Opinion

Here's what we're thinking about. Have an opinion you'd like to post here? Contact the editor: davestone13@gmail.com. We'll consider it.

Dear RIOC: Here Is What A Sign Looks Like Part 2

10/01/2017 - 09:04

It wasn't a banner week for RIOC sign-wise, excuse the pun. "Yes, the RI logo is ugly," wrote one longtime resident, agreeing with our thoughtful assessment of the RI mockup thing lugged around town on Tuesday. "Uglier than ugly," another topped him, but the worst insult of the week was handed RIOC by its sister agency, the MTA.

Should Westview Follow in Manhattan Park's Footsteps?

If Westview Goes Market - Learning from Manhattan Park's Decline

09/25/2017 - 17:08

Prolonged stalling increases the risk that Westview will end up dropping Mitchell-Lama unilaterally, converting the complex into market rate rentals and coops. A look at what's become of market rate housing at Manhattan Park helps explain the dangers.

Charlene Indelicato, March 2016, with new hire Kimberly Quinones

RIOC: Board of Directors or Vassals?

09/20/2017 - 16:37

The idea's a good one. Bring in a majority of Roosevelt island residents to populate a Board meant to guide and approve how RIOC governs. But has crafty maneuvering in Albany handcuffed our locals, turning them into medieval vavasours? Are they stuck, for all serious purposes, with simply nodding along with Governor Andrew Cuomo's decisions, no longer empowered to influence much of anything?

Mindless Street WIRE Attacks Free Speech, Spineless Officials Follow

09/19/2017 - 15:13

Memo to: Susan Rosenthal, Ben Kallos, Jeffrey Escobar and Briana Warsing

Subject: Despite Best Efforts of Trump and the Politically Correct Crowd, Free Speech Remains Legal Here

Tom Otterness's "Marriage of Money and Real Estate" in the East River at Roosevelt Island

Frustrated and In the Dark, the View from Westview

09/18/2017 - 18:54

A recent real-estate article in the Main Street Wire (9.16.17), with a 3-column headline hailing “Affordable Housing,” failed to mention Westview even once. Meanwhile Westview is the real-estate story on Roosevelt Island, the elephant that sits atop the RIOC office.

As Worries Grow About Losing Westview Affordability, An Urgent Appeal

09/11/2017 - 22:01

Troubled by a perilous, inexplicable delay in RIOC's accepting the affordability plan approved overwhelmingly by Westview tenants, last fall, Frank Farance wrote an open letter to RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of New York State Housing and Community Renewal, RIOC's overseer, raising a flag of alarm. He has agreed to allow us to publish the letter in full.

RISA has identify confusion. Their plaque and tax returns say "Senior," but their website says, "Seniors." Both smell bad.

To Spin a New Yarn, RISA Relies On A Favorite Tool - The Main Street WIRE

08/30/2017 - 09:26 Updated 41 weeks ago

"You think not getting caught in a lie is the same thing as telling the truth?" Three Days of the Condor

"Yes, we'll be responding in the next issue of the Wire. You can count on it," Roosevelt Island Seniors Association Secretary Sherie Helstien was overheard telling a friend, early in August. A revised yarn was needed, now that felony convictions blew away claims of innocence while mismanaging the Senior Center. They got what they wanted as the WIRE parroted RISA's new script, adding elder neglect to support for racist trolls, hokey RIOC elections and the rat colony at PS/IS 217.

Ignored If It Doesn't Get Jammed In Your Mailbox Unrequested

Main Street WIRE Shrinks With Changes

08/24/2017 - 15:56

"Interesting" though it was to see the Incredible, Shrinking Main Street WIRE adopt the second of our three suggestions for improving its chances for survival, the third and most important - that is, creating better, less biased content is a no go so far.

Relax. It's Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better.

Take 1 Tram, 10 Deep Breaths and Wake Up In The Morning

08/23/2017 - 09:09 Updated 42 weeks ago

Again, this past weekend, with service down to a single Tram cabin, long lines increased frustrations. But that wasn't the biggest surprise, and worse is yet to come. First, though, I need to tell you a joke.