Photojournalist And Local Resident Chris Vail Invites You To Opening Reception For His "Roosevelt Island: The Vision Revisited" Exhibition Saturday September 28 - "The Sky Feels Big Here, Bigger Than Anywhere Else In New York"

Chris Vail is a documentary and news photographer. His work includes: 

• Remembering Nicaragua, Images From 1980-1990
• North Carolina, Rhythms of Change: North Carolina's Música Latina.
• Outcasts, Ukrainian prisoners fighting HIV/AIDS share their thougths
• Places, Urban and Rural Landscapes
• Mexican Music, Regional Mexico and its troubadors

Mr Vail is a long time Roosevelt Island resident. He brings his skills as a photojournalist to showing the "structures and spaces unique to Roosevelt Island" in a new exhibit opening today at RIVAA Gallery  titled:

Roosevelt Island: The Vision Revisited.

RIVVA Gallery is hosting an opening reception for Roosevelt Island: The Vision Revisited exhibition on Saturday September 28 from 5-8 pm. You're invited.

Image By Chris Vail

According to Mr Vail:

The Vision Revisited is a series of photographs that focus on structures and spaces unique to Roosevelt Island. Combined with thoughts of notable architects who have left their mark on the island, the series wanders through evidence of its complex history.

I moved to the Island fourteen years ago and began this photographic series. The work focuses on the interplay of elements: light, structure, nature, and space, all amidst a tidal strait in constant motion. The exhibition will be on view from September 26 to October 21 at the RIVAA Gallery, 527 Main St. Roosevelt Island, NY, NY

Images By Chris Vail

I spoke with Mr Vail earlier today about his The Vision Revisited exhibition.

Roosevelt Island resident and Gallery RIVAA member artist Laura Hussey interviewed Mr Vail recently about his "Roosevelt Island: The Vision Revisited exhibition in this question and answer format. 

Q - You had a career as a professional photographer. What kind of work have you done?

A - As a photojournalist I worked extensively in Latin America, starting in the 80’s in Central America and Haiti and continuing into the 2000’s, based in Mexico City. I later produced documentaries on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, Ukraine, and the Americas.


Q - Is there any difference in your approach to photographing for an assignment as opposed to creating a series with a topic of your own choosing? If there is what is the difference?

A - The biggest difference is that when I’m on assignment, I’m providing an answer to someone else’s question. When I choose the topic, I get to ask the question as well as provide the answer.

Q - How did photography come to be a career choice?

A - Working for my college newspaper, one day there was a big demonstration and no photographers around. Someone showed me how to load a camera and sent me out to take photos. I was hooked. I thought that if I could spend my life making pictures, I would be a very lucky person. Turns out I was right.

Q - You print black and white photos then reveal one color element. Why do you
do that? 

A - When I view a scene, I tend to isolate individual elements in my mind. It could be a color, a form, angle of light, shadow. It’s how my mind works. The great thing is it allows me to revisit a scene many times and see it differently each time. I wanted to extend that experience to viewers with these images.

Q - And how is it done?

A - I shoot digital images. All that information, black and white and color, is in the file. I use masking to reveal bits of color in what are predominantly black and white images. Do you generally work in series? 

Q - Do you think of a series and of photography in general as a form of storytelling? 

A -  I do work in series, and it is a form of storytelling, not necessarily a linear narrative but a group of images that has its own internal logic.

Q - Why did you choose to photograph Roosevelt Island? Are you drawn first to the architecture, the history, the inhabitants or all of the above.

A - I moved here in 2007. The first things that struck me about Roosevelt Island were the quality of the light, the expanse of the sky, and that magnificent bridge. The rest was a process of discovery.

Q - You are a Roosevelt Island resident. How did living here impact or change your approach to photography?

The geographic boundaries allowed me to have an almost meditative experience with this place. I didn’t start out thinking I would do a series, it just sort of happened organically and then really gelled during Covid.

Q - Do you always do your own printing? What determines the size of a print?

A - I printed everything in the upcoming RIVAA exhibition. I do all my own printing except when I need a very large print, then I create a master image file and work with a professional printer.

Q - Do you manipulate the images in any way?

A - No, the images are not manipulated.

Q - What was the most interesting take away for you or the most surprising thing you discovered in photographing Roosevelt Island?

A - Just how much I enjoy being out on this island in bad weather.

More info about Chris Vail at his website and Instagram page.

Watch Video Of RIOC Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen Describe Current State Of Roosevelt Island Red Bus Service, How We Got Here and Future Solutions During RIOC September 19 Board Of Directors Meeting

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen reported to the September 19, 2024 RIOC Board of Directors meeting on the current state of the Red Bus service, how we got here and future improvements. According to Ms Cunneen:

I'm going to talk about the most unpopular topic on the Island tonight. Our Red Bus service. I'd like to start by sincerely saying that we understand how challenging and frustrating the last months have been and we're doing everything we can to increase and maintain better service on the island....

Watch the video of Ms Cunneen's 21 minute Red Bus Presentation.

It's a very interesting and thorough presentation.

Sponsored Post - Ignite Your Child's Tennis Passion - Sign Up For The Fall Junior Tennis Program At The Roosevelt Racquet Club Led By Top Notch Experienced Coaches Teaching At Every Level, Come Visit Us Today

JOIN THE FUN.

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Being in the right class is key to having a successful tennis experience! To ensure this, we offer free 15-minute on-court evaluations and virtual consultations for new players. Come visit us today!

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And join The Club!

Members of the Advantage Junior Development Program receive full Roosevelt Island Racquet Club membership benefits for the period they are enrolled in the Junior Program. This means member prices on court rentals and private lessons with two-week in-advance reservation privileges.

Meet Magnus Gunnarsson, the new Director of the Advantage Junior Development Tennis Program at the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club :

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For more info, please email play@advantagetennisclubs.com or call 718.239.7917

Intermittent Roosevelt Island Bridge Openings And Closings This Week As East River Boat Traffic Diverted To East Channel During 2024 UN General Assembly Week - RIOC Says Traffic Delays May Occur, Extra Security Precautions In Effect With Coast Guard Gunboats In East River Near RI Too

It's that time of the year again, the beginning of United Nations General Assembly week with extra security precautions in effect for NYC.

As world leaders gather in NYC for the 79th United Nations General Assembly, there will be an increase in police presence and heavy traffic in the surrounding areas of the United Nations. If you're traveling, give yourself extra time and use public transportation when possible. pic.twitter.com/C4tf16OgpW

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 23, 2024

For Roosevelt Island, there will be intermittent closings of the Roosevelt Island bridge as East River traffic is diverted from the West Channel to the East Channel and Coast Guard Gunboats are patrolling the East River near Roosevelt Island.

#HeadsUp

The 79th United Nation General Assembly security zones are now in effect until Saturday. The Coast Guard’s news release can be seen at https://t.co/Bhbx4iZbMb. East River closures can be found at https://t.co/obVcV8vY6H @UN @NYPDnews @SecretService @FDNY @NYSDEC pic.twitter.com/JMK9jiiqDM

— USCG_Tri_State (@USCG_Tri_State) September 22, 2024

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

2024 U.N. General Assembly | R.I. Bridge Operations

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will take place from Sunday, September 22nd through Saturday, September 28th. Due to necessary changes in marine traffic, during this time, the Roosevelt Island Bridge will open on demand from 6 AM to 8 PM. Please be advised that each opening should take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to be completed.

As a reminder, during the opening and lowering of the Roosevelt Island Bridge, some delays may occur. Please keep this in mind when planning your vehicular travel next week.

Roosevelt Island residents have expressed concern about the Roosevelt Island Bridge being closed preventing emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks from getting on and off Roosevelt Island.

RIOC Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown tried to lessen those concerns by reporting during the September 19, Community Engagement meeting that an EMS ambulance truck, FDNY and NYPD personnel will be stationed on Roosevelt Island during UN General Assembly Week. Chief Brown said the bridge could open and close 10-15 times a day this week. Here's what he said.

As reported in prior years during the UN General Assembly Week, here's the:  

... View of raised Roosevelt Island Bridge from passing sailboat on East River east channel...

and the Roosevelt Island Bridge being lowered:

... after sailboat passed underneath. It took about 4 1/2 minutes for the Bridge to be lowered into place and traffic to proceed. The video is at double speed taking a little bit more than 2 minutes....

and traffic jam on the Roosevelt Island Bridge 

waiting for it to reopen as a sailboat passes underneath.

East River boat traffic diverted to Queens Side of Roosevelt Island During United Nations General Assembly Week for security precautions. RI Bridge raised to allow recreational boat to pass underneath causing traffic RI delays. https://t.co/UBBx5c6FT5 pic.twitter.com/zY909Dgae4

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 20, 2022

Sponsored Post - Are You Interested In Local Politics? You're Invited To 4 Freedoms Democratic Club Annual Roosevelt Island Meeting Thursday Evening September 26 At Good Shepherd Church, State Senator Liz Krueger Special Guest

Are you interested in Democratic Party politics and wish to meet like minded folks? If yes, the Four Freedoms Democratic Club is hosting its annual Roosevelt Island meeting 7 PM Thursday September 26, at the Good Shepherd Church (543 Main Street). and you're invited.

According to the Four Freedoms Democratic Club:

Join Our September General Meeting

Thursday, September 26 7:00pm

Special Guest: State Senator Liz Krueger.

"Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value."

Liz Krueger lives this old saying. She brings her values to bear as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Hear what she has to say about the development of New York's next budget. Ask her a question. Or two.

Every September the Four Freedoms Democratic Club meets on Roosevelt Island -- which is part of the 76th Assembly District.

Take the Tram, the F train, or the Ferry via the Astoria line.

For people who can't make the meeting in person, join us at our regular Zoom link: join us at our Club Zoom link

After the meeting, join us for an informal get together at Granny Annie's -- a few steps away at 425 Main Street.

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More info on the Four Freedoms Democratic Club at their website and Instagram page.

Ben Fhala Resigned Today From The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Board Of Directors - Appointed In June 2023, He Brought Much Needed Accountability, Transparency & Community Engagement To RIOC But Angered Some With Perceived Aggressive And Confrontational Style

Roosevelt Island resident Ben Fhala has been a breath of fresh air on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors. He was a needed change agent calling for accountability, transparency and community engagement from the RIOC staff and other RIOC Board Directors which had been sorely lacking for a very long time before his appointment in June 2023. 

But, Mr Fhala's style and behavior could sometimes be perceived as overly aggressive and confrontational which angered some and others thought his tactics were counter productive at times.

Image Of Ben Fhala At September 29, 2024 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting

Rumors were swirling yesterday that Ben Fhala would soon be removed from the RIOC Board of Directors after Mr Fhala was spotted by several residents outside the Good Shepherd Church during last Thursday evening's RIOC Board of Directors Executive Session. The speculation was that he was outside during the meeting because he was one of the subjects being discussed in the Executive Session.

Today Mr Fhala's removal was confirmed when he shared the following email he sent to NY Governor Kathy Hochul this morning:

Dear Governor Hochul, 

I am writing to formally submit my resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), effective immediately. It is my sincere hope that this decision might also help to motivate board members whose terms have long expired to consider stepping down to pave the way for others to step up and lead with the commitment, energy and vision required to address the many challenges ahead.

For the past year, working alongside dedicated individuals, together we advocated for and advised implementation of policies that benefit the Roosevelt Island community. 

Among these achievements:

Revised Updated Bylaws: 

Governance Committee updated the bylaws aimed at engagement, transparency and setting the stage for a more localized governance and decision-making process. The revised Bylaws received the approval of the ABO and the COOG and are ready for the consideration of the full board.

Addressing Negligence/Deferred Maintenance in Repair of Pavement and Zebra Block Maintenance: 

Initiating the repairs has already led to a dramatic reduction in slip-and-fall incidents, directly improving public safety and accessibility of our Island. Safer streets reduce accidents and lawsuits.

Empowering Island Leadership to Engage with Stakeholders: 

Facilitating deeper engagement between Island leadership and stakeholders, including local media, to enhance transparency and community engagement in decision-making processes.

Increased Public Funding for Local Non-Profits: 

Successfully aligned public purpose funding with the needs of local non-profits, ensuring that resources are distributed more effectively to directly support community-driven initiatives.

Reducing Motorgate Waitlist: 

From a waitlist of well over a year to immediate availability for all residents, significantly improving access and increasing revenue for the corporation.

Despite these accomplishments, many critical issues still require urgent attention to ensure the continued growth and well-being of the Roosevelt Island community. These include:

Corruption and Misconduct in Contract Selection: Numerous allegations of corruption, favoritism, and misconduct in the selection of RIOC contracts, contractors and consultants seems to be substantiated. This issue requires urgent investigation and reform to restore trust and integrity.

Unjustified Salary Increases for Senior Staff while lacking Critical Skills required for performance tasks : Salaries within RIOC’s senior staff have ballooned over the years without clear guidelines regarding the professional responsibilities, success parameters, or alignment with current market rates for comparable government positions. Multiple whistleblowers have reported unmerited salary increases, but no action has been taken by the board or its handlers. At the same time, critical skilled roles such as a structural engineer remain unfilled. The lack of a professional staff with appropriate qualifications results in the hiring of outside consultants at significant additional expense.

Enabling Strong, Experienced Local Leadership: With de facto vacancies in our CEO, COO and General Counsel roles, it’s critical to appoint qualified and capable leadership that serves the public interests of Roosevelt Island. Meanwhile, the continued payment for the current at-home administration adds a strain on resources

Self-Funded Investigations: The ongoing practice of self-funded, open-ended investigations has cost Island residents millions of dollars over the years. Often they are without clear guardrails, control mechanisms, or transparency. These investigations need to be scrutinized and brought under board oversight.

Neglect and Disrepair of Island Infrastructure: Years of deferred maintenance and negligence have left many structures on the island in disrepair, from a sinking Main Street to structurally compromised railings to unresolved issues with steam tunnels that could pose catastrophic risks. Immediate action is needed to prevent further deterioration and ensure public safety. The current bus crisis is evidence that advanced organization and budget planning is critical but is rarely, if ever, done. Preventive maintenance of all systems and operations should be done on a routine basis.

Capitalization of Tram Tourism Ridership: The current focus on subsidizing tram ridership for tourists is negatively impacting the quality of service and strains public resources. The increase in tourism should provide an injection of revenue to increase the quality of life of all stakeholders on the Island but no strategic vision has been discussed let alone implemented.

Finding New Funding Avenues: It is crucial to explore new ways to fund RIOC initiatives, such as building out a grants department or hiring an advocacy group to secure long-term operational funding and consider tourism as a source for economic growth.

However, it has become increasingly clear that I have become a focal point of discussions and controversies that detract from the essential work that needs to be done. The focus and efforts should always be on the real and critical issues the Island faces. The work of RIOC and its board, as a public benefit corporation, should be exclusively to improve the quality of life for the stakeholders of this Island—the residents, businesses, and communities we serve. In light of this, I believe that my continued presence on the board is counterproductive to achieving the progress the stakeholders of this Island deserve.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of Roosevelt Island. I remain deeply committed to the community and will continue to support it in any way I can.

Cordially,

Ben Fhala*

Junior (Resident) Board Member

*Disclaimer: All statements made by Ben Fhala are made in his capacity as a RIOC Resident Board member. He does not represent the entirety of RIOC or the full board but serves as a Resident Board member, offering information to the community and its stakeholders.

You can see some of the tension between Mr Fhala and RIOC Board Chair designee Megan Anderson representing NY State Department Homes & Community Renewal (DHCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, and fellow RIOC Board members Howard Polivy, Faye Christian and David Kraut during last Thursday's RIOC Board Meeting. Mr Fhala appeared to be trying to make some information public which was objected to by some of the other Board members.

Reliable sources say that a majority of the RIOC Board had the votes to pass a resolution recommending Mr Fhala's removal from the Board.

Mr Fhala's resignation leaves vacant one of the 9 RIOC Board seats vacant. The Board seat will not be filled to at least January 2025 when the NY State Senate is in session and more likely many months later.

Mr Fhala will be thanked by many residents who appreciate the good work he accomplished. 

Stay tune for more on Mr Fhala's resignation from the RIOC Board.

RIOC And Judy Berdy Install Wild Turkey Signage To Protect Rosie The Roosevelt Island Turkey From Vehicle Traffic As She Crosses Main Street

Reported last August 29 that the folks from the Manhattan Bird Alert: 

... are concerned for the safety of Rosie (A/K/A Astoria) the Roosevelt Island wild Turkey....

and sent a message to me asking: 

We wanted to raise a concern about the Turkey that you might be able to address. Astoria crosses streets every day and that is a bit dangerous. She sometimes appears to wait for traffic to move through. Sometimes people help her make it across safely. And the speed limit is low. 15 mph we believe. All good things.

Maybe you have some ideas on how to make her life even safer. Signage perhaps? Encouraging local drivers to watch out for her? Encouraging pedestrians to help her when she is near the road?

We now have Main Street Wild Turkey Crossing signage 

to protect Rosie 

from oncoming vehicles.

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Roosevelt Island residents and government work together to erect "Turkey Crossing" signs to make Astoria (aka Rosie) the Wild Turkey's life safer—the first such signs in NYC. 🦃 ❤️https://t.co/xcM4hIxMpx

— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) September 13, 2024

According to the NY Post:

... A concerned neighbor dropped off two of such signs at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation office Friday morning, which the local governing body said will be erected at some of Rosie’s hangout spots in the next few days.

“I worry because Ms. Turkey, Rosie, she doesn’t have a good sense of direction, and she just walks in the middle of the street. She doesn’t know any better,” Judy Berdy, 77, who made the placards, told The Post....

Tipster Theresa Bosbach shares this photo

of a flyer she spotted in the subway from a writer seeking stories about our Rosie the Roosevelt Island Turkey for an article.

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend - Plan On Long Line At Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station

According to the MTA, there will be no Roosevelt Island F Train service from Manhattan this weekend. 

Q & A Interview With Roosevelt Island Artist Saundra Lamb Currently Showing Earth Sky And Above Painting Exhibition At RIVAA Gallery - Last Chance To See Her Romantic, Mysterious And Dreamlike Vision Of The Universe This Weekend

This weekend is your last chance to visit artist Saundra Lamb's 

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

Earth Sky and Above exhibition of paintings at the RIVAA Gallery. According to RIVAA Gallery: 

Saundra Lamb looks at our world and beyond in her upcoming exhibition, Earth, Sky and Above at RIVAA Gallery. Join in her travels and share her dreamlike vision of our home, planet Earth, and its place in our universe. Her exhibition runs from August 30 - September 22, 2024....

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Roosevelt Island resident and Gallery RIVAA member artist Laura Hussey interviewed Ms Lamb recently about her Earth Sky And Above exhibition in this question and answer format.

Q - Saundra, in your current exhibition at RIVAA Gallery you take on the entire universe. As a theme for paintings it is rather vast. What inspired you to tackle it and how did you know where to start? Judging by the paintings you appear to have a somewhat romantic, mysterious, and dreamlike feeling about space. Can you talk about your technique a bit to explain how you manage to convey that so well?

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

A - In my universe paintings I was inspired by National Geographic Magazine. I had accompany my granddaughter to her dental appointment. While sitting in the waiting area, I noticed the magazine, which I am familiar with. I have always found it interesting. This day was no exception.I came across the article on the Hubble Telescope. I viewed the very colorful photos of the galaxy. I was fascinated, and I knew I wanted to paint my own depiction. I began watching the science programs for any material on the galaxy. I started taking pictures of the beautiful images. I have tried to show those images in my own way. I began each of these pieces by first painting the canvas black. Thinking this would allow for a more vibrant color tone. I began the first work based on what I liked and what I felt to be movement of the vivid colors, and did they give me a warm feeling. I actually gave it a try and brought it to completion.

Q - Some of the paintings have “figures” that look like people. Do you actually see that when you look at the sky, were you inspired by photographs or are the images solely from your imagination?

A - I often look at the Sky. My imagination is at work when I have images that look like people. My imagination is telling me, maybe those figures exist in space.

Q - Judging by the paintings you appear to have a somewhat romantic, mysterious, and dreamlike feeling about space. Can you talk about your technique a bit to explain how you manage to convey that so well?

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

The other subject your paintings in the exhibition cover is nature, specifically landscape. You seem to imbue your landscapes, and especially trees with human qualities, a “personality”. It comes across that you identify very closely with trees and flowers beyond their function as part of the formal composition of a painting. Is my impression correct? If it is, would you explain a little further how you arrive at your landscapes? Are they purely from imagination or are you inspired by actual landscapes, particular settings, trees or flowers that inspire your feelings?

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

A - Your impression of my landscapes is indeed correct, spot on. I think of Trees as a form of protection when the Sun is too hot, and as one of the original pillars of the earth. I do try to depict them in some sort of human form as though they interact with each other as humans do. I feel the same about Flowers. I love their beauty, fragrance, lively colors and the joy they bring to us. I try to show them n that light. All based on my imagination. However, I do get inspiration from actual landscapes. Has Roosevelt Island ever been the inspiration for any of your landscape paintings? Roosevelt Island has been and is the inspiration for some of the landscapes, in particular the Cherry Blossom Trees. I love it when they are in bloom.

Q - Do you ever put people or other figures in your landscapes? If not why don’t you?

A - I put imaginary images of people in some of my landscapes, but one must look closely to see them. They are sometimes hiding behind Trees.

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

Q - How did you start painting? How did you come to be a member of RIVAA and how long have you been a member ?

A - I started painting in 1996 after meeting the late Arlene Jacoby, and taking lessons from Art Professor Valeriu Boborelu. I became a RIVAA member, per Arlene Jacoby's encouragement, and sometimes Art instructions. She saw some of my Trees and she liked them. At first I rejected the idea, telling her I'm not an Artist. She was very insistent and would not take no for an answer. I am grateful that she did not listen to me.

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Photos are by Roosevelt Island artist and RIVAA Gallery member Esther Piaskowski Cohen.

You're Invited To Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir Gospel And Black Spiritual Music Concert Sunday Afternoon At Roosevelt Island Good Shepherd Church - Reception To Follow Afterwards

The Roosevelt Island Episcopal Congregation at the Church of the Good Shepherd (543 Main Street

invites you to:

Please join us for a musical concert with the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir 4 PM Sunday September 22, 2024 at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Donation at the door $20 ($10 for Seniors). There will be a reception right after the event.