Last year, Marty Markowitz broke party ranks and endorsed Republican Michael Bloomberg. In response, many of us progressive activists in Brooklyn broke ranks with Marty and supported Gloria Mattera, the Green candidate.
For me it was a very hard choice to support a Green since I have a fairly dim view of the Greens in general, though am respectful to specific Greens. In the end, I felt Marty Markowitz, who I used to like a great deal, had become a mere opportunist and had lost my support. I went Green and many others, Dean-supporters, Kerry-supporters etc., did as well. Chris Owens was one of them.
On election night I met Marty Markowitz and showed him my Ferrer and Mattera sign. I told him I used to be a big fan but he lost me with the Bloomberg endorsement. He shrugged and indicated he didn't care.
I guess he did care. Because the man known for his smile is proving to be hypocritical, vindictive and petty.
The NY Carib NEws reports that Markowitz holds a grudge against Chris Owens for his endorsement of Mattera. Mr. Smiley said of Chris Owens:
"This guy is an opportunist. That's all he is. I don't wish anyone ill, except for him to be defeated which is what he wished me in my campaign (for Borough President). He endorsed the candidate outside of the Democratic Party against me, which is his right to do. He sucks up to the affluent minority. That's who he does the dance for. That's his thing, the affluent minority. He is turning his face on the majority" in the 11th Congressional District and in Brooklyn as a whole.
Ummmm...Marty Markowitz calling someone else an opportunist??? He is criticizing someone else for endorsing outside of the Democratic Party??? And in what way does Chris suck up to the affluent minority? Chris, at least as much as Marty, has a good connection with regular voters of all groups. If anything, Marty sucks up to the affluent far far FAR more than Chris ever does. What a giant hypocrite! Behind that smile is a very petty man. Marty, you took opportunism to an art form and you were the first to break not only party, but ideological ranks when you endorsed Bloomberg...the REPUBLICAN. Chris (and myself) may have broken party ranks but at least stayed true to our ideals as progressives. How can Marty DARE to criticize for breaking party ranks? Before he does that he needs to apologize to Freddie Ferrer and the Democratic Party for breaking ranks himself. Otherwise, Marty, you have NO RIGHT to criticize.
Chris Owens' response was far more gentlemanly than Mr. Smiley's petty rant:
Reacting to Markowitz' strong assessment, Owens said in statement that he "disappointed that Marty takes criticism of his work so personally. It's unprofessional and petty. I have been supportive of Marty in the past. While we disagree strongly on the Atlantic Yards project, I only considered Marty a 'traitor to the Democratic Party when he endorsed Mayor (Michael Bloomberg) for re-election, rather than endorsing Democratic Mayoral nominee Fernando Ferrer or staying neutral."
When I first moved to Brooklyn, I really liked Marty. I didn't necessarily think he would be good in any other office, but he definitely seemed like an ideal BP for Brooklyn. Either I woke up or he changed. In the crowd I run with, no one would have endorsed Mattera had Marty stayed loyal to his party. He chose, as is his right, to endorse the Republican. We chose, as is our right, to endorse the Green. Marty is asking us to respect his choice but is not willing to respect our choice. THAT is disgusting to me.
Behind the smile, Marty Markowitz proves to be petty, vindictive and hypocritical. As Michael Bouldin would say, Feh!
