When we learned, in early October, that board members Dave Kapell and Jeffrey Escobar no longer lived on Roosevelt Island, The Daily asked both to resign. Their appointments were based on their residency. Escobar, always an ethical Island volunteer in multiple projects, complied right away. Kapell, an Andrew Cuomo pal, did not – until yesterday.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
In resigning, Kapell did not acknowledge widespread demands that he go. Instead, in a tweet by RIOC, he blamed new business obligations. RIOC did not otherwise make any sort of official announcement.
Opposition to Kapell’s refusal to go, an anti-community stance supported by RIOC and Governor Kathy Hochul, grew so fierce that State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and Senator José Serrano proposed legislation that would require it.
The irony is that Kapell was the rare board member taking an active interest in community improvements. He pushed hard for upgrading the neglected Motorgate Atrium, among other projects, and was slowed only by the coronavirus.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- 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.
- Tuesday’s PSD blotter: noise calls, a harassment reportRIOC’s Nov. 10 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including four noise complaints, a harassment report and one hospital transport.
- Queens Public Library Ransomware Attack: Digital Services Still DisruptedThe Queens Public Library ransomware attack continues to disrupt public computers, digital books and online services, with no confirmed restoration date.
- A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hiredA different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
- Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesRIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
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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