Friday, August 5, 2016

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week With NY Breastfeeding Caravan - Introduces Legislation To Support Working Moms

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney celebrated World Breastfeeding Week today. According to this Press Release from Congresswoman Maloney:

Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) joined mothers from across New York City for the New York Breastfeeding Caravan to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and raise awareness for mothers’ rights to breastfeed.


"As the first woman to give birth while serving on the New York City Council, I know firsthand the difficulties new mothers face in the workplace,” said Rep. Maloney. “Those difficulties should not include breastfeeding. I’m thrilled that New York City is once again showing why we are a national leader for nursing mothers with Mayor Bill de Blasio signing new legislation this week making sure that women across our city can access lactation rooms in job centers, SNAP centers, health centers, and children’s centers. I have heard from far too many mothers calling my office to share their experiences of being harassed or threatened for nursing at work or in public places. We must affirm this right for all mothers in the workplace and in public."

Rep. Maloney has introduced the Supporting Working Moms Act (H.R. 4113), which would expand protections for break time and accommodations to pump breast milk to all working mothers.
Congresswoman Maloney has more information on breastfeeding issues available at her web site. 

Here is link to Support Working Moms Act bill introduced by Congresswoman Maloney.

Roosevelt Island Firefighters Field Outdoor Movie Showing Tonight Of Across The Universe Rescheduled For Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony Viewing Party - Also, August 6 Showing Of Goonies Cancelled Due To Expected Rain And Thunderstorms

The Roosevelt Island Firefighters Field Outdoor movie

Image From June 24 Firefighters Field Outdoor Movie Showing Of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

showing scheduled tonight of Across The Universe has been cancelled and rescheduled for next Saturday August 12. Instead, there will be a public viewing party tonight of the 2016 Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony Parade Of Nations at the Riverwalk Commons.
Also, tomorrow's Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie showing at Firefighters Field of Goonies has been cancelled due to expected thunderstorms and rescheduled for September 2
Goonies has been rescheduled for September 2.

Good News - Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Service To And From Manhattan Again This Weekend, That's 9 In A Row - E Train Service Too

According to the MTA Weekender, there will be Roosevelt Island F train service


 to and from Manhattan this weekend. That's 9 weekends in a row.

Yay!!!!!

Also:
E Trains run via the F in both directions between W 4 St and 21 St-Queensbridge


Weekend, 11:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Aug 5 - 8

Thursday, August 4, 2016

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island 2016 Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony Parade Of Nations Viewing Party Friday August 5



According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):


Join us for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony! After the success of the 2012 London Olympics viewing, RIOC will once again host an outdoor viewing party on Friday, August 5th from 8 PM to approximately 12 AM.

Come to the Riverwalk Commons Area (on the lawn between the Riverwalk Bar & Grill and Fuji East) to watch the Parade of Nations and an exciting spectacle of Brazilian culture at the world’s biggest party! Enjoy food & drink specials as you lounge on the grass or in the outdoor seating of our local establishments.

This year we will broadcast on both a 30’x15’ projector screen and on four 50” TVs. The event will be rain or shine. For more info visit

We hope to see you there!

Travel Back In Time To The 1940's With Swing, Jazz & Ballroom Music And Dance of Fleur Seule Tonight At Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park

You're invited to a free music and dance party tonight with Fleur Seule at the Roosevelt Island FDR 4 Freedoms Park August 4 Music at Sunset Concert Series. According to the FDR 4 Freedoms Park:


Travel back in time to the 1940s with swing, jazz, and ballroom hits by Fleur Seule. Led by songbird and band leader Allyson Briggs, Fleur Seule's 7-piece band plays the music popular in FDR's time, evoking a bygone era.

From 6:15pm - 7:15pm, learn to swing-dance with lessons for all levels by dancing couple Jerry and Celia Feldman. Then, visitors can practice their new moves from 7:15pm - 9pm.

Food, beer, and wine will be available for sale at the Katchkie Truck. Members will receive 2 complimentary drinks. Become a member today!

Free; no registration required.
About Fleur Seule

Fleur Seule is an authentic 1940s Jazz & Swing band that plays hits from all around the world. Songbird/Bandleader Allyson Briggs sings in 6 languages to accommodate a wide variety of New York audiences. The band size ranges from 2-9 pieces and can provide the perfect ambiance for an intimate cocktail lounge to filling a dance floor with inspiring swing dancers! Whether an All-American USO style set, or an exotic voyage through Europe, Fleur Seule will take you on a memorable musical journey, as they revive hits made famous by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, Dinah Shore, and more.
Here's a little taste



of Fleur Seule.



Have a good time.

UPDATE 8/5 - From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:
A photo posted by Four Freedoms Park (@4freedomspark) on

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg Takes Roosevelt Island Tram To Check Out Cornell Tech Campus Construction Site Today

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports former NYC Mayor Roosevelt Island took the Tram to visit the Cornell Tech construction site today.

Image From Stefanie Kessler

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Financial History Of RIOC Sole Subject of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Of Directors Special Meeting August 4 - In Executive Session Closed To The Public

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced yesterday afternoon a "Special Meeting" of the Board of Directors to be held on Thursday August 4 in Executive Session, meaning closed to the public. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at The RIOC Corporate Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York for the purpose of transacting such business as shall come before the Board.

AGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. New Business

1. Chair’s Motion for Executive Session to Discuss the Financial History of a Particular Corporation.

IV. Adjournment

* * *

The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.
I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal and RIOC Directors:
Can you provide the name of the "Particular Corporation" which is the subject of August 4 RIOC Board Of Directors Special Meeting Executive Session?

Also can you provide any other information regarding the reason for this meeting that can be made public at this time?
Ms Rosenthal replied:
RIOC
is the particular corporation to be discussed at the Board meeting..

I replied today:
What is reason that a discussion of RIOC financial history by Board of Directors is being held in Executive Session?
 Will update when more information becomes available.

According to the NY State Open Meetings Law:
§100. Legislative declaration.

It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it....
... §103. Open meetings and executive sessions.
(a) Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the general public, except that an executive session of such body may be called and business transacted thereat in accordance with section one hundred five of this article....
... §105. Conduct of executive sessions.
1. Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys:
a. matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed;
b. any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
c. information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
d. discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
e. collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
f. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
g. the preparation, grading or administration of examinations; and
h. the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
2. Attendance at an executive session shall be permitted to any member of the public body and any other persons authorized by the public body....
UPDATE 8/4 - From RIOC:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the Board of Directors previously scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. has been CANCELLED.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Roosevelt Island Residents Ask For Southbound Red Bus Stop At Rivercross Building, RIOC Evaluating Request - Additional Red Bus, Less Crowding, Better Tracking Asked For Too

Is an additional Roosevelt Island Southbound Red Bus stop needed between the current Good Shepherd and Riverwalk stops?



A reader suggests:

.... a bus stop between the church and the next stop. I go to The doctors office and it's a long walk from the church to the Drs office. When you're  not feeling good or it is extremely hot you don't feel like walking that far.
I have heard similar requests for a southbound Rivercross Red Bus Stop

Image of Proposed Red Bus Stop In Front Of Rivercross Building

from others

Red Bus Passing Rivercross Building On Way To Riverwalk Stop

as well.

Also, on July 25, Roosevelt Island resident Nathaniel Phillips expressed concerns about the Red Bus service. According to Mr. Phillips:
Once again there was no southbound Red Bus service @ 10am. From 9:45 to 10:15 people were stranded. There was a 10am Octogon Express than went by with 10 people on it at 10:02. I wonder if there is any management of the Red Bus system? The lack of a 10am bus must have been known and that 30 minute gap must have rippled through. There are times that drivers leave early! Making a 2 minute a 17 minute wait! If you call the Red Bus phone line you go to voicemail and I've yet to have a call returned.

As things stand at as general matter the bus is consistently overcrowded during the day time hours. We need an additional bus. Several drivers do not enable the GPS units making the bus tracking apps useless. Lastly the use of SUV size strollers is a safety hazard. I've been on a bus with 3 baby strollers carrying two babies and a dog. This bus service is in desperate need of management.

Why can't we be text notified when bus service is interrupted? Why don't we have countdown clocks at stops on the route? Why can't GPS tracking be reliable? Why doesn't RIOC has an APP to communicate with its customers? We are not asking for the logistical management of the Normandy landing! I am sure the Red Bus has lots of complications, but the MTA is much better at tracking thousands of buses along thousands of city streets. This is a 2 mile long bus route.
I forwarded the request for an additional Red Bus Stop at Rivercross building and Mr. Phillips comment to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal, RIOC Directors and RIOC Transportation Manager Cy Opperman.

Mr. Opperman replied
On Monday July 25, 2016 the 10 AM Octagon local bus ( # 5 ) was taken out of service, because of a rear door electrical problem. Also we are evaluating the request for a bus stop at 507 Main Street.
I also asked Mr. Opperman
... is the Next Bus Red Bus Schedule App still working?

Residents have told me that app does not work any longer.

Is there another Red Bus schedule app being used?
Mr. Opperman replied:
The app is still up and running. As you know already, the signal does get lost at times under the Ed Koch bridge, however bus movement can be tracked by the app.

There are a few steps when tracking the Red Bus on the app.

On the NextBus main page hit Menu, select agency, scroll down to New York and click Roosevelt Island, now users should click Red Bus, choose Northbound or Southbound, choose their stop, then click to view map where the buses will appear.
Next Bus Roosevelt Island Red Bus app is here and can be downloaded here.

RIOC Director David Kraut provides some historical background on Roosevelt Island Red Bus stop at Rivercross building:
When there was a stop at 505, the next-previous stop was in front of the Stationary Store, so the spacing was natural. The stop was moved to behind the Chapel when we obtained new, longer busses sometime in the mid- 1990's.

Moving that stop lost the Stationary most of it's newspaper business.