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.
“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.
BREAKING: Inspector General Report Confirms Deep Misconduct at RIOC
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.
Fix RIOC? First, Start with the Board
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 New Strategy for the Tram Crisis Revealed: They Lie
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.
Train Wreck at Good Shepherd: RIOC’s Board Incompetence Revealed
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.
Enough Already. Now, It’s Time to Return Shelton Haynes to Blackwell House.
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.
Sport of the Month at RIOC: Punching Ben Fhala
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 Resigns from RIOC Board, Big Win for Entrenched Hard Right Majority
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.
RIOC Board Tensions: Old and Failed Battle New and Able
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.
David Stone
Founder & Euro Editor