As Jeffrey Escobar did the right thing as a nonresident, resigning from RIOC’s board of directors, State Senator José Serrano openly mislead the community about his role. The Roosevelt Islander blog reported his comments from a September 30th meeting.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
State Senator José Serrano on His Role in RIOC Board Membership
In a meeting of the Four Freedoms Democratic Club, Serrano is quoted saying, “I’ve been trying to find ways to get to get more representation from Island residents on that board.”
What did he leave out?
Although the governor appoints RIOC board members, they must be confirmed by the state senate. That’s Serrano’s realm, but he did not clarify his role. Did he or did he not vote for both Escobar and reluctant to leave nonresident Dave Kapell, based on their living on Roosevelt Island?
If he did, will he now request Kapell’s good faith departure?
But his follow up was worse…
According to the Roosevelt Islander, he added this: “I even carry the bill that the the head of RIOC should be an Island resident….”
That’s a lie.
He should have used the past tense because he dropped the ball when a chance of success arrived in 2018 and dropped it again when prospects got even better in 2020.
In consecutive legislative sessions, prior to 2018, Serrano joined assembly member Rebecca Seawright, introducing bills making residency mandatory for RIOC’s president. The bills had no chance of success because Republicans controlled the Senate. They passed the Democrat controlled assembly easily.
But when Democrats gained control of the Senate too, something strange happened. Neither Seawright nor Senator Serrano reintroduced the bills. Efforts by The Daily for getting an explanation met, instead, with a runaround.
By 2020, the state senate had a supermajority, meaning they could override a governor’s veto, if necessary. The assembly was strongly Democratic too, but again, the bills regarding residency were not introduced.
When asked about it during her reelection campaign, Seawright’s staff said they’d discuss it with Serrano. But they never got back to us about it, as promised.
As for Senator Serrano… When wrapping up an email exchange in August, his communications director asked us, “Please let me know if you need anything else.”
We did, we responded. We wanted an off the record meeting with Serrano “…about Roosevelt Island’s terrible circumstances and what he might do to help us out.”
We did not receive any response, and the circumstances have not improved.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Certified 9/11-Related Cancer Cases Double at Northwell HealthNorthwell Health has seen a sharp increase as certified 9/11-related cancer cases double, transforming care for survivors and responders in the New York region.
- Long-Term Health Effects Linked to 9/11: 25 Years LaterThe 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks brings renewed focus to long-term health effects linked to 9/11, with ongoing needs for survivors, first responders, and affected communities.
- NYC Yellow School Bus Shortage Disrupts Back-to-School PlansA potential NYC yellow school bus shortage could affect back-to-school transportation and schedules as classes begin. Learn how families, schools, and city officials are responding.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suspected in Hunters Point High-Rise: FDNY RespondsA lithium-ion battery fire is suspected in the Hunters Point high-rise incident that prompted a major FDNY response, with a second Queens fire following at Ravenswood. Officials are investigating both events.
- NYPD Shooting on Brooklyn Bridge: What Happened and What Comes NextA look at the NYPD shooting on Brooklyn Bridge: what happened, how the investigation is unfolding, and what NYC commuters can expect as reviews continue.
What the Promenade Remembers
The light on the East River in the early morning is different from the light anywhere else on the Island. It comes in low and sideways, catching the water in long, uneven flashes. On certain days it makes the promenade feel less like a walkway and more like a corridor someone once meant to finish but never quite did. When I was younger I found the suggestion to stop and look at it faintly ridiculous.
