As Brooklynites said so long to their Borough President of 12 years, we checked in with the his replacement ahead of his swearing-in on New Year’s Day. Apparently the timing was right because Eric Adams is pledging to bring Brooklyn its very own ball drop in just fewer than 360 days. Now that is what we call a resolution.
Bill Egbert: How do you plan to ring in the New Year?
Eric Adams: I’m going to be in Prospect Park for the celebration and fireworks display, just as I’ve done for the past four years.
It’s great fun.
BE: Are you going to sworn in at the stroke of midnight like the mayor?
EA: No, I plan to take the oath in a small family ceremony, with a close friend who’s a justice of the peace doing the honors — probably at my parents’ house.
BE: So, what’s your New Year’s resolution?
EA: To get no sleep! No, seriously, I want to spend as much time as I can this year getting out into all the neighborhoods and getting to know people. I want to be everywhere and be accessible to everyone.
BE: What’s the first thing you’re going to do after you’re sworn in?
EA: I plan to go on a learning tour of the borough, speaking to as many people as I can, to hear their concerns and let them set my priorities for the year. I went to a lot of places and met a lot of people during the campaign, and I want to go out and thank the people I met, and introduce myself to the people I didn’t.
BE: Marty Markowitz is said to have issued more than 15,000 proclamations during his three terms in Borough Hall. What sort of proclamations are you looking forward to making?
EA: Well, I doubt I’ll be able to keep up his pace, but I am looking for ideas. I want to find people who are doing great things all over Brooklyn and give them the recognition they deserve. I’d love to get some nominations from people who see individuals doing good works in their own neighborhoods.
Another thing I’d like to do along these lines is to create a Brooklyn Hall of Fame. Our borough has produced so many amazing people who have given so much to the city, the country and the world. We should have a place to celebrate those contributions.
BE: Any other big plans for the New Year?
EA: Oh yes — by next New Year’s Eve, I want Brooklyn to have its own ball drop! There’s no reason Brooklynites should have to go into Manhattan to see a ball drop. We deserve one of our own. We’re not sure where it will be yet. I’d like to see it in Prospect Park with the rest of the celebrations. Or we may need to do it at Borough Hall.
We’re still looking into the logistics, but next year Brooklyn should have a New Year’s ball drop of our own.— Bill Egbert
