Friday, June 12, 2015

Hillary Clinton Official Presidential Campaign Launch June 13 At Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park - Good Or Bad Idea?

Guess what is happening tomorrow on Roosevelt Island? It's Roosevelt Island Day, a fun filled day of family activities and events in the middle of Roosevelt Island.

Oh, there's another event taking place tomorrow at the FDR Four Freedoms Park on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. Hillary Clinton is officially launching her Presidential Campaign.

 Image From Hillary For America

The Twitterverse shows preparations are currently under way for the Clinton campaign event.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports:
Please be advised that due to the anticipation of a large number of visitors to Roosevelt Island on Saturday June 13, 2015, visitor parking at the Motorgate Garage will be limited to ensure adequate parking for residents and patrons with a monthly permit. Residents without a monthly access card should be prepared to show proof of residency when approaching the 36th Avenue bridge. Visitors who plan to park inside Motorgate will be directed over the bridge and into the garage if there is room. Once the garage reaches capacity, vehicles will be re-directed to park in the vicinity of Vernon Boulevard in order to avoid unnecessary vehicle traffic on Roosevelt Island.

In addition, there will be No Parking on Main Street beginning Saturday, June 13th from 12:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the following locations:

1) 510 Main Street to 543 Main Street
2) The Public Lot at the rear of the R.I. Tennis Bubble
3) 250- 300 Main Street opposite Sportspark
and:
Please be advised that due to increased traffic on Roosevelt Island on Saturday, June 13th, the Tram will operate on a rush hour schedule from 7 AM until 10 PM to accommodate residents and visitors. There may be traffic delays on Main Street as well as delays in Red Bus and Q102 service throughout the day. Please plan your travel accordingly.
The MTA reports Roosevelt Island F Train service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

The Clinton Campaign sent this email yesterday to those who received a ticket for the Roosevelt Island event advising to expect airport style security:
We can't wait to see you on Saturday at the Hillary for America official launch event -- we're so excited that you're going to be a part of this day! Here's some information you'll need ahead of time:

When and Where
- Saturday, June 13th doors open at 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island, NY

What to bring
- Your printed ticket -- the confirmation email you received when you registered for the event, you can also use your phone to show your ticket. Children under the age of 13 do not need a ticket to enter the event.
- Small personal cameras and cell phones will be permitted.
- Guests are encouraged to bring water in standard-sized, clear plastic bottles, as there will be a limited supply at the event.

What not to bring
- There will be airport style security. Items that will NOT BE permitted include food, liquids other than water, large bags, large purses, backpacks, strollers, umbrellas, noise makers, bullhorns, posters, signs, pets other than licensed service animals, sharp objects, or weapons.

What to expect
- Limited cell service on Roosevelt Island.
- The event is standing only -- seating will be provided for ADA guests.
- Food is not permitted in the park, so make sure to have breakfast before you arrive.
- Be prepared for a hot summer day; sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes are highly encouraged.

How to get to Four Freedoms Park
The best way to get to the park is by public transportation -- parking on the island will be extremely limited.

- Subway: Take the F Train to the Roosevelt Island stop. Follow signs to Four Freedoms Park.

- Tram: From Manhattan: Get on the tram at 59th Street & Second Avenue Station. Travel time to Roosevelt Island is 4-5 minutes, with trams departing every 10 minutes. Exit at Tramway Station on Roosevelt Island. Follow signs to Four Freedoms Park.

- Bus: From Queensboro Plaza overpass, take stairway down north side to corner of Crescent and Bridge Plaza North. Take the Q102 Queens Surface bus to Roosevelt Island. Follow signs to Four Freedoms Park.

We want to accommodate as many ADA guests as possible, so if you know that you will need assistance on-site, please contact ADAseating@hillaryclinton.com to make necessary arrangements. ADA guests are welcome to bring one guest with them into the ADA section.

This is going to be a great event and we're thrilled to have you -- one of our best supporters -- there as we launch into the next phase of this campaign.

Thanks,

Hillary for America
Fox News reports that Roosevelt Island:
... named after former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was chosen for the event because the Democratic frontrunner's career has been inspired by Roosevelt’s belief that “America is stronger when we summon the work and talents of all Americans," according to a campaign official. And Clinton has long considered former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt a role model, the campaign said.

But critics have raised a list of concerns including that the island is notoriously difficult to reach.

"I can't think of an area in the five boroughs of New York City that's harder to get to," Flip Pidot, Republican strategist and CEO of American Civics Exchange, told FoxNews.com's "Strategy Room."...


The Twitterverse responds to the notion of Roosevelt Island's inaccessibility.
The FDR Four Freedoms Park tells us what to expect and has some rules.
The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Communications Chair Janet Falk contacted responded to inquiries from various media outlets about the Roosevelt Island Clinton campaign event. Ms. Falk shares her message to the media:
In view of the impending arrival of Hillary Rodham Clinton to launch her campaign as candidate for President of the United States in Four Freedoms Park on Saturday, as well as the expected presence of fellow Democratic Party leaders and thousands of supporters, Roosevelt Island has garnered quite a bit of media attention.

A number of news organizations have reached out to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association to learn more about our community, the impact of the rally on the plans for Roosevelt Island Day, and the views of individuals about the overlapping events.

RIRA has distributed the following statement to the media:
Thanks for your note requesting information from the Roosevelt Island Residents Association about Roosevelt Island Day and the Clinton event on Saturday, June 13, 2015.

As Chair of the Communications Committee of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, I refer you to the comments of RIRA President Jeffrey Escobar, as posted here (scroll down to the update at 8:20 pm).

The annual Roosevelt Island Day will proceed as planned. The activities include residents who volunteer to plant flowers and plants in the planters that beautify Main Street; a petting zoo and rides for children; demonstrations of hands-only CPR; Island organizations sharing news of their programs and recruiting members; a blood drive; portrait sketching sessions led by artists of the local gallery; and food for purchase. These activities will be held in and adjacent to Good Shepherd Plaza, located in the heart of the Island on Main Street. Most attendees will be Island residents (14,000 people live here), who will walk to the event from their nearby apartments to see their friends and neighbors and have fun.

The Clinton event will be held in Four Freedoms Park, at the southern tip of the island. It is at least one mile south of Good Shepherd Plaza. Most attendees will arrive by subway and tram and then walk at least half a mile south to arrive at the entrance to Southpoint Park, and then another quarter mile to the rally site. At the end of the rally, these visitors are welcome to attend the Roosevelt Island Day activities. It is anticipated that many participants at the rally will retrace their steps and take transportation back, and few will likely walk the additional quarter mile north of the subway and tram to enjoy the warmth and friendship of the small-town community atmosphere of Roosevelt Island Day...

... Representatives of RIRA (Jeffrey Escobar, President; Sherie Helstien, Vice President; Janet Falk, Communications Chair) have spoken and/or corresponded with reporters at:

The New York Daily News

The New York Post

The New York Times

FOX News

WFUV radio

NYU

among others.

Whether the above information is incorporated into the news articles remains to be seen.
Here's what the NY Times had to say.
Tomorrow will be a very busy day on Roosevelt Island.

UPDATE 5:30 PM - More from the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse on Hillary Clinton Roosevelt Island campaign event.
And this is


hilarious.

UPDATE 8 PM - Here's the set up at FDR Four Freedoms Park tonight before Hillary Clinton's speech tomorrow. You can see the stage and podium facing north, press area, seating and Ms. Clinton's walkway to stage as well as the crowd overflow space with video screen at bottom of granite stairs.


UPDATE 6/13 - Watch video of Hillary Clinton's speech today.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 3:27:00 PM

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