As a charter member of the Great Neck Parks District Open Space Committee, Martin Markson has been faced with a sobering truth in his work with local parks over the past five years.
“Park land is becoming increasingly scarce,” Markson said. “Open spaces are becoming increasingly scarce. We’d like to see the residents be able to use the parks in more ways.”
And he would now like to have a more direct involvement to that end.
Markson is one of four candidates running in the Great Neck Parks District election on Dec. 13 to fill the seat, which will be vacated by retiring commissioner Ivar Segalowitz.
“One of the things that in looking into undertaking this position that was emphasized to me was how much time the commissioners spend and put in,” Markson said. “I feel that I have the time to put in to do the job the way I think it needs to be done.”
Over the past couple weeks, Markson has already begun to put that time in through speaking with residents as part of his campaign work.
Markson said those discussions have resulted in him gaining a solid grasp on the needs of residents in relation to their usage of local parks.
“I have a vast experience of the development of the parks over a great number of years and the various ways, not only how I have used them, but the way many residents use them,” Markson said.
For Markson, an important job for any commissioner is found in interfacing with residents to help solve questions or concerns.
Recently, Markson spoke with a resident with regard to the need for agility equipment in Great Neck’s dog park, along with expanded usage of Great Neck’s ice skating rink. He also helped a Kings Points resident find access to the dog walking trails in Kings Point Park.
“I found that out for him so he could get to it from where he lives without having to make a big detour around,” said Markson. “These are the kinds of things that people have talked to me about.”
Through his work with the district’s open space committee, Markson also assisted commissioners in adding a portion of the George M. Cohan property to the adjoining Steppingstone Park.
“I just think that the parks are a valuable resource,” Markson said. “They should be enjoyed thoroughly by everybody in the district for a very long time.”
Just as Markson has since he moved to Great Neck in 1951. A father of two, Markson has used the parks for many years and has personal knowledge of many services within the parks district.
Markson also said he brings significant professional experience to the table, which would aid him in his work as commissioner.
After graduating from Great Neck High School, Markson earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
He later went on to work as an electronics engineer for various Long Island defense contractors before serving 14 years as the chief operating officer of Sprague-Goodman Electronics.
“I think my experience enables me to do money management and carefully review budgets, but at the same time making sure that reserves are laid by to assure that the infrastructure doesn’t deteriorate,” Markson said.
Along with financial restrictions, which come along with the current state of the economy, Markson is concerned with what he believes is an effort by the New York Legislature and Attorney General’s offices to consolidate special districts.
“I think that this would have the effect of taking control of the Great Neck parks from the residents of the Great Neck Park District,” Markson said. “It would also have the effect of not assuring that the residents’ tax dollars would all be going to support the Great Neck parks.”
If elected, Markson hopes to continue the work of the current board members.
“I’ve worked closely with a number of the members,” Markson said. “I have been spending time at both the work sessions and the business meetings. I think that the people currently serving are certainly very dedicated and spend a great deal of time.”
And Markson said he believes he could be a valuable asset to working relationship.
“I have very good experience of what is involved, what properties that the district has and the efforts to try and make these properties more available to residents of the district,” Markson said.
The park district is comprised of all Great Neck Villages and unincorporated areas with the exception of Great Neck Estates, Harbor Hills, Lake Success, Saddle Rock and University Gardens.
