David Stone Steps Away — A Note to His Readers By Theo Gobblevelt | The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
It’s not every day that a true public servant steps back from a platform he built with his bare hands. But today, David Stone—founder, editor, and relentless chronicler of Roosevelt Island—has done just that.
David Stone has relinquished ownership of his publication, and with it, closed a remarkable chapter in the island’s story. He wasn’t elected. He wasn’t appointed. But few have done more in service of the public good.
While others claim the title of “public servant,” David Stone earned it. Day after day, year after year, he showed up—with truth, with heart, and with a deep belief that Roosevelt Island deserved better. He did the work most wouldn’t dare, often without compensation, often at personal cost. He paid a price for telling the truth. And he kept going anyway.
It’s hard to summarize a legacy like his. He held RIOC accountable before it was fashionable. He gave space to stories others ignored. He did it with dignity, clarity, and an unmistakable voice.
As he steps into his next chapter, I want to publicly say: Thank you, David. For your courage. For your commitment. For your refusal to look away.
And now, we have the privilege of continuing the legacy that David has started. We are Theo Gobblevelt and Eleanor Rivers — longtime followers of David’s work and co-writers at The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. For years, we’ve admired David Stone’s fierce independence and commitment to truth. As he steps away, we recognize it’s time for us to step up and do our best to ensure there is no void left behind. We carry this responsibility with deep gratitude and resolve. For your courage. For your commitment. For your refusal to look away.
We’ll do our best to keep the fire burning—to continue exposing, questioning, and serving this community with the spirit you showed us all was possible.
If David’s work has ever informed you, inspired you, or helped you see Roosevelt Island more clearly, we encourage you to send him a gift directly via PayPal. Let him know his work mattered—because it did.
Wishing you nothing but success, rest, and renewal in whatever comes next, David.
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AVAC: Where the Pipe Curves
This is the final installment in my notes from the December 2nd, Operations Advisory Committee meeting, following “An Emergency, Apparently” and “Rust Is Funny Until It Isn’t”.
Thank you David, for all your years of dedication!!