Roosevelt Island Blog - Comments

Scot Bobo: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Scot Bobo) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:32:35 -0400

It is absurd to think that our right to enjoy life's every day routines is governed by a state agency. It is ludicrous to note that this agency is not--at the very least--made up of an elected majority.

c. hinderaker: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (c. hinderaker) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:57:19 -0400

ALL of the elected nominees should be appointed.

Tom Hastings: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Tom Hastings) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:31:43 -0400

I think the full slate of candidates as elected by residents of Roosevelt Island should be appointed.

Erin Feely-Nahem: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Erin Feely-Nahem) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:45:30 -0400

I was honored that the residents of Roosevelt Island elected me to represent them on the RIOC Board. It was my hope that I would be able to serve in that role and that the Governor would allow this wonderful democratic process to become a reality. It is still my hope that as Roosevelt Island Residents we will be able to see those whom we have elected represent us in the end.

n.franco: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (n.franco) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:25:12 -0400

I strongly support appointment if the 6 victorious nominees to Roosevelt Island-friendly RIOC Board of Directors. I pray Gov. Paterson will see this historical event just as historical as his ascension to the office as governor.

A voice in the wilderness: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (A voice in the wilderness) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:05:04 -0400

In a just society, each person is given what they deserve so that the rewards of justice are greater than injustice.
By failing to appoint the six elected officials, not only is the democratic process vetoed by high powered officials, the power of the ballot seem redundant in the face of aristocratic politics.
In Roosevelt Island's case, the officials that are entrusted with our welfare, are making decisions based on a type of politics that does not belong in a democratic society.
Those that are faced with the decision of appointing the elected officials, you are urged to do the thing that promotes the rewards and superiority of justice over injustice.

C. Krupka: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (C. Krupka) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:40:18 -0400

Our locally elected officials have repeatedly supported the election of six candidates to serve on the RIOC board as they have supported other initiatives to preserve open spaces and encourage responsible development on Roosevelt Island. Now again as with the other issues near to the heart of Roosevelt Islanders the recommendations of our duly elected officials was ignored by our new Governor. I have to believe that Governor Paterson does not understand the passion that we feel for our community and our disappointment in this decision. Please reconsider!

Vasu Panicker: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Vasu Panicker) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:58:37 -0400

we exercised our right to elect six members to RIOC's board and that should be honored.

Julie White: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Julie White) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:55:05 -0400

I would like to add my name to the list in support of appointing ALL of the elected nominees...it is time to bring democracy to Roosevelt Island, at least as much as can be with the current laws!

yemarshet sissay: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (yemarshet sissay) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:15:13 -0400

It is my belief that Governor Patterson will honor the values that the United States of America fights for, i.e. democratic process. Governor Patterson, please honor the results of the election by Roosevelt Island Community and allow the 6 candidates to represent us on the board. The Island residents participated in the election believing that their voices will be heard and respected as it was done through a democratic proocess where most residents participated. Despite our responsibilities we rushed from work not to miss the chance to vote for residents that represent the best interests of the community as a whole.

We have great trust in your judgment and urge to reconsider your decision allowing all the elected members to represent the Roosevelt Island community on the Board.

Jana Samkova: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Jana Samkova) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:22:57 -0400

RI residents deserve the representation of elected representatives. We want our voices to be heard! RIOC executive representatives are not living on the RI and are destroying our community. They come and go while we continue our lives here! PLEASE RESPECT THE PEOPLES CHOICE GOVERNOR PATERSON!!!

oluwafemi joseph: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (oluwafemi joseph) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:40:46 -0400

Roosevelt Island resident nominated six residents to seats on the RIOC board on February 5, and the new governor should respect and honor our wishes. This is a democratic nation, and any elected official should respect the peoples chose. The government should serve it's people, and we have chosen who we want to serve us! Any politician who does not respect this is not for the people, and must have his/her own special agenda.Please respect the peoples choice governor Paterson.

Lauri Welles, MD: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Lauri Welles, MD) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:15:07 -0400

Both my mother and I are long-time residents of Roosevelt Island. In the Feb. 08 election, RI residents were permitted to vote for 6 open seats on the Roosevelt Island Operating Committee (RIOC) board, and residents were encouraged to stand for election. Six residents were, in fact, elected for those 6 seats. Rumor has it that you may choose to seat only 3 of the resident winners, and select the other 3 from outside sources. "No taxation without representation!" was a rallying cry at the 'Boston Tea Party', and it is certainly an undesirable state of affairs. We encourage you to reconsider your decision.
Sincerely,
Lauri Welles, MD
Eleanor Schwartz

Joyce Mincheff: Governor Selects 4 for RIOC Board

nospam@example.com (Joyce Mincheff) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:53:45 -0400

I wonder how State Senators would respond if they were replaced with incumbents- who refused to run for office- when they succeeded in their bid for their Senate seat. There is no contest that exists in the US political arena that comes close to replicating what's going on in our community!

David Kraut attended the candidate events and attended information meetings. He was keenly aware that the election was coming about. He had the opportunity to throw his hat into the ring. He didn't.

For David to accept a seat that he refused to stand for in a fair election is dispicable and insulting to his neighbors. For the Governor to allow him to do so would show Roosevelt Islanders how little respect the he has for us and for democracy.

When Mr. Lincoln proclaimed "government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not perish from the earth" he didn't add the caveat "everywhere but Roosevelt Island."

It's time for those who want our respect to stop trampling our constitutional right to elected government.

Khalil E Hansen: Transportation

nospam@example.com (Khalil E Hansen) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:37:26 -0400

I just picked up my copy of the WIRE on my way home ,my family and I have been residents of the Island for over 30 years and were one of the "orignials" still left on the island. I can't believe that the tram is going under so much construction and the way there handling it is just wrong .The MTA really needs to step in and take the responsable for the Tram, its been a key support system for life on the island as some newcomers might not know. In 1995 when Metrocard was introduced and tokens remained for subways and buses only the tram had there own machines with there own token's that took the bills and coins and operated by and independent contractor.In 1999 the MTA took over the tram ,and passengers could use the the MTA tokens ONLY and Tram tokens were faded out leaving us stranded at the bottom of some list in an office on Jay Street or wherever headquaters must be.Needless to say the MTA has taken us threw so many adjustments on the Island ( Who could forget the Shuttle Train/Shuttle Train Exten. to 34th Street on wkdays / Nights and Weekend Service Changes/MTA Shuttle Buses to Q.Plza/ must I go on)and so many other things that we have become an island that is always "SUBJECT TO CHANGE".Many have moved off the island due to the high commute because of the problem and it only looks worse for the future . My suggestion ? A TOWN MEETING WITH ALL THE RESIDENTS FROM OCTAGON TO SOUTH-TOWN hey maybe even the Hospital Staff.(Fat Chance?) Well remember when the shuttle use to go to 57st/7Ave well currently thats the last stop on the "Q"line (Memories of good times)I say that we finally take back our island and ask that Q line be extended to 71st Ave Continental. It would ease so many of the crowds waiting on the platform at not only the Island but to our neigbor stations 21 street Q.Bridge and Lex & 63rd. which have been feeling the the heat of the extra passengers as well. Its no fun to have the doors open with people from Queens giving dirty looks.It also would allow Island residents to use the Broadway Line aswell as the 6th Ave Line . Its possiable. The MTA has uses it to re-route "R" trains threw the 63rd Street connection sometimes and its such a relieve.We've given the MTA so much of our island including there own brownstone at southpoint prk where there is access to a passage to the E/V line. I think they can do it for a population thats growing as fast as the buildings developments on the Island.

The MTA responds to that might be the that they can't handle another train at 71st/Continental where the end of the line is for the R,V,G trains but in 2001 when the island first got the "F" train, the "G" line on weekdays no longer ran the the full route and now ends at the Court House Square Station in South L.I.C during the weekdays.

My point in all this is that we need to push the the MTA and let them know we can't handle just one train and NO tram.Its just asking for disaster the red bus drivers driving to Queens Plaza in the morning is leaving it in the hands on RIOC and that's not fair to us and responsiablity of those drivers.

I only see trouble in the end up with more accidents and maybe a couple of fist fights on the platform.I suggest if you care about the island we need to stand up for it. We could really save ourselves.