A Free Evening Of Roosevelt Island Dance And Music Featuring Choreography By Isadore Duncan, Music By Chopin, Brahms, Scriabin and Performed By Local Residents At Good Shepherd Tonight 7 PM

Are you looking for something to do tonight close to home on Roosevelt Island? Consider this.

Image From RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) is presenting a free evening of music tonight featuring the choreography of Isadora Duncan and music by Chopin, Brahms and Scriabin. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

TONIGHT - The RIRA showcase is taking place at 7 PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center - Enjoy this FREE event showcasing your talented neighbors right here on the Island! The performance will feature pianists Roy Eaton, Mark Fiedler and dancer Courtney Ramm. Donations are accepted.

Check it out.

Here's Roy Eaton



performing Chopin Fantasie Impromptu

UPDATE 12/10 - Event organizer Lynn Strong-Shinozaki shares this picture

from the RIRA Music and Dance Showcase evening of Roy Eaton, Courtney Ramm, Adrienne Ramm and Mark Fiedler.

I have heard from people who attended that it was a wonderful event.

Great News Again - Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend, That's Two In A Row

Christmas comes early this year for Roosevelt Island residents.

According to the MTA Weekender Page there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service

to and from Manhattan this weekend. That makes it two in a row. Miracles can happen twice!!!

Hurray!!!!!!

Roosevelt Island Annual Christmas Tree Sale Starts Tomorrow At Motorgate Rotunda - Sponsored By The Boy Scouts And PS/IS 217 PTA

The Roosevelt Island annual Christmas Tree Sale starts tomorrow at the Motorgate Rotunda. Here are the hours.

Saturday December 7     10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday December 8        1 PM -   6 PM
Friday December 13        6 PM - 8 PM
Saturday December 14   10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday December 15      1 PM - 6 PM
Friday December 20         6 PM - 8 PMs
Saturday December 21     10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday December 22         1 PM - 6 PM

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Witch Hunt To Expel RIRA Member Farance Fails Following Approval Of Motion To Strike Agenda Item At Monthly Meeting, But Will It Return - Is Dr. Phil Available For Intervention?

As previously reported, the November Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council (CC) approved a Bill Of Particulars to expel CC Member Frank Farance. According to the  RIRA Constitution, Mr. Farance would have the opportunity to rebut the Bill Of Particular charges at the December RIRA meeting. Following the rebuttal by Mr. Farance, the CC would conduct a vote to expel him. A 2/3 (two thirds) vote of the Common Council would be needed to approve expelling Mr. Farance.

The December RIRA Meeting Agenda item 7 was:

... Second Part of Procedure to expel Council Member:
Member has a chance to rebut the Bill Of Particulars and Council votes on whether or not to expel him...

But this witch hunt

She's A Witch Image From Monty Python & Holy Grail

contained a last minute surprise. Mr. Farance did not get to rebut the Bill of Particulars nor did the CC vote on the Motion to expel him. Before the meeting Agenda was approved, a motion was offered to strike item 7, the motion to expel Mr. Farance, from the Agenda.

The motion to strike was approved by a vote of 15 to 14 with one abstention. As reported after the meeting Wednesday night:

... The attempt to expel Mr. Farance failed. Before Mr. Farance was to give his rebuttal, a motion to strike the Expulsion Agenda Item was made and approved by a vote of 15 to 14.

Upon losing the vote, several supporters of the motion to expel Mr. Farance immediately resigned from RIRA....

I am not clear if the motion to expel Mr. Farance can be raised again at future RIRA meetings and if it can, does a new Bill of Particulars have to be approved.

 Here's the vote and discussion afterwards



RIRA President Polivy expressed the view that it was wrong to take the motion off the Agenda without voting on the substance of expelling Mr. Farance. Of course, since a majority voted to strike the motion from the Agenda, presumably that same majority would vote to reject the motion to expel Mr. Farance. (a 2/3 vote was needed to expel, not just a majority). Following the vote, 3 supporters of the motion to expel walked out of the meeting and at least one, resigned.

CC member Sharon Pope expressed regret that the CC allowed three members:

 ... to get up and leave the room...

and:

... we need to always work collaboratively and reach out to people consistently, that's what we were elected to do, to work with each other...

RIRA President Ellen Polivy than delivered her report in which she castigated members of the CC for not knowing how to properly behave with each other. Ms. Polivy recommended bringing in an expert to teach the CC members how to conduct themselves properly. Ms. Polivy also said:

... I find it extremely disrespectful that there was a group of people that decided something on the Agenda didn't belong on the Agenda. They wanted to take it off. It was just a maneuver to not discuss what needed to be discussed....

There was a full discussion (video here) by the CC at the November meeting. The December meeting was to give Mr. Farance a chance to rebut.

Here's the full RIRA President's Report from Ms. Polivy.



CC member Dave Evans supported the motion to strike the Expulsion motion from the Agenda. According to Mr. Evans:

It is my desire that the Common Council as the elected body of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association uses lessons learned from the matter of expulsion so to move forward in a constructive and objective manner. I must admit that, from my perspective, there is an abundance of ambiguity associated with how we have proceeded, so much that it calls into question decisions made or that might be made associated with the conduct of us on and individual and collective basis. There are institutional actions and improvements we can undertake to mitigate controversy going forward. These include, among other things: more clarity in the Constitution and Bylaws; a full review of our procedures at the Common Council and Committee levels; a broad refresher of our responsibilities as a 501c organization; codification of a code of conduct/ethics; training of Council Members so to understand the rules, provisions of the governing documents; and the need to improve ourselves on matters of decorum.

Quite frankly, I am saddened by how questions raised about Mr. Farance and the process we undertook has reflected upon the Council, creating risks to its credibility and effective operation. We have the prospects of loosing Councilors who have contributed so much to improving the way of life on the Island. But, we also have the opportunity to take advantage of this situation to make ourselves better so to get on with the business of helping make life better for the residents of this wonderful Roosevelt Island. At this point, I don't think we can say who is to blame and it could be folly to try doing so. Maybe each of us shares blame. Our focus has to be supporting the Common Council as structured going forward until we can make the aforementioned improvements and more.

Mr. Evans shares this briefing paper on handling the expulsion motion from the perspective of RIRA Constitution titled:

How Handling The Matter Of "Expulsion" Could Create A Risk Of "Implosion"

 CC member Joyce Short supported expelling Mr. Farance from RIRA. She writes:

The attempt to expel Mr. Farance did not fail. It did not come up for a vote. The agenda item to discuss the matter was stricken. The affect of striking an ongoing procedure from the agenda is that nothing changed in any way. The charges against him still stand. The decision was simply delayed with no prejudice either way. Striking it from the agenda only subjects the Common Council to this "circus" for a longer period of time. In my personal opinion, we would all have been far better off getting this matter behind us. If his supporters thought he would win, there would have been no reason to take the matter off the agenda.The motion to remove the matter was made by one of his supporters.

As to resignations, I'm aware of only one resignation that was submitted last evening. Although several Common Council Representatives are seriously considering resignation, one very active and supportive member resigned so far. It is a sad loss for the community. Jeff Prekopa accomplished, in short order, what Frank Farance failed to do for several years although he was responsible for doing so. Jeff created an impressive web page for our organization and upgraded the technology for our organizational communications. He did it quietly, professionally, and without fanfare. It is my belief that several more Common Councilors will be resigning based on the outcome of this matter.

While you may term an attempt to stop Frank's reprehensible behavior as a "witch hunt" there are many folks who will not serve on a board in which its members are consistently and continuously bombarded by his toxic dialogue and threats. Personally, I feel that what he does is bullying, and I won't serve with people who sit by and allow other members to be bullied. Telling someone that if they don't behave in a certain way, he will report them to the Attorney General, Inspector General, or whomever else he pleases, is a grotesque and flagrant act of bullying. He seems to have no boundaries or concern for the welfare of his colleagues.

If you notice, Frank has a considerable calm about him. When people react to the harm he's created, he simply quietly digs in his heels and throws pages and pages of accusation and rhetoric at them, justifying his behavior and escalating his claims. He's a very quiet, intelligent bully. It's as if he's appointed himself the official gossip of Main Street, sitting with his feet propped up on his balcony's banister and lobbing "press" grenades at every oddity he sees. When he has a slow day, he throws some marbles on the sidewalk to insure that people trip, and then he sits back, typing away and basking in the glow of his brilliance.

Frank does not privately go to the person he is criticizing and have an illuminating discussion, the way people who wish to help out do. Instead, he portrays his suspicions as facts and displays them publicly so he can be recognized for his intellect. It's reprehensible behavior, and he does it all under the guise of "freedom of speech" and "helping his community."

He calls an interest in protecting people from personal harm, being "emotional" and "making emotional decisions". He's way above that..... or is he? Emotions are what separate man from beasts. Without emotions, that's all we are. Frank should think about that the next time he criticizes people for becoming "emotional" over his attacks. They apparently have emotions. Where are his? And what is he if he cannot appreciate and respect the emotions of others?

And, as for the people who defend his right to trounce his colleagues, where is their humanity? It's a very sad day when the folks who serve on the Common Council fail to see that someone who badgers and uses public forums to bully should not be stopped.

The community needs to give serious consideration to the present condition of RIRA. We live in a community in which we have no democratic voice in the laws and governing decisions here. All we have to voice the will of our community are two organizations, RIRA and RICC.

RICC deals with the specific task of attempting to protect the community from the possible encroachment and misuse of Cornell, who has hardly committed to doing anything positive here in our neighborhood, and has the potential of doing a great deal of damage. RIRA is the organization that considers matters such as policing, services, housing, and bringing the community together through activities that make our Island a special place to live.

I've served on RIRA for several years and have seen many Common Council Representatives come and go. It is extremely unfortunate that the position of Common Council Representative is rarely a contested one. It enables people to serve who are not the community's choice, but are there by default instead. People who live in the community need to think about the kind of community they'd like Roosevelt Island to be, and if its one with an active residents association that truly represents the interests of the people, they need to carefully weigh who they vote for, and most importantly, they need to get involved. RIRA is what RIRA is voted to be. If the community wants a better RIRA, they need to take responsibility rather than sitting back and making amusing caricatures of witch hunts and the like. RIRA is what the community makes it. And what the community has made this RIRA is the recipient of bullying from within.

CC member and RIRA Public Safety Chair Erin Feely-Nahem supported did not support the motion to strike the expulsion item from the Agenda and she did not support expelling Mr. Farance from RIRA. She explained her position to the CC prior to the vote:

I am opposed to the expulsion of Frank Farance from RIRA. The administrative measure of expulsion, to deal with Frank, is like using a cannon against a bee. My position has nothing in common with any defense of Farance's behavior, methods, or political positions. I have had enough negative first-hand experience with them to last a lifetime. But the expulsion of Frank, based on the materials presented in the Bill of Particulars, does not offer any concrete acts that rise to the level of what I think should be required to expel someone, and sets a dangerous precedent.

Council Members' disruptive behavior does warrant some rule changes within the Common Council and within RIRA Committees. For example we need clear rules and monitoring against ad hominum attacks as well as space limits for online discussions. But you can’t expel someone for being rude, impugning people's motives, and for the constant use of insinuation, let alone for writing letters to the editor of The WIRE. In counterposition to expelling I think the Common Council should pass a series of resolutions opposing in detail the false "conflict of interest” charges and other insinuations Frank is trumpeting around the SCE and other committees and go on record with recorded votes on the issues he raises.

The fact is that in Frank's case, he has never been more isolated in the RIRA Common Council and in the community as a whole as he is presently. Why make him a victim now? Those who strongly oppose Frank should work to defeat him in the next Island House election. There are excellent candidates within Island House who are outraged at his behavior and political posturing and who are prepared to take him on.

The experience of the PSC can be useful in this regard. The struggle we led to get rid of Keith Guerra and change policing practices on the Island did as much as anything to politically isolate Frank. Not that that was ever our goal. Frank brought that on himself with his repeated attempts to divert the struggle into attacks on the RIOC Board and Lynne and Ellen who were members of the PSC with spouses on the Board, negating whatever positive contributions he made. Sure it was cumbersome and took up precious time in the middle of the fight but in the end the large majority unified through democratic debate, clarifying what the PSC tactics should and would be. Frank’s viewpoint and tactics ended up being supported by a tiny minority within PSC and, although he made some good contributions to the struggle, these were unfortunately outweighed by his aversion to acting as part of a team and respecting the clear democratic decisions of the majority. But we never thought of expelling him, despite all his provocations. We tried hard to make Frank part of the team in a democratic body. But, sadly Frank is his own worst enemy and he marches to his own drummer.

Just about everything that Frank is charged with, within the Common Council, also happened within the PSC. I certainly sympathize with those like Ellen and Lynne -- who I and the PSC, by vote, strongly defended against Frank’s scurrilous attacks -- who have been slurred in public by Frank. So have I. His outrageous insinuations about my son's employment with RIOC as a summer, and now part-time, employee, being supposedly a conflict of interest with my position as Chair of the PSC, is ridiculous. The reality is that my son applied in 2011 for a summer position and was not called. He applied again in May 2013, with college and more work experience under his belt, and was hired in early June. My husband and I had nothing to do with getting him the job other than helping him prepare his resume. Guerra was still in office at the time and the PSC and both of us were sharply presenting the PSC's demands at RIOC Board meetings, which included the removal of Guerra and his thugs, prior to and following my son’s hire at RIOC. The insinuation that there was a quid pro quo, with Andrew getting a summer job and us selling out the struggle is ludicrous and everything in the public record contradicts it. My speeches at the May, June, September and November RIOC Board meeting, recorded on the blog, attest to the fact that the PSC’s democratically decided position remained my mantra. So I stand second to no one in my abhorrence of Frank’s his whole way of functioning, his insinuations, and his character assassinations.

People do have the First Amendment right to establish any association or group that they care to as Frank did with his rump "Law Enforcement Committee" (LEC). But Frank's decision to form his committee was not “encouraged” by me, as asserted. It was Frank’s inability to accept PSC majority decisions concerning the committee’s tactics that encouraged him and his ally Helen Chirivas to split. Frank’s claim that he set up his committee because people felt intimidated by the presence of Ellen and Lynne in the PSC will produce laughter to anyone who ever attended various contentious PSC meeting. Ellen's views on some questions were sharply challenged and debated openly at some meetings, just like anyone else. Questions and differences were resolved through discussion and give and take. The PSC functioned democratically; there was no deference or intimidation. Frank’s proposed tactics were repeatedly not supported by the majority, and once this was evident in June, then voted down in July, his answer to his isolation was to create his so-called Law Enforcement Committee. The concrete positions the LEC has taken since, which include the PSC's long time position of advocating for services for the Young Adult population, have also been notable for advocating more aggressive policing, which clearly differs from the PSC position. ( For example, the PSC supported the tactics utilized by Interim Director Jack McManus on July 4th, where crowd control was managed without arrest or use of pepper spray, which is closer to what I would call sort of a Guerraism without Guerra.) Frank also supports the replacement of the PSD with the NYPD which the PSC unanimously opposes.

While I know it is unpleasant to see your name smeared all over the Internet, this is the age we live in. If you take a public position, and you do political or community work, you can just expect that the coarseness that is prevalent in American society and politics today is going to bite you online. I have seen my viewpoint, motives and reputation attacked online, by other Common Councilors as well. It should just make us redouble our efforts to be civil and principled in our public or political activity. The truth is, Frank's behavior, outside of RIRA after being expelled from the body, will be no different than how he acts now as a member within RIRA. To justify the expulsion of Frank because some people may think that his opinions are the opinions of RIRA, is not valid. If this is the case the positions of the Common Council need to be clarified publicly by the RIRA President. Frank represents Frank and only Frank. He can claim, for now, to be the representative of Island House but let's see what the next election brings. As a member of the PSC, Frank often sent out material independently, during the PSC struggle, which conflicted with the PSC majority's viewpoint and chosen tactics in letters to the RIOC Board, etc. As the PSC Chair I had to reiterate the PSC position, making clear that Frank’s statements and opinions were just that, Frank’s opinions, not the position of the PSC. Yes, the task was frustrating and took time, but today my relationship with these external bodies, as the RIRA PSC Chair, is solid, as is the reputation of the RIRA Public Safety Committee.

Mr. Farance has been elected by the people who live in his building - Island House- for many years. The Island House Tenants Association Chair Graham Cannon sent these two letters of support for Mr. Farance to RIRA:

To whom it may concern:

I understand there are proceedings underway which may result in Frank Farance's expulsion from RIRA

Frank has been an exemplary Island House representative (as well as IHTA Secretary) — promoting our tenants' interests effectively and well. He enjoys widespread and deserved support among the Island House electorate and there would be great concern by them if action were taken that might remove Frank and diminish our ability to have our needs and interests effectively represented at RIRA.

I would urge you to consider the interests of Island House as you make your decisions.

Graham Cannon
Chair, IHTA

and:

To RIRA Common Council:

As you know, in Island House, we have been quite successful in negotiating an affordable housing plan for our tenancy. Our efforts have helped the 1000 residents and 400 families of Island House, and we hope we have created a template that can be replicated/adapted to benefit Westview tenants. Any success we have had has come from extensive and open negotiation with the key state agencies and, most importantly, a free, open and ongoing dialog with our tenancy who, at every juncture, have provided the most valuable input and strategic thinking that have enabled us to reflect and include their diversity and complexity in our agreements.

I was concerned at reports from our RIRA common council representatives that there may be attempts to limit debate/discussion at RIRA and/or limiting the engagement of RIRA members with the various State and law enforcement agencies with whom all of us do business on Roosevelt Island.

Please be assured that our RIRA representatives (Frank Farance, Russ Fields, Helen Chirivas) continue to represent the interests of our tenants. Based on our experience at Island House I would urge that:

(1) As at Island House meetings that allow all tenants to be heard, the RIRA Common Council should let all its delegates be heard.

(2) Island House tenants participate in the RILEC committee. The "three prong' framework suggested by our RIRA representatives seems a good basis for examining concerns about Public Safety issues.

(3) That RIRA oppose any attempt to set it up as "gatekeeper" as to who or what groups can meet with Public Safety (PSD) and/or RIOC. The standard across the city is that law enforcement meets with the widest range of community representatives and individuals to ensure they have a direct understanding of all community issues and concerns.

I encourage the RIRA Common Council to seriously consider the positions and proposals of the Island House delegation.

Graham Cannon
Chair, Island House Tenants Association

RIRA needs some intervention. Is Dr. Phil around to help?

Low Cost Meals For Roosevelt Island Residents From Family Table Food Ministries Provided By Hope Church Roosevelt Island - December Menu Now Available, Orders Must Be Placed By December 10

Roosevelt Island resident Jim Bates reports on a new low cost food buying option for Roosevelt Islanders. 

I have now assumed the role of contact person for Family Table Food Ministries on Roosevelt Island provided by Hope Church Roosevelt Island.

The way the service works is that once a month a menu is distributed with a deadline for ordering and a pick up location at the Seniors Center (546 Main Street). The December menu is located below and includes pricing as well as item information.

According to Family Table Food Ministries:

Our Mission is to partner with churches, companies and civic-minded Host Sites to provide families and individuals with affordable food and to make a difference in your community, one food box at a time.

Regardless of our income level, most of us are searching for value and money saving ideas to stretch our food dollars at home. The family food budget is one of the largest costs in a household. Our food boxes offer a unique solution to cutting household costs without sacrificing food quality.

How It Works

Family Table Food Ministries puts together a menu each month designed to feed a family of four for a week, or a single individual for nearly a month. We then sell the items as a monthly food box at a deeply discounted price. These food boxes are not a hand-out but an opportunity for those who want to stretch their dollar. Our boxes can contain over 20 lbs of nutritious, top quality food and may include beef, chicken, seafood, sometimes pork, vegetables, fruit, snack items, juices and other items....

Here's what's included in the December Family Box For $38

and the rest of the December  Menu.

The delivery distribution date for December orders is December 21. Orders must be submitted by December 10. Click here to order online or call in person 347-985-7540.

More information on Family Table Food Ministries available at their web site.

A Great Man Died Today - Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela Of South Africa

Image From Deseret News

Fog Envelopes Roosevelt Island, East River And Manhattan This Morning As Seen By A Boy, A Dog, From Meditation Steps And Across The River

That was some heavy fog earlier this morning.

11 year old Roosevelt Island resident and photographer Benjamin, on his way to school today, shares this photo of the Tram making its way over the East River

and reports:

Manhattan No More -- Thick Fog

Slightly older Roosevelt Island resident Jim Luce offers another perspective of the fog this morning

Image of Fog Covering East River From Jim Luce

adding:

Foggy as I walk Jojo along the East River on Roosevelt Island.

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse shows us the fog from Meditation Steps

#nyc #fog on Roosevelt Island. pic.twitter.com/zT1P424bZb
— Simon Nin R. Zhu (@snrzhu) December 5, 2013

and Roosevelt Island disappears from Manhattan in the fog this morning.

Foggy day. Can't even spot Roosevelt Island across the river. Can't even see the river! http://t.co/zq5EGHM9Vs
— Missa (@StaycationMama) December 5, 2013

UPDATE 8:10 PM - View from the Roosevelt Island Tram looking into the fog.

Traveling in the tram in fog is scary. pic.twitter.com/G8apn8Vtwl
— Anastasia G. (@owlcathasawise) December 5, 2013

Santa Claus Is Coming To Roosevelt Island For Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony At Blackwell Plaza Friday December 6

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree

One of the best days on Roosevelt Island is the annual Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Image From RIOC

 at Blackwell Plaza. According to RIOC:

You are cordially invited to join the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The festivities will take place at Blackwell Plaza on Friday, December 6th at 7 PM. Santa will make a special appearance on the Island after musical performances from members of the community. Hot drinks and winter treats will be served; kids can look forward to small holiday gifts and a photo opportunity with Santa.

Come join in on the holiday fun and cheer this Friday -- We hope to see you there!

This is what it was like last year.



Come say Hi

Image From 2011 Roosevelt Island  Tree Lighting Ceremony

to Santa tomorrow.

Bike New York Bringing Free Bicycle Classes To Roosevelt Island - Winter Riding Class Today and Learn To Ride For Adults Next Thursday

Image From Bike New York

According to Bike New York:

New Free Classes on Roosevelt Island!

Winter Riding 101

What: Don’t let the cold slow you down – learn how to weather the weather in this indoor class.

When: Thursday, December 5 (7:30PM – 8:30PM)

Where: Roosevelt Island, in the Sportspark ping pong room

Learn to Ride – Adults

What: We aren’t your dad, and we aren’t going to just shove you down a hill. Using our safe, easy, stress-free method, adults and teens will learn how to balance, pedal, start, stop, and steer a bike.

Walk in; roll out. Bikes & helmets provided.

When: Thursday, December 12 (10:00AM – 12:00PM; 1:00PM – 3:00PM)

Where: Roosevelt Island, in the Sportspark gym

To register, visit www.bikenewyork.org. For more information on Bike New York classes, contact Caitlin Goodspeed at cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org or by telephone at (212) 870-2075.

The NY Times describes one woman's experience learning how to ride a bike as an adult:

... It was during a jog around Brooklyn Bridge Park that I noticed an adults-only bike-riding class. (I like to run by the water because cardio is important and because I like to plan escape routes in the event of an apocalypse.) I signed up online, and a week later, at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, I found myself waiting with 20 other grown-ups for a two-hour session taught by an instructor and three volunteers....

and here's a video showing other adults learning to ride.



Remember, if your bike needs fixing, just call for



the Bicycle Repairman.

The Circus Is Coming To Town - Roosevelt Island Residents AssociationMeeting Tonight To Continue Witch Hunt Seeking To Expel RIRA Member,Farance Responds Tonight

 She's A Witch Image From Monty Python & Holy Grail

It may not be the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Baily Circus but it's close. The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting tonight, 8 PM, at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) to continue its witch hunt to expel Frank Farance from the Common Council.

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a public session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

Among the items on tonight's Agenda is Part 2 of RIRA's attempt to expel Frank Farance



from the Common Council. According to Agenda Item 7:

... Second Part of Procedure to expel Council Member:
Member has a chance to rebut the Bill Of Particulars and Council votes on whether or not to expel him...

Here is the Bill of Particulars (and video of meeting) approved by the November RIRA Common Council Meeting:

BILL OF PARTICULARS

November 6, 2013

WHEREAS: the preamble of The Constitution of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association clearly states that residents “want to live together in harmony based on mutual respect and the voluntary sharing of responsibility,”

WHEREAS: An environment of intimidation, fear and hostility is not conducive to conducting the work of the Common Council,

WHEREAS: Common Council Representative, Frank Farance, has repeatedly engaged in conduct that is counter to the principles of harmony and sharing but rather is consistent with creating intimidation, fear and hostility in the following ways:

1. Abusing his position to denigrate and defame people without a basis of fact, endangering their professional and personal reputations,
2. Denigrating the reputation of the Common Council, itself, thereby diminishing the community’s goodwill and jeopardizing community support,
3. Threatening and attempting to diminish the respect of government entities with whom the organization interacts, thereby hindering the organization’s effectiveness,
4.  Cyber bullying by publicizing defaming statements and misusing various communications platforms, both internal and external to the organization, (such as the email reflector, blog, social media, and The Main Street WIRE).
5. Depriving the members of the Common Council of the respect they deserve for their devoted service to the community.

WHEREAS: The Common Council has previously taken the step to censure Frank Farance on October 5, 2011; But, his offensive behavior has continued unabated and without improvement,

WE THEREFORE MOVE TO EXPELL Common Council Representative Frank Farance, effective immediately pursuant to Article III, Section 9, paragraph (b).

and charge 6 added during the RIRA Meeting:

AMENDMENT TO BILL OF PARTICULARS

Organized a “Public “ Safety group independent of RIRA. This group is in competition with RIRA’s Public Safety Committee. This group undermines the work and credibility of RIRA’s Public Safety Committee.

As stated in previous post:

... In my opinion, this Bill Of Particulars against Mr. Farance is ridiculous, a waste of time and damages RIRA more than anything Mr. Farance has ever said or done.

There is nothing that Mr. Farance has published on Roosevelt Islander, or what I have seen in the WIRE, which is defamatory at all. It may be critical, highly opinionated and in some cases rude but it is not defamatory and certainly does not justify RIRA expelling him from a Common Council that he was elected to by the people who live in his building. Also, Mr. Farance often has a valid point to make, or, at least, an issue worthy of further investigation by NY State, RIOC, RIRA and the media.

The attempt to expel him is for his dissident views made public, sometimes rude characterizations as well as personal dislike of him by some RIRA members. None of these reasons are sufficient cause to expel him from RIRA.

Notice that the Bill of Particulars only contains conclusory statements about defamation without any specific examples.

I may or may not agree with what Mr. Farance says or does but he certainly has a right to publicly express his opinions about issues of concern to the Roosevelt Island community and should not be expelled because some within RIRA disagree with him....

Mr. Farance was elected to the RIRA Common Council by the residents of his building - Island House. The Chair of the Island House Tenants Association (IHTA) Graham Cannon sent this message to RIRA and the Roosevelt Island community in support of Mr. Farance:

To whom it may concern:

I understand there are proceedings underway which may result in Frank Farance's expulsion from RIRA

Frank has been an exemplary Island House representative (as well as IHTA Secretary) — promoting our tenants' interests effectively and well. He enjoys widespread and deserved support among the Island House electorate and there would be great concern by them if action were taken that might remove Frank and diminish our ability to have our needs and interests effectively represented at RIRA.

I would urge you to consider the interests of Island House as you make your decisions.

Graham Cannon
Chair, IHTA

A voice of reason comes from RIRA Common Council member Cynthia Choi who asks her colleagues to table the Expulsion Motion. According to Ms. Choi:

... I would agree to tabling the expulsion motion!

We know what Frank said and what other member stated.

We heard and read all side of reasoning, this had both positive and negative effect. It is healthy that we are able to express to each other our opinions, but enough is enough.

It is so true, two month of RIRA meetings on this matter is waste of our time and Island resident's time.

As RIRA community representatives, we should be able to accept positive or negative comments and expressions of individual's opinion. We know the comments only represent person themselves not as an opinion of whole RIRA itself, but if we expel Frank because of a few members are uncomfortable with what Frank said; e-mail, send letters, published on WIRE, that alone can be a very bad image of RIRA. It'll really damage Ellen's leadership of RIRA permanently.

Dear respective RIRA Members, this is not about who wins or loses. Please think big and wisely, not waste too much of everybody's time!

There were a few members who have lost interest in attending RIRA meeting, but Frank is not to blame for that. I understand people come and go. It is natural, sometimes they are tired of something, health reason, just because...

I attend RIRA for my own interest as well as community interests, but resign or attend are each individual responsibility not to blame anybody else.

Hope our meetings are more positive and productive in the future.

All the respect and Best Wishes!

RIRA has created a Motion To Expel Frank Farance web page to set forth its reasons for seeking his expulsion. According to RIRA:

In response to numerous and ongoing complaints, the Communications Committee began an investigation into various misconducts committed by Frank Farance. We reviewed hundreds of internal and external emails, blogs postings, letters to the press and other documents. In them, Mr. Farance works the same three themes over and over...

1. He makes repeated attempts to discredit the Chair of the Social, Cultural and Educational Committee most recently over a manufactured issue regarding a preliminary committee report
2. He attempts to undermine and unseat the President
3. He refuses to abide by the majority decisions of the Council, most notably the Public Safety Committee

Rather than working discretely within the organization to resolve what he feels are issues, Mr. Farance prefers to create a public spectacle of the organization's internal affairs. He repeatedly circumvents protocol by releasing information to the press and blogs. Mr. Farance uses an astounding assortment of tactics including inuendo, omission, fabrication, supposition, intimidation and threat to advance his agenda, all at the expense of other council members and the orgnization overall.
Bound by its fiduciary duty to protect the orgnization, the Communication Committee concluded that intervention was required. We prepared and presented to the Common Council a Bill of Particulars calling for the expulsion of Frank Farance. The measure passed with an overwhelming majority. This corrective measure is part of a long history of attempts to correct Mr. Farance's behavior. Over the years he has been counselled, asked to resign, rebuked by the Common Council, and formally censured.

We've made a number of documents available to help you understand the situation we face. Included are...
The organization's Constitution which defines the process for expulsion
The Bill of Particulars that outlines the grounds for Mr. Farance's expulsion
A document describing fiduciary duty in non-profit organizations
An article describing methods for dealing with rogue members like Mr. Farance
The statement by the RIRA Treasurer that he found no irregularities in the SCE Committee's accounting of the 2013 Cherry Blossom Festival
Minutes from the meeting in which Mr. Farance was censured

After reading the RIRA Expel Farance web page, I asked RIRA Communications Committee Chair Jeff Prekopa last week:

I am preparing a post for Roosevelt Islander Online regarding the RIRA Communications Committee meetings which prepared the Bill of Particulars to expel Frank Farance from RIRA.

The RIRA web page dedicated to the expulsion of Frank Farance states:

...Bound by its fiduciary duty to protect the orgnization, the Communication Committee concluded that intervention was required. We prepared and presented to the Common Council a Bill of Particulars calling for the expulsion of Frank Farance....

I am not aware of any RIRA Communications Committee meeting held to discuss the subject of expelling Frank Farance.

Were such meetings held?

Were these meetings announced publicly before they were held?

When were these meetings held?

Were minutes kept of these meetings?

If there were minutes, please post them on the RIRA web site or send them to me for review.

Did not receive an answer. I followed up this week:

I am following up on November 25 email below seeking comment from RIRA regarding the Communications Committee procedure used to bring a Bill of Particulars to expel Frank Farance. Please let me know if you or any other RIRA member wishes to comment.

Also, do you or any other RIRA member have any comment on statement by RIRA Treasurer Russel Fields that the RIRA web page describing Mr. Fields as finding no "irregularities" in the Cherry Blossom Festival accounting is "misleading". Mr. Fields added that he found the Cherry Blossom Festival accounting to be "unacceptable".

Why does the RIRA web page on the Farance Expulsion motion not include Mr. Fields true remarks?

Here is link to Mr. Fields statement.

Again, please let me know if you or any RIRA members wish to comment on these issues. If not, I will report that you were offered the opportunity but declined to respond.

Still have not received any explanation.

In regard to Mr. Farance's efforts on Public Safety issues, the IHTA Chair Graham Cannon supports Mr. Farance's efforts as Island House RIRA representative to set up a Public Safety committee (RILEC) even if it is outside of RIRA. According to this October 2013 letter from Mr. Cannon to the RIRA Common Council:

To RIRA Common Council:

As you know, in Island House, we have been quite successful in negotiating an affordable housing plan for our tenancy. Our efforts have helped the 1000 residents and 400 families of Island House, and we hope we have created a template that can be replicated/adapted to benefit Westview tenants. Any success we have had has come from extensive and open negotiation with the key state agencies and, most importantly, a free, open and ongoing dialog with our tenancy who, at every juncture, have provided the most valuable input and strategic thinking that have enabled us to reflect and include their diversity and complexity in our agreements.

I was concerned at reports from our RIRA common council representatives that there may be attempts to limit debate/discussion at RIRA and/or limiting the engagement of RIRA members with the various State and law enforcement agencies with whom all of us do business on Roosevelt Island.

Please be assured that our RIRA representatives (Frank Farance, Russ Fields, Helen Chirivas) continue to represent the interests of our tenants. Based on our experience at Island House I would urge that:

(1) As at Island House meetings that allow all tenants to be heard, the RIRA Common Council should let all its delegates be heard.

(2) Island House tenants participate in the RILEC committee. The "three prong' framework suggested by our RIRA representatives seems a good basis for examining concerns about Public Safety issues.

(3) That RIRA oppose any attempt to set it up as "gatekeeper" as to who or what groups can meet with Public Safety (PSD) and/or RIOC. The standard across the city is that law enforcement meets with the widest range of community representatives and individuals to ensure they have a direct understanding of all community issues and concerns.

I encourage the RIRA Common Council to seriously consider the positions and proposals of the Island House delegation.

Graham Cannon
Chair, Island House Tenants Association

This whole attempt to expel Mr. Farance is absurd and is accurately characterized as a Witch Hunt.



Below is the full Agenda for tonight's RIRA Meeting.

UPDATE 11:40 PM - The attempt to expel Mr. Farance failed. Before Mr. Farance was to give his rebuttal, a motion to strike the Expulsion Agenda Item was made and approved by a vote of 15 to 14.

Upon losing the vote, several supporters of the motion to expel Mr. Farance immediately resigned from RIRA.

Will have more later.

Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group Showing Rebel: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of The American Civil War On Thursday At Gallery RIVAA

From the Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group:

Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group Shows Rebel: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of the American Civil War on Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 pm.

Viewing films with themes as varied as political, social and sexual topics, plus psychological and cross cultural issues, the Roosevelt Island Women's Movie Group meets four to five times per year, since April, 2010. The group, started by Janet Falk and Sheila Berger Chazin, offers Roosevelt Island women and their friends the opportunity to view films on timely issues and, in the optional, informal post- film discussion, the attendees share their personal and professional perspectives on how they relate to the stories and topics.

According to Falk, "It began as an opportunity to meet with a group of women friends, plus their neighbors. It’s like a book club, but without the reading assignment." Sharing experiences that may be personal and intimate prompted her to seek out Chazin as a co-facilitator. “As a long-time Island resident, Sheila had many women contacts on the Island to invite. And as a professional therapist, workshop leader and educator she was experienced at leading group discussions that can become personal.” For her part, Chazin added, “I immediately thought this was a great idea. There had not been a group like it before on the Island – a chance for women from various backgrounds and ages to get together, share an activity and discuss our experiences.”

Falk noted that “Roosevelt Island is a community of do-it-yourself organizations. If you build it, they will come. It’s gratifying that the group continues to meet, and that, at each session, new members join.” Chazin added, “Our multi-generational and varied cultural membership make for lively discussion,” adding that “mutual respect among the members ensures privacy”.

Participants bring healthy snacks to share. A fee of $6.00 covers the purchase of films and the cost of the meeting space. The group moved from a Southtown room to Gallery RIVAA to offer financial support to the Gallery.

All Island women and their friends are welcome to attend the next movie, Rebel: Loreta Velazquez, Secret Soldier of the American Civil War, on Thursday, December 5, at 7:00 P.M. at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street. The film re-creates the story of a woman who fought as a Confederate soldier, while disguised as a man. She later moved to the Union side, where she was a spy. Her autobiography recounting her work for both armies was published in 1876 and was denounced, perhaps because its story was so unconventional.

To RSVP, please contact riwomenmovie@gmail.com.

Roosevelt Island Rivercross Coop Shareholders Voting Today and Tomorrow On Market Rate Privatization Plan To Exit Mitchell-Lama Affordable Housing Program

The Roosevelt Island Rivercross Coop

is conducting a vote today and tomorrow on whether to privatize and exit the Mitchell-Lama program under a market rate plan.

 Image From Fair Privatization

According to this memo sent from the Rivercross Board of Directors to its shareholders:

MEMORANDUM

Date: December 2, 2013

To: All Shareholders

From: Board of Directors

Subject: Voting on Rivercross Reconstitution

Your last chance to vote in person is on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 (between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and Wednesday, December 4, 2013 (between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.) in the Rivercross Upper Community Room. This opportunity is ONLY for the purpose of voting on Rivercross Reconstitution (Privatization). There will be no additional agenda items considered or presentations made by the Board. Accordingly, if you have previously voted by Proxy, it is not necessary for you to attend this Special Meeting. However, if you do plan to cast your vote at this Special Meeting, please remember to bring a Photo ID with you. Voting will be conducted by Honest Ballot Association, the company supervising the voting.

We encourage you to vote on this historic matter of importance to all Rivercross shareholders. Please understand that if you fail to cast a vote, it is equivalent to your apartment voting against Privatization.

Some Rivercross residents are concerned that an approval of the market rate exit plan to leave the Mitchell-Lama program will mean the end of affordable housing now and in the future for Rivercross residents. They are concerned about maintenance increases, paying off a $50 million interest only mortgage and unequal voting power between small and large shareholders.

This anonymous flyer was recently distributed to Rivercross residents by an opponent of the market rate privatization plan.

A Rivercross resident supporter of the market rate plan had this to say about the anonymous letter:

The leftists are alive and well in Rivercross

As the privatization process at Rivercross draws to its all important resident vote, an internecine rivalry has erupted into a full scale leaflet battle with arguments that range from the economic to a rallying cry for social justice. Indeed, it is the latter that is war cry of the Rivercross leftists, or as one astute observer who was raised in a former iron curtain regime commented:

I have found communism back at work in Rivercross

A recent anonymous letter from the far left of Rivercross, having run out of data and fact based argument, plays to fear and uncertainty by conveniently leaving out essential facts. etc etc

Following the October 23 Rivercross Board of Directors privatization meeting with shareholders, the Rivercross Board distributed this Question and Answer memo to its shareholders explaining what privatization and exiting from the Mitchell-Lama program will mean.

From: Board of Directors October 25, 2013

For those of you who may have been unable to attend the DHCR-mandated meeting this past Wednesday night, we are reproducing the commonly-asked questions and answers presented at that meeting . Please note that the Offering Plan is the definitive document and nothing herein is intended to modify the Offering Plan in any respect.

What vote is needed to approve the Plan? Two thirds of all apartments must vote in favor to approve the Plan. Each apartment has one vote, no matter what size, This includes combined apartments; they also only have one vote.

If the Plan is approved, why is Withdrawal not projected to be effective until April 1, 2014?  Under the terms of the Plan, shareholders have 90 days after the vote is certified to "opt out" or become Non-Participating Shareholders. 90 days after certification takes us to the middle of March, so the effective date for Withdrawal is projected to be April 1st.

What does it mean to "opt out" or become a Non-Participating Shareholder?   As a Non-Participating Shareholder, you will be paid the Mitchell-Lama value of your apartment and you will become a renter not an owner. You will get a lease from Rivercross under which your rent will be equal to the maintenance you are currently paying. After the first year, your rent will increase by an amount equal to the increase allowed to rent-stabilized apartments in NYC but in no event more than 7% in any year. See pgs. 83 and 84 of the Plan. You will have access to all amenities you had as a shareholder.

How is the Transfer Fee on first -times sale calculated?  The Transfer Fee on the first time sales is equal to 45% of the difference between the gross selling price of the apartment and the Mitchell-Lama price of the apartment. For example, if the gross selling price of your apartment is $800,000 and the Mitchell-Lama price of the apartment was $50,000, the first-time Transfer Fee would be equal to 45% of $750,000 or $337,500. The $750,000 number is the difference between the $800,000 gross selling price and the $50,000 Mitchell-Lama price.

How was the $7,000,000 in Transfer Fee Revenue in the first year determined?  Transfer Fee revenue is based on two assumptions. First, that there will be first time sales of apartments at the rate of approximately 4.66% or 17 apartments during the first year as a private cooperative; and second, that the apartments will be sold at the prices consistent with range in market values determined by Michael Weinberg & Associates in his report that is set forth as Exhibit O in Part 11 of the Plan. If there are 17 sales in the first year at prices consistent with the Weinberg report, Rivercross will meet its projection of $7,000,000 in Transfer Fee Revenue. this is more fully discussed in Schedule B at note (9) on page 63 of the Plan.

The Plan's projections are based on 17 sales per year; however, the historic rate of turnover during the last five years is 10 sales per year. Can you account for the difference?    It is the Board's business judgement that a 4.66% turnover rate (or 17 apartments) is a reasonable assumption for a private coop coming out of Mitchell-Lama. It is also the Board's business judgement that the historic turnover rate under Mitchell-Lama is artificially low and not indicative of what the turnover rate will be for a private coop coming out of Mitchell-Lama. Each shareholder will have to make their own assessment of whether or not they are comfortable with the business judgement of the Board based on the information that is presented in the Plan and their evaluation of the track record of the Board.

The Plan's projections are based on 17 sales per year; however, the historic rate of turnover during the last five years is 10 sales per year. Can you account for the difference?
It is the Board's business judgement that a 4.66% turnover rate (or 17 apartments) is a reasonable assumption for a private coop coming out of Mitchell-Lama. It is also the Board's business judgment that the historic turnover rate under Mitchell-Lama is artificially low and not indicative of what the turnover rate will be for a private coop coming out of Mitchell-Lama.  Each shareholder will have to make their own assessment of whether or not they are comfortable with the business judgment of the Board based on the information that is presented in the Plan and their evaluation of the track record of the Board.

What are the extra costs associated with being a private coop?   The significant extra costs associated with being a private coop are first, increased real estate taxes or PILOTS (payment in lieu of taxes) and second, increased ground rent. As spelled out in Schedule B at notes (26) and (30) on pages 66 and 67 of the Plan, it is anticipated that PILOTS and ground rent payments will increase by approximately $5.5 million. In addition, there will be a loss of surcharge income of approximately $300,000 plus NY State and City Franchise Taxes of approximately $100,000, making the total additional costs associated with privatization approximately $6.0 million.

Will maintenance increase as a result of privatization?   While the Board cannot guarantee the future, the Board's projections indicate that maintenance will not increase as a result of privatization. The Board's projections for the first year after privatization show that Transfer Fees will generate approximately $7.0 million in additional revenue and the additional costs attributable to privatization will be approximately $6.0 million for a surplus of approximately $1.0 million. The Board has presented a five-year projection at page R-3 of the Plan and that projection shows a surplus in each of the next five years.

Will maintenance increase other than as a result of privatization?  Operational costs, such as the cost of building staff and the cost of utilities, continue to increase each year. A maintenance increase will be required to pay for the additional operational costs of Rivercross. The Board's projections for 2014 include a 3% annual increase in maintenance to offset the additional operational costs of Rivercross. As described in Note (2) at Schedule B-1 at page 69 of the plan, we would have this increase whether or not Rivercross was becoming a private coop.

How does the Corporations's "right of first refusal work"?  
Once a selling shareholder signs a contract to sell his or her apartment to a potential purchaser, the selling shareholder must offer Rivercross the right to purchase his or her apartment on the same terms and conditions as offered by the potential purchaser. This offer to Rivercross is irrevocable and cannot be withdrawn if Rivercross accepts the offer. The right of first refusal is more fully discussed at pages 91 and 92 of the Plan.

How is voting changing after Privatization?
Rivercross, as a Mitchell-Lama coop, was organized under the Private Housing Finance Law, which provides for voting on the basis of one vote per apartment, irrespective of the number of shares of the coop held by each shareholder. Rivercross, as a private coop, will be organized under the Business Corporation Law, and each shareholder will be entitled to one vote for every share held by such shareholder. While one apartment-one vote is the norm for Mitchell-Lama housing, one share-one vote is the norm for private coops organized under the Business Corporation Law. This is more fully discussed at page 34 of the Plan.

What is the deferment for certain family transfers?
After Reconstitution, if a current shareholder transfers his or her apartment, that shareholder must pay a 45% Transfer Fee. However, the Plan provides for a one-time deferment of that transfer fee for a limited number of family members. As more fully discussed at page 91 of the Plan, a deferment of the transfer fee will be allowed for a transfer to a spouse, domestic partner or an adult child if BOTH of the following conditions are met: (1) the transfer is by gift, will or intestacy and for no consideration, and (2) the transferee, after the transfer, occupies the apartment unit as his/her Primary Residence. Here are two examples: A shareholder dies and leaves his apartment to his adult child - the child occupies the apartment as his/her Primary Residence. The 45% Transfer Fee is deferred and when the adult child sells the apartment at a future date, the adult child will have to pay a 45% Transfer Fee on the value of the apartment at that future date. In the second example, a shareholder dies and leaves the apartment to his adult child but the child does not occupy the apartment after the transfer as his/her Primary Residence. The child can acquire the apartment but there is no deferment of the first-time Transfer Fee and the first-time Transfer Fee is due at the time of the transfer to the child based on the value of the apartment at this time.
The Board does not anticipate the deferment of the 45% Transfer Fee on these transfers to family members will have a material impact on the Transfer Fee revenue projected in the Plan and the Board took this deferment into consideration in determining the projected Transfer Fee revenue.

After Reconstitution, can a current shareholder obtain a mortgage or home equity loan?
Home equity loans and Mortgages will be acceptable under the Plan, subject to terms and conditions to be set by the Board. Reverse Mortgages are not available at this time for any apartments in a cooperative that is on a land lease.

Section 623 of the Business Corporation Law provides that a dissenting shareholder shall receive the fair market value of his/her shares determined the day before the votes approving the Plan of Reconstitution. What amount will that be?
The Mitchell-Lama value of the shares. Please be aware that the provisions of Section 623  are separate from the  provision in the Plan for Non-Participating Shareholders. Section 623 does not provide for a dissenting shareholder to receive a Special Lease and remain a resident of Rivercross. For a more detailed discussion of Section 623, see page 84 of the Plan.

Are there any provisions in the Plan to defer the first-time Transfer Fee for a shareholder selling his/her apartment and buying another apartment in Rivercross?
There are none. The first-time Transfer Fee would have to be paid on the sale of the apartment.

What will be the market value of Rivercross apartments if the privatization plan is approved? According to this chart included in March 2013 letter from Michael J Weinberg & Associates to the Rivercross Board of Directors

estimates of the market value for studio apartments are between $430,000 and $530,000;1-bedroom apartments are between $600,000 and $730,000; 2-Bedroom Apartments are between $820,000 and $1,025,000; 3-bedroom apartments are between $1,025,000 and $1,250,000; and 4-bedroom apartments are between $1,250,000 and $1,350,000.

The NY Times reported in 2005 that:

... Discussions have also begun about privatizing Rivercross, a Mitchell-Lama co-op where an average one-bedroom apartment now goes for $33,000 and an average three-bedroom for $54,000... 

More info available at the Rivercross Information Privatization Gateway.

Here is prior post on the Rivercross Building's privatization efforts to leave the Mitchell Lama program as well as video of meeting on the Island House privatization efforts  Also, previous post on the Rivercross $50 million interest only 10 year mortgage refinancing and December 2010 ground lease extension from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC).

UPDATE 12/4 11:50 PM - The Rivercross privatization plan was overwhelmingly approved. Unofficial results are that the vote was 315 to 35 in favor of privatization.

Roosevelt Island Controlled Fire Outside 4 River Road Tonight - Part Of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

According to the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM):

Controlled fire outside 4 River Road on Roosevelt Island tonight at 6:30PM. FDNY/NYPD will be present. More info: http://t.co/MIX5HheJTs
— NYC OEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) December 3, 2013

Notify NYC adds:

As part of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class, there will be a controlled fire outside 4 River Road on Roosevelt Island tonight from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Expect to see FDNY and NYPD personnel in action. To learn more about CERT, visit http://www.NYC.gov/CERT.

More information



on Roosevelt Island CERT team from previous post.

NYC Economic Development Corp President Kyle Kimball Visits Decommissioned Roosevelt Island Goldwater Hospital Today - It's Future Home Of Cornell NYC Tech But Cornell and RIOC Still Have No Deal For Land

 Image of Goldwater Hospital

New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Kyle Kimball visited Roosevelt Island's decommissioned Goldwater Hospital today before it is to be demolished to make way for the new Cornell NYC Tech campus. Mr. Kimball tweets his visit:

Checking out the decommissioning of Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt island #nycedc http://t.co/Tgpc13aCyL
— Kyle Kimball (@kyedki) December 3, 2013

A Goldwater wing decommissioning in progress . #nycedc http://t.co/n7ieKxwA3j
— Kyle Kimball (@kyedki) December 3, 2013

Goldwater's last day with patients. http://t.co/OJ5nDlUqgA
— Kyle Kimball (@kyedki) December 3, 2013

One of the Day Rooms for residents at the old Goldwater Hospital #nycedc pic.twitter.com/ffGRIglXHD
— Kyle Kimball (@kyedki) December 3, 2013

More on the Goldwater Hospital patients transfer from the NYC Health and Hospitals Corp.

... This week marks the beginning of one era at HHC and the end of another,” said Mr. Aviles. “The relocation brings the first patients to the new Carter Hospital while representing the end of patient services at Goldwater, a facility that opened in 1939. It was a monumental effort to move this vulnerable patient population, and I applaud everyone who planned the operation for months and who during the move for the last two days devoted themselves to the safety and comfort of our patients.”

On Sunday, November 24, 114 of the most critically ill patients, most of whom rely on ventilators for respiration, were transported to the Long Term Acute Care Hospital section of Henry J. Carter. On Monday, November 25, 114 additional Goldwater patients were transported to the Skilled Nursing Facility section of Carter. Both days’ moves were scheduled to accommodate patient needs while avoiding traffic delays to the greatest extent possible....

and this video from last July of Goldwater patients and workers testifying about their fears and concerns on the hospital's closing.

I reported November 25 on Goldwater's last day

 Images From Judy Berdy

 and the:

... relocation of patients from Coler-Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island to the new Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility at Park Avenue and East 122nd Street in Manhattan....

... The patients are being transferred in anticipation of Goldwater Hospital being demolished for the coming of the Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech campus....

... the deal to build Cornell NYC Tech on Roosevelt Island is still not done. Cornell and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) are still in negotiations over the section of proposed Goldwater site that RIOC and not NYC controls....

The demolition of Goldwater Hospital is scheduled for early 2014. The question remains whether a negotiated deal between Cornell and RIOC will be done by that time.The negotiations are still continuing. Among the items being negotiated is how much money, if anything, Cornell will pay RIOC for the Goldwater Hospital

 Image From Google Maps

land which RIOC controls that is part of the planned Cornell NYC Tech

 Image From Cornell NYC Tech (credit Kilograph)

 
campus. RIOC controls the land that is outside 5 feet from the perimeter of existing Goldwater Hospital buildings.

Yesterday, a scheduled meeting of the RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee to discuss the status of the Cornell negotiations was cancelled and rescheduled for later this week. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors previously scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2013 has been rescheduled and will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Agenda:

1. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session for Update on Current Negotiations Regarding Cornell NYC;

2. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee

Stay tuned!

Roosevelt Island Says Thank You To NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin For Her 15 Years Of Service - Reminisce About Past Battles And Accomplishments

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy hosted a Thank You For Your Service gathering for NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin earlier this evening. Ms Lappin will no longer be a member of the NYC Council representing Roosevelt Island because she was term limited from running for another term.

 City Council Member Jessica Lappin (center) with Judy Berdy (left) and Lynn Strong-Shinozaki (right)

Ms. Lappin has been involved with Roosevelt Island for the last 15 years beginning as a staffer in former City Council Speaker Gifford Miller's office to her current position as Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member.

Ms. Lappin told the representatives of Roosevelt Island organizations that:

... I have always been a Roosevelt Island person...

Ms Berdy said of Ms. Lappin:

... you've helped so many organizations and people on the Island...

Roosevelt Island Seniors President Delores Green expressed her appreciation too for Ms. Lappin's service adding that Ms Lappin would be missed.

Ms. Lappin and Ms. Berdy reminisced about past Roosevelt Island battles and accomplishments. Here's what they said.



Good luck and Best Wishes to Ms. Lappin in whatever she decides to do next.