Marty Markowitz Totally Explained

Everything about Marty Markowitz totally explained

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

Personal life

Marty Markowitz was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. 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.
He took night classes at Brooklyn College for nine years

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 has opposed expanded car-free hours in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.
   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. 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'd recuse herself from any decisions about the Atlantic Yards project. Williams is the only Brooklyn appointee to the Planning Commission.
On Thursday, April 3rd 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.

Possible Mayoral Bid

Markowitz has been 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." WABC said he's gotten 18% in polls for the Democratic nomination.

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