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,...
Howard Polivy Was Always There
Eleanor Rivers’ essay on Howard Polivy depicts a troubling portrait of institutional continuity. Polivy exemplifies a governance strategy where consistency outweighs dissent, allowing systems to maintain power without accountability. This piece serves as a preparatory bridge to future discussions on how committee structures reinforce this dynamic, highlighting the complexities of governance.
Feeling the Inflation Pinch? New York Returns Some of It to Our Mailboxes
Hello friends and neighbors! In a thoughtful nod to all of us feeling the high cost of everyday life, New York State is sending out its first-ever inflation refund checks starting late September through mid-October 2025. For many Roosevelt Islanders, it means a…
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 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…
When I.G. Lucy Lang Came After Shelton Haynes, A Sloppy Narrative
The report from New York’s Inspector General critiques former RIOC CEO Shelton J. Haynes for ethical violations while suggesting broader systemic corruption within New York State governance.
Hochul and Adams Budget Generously, Despite Looming Washington Threats
Tax rebates and heavy spending define spending proposals unveiled as Trump and Republican-controlled Congress prepare likely federal cuts to social programs. By Greg David Jan 27 4:55am EST Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams celebrate at City Hall the…
Seawright Takes on New Role, Can Be Even More Helpful on Roosevelt Island
Rebecca Seawright, appointed as Chair of the Aging Committee, champions older New Yorkers, promising to enhance their quality of life while maintaining her dedicated support for Roosevelt Island.
IRS data shows ‘Blue State Exodus’ over past 30 years
Millions flee blue states for red ones, rejecting Democratic policies. High crime, taxes, and homelessness drive this exodus. Will progressives face a reckoning?
David Stone
Founder & Euro Editor