Even on a day when Roosevelt Islanders gathered to honor George Floyd, RIOC found a way for annoying residents. The state agency’s own efforts were feeble, but why stiff-arm others?
By David Stone
“Today RIRA is honoring the death of George Floyd with a vigil ceremony at the Meditation Steps…” read an email to RIOC president/CEO Shelton J. Haynes and chief counsel Gretchen Robinson. The author was activist Frank Farance, member of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council.
In the past, he added, “RIOC (assuming availability) provided tents and equipment and such at community events, including Roosevelt Island Day.”
Now, RIOC, although planning no event of their own, rejected a request to loan public address equipment. Haynes earlier agreed but was overruled by a subordinate.
This was 1:20 p.m., and just seven minutes later — at mid-afternoon — Haynes finally got around to issuing a statement of his own: GEORGE FLOYD STATEMENT.
It circulate only through the RIOC advisory system, normally used for infrastructure announcements, shuttle bus and storm advisories.
RIOC sent no statement to local media for sharing, and of course, with this one, they pivoted quickly, making the statement mostly about RIOC and Haynes.
Refusing help: How RIOC found a way…
The subordinate overruling Haynes was Community Affairs Manager, Jessica Cerone, recently noted as a key player in refusing RIRA president Rossana Ceruzzi admission to the Youth Center reopening ceremony.
Her job, according to her LinkedIn profile: “…coordinate, organize and head the efforts to represent RIOC favorably in the community. The core daily tasks… promote good will while fostering positive relationships with community leaders, organizations…”
But no, she said, providing equipment for such events violated state regulations.
That was the point of Farance’s email, officially a FOIL request for the specific regulations.
While in the meantime…
RIOC found a way of pushing back against supporting the George Floyd vigil, even while routinely ignoring other law violations every day.
Here’s an example.
You can’t miss this sign, nor can president/CEO Haynes as he parks his giant gas guzzler right there. Yet bicyclists buzz past the sign all the time, and RIOC routinely ignores the violation. This, even though racing bicycles the wrong way down a one-way street poses hazards far greater than loaning a podium and speakers.
Also, just in the past year, RIOC waved by extreme violations of the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) rules. These violations set the stage for ex-president/CEO Susan Rosenthal’s legally questionable dismissal.
And multiple times, RIOC failed at providing proper requirements for board meetings and shut its collective eyes on apparent purchasing violations.
So, what’s going on here?
Repeatedly, RIOC found a way to ignore violations when it served a purpose or out of indifference. But when the Residents Association asked for a public address podium for a George Floyd Memorial, no dice…?
Shelton J. Haynes couldn’t find a way…? Really?
Who’s running this place, after all?
Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Queens Family Tragedy: Fatal Shooting and House Fire Leads to ArrestA fatal shooting and house fire in Queens leaves two family members dead and a suspect in custody. Read how emergency responders managed a tragic scene and what comes next as the investigation continues.
- Five-Alarm Flushing House Fire Leaves Elderly Woman Dead and 19 Responders InjuredA five-alarm Flushing house fire left one elderly woman dead and injured 19 responders. Details on casualties, response efforts, and local impact.
- Far Rockaway House Fire and Shooting Leaves Two DeadA Far Rockaway house fire and shooting left two dead and shocked the community as police and firefighters responded to the tragic scene. Read how the events unfolded and what comes next.
- Queens chain-snatching spree prompts multi-precinct responseA chain-snatching spree in Queens has sparked coordinated police action and renewed conversations about neighborhood safety. Learn what steps you can take.
- 140 Rentals Proposed for Mixed-Use Building at 50-01 Queens BoulevardA 13-story mixed-use development is planned for 50-01 Queens Boulevard in Woodside, featuring ground-floor retail and 140 rental units, with a portion reserved as affordable housing. Learn about the proposal, affordable housing details, and the next steps for this evolving Queens neighborhood.
Old RIOC, New Lawyer
President Jones has become better at saying RIOC cares.
1 COMMENTS