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,...
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.
A newly released report by the New York State Inspector General confirms long-standing concerns about RIOC’s leadership under Shelton Haynes, detailing retaliation, procurement abuses, and a pattern of mismanagement. With former board member Ben Fhala stepping down over these very issues, Roosevelt Island residents are left demanding answers—and accountability.
The RIOC board is a Jurassic disaster, perpetually failing to govern. Senator Krueger must act decisively to replace these relics and revitalize Roosevelt Island’s future.
RIOC’s apathetic handling of the Tram crisis reveals a shameful disregard for disabled residents, exposing a culture of lies and indifference amidst mounting community frustration.
The meeting revealed significant board incompetence, with chair Fay Christian’s poor leadership overshadowing any meaningful discussions. Only time wasted and frustration ensued, leaving real issues unresolved.
The prolonged suspension of RIOC CEO Shelton Haynes reflects a troubling trend of treating individuals as guilty without evidence. It’s time to restore fairness and dignity.
Washout alert: RIOC’s board has devolved into a dysfunctional punchline after ousting Ben Fhala, the only member with guts to challenge their laziness. Hochul’s appointees cling to power, shielding incompetence while recoiling from accountability. Their failure is inevitable, leaving residents to watch as reform slips away into the abyss of stagnation.
Ben Fhala’s abrupt resignation from RIOC exposes the hard right’s tight grip on power and their aversion to change. Despite his efforts to reform governance and tackle corruption, entrenched board members, under Governor Hochul’s weak oversight, are content to preserve the status quo. Will anyone dare challenge this stagnation? Doubtful.
Tensions are boiling at RIOC as fresh reformists clash with an entrenched conservative board. The refusal to update outdated bylaws and the suspension of executives have ignited frustrations, exposing incompetence and power struggles. Meanwhile, dedicated staff manage chaos, but the board’s arrogance and detachment threaten the very community they serve.
Roosevelt Island’s RIOC board grapples with tensions over The Landings Residents Association, reflecting healthy growth. A proxy battle emerges between progressive and conservative factions, with member Ben Fhala pushing for change. Conflicting views on submetering and governance highlight the board’s struggles, but residents hope for necessary improvements.