RI DAILY

Manhattan's little, quieter island and beyond

Reporting Roosevelt Island since sunrise.

RI DAILY

Manhattan's little, quieter island and beyond

Reporting Roosevelt Island since sunrise.

Month: September 2022

RIOC Budget for 2023-24 Hides Huges Losses at the Tram

Tram operations will cost Roosevelt Islanders at least a million dollars in the RIOC budget for 2023-24. But it’s hidden, never clearly exposed in the financial plan for operating the twin cabins. Asked for comment, one expert said, “Shelton (President/CEO…

So, What Happened to the Haynes Tapes Used in Firing Susan Rosenthal?

Where are the Haynes tapes, if they ever existed at all? The state referred to them in justifying the immediate dismissal of then-President/CEO Susan Rosenthal at RIOC. That was in June 2020. But now, when asked, they say, “Please be…

Some Good News Now From Julie Menin: It’s Participatory Budgeting Season

“Participatory Budgeting just started and people can submit ideas by October 17th.” That’s the good news from City Council Member Julie Menin’s office. Unique to New York City, everyone gets a shot at deciding how some of their tax dollars…

Taking Action on Main Street When Dog Love Is Too Much Even for the Dogs

Dog love blossomed on Main Street a few years ago when PupCulture opened its doors and – more importantly – windows. People love dogs. Roosevelt Islanders stopped at the windows and watched dogs frolic in their play space. Over time,…

Is Covid ‘Under Control’ in the US? Experts Say Yes

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact and Jeff Cercone, PolitiFactSeptember 26, 2022 Republished with Permission: The Roosevelt Island Daily News Promise: “I’m never going to raise the white flag and surrender. We’re going to beat this virus. We’re going to get it under…

No Motorized Vehicles on the West Promenade… Except

When it comes to motorized vehicles, RIOC has two standards. Cars, trucks and ebikes are free to speed and run stop signs and crosswalks as long as they stick to Main Street. But on the West Promenade, they are strictly…

RIOC’s Board Meets Thursday. Maybe. But It’s Another Mess

Will RIOC’s Board really meet on Thursday? Given the chaos generated under President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes, it’s hard to tell. There are mixed messages, legally required items missing and so forth. Here’s what we have – and don’t have –…

The Curious Tale of Two Fire Hydrants and Public Safety

“Hooray, that unsightly and inexplicable fire hydrant barricade has been removed from in front of the deli,” our reader wrote. “However, it is commonplace for trucks to be double parked in front of the hydrant outside Rivercross. They are United…

Make Roosevelt Island Main Street Better with Car-Free Weekends

Roosevelt Island’s Main Street is drearier than it should be or was originally envisioned. It discourages strollers, and people casually meeting people. Free Red Buses usher potential friends and customers past. Car-free weekends can help by relaxing car and truck…

Why Is RIOC Suddenly Doing the Right Thing? Sometimes… But Why?

Doing the right thing is not a sure thing with RIOC. More than a few WTF moments have sparkled through Roosevelt Island during the Haynes regime. And as a rule, they neither admit nor fix any mistake. But suddenly, something…