On September 4th, Marty held the first ever gathering of Brooklyn's Community Board leaders and top ranking Brooklyn officials from various city agencies to discuss ways in which everyone can work together for the betterment of the borough. "We have some of the brightest minds working all across Brooklyn. I thought this would be a great opportunity to get all of these talented and dedicated people under one roof to try and come up with ways to make sure Brooklyn continues to grow and prosper for many years to come. It was nice finally meeting the faces behind the voices on the phone," said the BP. Gerry Morris and Steven Oliver, co-owners of Chadwick's Restaurant in Bay Ridge, graciously hosted the evening. Marty hopes to make this a regular event.
At Kingsborough Community College

On September 4th, Marty joined Kingsborough Community College President Dr. Byron McClenney, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Representative Anthony Weiner, Senator Carl Kruger, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Councilman Michael Nelson, Councilman Domenic Recchia and other local officials at the grand opening ceremony for the new building at the Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences at Kingsborough Community College. "This is a wonderful example of how great our public schools can be. I hope we can replicate this incredible facility across the borough. Kingsborough Community College epitomizes what a great institution of higher learning can offer and achieve!" said the BP. The high school was founded in 1996 and is named in honor of the late Leon Goldstein, who was the president of Kingsborough Community College for 27 years. Mr. Goldstein died in 1999. This state-of-the-art facility, the newest high school building in New York City, will accommodate 800 students.

Brooklyn Biotech Incubator Breaks Ground

On September 5th, Marty joined Robert L. King, Chancellor of the State University of New York, Assemblyman William Boyland, Assemblyman Clarence Norman, Assemblyman Nick Perry, Councilwoman Tracy Boyland, Councilwoman Yvette Clarke and John C. LaRosa, M.D., President of SUNY Downstate Medical Center in a ground breaking ceremony for an Advanced Biotechnology Incubator that promises to attract high technology and support businesses to Brooklyn. "When completed, this incubator facility will allow start-up companies to devote themselves to research that will benefit all mankind," said the BP. "It will elevate Brooklyn to a place of leadership in scientific research and discovery. It will spawn new businesses and create new jobs. And, what is perhaps most exciting to me personally, it will provide outstanding internship, educational and job-training opportunities that will grow with the biotechnology district - of which this Incubator is just the start." The BP contributed $1million from his capital budget this year and will give another million dollars in the fiscal year 2004 to the project.
outh Chorus

On September 3rd, Marty helped the Brooklyn Youth Chorus open its new custom designed music facility. The new academy structure will allow the organization to broaden and deepen the scope of its programs and to serve 100 additional students, up from the current 214. "The Brooklyn Youth Chorus does such wonderful things for children all across the borough. But these talented kids do much more than just learning to sing beautifully. The discipline that is instilled by training their voices is applicable in so many other important facets of their lives," Marty said. The BP contributed $500,000 in capital funds to help in the construction of the new academy.
Historic Session At Borough Hall

The New York State Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, held a historic three-day session in Borough Hall's Ceremonial Courtroom last week. The Brooklyn session was the first time the Court heard a full slate of cases outside of Albany since it was last renovated in 1958. "It was an honor to welcome the Court of Appeals to Brooklyn and Borough Hall. We have such a rich legal tradition in Brooklyn so it was a special thrill for us to see the Court in action. We hope Chief Judge Kaye and her colleagues come back to Brooklyn soon!" said the BP.n Day Carnival Parade

A little rain didn't stop Marty from enjoying all the incredible floats, costumes, music and great food at the 35th Annual West Indian American Day Carnival Parade on September 2nd. The Labor Day event celebrates West Indian culture for the entire Caribbean community.

With the first anniversary of 9-11 next week, Marty wanted to update Brooklynites on the various events being planned to commemorate the day. This calendar is posted on the BP's website - www.brooklyn-usa.org. Marty encourages everyone to support Mayor Bloomberg's 9-11 Memorial plans including a call for a moment of silence at 8:46am when the first plane struck. Bells will ring at 10:29am at religious and academic institutions across the city and at Borough Hall to commemorate the moment the second tower collapsed. Finally, at 7:00pm, there will be candlelight vigils with musical performances across the city including one by the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in Prospect Park. "There is no right or wrong way to mark this horrific anniversary. Remember it is a very personal decision for everyone," said the BP.