Almost 2 thousand Roosevelt Island residents cast their early voting ballots
at RIVAA Gallery this past week. Dozens of first time voters cast their
ballots including this young woman
who told me how proud she was to cast her first ballot as a recent American
citizen.
Roosevelt Island Early Voting and Election Day Coordinator Judy Berdy reports:
WHAT DID 1979 ISLANDERS DO LAST WEEK? THEY VOTED EARLY!!
The last week had been invigorating, interesting, exhausting and definitely
not boring.
Islanders showed up in numbers that surprised us. There were dozens of who
were first time voters, all of whom got a round of applause from the poll
workers and other voters.
The hours are grueling, 96 open to the public plus opening and closing
times. Luckily most of our team live on the island so the commute is
minimal. Our team is great, every day every one of our 24 poll workers
were at the poll-site.
Mommies, daddies, babies, grannies and grandpas all came to vote in all
modes of transport!!!
Thanks to our great community for turning out. The comment I got the most
from off islanders is what a small town this is!!!
I will be up at 4 a.m. tomorrow to open the school pollsite at 5 a.m. and
welcome voters at 6 a.m.
THANKS TO RIVAA FOR USE OF THE GALLERY FOR OUR EARLY VOTING SITE. THANKS TO
MARGIE SMITH, CAT AND JIM FOR MAKING US WELCOME IN THIS WONDERFUL SPACE!
Roosevelt Island election day voting tomorrow, November 5, is at PS/IS 217 (645
Main Street).
The abrupt decrease recently introduced to the Roosevelt Island Tramway
services are gravely affecting the residents of our island. As many New
Yorkers know the beautiful views of the skyline have introduced more tourists
to the tram as social media has created an explosion of interest in recent
years. Decreasing service at this time has put enormous strain to an already
stressful and taxing commute. The tram now runs slower and at a decreased
frequency during rush hour and weekends when it’s at its highest capacity of
commuters and tourists.
The unilateral decisions made by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation,
seemingly in response to a New York Post article, have disrupted the life of
everyday individuals rather than being driven by genuine resident
complaints.
Consequently, at a time when our bus services are stalling due to mechanical
breakdowns, these ill-considered alterations have only compounded transport
issues within our community. Impacting students, full-time employees, and in
particular those trying to navigate during rush hour, the inconvenience and
hardship caused are substantial.
Furthermore, the failure to consider synchronicity with the bus schedules
when they are operational, and the lack of posted schedules for these new
tram services, only intensify the issue at hand. This must be addressed.
It's vital to remember that public transport is a right, not merely a
service - this dispute is not just about trams, but ensuring available and
fair transportation for all.
The voice of the islanders deserves to be heard and respected. Demand that
the tram changes are reversed, and that any future amendments are made in
collaboration with those who bear the impact. Sign the petition.
Ms Benson and several other residents spoke at the October 22 RIOC Board
Meeting Public Session about the Roosevelt Island Tram problems referenced in
the Petition. Also, a representative from the Tram operator, Poma-Leitner,
spoke about the problems. He explained that the NY State Department of Labor mandated the Tram
speed slowdown in order to reduce the instances of sudden Tram stoppages
causing the cabin
to swing back and forth in mid air.
Watch the full 30 minute discussion at beginning of this video.
A Roosevelt Island senior reported the following and I confirmed with RIOC
Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown and Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso that it is
accurate:
Fellow Roosevelt Islanders: Please be reminded: Seniors and Disabled have
PRIORITY, and MAY board trams FIRST. Here's how:
1. Put your MetroCard through the reader at the gate, swing turnstile around
so no one else can enter on your card,(or in Manhattan, you can put the card
in the reader by the gate, near the Tram overseer stall),
2. Then go to the DISEMBARKATION side of whichever tram car you're waiting
for.
3. When the incoming tram riders are done disembarking that car, the Tram
operator will let you on before he/she opens the doors for regular boarding.
RIOC/TRAM employees know this is the method devised to help older and/or
mobility challenged residents, but
4. RIOC NOW needs to now consider this boarding method for ALL regular
residents as well, and THEN,
5. board the tourists after we residents have all gotten on. And, if
necessary, there should be adequate staff available to make sure this
happens in an orderly fashion.”
I asked Chief Brown and Deputy Chief Amoroso if this boarding preference would be available to all residents and workers. They answered no.
Also, be advised that several Roosevelt Island
seniors and disabled residents have reported that some Tram employees are not aware of RIOC's Tram boarding preference for Seniors and Disabled residents policy and did not allow them priority boarding.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
