Although it may be more about amateurish communications, apparent chaos at RIOC spilled over since Friday. And now, concerned residents are asking worrisome questions.
By David Stone
Chaos at RIOC?
“What else can RIOC do wrong?” asked a longtime Roosevelt Islander. This was after hearing about a drowning death in Sportspark. While there’s no evidence that anyone did anything wrong, RIOC’s handling of the news was a mess.
Another resident was more elaborate…
Let’s see — Since Friday —
1. Mysterious move of Covid test center?
2. Late & Poorly disseminated info about TV Shoot Inconveniencing many?
3. Individual drowns at Sportspark & RIOC tries to hide it?
4. Anyone’s guess for what’s next…?
Roosevelt Island Pioneer
What’s next…?
We have an answer…
RIOC board does a backflip
May 12th, 2021, Advisory: Please be advised that the RIOC Board of Directors meeting, scheduled for Thursday, May 20th of 2021, has been cancelled.
The second time a board meeting was cancelled — not postponed — this year, signalled that the state’s descent into the bunker escalated. For years, until current president/CEO Shelton Haynes took over, public board meetings were our most consistent source of information about the agency the community is forced to pay for.
May 17th, 2021, Advisory: Please take notice that an emergency meeting of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 at 5:30 P.M., via videoconference.
Almost all “advisories” land in mailboxes after hours these days, but no explanation was given for the flip.
And don’t mistake it for a return to transparency. The single item on the agenda is a retreat into “executive session” where they’ll discuss “pending litigation.”
Because RIOC’s not saying any more about this secret session, the topic is unknown. However, RIOC’s board and state officials, all of whom are defendants, suffered a major courtroom setback. Last week, the court ordered them to hand over information about Susan Rosenthal’s dismissal that they fought to hide.
But it’s a guess.
What else suggests chaos at RIOC?
How about the “mysterious move of the COVID test center…?”
More than three hours before publicly acknowledging an incident at Sportspark that occurred the day before, RIOC’s alleged Communications Team released this:
“Please be advised that the COVID-19 Testing Site will be closed from Wednesday, May 19th through Saturday, May 22nd. This temporary closure comes ahead of an anticipated relocation of the site to RIVAA Gallery (527 Main Street).”
A head scratcher?
More like a head-spinner with more questions raised than answered.
Already subject of suspicions surrounding its funding and practices, the testing center’s abrupt closing startled. Why? RIOC again denies residents’ right to know.
But the real corker is a move in RIVAA Gallery? RIVAA currently has a major exhibit in place, Vernissage 20, and it’s scheduled until May 30th. A solo show featuring Georgette Sinclair is already on tap, following.
So, what happens to RIVAA? As usual, RIOC’s not saying, and a RIVAA executive did not respond to an email seeking information.
Conclusion
Again, what appears as chaos at RIOC may be nothing more than amateurish fumbling by a Communications Team lead by an athletics instructor. But taken in total, for a frustrated community, it is what it is.
Residents hope the chaos will sort itself out, but no one’s counting on RIOC’s help in doing so.
Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily…
- Queens Subway and Far Rockaway Stabbings Spur Police InvestigationsQueens subway and Far Rockaway stabbings on September 30 prompted separate police investigations and community response after two fatal incidents disrupted daily routines.
- Fatal Stabbing on J Train at Woodhaven Boulevard Spurs Subway Safety Concerns in QueensA fatal stabbing on J train at Woodhaven Boulevard raises fresh subway safety concerns in Queens, as NYPD investigates and riders reflect on recent incidents.
- J and M Train Weekend Service Changes: What Riders Need to KnowJ and M train weekend service changes will impact riders for five weekends as crews replace elevated track switches. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for modified schedules across Brooklyn and Queens.
- Coastal Flooding Disrupts Southeast Queens Streets and TransitCoastal flooding disrupted streets and transit across Southeast Queens as a fall nor’easter brought heavy rain and renewed calls for resilience and improved drainage.
- Nor’easter Brings Slow Streets and Transit Delays Across Queens and NYCAfter the nor’easter, slow streets and transit delays across Queens and NYC greeted commuters. Utility crews continued repairs as normal routines resumed Monday.
Still Searching: Transparency Delayed at RIOC
New York’s Freedom of Information Law rests on a basic principle: government records belong to the public unless an agency can identify a lawful reason to withhold them. For Roosevelt Island residents, that right matters because RIOC controls public land, infrastructure, transportation, contracts and development without functioning as a locally elected government.
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