Coler, a long-term rehabilitation facility, is a member unit of New York City Health & Hospitals (HHC), but it’s also a core part of Roosevelt Island. That’s not always been so clear. Now, it is, thanks to widening community support including, for the first time, RIOC.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
*Cover Photo: Coler Supporters at the Advisory Board Legislative Brunch: Courtesy Rafael Domínguez, NYC HHC.
Last week, Coler’s volunteer Community Advisory Board, called in the troops for its annual Legislative Brunch. CEO Stephen Catullo hosted a summary of accomplishments and needs.
A Four Star Facility, Coler hopes to maintain that status and improve on it. A presentation by Rafael Domínguez, Director of Public Affairs & Communications, detailed the relatively grim legislative situation along with an impassioned appeal for support.
He had the right audience for a presentation that included representatives from the offices of State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, State Senator Liz Krueger, City Council Member Julie Menin and NYC Community Board 8.
The big picture is in the item below.
All In For Coler
Representative after representative stepped up, offering support for the facility’s mission, following Domínguez.
As the governor and state legislature work on finalizing the state budget – due April 1st – the games begin. All the politicians advocate for things they know they can’t get, and facilities on the front line, like Coler, try to break through the bedlam.
An Albany friend once told me that there are two things you never want to see being made. “One is sausage, and the other is law,” he said.
Since I was in the capital, contributing to lawmaking then, I took it to heart. But based on experience, I’d add making a budget into the mix.
Welcome Fresh Air From RIOC
Over several years, Roosevelt Islander Judith Berdy has pushed for something that should be a no-brainer: easy access to the West Promenade for Coler’s residents. Although she got a brief win last year with a ad hoc pathway, RIOC’s administration at the time, banished it.
“Liability,” they said.
But it’s a new day at the state agency overseeing Roosevelt Island lately. According to Berdy, she brought the issue up with interim co-leaders Gerrald Ellis and Dhruvika Patel Amin and got a near-instant positive response.
Coler’s residents will get their pathway.
The task has been handed over to Acting COO Mary Cunneen.
“We value the disabled community living on the island and are pleased to help facilitate the installation of an enhanced pathway with direct access to the West Esplanade,” Cunneen said. “Everyone, especially our friends at Coler, should be able to enjoy our beautiful waterfront without facing difficulty in accessing it.
“There is a lot going on, but we hope to have this project completed by the end of April.”
There’s so much more in that statement than the words. RIOC’s stepping up, filling in community gaps previously thought unbridgeable.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
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