The 3 RIOC Elected Board Members + David Kraut

Well it appears that Roosevelt Island is partially stepping foward into a democracy.

It was never promised but it was inferred that the Governor's office (which included then Lt Governor David Paterson) would accept and appoint the nominees elected by popular vote.

Having three out of four possible gubernatorial appointees when previously it was none is nothing to sneeze at.

The question is now will the Mayor select one, two, or none of the remaining three available elected nominees?

------Original Message------
From: Micah Kellner
To: Roosevelt Islander
To: Roosevelt Island 360
Sent: Jun 19, 2008 5:38 PM
Subject: The 3 rioc nominees

The governor's 4 rioc appointments were just confirmed by the Senate. There are already rumors that the Senate will hold a special session in July, where mayoral reccomendations (if any are made) could be confirmed.

Appoint All Six Elected RIOC Board Nominees

Of the six resident elected RIOC Board Nominees it was hoped that the Governor would without question appoint four and the Mayor would appoint the two he is allowed by law to appoint. In a strange turn of events Governor Paterson's staff has recommended to the Governor that he only pick three of elected resident nominees and re-appoint a current resident RIOC Board member who voluntarily chose to not run in favor of the election process.

This blog and I personally agree with the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, the Main Street WIRE, and my fellow blogger The Roosevelt Islander that the Governor and Mayor be urged to appoint all six nominees based on the desires of the resident population of Roosevelt Island.

At present I am unaware of the circumstances causing the Governor’s staff to make their recommendations but will work with RIRA to voice the message that all six should be appointed.

According to the Main Street WIRE bulletin issued this morning and the WIRE’s Roosevelt Island Blog the Governor’s office is expected in addition to David Kraut, who currently sits on the RIOC Board, to nominate Fay Christian, Dr. Kathie Grimm, and Jonathan Kalkin. That would leave the Mayor’s office the ability to appoint two of the remaining three elected nominee candidates: Frank Farance, Erin Feely-Nahem and Howard Polivy. The mayor is allowed to appoint two individuals of which only one has to be an island resident. If events continue on this path one of these three individuals will not be appointed despite the wishes of the resident poulation.

RIOC Board Nominees Complete Initial Interviews with Governors Office

According to Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner "the Governor's office has completed its initial interview with each of the RIOC nominees. We are now waiting for them to be interviewed by the Mayor's office and to see if they get police background checks." The above letter was sent by the Assembly Member to the Governor on Friday May 9, 2008.

Tidal Energy to Power Roosevelt Isle Subway Sta.

Image June 2007

In a news conference today at Grand Central Terminal, Governor Paterson discussed several initiatives regarding sustainable energy usage including using tidal energy to power a portion of the Roosevelt Island subway station.

The Newsday article referring to the news conference does not indicate what portion of the station will be linked to the tidal energy plan but it is assumed (by this blogger) it will be the lighting as opposed to powering the subway rails themselves. I just hope it is not the escalators.

According to the RecordOnline (Albany Times Herald-Record) a substantial portion of the station will be powered by the renewable tidal energy.

Assembly Member Kellner Requests Gov. Paterson to Reschedule RIOC Board Nominee Vetting Process

In a letter, dated April 1, 2008, to Governor David Paterson, Assembly Member Micah Kellner requests the Governor to restart the vetting process and to then formally appoint the six individuals elected by the residents to serve on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation's Board of Directors. Thank you Mr. Kellner

Roosevelt Island: Goodbye Eliot, Hello David

Eliot Spitzer during his gubernatorial campaign stopped at Roosevelt Island’s Church of the Good Shepherd and promised change. Island residents excited at the chance of keeping a Republican Governor out Albany were eager for Spitzer’s message of better days. Residents voted in large numbers for Spitzer evidencing their desire for change. During this last year we saw the ouster of Herb Berman and installation of Spitzer appointee Stephen Shane as RIOC CEO and President and we expected / hoped that Spitzer would respect our election of RIOC Board nominees.

We know little as to what soon to be Governor David Paterson thinks about Roosevelt Island and the issues that concern us most including transportation concerns, privatization, among others. We voted for Paterson as part of a Spitzer / Paterson ticket. To my knowledge Lt. Governor Paterson only has step foot on Roosevelt Island once last May during a photo op with Mayor Bloomberg regarding the Verdant Power water turbine project in the East Channel of the East River behind Gristedes.

It is still way too early to know whether Roosevelt Island will be left alone or whether DHCR Van Amerongen will even be able to submit the elected slate of RIOC Board Nominees or how this new administration will look upon the various privatization efforts of the buildings here on Roosevelt Island. We will simply have to wait and see.

Will a Paterson Administration Respect Spitzer Public Authority Appointments?

When Eliot Spitzer won his mandate as Governor of New York State all Roosevelt Islanders looked forward to the end of the Pataki administration and the years of disastrous RIOC relationships. So when Stephen Shane was announced, on March 16, 2007, as Spitzer's pick for President and CEO of RIOC all eyes and ears looked forward to a change for the better.

The question is will Lt. Gov. David Paterson if he succeeds Eliot Spitzer as Governor, if he leaves office, feel compelled to replace all, some, or any of Eliot Spitzer's hand picked appointments including Stephen Shane. To my knowledge Mr. Shane serves at the pleasure of the Governor. I don't know his position to be one with a defined term or one that successor Governor's are required to keep. Again I believe the role to be one that serves at the pleasure of the Governor. To my view Mr. Shane's tenure to date has been a positive one. Perhaps a few bumps or friendly disagreements but nothing on par with a Berman or a Blue. To even imagine starting anew again so soon into this administration's term seems a waste. But only time will tell where the chips may land.

In the previous post's comments both Craig and Anonymous seem to be thinking that a change in the State administration and a possible change in RIOC leadership would mean the end of the Kahn FDR Memorial. I actually would be concerned that any uncertainlty might allow FERI more time to raise the funds they need and again uncertainlty might make it easier to avoid deadlines that might prevent FERI from commencing its project.