RI Daily

RIRA Common Council

Reporting from Roosevelt Island and beyond.

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RIRA: From Civic Powerhouse to Rebuilding Chapter

Jun 24, 2025 Theo Gobblevelt

Once the heartbeat of Roosevelt Island civic life, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) is in the midst of something it hasn’t faced before: rebuilding from within. Founded in 1977, RIRA was born out of necessity.…

Nov 5, 2024 Is It Over Now? RIRA Again Fails to Muster a Vote for Common Council RIRA's decline reflects a troubling trend: a lack of candidates and representation leaves locals voiceless, raising doubts about its relevance and ability…

Oct 21, 2024 Nominate Your Voice: RIRA Community Elections 2024 RIRA President Frank Farance encourages Roosevelt Island residents to nominate themselves for community representation, fostering inclusivity and advocating for local interests. Join…

Jul 14, 2023 Save the Common Council Now Because It’s All We Have Most Roosevelt Islanders have never heard of the Common Council let alone its crucial role in getting community interests in front of…

Oct 31, 2022 No Voting for RIRA, the Residents Association, This Year Because RIRA’s members are too mired in personal agendas and “Whatever” mindsets, they will miss out on elections again this year. The…

Jul 14, 2022 In 2002, Roosevelt Island Kicked Out FreshDirect The Roosevelt Island Residents Association Common Council gathered in the basement of the Good Shepherd Community Center one evening in 2002. FreshDirect,…

Feb 19, 2022 Good News, Again! RIRA Brings Free COVID Testing This Week The Roosevelt Island Residents Association announced that ICARE Medical agreed to test up to 6,000 people for free. They’ll be testing on…

Jan 25, 2022 More KN95 Face Masks and COVID Test Kits for Roosevelt Island, Says City Council Member Julie Menin In partnership with Senator José Serrano and the Roosevelt Island Residents Association,” Menin’s office announced, “we’ll be distributing at-home Covid-19 test kits…

Sep 13, 2021 Overcoming New York State resistance, one Roosevelt Islander made sure the community made a statement. Notoriously hostile to genuine community engagement, RIOC denied Roosevelt Islanders any role in its 9/11 Tribute. But a determined Residents Association president…

Aug 16, 2021 The Queen of Mean Struck Then, Setting a Tone for Now… Although it took more than a year before the truth came out, the Queen of Mean ramped up power as RIOC devolved,…

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