Markowitz, James comment with enthusiasm (and, in the latter's case, some challenge) on appointment of Brooklyn's Adams to head ESDC

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz issued a statement enthusiastically endorsing the appointment of Brooklynite Ken Adams as CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation:

“I congratulate Cobble Hill’s own Kenneth Adams on his appointment as the head of the Empire State Development Corporation. Ken is superbly qualified for this new role—he is an innovative trailblazer who made a huge and lasting impact on Brooklyn’s business community while president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. I have no doubt this will be Governor Cuomo’s top appointment, and all of Brooklyn is proud to share him with the rest of New York State.”

City Council Member Letitia James was enthusiastic, but more challenging:

“I want to congratulate Kenneth Adams on his new appointment as President and CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation. This pick to lead a restructured ESDC is a great match. As former president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Director of the MetroTech Business Improvement District in downtown Brooklyn, Ken recognizes that small businesses serve as an economic engine in Brooklyn.

The community looks forward to partnering with an innovative leader to resolve outstanding issues in and around the Atlantic Yards footprint. I’m confident that Ken will address the high rate of unemployment in Central Brooklyn, the lack of procurement for minority and women owned businesses in the state of New York, as well as the impact of the recession on all small businesses.

Congratulations as well to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for this superb choice; Ken is one of Brooklyn’s own!”

And No Land Grab's Eric McClure reminds us:

Adams also headed the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce during a shameful episode in 2005, when the public and owners of businesses opposed to the Atlantic Yards project were barred from a Chamber luncheon sponsored by Forest City Ratner, at which the project was discussed. Members of the press attending the function had to agree to a gag order, and opponents were relegated to protesting outside Gargiulo's locked doors.