Star of Brooklyn: Eddie Mark

EDDIE MARK

FORMER CHAIRPERSON OF COMMUNITY BOARD 13

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: In his four years as chairperson of Community Board 13, which serves Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Gravesend and Sea Gate, Eddie Mark believes he was the poster child of change for the community.

“Basically as chairmen, we deal with zoning venues. We vote on things that get developed. We question things in the neighborhood,” said Mark. “We also report problems of the neighborhood such as potholes and street lights. [We deal with] quality-of-life issues and we try to expedite them.”

It’s important to be inclusive of the entire community, according to Mark, who said “I use Facebook as one of my outreach messages to get people involved, or at least know there was a meeting.” And while he tries to bring business and people to the community, he also volunteers his time taking neighborhood children on field trips such as boating at Marine Park.

Aside from his two-term run as chairperson of C.B. 13, which ended on June 30, Mark has volunteered for Friends of Kaiser Park and other organizations where it was needed.

MOTIVATION: “Four years ago, I decided to run [for chair] because at the time Coney Island was in a time of change. Developments such as Luna Park were starting,” said Mark. “I thought if someone was going to make a decision on community issues, it should be someone from Coney Island.”

OBSTACLES: One of the big challenges that Mark has faced was Superstorm Sandy when 95 percent of the community was underwater. “People are not prepared for disaster,” he noted. “You don’t know how long it’s going to be and Sandy was a disaster.” He made sure that the residents and businesses were not forgotten in their time of need.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE: Mark worked as a community organizer for 10 years with the Coney Island-based Astella Development Corp., which dealt with housing issues and housing development in the neighborhood. Afterwards, he opened up Sign-A-Rama, a franchise business. Seven years later, he closed the business and has been a sign maker for the Department of Transportation ever since.

PERSONAL LIFE: Mark resides in Coney Island.

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