DIALOGUE WITH PRESIDENT OF RIOC, PART 1 OF 4

BELOW IS AN EXCHANGE OF EMAIL MESSAGES I HAD YESTERDAY AND EARLIER THIS MORNING WITH STEPHEN SHANE THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION. MR SHANE WAS RECENTLY APPOINTED TO HIS POSITION FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF GOVERNOR ELLIOT SPITZER. THE MAIN STREET WIRE HAS AN EXCELLENT PROFILE AND INTERVIEW WITH HIM.

I COMMEND MR. SHANE FOR ENGAGING IN THIS DIALOGUE AND ENCOURAGE HIM AND THE RIOC STAFF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS THAT I HOPE WILL OCCUR ON ROOSEVELT ISLANDER. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LENGTH OF THE POST BUT I THINK IT IS WORTHWHILE FOR THE ISSUES ADDRESSED. THE EXCHANGE BEGINS BELOW WITH MY INITIAL MESSAGE TO MR. SHANE:

...I wanted to let of you know, as the President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, that I have just started a blog about Roosevelt Island. It is intended to provide information about Roosevelt Island to residents and visitors alike by linking to news articles, historical web sites and other sources as well as creating a 24/7 forum for those interested to comment, ask questions and engage in an online dialogue about issues facing the Island. Hopefully, the talent and knowledge base of those using Roosevelt Islander will contribute to improving the quality of life here.

My aim to provide links to a variety of information sources on the web and then encourage readers to post their own comments based on their particular knowledge or opinion on the subject. I would hope that Roosevelt Islander becomes an virtual 24/7 town hall for online discussion of any topic of interest to Roosevelt Islanders and a one stop location for online information about the island for anyone interested at any time of the day or night.

For instance, suppose there is an article in the NY TImes, Post, Daily News, Wire, etc that reports on the proposed FDR Memorial at Southpoint Park (or any other issue such as the lack of appropriate retail stores, or the stroller on the red bus issue). I would cite that article with a brief summary, provide a link to the online version of the article, perhaps offer an opinion of my own and then provide a forum for any person who wished to publish their own comments on the article as well as comments on the comments. I hope that you as well as any member of the RIOC staff would offer their comment or responses as well.

Specifically, take a look at my first post about the fireworks at Southpoint Park. That entry generated several comments including inquiries on (1) if RIOC has ever accounted for the financial need to charge $18 for viewing fireworks (2) are private events allowed at Southpoint park and (3) information on the proposed monument at Southpoint Park. These are questions that your constituents are asking. Wouldn't it be great if these questions, as well as many others can be addressed by those in the community, as well as RIOC officials, who have some knowledge on the subject area in a very short period of time. Also, take a look at some of the real estate and neighborhood blogs that I linked to on the right side of the page. These are examples to one extent or another of the type of thing I hope to do.

Neighborhood blogging is not something new. It is very common and when Roosevelt Island is mentioned it is usually not a positive story. Read this story and follow the link to see what I mean. Blogging done right spreads opinion, information and hopefully a little bit of knowledge. Nothing wrong with that is there?

Finally, I hope that Roosevelt Islander becomes an effective communication tool between RIOC and the community so that each of us can work together resolve conflicts, avoid misunderstandings and contribute ideas with the goal of improving the quality of life on Roosevelt Island.

Regards,

...
ROOSEVELTISLANDER@gmail.com

PART 2 OF 4

MR. SHANE RESPONDS BELOW:

Who made the claim: "RIOC CLAIMS THAT, UNLIKE OTHER PUBLIC VIEWING AREAS
FOR FIREWORKS SUCH AS THE FDR DRIVE OR BROOKLYN HEIGHTS PROMENADE WHICH
ARE FREE, SOUTHPOINT PARK IS STATE LAND WHICH DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY
FROM THE CITY TO PAY FOR THE EXTRA COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH KEEPING THE
AREA OPEN FOR VIEWING THE FIREWORKS."?
Why do I detect a note of sourness in your questions (see examples in
paragraph 3 of your e mail)?
Are there any favorable comments you would care to link to your web
site?
As I have repeatedly published and said, I am open to questions by
phone or e mail or snail mail or in person.
In answer to your specific questions, (1) yes RIOC has and will
continue to account for its income and expenditures, as a public benefit
corporation; (2) private events are permitted at Southpoint, by permit;
and (3) the available information on the proposed monument at Southpoint
is voluminous, going back to the origins of the agreement between the
City and the State in 1969 and the dedication of the Island as
"Roosevelt Island". Public hearings have been held and undoubtedly will
be held some more. See Louis Kahn and Roosevelt Island. See the RI
Historical Society. See the RIVAA exhibit. See the WIRE. See the Cooper
Union exhibition in January-February 2005. For a ton of specifics,
address your inquiries to Gina Pollara, the executive director of the
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Four Freedoms Park. She has an office at
66 West 35th Street, Suite 656, New York, NY 10001 and may be reached by
phone at 212-615-5340 and her e mail is gpollara@feri.org. Governor
Spitzer has issued his letter of support, but the project is dependant
on the FDR group's raising the funding (presently estimated to be about
$40 million).

I certainly hope that the Roosevelt Islander becomes an effective
communication tool between RIOC and the community, as is the WIRE,
public hearings, town hall meetings, open doors and personal exchange.
The quality of life on the Island is always under review for areas of
improvement within the means and purview of RIOC.


Stephen H. Shane
President & CEO
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

PART 3 OF 4

ROOSEVELT ISLANDER RESPONDS:

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Please understand that there was no sourness express or implied in any
manner by the question regarding the costs associated with the July 4
fireworks.I personally heard you say at the last public meeting that a
reason for the $18 charge for viewing fireworks at Southpoint Park was
that, unlike those other venues, RIOC did not receive any city funds
for whatever additional costs were associated with keeping the park
open. If I misheard or misunderstood you I will correct and apologize.
In the interest of public openess and transparency, I think it would
be a great idea if RIOC would publish the income and expenditures for
this specific event that you refer to.

I think questioning why their is an $18 fee to attend the fireworks
display at a public venue such as Southpoint Park is quite legitmate.
If you can explain why you think it is an inappropriate question I
would be more than happy to apologize to you and anyone else at RIOC.
Also, the questions in paragraph 3 of my email were questions
submitted by readers of the blog that I was merely making you aware
of. They were not questions composed by me. Rather than being directed
at me, your response is more appropriately directed at those
commentators.

I would love to post favorable comments regarding Roosevelt Island on
the Blog. In fact, earlier today I posted a message regarding the
outdoor movies at Southpoint Park as well as a very favorable reaction
to the Ghostbusters presentation last week. I also posted about the
openning of the visitor kiosk as well as well as links to the
fantastic views afforded by the tram and Roosevelt Island in general.

I am sincere when I tell you that I am very happy that you are open to
questions from the community which is a welcome relief from previous
administrations. The purpose of this blog is to begin a dialogue among
the entire Roosevelt Island community. Perhaps you and/or your staff
might consider responding to readers comments that are posted on this
blog so that the entire community can learn what is going on in
addition to those who ask questions of RIOC.

Further, I can not overemphasize my intent to make this a constructive
blog and not to be used for unproductive business. It takes too much
time to oversee this blog to waste it with meaningless criticism. I
would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to
discuss how ROOSEVELT ISLANDER can contribute to the community in a
positive manner.

I think this is a very useful exchange which I would like to post on
the blog. Do I have your permission to post your email.

ROOSEVELT ISLANDER

PART 4 OF 4

MR. SHANE RESPONDS THIS MORNING:
Of course you may post as you wish. Unless labled "off the record",
which I try to avoid, anything I say is for attribution.

AGAIN, I THANK MR. SHANE FOR HIS COMMENTS BUT NOTE THAT THE ISSUE OF PUBLICLY ACCOUNTING FOR THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURES ASSOCIATED WITH CHARGING $18 TO ATTEND THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT A PUBLIC VENUE, SOUTHPOINT PARK, WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED. I HOPE RIOC WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE COMMUNITY