RIOC disguised its Christmas theft well. Too deft to be accidental, tucked under a pile of useful information, revealed only when few might catch it. That’s an oft-used tactic by politicians burying bad news, and RIOC has used it before. But this was nasty, even for them.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
October 2nd, 2019: Jack McManus, retired chief of RIOC’s public safety department, was honored. The Roosevelt Island soccer field, now freshly remade, was renamed in his honor. He cut the ribbon, flanked by President/CEO Susan Rosenthal and COO Shelton J. Haynes.
Years before, a botched artificial turf installation had left the surface so badly damaged it was too dangerous to play on. But digging into funds collected from and used on behalf of the Roosevelt Island Community, RIOC corrected its mistake.
No complaints. The community loved Jack, and before RIOC shrunk the Youth Center, he coached a team in its soccer league. His engagement complimented his work in evolving PSD from a widely hated, violent unit into one admired and appreciated throughout Main Street.
The new field, recognizing his legacy, was beautiful, and it still is.
But its financial back against the wall with Sportspark and The Tram bleeding cash, RIOC changed, taking the field away from the community that paid for it.
RIOC’s Christmas Theft
The title of the Advisory looked innocent enough: Important Enhancements to Permit Process for 2024. “Enhancements” are improvements in my dictionary, and there was an insignificant one:
Beginning January 1st, those seeking to obtain a Standard Event (50 people or less) permit must submit their permit application a minimum of 12 days in advance of the event. Special Event (more than 50 people) permit applications must be submitted 45 days in advance of the scheduled event.
But that “enhancement” wasn’t what this advisory was all about or why they dumped it after hours on the last workday before Christmas. This not only ensured the lowest possible readership, but it also blunted negative reactions from the community.
Then, the real message…
In what one reader called “a ridiculously bad idea,” in RIOC-speak, the advisory said, “RIOC is pleased to offer permit applicants the use of our tables and chairs at a very low, applicant friendly price point. This adjustment will allow us to better maintain and replace any equipment that is lost or damaged during a rental.”
Note “our chairs…” “Our” includes Roosevelt Islanders and their organizations, unless RIOC is pushing separation, their own little fiefdom where residents don’t belong. Which, of course, they are.
But that was a small part of the Christmas theft. They saved the worst for last, that is, the reason they made such an effort at fogging over the whole exercise.
As one of New York City’s most beautiful locales, permits for McManus Field have become highly coveted. RIOC has decided to add an additional 14 hours of permittable time to McManus Field weekly, which will allow more parties to enjoy this popular spot.
RIOC Advisory, 5:05 p.m., Friday, December 22nd, 2024
That’s not a permitting enhancement. It’s stealing two hours of free playtime every day on average from Roosevelt Islanders and selling it to outsiders.
Look at the timing of the email blast: 5:05 p.m., after every RIOC staffer has a chance to clear out. And the executives would not come back for ten days.
RIOC communications have been mediocre to awful since Terrence McCauley left in the early weeks of the Haynes administration. But even when better composed as they are recently, the disrespect and estrangement remain.
This change was never discussed with residents, and the subtle message is: “We don’t want to hear about it.”
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