Teenager Climbs Above Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path to Sit On Girder Perched High Above Roosevelt Island And East River This Afternoon Until Removed By NYPD Emergency Services Unit

Roosevelt Island residents looking up to get a glimpse of Nypd rescuing teenager who climbed above Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path and was sitting on girder. pic.twitter.com/DaUw82b9zs

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 22, 2020

At about 4:30 this afternoon, a 17 year old male walking on the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path started to climb up the bridge and sat down on a girder

before being 

brought down by the NYPD Emergency Services Unit.

One witness said: 

Watched this unfold with NYPD ESU on bridge talking this young man in crisis down. It won't make big news but you have to admire the patience and dedication here. Seeing it on a telescope you could observe the Police Officer and his compassion and care. 

CBS New York video has up close view.

 

According to an NYPD spokesperson, the teenager was taken to the 19th precinct. 

The 17 year old live streamed the incident on You Tube. While perched on the Bridge he told the police he "just wanted to get a better view".

Man Shot At Roosevelt Island Octagon Building Parking Lot Just After Midnight This Morning - Victim In Stable Condition, NYPD Investigating

I received a tip this morning and asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Shelton Haynes and Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown: 

I understand there was a shooting last night near the Octagon Can you confirm that Any more details

RIOC issued this advisory:

On Thursday, October 22nd, at 12:48 AM, there was a shooting incident on the north end of Roosevelt Island, located in The Octagon parking lot (888 Main St.). The victim, a 23-year-old male, is in stable condition and is not a resident of the island. Public Safety was called to the scene and is working in collaboration with the NYPD’s 114th Precinct to investigate. Public Safety will continue to be vigilant, with regular patrols and visible presence throughout the island.

According to a NYPD Spokesperson, a 23 year old male victim approached 2 males sitting in a car and heard 2 gunshots. The victim was shot in the upper arm and taken to hospital. Injuries were not life threatening.

No arrests have been made. Incident is under NYPD investigation.

Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival Black Lives Matter 3D Mural Damaged - Was It Deliberate Hate Crime Or Weather Related Accident?

This morning, a tipster out for a walk noticed that the Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival Black Lives Matter 3D Mural at the Rivercross Lawn was damaged. The letter V panel was removed leaving Black Lies Matter instead. The Tipster added:

This should be investigated by NYPD as a hate crime.

I asked the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Shelton Haynes and Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown:

 Is Rioc investigating what happened? 

RIOC spokesperson Jessica Cerrone reported: 

I have the letter and it will be re-attached. 

The Tipster added: 

Public safety called me after my report, saying Jessica had found the letter on the lawn, and that they think it’s weather related (again).

The Tipster says "again" because several weeks ago the Black Lives Matter 3D mural was knocked over and damaged, as were several other murals. At the time, RIOC attributed the incident to an overnight wind storm. 

Reacting to today's incident, the Black Lives Matter 3D Mural artist Savior Elmundo said:

I don't know what happened. Hope it was not a negative thing that someone did on purpose

. I spoke with Mr Elmundo about his mural last month.

View this post on Instagram

Meet Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival Black Lives Matters 3D Mural Artist @saviorelmundo. Click on link in bio to subscribe to Roosevelt Islander Daily Email Newsletter for latest information received in your Inbox 9pm each night.

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Oct 3, 2020 at 5:02pm PDT

Will update when more info received.

Are You Interested In Becoming Active In Roosevelt Island Community? Roosevelt Island Residents Association Is Seeking New Members To Represent Your Building, Nomination Deadline October 25 - RIRA Postponing 2020 Election Until 2022 Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA)  Interim President David Lawson and Nominations Committee Chair Adib Mansour report:

Dear Roosevelt Island residents,

I hope you are keeping well in these difficult times.
 
We are a few days away from the US general election! Traditionally, this is also the time for the election to the Common Council of the Roosevelt Island Resident Association (RIRA). The purpose of the RIRA, is to represent the interests of the island residents to all governmental, governmental-related and private institutions:

• that develop policy affecting Roosevelt Island and its residents; 
• that supervise or manage our housing and that supervise or manage other Island operations; 
• as well as to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of its members and the quality of life in our community are maintained and improved. 

This is an important entity, as it is the only elected body on the Island formally entrusted by the community to defend its interests.
 
Earlier this month, the RIRA Common Council unanimously decided that RIRA 2020 election be rescheduled to 2022, as a result of COVID-19 and exceptional and unprecedented circumstances, presenting life-threatening risks and complex logistical constraints that do not allow for a fair and transparent RIRA election to proceed.
 
Consequently, the outgoing Common Council members will remain seated through the upcoming term Nov. 2020 - Nov. 2022. Nevertheless, a RIRA nomination campaign has been launched to invite and encourage Roosevelt Island residents to join RIRA, as a majority of RIRA Common Council seats (34) are currently vacant. Interested residents will be voted in by the current Common Council members on November 4th. In the absence of the usual RIRA election, once new Common Council members are voted-in and seated with the current ones, the President and Vice-President will exceptionally be elected among and by Common Council members, like the other officers (Secretary and Treasurer).

Read more »

Free Flu Shot Tomorrow, Wednesday October 21 At Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center, All Are Welcome, First Come, First Serve - This Could Be The Most Important Flu Shot You Ever Get This Year Says NYC Health Department

The Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center (546 Main Street) is offering free flu shots tomorrow. You don't have to be a Senior to get the Flu Shot. It's available to all. Come on by to the Senior Center at 546 Main Street from 10 AM to 12;30 PM for your flu shot.. First come, first serve. Please bring your insurance info.(The Flyer says Seniors Only but I'm told the Flu Shot is available for all)

It's important to get your flu shot this year because of the Coronavirus Pandemic says NYC Health Department Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi.

Wow - Never Before Seen Incredible View From Roosevelt Island Of Rainbow Floating Just Above East River Waterfront And Under East Side Apartment Building Tops This Afternoon

Diana Uribe shares an incredible view seen this afternoon from Roosevelt Island of a rainbow

seemingly floating just above the East River and under the tops of East Side apartment buildings.

  

Wow!

No Good Shepherd Plaza Reindeer Sled This Year - RIOC Cancels 2020 Roosevelt Island Holiday Lights Display Due To Revenue Shortfalls Says Acting President Shelton Haynes - Not Known Yet What Other Events Will Be Cancelled Too

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Shelton Haynes announced during the October 15 Operations Advisory Committee meeting that the annual Roosevelt Island Holiday Lights display will be cancelled this year due to revenue shortfalls. 

No Reindeer sled,

no Roosevelt Landings Arcade Lights,

no Tram Plaza animal lights

or any other Holiday Lights.

Mr Haynes explained that RIOC is currently experiencing a $2.7 million revenue loss this year and reducing it's community events budget from $150 Thousand annually to $50 Thousand.

Last Friday,I asked Mr Haynes what other upcoming Roosevelt Island events will be cancelled. Will update when answer received.

 

UPDATE 5:35 PM

This is a bummer. I took a picture by the sled last year, and I'd love it if we could figure out a way to keep it, since so many other local holiday traditions are being cancelled this year. https://t.co/Nuf96HymU2 pic.twitter.com/2vKHsssgmy

— Kim Moscaritolo (@kimmosc) October 19, 2020

Learn What Really Happened Inside Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Facility From Those Who Lived It During Early Stages Of Coronavirus Pandemic - You're Invited To October 21 Virtual Zoom Special Sneak Preview And Conversation Of New Documentary, Fire Through Dry Grass, From Local Filmmakers

 As previously reported:

The Friends Of Coler are a group of Roosevelt Island residents organizing to help the patients and staff of NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (HHC) Coler Facility during the Coronavirus pandemic

The Friends of Coler helped establish a Coler Task Force and according to this June 25 letter from Roosevelt Island NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and other elected officials to HHC President Mitch Katz:

... we are constituting a community-based Coler Task Force under the auspices of Community Board 8, chaired by Alida Camp, CB8’s Chair and a professional mediator to be called upon when necessary. The Task Force will be composed of Coler residents and families, local stakeholders and elected officials. The Task Force will identify issues of concern and obtain timely responses from Health + Hospitals senior management, facilitate tours of Coler for members of the committee and elected officials, and ensure healthcare workers or residents who speak out are shielded from any retribution...

Julia Feguson is a Friends Of Coler volunteer and reports today:

COVID has dissipated at Coler as it has all over NYC and the Roosevelt Island Medical Center established within Coler has gone, but when individual cases arise due to staff Covid infections, then lockdown of patients ensues. 

Recent reports from Coler Rehab Nursing Care Center indicate we need to be very concerned for a pattern of actions that severely limit patient movement and keep them away from family and friends and advocates. As we all know from recent months, mental health and physical health are closely intertwined. 

The Friends Of Coler invite you to learn more about what really happened at the Roosevelt Island Coler nursing facility during the early stages this year of the Coronavirus Pandemic at a Virtual Sneak Preview and Conversation on Wednesday October 21 of a new documentary currently in the works - Fire Through Dry Grass.

This Wednesday evening, October 21, the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch and Friends of Coler are co-hosting a storytelling/fundraising event to support a forthcoming documentary about life inside Coler during the pandemic.

 Please join the Open Doors Reality Poets alongside filmmakers Andres "Jay" Molina (a Coler resdient) and Alexis Neophytides for the trailer release of their forthcoming documentary, FIRE THROUGH DRY GRASS, and a conversation about #ownvoices pandemic storytelling. 

 Fire Through Dry Grass - 2 min teaser from The Big Chair on Vimeo.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately affect people of color, poor people, currently and formerly incarcerated Americans, and nursing home residents, Molina and Neophytides will discuss the critical impact of documenting from the inside and uplifting narratives from the communities most at risk. 

Read more »

Beautiful Aerial Drone View Of Roosevelt Island Southern Tip, NYC East River Waterfront, Renwick Smallpox Hospital And FDR 4 Freedoms Park

Click on icon at bottom right of video for full screen view.

More Roosevelt Island Wildlife - Hawk Spotted Perched In Tree Then Soaring Over Over Roosevelt Island

 

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

The Cooper’s hawk was on a tree, then flew over Roosevelt Island yesterday. It prob just finished a meal, there’s a spot of red on its breast which you can still see on the last pic, flying several meters high above. #birdcp #birdsofprey #birdphotography #GlobalBigDay pic.twitter.com/ObGkGBtY1D

— Gigi A (@gigi_nyc) October 18, 2020

Assemblymember Seawright And Congresswoman Maloney Visit And Show Support For Roosevelt Island Wildlife Freedom Foundation Cat Sanctuaries - RIOC Says It Will Not Displace The Cats And Will Work Out Agreement

Last Wednesday, October 14, Roosevelt Island's NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright visited with Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) Founder Rosanna Ceruzzi at the Octagon Cat Sanctuary,

The WFF operates 4 Roosevelt Island Cat Sanctuaries, including this one at Southpoint Park.

Cat sanctuary takes up a nice size fenced in area of Southpoint Park that had previously been open to the public and now is exclusively for use by Cat sanctuary. Don’t know the exact square footage. pic.twitter.com/SarBt1uXs0

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 29, 2020

As previously reported,  the WFF Cat Sanctuaries had been threatened with eviction later this month by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) but the threat was later rescinded by Acting RIOC President Shelton Haynes following protests by WFF supporters and intervention by Assemblymember Seawright.

During Ms Seawright's visit to the Octagon Cat Sanctuary on Wednesday, I asked her and Ms Ceruzzi about the current status of negotiations with RIOC. Ms Seawright said that she was successful in getting RIOC to halt it's attempt to charge WFF $400 in rent during the Covid Pandemic.

 

Ms Ceruzzi noted that there were not Feral Cats at the Roosevelt Island Sanctuaries but rather former house cats abandoned when owners moved away.  

Following the interview, I asked Ms Ceruzzi if the $400 rental fee sought by RIOC was for each of the sanctuaries or for the 4 in total. She declined to answer that question. 

During yesterday's RIOC Operations Advisory Commmittee meeting, Acting RIOC President Shelton Haynes was asked by RIOC Director David Kraut about the Cat Sanctuary controversy. According to Mr Haynes:

... Negotiations broke down and then it became public...We're not going to displace Rossana or the Cats. We're going to work with them as best as possible and that's what we're doing....

... We've been having discussions with them as early as June.  we want to make sure we finalize them as early as possible....

Mr. Kraut added:

... As long as the cats are in the shelter by the time cold weather comes, I'm happy and the cats are happy....

 

More on the background of this story at prior post.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright visited the WFF cat sanctuaries. The kitties had a talk with her...😻😻😻@wffny @SeawrightForNY @RepMaloney @ny1desk @nypost @CBSNewYork @NBCNewYork @fox5ny @ABC pic.twitter.com/x5xooR3ngQ

— Wildlife Freedom Foundation (@wffny) October 15, 2020

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney visited one of our Cat sanctuaries and was welcomed by Kiwi who asked her to protect him and his whiskered friends 😻😻@wffny @RepMaloney @SeawrightForNY @CBSNewYork @fox5ny @ABC @ny1desk @nypost @NYDailyNews pic.twitter.com/LMtu2TLsAl

— Wildlife Freedom Foundation (@wffny) October 15, 2020

Roosevelt Island Transportation This Weekend, F & E Train Service To And From Manhattan - 20 Tram Passenger Social Distancing Limit Enforced And No Resident Priority Access Says RIOC, Ferry Route Extended To UES And Citibike Too

According to the MTA, there is Roosevelt Island F Train Service to and from Manhattan this weekend. Also, Roosevelt Island E Train service to and from Manhattan.

Just a reminder that masks are required when you travel with us.

If you don't have a mask, stop by a @NYCTSubway station booth or ask an @LIRR or @MetroNorth station ambassador for a free one.

Starting today, customers who refuse to wear a mask could receive a $50 fine. pic.twitter.com/phjVA9kv4z

— MTA. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@MTA) September 14, 2020

There is a Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin 20 passenger Covid-19 Social Distancing limit.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) was asked by a resident: 

There has been a lot of complaints again about terrible tram congestion and waiting times at weekends, with one resident saying that she waited an hour to get back from Manhattan in the tram queue. 

Can you look into the issue again and consider solutions such as a red bus service on weekends for tourists and retaining the tram for residents during this period ? 

The Red Bus Shuttle to Manhattan is hardly used during the week but really necessary at the weekend when limits on numbers inside each tram, alongside visitors, makes using it impossible 

RIOC spokesperson Jessica Cerrone replied:

Thank you for your feedback. We have notified the Transportation Director about this issue, however, we are not considering priority access to the Tram for residents.

Here's the NYC Ferry Roosevelt Island Astoria Route Schedule which now extends to East 90th street on the Upper East Side.  

Also, Roosevelt Island has a new transportation option with the recent addition of Citbike docking stations. 

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket October 16 - October 22 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Online Shopping, Delivery Options, Digital Coupons, Nutritional Tips & Social Media Facebook And Instagram Too

The Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket  

invites you to check out their October 16 - October 22 Weekly Flyer for Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items

 

Click here to visit the Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket web site for online shopping, delivery options, digital coupons, weekly flyer and more. 

 Follow Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket on Facebook

 

and Instagram too.

Read more »

2020 Election Information For Roosevelt Island Voters - Request An Absentee Ballot Or Early Voting Location Or November 3 In Person Election Day

Vote early, period. Early voting starts Saturday, October 24!

Find your polling place and make your plan to vote now — https://t.co/2JVkHTXwKH #DemocracyNYC pic.twitter.com/xNaATRN7zk

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) October 15, 2020

There is no early voting polling station on Roosevelt Island. The Robert Wagner Middle School at 225 East 75th Street is the early period voting location for Roosevelt Island.

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Why is the early voting location for @Rooseveltisland some place that elderly/disabled folks can’t get to on their own? My dad can’t travel into Manhattan by himself anymore. I cannot get him to the voting place. This is fucked. Thank god NY is going for Biden anyway but STILL.

— Spooky Tavie (rhymes with gravy)🐳 (@TheRealTavie) October 14, 2020

Would it be possible to use @cornell_tech as location for Roosevelt Island early voting this year https://t.co/NsI6cVjffb

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 15, 2020

Roosevelt Island NYC Council Member Ben Kallos reports on voting procedures:

VOTE BY MAIL You can now vote by mail with confidence, thanks to a new absentee ballot tracking system that was implemented following the passage of a law I authored to require ballot tracking citywide. 

Request Your Absentee Ballot 

• Online Absentee Ballot Request at NYCabsentee.com (BEST) 
• Print and Mail the application to 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl, New York, NY 10014 
•  In-Person at the 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl, New York, NY 10014 
• Email application to Apply4Absentee@boe.nyc 
• Fax application to 212-487-5349 
• Call 866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692) 

Request your Absentee Ballot by Tuesday, October 27 

Postmark your Absentee Ballot envelope by Tuesday, November 3rd 

You may also drop it off In-Person at a borough office, ANY early voting site, or ANY poll site by Tuesday, November 3rd. 

Track your Absentee Ballot at NYCabsentee.com/tracker EARLY VOTING 

Early voting starts Saturday, October 24th and runs through Sunday, November 1st. 

Read more »

Last Chance To Help Roosevelt Island And NYC By Filling Out 2020 US Census - DO It NOW, Only Takes 10 Minutes - Matters Now More Than Ever Says Governor Cuomo

The deadline to complete 2020 US Census is Friday October 16 at 6 AM

📢 Attention New Yorkers📢

The deadline to complete the #Census is *this* Friday, October 16 at 6am ET.

New York’s future is in your hands & your response matters now more than ever.

Complete the Census now — It only takes 10 minutes. #GetCountedNYhttps://t.co/xlaayiegX3

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 14, 2020

According to Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos: 

I have some bad news. Manhattan has some of the lowest response rates in New York City in the low 60% range, trailing the nation, which could cost the borough and city billions in the next ten years until the next Census. 

To make matters worse, on Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court issued an order to allow Trump to end the 2020 Census early, effective Thursday, October 15, at 11:59PM Hawaii time. Accounting for time zones, here on the East Coast, that's Friday, October 16, at 5:59AM. 

 This is not a drill, please share this email far and wide, and make sure you and everyone you know has completed the census: 

my2020census.gov

 Roosevelt Island has 3 Census Tracks. The Roosevelt Island self response rate is below.

See the full map at www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us

See the full map at www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us

See the full map at www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us
Help Roosevelt Island and all of NYC by filling out the 2020 Census right now.