By Helen Klein
As they do each year, representatives of Bay Ridge’s many and diverse civic groups came together to celebrate the community’s history of activism at the Bay Ridge Community Council’s annual Presidents Luncheon. Gathered at the Bay Ridge Manor, 476 76th Street, local luminaries had the opportunity to network among themselves, joined by many of the area’s elected officials and members of the clergy. The BRCC, an umbrella organization which was founded in 1951 by Walter and Vincent Kassenbrock, today has over 100 member organizations. The luncheon is BRCC’s salute to those groups. Members, said Dawn Hansen, BRCC’s president, “Give of yourselves tirelessly in order to make a better neighborhood and life for your families and neighbors.” Nonetheless, Hansen urged even more involvement. She asked BRCC members, “To help in getting more people involved in the Bay Ridge Community Council. Come to our meetings. Hear what’s going on. Let your voices and ideas be heard. The more the merrier. “With more people coming to the meetings, more information is getting back to your organization, and the input of your organization will be multiplied,” Hansen stressed. “Without all of your organizations, nothing could get done. Without your hard work, nothing could get done.” Elected officials praised the organization for its involvement and impact on the quality-of-life in Bay Ridge and surrounding communities. What is “wonderful about this group,” said Assemblymember Adele Cohen, “is that you are interested in what goes on in the community, and you put it out for everyone to see.” “Keep doing what you are doing, because you are the greatest,” State Senator Marty Golden told the assembled group. The group, added City Councilmember Vincent Gentile, is, “The real anchor of the community, vitally important in keeping the community a great place to live.” BRCC, added Representative Vito Fossella, is made up of, “Groups that make a difference.” His office, he added, had teamed with members of the organization in successful efforts to repair the dilapidated seawall along the Shore Road pedestrian path and to make sure that Fort Hamilton remained open. He attended the event, Fossella added, to, “Say thank-you for what you do to make this community great.” “You made your homes here, you raised your kids here, you did your business here, you have your churches and temples here,” noted Borough President Marty Markowitz, who proclaimed January 28th, Bay Ridge Community Council Annual Luncheon Celebration Day. “You believe in this borough,” Markowitz went on, “and I really believe that the fruits of those efforts, and thanks to that belief, today, Brooklyn is undergoing an unbelievable renaissance in so many, many ways. We’ve got more to do. Not everyone is sharing that, but I am confident that in the days ahead this economic renaissance will cover the entire borough.” “What’s so nice about the Bay Ridge Community Council,” added Senator Charles Schumer, “is that it works for the community, but politics never divides anybody.” The borough’s renaissance, he added, stems in large part from the efforts of volunteers, “fighting hard day by day to keep this neighborhood the jewel that it is.” This, he contended, is a particularly American phenomenon. “It’s in our blood,” Schumer said. “They don’t do it in Europe. It’s amazing we have it here.” Other elected officials who attended the luncheon included Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblymember Felix Ortiz.
