By Colin Campbell 4/12 2:16pm

Acting Lessons

Marty Markowitz (YouTube screengrab)

Marty Markowitz’s ‘Demo Reel’

Last night, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz gave the last “State of the Borough” speech of his 12-year career in the office, and he made sure it was a colorful one, complete with exploding fireworks and a rapping Tony Danza. For his part, Mr. Markowitz himself took on the roles of a talk-show host, comedian and actor–the last featuring a “demo reel” where, among other things, he dons a hoodie for a scene in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and dresses up as Captain America.

“With only a few months left in my term, I have to start thinking about a career after the Borough Presidency,” Mr. Markowitz explains. “So, I put together my personal demo reel of auditions for major motion pictures filmed right here in Brooklyn. So, lights, camera, action!!” Read More

By Ross Barkan 3/04 11:03am

Brooklyn In The House

20130303_153150

Eric Adams Launches Brooklyn Beep Bid With a Bang

State Sen. Eric Adams launched his campaign for the Brooklyn borough presidency yesterday morning with almost the entirety of Brooklyn’s Democratic establishment at his back.

“Brooklyn is the greatest place on Earth because of the strength and love that its people are willing to pour into it,” said Mr. Adams as he stood on the steps of Brooklyn borough Hall. “It’s no wonder, when you ask a person that is from Brooklyn and you say, ‘Where you from?’ They don’t say New York City, they say, ‘We’re from Brooklyn, baby.’” Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/26/12 5:18pm

Sports Page

Jumaane Williams (Photo: Facebook)

Jumaane Williams Describes How He ‘Grappled’ With Whether To Be a Knicks or Nets Fan

Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams is one of the biggest Knicks fans in City government and, though he said he had a personal “struggle” over whether to back the newly-arrived Brooklyn Nets, he’s sticking with his team. Mr. Williams revealed his decision to Politicker when we asked him about Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’s statement earlier today that Brooklynites who “support, cheer or root for the Manhattan Knicks” are “treasonous.”

“It’s something I’ve grappled with….It’s very, very tough, but I think I’m Brooklyn enough. Nobody can question my Brooklyn-ness, not even Marty Markowitz,” Mr. Williams said. “I’ve decided this fall to take my talents back to the Garden.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/22/12 1:14pm

break out the champagne

(photo: patspapers.com)

Marty Markowitz Declares ‘Pat Kiernan Day’ to Be a Thing [Video]

Earlier this year, to much fanfare, NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan announced he was moving from Manhattan to Williamsburg. Yesterday, it became incredibly official, as Borough President Marty Markowitz presented him with a formal proclamation welcoming him to the borough.

Indeed, as Mr. Markowitz explained it, August 21t was declared to be “’Pat Kiernan Welcome to Brooklyn Celebration Day’ in the Republic of Brooklyn, USA.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/21/12 10:47am

Rubencito

Ruben Diaz Jr. (Photo: BronxBoroPres.nyc.gov)

Bronx Boro Prez Ruben Diaz Jr. Rapping With Doug E. Fresh [Video]

Move over Marty Markowitz, Ruben Diaz Jr. has taken the crown as New York’s rappingest Borough President.

A little over a month after Brooklyn’s Mr. Markowitz rapped a few bars with Wu Tang Clan member GZA, Mr. Diaz, the Bronx Borough President, joined hip hop legend Doug E. Fresh on stage at Bronx Week Sunday to perform his hit song “La Di Da.” Their duet was captured on video by an audience member.  Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/30/12 9:15am

park slope

Brad Lander (photo: bradlander.com)

Sources: Brad Lander Considering Run for Brooklyn Borough President

City Councilman Brad Lander is weighing his options and considering a run to replace Marty Markowitz as Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, according to multiple sources. Reached by phone this morning, Mr. Lander did not deny his interest but said it was “very flattering” to have his name be in the mix.

Currently, only State Senator Eric Adams has openly declared his intentions to run for the seat, although a few others, like Assemblyman Nick Perry and State Senator Kevin Parker, have let their names be dropped as potential contenders as well. However, as The Politicker contended last Friday, this leaves electoral oxygen for another candidate to leap into the race. Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/26/12 1:52pm

Sports Page

Bruce Ratner (Photo: Getty)

Bruce Ratner on Naming The Nets

Real estate developer Bruce Ratner, one of the co-owners of the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets, appeared with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz at a press conference today to announce a plan to fill 2,000 jobs at the team’s future Kings County home, the Barclays Center. The Politicker took the opportunity to ask Mr. Ratner why he chose to stick with the same name the team had during its years in New Jersey and Long Island rather than coming up with a Brooklyn-specific moniker. We also asked Mr. Markowitz, Brooklyn’s most visible booster, whether he was disappointed the team wasn’t getting a new name in honor of the borough. Mr. Markowitz literally leapt behind the podium before Mr. Ratner had a chance to answer.

“I’ll answer the first part, as long as the first part of the name is Brooklyn the rest of it …” Mr. Markowitz said giving a dismissive gesture with his hand.  Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/16/12 4:35pm

Representing Brooklyn

Northside marty wu tang

Marty Markowitz Meets Wu Tang

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz appeared with Wu Tang Clan member GZA at Brooklyn Borough Hall today to announce the lineup for the 2012 Northside Festival. Mr. Markowitz kicked things off by giving “my take on the first verse” of GZA’s biggest hit single, “Liquid Swords.”

“Through cyclones or typhoons, I represent Brooklyn from midnight to high noon,” Mr. Markowitz rapped in his trademark Brooklynese. “I don’t waste ink, I think, I drop ‘fuggedaboutits’ faster than you blink.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/20/12 12:57pm

exit marty

(Photo: Getty)

Marty Markowitz Endorses Yvette Clarke for Reelection

After Crain’s Insider reported Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was eyeing a run against Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, sources close to Mr. Markowitz walked back the campaign to City & State, saying although he had “strongly considered” the run, he was not moving forward with his campaign.

This afternoon, Mr. Markowitz’s office released a statement saying the Borough President was furthermore endorsing Ms. Clarke for reelection. Read More