Announcing the agenda for an October 22nd Operations Committee meeting, RIOC added this: “Discussion of the Wildlife Freedom Foundation agreement deliverables.” What the hell is committee chair Fay Christian going on about? Another clown show?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The Operations Committee Clown Show
The first question that comes to mind is, “What agreement?”
Christian does not say in the announcement; so, we asked her. She did not answer. The agreement to be discussed was also never posted on RIOC‘s website as such things usually are. Worse yet, the Wildlife Freedom Foundation wasn’t told either.
In fact, Christian did not have any conversations or communications with WFF until prompted by The Daily’s questioning. Rossana Ceruzzi who manages the foundation was not contacted about the agenda before it was posted. No discussions have taken place between her and anyone at RIOC
If this has you thinking it’s the next act in RIOC’s Clown Show masquerading as an Operations Committee, we answer, “Us, too!”
Members of the Committee include crusty conservative hardliners David Kraut and Howard Polivy along with inquisitive newcomer Lydia Tang.
What Agreement? What Deliverables?
While many scratch their collective heads, wondering what Chair Christian has in mind, only two possibilities are known.
- First Responder: RIOC and WFF have had an agreement that covers sanctuary spaces and gives WFF “first responder” rights when local animals are in trouble. The current renewal runs through the end of this year. It does not cover compensation for services rendered.
- Last year, just before the board handed President and CEO Shelton J. Haynes an indefinite suspension, he reached an agreement with WFF to award $15,000 as an annual payment. This covered work done as an animal rescue and rehabilitation resource. For reasons never made clear, interim management refuses to honor the agreement. If anyone is dubious about it, it’s worth recalling that Haynes is still CEO and a trustworthy source. Give him a call. Send an email.
But WFF is at an instant disadvantage because 1) the agreement up for discussion is unknown. How do you prepare? And 2) its back is against the wall because the promised funding is in its budget.
The mystery-riddled conflict is especially weird because the money involved is tiny by RIOC standards. It would easily be approved as a sole source or WMBE deal, of which RIOC already has many. Suspicions are that the denial has more to do with thwarting Haynes than anything else.
RIOC has a years long, documented history or harassing WFF and mistreating animals under its care. The latter extends to all other animals and wildlife in general.
What to expect
The clown show opens its extended run at 4:00 this afternoon in the Good Shepherd Community Center. What to expect is hard to guess.
After The Daily asked Christian about the WFF agenda item, she did not respond – RIOC style – but she suddenly notified Ceruzzi of the agenda item. This, along with her failure to discuss with WFF beforehand, suggests that RIOC is not serious. It’s the appearance of responsibility without the action.
RIOC’s hardline resistance to working with WFF comes into play along with longstanding harassment. Multiple efforts have been made with a goal of shutting down WFF’s animal sanctuaries. RIOC has never accepted blame or apologized for obvious misconduct.
With this meeting, change is unlikely. Recent hostilities show continuing disrespect for Ceruzzi’s work even as it repeatedly gets national acclaim. Nothing has moved RIOC in the direction of reform.
Emergency Without Urgency
When government invokes the word “emergency,” normal process changes. Timelines accelerate. Environmental review can narrow. Procurement pathways can shift.
