One Very Upset Local Blogger - NY GULAG 10044

A local resident blogging under the title "nygulag10044" published on line today a letter written, in August 2008, to New York State Inspector General Joseph Frisch alleging corruption and more at all levels of state government involving Roosevelt Island.

Without knowing the specific facts backing up the blogger's claims it's hard to say if anything written has legitimate merit. I just know from the comments posted to the Roosevelt Landings post a lot of folks are very unhappy.

Roosevelt Island Attorney Indicted

According to the website North County a Roosevelt Island attorney has been indicted for grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

Per the article linked the attorney James John Armenakis, 65, of Roosevelt Island, and his law firm were "indicted for stealing a $735,000 deposit in a real estate transaction as well as a separate felony complaint for the lawyer’s failure to pay withholding taxes and filing his own false tax returns." The indictment was also reported in the website SILive.com.

Vietnamese PM Stays on Local Roosevelt Island Couch

According to a local Roosevelt Island residents blog "The Fryer's Club" the Prime Minister of Vietnam was apparently staying in their building for the United Nations General Assembly sessions. The bloggers, Scott & Elly, knew something was up when they noticed the Secret Service hanging out in their lobby and black cars parked all around their building.

Per Scott & Elly: "Haven't met him yet, but I'll let you know if I do. He looks like a nice guy, right?"

Residents have been aware that among the diplomats living on the island were representatives from Vietnam but it is surprising that their Prime Minister decided to bunk on the island during this year's session.

Links to Fryers Club Post: NY Times City Room; New York Observer

NYDN: Local Resident's Loss - Taser Related Death

As reported in the NY Daily News, this past Friday Sept 26th, the case of the man who was tasered by the NYPD and unfortunately fell to his death has a connection to Roosevelt Island. It was resident Olga Negron whose son Inman Morales died in the incident.

According to the story:

"The mother said her son was diagnosed as bipolar and had suffered from paranoid delusions in the past. His anti-depressants recently had been changed. "That day, he had an appointment with his psychiatric doctor. I went to pick him up," said Negron, a former dental assistant who lives on Roosevelt Island. "

Passings: Resident Richard C. Wade

Today's New York Times, July 25, 2008, includes an obituary for Roosevelt Island resident Richard C. Wade who passed away last Friday. Mr. Wade lived in the Rivercross building and is survived by his wife Liane Thomas Wade.

From the Times:

"Richard C. Wade, who helped put cities on the map as an academic subject and who advised Democratic candidates including Adlai Stevenson, Robert F. Kennedy and George McGovern, died last Friday at his home on Roosevelt Island in New York City. He was 87."

I will not try to recap the man's life here on this blog but his career included being a well respected historian that opened up the field of studying cities as a source of growth in this country. Two books he wrote or co-authored include Urban Frontier, and Slavery in the Cities. He was also involved in politics but was mostly known and respected for his work as a historian.

Missing Person: 15 Year Old Roosevelt Island Resident

According to the flyers posted this morning around Roosevelt Island a 15 year old named Michelle Lopez has been missing since 12:32 am. If this is correct the flyers were posted within 8 hours of her disappearance. Calls into both PSD and the 114 Precinct NYPD have not yet determined if the girl has been found at this time.

Per the flyer, Ms. Lopez is 15 years old, of Hispanic heritage, 5'6" in height, 140 lbs., has short red hair, brown eyes.

Links: From Bon Jovi to Alpine Loves Lost

Today’s newspapers include two unrelated stories which include references to Roosevelt Island residents. The first is of Jacob Fleitman, a twenty-five year old island resident who apparently waited all night, Friday through Saturday morning, waiting to get a front row seat at last night’s Bon Jovi concert. Link HERE for the NY Post story where Jacob was quoted to say “It’s a once in a lifetime experience to be in the front row, right?”

Jacob along with Felicia Fleitman, according to NY1, apparently started the line, waiting 12 hours before anyone else joined them waiting to enter the Great Lawn for the concert . To see the Fleitmans link HERE.

The second involves a Brit who apparently was the lost love of Carole Getzoff, a writer recalling her first trip overseas and subsequent reconnection with the Brit who for a time lived on Roosevelt Island. Three weeks after their final meeting at restaurant near the Tram the Brit past away due to cancer. For the full story link to “Her Alpine Lover”.

Residents: DJs Andrew Andrew

I admit I have no knowledge of current popular music or who DJs Andrew Andrew are but if they are shilling for Roosevelt Island and standing up as residents I support them.

Apparently they let it be known where they live and they spoke about living on Roosevelt island to the folks over Daily Intel / New York Magazine and how they feel empowered by the positive attitudes shown by some of our differently abled residents.

After seeing the above picture I actually recall seeing two guys dressed alike walking around the island not knowing that it was them.

NY Law Students Help Roosevelt I. Resident

The New York Daily News is reporting, Monday, February 18, 2008, on a story where New York Law students assisted investors who felt wronged by their stock brokers and investment advisors including Roosevelt Island resident, Arline Jacoby.

Roosevelt Island Roots: Giuliani Top Campaign Advisor Tony Carbonetti

According to a November 6, 2007 article published online by the New York Observer, Giuliani Campaign advisor Tony Carbonetti spent some part of his childhood here on Roosevelt Island.

“A year later [in 1977], the Carbonettis moved to the mostly uninhabited Queens neighborhood of Roosevelt Island. When his parents split, the 13-year-old chose to stay with his father…..”

It is unclear how many years Mr. Carbonetti lived on Roosevelt Island. As a relative newcomer to Roosevelt Island I don’t claim to know all the players so I am assuming that the Lou Carbonetti who is accorded a special dedication on the Icla da Silva Foundation Board of Directors webpage is the Louis Carbonetti, Jr. referred to as Tony’s father.

This guess is probably correct as that same webpage credits Lou Carbonetti as the “Former Director of Community Assistance Unit, Mayor's Office, City of New York”. Lou Carbonetti is also credited as the “founder of Love Thy Neighbor, a Roosevelt Island community group established in 1990 in support of the da Silva family.” The New York Observer article had indicated that Tony Carbonetti’s father had received an administration post with the City of New York.

This all begs the question if Rudy is elected President would Tony Carbonetti have the influence to bring Roosevelt Island out from under the direct control of New York State any earlier than 2068?

New York Observer: "On the Tram"

New Roosevelt Island Resident George Gurley wrote an article titled “On the Tram” appearing in the September 10, 2007 edition of the New York Observer. The above artwork accompanied the article.

I enjoyed the article especially the following excerpts:

“Bet this is my 43rd Tram ride and it still feels like a roller coaster. Still confident we’d survive if the cable snapped. Jump up in the air right before it hits the water, hold my breath, swim right through the broken glass, save a couple people, get called a hero in The Post.”

“So friendly and irony-free. No hipsters. Overheard some people on the Tram the other day laughing about Seinfeld. “Remember the one where Elaine was doing that dance”—like that would happen in the East Village. Guy was singing along earnestly to a Beatles song in the deli—like that would happen in Brooklyn. Only one deli on Roosevelt Island. One bar. One liquor store. One restaurant. One grocery store. There’s a Duane Reade opening up!”

“Taxis go to Roosevelt Island but they don’t leave.”

Check it out as it’s quite fun.