Mark Brown
Actor, Bay Ridge
“Marry marathoner Melisa Christian, keep my marriage to Melisa secret from my wife, use ‘kajagoogoo’ as an adjective, stop referring to my mother-in-law as ‘that old battle-ax from Hackensack,’ correctly use ‘lay’ and ‘lie,’ have another mid-life crisis, vote several times in the presidential election, start drinking before noon, and lose 20 pounds.”
Vito Fossella
Congressman (R–Bay Ridge)
“Patience and persistence in the War on Terrorism and bringing our troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq as quickly and safely as possible. Locally, I would like to see continued success in our efforts to improve the Verrazano Bridge construction project and also preserving the emergency room and acute care services at Victory Hospital.”
Vincent Gentile
Councilman (D–Bay Ridge)
“To have 365 exhilarating experiences every 24 hours during 2008.”
Marty Markowitz
Borough President
“In 2008, I resolve to eat right and stay healthy so I can live to be as old as the Brooklyn Bridge, whose 125th birthday we Brooklynites will celebrate with great fanfare in May!”
Howard Feuer
District manager of Community Board 11
“To work more closely with elected officials to make our community even better next year.”
Joan Millman
Assemblywoman(D–Bay Ridge)
“I need to find more ways in my everyday life to better protect the environment. Fewer plastic bags, more energy-efficient light bulbs.”
Marty Golden
State Sen. (R–Bay Ridge)
“I look forward to seeing ground broken on a variety of school expansion, transportation and parks projects. I look forward to a successful legislative session in Albany that will reduce taxes, protect our citizens, and that continues to lead New York State in the right direction for the future.”
Steve Harrison
Bay Ridge lawyer
“I resolve to continue my strong support of the American troops and, on a personal level, run another marathon.”
Jo Anne Simon
Democratic district leader
“New Year’s or otherwise … I want to see Brooklyn getting on a healthy diet of teamwork and collaboration.”
Buddy Scotto
Member of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation
“Since we started in 1967, it’s about time that we finally get the Gowanus Canal cleaned up and developed in a manner that relates to this community. The only way we can maintain a reasonably clean area around the canal is if we make deals with developers.”
Greg O’Connell
Red Hook developer
“You know what’s nice to see are the young families with their children using the waterfront and the park [in Red Hook]. When I look back 25 or 30 years and think what it used to be like, it’s a good sign to see young families moving into the neighborhood. This year, I want to help make Red Hook even better for them.”
Tucker Reed
Executive director of the DUMBO Improvement District
“My resolution is to have the Manhattan Bridge Archway reopened to pedestrians.”
Letitia James
Councilwoman (D–Downtown)
“To exercise more, and I’m committed to getting the armory in Bedford-Stuyvesant converted to an athletic center and to improving schools in my district.”
Carol Maa
Carroll Gardens resident
“It’s so not sexy, but I resolve to get health insurance.”
Evan Thies
Community Board 1 member and City Council Candidate
“I resolve to marry Beth Elena Lilstrom Irvin — my smart, beautiful partner for the last three years who makes every day of my life better. Let’s hope she says ‘yes’ by the time this runs in the paper!”
David Yassky
Councilman (D–Clinton Hill)
“To pass my ‘smart development’ bill to make sure that new development comes with transportation planning and infrastructure to support it. And I also want to pass my bio-fuel bill that will reduce pollution from heating oil.”
DK Holland
Fort Greene activist
“To be in more meaningful contact with the people I care about. I’m not good on the phone and great in writing, and I need to get better at that.”
Mandy Kalajian
Executive director of the Williamsburg Gallery Association
“My new year’s resolution: To direct Brooklyn’s first art fair in ’08.”
Daniel Goldstein
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn
“To get going on all of the home improvement projects I’ve been planning, [like] some work in the bathroom, some shelving, that sort of thing.”
Rev. Daniel Meeter
Old First Reformed Church
“First, to stop being late at my therapist’s. Second, to be nicer about the Bronx. Third, to stop gossiping.”
