Watch Roosevelt Island Fireside Chat Interviews With Candidates Running For NYC Council District 5, Manhattan Borough President, District Attorney & Democratic Party District Leader - Early Voting Thru June 20 At Sportpark, Primary Election Day June 22 At PS/IS 217 & Learn About Ranked Choice Voting Too

 As previously reported:

Joyce Short and Ellen Polivy, two long-time Roosevelt Island activists, founded the Political Engagement Group (PEG) in order to revive Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s concept of “Fireside Chats,” right here on Roosevelt Island. Their aim is to provide voters on the Upper Eastside and Roosevelt Island with a personal view of the people, their platforms, and their interests in our communities, in order to help their neighbors make enlightened decisions when they cast their votes on June 22nd. 

Click here to view the Roosevelt Island Fireside Chats on You Tube with:

• Kim Moscaritolo- Candidate for City Council Representative
• Julie Menin- Candidate for City Council Representative
• Rebecca Lamorte- Candidate for City Council Representative
• Billy Freeland- Candidate for City Council Representative
• Tricia Shimamura- Candidate for City Council Representative 
• Chris Sosa- Candidate for City Council Representative  
  
• Brad Hoylman- Candidate for Manhattan Borough President 
• Ben Kallos- Candidate for Manhattan Borough President
• Mark Levine- Candidate for Manhattan Borough President
• Tali Farhadian Weinstein- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney
• Eliza Orlins- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney
• Lucy Lang- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney
• Liz Crotty- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney
• Dan Quart- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney 
• Alvin Bragg- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney
• Diana Florence- Candidate for Manhattan District Attorney
• Esther Yang- Candidate for Manhattan District Leader 

NYC early voting runs thru June 20. Roosevelt Island early voting location is at the Sportspark facility, 250 Main Street. Primary Election Day is June 22. Roosevelt Island Primary Election Day Polling location is at PS/IS 217 (645 Main Street). 

This year, NYC has ranked choice voting. This is how it works.

Manhattan Borough President Candidate Lindsey Boylan Says Her Experience Overseeing RIOC Will Benefit Roosevelt Island Residents During Campaign Visit Yesterday - Watch Video Interview And Learn More About Her Campaign

Lindsey Boylan is a candidate in the June 22 Manhattan Borough President Democratic Party Primary. According to Ms Boylan's web site: 

We need a justice-first Manhattan Borough President. Lindsey is an unapologetic progressive with nearly a decade of experience as an urban planner and public servant, managing public parks and spaces and overseeing housing, economic development, and disaster relief for the State of New York. Lindsey is running for Manhattan Borough President because we need bold progressivism, radical accountability, and executive experience for our City.

Ms Boylan campaigned on Roosevelt Island yesterday afternoon, speaking with residents about their issues and concerns.

Manhattan Borough President candidate @LindseyBoylan is visiting #RooseveltIsland, talking to the @Rooseveltisland and local residents pic.twitter.com/R64AUbXlqv

— Penny Gold, Esq.🏳️‍🌈 (@GoldenPenny1987) June 13, 2021

Loved spending time talking to New Yorkers on Roosevelt Island today. Thank you @GoldenPenny1987 for showing #TeamLindsey around! 🗽🌳🧡 pic.twitter.com/xETpA22e8S

— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) June 13, 2021

I spoke with Ms Boylan yesterday in front of the Nisi restaurant. Ms Boylan was very knowledgeable about Roosevelt Island issues having overseen the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) during her time as the Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Housing for NY State. According to Ms Boylan:

... I oversaw the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Alot of the complicated issues was how to age out of Mitchell Lama and one of the last things that I was engaged in was both Westview and thinking through how to preserve as much affordability as possible ...

... One of the goals has to be how can people living on Roosevelt Island benefit the most and feel like they are a part of all of the planning, even that's happening south of the tram and in Cornell Tech, and how do we make sure that the first priority is always people who live on Roosevelt Island and how do we enhance all the things that are wonderful here. 

So I guarantee you, I'm the most experienced with RIOC because I oversaw it when I was the Secretary. Resiliency issues that we are undoubtedly going to be dealing with, infrastructure support, particularly for the walking ways and the waterfront and then integration of Cornell Tech, all those things are stuff I'm very familiar with and it would be so fun to work together to make sure that Roosevelt Island is the place that we all know it can be and continues to be deeply affordable livable in whatever ways I can do that. 

Learn more about Ms Boylan's campaign for Manhattan Borough President at her website.

Ms Boylan's opponents in the June 22 Democratic Party Primary are: 

• Mark Levine (Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Interview here)
  
• Elizabeth Caputo   
• Ben Kallos   
• Brad Holyman (Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Interview here)
  
• Kimberly Watkins 
• Michael Lewyn 

You may ask what exactly does a Borough President do? According to The City:

... A borough president is an advocate for their borough in a number of ways. 

First, they have a sizable chunk of change at their disposal to fund local initiatives, groups and projects like buying technology for public schools, renovating local parks or spearheading community health outreach.

Borough presidents share about 5% of the city budget to fund things in their borough — about $4 billion among them, according to the city’s Campaign Finance Board.

Borough presidents can also introduce bills in the City Council, though they do not get a vote.
They weigh in on land use proposals — in other words, development projects that need public approval — with an advisory vote and written decision. Their input is not binding, but it can be quite influential if they are staunchly for or against a project and lobby Council members or the mayor. 

Working with local City Council members, Borough presidents also appoint all members of community boards, the local bodies that weigh in on everything from new bike lanes to liquor licenses for restaurants. With that power, the borough presidents can exert significant sway over neighborhood-level politics and projects....

Click here for more from The City on NYC Borough Presidents. 

And Gothamist has more on what the Borough President does.   

NYC early voting started yesterday, June 12, and runs thru June 20. Roosevelt Island early voting location is at the Sportspark facility, 250 Main Street. Primary Election Day is June 22. Roosevelt Island Primary Election Day Polling location is at PS/IS 217 (645 Main Street).

This year, NYC has ranked choice voting. This is how it works.

Manhattan Borough President Candidate Mark Levine Meets And Speaks To Roosevelt Island Residents At Farmers Market Today - Watch Video Of What He Has To Say About Imagining A Better Manhattan & Roosevelt Island

Mark Levine is a NYC Council Member representing the Upper West Side, Harlem & Washington Heights and is running for Manhattan Borough President to succeed Gale Brewer who is term limited. Mr Levine was at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market today

meeting and talking with residents about local issues.

#TeamLevine joined @MarkLevineNYC at the Roosevelt Island farmer’s market! We loved talking to residents about how they #ImagineABetterManhattan, including public banking, reinvesting in the Roosevelt Island community, and bike lines. pic.twitter.com/L1FZKlDzNN

— Team Levine 👟 (@TeamLevineNYC) May 8, 2021

46 days until the primary, and here’s another idea to #ImagineABetterManhattan:

==> Let's make mountains of trash bags a thing of the past on crowded Manhattan sidewalks. It's time we catch up to other cities and install sealed, on-street containers. pic.twitter.com/QV4d8e0pMM

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) May 8, 2021

I spoke with Mr. Levine at the Farmers Market about his ideas to #ImagineABetterManhattan and better Roosevelt Island including bringing a local bank branch to Roosevelt Island, making sure resident needs are prioritized by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and working to insure that Cornell Tech gives back to the Roosevelt Island Community. Mr Levine spoke of his role as Chair of the NYC Council Health Committee fighting the Covid 19 pandemic too. 

Here's what Mr Levine had to say.

Saw the lovely @MarkLevineNYC at the farmers market on Roosevelt island earlier! Even though I can’t vote cuz of my immigration status I’d still like to voice my support for this guy for his amazing job over the past few months with covid vax and many other issues! pic.twitter.com/uSR1SFDNAN

— Robert Yuzhe Song (@astrorobb) May 8, 2021

Learn more about Mr Levine's campaign for Manhattan Borough President at his website.

Mr Levine's opponents in the June 22 Democratic Party Primary are: 

• Lindsey Boylan   
• Elizabeth Caputo   
• Ben Kallos   
• Brad Holyman (Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Interview here)
  
• Kimberly Watkins 
• Michael Lewyn 

Roosevelt Island will have an early voting site from June 12 to 20 at the Sportspark facility (250 Main Street) for Manhattan Borough President and other June 22 NYC election day contests.

You may ask what exactly does a Borough President do? According to The City:

... A borough president is an advocate for their borough in a number of ways. 

First, they have a sizable chunk of change at their disposal to fund local initiatives, groups and projects like buying technology for public schools, renovating local parks or spearheading community health outreach.

Borough presidents share about 5% of the city budget to fund things in their borough — about $4 billion among them, according to the city’s Campaign Finance Board.

Borough presidents can also introduce bills in the City Council, though they do not get a vote.
They weigh in on land use proposals — in other words, development projects that need public approval — with an advisory vote and written decision. Their input is not binding, but it can be quite influential if they are staunchly for or against a project and lobby Council members or the mayor. 

Working with local City Council members, Borough presidents also appoint all members of community boards, the local bodies that weigh in on everything from new bike lanes to liquor licenses for restaurants. With that power, the borough presidents can exert significant sway over neighborhood-level politics and projects....

Click here for more from The City on NYC Borough Presidents.

And Gothamist has more on what the Borough President does.  

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Political Engagement Group Virtual Zoom Fireside Chat With Manhattan Borough President Candidate Mark Levine Tonight, May 3 - Watch Prior Chats With NYC Council Candidates Billy Freeland,Julie Menin And Rebecca Lamorte

As previously reported:

Joyce Short and Ellen Polivy, two long-time Roosevelt Island activists, founded the Political Engagement Group (PEG) in order to revive Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s concept of “Fireside Chats,” right here on Roosevelt Island. Their aim is to provide voters on the Upper Eastside and Roosevelt Island with a personal view of the people, their platforms, and their interests in our communities, in order to help their neighbors make enlightened decisions when they cast their votes on June 22nd.

“What better place to recreate FDR’s concept that began 88 years ago, almost to the very day we’ll begin; Monday, March 15th at 8:00 PM,” said Joyce Short. “We’ll be interviewing candidates each Monday and Wednesday evening, at either 7:30 or 8 PM, for Mayor, Borough President, District Attorney, City Council, and Democratic District Leader....

The next Roosevelt Island PEG Fireside Chat is tonight, May 3, with Mark Levine who is a candidate in the June 22 Democratic Party Primary for Manhattan Borough President.

Contact jm_short@ymail.com for Zoom link to the PEG Fireside Chat with Mark Levine and to send questions. 

According to Mr Levine's Manhattan Borough President campaign website:

City Councilmember Mark Levine is a leading voice in New York City for tenants rights, public health, and equity in our schools, transit, parks, and housing. 

Mark has twice been elected to represent the 7th Council district–one of the most diverse in New York City–covering West Harlem/Hamilton Heights, Morningside Heights, and parts of the Upper West Side and Washington Heights....

ICYMI: My conversation with @TweetBenMax on @MNN59 about my campaign for Borough President, and our plan for the come-back of Manhattan and NYC:https://t.co/WYcVEewf8N

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) April 21, 2021

Learn more about Mr Levine's campaign for Manhattan Borough President at his website.

Mr Levin's opponents in the June 22 Democratic Party Manhattan Borough President Primary are: 

• Lindsey Boylan   
• Elizabeth Caputo   
• Ben Kallos   
• Brad Hoylman  
  
• Kimberly Watkins 
• Michael Lewyn 
  

You may ask what exactly does a Borough President do? According to The City:

... A borough president is an advocate for their borough in a number of ways. 

First, they have a sizable chunk of change at their disposal to fund local initiatives, groups and projects like buying technology for public schools, renovating local parks or spearheading community health outreach.

Borough presidents share about 5% of the city budget to fund things in their borough — about $4 billion among them, according to the city’s Campaign Finance Board.

Borough presidents can also introduce bills in the City Council, though they do not get a vote.
They weigh in on land use proposals — in other words, development projects that need public approval — with an advisory vote and written decision. Their input is not binding, but it can be quite influential if they are staunchly for or against a project and lobby Council members or the mayor. 

Working with local City Council members, Borough presidents also appoint all members of community boards, the local bodies that weigh in on everything from new bike lanes to liquor licenses for restaurants. With that power, the borough presidents can exert significant sway over neighborhood-level politics and projects....

Click here for more from The City on NYC Borough Presidents.

And the Gothamist has more on what the Borough President does.

Watch earlier Roosevelt Island Fireside Chats with NYC Council Democratic Party Primary Candidates to represent Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side: 

Billy Freeland,


Julie Menin


and Rebecca Lamorte.

Manhattan Borough President Candidate Brad Hoylman Meets And Speaks To Roosevelt Island Residents At Farmers Market Last Saturday - Watch Video Of What He Has To Say

Brad Hoylman is a NY State Senator representing the 27th District in Manhattan and running for Manhattan Borough President to succeed Gale Brewer who is term limited. Mr Hoylman was at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market last Saturday meeting and talking with residents about local issues.

Last weekend of petitioning! ✍️There couldn’t be more glorious weather to be all over Manhattan to:

🌞 march with @JohannaG_NYC & @RJackson_NYC in Washington Heights❗️

🌞 visit Abingdon Square farmer’s market with @villagedems❗️

🌞join @estheryangny on Roosevelt Island❗️ pic.twitter.com/YYgpwFi71m

— Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) March 20, 2021

I spoke with Mr Hoylman at the Farmers Market. Mr Hoylman said his number one priority is affordable housing and emphasized need for a "progressive reformer" like himself as the Manhattan Borough President. Here's what he had to say.

Learn more about Mr Hoylman's campaign for Manhattan Borough President at his website.

Mr Hoylman's opponents in the June 22 Democratic Party Primary are: 

• Lindsey Boylan   
• Elizabeth Caputo   
• Ben Kallos   
• Mark Levine   
• Kimberly Watkins 
• Michael Lewyn 
  

You may ask what exactly does a Borough President do? According to The City:

... A borough president is an advocate for their borough in a number of ways. 

First, they have a sizable chunk of change at their disposal to fund local initiatives, groups and projects like buying technology for public schools, renovating local parks or spearheading community health outreach.

Borough presidents share about 5% of the city budget to fund things in their borough — about $4 billion among them, according to the city’s Campaign Finance Board.

Borough presidents can also introduce bills in the City Council, though they do not get a vote.
They weigh in on land use proposals — in other words, development projects that need public approval — with an advisory vote and written decision. Their input is not binding, but it can be quite influential if they are staunchly for or against a project and lobby Council members or the mayor. 

Working with local City Council members, Borough presidents also appoint all members of community boards, the local bodies that weigh in on everything from new bike lanes to liquor licenses for restaurants. With that power, the borough presidents can exert significant sway over neighborhood-level politics and projects....

Click here for more from The City on NYC Borough Presidents.

And the Gothamist has more on what the Borough President does.