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Marty Markowitz, Resplendent Revolutionary Battling Brits In Brooklyn
By
Jen Chung
Published May 12, 2012
Modified May 12, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 12, 2012
Modified May 12, 2012
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After seeing him don a "Brooklyn Loves Barbra" t-shirt like no one else can on Wednesday, we naively assumed that would be the peak of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's sartorial splendor for the week. Happily, we were proved wrong, as his office released a photograph of him celebrating the reopening of J.J. Byrne Playground.
Markowitz was portraying a Revolutionary War figure—J.J. Byrne Playground is at Washington Park, which is where the Battle of Brooklyn took place. Here's what he posted on his Facebook page:
Today I was Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam for a day and joined Council Members Stephen Levin (dressed as General John Sullivan) and Brad Lander (General William Alexander), Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey (General George Washington), Old Stone House Executive Director Kim Maier and area children for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the third phase of renovation to Washington Park. I was proud to support the project, which includes the reconstruction of J.J. Byrne Playground with new play equipment. The Old Stone House marks the site at which the Battle of Brooklyn culminated in 1776.
Here's a closer look at Marty's garb—note the glee in his face and his period loafers:

Courtesy of the Brooklyn Borough President's Office
As for his resemblance to Putnam, you be the judge.
Tagged
battle of brooklyn
brooklyn
israel putnam
jj byrne playground
marty markowtiz
revolutionary war
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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