Confusion surrounding the official New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area multiplied when RIOC tried evading accountability… er, clearing up some details. We decided we’d better take a look.
By David Stone
The New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area RIOC Advisory
What brought this to our attention was a late in the day “RIOC Advisory.” Here it is, verbatim, and yes, there are bonus points if you figure out what their saying:
It has come to our attention that there is a narrative circulating through the community that the parking spots on Main Street, which have been designated for use by vehicles pertinent to the operations of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), were reserved for our President and CEO, and his guests. This narrative is false. To be clear and in an effort to maintain transparency, RIOC is reiterating that these four parking spots are designated for use by contracted vendors, visitors, and RIOC vehicles germane to efficient operations of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. These parking spots are reserved only during RIOC business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
RIOC Advisories, Thursday, April 29th, 2021, 4:50 p.m.
The problem with this semi-literate information spill isn’t immediately apparent. But once you discover that the author of this false “narrative” is none other than RIOC’s own public safety chief Kevin Brown, your jaw may drop a little…
WTF?
Yes, Chief Brown told a RIRA committee, earlier this month, that the New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area was, in fact, set aside for Haynes and his guests. That made sense, of course, what with his annexing a major part of historic Blackwell House for his office.
Blackwell House is across the street, and he shouldn’t have to walk too far.
So, who is lying here? Is it RIOC or… mmm, RIOC?
We confirmed Chief Brown’s statement with two people present at the meeting. Yes, both agreed, that was his clear answer to a question. Chief Brown said the four reserved spots were for RIOC’s president/CEO and his guests. Period.
Let’s be clear. This news site repeatedly criticized Brown’s management of RIOC’s Public Safety Department. But Kevin Brown is not dishonest. In fact, the legendary Jack McManus stood up for him and his character, and that should be good enough for anyone.
Moreover, Chief Brown has reported directly to Haynes for year, before he became CEO and after. If anyone was aware of the situation, he was.
No, Kevin Brown was not lying about the New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area.
So, who was? RIOC’s alleged Communications Team?
Maybe, neither.
Off the rails when RIOC confuses information with marketing and branding
Blame a limp board already sued for failing to do its job. Or, blame unqualified leadership for setting up a Communications Team where the leader’s main prior qualification was handing out volleyballs.
Quickly, last June, with his promotion following the disgraceful Susan Rosenthal ambush, Shelton Haynes wedged out the last professional public information officer RIOC may ever have. Terrence McCauley took an exit when he saw the writing — more like scribbling — on the wall, protecting his reputation.
And probably his sanity.
By fall, after buttoning up the bunker around Haynes, the alleged Communications Team presented RIOC’s board of enablers directors with their operational structure. External communications, according to director Erica Spencer-EL was limited to “Branding” and “Marketing.”
Talking with local media or sharing accurate information was not part of the plan.
In this scenario, understanding the advisory and all the misinformation is easy.
After Chief Brown’s blunder, saying out loud the silent part, marketing raced in and made it look better. Except it really isn’t any better.
Once past the New York State Shelton J. Haynes Parking Area, the single readable sign is posted. With plenty of company.
But really, it’s the “ADJ TO 501 MAIN STREET” that takes the cake.
Where exactly is 501 Main Street?
501 Main Street is way over there, the lighted doorway sunk beneath Rivercross. Maybe “ADJ To” means something other than “adjacent to.”
We’ll await the alleged Communication Team’s next advisory.
Conclusion:
Enough as the New York State Shelton Haynes Parking Area is a problem for Roosevelt Island, the long term issues are greater.
If a state agency, a company or even an individual can’t simply acknowledge a mistake, the kind all of us make, and instead opts for shirking accountability, it, he or she will never get better.
So often, dealing with RIOC is like dealing with high school juveniles still uncertain about the virtues they’re willing to adopt and the shrinking entitlements that must go with it.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- How To Make A Relaxing Sunday Last For A Long Time: Chamber Music at Gallery RIVAA
Join us on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 3 PM when RIVAA Gallery hosts an afternoon of Chamber Music with Yiheng Yang, pianist and professor at Juilliard, accompanied by her virtuoso musical guests. The Roosevelt Island Daily News Part of an ongoing series, if you haven’t yet attended one of these amazing concerts you should - More Celebrity Voices and Promo Spots Coming to Subway Stations and Trains
A one-year pilot program would test passengers’ response to in-station advertisements and famous names making train announcements. By Jose Martinez Apr 26 5:00am EDT The MTA is testing new audio tracks in the subway — with on-train announcements from boldface name New Yorkers and in-station promotions for big-ticket events. New agency documents detail the MTA’s - Adams’ Latest Budget Restores Cuts to Cops, Pre-Schools
The executive budget unveiled by the mayor on Wednesday paints a rosier revenue picture than previous plans, but libraries will still have to make do with less. By Katie Honan, and Greg David Apr 24 2:35pm EDT New York City’s financial outlook is on the upswing following wins in the state budget, better Wall Street - Leaf Blower Season, the Annual Assault on Common Sense
Yesterday, the annoying backyard roar told me “It’s leaf blower season again.” The environmentally unsound, intrusive machines deprive manual laborers of earnings. We’d be better off if we brought out some rakes and did it the old way in the fresh air. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News Leaf blowers can be a - On International Jazz Day, What This Music Has Brought the World: A Celebration of Creativity, Freedom, and Unity
Yesterday, RIOC announced a free concert on Roosevelt Island in recognition of International Jazz Day. Music will fill the plaza behind the public library on Saturday afternoon. That’s an important contribution to community life, but the music’s significance could be better known. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News The Many Gifts of Jazz
8 thoughts on “SO, WHO LIED ABOUT THE NEW YORK STATE SHELTON J. HAYNES PARKING AREA? WAS IT RIOC OR… WELL, RIOC?”