No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend - And Next
According to the MTA:
F Jamaica-bound trains run via the M from 47-50 Sts to Roosevelt Av
Weekends, 9:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, until Jul 14
No Jamaica-bound service at 57 St, Lexington Av/63 St, Roosevelt Island and 21 St-Queensbridge.
11 comments :
I went to the show. Unfortunately, it was not a giant Jumbotron TV set - it was a front projection TV throwing an image on a large fabric screen undulating in breeze, the screen was always in motion distorting the image, and the image also somewhat washed out - lacked brilliance. Also, the computer occasionally would lose the signal resulting in freeze-ups of the transmission, which was also somewhat disappointing.
Before and after the broadcast, they had a "tummler" style DJ conducting a karaoke contest, which was a nice gesture for the kids who were I think the only participants. Otherwise people were mostly standing around waiting for the broadcast of the fireworks, and then left after the fireworks broadcast.
There was some food on sale - nothing special - plastic bags of popcorn and other light snacks. Even some folding chairs were provided. The event was seemingly blanketed with RIOC staff - PSD and RIOC staff. Logistically, it did involve quite a bit of preparation: Setting up and removing generators for additional lighting, setting up and removing fencing around the field, setting up and removing security desks at the two entry points. And setting up and removing the food "concession."
I thought the turnout was sparse - or maybe it didn't seem like too many showed up because of the large size of the field. I had an absolutely clear sight-line because there was hardly anyone in front of where I was sitting. Were there even 500 at the show? Not sure..
That cost 8 grand? Sounds like the 500 that showed up would have been happier to receive their $16 and go home.
If you randomly look up July 4th celebrations in Google, you will see that communities alot tinier than RI stage much better, more carefully thought-out, July 4th celebrations, drawing on local as well as professional talent.
For example, a tiny village in Ohio called Granville - pop. 3,600 http://www.granville.oh.us/ presented a *4-day* July 4th festival, with myriad activities, local bands, etc https://portalbuzzuserfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/ou-19899/userfiles/files/final%202014%20schedule%20as%20of%206_29(4).pdf.
The above town has a population/tax base approximately 1/5 the size of Roosevelt Island's.
True, most other communities will have the acreage to present fairs, such as county fairs, which is what Granville's July 4th celebration resembled (fairway, rides, non-stop live entertainment, games).
But RIOC, which probably has a budget that exceeds that of the village of Granville, could have made an effort to provide something - anything - other than the pathetic DJ if they were going to present a July 4th event, could have tested and tried to fix the problems with the sub-par TV reception, before the transmission of the fireworks broadcast. The audio quality was good - loud and clear - but the video wasn't. Fireworks are a visual show - so the presentation was useless from that regard. We would have all been better off watching the program on our own TVs.
RIOC could have invited a couple of food trucks - for fresh popcorn, ice-cream etc. There are food trucks at the film presentations at Southpoint Park: Why couldn't RIOC arrange for food trucks for the July 4th celebration? Even that one thing - having fresh popcorn, or any fresh food item available - would have enlivened the event.
I kind of see your point but also keep in mind that Roosevelt Island is really part of larger community called New York City, who actually throw a pretty nice event for the 4th.
I was not there, but my impressions was this was thrown together because of the larger community disappointment expressed at finding out fireworks were so far south and not visible from RI. Could money have been better spent probably but a few weeks ago Frank was critical about lack of funding for Roosevelt Island Day, but now they are to liberal with their cash.
I am not praising RIRA or RIOC but this event does not seem worth the time. To me it seems that Frank has a perpetual axe to grind because people don't like either his input or delivery style. And he seems to relish his role as the Cliff Clavin of Roosevelt Island.
Maybe RIOC decided to go overboard with the July 4th celebration spending in response to Frank's criticism of their cheapness with the RI Day event.
Yeah - I'll agree that the event - a local July 4th celebration - in NYC doesn't seem worth the time, as folks that are motivated can simply take the train and join the crowds to view fireworks in the harbor. RI gives the appearance of being a "small town" since we're in the middle of the notional "wilderness" - the roiling E. River. But really, we're not a small town, we're more an adjunct of Queens or Manhattan. Some communities in NYC probably do have their own July 4th events - like the local Veteran's Day or Memorial Day parades here and there. But, by and large when you think July 4th in NYC, you think Macy's July 4th fireworks.
Let's get real, here, for once. We are a housing development in New York City, operated by the heavy hand of a New York State agency, RIOC,
well said.
I cannot wait to hear all about it! The Lighthouse Park stuff is incredible work.
"Could money have been better spent probably but a few weeks ago Frank was critical about lack of funding for Roosevelt Island Day, but now they are to liberal with their cash."
Because it wasn't done according to Frank's ideas.
"Maybe RIOC decided to go overboard with the July 4th celebration spending in response to Frank's criticism of their cheapness with the RI Day event."
Ha ha ha. Nice one!
Frank is right about the lack of input from residents. There is no real mechanism for proactively inviting resident input. Where is the representation? Does anyone think the resident Board members actively invite resident input? When was the last time the resident Board members met informally with the community? A year ago? Two years ago?
No - there is no real representation of the residents in our local government. A very few regulars attend RIOC committee meetings and Board meetings - but at these meetings, the Board members don't have to answer any questions. I've seen them sit there stone-faced many times and refuse to answer questions.
Sadly, there is no mechanism whereby resident ideas or input can be taken into account.
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