David Stone
Founder & Euro Editor
Navigating Apps with Changes in Memory: Join Our Study
December 2, 2025
Weill Cornell Medicine seeks older adults with mild memory loss for a study on improving navigation apps. Participation is valuable,...
Why Are RIOC Board Meetings So Tightly Controlled?
The recent board meetings of RIOC have been criticized for resembling a scripted performance rather than a genuine public forum, with limited public comment and no responses from board members. Although RIOC has traditionally maintained silence regarding scrutiny, recent inquiries about the Public Purpose Fund have led to some acknowledgment of questions, marking a potential shift towards increased transparency. Yet, if public meetings are meant to serve the public, why does RIOC run them like scripted theater?
Why Every Government Agency Needs a Real Treasurer
The treasurer role in government agencies is crucial for financial accountability and transparency. If treated merely as symbolic, it undermines public trust. Professor Lydia Tang exemplifies effective oversight, advocating for reform despite challenges. Her efforts highlight the essential need for empowered governance roles to ensure genuine public service and accountability.
Wildlife Freedom Foundation: The Quiet Guardians of Roosevelt Island
The Wildlife Freedom Foundation, led by Rossana Ceruzzi, advocates for vulnerable animals on Roosevelt Island, including stray cats and injured wildlife. For over twenty years, their tireless work remains largely unseen but vital to the community. Despite challenges, they continue to provide care and promote compassion in a busy urban environment.
Frank Farance vs. the Drift
Re-anchoring Roosevelt Island’s Civic Power “If residents aren’t at the table, we’re on the menu.”— Frank Farance, paraphrased from three decades of RIRA meetings Roosevelt Island Residents Association president Frank Farance does not do wistful. While others lament the slow…
RIOC Treasurer Role: An Oversight Title with No Budget
Albany’s introduction of a RIOC treasurer role appears to enhance accountability but fails to provide real oversight. This volunteer position lacks salary, staff, and access to finances, merely serving as a scapegoat for Albany officials. The role is thus unlikely to prevent financial mismanagement, highlighting the need for genuine transparency.
The OIG and Howard Polivy: What Silence Tells Us About Oversight
The Inspector General’s report critiques the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation for misusing nearly $170,000 in public funds for private gain. Despite significant oversight failures, particularly by Howard Polivy, chair of the Audit & Budget Committee, calls for reform have faced resistance. Accountability remains elusive, prompting public engagement for change.
RIOC Jobs: A New CEO Search Signals Transparency—But Are They Looking for the Right Leader?
For the first time in recent memory, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has taken a more open and professional approach to hiring its next top executive. Ericka recently reported that the RIOC CEO search has officially made its way onto…
“What Lies Beneath” Isn’t Fiction. It’s Just Roosevelt Island Governance.
Eleanor Rivers’ two-part story reveals a troubling decline in public trust on Roosevelt Island, focusing on a canopy proposal for The Landings. Despite community concerns, decisions were made without transparency. The narrative critiques RIOC’s board for neglecting voices and highlights the loss of important social spaces, urging critical reflection on governance and community.
Public Meeting Transparency: What We Asked RIOC
Transparency in public meetings starts with more than just showing up. The public needs clear access to understand what’s happening. People must have the chance to question and engage with decisions before they’re made. Demanding Public Meeting Transparency on Roosevelt…
What Is the Open Meetings Law, and Why Roosevelt Island Residents Should Care
Transparency in government isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of public trust. When public bodies make decisions that affect our homes, our budgets, and our future, we deserve to be informed and included. That’s the premise behind New York’s Open Meetings…
David Stone
Founder & Euro Editor