Launched by RIOC President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes in 2023, Constituent Services goes far beyond anything the state agency tried before. Welcoming residents with concerns allows access and improvements across a wide spectrum of interests.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
“Importantly,” Bryant Daniels, Director, Communications & Community Affairs,” tells The Daily, “we want island residents to feel like they can approach us about anything. Even in instances where they’ve come to us with things beyond the corporation’s scope, we’ve always tried to help in whatever little way we can…”
Constituent Services
The idea, attributed to Akeem Jamal, based on his experiences in Yonkers, came with a contradiction. That is, “constituents” are traditionally voters, and the services strengthen political ties by helping supporters. It launched in 2023. (Jamal no longer works for RIOC.)
But Roosevelt Islanders don’t get a vote about RIOC governance, staffing or actions. That made creating this department more generous, something it didn’t have to do. Moreover, RIOC has consistently promoted it, seeking resident input and merging it into the mission.
“Suggestions for sidewalk repairs; requests to clean certain areas (like under the Motorgate Helix); fixing lights or other maintenance issues as they arise; feedback or ideas about Sportspark are all typical,” Daniels said in an email.
According to a presentation by Acting COO Mary Cunneen at a committee meeting in February, Constituent Services works in tandem with the established TIKKIT system. The difference is that, while TIKKIT is an online request and response operation, Constituent Services brings residents into one-to-one contact.
TIKKIT may be quicker and more convenient, but Constituent Services makes it personal.
The Process
“The Constituent Service meetings can really run the gamut when it comes to RIOC operations,” said Daniels.
“Since the MTA F-Train Project began, a significant number of the meetings have centered around transportation—questions and feedback about Red Bus service, the Tram, etc.
“We also have a lot of meetings on matters related to island permitting and parking, so we work closely with PSD on handling those cases. Other than those two main buckets, the rest of the cases tend to circle around quality-of-life issues around the island.
“Suggestions for sidewalk repairs; requests to clean certain areas (like under the Motorgate Helix); fixing lights or other maintenance issues as they arise; feedback or ideas about Sportspark are all typical.”
In the committee meeting, Cunneen reported that Constituent Services handled 86 meetings with Island residents during its first six months last year. These were divided between in-person and telephone conversations.
The top issues, she said, were…
- Transportation (Red Bus and Tram)
- Permitting
- Parking and Traffic Enforcement
She noted a spike in concerns when the MTA’s 63rd Street Track Fixation Project started in August.
Finally…
Constituent Services is a unique as well as generous effort by RIOC to compensate for a space left vacant in the absence of voting. Although it does not need to seek votes or placate voters, RIOC does so anyway.
That’s a big step in the right direction, and RIOC’s interim leadership continues supporting the program enthusiastically. You can find out more and access Constituent Services here.
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