Before I get into this column, let me preface it a bit. At this point in time, I am strongly leaning towards supporting Bill Thompson in next year’s mayoral race. I finally got to that place while I was in Miami for a wedding, about two weeks ago. Some political friends that I respect convinced me to come aboard the Billy Thompson train; so I am heading there. I must also confess that although I still have a weak spot for councilmember Avella, I am realistic enough to recognize when a candidate will not be competitive unless he can raise much more money than Avella has. I have had my share (and fill) of symbolic runs at public office, if I support a candidate now he or she must have a realistic shot at winning. I am getting too old for all that insurgent “protest” shit.
So with all that as a backdrop, why am I writing a column about Marty Markowitz? Only because I hate when political people talk crap, that’s why. I hate when elected officials and political activists (black, white, brown, whatever) with big mouths, try to denigrate my political opinions.
You see over the last couple years, I have had some heated discussions with quite a few people (I wouldn’t name them here) that Marty Markowitz is a viable mayoral candidate. And before you go deep on me, let me say that I know if Marty runs, he will hurt both Billy Thompson’s and Anthony Weiner’s chances a bit; but that’s not the point. Since 1984 I have worked to unseat Markowitz; I stopped in 2001 after he won Brooklyn’s borough presidency. I was never a Marty fan -unlike many of my Caribbean-American brothers and sisters; but again that’s another story. When he ran for Boro Prez in 2001, I supported one of his opponents (Ken Fisher). Marty has a long memory/lol.
In 2004, I was running for district leader when both he and I happened to be on a podium in front of thousands of people. It was an event in Brooklyn’s Pakistani/Asian-American community on Coney Island Avenue. I leaned over to Marty and said; “how about endorsing me for district leader right here and now (at the East-Indian /Pakistani event)”.
He replied: “Hackshaw, did you endorse me when I ran for Boro Prez?”
I said: “No”.
Then with typical Marty scowl he gave a one-word reply: “Well!”
No endorsement for me kids. LMAO.
In 1986 and 1988 scores of us went after then State Senator Marty with a candidate named Maurice Gumbs. We learned the hard way that Marty is as skillful a politician as they come. Not only did he infiltrate our “coconut” base, he actually claimed to have been born in Tunapuna, Trinidad. Maurice was born just a few miles east of that lil town. Then he hooked with the Mighty Sparrow (Calypso King of the world) and initiated a West-Indian (eventually Caribbean-American) concert night, wherein he brought performers from the islands to entertain. It is still a hit all these years later.
Marty has held hundreds of summer concerts over the last quarter century, using performers of all musical genres. Millions of people have attended. People come from all over the city, Long Island, and even from upstate New York. Others come from as far as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Marty’s name recognition is much higher than many in politics believe. Plus, he has been Brooklyn’s biggest cheerleader for all his life. If he decides to run for the mayoralty, I believe he will win Brooklyn.
In all the early polls taken so far, Marty has done real well. He has even lead in a couple. This has been surprising to many but not to me. I expected this. I have been vindicated. The chances of Marty becoming our next mayor is slim; but don’t kid yourself folks: he has a shot.
Stay tuned-in folks.