROSITY TO REAL BROOKLYN HEROISM.
YOUNG YANEISHA HARRISON SET A SHINING EXAMPLE OF BRAVERY WHEN HER FAMILY’S EAST FLATBUSH HOME TRAGICALLY CAUGHT FIRE LAST AUGUST.
ALL 5 OF HER YOUNGER COUSINS WERE STILL INSIDE THE HOUSE — INCLUDING JADEN, WHO WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD.
SO YANEISHA RAN BACK AND FORTH INTO THEIR BURNING HOME — AS THE FLAMES GREW MORE FIERCE — AND LED EACH CHILD TO SAFETY.
THIS YOUNG WOMAN MOVED US ALL WITH THE STRENGTH OF HER LOVE — AND HER COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER.
AND WOULDN’T YOU KNOW IT — SHE WANTS TO BE A NURSE AFTER SHE GRADUATES FROM TILDEN HIGH SCHOOL.
ALL OF BROOKLYN COMMENDS YOU — YANEISHA HARRISON.
WHERE ELSE WOULD BE HOME TO THE FIRST HASIDIC JEWISH POLICE OFFICER IN NEW YORK CITY?
JOEL WITRIOL GREW UP IN WILLIAMSBURG’S SPINKER HASIDIM COMMUNITY, AND AFTER HELPING OUT AT THE 77th PRECINCT IN CROWN HEIGHTS, HE DECIDED TO PURSUE BECOMING A MEMBER OF NEW YORK’S FINEST.
NYPD? — HASIDIM? — IT’S BROOKLYN — VY NOT?
POLICE OFFICER JOEL WITRIOL!
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BROOKLYN SECRETS THAT HAVE GROWN INTO BONA FIDE LEGENDS 3⁄4 THERE IS NO BETTER EXAMPLE THAN THE MAESTRO BEHIND THE COUNTER AT DIFARA PIZZA IN MIDWOOD.
IN HIS NEARLY FOUR DECADES MAKING PIES ON AVENUE J AND EAST 15th STREET 3⁄4 DOMENIC DEMARCO — A NATIVE OF ITALY — HAS ALWAYS BEEN A NEIGHBORHOOD STAR.
NOW FOR PIZZA-LOVERS FROM OUR OUTER BOROUGHS AND ACROSS AMERICA — A TRIP TO DA FARA IS A CULINARY PILGRIMAGE.
WHEN IT COMES TO FRESH INGREDIENTS AND TRUE PIZZA “SOUL,” NOBODY CAN TOUCH HIM 3⁄4
ESPECIALLY NOT A CERTAIN CORPORATE PIZZA GIANT THAT RECENTLY TRIED TO CASH IN ON OUR BOROUGH’S HIPNESS — BY INTRODUCING A MASS-PRODUCED — QUOTE — “BROOKLYN-STYLE” PIZZA.
LET ME TELL YOU — WE DON’T NEED “DOMI-NO’S” WHEN WE’VE GOT “DOME-NIC!”
DOMENIC DEMARCO, YOU’RE A BROOKLYN LEGEND.
PREDICTING GOOD TIMES AHEAD FOR BROOKLYN IS PRETTY EASY THESE DAYS.
MAYBE THAT’S WHY THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF FORTUNE COOKIES IN AMERICA CHOSE TO MOVE ITS HEADQUARTERS FROM MANHATTAN TO EAST WILLIAMSBURG.
WONTON FOOD, OWNED BY MR. CHING SUN WONG, MAKES DELICIOUS FORTUNE COOKIES 24-7 — PRODUCING FOUR MILLION FORTUNE COOKIES EVERY DAY — YES, EVERY DAY.
CHING SUN WONG AND HIS FAMILY CAME HERE FROM GWONG ZOW PROVINCE IN CHINA — AND SINCE MOVING TO BROOKLYN IN 1984, THEIR BUSINESS HAS GROWN TEN-FOLD.
THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DREAM BIG IN BROOKLYN.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — CHING SUN WONG, AND HIS SON NORMAN, OF WONTON FOOD!
“ GOOD FORTUNES”
TO BE FRANK — I ALSO INVITED THE FORTUNE COOKIE MAKERS TONIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE A QUESTION I NEED ANSWERED.
NOW, I DON’T NEED A FORTUNE COOKIE TO TELL ME BROOKLYN’S FUTURE LOOKS GOOD.
BUT WITH TERM LIMITS LOOMING — WHAT ABOUT MY FUTURE?
I GUESS THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT —
IF IT’S GOOD FOR BROOKLYN … IT’S GOOD FOR NEW YORK CITY!
GOOD NIGHT BROOKLYN.
