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Photos: Marty Markowitz Throws $150K Farewell Party For Himself
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 12, 2013
Modified Apr 12, 2013
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By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 12, 2013
Modified Apr 12, 2013
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Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz went all out for his final State of the Borough address last night, taking over Barclays Center for a star-studded salute to Brooklyn and all the wonderful things that have happened since he first assumed the ceremonial throne 12 corny years ago. The office of Borough President is largely ceremonial—ribbon cuttings, rapping, that sort of thing—but it does come with its fair share of patronage, as well as the power to pick Community Board members. Markowitz also has his non-profit organizations, including Best of Brooklyn, which sends disadvantaged children to camp and sponsors cultural events like the Brooklyn Book Festival. Last night it also picked up the tab for a lavish self-aggrandizing party at Barclays Center.
Markowitz has been slammed in the past for $680,496 in no-bid city contracts that he awarded to the nonprofit. (Markowitz insisted it would be impractical to competitively bid each contract: "By the time we put it out to bid, we couldn't get anything done.") And developer Bruce Ratner, whose company built the controversial arena where last night's event was held, has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Best of Brooklyn. Half of the non-profit's budget comes from city and state funds and the rest from private donors.
A source tells the Post that last night's event—which was staged as a Tonight Show homage with help from Tony Danza, Larry King, Jimmy Kimmel, Miss America Mallory Hagan, NY1’s Pat Kiernan, and singer Jay Black—cost between $150,000 to $200,000, paid for by Best of Brooklyn non-profit. "The only thing this circus is missing is elephants," one local politician told the tabloid.
Markowitz's spokesman John Hill tells us, "No public funds went to this event." But the Post's source isn't buying it. "Marty can say it’s not city taxpayer money being spent, but it’s all coming out of the same pot,” the source said. “It’s money that could have gone to [Hurricane] Sandy relief or another worthy cause rather than this fiasco.”
Oh but what a fiasco it was! The night kicked off with the rapturous sounds of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, show biz glitz from Danza, and a "Superstorm Sandy Volunteer Tribute." We weren't able to make it, unfortunately, because we're trying to quit cringing. But we know from the press release that Marty used the event to announce plans to build a 5,000-seat covered seasonal amphitheater on Coney Island and relighting the Parachute Jump.
Tagged
barclays center
brooklyn
bufoon
marty markowitz
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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