By Harold Egeln
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

BOROUGH HALL – It was a big promotion for political activist Carlo Scissura as Borough President Marty Markowitz appointed him as his new Chief of Staff Thursday.

Scissura, who has been serving as Markowitz’ chief counsel, was named to the post to replace longtime top aide Greg Atkins, who has accepted a major hotel development post at V3 Hotels in Downtown Brooklyn. The changeover is effective on April 7.

"When it came time to select my new chief of staff, the choice was easy," said Markowitz, making his announcement Thursday on the first day of spring, a time for new beginnings.

"Carlo's knowledge of all things Brooklyn, his legal and political expertise, his dedication to community and policy issues, particularly education, as well as his vision, good nature, and ability to work with representatives of our borough's diverse communities make him the perfect choice for this position."

Dyker Heights attorney and resident Scissura, 37, has been serving since the first of the year as Markowitz' top legal counsel. Atkins served as chief of staff since mid-2003 after serving as Assemblywoman Joan Millman's chief of staff.

Atkins has accepted a job as director of development for V3 Hotels, which recently announced it will be building a new hotel, Indigo, in downtown Brooklyn on Duffield Street.

"I am excited by the extraordinary opportunity to work with Marty in shaping Brooklyn and keeping it at the forefront in development and innovation among the five boroughs and other U.S. cities," said Scissura as he accepted his new appointment.

The incoming chief of staff listed major projects he will on work with Markowitz. "I look forward to helping the borough president accomplish his visionary goals for Brooklyn, including renovating the Loew's Kings Theater, opening an amphitheater at Asser Levy Park, beginning development of Atlantic Yards, building and renovating more affordable housing and schools, and making the borough more 'green' for everyone."

Markowitz cited Scissura's wide experience in education, law and politics. A decade ago Scissura was on the staff of then-state Senator Vincent Gentile, now a councilman. Bitten by the political bug himself, Scissura ran in the Democratic primary in 2002 for the City Council himself, but Bay Ridge attorney Joanne Seminara won that primary to challenge Republican Marty Golden – unsuccessfully.

Scissura's leadership in education in School District 20, encompassing Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and portions of Bensonhurst, Borough Park and Sunset Park, attracted wide attention and support. He served on School Board 20, first getting elected in 1999.

Five years later Markowitz appointed him to the Community Educational Council for District 20, He served as president and Legislative Committee chair until the end of 2007.

Scissura has a law practice office on the 13th Avenue commercial hub of Dyker Heights. He was a longtime member of Community Board 11, chairing its Law Committee, until his appointment as Markowitz' legal counsel. He is the second vice president of the Federation of Italian American Organizations, where he led the development of a new Italian Cultural and Community Center.

He also serves as a Board of Trustees member for the Brooklyn Public Library and for Brooklyn Information and Culture. Born and raised in Bensonhurst, he attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Xaverian High School. He is a Pace University graduate, with honors and a BA in political science as well as a JD degree.

Atkins Goes Into Private Sector

Greg Atkins' new job as director of development for V3 Hotels, takes him into the private sector, where he will be directly involved with the ongoing boom in new development projects in Downtown Brooklyn.

Plans for the 180-room V3 Hotel's Indigo hotel at 237 Duffield Street were unveiled in November 2007 by V3 Hotels Executive Officer Ben Nash, 25, a developer from Crown Heights.

V3 plans to open Hotel Indigo in 2010. It is one of seven new hotels being developed in Downtown Brooklyn.

Family matters are also a major factor for Atkins' decision, since he and his wife are now busy raising a child who is five months old.

Public and political pundit speculation has arisen as to what impact Atkins' departure may have on Markowitz' possible run for mayor in 2009. Faced with a two-term limit, his second term on what the borough president has called his lifelong "dream job" runs out at the end of 2009.

Both Markowitz and Atkins have denied that Atkins' departure has anything to do with the Markowitz's mayoral "balloon" floating around the political sky ever since the Brooklyn leader mentioned he was thinking about a mayoral run.

© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2008
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