Upcoming Heavyweight Election For Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President This November - Katz Announces He Will Challenge Farance

Image Of Lincoln - Douglas Debate From Andy Amato

Roosevelt Islanders - hold on to your hats because the upcoming Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) elections this November are going to be exciting - well at least as exciting as local elections can get. Why you may ask?

Because right after last Saturday night's Roosevelt Island 9/11 Memorial Service, former (RIRA) President and current Planning Committee Chair Mathew Katz informed me of his decision to challenge current RIRA President Frank Farance for the RIRA President's position. A true battle of the Roosevelt Island political heavyweights to be sure.

On Sunday, Mr. Katz announced his entry into the race as follows:

Last evening, after the 9/11 Memorial event ended, I informed RIRA President, Frank Farance, that I intend to run for an unprecedented fourth term as RIRA President. This was not an easy decision to reach; three terms as president during turbulent times seemed more than sufficient.

However, I told him that his remarks in the last two issues of The Main Street WIRE, when coupled with the many bridges he has burned over the last two years with those Island residents who have labored to be useful as well as those government officials who are the decision-makers here, have, in my opinion, compromised his ability to be effective. Further, I believe Frank has used the RIRA Common Council as a platform for his own agenda, without giving Council Members the opportunity to act as the leaders they were elected to be. Evidence of this are the 36% of those members elected in 2008 who have drifted away, not having received sufficient incentive to remain on the Common Council.

It is my hope that incumbent Council Members will run for another term and that newcomers to the community will consider running for vacant seats in their building complexes. RIRA’s power is the power of persuasion and if we don’t take ourselves seriously, no one else will.

Matthew Katz

Chair, RIRA Planning Committee

RIRA President: 2000-2002, 2002-2004, 2006-2008

Later on Sunday, Mr. Katz forwards this endorsement of his candidacy for RIRA President by NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin:

Yes, Matthew, I am happy to support you. I am not surprised and pleased you are running.

Good luck.

Jessica.

A prescient reader of Mr. Farance's 9/11 RIRA report commented:

I find it hilarious that all of these folks from the Maple Tree Group are writing articles and letters in the WIRE against Frank Farance. They were his main support system in RIRA, but now because he has spoken out about their attempt to control the RIOC Board Elections by extending the current BM's terms - the MTG wants to hammer him.

Good for you Frank. You finaly became the voice of reason. It's just too bad, you have alienated some of the folks who, like you, also speak out in public. They all work for the WIRE, so you'll get no support there. I wouldn't be surprised if they make Matt Katz run against you in the next election.

Good luck... you're gonna need it.

Stay Tuned For the Roosevelt Island version of the Lincoln Douglas Debates!!!