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Reader Ed sent us a photograph he had taken of the "Oy Vey" sign on the Williamburg Brige. One person commented in yesterday's post about the sign, which seemed to be a pet project for Marty Markowitz, that Markowitz was clownish. Which made Gothamist wonder what people expect out of their borough presidents? As we learned from an interview with the folks at Gotham Gazette, the borough president's office holds little intrinsic power, but can be influential in other ways (like with the community).
What do you think of your borough president - and what do you expect of them?
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I'm from Staten Island so I think very little of my borough president.
there is some unintended irony with the placement of the sign on the wllsbg bridge:
in the early 20th century williamsburgh was a predominately upper class german neighborhood. they saw how much the brooklyn bridge was doing for the heights and started to rally for their own bridge. as soon as the bridge was built a lot of poor jews from the lower east side started taking the air on the walkway, on sufocating summer nights. the appearance of jews on the streets of wllsbg was one of the reasons that the germans thought the neighborhood was going to hell, and they started to move out!
oy vey, indeed.
Marty Markowitz' web site (http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/) acknowledges that he has always wanted to be Brooklyn Borough President and can think of nothing else he wants to be (as well as playing Brooklyn-related songs as you surf). True, the job holds little political power. But, holders of the job seem to have insidious influence (think of Howard Golden as well as Marty). Marty's infectious enthusiasm for Brooklyn has been a real plus. Many people see him as an ambassador from Brooklyn to the rest of NYC. There are some things he does that amaze me: he obtains a list of block parties from the Borough every week and makes a point to visit each one, personally greeting residents.
Political power? Fuggedaboutit.
my building was having issues getting time warner to wire it, and someone wrote a letter to marty and someone in his office took care of it. i'm surprised that actually worked as people in the building have been calling for ages, but time warner didn't do jack.
my BP lost pretty badly in the mayoral race
I got a call from a pollster just Monday asking me the same question (among many others): should the borough prez be an enthusiastic advocate, or someone who gets things done? I would prefer the latter, although considering Atlantic Yards I should be careful what I wish for. . . . It became apparent by the last round of questioning that the pollster was working for Marty.
I really don't know enough to have an opinion about Marty Markowitz, but that sign rules.