If state redistricting maps hold firm, Astoria native Michael Gianaris absorbs Roosevelt Island into his Queens-based 12th Senatorial District. Our isolated mid-river community, now covered by Bronx based José Serrano, has bounced around a lot, but this seems a better fit.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Swapping José Serrano for Michael Gianaris
No matter what gives with redistricting, it’s important to remember that José Serrano is our state senator until the end of this year. Serrano has been a friend of Roosevelt Island. He shows up, appearing at most events, and is always accessible. And he is currently promoting badly needed legislation aimed at reeling in RIOC. Similar legislation, penned by Rebecca Seawright, also awaits state assembly approval.
No question, Serrano would win the votes of Roosevelt Islanders in this year’s election, but he probably won’t be on the ballot. Instead, we’re likely to see Michael Gianaris as his 12th district slides west and absorbs Roosevelt Island. It’s a big change connecting neighboring communities with many mutual interests. We already share police and fire protection, and you can’t drive off Roosevelt Island without visiting Astoria.
That’s made more relevant by the fact that Gianaris is an Astoria native who still lives there. A first generation Greek-American, he got his BA at Fordham and his law degree at Harvard. And he shares another local quality – Gianaris is a fighter who does a lot more than talk about it.
Tackling Amazon
When Amazon proposed using tax dollars for a Long Island City headquarters, it was in the 12th District, and Gianaris led the winning fight against it. When you think about it, he already did us a favor because we never hear Jeff Bezos’s helicopter buzzing overhead on its way to Queens.
Plus, we gain some clout. Gianaris is deputy majority leader of the state senate, and he led the 2020 Census-driven redistricting now reshaping political power. You can read more about him on his website.
We promise to keep you posted on developments as they come along.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Octagon Park Lecture Nov. 16: Was the Park’s Plan a Success?Octagon Park lecture: architect John di Domenico revisits how the park was planned 35 years ago and whether it worked. Free, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., island library.
- Friday’s PSD blotter: two theft reports at 425 Main, three hospital runsRIOC’s Nov. 13 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including two petit larceny reports at 425 Main Street, three hospital transports and five entries at 546 Main.
- Variety Boys and Girls Club Sale: Astoria Property Sells for $28 MillionThe Variety Boys and Girls Club sale brings $28 million for its longtime Astoria property. Questions remain about the building’s future and youth programs.
- 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.
The Budget Knew Before the “Emergency”
The demolition began on paper long before the City invoked emergency authority to carry it out. In RIOC’s fiscal 2013-14 budget, the Corporation set aside $7 million for fiscal 2015 for the complete demolition and cleanup of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant. RIOC called that figure its worst-case scenario, meaning the State corporation might be left responsible for the entire cost.
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