RIOC Board Nominee Election Slate Set

The candidates wishing to be elected RIOC Board of Director Nominees have each filed the appropriate paperwork and the final slate has been set. Candidates wishing to run were required to file their paperwork by this past Friday, January 18, 2008.

The final slate includes each of the candidates that appeared at the first Candidates's Night including Ms. Tammy Jackson-Culler who was unable to attend the Candidates Night due to illness. The list includes 1 candidate from the Octagon, 3 from Manhattan Park, 2 from Westview, 1 from Island House and 3 from Rivercross. No candidates submitted their paperwork from either Eastwood or Southtown.

PressHD Publishes Additional RIOC Board Nominee Q&A Videos

PressHD published on-line this evening four additional videos of the RIOC Board Nominees at last week's Candidate's Night held at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Each of the videos is from the Q&A segment of the evening. Of the videos presented three deal with questions that I was not able to transfer to video on this blog previously: (1) Privatization (2) Main Street Vendors and (3) RIOC Board Meeting attendance.

The videos I posted on July 17th captured the candidates' responses to questions posed regarding (a) Maintaining Open Space (b) Rental of Open Space / Sports Fields and (c) Southpoint and the Louis Kahn designed FDR Memorial. It should be noted that my Southpoint video cuts off Dr. Grimm mid-response and the full responses of both Michael Carew and Fay Christian. My apologies again.

The PressHD videos are not complete videos of each Q&A session as each ran about 1 minute per candidate but the videos appear to capture the key comment(s) or thoughts of each candidate.

As very few of the candidates appear to be advertising their campaigns and positions other than Jonathan Kalkin these videos (my own and those of PressHD) are perhaps your only views of the full slate of announced candidates to date. The deadline for filng paperwork was this past Friday night January 18th and I am awaiting confirmation as to the final candidate list. As noted earlier written statements are expected to be printed in this coming week's WIRE.

According to Jonathan Kalkin's website he was interviewed by the NY Daily News so look for links and coverage of that story once it is published. As noted on his site this is encouraging to see that the main stream media is picking up on this election. It will add pressure to the Spitzer adminstration to live up to the expectation that our duly elected nominees will be submitted as the Governor's recommendations for speedy confirmation before the legislature/

ESDC Update: DHCR’s VanAmerongen Promises Response Within Week

As previously reported the New York State Empire State Development Corporation issued FMV tax equivalency bills to the Westview, Island House and Rivercross buildings during the closing months of 2007.

On January 17, 2008 NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen met with members of the Rivercross Board of Directors. Subsequent to that meeting, the Rivercross Board issued an update memo (under its resident apartment doors) to its shareholders stating that “the DHCR Commissioner has been “charged with resolving” the ESDC tax bill program”.

As per the Rivercross Board memo,VanAmerongen stated she would be in contact with the ESDC and was committed to getting Rivercross a response by next week. Presumably her efforts would also impact the bills issued also to Westview and Island House.

Aerial View: Roosevelt Island and the City

Roosevelt Island can be seen in this aerial photo down by the lower left corner of the photo. This photo looks at NYC from the North looking South.

When you look at a photo like this and can see the topography of the area and the East River you just wonder how Roosevelt Island ever came to be and why the East River as an estuary formed as it did.

The full photo of this view was taken Lazarus6 and can be viewed on Flickr HERE. It is worth linking through to read the location info provided by the photographer if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Update: Roosevelt Island Bridge – Pedestrian Walkway

I had not checked in a few weeks regarding the status of the pedestrian walkway at the Roosevelt Island Bridge to LIC but the above cropped picture confirms that the temporary walkway is now open and in use by both wheeled and pedestrian traffic. The permanent walkway is now closed due to the construction.

The full uncropped photo was taken by Schneider31 on 2008Jan16 and can be found on Flickr HERE.

Wanted: Alfred Hitchcock’s Birds to Nest on Roosevelt Island?

I came upon a blog, RaeFried Beans, today which includes in a January 17th post artwork envisioning greater green spaces on Roosevelt Island with the hope of inducing migratory birds to make the island a pit stop on their journey to their Winter digs.

I had not heard of any such project and it appears to be an idea of the artist / Blogger based on her participation in an Audobon Society program that dealt with birds migrating that did not quite make it through glass encased cities.

I am not sure Roosevelt island residents are looking for the Island to be a rest stop for flocks of migratory geese. The ones that land on the Island already leave their marks all over the various ball fields.

Where the Trust for Public Land’s Wild Gardens will establish and create usable park land for humans out of Southpoint I am not sure interested many humans will want to fight migratory birds for their picnic spots. The concept is nice but adding green space is not so much our concern on the Island as it is to keep what green space we have from future developers of overpriced apartments.

The Q102: Northtown's Transportation Safety Valve

Earlier this week there was another of those very cold days when we were waiting at the southbound bus stop outside the Church of the Good Shepherd when an Octagon Express went by barely half full. Sometimes you wish that on days like that that the driver be given the discretion to "go local" and pick up obviously frozen residents.

As much as Northtowners complain about Octagon Express buses they actually have a safety valve that Octagoners and residents of Manhattan Park don't have: the Q102.

The Q102 begins its Roosevelt Island run by heading South once it makes the turn off the bridge ramp. So except for a few passengers already on the bus it usually starts its run at Westview essentially empty and can be counted on for space on cold and rainy days for most Northtowners.

The Q102 after completing it's initial Southbound run from Westview all the way down to the Goldwater Hospital Campus only then threads its way North on Main Street to its Northern terminus at Coler Hospital. After departing Coler it only goes back down Main Street to 2-4-6 River Road and then exits the Island.

In effect, Octagoners and Manhattan Park residents are denied this safety valve.

So when I hear folks complaining about the Octagon Express I usually have to catch myself before joining them as I know if the Q102s are running Northtowners can always get on if their destination is the subway or Tram.

UPDATE & CORRECTION:

As pointed out to me in the comments I was not aware that the Q102's route on the Island switches between the bus (1) first heading to Coler then to Goldwater and then off Island and (2) first heading to Goldwater then to Coler and then off Island. Teaches me to not check the schedule first. Thank you for the comments and corrections. The main intent of the post stays the same that the Q102 does indeed provide an extra measure of service on the Island and at least half of the scheduled trips the extra service gives Northtowners the ability to enter buses not already filled by their Octagon neighbors.

The Red Bus Series: Looking Back on Main Street

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My second experience ever on Roosevelt Island after taking the Tram here in July 2005 was taking the Red Bus up the Octagon Gardens Loop by the FDNY Special Operations Command. Ever since then I have been as enamored of this route as I am of the Tram. I recall the ride North and saying who knew all of this was here and how did I get on this ride.

Where else in NYC can you travel approximately 25 blocks for a quarter. Essentially a free ride.

I believe this is my 5th posted video of the Red Bus. And I have more waiting to be posted. When you step into the Red Bus and look out its windows the Island almost does not seem real. When you head South on Main Street and just pass Rivercross and the views of the East River and Manhattan come into view, they do not seem real almost like you are looking out from a ride at a theme park.

But Main Street is very real and the reliance on these buses for every commuter is absolute on any cold Wintry or rainy day. So to the gentlemen and ladies that drive them I say thank you.

RIOC Candidate's Q&A: FDR Memorial at Southpoint

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This video of the RIOC Board Nominee candidate's Q&A focuses on each candidate's opinions regarding the planned FDR memorial to be built at Southpoint Park just South of the former smallpox hospital. It was the 5th question asked by the audience. I have posted already the videos for #4 (Renting Out Public Spaces) and #3 (Preserving public Spaces) below.

The candidates were seated alphabetically from left to right with those individuals who had submitted their formal paperwork on the left (6 of the 9) and those whose paperwork was in process to the right (3 of the 9). They are Michael Carew, Fay Christian, Kathie Grimm, Adrienne Grist, Howard Polivy, Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, Frank Farance, Erin Feely-Nahem, and Jonathan Kalkin.

I should note and apologize as this video cuts off Dr. Grimm and completely missed the last two candidate opinions as my camera's batteries just died and I did not have any additional batteries. Again my apologies to Dr. Grimm and both Michael Carew and Fay Christian.

RIOC Candidates Q&A: Renting Out Fields

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This video is of the 4th question posed to the RIOC Board Nominee Candidates and focuses on their views regarding RIOC's ability and actions of renting out public ball fields and space to organizations from off the Island. This video was shot on 1/15/08 at the first of two candidate nights. The second is Saturday night February 2nd.

The candidates were seated alphabetically from left to right with those individuals who had submitted their formal paperwork on the left (6 of the 9) and those whose paperwork was in process (3 pf the 9) to the right. They are Michael Carew, Fay Christian, Kathie Grimm, Adrienne Grist, Howard Polivy, Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, Frank Farance, Erin Feely-Nahem, and Jonathan Kalkin.

RIOC Candidates Q & A: Open Spaces / Parkland

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The above video is from the Q & A segment of the first of two RIOC Board Nominee Candidate Nights. This video focuses solely on the question asking for each candidate's view of preserving open spaces and parkland on the Island. It was the third question posed to the candidates that evening.

The candidates were seated alphabetically from left to right with those individuals who had submitted their formal paperwork on the left (6 of the 9) and those whose paperwork was in process to the right. They are Michael Carew, Fay Christian, Kathie Grimm, Adrienne Grist, Howard Polivy, Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, Frank Farance, Erin Feely-Nahem, and Jonathan Kalkin.

Candidate's Night # 1 : Consensus for Change

As I sat through the first RIOC Board Nominee Candidate Night at the Church of the Good Shepherd it was clear each of the candidates present that evening wants to make a difference and are committed to learning more.

PressHD has put on line this evening thre great videos capturing the presentations better than I could with my little cameras. There were less than 100 Island residents in attendance which is a shame but thanks to PressHD you can watch the events on that website.

What I was struck by was that a number of the candidates were not aware of basic issues covered continuously in the WIRE, including the issue as to whether Southpoint Park should include a memorial for FDR and what the central issues are regarding that memorial. To give the candidate's the benefit of the doubt there are many issues that each of them can not have the experience of understanding until the elected six are formally vested in their positions.

The Q&A focused on the following issues: Main Street Stores, Transportation Issues, Open Spaces, Southpoint, Deteriorating Landmarks, Emergency Preparedness and Privatization.

We are not electing professional politcians which is good so don't expect the most polished of speakers although some are better than others. But on the flip side I would have hoped each would have at least an opinion on each of the issues as they are covered in the WIRE. I am not saying they should be experts but at least have some opinion if they expect us to vote for them. To simply expect them to reflect our own opinions is not enough although once they know the opinions of the populace they should work to meld both their views and ours in representing us on the Board.

So I encourage you to go to PressHD for their continuing video coverage provided of our first true taste of democracy. And don't forget to thank RIRA, The Maple Tree Group, and Matt Katz for a well run event.

Candidates Night # 2 is planned for Saturday Night February 2nd just before the election on Feb. 5th. Be there (at the Church) if you have questions and for a final chance to hear all the candidtaes.

Riots in the Streets? Former World Leaders Renting at Westview?

Apparently Kofi Annan, former Island House resident, recommended Roosevelt Island to the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and we are rioting in the streets. Who knew? And I just thought some Northtowners were upset about the Red Bus schedule again.

In truth the story of Blair’s arrival and our discontent is based on an article online at The Spoof and was first published two days ago. No idea who the “reporter” is as the by-line only states Queen Mudder. I guess Blair’s borrowing some China from Buckingham before he left was not appreciated.

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Note: This post originally reported by mistake that Kofi Annan lived in Westview. Thank you to the anonymous commenter who corrected my error.

RIRA Raises Election Banner Anouncing RIOC Election

PressHD issues second video related to RIOC elections. This one covers Matt Katz and RIRA installing two banners above Main Street notifying residents and visitors alike of the Feb. 5 plenary election.

Matt Katz looks incredibly happy. In the annals of RI history if this election comes off without a hitch and Spitzer installs the elected reps Matt Katz will be remembered as one of the key individuals who kept pushing for this day and got us there.

It's a fun day when Roosevelt Island bloggers can link to other Roosevelt Island web sites and blogs.

Roosevelt Island Placard Parking Issue Makes Daily News

Link HERE for story at the Daily News.

NYT Commuting Series “Next Stop” : Roosevelt Island

Today started with meeting Billie Cohen, the New York Times reporter, who is currently spending each day this month commuting by every known method into NYC and sharing her stories within the Next Stop series.

Ms. Cohen found me via my blog and the public comments I submitted to the NYT regarding commuting via Tram. Knowing that I could only spend a few minutes before and during the Tram trip with her I invited along Judy Berdy, President of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society.

We also timed our trip to take Cabin 2 with Greg Parvati, one of the long time tram operators. Greg has been with RIOC for over twenty years now and if anyone has interesting Tram stories to share it is him as well as Judy Berdy. My understanding is that Ms. Cohen took several tram trips this morning so I expect she gathered plenty of stories and insights about the Island, our Tram and transportation to/from Roosevelt Island.

So look for a story about commuting via Tram over the next few days in the New York Times.

Forget Watching Primary Debates Come On Down to Roosevelt Island's First RIOC Board Candidate Night

Interested in true democracy on Roosevelt Island? GREAT !!! Plan on voting in the plenary election on February 5 to choose the first democratically elected members to the RIOC Board of Directors? GREAT !!!

Think you can rely alone on the candidate statements planned to be printed in the WIRE? Maybe.

But to really be informed who each of your neighbors are running for election and their positions you should show up tomorrow night at 7:00 pm at the Good Shepherd Community Center to not only hear them speak live BUT TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS DIRECTLY and hear their answers.

Columbia Grad Student Starts Video Website to Cover Roosevelt Island RIOC Elections

Double Click Picture to Link to Site

The below e-mail says it all. Maybe I don’t need to videotape Candidate’s Night with my puny little camera. Stay tuned.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

From: Kimberly Lengle

Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:31:54
To:RooseveltIsland360@gmail.com
Subject: PressHD.com RIOC Nomination Coverage

Hello,

I want to inform you about my new website, PressHD.com, which will have video coverage of the Roosevelt Island Elections. I'm an island resident and also a graduate student at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. I interviewed RIRA President, Matt Katz, for the first story which explain how the island got to this point. The first story was shot in standard definition but subsequent stories will be shot and will stream in full high definition. I'm launching an island-wide advertising campaign, so you'll see posters and ads going up.

Sincerely,
Kim Lengle

PressHD.com
See what happens.

Rain, Snow, Nor'Easter ? Overboard Predictions ?

By 9:00 am tomorrow morning the weather casters are predicting a truly lousy commute with the possibility of a Nor'easter to follow.

As a reminder of Winter's past Catherine Grieco brings us the image above of what Roosevelt Island looked like back in the mid 1990's when NYC would be ppounded by snowstorm after snowstorm.

F Subway Train Trackwork – Roosevelt Island – Work or Break?

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This weekend was the first of four weeks in a row that Roosevelt Island is losing Queens Bound F subway train service. As I reported a week or so back these disruptions mean that each and every weekend of the first five weeks of 2008 are being subjected to service disruptions.

By chance this morning while heading into Manhattan we caught a number of track workers at the Roosevelt Island station. It was unclear what work they were doing as many were on the Queens bound platform while others were standing around in the flatbed cars that were in the station. At either end of these cars sat two engines.

Part of me was happy to see these workers as it proves something is happening. Not sure how much work was happening at 8:00 am but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. At least we have service in one direction as the 7 Line passengers have lost service in both direction for the next several weeks. If we did not have the Tram though this would be a much larger issue.

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