BP Markowitz explains school governance proposals to Senate panel

In testimony submitted to the State Senate Majority Task Force on New York City School Governance last Friday, Borough President Marty Markowitz discussed proposals he made in his recent Daily News "Op-Ed" article to increase accountability and democracy in New York City schools governance. Among Marty's proposals are to expand the Board of Education from its current seven to eleven members with the mayor having six appointees and each borough president retaining one appointee, and appointment of the Chancellor by the mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The Board of Education should retain its current powers. These changes would vest the mayor with ultimate public accountability for school system performance while retaining a crucial borough oversight role.
    Marty also told the Senators that he supports replacing existing community school boards with district advisory boards whose members would be appointed in the same way as the City's Community Boards - half by the borough presidents and the other half by local City Council members. Recognizing the crucial role of parent involvement in improving our schools, district parents would hold one-half of the advisory board seats. Educators, would hold one-quarter and local community and business leaders the remaining one-quarter of the seats.
    In his testimony, Marty acknowledged that "fixing our schools will require additional resources" including more teachers to reduce class size, more school buildings to relieve severe overcrowding, and measures to retain experienced teachers and attract the best new ones. He also noted, however, that, "Fixing our schools will also require a new public school governance structure that holds elected officials publicly accountable for educational performance and that encourages parents and teachers to participate actively in improving their local schools."

No incinerator plants in Brooklyn, BP Markowitz vows

    With the City facing enormous new costs to dispose of its garbage now that the Fresh Kills landfill is closed, attention is again turning to building large garbage incinerator plants. In a statement released last week, Marty said that while he understands that new solutions are needed to the waste disposal problem, incinerators should not be considered. "While there are those that say that the technology has been improved, Brooklyn should not and will not be the testing ground," he stated.

"Butt Out Brooklyn" stop-smoking campaign begins Wednesday

    When Borough President Markowitz kicks-off the "Butt Out Brooklyn" campaign at Borough Hall this Wednesday, April 10th, he'll have plenty of good company in spreading the anti-smoking message. Marty and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham will be joined by: Lt. Governor Mary O. Donohue; NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden; officials of the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association; Dr. Orlando Mejia of Woodhull Hospital, who is an authority on the hazards of smoking; Latoya Williams, a Brooklyn student who organized a one-day "smoke out" on hercollege campus; representatives of Brooklyn healthcare advocacy organizations, local business

groups,faith-based organizations and community boards; and by more than 100 teenagers who participate in Project Reach Youth. In addition, three individuals will provide first-hand testimonials about the hazards of smoking.
    "Butt Out Brooklyn," which has been planned by the Borough President's Office, the Lung Association, the Cancer Society and the NYC Health Department, includes:

    A jar with a diseased lung, showing the effects of smoking first-hand, will be displayed at the Wednesday event.

Israeli-Russian municipal officials meet with Marty at Borough Hall

    At a recent Borough Hall meeting with the Russian-born deputy mayors or city managers of twelve Israeli cities, Marty noted the steady progress the Russian community is making in increasing its civic involvement in Brooklyn. He said that he will be cooperating closely with the community to address critical issues such the shortage of affordable housing. The municipal officials said that they would actively urge Brooklyn's Russian community to become more involved in community affairs.

Borough Hall gets ready for Jewish Heritage celebration

    Borough President Markowitz has been working with members of the Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Committee to plan a series of stimulating events that will make up the five-week Brooklyn Jewish Heritage Celebration set to begin on April 17th. Comprised of representatives from Brooklyn’s cultural centers and different Jewish communities -- including Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Hasidic -- the Committee has been revitalized by the Borough President in conjunction with Jewish Heritage New York 2002 (JHNY2002), the coordinating body of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
    The Celebration will get underway on the 17th with the Second Annual Jewish Film Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Among additional Celebration events and presentations will be the "Jews of Brooklyn" photography exhibit at Borough Hall curated by the Long Island Historical Society, a reception honoring Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, in recognition of his appointment as President of the NY Board of Rabbis, and readings and musical recitals at Shorefront YM-YWHA and other community centers. The Celebration will finish with the Brooklyn Salutes Israel Gala at Kingsborough Community College on May 21. For more information and for a list of events, please call 718 802-3849.

Marty stands up for Brooklyn

    Last week, Marty replied to a Daily News lead editorial on recent investigations of public officials in Brooklyn. His letter which was printed in the Daily News follows.