As we reported two years ago, RIOC’s hacking of the inkberry tree row shading the East Promenade was a mistake. But the sheer brutality and neglectfulness turned out much worse than we feared. Easy to say, “RIOC did it again,” but hard understanding why.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The Inkberry Chopping As It Happened in 2020
After an appalled resident saw a landscaping crew butchering the inkberry tree row the community appreciated for its shade on summer days, I showed a video to RIOC’s then-Acting President Shelton J. Haynes.
RIOC’s crew was not only doing an unbelievably bad job out of season, they were rude about it when confronted.
Haynes shook his head, explaining that – as RIOC’s new leader – he didn’t want that behavior. Two years down the road, it’s no longer a surprise when nothing gets done, and nothing did.
Inkberry trees are native to the Northeast. They grow in the wild from Maine to Virginia, and they’re common in New York City parks.
They’re not hard to grow. If you can grow a tomato plant, you can grow an inkberry. They come back from the roots every year, and they don’t get very big. So what happened?
The short answer is that RIOC allowed poisonous, invasive weeds to overwhelm them. The long answer is more complicated, but it’s worth telling. RIOC’s retreat into negligence under Haynes is visible and far-reaching.
We’ve been there, but these photos tell a story. We can only hope that the bosses in Albany are paying attention. Haynes is too detached and weak in character to lead change, especially change reversing the messes on his watch, but we elected others to act in our interests.
The time is now.
Please help us meet our expenses.
Thank you.
more from the roosevelt island daily news
- Queens Subway and Far Rockaway Stabbings Spur Police InvestigationsQueens subway and Far Rockaway stabbings on September 30 prompted separate police investigations and community response after two fatal incidents disrupted daily routines.
- Fatal Stabbing on J Train at Woodhaven Boulevard Spurs Subway Safety Concerns in QueensA fatal stabbing on J train at Woodhaven Boulevard raises fresh subway safety concerns in Queens, as NYPD investigates and riders reflect on recent incidents.
- J and M Train Weekend Service Changes: What Riders Need to KnowJ and M train weekend service changes will impact riders for five weekends as crews replace elevated track switches. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for modified schedules across Brooklyn and Queens.
- Coastal Flooding Disrupts Southeast Queens Streets and TransitCoastal flooding disrupted streets and transit across Southeast Queens as a fall nor’easter brought heavy rain and renewed calls for resilience and improved drainage.
- Nor’easter Brings Slow Streets and Transit Delays Across Queens and NYCAfter the nor’easter, slow streets and transit delays across Queens and NYC greeted commuters. Utility crews continued repairs as normal routines resumed Monday.
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.
1 COMMENTS