Fifteen minutes before RIOC’s virtual Traffic Safety Town Hall was set to begin, Frank Farance emailed the state agency’s managers. “The meeting link for tonight’s town hall meeting is still not visible…” It never became visible. WTF?
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News.
The Traffic Safety Town Hall That Wasn’t
“RIOC will be hosting a Traffic Safety Town Hall and would like you to attend!” said a RIOC Advisory. It was repeated as recently as Sunday.
“Join us virtually on Wednesday, November 17th, at 6 PM, as we discuss Main Street and island promenades as it pertains to Traffic safety.
“Be a part of the conversation and click here to submit any question you may have regarding island Traffic safety. To view the meeting visit, rioc.ny.gov/336.”
But it never happened, and something else never happened. RIOC’s vaunted Communications Team never informed anyone about a cancellation. Nothing. In fact, the state agency’s Live webpage still lists the event but says it “hasn’t started yet.”
WTF?
As of this morning, there is no indication of what went off the rails or why RIOC’s well-paid, four-member Communications Team chalked up another failure. Under normal circumstances, we’d expect some word from RIOC today, but nothing about RIOC is normal. So, we’ll hang on an extended WTF for now.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Fall Prevention for Seniors: Make Your Apartment Safer, Nov. 20Fall prevention for seniors: Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 20 virtual roundtable tours a typical NYC apartment, with tips on landlord changes and balance. RSVP on Zoom.
- Thursday’s PSD blotter: two hospital runs, a trespass summons at 888 MainRIOC’s Nov. 12 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents: six medical calls, two alarms at 546 Main Street, and a late-night trespass at 888 Main Street that ended with a summons.
- Queens Home Prices and Rents Rise in October 2026 as Long Island City Condos Draw BuyersQueens home prices and rents rose in October 2026. See StreetEasy’s housing figures and Long Island City condo contract activity at Radiant and Vesta.
- Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Get Answers on 2027 ChangesMedicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7. Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 16 virtual town hall covers 2027 premium, deductible and Part D changes, with a HIICAP expert’s Q&A.
- Wednesday’s PSD blotter: two medical calls, a water leak, a custody reportRIOC’s Nov. 11 PSD blotter lists 10 incidents, all on Main Street, including two medical calls at 555 Main Street, a water leak at 560 Main and a custody or visitation report.
- Six-Unit Apartment Building Planned for 10th Street in AstoriaPlans for a six-unit apartment building in Astoria call for four stories at 35-25 10th St. See proposed dimensions, apartment sizes and permit status.
Susan Rosenthal, a Sacrificial Lamb?*
After Susan Rosenthal was fired, David Kraut would talk about almost anything except Susan. This was unusual because David could discuss a subject long after everyone else had exhausted both the subject and the available oxygen. When her name entered the conversation, however, he became careful. At first I mistook that restraint for discretion; later, I began to recognize guilt.
