Community Board 8 picks new District Manager

Marie Adam-Ovide, an aide to City Councilmember David Weprin, has been selected as the new District Manager of Community Board 8 (CB 8).
Adam-Ovide, who has worked for Weprin since the Councilmember took office in 2002 and now serves as his Director of Constituent Services, was accepted in a unanimous vote by CB 8 on Wednesday, April 18.
Before introducing Adam-Ovide, Board Chair Alvin Warshaviak first said that the new District Manager had been the members’ first choice during each vote of a three-round selection process.
“I want to make sure that everyone who paid me such nice compliments is proud that they paid me these compliments in the future,” Adam-Ovide later said of the praise. “I know that with Diane Cohen, I have big shoes to fill.”
In January, Cohen had announced her retirement from the position, in which she had served since 1991. Immediately after, the Board began hunting for her replacement, first collecting 12 resumés and then narrowing down the number of candidates before taking a vote at the most recent meeting.
Laurelton resident Adam-Ovide will officially take on the new role Monday, May 14.
A native of Haiti, Adam-Ovide, 35, moved to Brooklyn in 1986 with her older brother, Mikely, to reunite with their parents. In 1995, she relocated to Queens. She and her husband, Robinson, have two children, seven-year-old Patrick, and four-year-old Olivia.
“I think Queens is going to be my home for a long time,” she said.
Working in the neighborhoods for the past five years, Adam-Ovide has developed background knowledge about the area, its residents, and their concerns, she said, pointing out the planned Gateway School and rezoning as two of the top issues for local residents.
“I know they care about the communities, and I will be there to assist them in whatever way they need me to,” she said.
Adam-Ovide has already developed working relationships with several members and looks forward to getting to know others.
While working with Weprin, Adam-Ovide has taken particular pride in the office’s efforts to increase tax exemptions for seniors. During his past one and a half terms in office, the maximum income for seniors who are homeowners to get tax rebates was raised by about $6,000.
“That’s one of [Weprin’s] concerns, and I share in that concern,” she said, adding that over the years her interest in finance and accounting has grown.
Originally, Adam-Ovide had planned to be an architect, but while taking a political science class for her bachelor’s degree at The City University of New York (CUNY) in Manhattan, she decided to switch fields.
“I never thought of being in politics. I always thought I would be an architect,” she said. But the thought of being involved in the decisions that shape the community ultimately swayed her to the other side.
“I really like government and politics, and I want to make a change in the world,” she said.
When asked if any politicians or community leaders inspired her to become active in her own neighborhood, Adam-Ovide said that over the years she has been influenced by a number of people and pointed to Borough President Helen Marshall, who attended the Community Board meeting, as an approachable dignitary.
“The Borough President, her warmth is something that attracts me to her. She feels like a real person, not just a picture, or a figure,” Adam-Ovide said. “She inspires you in that way.”