Downtown
He’s the most interesting man in Brooklyn. When he calls this paper, we stop the presses; when he enters the monthly meetings for the 84th Precinct Community Council, flash bulbs pop like fire-crackers; and when he visits Borough Hall, Borough President Markowitz stops. He is Leslie Lewis — community activist, criminal justice liaison, president of the 84th Precinct Community Council, and all-around good guy. Standing O pal Lewis celebrated his 85th birthday with Standing O’s biggest booster Borough President Markowitz and Congressman Edolphus Towns (D–Canarsie) at a whoop-de-doo gala event at Borough Hall on May 22. Along with the notable noteds, Lewis was surrounded by sons Marc, Robert and other family members. Oh, yeah, and lots and lots of love.
Lewis has been tooting the horn for Brooklyn since 1982 when he moved here and immediately joined the 84th Precinct Council. He continually provides the council with his many years of expertise as a businessman and his acumen in the legaleeze world. Before moving here, which is the best place anywhere, Lewis was instrumental in pitching the Job Power program that matched up employers with underemployed urban minorities with then-President Richard M. Nixon in 1969. Even though he is not a native son, Standing O says that Lewis has done more for the community and for Brooklyn at large than even Standing O, and that’s going some. So Standing O is sending out lots of belated happy birthdays to Leslie Lewis and wishes him another 100 healthy years.
