Resign, now. You are not Roosevelt Islanders, and in spite of the goofy rationale cobbled together by RIOC, your occupying seats on the RIOC board isn’t ethical. Grow a pair, and do the right thing.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Dave Kapell, Jeffrey Escobar: Resign, now
It’s clear, plain and simple.
Of the seven public members, two members, one of whom shall be a resident of Roosevelt Island, shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the mayor of the city; and four additional members shall be residents of Roosevelt Island.
RIOC Enabling Legislation, As Amended in 2006
The first qualification is met by Howard Polivy, appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. A second seat remains vacant, a likely result of Governor Cuomo feuding with Mayor di Blasio.
But the second condition, the “four additional members,” falls short because, today, there are only three: David Kraut, Michael Shinozaki and Conway Ekpo. Both Kapell and Escobar should resign now, emptying seats for residents. Maybe even a woman or two on the board for a change.
Why it matters…
Residency requirements for the board were a hard fought win, the law amended in 2006. A determined band of residents convinced the politicians that local representation made sense because it supported democracy. The phrase “taxation without representation” floating around was embarrassing.
And any fair-minded supporter of American values understands that local taxpayers must have a say in governing.
But not the next governor, Andrew Cuomo, lead a ten-year effort to abolish local democracy without changing the law. A cynical politician determined to get a board full of “Yes” votes, he let membership dwindle through retirements. Then, once those who sometimes spoke up, all women, were out, he nominated three men, replacing them.
Two of the new guys were Escobar and Kapell. Escobar was a welcome choice. He’d already volunteered many hours, serving on the RIRA Common Council. But Kapell? Nobody knew who he was, except Governor Cuomo. A successful businessman and politician in Greenport, he was also a predictable “Yes” for anything the governor rolled down from Albany.
It’s Time: Resign, Now
One striking similarity among all three new members is that none of them put in much effort. They don’t appear at committee meetings where nuts and bolts business happens. And they only show up for full board meetings where they say “Yes” on every issue. And that’s because everything is either initiated or laundered through the governor’s office.
Local rule is nonexistent, these days. But the law says warm bodies must fill a quorum’s worth of chairs, making all the “Yes” votes legal.
For their own good, why should either Escobar or Kapell risk their reputations as professionals by taking part in this ugly charade?
And getting real, neither live on Roosevelt Island. Kapell never did full time, and Escobar packed up, more than a year ago.
Both are professionals with successful careers, but neither has feet on the ground here anymore. What they do have are rising profiles as squatters planted by a disgraced governor who used them for selfish reasons.
Both ought to resign, now, because Cuomo can’t do them anyone special favors anymore.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Mixed-Income Housing Project Transforms Long Island City WaterfrontA new mixed-income housing project is set to transform the Long Island City waterfront, bringing nearly 1,000 new homes and long-term affordability to western Queens.
- 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.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
6 COMMENTS