WIRE25mswire.nyc/issuepdfs/2501.pdf · carrying an air-conditionng filter.” One called him a...

WIRE25

Saturday, September 11, 2004Vol. 25, No. 1

TM

Next issuein two weeks:Sat., Sept. 25

Three Southpoint Park PlansAre Set for Tuesday Meetings

Now in its 25th Year as Roosevelt Island’s Independent Community Newspaper

WIRE25Marking a quarter century of service to Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island’s Independent Community Newspaper

Hesitant Green Light for Octagon Plan

Three possible futures for the Renwick Ruin appear in Southpoint plansto be shown by the Trust for Public Land in meetings here Tuesday.

Public Safety Officers hand-cuffed and detained a long-timeresident last week in an incident in-volving photography for a letter hewas sending to The WIRE.

Ronald G. Musto, PhD, wastaken into custody Wednesday,September 1, after he refused toprovide his name to Public SafetyOfficers who appeared outsideMusto’s apartment building,Westview, as he was taking photo-graphs to illustrate the letter (page2).

“I was taking photos of the air-conditioning units on The ChildSchool building below myWestview apartment. When I fin-ished, I also stopped just beneath575 to take a shot of a peace ban-ner in our apartment window in595 Main Street. I was accostedby two young men, who ap-proached and began interrogatingme. I told them to mind their ownbusiness, but did not ask for theirnames. One claimed to be the ‘su-per’ for The Child School, and saidI was on his property; the other wascarrying an air-conditionng filter.”One called him a “homo,” Mustosaid; the other suggested he was a“terrorist.”

“About five minutes later, twoofficers from Public Safety – a Ser-geant Wright and a female officer

The Main Street WIRE begins its25th year of publication with a fi-nancial boost, thanks to the lateRuth Limmer, who rememberedthe newspaper in her will with abequest of about $13,000.

Ruth Limmer was a writer andteacher of writing. For 20 years,she served as a professor of Englishand writing at Western College forWomen in Oxford, Ohio, then be-came chair of the English Depart-ment at Goucher College inTowson, Maryland, in 1974. At aDecember, 2001, memorial eventon Roosevelt Island, over 50people gathered – many of themformer students who had main-tained contact with her over theyears. Without exception, theypraised her as a devotee of excel-lence in writing who worked tire-lessly to instill in them her own dis-ciplined attitude about the use oflanguage.

One of her former students atWestern College was DonnaShalala, who later became U.S.Secretary of Health and HumanServices. Earlier, while serving asAssistant Secretary for Policy Re-search and Development at theU.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development (HUD),Shalala invited Limmer to join herin that office, then later made Ruth

by Dick LutzThe RIOC Board gave a go-

ahead to the Octagon Apartmentsproject last week – sort of.

In three resolutions containingexceptions and caveats, the Boardsaid no to the idea of undergroundparking beneath the Octagon ten-nis courts, but said OK to on-siteparking under the building. It said

by Dick LutzThe Trust for Public Land (TPL)

will present three possible plans forSouthpoint Park in meetings Tues-day (September 14) at 2:00 and7:30. The concepts respond to awish-list developed by the organi-zation in interviews with somethree dozen community leaders ina process begun in April.

The three plans are shown onpages 12 and 13; they are alsoavailable on a website maintainedby the landscape architecture firmthat created the concepts, Mark K.Morrison Associates (see web ad-

Limmer Bequest KicksOff The WIRE’s 25th Year

Katz: No Run for ThirdTerm As RIRA President

Resident Gets SummonsAfter Shooting a Photo

her assistant when she becamePresident of Hunter College.

In retirement, Limmer continuedto work as an editor, specializingin books by historians and English-language scholars. She edited thefirst biography of NikitaKhrushchev and wrote the fore-word to a book by Bella Spewack,among other projects. She wasactively involved in the Lower EastSide Tenement Museum on Or-chard Street, and edited themuseum’s newsletter, TenementTimes. In 1997, her Six Heritage

OK to a change from 500 to 511apartments. It permitted a changein the lower-rent portion of thebuilding, changing it from a planfor low-income residents to onetargeted at medium-income fami-lies.

Perhaps most significantly, theone-page resolution titled “Ap-proval of Plan and Project andDesign Guidelines” suggests theremay be a wariness over the 2002Open Spaces law specific toRoosevelt Island. This is the lan-

guage of the resolution, with em-phasis added:

“The Plan and Project... arehereby approved subject to thefollowing conditions: (i) the pre-mises to be leased shall not includethe park facilities or the tennis courts;(ii) all project parking shall be con-fined to the leased premises; and(iii) prior to the effectiveness of anylease for the project, RIOC shallhave received all of the required ap-provals from the Comptroller andAttorney General of the State of NewYork and all required consents ofthe legislature of the State of NewYork to the project substantially asapproved by RIOC.”

In its Monday meeting, theBoard spent an hour in executivesession, then passed its resolutionsin three quick votes, with no ex-planations offered. (Two other

dress on page 12).The Tuesday meetings are in-

tended not only to present the con-cepts to the community, but also togenerate reaction that will guidethe project team in selecting ele-ments for a preferred plan. CharlesMcKinney, project director forTPL, notes in a late-August report,“Simplification is likely.”

The plans provide performancespaces, outdoor classrooms, art,picnic areas, ferry and boat facili-ties, and shoreline access to theriver. They vary in their use of theRenwick Ruin, a smallpox hospi-tal built in the mid-19th Century,and in other specific ways sug-gested by their names: Wild Gar-dens / Green Rooms tends towardthe natural, Visionary includes theLouis Kahn design for an FDRmemorial, and Parc Ville, whichcontains the most commercial ele-ments, is envisioned as an exten-

sion of the Main Street community.In a “vision” for the park based

on a survey of the site and com-munity and advisory council input,planners are charged to “Create adynamic park that resonates withthe spectacular Island site, its ruinand landforms, as well as the‘egalitarian and multi-culturalpromise of Roosevelt Island.’ En-hance the shoreline, the wild andnatural landscape, and the ecologyof the site for communal enrich-ment... Use the architecture andlandforms to create performancevenues and environmental art thatwill attract large numbers of visi-

Junior Tennis Wraps

The New York Junior Tennis League wrapped up its season two weeksago. Kids got certificates and some won prizes. (More on page 10.)

– arrived. Without ascertaining thesituation or questioning the twomen, the sergeant asked me for ID.I felt there was no cause for such arequest, and refused. When I askedthe reason for the request, I wastold the police now have the right,after 9/11, to stop anyone and askfor ID. I still refused, and was thentold that I would be ‘cuffed.’ I didtell them that I live in Westview,pointed to my window, and toldthem I was photographing that, and

See Summons, page 17

See Limmer, page 22

See Katz, page 10

See Octagon, page 17

See Southpoint, page 20

Matthew Katz announcedWednesday night that he will notseek a third term as president of theResidents Association in the No-vember election.

In his column in this issue (page3), Katz writes, “I’ve been a mem-ber of the RIRA Common Councilfor almost eight years, with twoterms as president. It’s enough. Iintend to take a sabbatical from theCouncil, at least for the next two

years. The last four years havebeen fascinating, but I took the jobon as a seven-day-a-week propo-sition, and that’s just what it hasbeen.” He said essentially the samething to the Common Council in itsWednesday night meeting.

Katz’s decision throws the RIRApresidency open. His First VicePresident, Steve Marcus, has notindicated whether he will run forthe top office, nor have any othercandidates stepped forward.

CandlelightMemorial ObservanceTonight at 7:00,Good Shepherd Plaza

Vote Tuesday

2 • The Main Street WIRE, Sat., Sept. 11, 2004

Managing Editor – Dick LutzReporters – Mary Camper-Titsingh, Anna Doumnova

Albany Correspondent – Erik KrissChief Proofreader – Kay Thompson

Proofreader – Linda HeimerPhotographers – Maria Casotti, Vicki Feinmel, Susheel Kurien

Advertising Sales – Ellen LevyCirculation Managers – Sherie Helstien, Teri Sheridan

Circulation Assistants – Dexter Benjamin, Ron SyperreckLegal Counsel – Lewis Perkiss

Website NYC10044 facilities – Frank FaranceWIRE Webmaster – Garrett RiemanFounding Publisher – Jack Resnick

Editor Emeritus – Jim Bowser

News 212-826-9055Urgent news 917-617-0449Advertising 212-751-8214Circulation 212-935-7534

Fax (call first) 212-755-2540e-mail [email protected] published in association with

Website NYC10044 – nyc10044.com

Published by The Main Street WIRETM

©2004 Unisource2000™ Inc.531 Main St. #413, NYC10044

TM

Judi Arond, Bubu Arya, David Bauer, Mickey Karpeles Bauer, Steve Bessenof, Phillip Bias,Shiva Boodoosingh, Melanie Castine, Lynn Chambers, Mark Chipman, Nassima Codderrens,Thibault Codderrens, Vivianne Codderrens, Malcolm Cohen, Susan Cohen, Alicia Cordovano,Asaah Coston, Jevon Degraffenreidt, Alexander Dienstag, Rebecca Dougherty, Julian Edelman,Teshawn Edmonds, Bryan Ewald, Byron Gaspard, Jr., Wesley Gibbs, Anthony Hasan,Teresa Hasing, Roberta Hershey, Ken Kaplan, Mattie Kaplan, Matthew Katz, Mike Kolba,Brigitte Loewy, Omari Mack, Claudia Narine, Clinton Narine, Sandra Narine, Anh Nguyen,Mai Nguyen, Jenny Olivera-Del Mastro, Joan Pape, Ilana Papernik, Harry Patel, Sheila Patel,Catherine Ramos, Elier Rivera, Shall ini Saha, Raye Schwartz, Beryl Seaforth,Muhammad Fahad Shakeel, Alisha Simmons, Tayo Smart, Alan Ulick, Justin Velez, Aidan Vella,Nancy Watson, Samuel Williams, Nina Winteringham

Lettersdeadline

for Sept. 25 issue:Tuesday, Sept. 21

After deadline, letters are stillconsidered on a space-available basis.

Letters PLetters PLetters PLetters PLetters PolicolicolicolicolicyyyyyThe WIRE welcomes letters to the editor, to

the community, and to/from officials. Publica-tion on a Name Withheld basis will be consid-ered, but the writer’s name, address, and phonenumber must be provided for verification andfor our records; letters submitted anonymouslyare not considered for publication.

Preferred form of submission: E-mail [email protected] (plaintexte-mail format preferred, or attach a file createdusing any common wordprocessing software,but no MSWord files containing macros), or ona PC-standard 3.5" disk left at the desk at 531Main Street, addressed to The WIRE. Alter-natives: Typed copy left at 531 Main Street.Clearly handwritten letters will be considered ifbrief, but we are not able to take telephone dic-tation of letters. Letters are subject to accep-tance and to possible editing for length andclarity. Recommended maximum length, 300words; longer letters will be considered if theircontent merits the required space.

To the Editor:I note in the last issue of The

WIRE that RIOC has said it willtake 30 days to provide a list show-ing the vehicles permitted to parkfree on Main Street for unlimitedperiods of time. At first I thoughtthis response was a typical abuseof public office, since it surely can-not take 30 days to reach under thecounter and copy a sheet of paper.Then it occurred to me that perhapsthe list is in constant use to trainour Public Safety officers and, assuch, may not be readily available.An important part of the work ofour Public Safety officers is ignor-ing certain vehicles parked onMain Street. In order to performthat task efficiently, it must be nec-essary to memorize the make,model and license number of al-most 100 vehicles. This, no doubt,is the cause of the frequent disap-pearance of the officers for ex-tended periods of time – they allare in memory class.

Now that I know a list is in use Ihave some questions about it. Firstand most important, how do I geton the list? Is there a formal pro-cedure with applications and inter-views? If so, where do I obtain anapplication and where will my in-terview take place?

Is the list restricted to RooseveltIsland residents? If so, must I showproof of residency? Do I need twopieces of identification, includingone with my photograph, or willmy interviewer accept my assertionthat I am indeed a resident?

Since there are many more ve-hicles owned by Roosevelt Islandresidents than there are spaces onMain Street, there must be a for-mula to assign each applicant hisor her proper place on the list. Ispreference given to length of resi-dency and, if so, where does mymove-in date of September 1976place me on the list?

Also, will my 1936 HudsonTerraplane receive a preferred sloton the list on the basis of age andinfirmity? And when my beloved,if ancient, automobile finally issent to the recycling yard, can I sellmy place on the list to a person ofmy choosing, or must it go to thenext person on the list?

It would seem from Geof Kerr’ssurvey that having a handicappedID or a license plate with a wheel-chair emblem automatically placesone on the list. My personal phy-sician has indicated to my wife onmore than one occasion that I suf-fer from a number of serious men-tal deficiencies. Do I apply toRIOC for a handicap ID, or is thishandled through the Public Safetyoffice?

After having both knee jointsreplaced in 1994, I now find afterprolonged sessions of prayer whilekneeling that I am mobile only withthe help of a sturdy assistant. Aquick calculation shows that thepurchase of a wheelchair wouldcost far less than a monthly park-ing slot at Motorgate. If I appearfor my interview in a wheel chair,am I automatically entitled to a li-cense plate showing my disability?

These are questions that manyRoosevelt Island residents must bepondering and we would appreci-ate a response from RIOC withinthe usual 30-day waiting period.

Jim Baehler

Dr. Maari de SouzaExecutive DirectorThe Child School587 Main Street, NYC10044Dear Dr. de Souza:

This is the third, and I regret firstpublic, letter that I address to you.In two earlier certified letters weinformed you that ever since theinstallation of the venting/air-con-ditioning system on the roof of TheChild School buildings at 585 and587 Main Street, we have beensubject to unacceptable levels ofnoise pollution. We have waitedover 120 days for a resolution ofthis issue from you, but none hasbeen forthcoming. I am also in-formed by Mr. Neal Weissman of

575 Main Street that he notifiedRIOC of this situation in August,2003, and made a public requestfor a resolution to this issuethrough a letter published in TheWIRE September 6, 2003. Perhapssome further public airing of thisissue will elicit a more positive re-sponse from you.

The systems on these buildingsgo on at 7:00 every morning, turnon and off irregularly, and createnot only constant industrial noisebut associated rattling and shakingof unit doors and container struc-

Editor’s note: This Island Ob-server was written in 2002, but notpublished in The WIRE at that time.(It has been available on WebsiteNYC10044 at nyc10044.com.) Itis published now because it re-counts an incident similar to lastweek’s in which a resident washandcuffed by Public Safety aftertaking photographs.

January 10, 2002Sometimes, even in a commu-

nity as small and peaceful asRoosevelt Island, it takes some ex-traordinary measure to bring youthe news.

Forget the fact that RIOC oftendemands a Freedom of Informationfiling for information that shouldhave been public a year before.Forget the fact that any informa-tion at all, no matter how criticalto daily routine, is only grudginglyshared.

Forget all that. Want somethingreally hard? Try taking a photo-graph.

That’s right... a photograph.Thursday morning, wanting a

fresh picture as an update to illus-trate The WIRE’s January 12 reporton the Island’s extended Tramwayoutage, I bicycled to the IslandTram station, digital camera at theready, to get a picture of ourgrounded cabin #2.

For the best angle, I stepped upon the grass where the cabin isparked, only to have Public SafetyOfficer Anderson (badge #1572,I’m told, though her first name isunavailable) leap from her

Cushman Scout to tell me I couldnot take pictures. “I’m from TheWIRE,” I said, and though I con-tinued speaking, she didn’t wait.“You cannot take pictures any-where on this Island without per-mission!” She was shouting – un-necessary given the fact that shewas approaching fast and nearlyupon me by then.

I tried to say, ”I need this picturefor the paper going to press...“ butnever got out the word ”today“before Anderson stiff-armed mycamera, bouncing it off my faceand glasses. I think I yelled some-thing worthy of an articulatewordmeister, like, “Hey!” and as Ilowered the camera from my face,I think it probably passed her chesta little more closely than she wouldhave liked. We were, by now,ample belly to ample belly.

She swore. I swore. She radi-oed for help. I took my cell phoneout of my pocket to call RIOCPresident Rob Ryan, or someoneelse at RIOC who might providethe PSO with better informationthan she apparently was workingwith. (There is a RIOC rule that apermit is required to take pictureson the Island. It’s intended to ex-tract fees from movie companiesand fashion photographers, anddoesn’t apply to the press.) Ryanand his top staff were unavailable,other than RIOC’s new Public In-formation Officer, John Melia,who seemed confused by my calland the shouting he was hearing inthe not-so-background.

In no time at all, a trio of PSOshad arrived to take me into custody.My hands were cuffed behind myback, and I was plopped, immobileand wrists hurting, into the back oftheir car. It occurred to me that thiswas rather harsh treatment for whathad transpired to that point, but ofcourse the assisting officers weretaking PSO Anderson’s vastly in-flated word for what had happenedbefore their arrival.

LettersLettersLettersLettersLettersTo the Editor:

It is with sadness that I informyou that someone broke into IslandKids this last Thursday, Sept 2. Toall of us at Island Kids, it’s hard toimagine why someone would dosuch a thing. We are a non-profitorganization and our only purposeis to have a place where kids cancome and have fun. Whoever didthis was a thoughtless personwhose only intention was to dam-age property. They damaged oneof our inside doors so badly that amajor repair is now necessary.They also stole our only stereo,which the teachers use to playmusic for the kids.

We filed a police report, but westill urge residents who livearound Island Kids to let us knowif they saw anything suspiciousthat night.

Anna PalmIsland Kids Director

See Observer, page 22

See Letters, page 22

The Editorial Page

The Limmer BequestThe Main Street WIRE loses a little money on virtually

every issue published, this one being a rare and quite agree-able exception. Like other enterprises trying to survive in thisIsland microeconomy, this newspaper suffers from the pres-sures of scale in a world that rewards mass. The newspaperhas always needed an “angel” – someone or some business thatcould afford to underwrite the equipment and continuing ex-penses that regular publication demands.

For years, that angel was Dr. Jack Resnick. The WIRE wasborn of his and his neighbors’ need for information – to knowthose things one needs to know to be an intelligent citizen. Hecarried the newspaper, ignoring its dribs and drabs of finan-cial loss, always hoping for break-even.

Times and lives change, and in 1996 ownership of the news-paper passed into its present hands, its losses borne by a con-sulting practice whose equip-ment, space, and phones itcould use, and from which itcould cadge paper and supplies. But lives and times continueto change. Retirement frees one to focus more purely on thespecifics of a journalistic enterprise, but it shifts more directexpense to the publication, and losses are more keenly felt.

Ruth Limmer’s dying gift is thus a very welcome one. Thecompany that prints The WIRE will be grateful for a clearingof longstanding debt, as will others whose forbearance has beenthe currency of continuity for the newspaper.

But Ruth’s gift is welcome for a far more important rea-son. She recognized the importance of a newspaper serving asferret and conduit. She understood the value and power ofwords used with deliberation, craft, and feeling. She appreci-ated the need, in a community like ours, for the binding forceof something we all have in common.

Ruth Limmer valued these things so much that, as she facedthe end of her life, she left a gift that will help The Main StreetWIRE to continue in the realms she knew and loved – words,thoughts, and Roosevelt Island.

Vote TuesdayThere’s a primary election Tuesday. Not sure how to vote?

There have been meetings on the Island in which both NelsonDenis and José Serrano have sought support as challenger toState Senator Olga Mendez. It’s important to make a choice,and to vote, so that the voting power of Roosevelt Island, in simplenumbers and proportion of turnout, is seen in the halls of power.

Denis shows an admirable independence and personal de-termination. Serrano has the backing of Assemblymember PeteGrannis and Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Both have spoken of theneed to fix Albany’s “three men in a room” troika of brokenState government. One will challenge Mendez. Show, by yourvote, that Roosevelt Island will speak loudly in November.

HalliestockWe commend to your attention an event called Halliestock,

which will take place September 18. We’d have an advancereport, but space is tight in this WIRE, so we’ll simply directyou to an ad on page 6.

DL

The Main Street WIRE, Sat., Sept. 11, 2004 • 3

TheRIRAColumn

– This Weekend –Landscape and Beyond, opening party for new show at

Gallery RIVAA, Sat., Sept. 11, 6-9 p.m. Hours: Sat., Sun.,11-5; Wed., Fri., 6-9.

9/11 Memorial Observation, Sat., Sept. 11, 7:00 p.m.,at the memorial tree in Good Shepherd Plaza. Candles,contemplation, and song.

Emerging Artists Exhibition Opening at Socrates Sculp-ture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd. (left off the Roosevelt IslandBridge), Sun., Sept. 12, 2:00-6:00 p.m.

– The Coming Week –Montauk Credit Union hours Wednesdays 9:00-12:00

through September (closing September 30).Primary Election Day, Tue., Sept. 14, 6:00 a.m.-9:00

p.m. at PS217.Presentation of Southpoint Park Concept Designs by

the Trust for Public Land, Tue., Sept. 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.and 7:30-9:30 p.m. (attend either meeting), Chapel of theGood Shepherd. Public participation encouraged.

George Bernard Shaw’s Press Cuttings, performanceby the Shaw Project, Tue., Sept. 14, 7:00 p.m., Amphithe-ater behind the pizza parlor on Main Street. Free.

First Annual Halleistock, a celebration of kindness andthe life of the late Hallie Geier,former Roosevelt Islander,Sat., Sept. 18, noon-6:00p.m., Sunnyside Gardens Park(39th Avenue at 49th Street inQueens). Performances, art activities; $25/family or $10/person. (See ad, page 6).

Salsa Dance with music by Los Calientes, Sat., Sept. 18,8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. $20. Tickets and information:212-826-5646. (See ad, page 7.)

– Future Events –La Leche League for breastfeeding mothers, Tue., Sept.

21, 1:00 p.m., 20 River Road #5P. Free. (First meeting onRoosevelt Island.) For information: 212-832-1188.

Roosevelt Island Committee of Community Board 8meets, Tue., Sept. 21, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Westview Commu-nity Room. Topics on agenda include police protection andrelated issues.

The Main Street WIRE – next issue Sat., Sept. 25. (Toreceive e-mail bulletins between issues, send an “Add Me”message to [email protected].) Deadlines: Ad-vertising in the paper, Fri., Sept. 17; decision on inserts forThe Bag, Tue., Sept. 21; inserts due Thur., Sept. 23. Fu-ture issues: Oct. 16, 30 (pre-election issue); Nov. 6 (post-election issue), Nov. 20 (Thanksgiving issue); Dec. 4, 18(two December holiday issues). In 2005: Jan. 8, 22; Feb.5, 19; Mar. 5, 19; Apr. 2, 18, 30; May 14; June 4, 18; July 2,30; Aug. 27; Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8, 22; Nov. 5, 19; Dec. 3, 17.Phone/fax for news, 212-826-9055/755-2540; urgent mat-ters 917-617-0449. Phone/fax for display and classifiedadvertising placement and information, 212-751-8214/755-2540. To list your organization’s Island-relatedevent in this column, please e-mail information [email protected], or leave it, addressed to TheWIRE, at the desk at 531 Main Street; provide a telephonenumber for follow-up questions; there is no charge for suchlistings.

Icla da Silva Foundation Annual Fundraising AwardsReception, Thur., Sept. 30, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Avalon Hotel,16 East 32nd Street. $50 ticket includes raffle entry for atwo round-trip tickets to any Continental Airlines destina-tion in South America, and other prizes. Additional infor-mation at http://www.icla.info, or call 212-813-1515 for raffletickets.

Residents Association Common Council Meeting,Wed., Oct. 6, 8:00 p.m., Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

Senior CenterMonday

10-11, Latchhook Class10-11:30, English as 2nd

Language10:30, Blood Pressure

Screening12:30, “Oldies” Movies1:00, Tai Chi7:00, Dance Class

(Beginners)Tuesday

10:00, Computers10-11, Dance & Relax1:00, Bingo6:00, Yoga Class7:30, Games (RISA)

Wednesday9:15, Stay Well10:00, Spanish Class10:30, Shoppers’ Bus12:30, Sculpting7:00, Pokeno (RISA)

Thursday10:00, Tai Chi

Home-delivered meals: 212-744-5022, ext. 1203

10:30, Creative Arts12:30, Movie1:00, Drawing with

Pastels7:00, Dance

Friday9:30, Yoga10:30, Computers1:00, Bridge6:00, Dance & Relax7:00, Games (RISA)

Saturday7:30, Bingo (RISA)

Special EventsWed., Sept. 15, Atlantic

City trip.Tue., Sept. 21, 7:00,

RISA General MeetingThur., Sept. 23, Health

Fair (morning; time tobe announced)

Tue., Oct. 26, Flu shots

Matthew Katz, PresidentRoosevelt Island Residents Assn.

e-mail: [email protected]

TheRIOCColumn

Herbert E. Berman, PresidentRoosevelt Island Operating Corp.

e-mail: [email protected]

September brings the start of a new school year and thestart of some much needed repair work on the Island. Asyou probably already noticed, work has begun on the rampleading to the Roosevelt Island bridge. That work is beingperformed partly by the developers of Southtown, Hudsonand Related.

Work will also begin soon on Main Street betweenGristede’s and the AVAC building. We hope to start theproject within the next several weeks. The work that will

be performed there willbe temporary until a per-manent roadway design isin place.

Work is also completeon the Island’s soccerfields. The wet weatherand extensive use ofcleats on the fields lastseason destroyed the sur-face of the fields. As a

result, they had to be closed for several months to recondi-tion them and allow the new seeding to take hold. The newlyrefurbished fields reopened on September 1. We ask thateveryone using the fields respects the fact that cleats arenot allowed and that care has to be taken when playing onwet fields.

The other newly refurbished item is the Roosevelt IslandOperating Corporation phone system. In early August, theold system finally crashed, destroying the voice mail in theprocess. We replaced it as quickly as possible and listenedto resident requests when selecting a new one. When thephone is busy, callers can now go to an automated operator.They will then have the option of holding for a live opera-tor or proceeding through a voice system.

We are also continuing to work to find the best solutionfor the elevators and escalator at Motorgate. The first bidsthat came back were not acceptable and the project is cur-rently being rebid. We had hoped that the repair work wouldbegin in late summer, but that time has been delayed to themid to late fall. We are very frustrated by the length of thisproject and appreciate your patience.

It is anticipated that within the next several years the newplans for Southpoint will also be started. The next step inthe process is about to begin. The Trust for Public Land isholding a public meeting on the three potential plans onTuesday, September 14. The meetings will be from 2:00-4:00 and from 7:30-9:30 in Good Shepherd. We urge ev-eryone to attend and voice their opinions. The plans will beposted in the window of Gallery RIVAA and can also beviewed at http://www.markkmorrison.com/roosevelt/pdf/concepts.pdf.

Some other things remain the same as we enter the Fallseason. The bridge remains operational. We have had fur-ther discussions with the Department of Transportation. Wewill continue to provide any updates from them as soon as

they are received. At thistime there is no set datewhen the 24-hour opera-tion will cease.

As soon as we receiveupdates of any kind re-garding transportation orIsland events they areposted on the kiosks,given to building man-agement, and added toour web site. Anybodyseeking information isalso invited to sign up fore-mail updates or call theRIOC informationhotline. To sign up for thee-mail updates, pleasevisit the RIOC web site atwww.rioc.com. There is aplace to sign up for theupdates located on theleft-hand side of the home

page. The phone number for the hotline is 212-308-6608.As many of you are aware, the Board voted to extend the

time for the Octagon project pending certain governmentalapprovals. We also hope to have more information on thisby mid to late Fall.

I am also proud to report that, for the second straight year,the mobile mammogram machine has come to RooseveltIsland. For the past several weeks we have posted signs onthe kiosks and given copies to building management an-nouncing that the machine would be here on September 9.If you were unable to utilize this valuable service this year,I urge you to watch for it next September. We are hoping tomake it an annual event.

I also want to take the opportunity to wish all the stu-dents, teachers, and support personnel at PS/IS 217 and TheChild School a good school year. I also want to remindeveryone that there are several Safe Havens for studentsaround the Island, including the RIOC offices.

Finally, I wish everyone celebrating the Jewish New Yeara healthy and a happy one. I also wish everybody a greatFall season! I look forward to being able to report that allof the repairs mentioned are well on their way to comple-tion before the start of the next season!

The summer ended with a dull thud this past Labor Dayweekend as I labored to prepare for last Wednesday’s firstRIRA Common Council meeting of the fall season. There’sso much happening, I hardly know where to start. Possibly,the beginning would be best:

Good news first. Our State Assemblymember, PeteGrannis, again has found funds to support many Island or-

ganizations includingyour Resident Associa-tion. RIRA will have$1,200 to enhance its op-erations, and the Seniorand Disabled Associa-tions will each have$6,000 for their pro-grams. Our Youth Pro-gram has an extra$12,000 for recreation,education, and counseling

services, and PS/IS 217 will have $9,000 to spend on edu-cational materials through their PTA. Also our public li-brary branch will share $15,000 with two other branch li-braries. Thanks, Pete – you always come through.

Excess noise shouldn’t be a problem on our sleepy littleIsland, but it is. I was jolted from sleep early last Saturdaymorning when a Keyspan steam valve roared open and, es-pecially if you live on the east channel in Eastwood, I betyou were too. When I called the new Keyspan II plant con-trol room, I learned that they started to put a new unit online late Friday night with the resulting steam (and also aminimal gas) release. We have an agreement that opera-tions like this, likely to produce loud venting, will be con-ducted during weekdays only and not at night or on theweekend. I’m waiting for clarification from Keyspan’sCommunity Development Director.

Have you noticed the continual clatter from low-flyinghelicopters this summer? Sure, we’ve seen an increase inpolice and military flights, especially during the Republi-can National Convention. But commercial flights appearto be flying on the River and over our Island with impunity.In my discussions with the Helicopter Noise Coalition, theeast-side group that helped to remove the 60th Street Heli-port, there seems to be some confusion as to whether alti-tude regulations even exist, although I’ve seen regulationsthat appear to require a minimum 1000 foot altitude overCity buildings. I will follow up with the Manhattan Bor-ough President’s Helicopter Task Force, meeting later thismonth. Stay tuned.

From the ethereal to the mundane: There is an area ofsidewalk near the Gristede’s front door and directly in frontof two stairwells into Motorgate that stink of urine and arecovered with pigeon droppings. This is unpleasant any-

where on the Island but especially so in such close proxim-ity to our major food vendor. Gristede’s manager, AdrianRamirez, informs me that he has taken care of pigeons di-rectly in front of his doors by installing anti-perching de-vices and that workers in RIOC uniforms perform the main-tenance of the sidewalks around his store. In fact, Adriangot a cleanup crew out to deal with the mess as soon as Ibrought it to his attention. RIOC President Herb Bermaninforms me that this maintenance is the responsibility ofMotorgate and Gristede’s, not RIOC. Adrian has dealt withthat part of the problem he sees as his concern. Herb in-forms me that he has implemented regular walk-throughswith people from Manhattan Park (co-owners of Motorgate)and I hope a solution can be found without delay. This isn’trocket science; it just needs someone to take charge. Herb?

On Tuesday I attended a Second Avenue Subway TaskForce meeting convenedby the TransportationCommittee of Commu-nity Board 8. The thrustof the meeting was PhaseI, the portion of the newsubway to extend from96th Street to 63rd Street,including the connectionto our F train. The tenta-tive plan, pending fullfunding of the necessary$3.8 billion, is to beginthe 36-month project inFebruary, 2007. TheMTA’s Ian Taylor, who isthe station design man-ager, suggested that theimpact to our F-train ser-vice would be mostly atnight and on weekends.Questions were submitted

in writing, and my questions regarding the specifics of thisdisruption were not addressed before the meeting adjourned.We were promised written responses at a later time, which Iwill share with you when they are received. What struckme at this well-attended meeting was the depth of opposi-tion to the Second Avenue subway project in general. Trans-portation Committee co-chair Dan Quart stated that the Lex-ington Avenue line is currently running at 140% of capac-ity. I think people mostly are concerned with the many yearsof disruption in their lives on the Upper East Side and areless concerned with the impact on subway congestion thatthis project will effect.

Did you read Karen Stewart’s diatribe in the last WIRE?See RIRA, page 10

ATTORNEY ONROOSEVELT ISLAND

Long-time Roosevelt Island resident

Free consultation for Island residentsEvening and weekend appointments available • Home visits

GENERAL PRACTICE LAW

PERSONAL INJURYAutomobile AccidentsSlip & Fall / All Injuries

DIVORCE & FAMILY LAWCustody, Child Support, VisitationMaintenance / Property DistributionAgreements – Separation / Pre-NuptialAdoptions

CRIMINAL LAWFelonies, MisdemeanorsViolations & DWI

PHILIP GRONER, ESQ.67 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, #8028New York, New York 10005-3111

Office 212-709-8028 • Cell 917-539-6415

WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATESProbate & Intestate ProceedingsGuardianships, Power of AttorneyLiving Wills, Health Care Proxies

BUSINESS LAWBuy / Sell Businesses; LitigationPartnerships & IncorporationsContracts, Agreements, Leases

REAL ESTATEResidential ClosingsCo-op, Condo, Home


THE BLUE ROOMBAR & GRILL

THE BLUE ROOMBAR & GRILL

Monday-Friday11 AM - 2 PM

Lunch Special – $8.95Pastas, Burgers, Specialty Wings

Dinner Specials5 PM - 7 PM

Early-Bird Special – $11.95Soup or salad, dinner, & coffee

Saturday-SundayNoon-4 PM

Special Brunch Menu – $14.95All you can drink Mimosas,

Bloody Marys, or Champagne

Happy Hour Every Day, 4 - 8 PMDrink Specials

$3 Domestic Drafts & Bottles$4 Import Draft & Bottles

$4 Mixed Drinks

THE BLUE ROOM1140 2nd Avenue at 60th Street

opposite the Tram station

212-688-4344

RISA, the Roosevelt IslandSenior Association,joins the community

in marking the start ofThe Main Street WIRE’s

25th year.Keep those presses rolling.


212-752-1517At the heart of the community,

next to the historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd

Trellis: 6:00 a.m. to midnight,7 days every week. We also deliver.

l

9/11It has been three years – and it has been a lifetime.

We cannot forget those we lost.They were the first to be taken in a new kind of war they did not choose.

They left us, never meaning to, on a date that will forever be burned into our minds.The heroes of that day honored us by their sacrifices.

We honor them today, with memories we cherish.We honor them and the others who fell, with the promise that we will never forget.


by Judy BerdyRoosevelt Islander Carole Kennedy is now a Peace Corps volunteer in Poltava,

Ukraine. She’s working for an agency that teaches computer and management skills,and helps women start their own businesses. I recently spent a week with her.

Her new home is a lovely city of 300,000 people, in an agricultural region about 200miles east of Kiev. Coincidentally, a former inmate in the Blackwell’s Island Peniten-tiary, Emma Goldman, visited Poltava in 1923. In her book, My Disillusionment WithRussia, Goldman described Poltava as a famous “manufacturing centre of peasant handi-crafts” including “beautiful linen, embroidery, laces, and basket work,” but she notedthat, under the Bolsheviks, those industries were virtually suspended. Goldman quoteda woman in charge of promoting the crafts as saying, “The peasants have lost their artimpulse, they have become brutalized and corrupted.” (On-line, see marxists.org/refer-ence/archive/goldman/works/1920s/disillusionment/ch20.htm.)

Carole was staying with a family when I visited. There were four generations ofwomen: daughter (age 20), mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (in her 80’s).

Grandmother was constantly trying to feed Carole, who had never eaten so muchsoup in her life. The apartment, though not luxurious, was comfortable for the family

and Carole. But Carole had not yet mastered thehot-water heater. Running hot water is not auto-matic in Poltava apartments. To shower, you mustthink ahead, and turn on a temperamental gas ap-pliance that looks fearsome.

That five-story apartment house, where Carolewas on the third floor, had no elevators. She isnow lean and trim, thanks to lots of walking, andjokes that she has no need for a gym.

Carole and I had a great time together exploringKiev and Poltava. We were constantly amazed thatthere is apparently a fear of fresh air. No matterhow hot the weather, every window is closed instores, on buses, and in public buildings. Luckily,the hotel rooms are air-conditioned – a real treat.Carole promises to report on the temperatures whenthe notorious winter strikes and lasts for six longmonths.

“The people here can’t get over that I come froma little Island in the middle of the East River anduse a Tram for transportation,” Carol says. She

notes that the Americans and Russians had an air base here during World War II, andthere is a very nice section of the small space museum devoted to our efforts in thewar. “They have a big American Flag and other memorabilia beautifully displayed. Itmade me feel very good to see that our efforts have been remembered.”

Carole is living on her own, starting this month, in the same neighborhood whereshe’s been a boarder. She’s looking forward to the change. She sends her regards toall her Roosevelt Island friends and misses the neighborliness of the Island. Her e-mail address is [email protected].

Carole Kennedy

Carole Kennedy, in Ukraine,Teaching Women Business Skills

Enjoy live musicalperformances by

BETTY

Jamie Guan

Jessica Harper

Kim & Reggie Harris

Ida

Nile Rodgers

…and many more!

And readings of Hallie’s work by

Joanne Camp • Sam Coppola

Barbara Feldon • Kit Flanagan

Ron Leibman • Victor Slezak

NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein

Hon. Eric Gioia • Hon. Joe Conley

…and many more!

“People be nice to each other. Love, Hallie”

invites you to

Treat your family toa day of peace, love, music… and kindness

inspired by the life of Hallie Geier

Participate in art and writing activities that make a difference!Meet nonprofits that welcome volunteers like you!

Sunnyside Gardens Park • 39th Avenue and 49th Street, QueensSaturday, September 18, 2004 • Noon to 6:00PM

For info, directions and tickets, visit www.lovehallie.org

by Marlene FlomIf you asked four Islanders, “What did you

do this summer?” they would respond, “Wewent to Bali, Indonesia to open an orphan-age – Bali House – for Orphans Interna-tional!” Here is their story.

Jim Luce (founder and president), MarleneFlom (trustee), Ethel Romm (advisoryboard), and NuritMarcus (child spon-sor) were the fourhappy travelers. Jimurged each of us totake an extra suitcasefilled with toys,books, and clothesfor the children. Hegave us red bandan-nas to put on the suit-cases and we lookedlike a troupe of trav-eling gypsies. Wearrived at JFK for the 24-hour trip, stoppingin Vancouver and Hong Kong; we lost a day.There is a 12-hour difference between Indo-nesia and Roosevelt Island!

We were met by Dani Sirait, the founderof Bali House, when we landed in Denpasar,Bali’s capital. You may remember that Danilived on Roosevelt Island for the last two

years. He gave uphis journalistic careerfor a year to dedicatehimself to BaliHouse and see to itssmooth daily opera-tion.

Dani and Jimworked through Or-phans International(OI) America for twoyears to build thefoundation whichwould one day hold

Bali House. The opening gala was spectacu-lar, with 140 in attendance, including civil

and religious leaders as well as performers,visiting orphans, and an international del-egation. Dani went on to coordinate our suc-cessful first World Congress in a sun-drenched hotel near the orphanage, in Sanur,where Marlene spoke about houseparentingand Ethel spoke about financial advice, re-spectively.

Jim and Dani stayed at the orphanagewhile Marlene and Nurit stayed at a lovelycottage hotel in Ubud, an artistic colony onehour from Denpasar. Ethel stayed with anartist friend of Dani’s. There is a gentle spiritin Ubud, coupled with greenery and flow-ers. One-lane roads become two lanes ofhair-raising driving – but there is no roadrage, only patience. The population of Baliis 95% Hindu, and the living is mellow. Theweather was a perfect 80 degrees with pock-ets of humidity. The Farmer’s Market onRoosevelt Island would want to buy thefruits and vegetableshere. Outstanding!

Getting back tothe opening: peoplegathered inside thefront gate as Ba-linese dancers per-formed a welcomedance and Jim andthe Hindu presidentof OI Bali cut a redribbon, bringing thecrowd through BaliHouse for a tour. Dani served as co-masterof ceremony. Jim gave the keynote address,which was simultaneously translated into In-donesian, although he opened with theHindu greeting “Om swasti astu” and endedwith “Om shanti shanti shanti” (a wish forpeace individually, collectively and univer-sally). Jim credits the training he has re-ceived through the Roosevelt Island Toast-masters for his ability to speak to audiences.

Children of both Hindu and Christian or-phanages nearby performed and played

When the Saints Come Marching In. Aftera wonderful catered lunch with a cool greenmelon drink, chickensate, and more, weall sang We Are theWorld. And then wedanced around thecourtyard in joy forthe birth of BaliHouse.

There was a sur-prise birthday cakefor Jim, whose birth-day it was – his 45th!Dani presented Jimwith a tremendousoil painting, done by a collective of Indone-sian painters, of what the orphanage campuswould be like in five years with more houses,a library, and a computer lab. Elaborate!

Bali House is a beautiful six-bedroomdwelling with four bedrooms for children,one for two staff members, and a spaciousguest bedroom. Three other rooms serve asteaching and play areas. There is a full-timecook. This is no Oliver Twist story: the chil-dren live only two to a room and can have sec-ond portions of any food they want. Whenyou enter Bali Houseyou feel serene andhappy – as though thehouse is blessed bygood spirits who arewatching over thechildren.

And speaking ofthe children – wehave eight beds inBali House, and fiveare currently filled.The children includeFauzan (7 years old),Andre (11), Robert(10), Elsi (8), andRizky (8). Two ofthe children are

How’s This for a Unique Summer Vacation: 1.) Pack. 2.) Fly thru12 Time Zones. 3.) Unpack in Bali. 4.) Open an Orphanage.

Catholic: Robert, a refugee from East Timor,and Elsi, from the neighboring island ofNegara. Three of the children, all from Bali,are Muslim: Fauzan, Andre and Rizky.Fauzan is a first for OI Worldwide as he isdefined as a “pre-orphan” – his mother canno longer care forhim, and is expectedto die shortly. Thechildren are brightand get along welltogether.

Our thanks go outto Dani Sirait for hisexcellent handling ofso many details toaccomplish theopening of BaliHouse. He alsomade our stay ascomfortable and varied as possible. We missDani, but he is needed in Denpasar to over-see the smooth functioning of Bali House.

Back to reality in New York. OI has plentyof work to do – contacts to make and fundsto raise. Interested? See our website atwww.internationalorphans.org or e-mail Jim [email protected].

Robert

Fauzan

Andre

Elsi

Rizky


SALSA DANCEDOVE ENTERTAINMENT

presents

SALSA DANCE

Saturday, September 18, 8:00-1:00Manhattan Park Theater Club, 8 River Road

Music byLos Calientes 9-Piece Salsa Band

and D.J. MikeFood & Refreshment Available

Tickets: $20, in advanceTickets and Info: 212-826-5646

Mambo

... Cha

Cha

...

Meren

gue

ROOSEVELT NAILS• Strong Extensions• Manicure• Pedicure• Waxing• Body & Back Massage• Facial – SKIN CARE – Vaporizer• Man’s Manicure, Pedicure &

Facials AvailableMon.-Sat.10AM-8PM(or by appointment) 212-759-2014 570 Main Street

ROOSEVELT NAILScongratulates

The Main Street WIREon the start of its silver anniversary year

Thank you for your serviceto the residents and businesses

of the Roosevelt Island community

CONGRATULATIONS TOThe WIRE

FORHELPING US RECORD THEFUTURE ISLAND HISTORY

FOR 25 YEARS!

THE ROOSEVELT ISLANDHISTORICAL SOCIETY

Judith Berdy, President

• Mailbox & Postal Services• Color Copies• Packaging & Moving Supplies• Shipping World Wide

1173A Second Avenue (betw. 61st & 62nd)Phone 212-832-1390Fax 212-832-1586E-mail [email protected] 8:30-7:00, Sat. 11-6

1275 First Avenue (betw. 68th & 69th)Phone 212-535-3325Fax 212-535-3380E-mail [email protected] 9-7:30, Sat. 10-5

Formerly known asMAILBOXES ETC.

APPLIANCE SERVICEWe service all major brandsRefrigerators • Dishwashers

Stoves • Air conditioners– Fully insured –

Professional Appliance212-369-6100

24 Hrs • Cell phone 917-337-2971


Rivercross Tenants’ Corporationcongratulates

The Main Street WIRE,editor Dick Lutz, and former editors

Jim Bowser and Jack Resnick,and all the volunteers who make the newspaper possible,

on the newspaper’s silver anniversary year.

The WIRE provides a much-needed community service by providingtimely information and giving Island residents a voice.

We join with the rest of our Roosevelt Island neighbors in wishing itsuccess as we head into an exciting future together.

M&D DELIWe deliver • 212-838-3964 • 579 Main Street

Congratulationsto The WIRE –25th Year!


The Farmers Market

As always, Thank you for shopping with us every Saturday.

the highest quality every Saturday at Motorgate

It’s APPLE Season, and we have them in abundance –all your favorite varieties – along with

all the other abundance of Pennsylvania’s harvest season.At our Saturday morning market, you’ll find the freshest

vegetables, cheeses, meats, jellies, butter, fresh corn, potatoes,and all the other good foods that make your home-cooked meals

a delight. Look for our fruits – not just those tasty apples,but oranges, grapefruit, bananas, melons, strawberries,

and the occasional special surprise, as well.

Come say Hello Saturday morningsunder the ramp at Motograte


BulletI know how to bite the bulletbut I have no taste for it.

I can hunker down with the bestbut am tired of the cramped wings.

I sometimes mayhap soarto lofty heights of song,also love clear linear airswhen I attain them.

Sing my alfresco flavored bouquetsto wild friends and tender lovers.

Stern Publishes Poetry Collection

Islander Sharon Stern has pub-lished a 120-page volume of hershort poetry. It’s $10, and avail-able directly from her. Call212-758-1274.

A sample:

Islanders Join Massive Protest March During GOP Convention

The New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) wrapped up its sum-mer activities on August 28 with awards and a trip to Kids Day at theU.S. Open. Pictured on page 1 are all the award winners, including:Damian Skiba and Kerrone White, ranked first and second on theLeague’s competitive ladder, as well as joint recipients of the League’sMost Valuable Player award; OmarWhite and Alex Schrum, topSportsmanship award winners;Moctar Toure, Best Attendance;Lauren Abdul. Most Dedicated; Alim Greaves, Most Improved; andDjavan Guy, Most Helpful. The following participants earned distinc-tions in the League’s Summer Reading Program: Gold Readers, RobertGallagher and Sean Doyle; Silver Readers, Kaitlin Abdul, Colleen Doyle,and Lauren Abdul.

Also pictured are the supplemental-award winners, as well as Mike Kolba,President of the Roosevelt Island Tennis Association, who was on hand tocongratulate the children on their efforts, and the staff of the League: DanielCherif, Alex Kornhuber, Hasan Wazani and Joyce Mincheff.

NYJTL will resume tennis activities for ages 7-18 at the RooseveltIsland Racket Club, on Saturday, November 6, 6-8 a.m.

NYJTL Wraps Season

Primary Election Tuesday

José Serrano (left) and Nelson Denis are contending in the Democraticprimary, each seeking to challenge State Senator Olga Mendez for herseat. Mendez switched parties to become a Republican, making avigorous Democratic challenge likely. Both Serrano and Denis, picturedin appearances on the Island, have decried Albany’s “three men in aroom” government.

I truly wish she would apply hertalents to working on behalf of thecommunity rather than belaboringthis constitution and bylaws ques-tion. To clear the air of misinfor-mation, I would assert that the con-stitution and bylaws, debated nowthese many months, is not “my vi-sion” but has had the input of acommittee as well as the full Com-mon Council, including the con-stant participation of KarenStewart herself. Her problem isthat she violently opposes anychange in any facet of RIRA ac-tivity and has made it clear that shewill not accept compromise or con-sensus. Given the deficiencies ofthe current constitution, she has thetools to tie up the process almostindefinitely. Karen states, “Almostone quarter of the Council does nothave e-mail.” No, three Membersdon’t have e-mail and receive of-ficial notices by other means. Thee-mail debate this summer was inlieu of face-to-face constitutioncommittee meetings (committeestraditionally don’t meet during thesummer except to plan summerprograms) and the three computer-less Council members were notmembers of this committee.

Prior to my election, RIRA wasbecoming invisible on RooseveltIsland because it had no publicface. In the last four years, we’vecreated and produced programsthat have given RIRA a reason tosustain your attention: blooddrives, Roosevelt Island Daybreakfasts, parties, dances, moviescreenings, auctions, sock hops,lobbying trips to Albany, insurancefairs, the 9/11 memorials, and allthe rest. Karen and Patrick Stewarthave participated in none of thesewhile maintaining their seats on theCommon Council by virtue ofmembership in other organizations.The most critical asset of RIRA isthat you elect your representatives,Island-wide and by building dis-trict, thus giving us the right toclaim that we speak with the voiceof the Roosevelt Island commu-nity. The Stewarts, however, havebeen elected to nothing since 1998,and opted not to run, not even fromIsland House, in 2002. And now,Karen has proposed eliminatingany mention of the Roosevelt Is-land Council of Organizations(RICO) from the revised constitu-tion even though she has voted aCouncil seat for the last four yearsonly by virtue of her membershipin this moribund group. Yes, theconstitution allows her to do so.However, RICO doesn’t speak forIsland organizations (or anyoneelse) and hasn’t done so for a de-cade or more. One might expectpersonal integrity to trump the an-

tiquated rules of an outdated con-stitution, with Mrs. Stewart takinga seat only when elected to thepost. However, Karen took theethically challenged route and hasvoted her Council seat represent-ing no one but herself.

Karen’s screed urges you to payattention to what happens at Coun-cil meetings, and so do I; not juston constitutional questions, butalso on the real business of theRIRA Common Council, which ismaking a difference. Sure, a for-ward-looking, viable set of rulesmakes our jobs easier. But youneed to pay attention this fall to thecandidates for Island-wide officeand from your buildings. Whathave they done and what do theypromise to do? We should bejudged by the quality of the workwe’ve produced and the differencein the quality of life that our workhas accomplished. The RIRA elec-tions will take place at PS/IS 217on Election Day, November 2. AsRIRA members, the minimal par-ticipation expected of you is aneducated, considered vote.

Far better would be your deci-sion to take part in the RIRA Com-mon Council by running for officeyourself. Life on Roosevelt Islandis, in many ways, more demand-ing than in other parts of the Citywhere life is more anonymous.Our status as a planned community,owned by the City and operated bythe State without community par-ticipation in our governance ordecision-making, has made it so.Nevertheless, we choose to livehere (are proud to live here!) de-spite the problems of transportationand inadequate shopping, restau-rants, and entertainment options.What makes life tolerable here isthe participation of the communityin the life of the Island, individu-ally and through our many organi-zations. And RIRA gives you more

opportunity to impact our issuesthan any other forum available tous. We reconstituted the Electionsand Nomination Committees at ourSeptember 8 meeting, and I wouldwelcome your calls to discuss theduties involved in Common Coun-cil membership. Make a differ-ence!

And finally: I’ve been a mem-ber of the RIRA Common Councilfor almost eight years with twoterms as president. It’s enough. Iintend to take a sabbatical from theCouncil, at least for the next twoyears. The last four years havebeen fascinating but I took the jobon as a seven-day-a-week propo-sition, and that’s just what it hasbeen. I don’t begrudge the timeI’ve put in, but I used to be a well-rounded fellow. Now, my conver-sation is so exclusively RooseveltIsland-oriented that my friends andfamily cringe when they see mecoming. I’m tired, and I just needto un-focus and smell the flowersagain. I’ve been proud of my ser-vice; especially when I’ve beenuseful. I’ve enjoyed participatingin the programs we’ve imaginedand produced, serving drinks oreven simply cleaning up after-wards. I’ve especially enjoyedchatting with you on Main Streetabout Island issues and working todeal with specific problems. Writ-ing this column has been an unex-pected joy; I thought I would dryup after two issues! To whomevermy successor is: If you don’t usethis space to share information withthe community and to vent youropinions, you are cutting off yournose to spite your face. How manyelected representatives have theuse of a “bully pulpit” every twoweeks? So don’t be stupid, write!

I intend to use my remainingcolumns to comment on the elec-tions and yes, to campaign for folksI think will do a good job. The U.S.presidential elections are criticalthis year and I hope that the inter-est in them will result in a goodturnout for RIRA as well. Our poli-ticians count voter turnout,y’know, and RIRA’s status withthem increases with the percentageof qualified Island voters who pullthe levers.

One last thing: On Tuesday, Sep-tember 14, you will have the op-portunity to help create SouthpointPark. The Trust for Public Landwill convene a Town Meeting atthe Chapel from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.and again from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30p.m. This is important to the fu-ture of the Island and you shouldmake it your business to partici-pate. And while you’re there, takenote of how many Council Mem-bers have made this Town Meet-ing a priority and note who theyare. That’s one way to know whomto vote for!

RIRA from page 3

Preparing for November’s elec-tion, the Council chose chairs forits Nominations Committee andElection Committee, Mark Chip-man and George Reither. Chip-man’s committee will seek nomi-nees for the 30-some Council seats;Reither’s will run the election. AllIsland residents over 18 are eligibleto vote in the RIRA election, re-gardless of national citizenship.

In other action, the Councilvoted 15-4 to send a revised con-stitution for the organization to aTown Meeting scheduled for Tues-day, October 12, with an earlier

informational session to be sched-uled. The action was taken overthe objection of Karen Stewart,who maintained that the full revi-sion had not been presented to theCouncil, in writing, at a previousmeeting. Frank Farance, servingas parliamentarian, advised that awritten version was not required;Katz then ruled that the Councilhad ample opportunity to considerthe general intent of the proposedrevisions at the prior meeting, andto study the printed version subse-quently distributed, and the votewas taken.

Katz from page 1

Photos: Brad B

enson

Between-issues bulletins... Send “AddMe”to editor@Main Street WIRE.com


Congratulationsand the best

for the next 25 years

Former Roosevelt IslandersMargery Rubin, Photographer

Dr. George Rubin

25th Year

Th ank you toThe Main Street WIREfor your invaluable serviceto the community

From all of us atThe Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance

The Roosevelt Island Youth Programhonors

the memoryof those lost 9/11/01

andoffers its sympathy anew

to the loved ones left behind


The Trust for Public Land Will Present These Three

Louis Kahn’sFDR Memorial

The Mount

Waterfront Art Esplanade

Entrance

GatehouseComfort stationArt opportunityWaterfront Plaza

Amphitheater seatingHabitat Enrichment ZoneNative planting at water’s edgeShoreline accessObservation opportunities

Seating nodesSculptureEnvironmental art

Woodland overlookOutdoor classroomEnvironmental art

Boat PierBoat launch rampFishing

Open LawnFairgroundsInformal play opportunitiesPicnic grove

Stabilized Ruin /Visionary New Building

Art galleryMulti-level restaurantOutdoor diningConference / Retreat centerComfort stationGift shop

Visionary LandscapesContemporary landscapes integrated with a dynamic art gallery,conference and dining facilities inside the Smallpox ruin, LouisKahn’s FDR Memorial, and a woodland mount where walkwaysare intertwined with a series of artistic features. This conceptfocuses on the creation of a visionary new public park.Estimated cost: $49 million.

Wild Gardens / Green RoomsA picturesque park comprised of a series of themed landscaped“green rooms,” providing the visitor with a diversity of educational,cultural, restorative, and recreational activities. This conceptincludes rustic stone architecture, a cafe space within thestabilized ruin, performance and ice skating adjacent to the ruin,specialized winter-interest landscapes, and a performance spaceseating 7,000. Estimated cost: $33 million.

Large Performance SpacePlaza with pavilionOpen sloped lawnCapacity 7,000

HabitaEnrichZoneShoreline

Stabilized Ruin /Smaller Interior BuildingCafe / outdoor diningComfort stationSkating rentalInterior ruin gardensOutdoor event space

These pages are adapted from materials available on the Internet athttp://www.markkmorrison.com/roosevelt/concepts/concepts_files/frame.html.They will be presented, with further detail, in two meetings Tuesday(choose either or both) at 2:00 and 7:30 in the Chapel of the GoodShepherd. Each meeting is scheduled for about two hours.

All the plans suggest improved shoreline access from the gates to theTram station and to Goldwater Hospital. (See story on page 1.)

Coler-GoldwaterHospitalsouthcampus


Concepts for Southpoint Park in Meetings TuesdayParc VilleA park-like extension of the Main Street village – an embracing ofcommunity, commercial use, Goldwater Hospital, and amenities ina waterfront park setting. This concept introduces a crescent ofpublic/private buildings, which include a restaurant, diningterraces, and event facilities, as well as speculative retail spaceswith terraces, a boathouse for small boat storage and workshop,and a variety of performance spaces. Landscape elementsinclude strolling gardens, water features, and a stabilized ruingarden. Estimated cost: $79 million.

Village Crescent – Colonnade

Waterfront restaurant / outdoor diningSpeculative retail / Office spaceComfort stationGift shop

Shade structures inperformance area for seniorcitizens, non-ambulatoryindividuals, and the generalpublic

Large Performance Area

Stone seating bandsTheatrical lightingCapacity 7,000Open lawn

Fishing DeckBoat PierFerry accessBoat ramp, dock, and storageWorkshop and boathouseKayak launchFishing

Stabilized RuinPedestrian accessInterpretive displayPassive seating area

Multifunctional Performance AreaFilms, dance, special events

Sun DeckWood deckBuilt-in furnitureObservation opportunities

IntimatePerformance AreaSmall stageSloped lawnCapacity 200

Woodland WalkWalk to Artistic water display & overlookOutdoor classroomBirder’s platformNative plantingPossible interactive features

Boat PierBoat launch rampFishing

Gatehouse

RestaurantShoreline terrace for casual diningComfort stationInformationPedestrian gateway

Multipurpose PlazaIce skating in winterAmphitheater seatingPublic plaza with water feature

athment

e access

Waterfront Overlook

Passive seating areaNative plantingBuilt-in seatingObservation opportunities

Woodland Gathering Area

OverlooksWater featuresSledding hillInterpretive displayInteractive landscapesNative plantingsPicnic grove


August 30, 11:50 a.m.Waiting for the Q102 at theChapel shelter: NancyBrown, aide Brenda Padilla,and Brenda’s children,Joshua and Johanna.

11:57Q102 (bus #494) arrives...

11:58...but the wheelchair lift can’tbe extended with thisconcrete thing in the way.

12:00After bus isrepositioned, boarding.

When the Tram is out, and there’s no Red Bus alternative transportation...

12:32This involves a perilous crossing ofQueens Boulevard...

...where some of the curbs are impassablefor a motorized wheelchair...

...and the lights don’t allowcrossing in one quick dash.

12:38Waiting. Any bus will do,but...

1:18...time for the return trip.We’re waiting for the Q60outside The Blue Room(formerly Favia) at 60th and2nd.

1:35Three buses have lined up atthe stop, but all three driversclaim their wheelchair liftsare not working.

1:38One of the drivers, after realizing the situation is beingdocumented, attempts to forbid photography.Unsuccessful, he then calls in an alert, claiming that aterrorist is taking pictures of the Queensboro Bridge.

1:41Another finally decides totry the lift on his bus and, ofcourse, it works. But it’sunlikely he would have triedwithout the camera there.

1:51The lift functions uponarrival in Queens Plaza, aswell.

3:05Waiting near Queensbridge Apartments.

3:20A willingly accommodatingQ102 driver arrives.

3:27We cross the bridge toRoosevelt Island...

3:33...and we’re home. Elapsedtime for the return trip:2 hours, 15 minutes.

Continue at right ººººº


12:01Boarding completed. 12:10

After a circuit around thesouth campus of Coler-Goldwater Hospital, anotherwheelchair boards.

12:19After a circuit around thenorth campus of Coler-Goldwater, we leave theIsland...

12:21...and unload the secondwheelchair passenger onVernon Blvd.

12:30We unload at Queens Plazafor a change to a Manhattan-bound bus.

...here’s what it takes for a wheelchair user to make a round trip to Manhattan

12:39...the first Green Lines driver(bus #281) doesn’t askabout the waitingwheelchair passenger and,instead... ...just drives away.

12:45The driver of the next bus, aQ101 (bus #408) boardsNancy.

12:56Finally – Manhattan.Elapsed time:about an hour.

After a brief shopping stopin Manhattan...

1:56Another crossing of QueensPlaza, to the Island-boundQ102 stop.

2:07Waiting... waiting... at 23rdStreet and Queens Plaza, forthe Q102.

2:21Bus #358 can’t get closeenough to the curb, sopreparing to board is aproblem. But it doesn’tmatter – the driver says hiswheelchair lift doesn’t work.

2:50A half-hour later, the nextQ102 (#494) speeds past,never looking, accelerating.Ironically, this is the samebus on which we started thejourney at 11:57 a.m.

2:51Nancy decides the beststrategy is to use the nextblock of waiting time to goto the next Q102 stop.

Nancy Brown comments:All in all, the trip was a nightmare, especially the

trip back to the Island, where a total of five busesrefused to pick me up. It was very hot, very frustrat-ing, and totally exhausting. A trip that ordinarilywould have taken just 45 minutes by Tram or maybean hour with the Red Bus, took us three and a halfhours. I would never, ever make that two-bus trip intoManhattan again. The subway is not a viable alterna-tive for someone in a wheelchair, unless accompaniedby someone strong enough to boost the chair over thelarge gap between the platform and the subway car.Also, you can’t always rely on the elevators being inservice at various destination subway stations. RedBus service into the City during a Tram shutdown is anessential service needed and deserved by the disabledcommunity and its seniors.

Photography: Website NYC10044 http://nyc10044.com

What does it mean to someone in a motorized wheelchair when theTram is out of service, and a trip into Manhattan is necessary?

The Roosevelt Island OperatingCorporation (RIOC) hassuspended the practice ofproviding Red Bus service to andfrom 60th Street at SecondAvenue, citing deterioratingbuses. According to RIOC VPSari Dickson, “protracted use inManhattan is still an [insurance]issue,” as well. Dickson also saysthat, during the last Tramshutdown, Queens SurfaceTransit and MTA told RIOC that itcould not use their bus stops topick up or discharge passengers,”citing complications related towork on the Queensboro Bridge.

Seniors and disabled Islanderswho use Access-A-Ride complain

that it is often (some say always)late or seriously unpredictable.That means a scheduledappointment requiresconsiderable latitude and, often,wasted time. The subway is notviable for most motorizedwheelchairs, because their wheelscannot deal with the gap betweenthe car and platform here.

That leaves bus service. TheWIRE asked Nancy Brown tomake the trip by available buslines to test their usability. Thetest trip documented here wasmade in a non-rush period onMonday, August 30. Total traveltime was nearly three and a halfhours.

Nancy Brown Misty


Congratulations toall the volunteers

who produceThe WIRE

Thanks forkeeping the

flame

Jack Resnick, MDFounding Publisher


Please Come to Our OPEN HOUSE MEETINGThis Monday (September 13) at 7:30 p.m. at Westview Lower Community Room – 625 Main Street

DO YOU KNOWYOUR NEIGHBORS?

JOIN USand become• A better SPEAKER• A better THINKER• A better LISTENER

We are a few of our Island Toastmasters,an International Public Speaking ClubWe meet the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month.CALL Jim 212-755-7302 / Doris 212-751-9577

resolutions declared any environmental im-pact to be insignificant, and extended sitecontrol to provide more time “to resolve cer-tain open issues.”)

ParkingAfter the RIOC Board meeting, resident

Board member David Kraut told The WIRE,“The tennis court parking is out.” But be-cause a portion of the financing Becker andBecker lined up for the project depends uponon-site parking, and because the resolutionsprovide for temporary courts, the eventualfate of the under-court parking may be yetto be determined. Likewise, the plan fortemporary courts could be altered by a fur-ther Board resolution.

If no further Board action changes lastweek’s decision to eliminate under-courtparking, on-site parking would be limitedto the area under the 13-story apartmentwings that will extend outward from theOctgagon landmark.

The Grannis PositionThe greater ambiguity about the future of

the project may arise from conflicting inter-pretations of the 2002 Open Spaces legisla-tion. Assemblymember Pete Grannis, theDemocrat who represents Roosevelt Island,has taken the position that the language ofthe 2002 Open Spaces legislation prohibitsconstruction or reconstruction beyond thewalls of the landmarked Octagon ruin.RIOC President Herbert E. Berman has dis-

agreed with the Grannis interpretation, alongwith Becker and Becker. While neither hassignaled any recognition that the Granniscontention may be valid, there was no otherexplanation of the resolution language speci-fying that “all required consents of the leg-islature” be obtained.

That wording appears to be a response toa letter Grannis sent to Commissioner JudithCalogero, who heads the State Departmentof Housing and Community Renewal, onAugust 11. Grannis wrote that “it is my po-sition that the use of any open land in Octa-gon Park for this proposed project contra-venes the public trust doctrine as an illegalalienation of land deemed to be municipalparkland...”

Late last week, Grannis saw the languagein the Board’s resolution as recognition ofthe validity of his view. “I have argued fromthe outset,” he said, “that the project’s in-trusion on the open space surrounding thelandmarked Octagon Tower as delineated inthe General Development Plan (GDP) wouldviolate Chapter 493 of the laws of 2002. Myposition, unambiguously communicated inmy public statements and written commu-nications in connection with this project, isthat an amendment to the law is needed ifthis project is to move forward. Now, aftertwo years of ignoring this legal impediment,it appears that RIOC has finally acknowl-edged the validity of this position, in theresolutions adopted by the Board August30.”

Grannis continued, “With the removal ofwhat the Board’s resolutions term ‘park fa-cilities’ and the tennis courts from the landRIOC proposes to lease for this project, andthe call for moving the project’s under-ground parking from beneath the tenniscourts to the more tightly defined leased pre-mises, the Board now joins me and theIsland’s other elected public officials in rec-ognizing the need to protect the integrity ofopen space in this area.”

RIOC has provided no information onwhat legislative approvals it might seek, noris it known how approvals might be ob-tained, during the 32-day extension providedin the resolution, with the Legislature out ofsession and not expected back in Albany

until after the November election. But theresolution extending site control does em-power Berman to grant further extensions“if deemed advisable within his appropriatediscretion.”

Late last week, Bruce Becker, Presidentof Becker and Becker, hailed the passage ofthe resolutions, while noting that there aredetails remaining to be cleared up. Thisweek, he said, “If by taking more time thereis broader support for the project, I’m fortaking the extra time.”

Lower-Rent UnitsThe plan for lower rents for a portion of

the 511 apartments has been altered in theBecker and Becker proposal. Eligibility forthe restricted-rent apartments will now bepegged at 150% of “Area Median Income”(AMI), a federal housing guideline. Theresult:

• Studio apartments renting for $1,611 willgo to applicants earning $66,000 per yearor less.

• One-bedroom units, at $1,722, will belimited to those earning under $71,000.

• Two-bedroom apartments, at $2,068, arelimited to tenants with household income un-der $84,750.

The bulk of the apartments, however, willgo at market rate.

No process has been announced for ap-plication for the restricted-rent apartments.If past practice is followed, it is likely a lot-tery will be involved.

Tennis CourtsThe resolutions provide for Becker and

Becker to construct six lighted temporarytennis courts in Southtown on the Queensside of the extended Main Street, south ofBlackwell House and north of the soccerfield, where Southtown buildings 7, 8, and9 are planned. Initially, temporary courtswere in the plan because construction ofunderground parking at the Octagon Parktennis courts would make them unavailablefor an extended period. The presence of thetemporary courts in the plans approved lastweek is taken by some to suggest that theBoard’s position on the use of the Octagoncourts may later be subject to adjustmentbased on legal opinions to be sought fromthe State.

Octagon from page 1

the female officer then said she knew me.“I was handcuffed and walked to Public

Safety by a contingent of four officers. Theirattitude and demeanor were professional. Iinformed them that I was preparing some-thing for The WIRE, but when I asked to callan attorney, I was told I was not under ar-rest, and that the process of writing a sum-mons would take only five minutes. Forty-five minutes later, I was still in custody. Ihad been handcuffed to a chair for a half-hour. Finally, I was issued a summons for‘Disorderly Conduct’ with a court date ofOctober 29.”

Musto said he expects to contest the sum-mons, and is conferring with an attorney toconsider further action in the matter.

Musto’s experience parallels that of WIREeditor Dick Lutz, who was handcuffed anddetained in January, 2002, when a PublicSafety Officer ordered him to stop photo-graphing a Tram cabin sitting in the grass atthe Island Tram station. Like Musto, Lutzwas handcuffed, held incommunicado atPublic Safety, then issued summonses. InLutz’s case, the summonses were latervoided by Public Safety Chief James Fry.(See Island Observer, page 2.)

Other residents taking pictures on the Is-land have had similar experiences with Pub-lic Safety, though they have not generallyresulted in arrest, handcuffing, being heldincommunicado, or being restrained at thePublic Safety Office.

A professional photographer, KurtWittman, has been approached several timesby Public Safety Officers when testingequipment. He and his wife were cuffed theweek after 9/11/01 when men aboard a CoastGuard vessel spotted them in the water offthe Island, doing underwater photography.The charges, for trespassing, were laterdropped.

Wittman now carries a copy of a memofrom RIOC President Herbert E. Bermanthat he can show to officers who questionhis right to take pictures. It reads, in part,“the taking of still pictures on the Island, atallowable sites, is permitted so long as thetaking of the pictures does not constitute anobstruction and is not for commercial pur-

Summons from page 1

poses.”In June, 2003, the Acting President of the

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation(RIOC), Patrick Siconolfi, issued a clarifi-cation of RIOC policy on photography onthe Island: In a memo to PSD Chief Fry,Siconolfi wrote, “It is the policy of theRoosevelt Island Operating Corporation thatpermits will not be required for recreationalphotography or videography. The press willalso not need permits to take either still ormoving pictures on Roosevelt Island.”There has been no subsequent announce-ment of any change in photography policy.

RIOC Vice President Sari Dickson de-clined comment on the matter because it isan “ongoing investigation.”


Katherine Teets Grimm, M.D.Board Certified Pediatrician and Pediatric Allergist

501 Main Street • Roosevelt Island • 212-753-5505

Office HoursMonday & Thursday • 9 a.m. -12 noon

Tuesday • 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.Wednesday & Friday • 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Coverage provided at all times, when office is closed,by Dr. Grimm or by her group, Uptown Pediatrics.

We provide comprehensive health care to children and adolescents.Dr. Grimm is also qualified to evaluate and treat allergy and asthma in adults.

OLYMPIC CAR SERVICE

1-718-626-8000

Ask for your specialRI resident’s discount card

All discounts included in airport fares:JFK $27 • LGA $12 • Newark $55

On all other fares:$1 off any fare under $20$2 off any fare over $20

Clip & Save this Coupon

RRRRRooseooseooseooseoosevvvvvelt Island Felt Island Felt Island Felt Island Felt Island Familamilamilamilamilyyyyy& Cosmetic Dentistr& Cosmetic Dentistr& Cosmetic Dentistr& Cosmetic Dentistr& Cosmetic Dentistryyyyy

Our philosophy: Our office offers adultsand children a Quality Dental Service withgentleness, compassion, thoroughness, andrespect for their time at a moderate dentalcost. Services include Bonding, Veneers,ZOOM! In-Office Bleaching, Implants.

Some of the Dental Plans weaccept toward payment:

21st Century, Cigna, Aetna, Prudential, USHealthCare,

Guardian, First Fortis, etc.

Lawrence Itskowitch, DDS, PCTreating residents 24 years

501 Main Street • 212-752-8722

Daytime Hours: Mon., Fri. 9-6; Tue., Wed. 12-5; Thur. 3-7Evening Hours: Tue., Wed. 6-9

Met Life in-network participantDelta Dental in-network participant

Exceptional Quality Dry CleaningShirts LaunderedExpert European TailoringSuede, Leathers, and Furs Cleaned

and Storage AvailableDraperies and All Household ItemsFree Pick-Up and Delivery

FREE BOXSTORAGEFor all your winter clothes

Just pay the regular cost to dry cleanand we will store your clothing in aclimate-controlled environment untilyou need them in the fall.

MINERVA CLEANERS & TAILORS

37-22 34th Street • Long Island City • NY • 11101TEL: 718-729-4566 • FAX: 718-729-4344

Proudly Serving Roosevelt Island for Over 12 YearsTwice Daily Monday to Friday

5


by Jack ResnickI can’t believe that this issue of The Main Street WIRE

marks the beginning of its 25th volume. Wasn’t it just afew years ago that a group of us were having dinner andbemoaning the absence of the Tram?

It was February of 1981. The annual two-week shutdownof the Tram for “routine maintenance” had become a four-month ordeal of hour-long bus commutes into Manhattan.(The Roosevelt Island sub-way service was not to be-gin until 1989.) The cablefrom which the cars are sus-pended was being replaced.Somehow, it had droppedonto First Avenue. Newswas hard to come by. Whenwould our link to Manhattanbe restored? Nobody wastalking. The New York pressdidn’t give the story muchcoverage.

A bunch of us were hav-ing a long weekend dinner atour apartment. The rumorsflew around the table. Theygot more intricate and paranoid as more wine was consumed.Wouldn’t it be great, someone asked, if there were a localnewspaper on Roosevelt Island that could ferret out the in-formation? It must have been the wine talking, but I heardmyself say that I had had newspaper experience in highschool and college. I knew how to put out a paper. Let’s doit, I said. Glasses were raised, toasts were made and so TheMain Street WIRE was born.

Luckily, a lot of the people around the table that nightwere professional writers. Amazingly, when we posted fly-ers asking for volunteers. even more people showed up.During its first few years The WIRE was blessed with a dozenor so volunteers who divided up the work. Our first newseditor, Clare Walker, had been a London newspaper editorbefore coming to the Island. Her professionalism set thestandard for years to come.

A few years later, Clare was succeeded in the role of NewsEditor by Mark Perkiss. Mark was a young 20-somethingjust out of college, looking for a career. He volunteered forThe WIRE and took to journalism like the proverbial duckto water. We lost Mark after a few years. He moved offRoosevelt Island to become a reporter for a Trenton news-paper, this time with an actual salary. Mark’s evolution isone of my fondest WIRE memories.

I served as The WIRE’s editor and publisher for its firstdozen years. When I could no longer afford the time, fatesmiled on us and a real newsman showed up. Jim Bowser,who had been a professional journalist and novelist, offeredto take over the editorship and kept the paper going. Hehad already served the Island in many other posts – presi-dent of the Rivercross and Community Library boards, chairof the Youth Center board, and vice-president of the Resi-dents Association. When you need a job done well, findsomeone who is already overloaded.

By 1996, Jim’s health forced him to scale back and, Godbless him, Dick Lutz appeared on the scene. With Dick’sarrival, my continuing role as publisher also came to an end.(That meant my evenings of laying out The WIRE with mydesktop publishing software and my monthly attempts topay its bills finally ended.) I turned The WIRE completelyover to Dick – although he’s been nice enough to list me onthe masthead as founding publisher and run the advertise-ment for my medical practice.

Roosevelt Island is fortunate to have Dick. The energyand personal resources he spends on providing this com-munity with a newspaper are more than you could possiblyimagine. Here’s something I know for certain – he coulduse some help. If you’ve the time and inclination, give hima call: 212-826-9055.

by Jim BowserMy style of editing The WIRE was to count on other people

to do it. I love to wander the Island, just talking to folks.Then, every two weeks, in a meeting at Jack Resnick’s apart-ment, people would gather to contribute information onmeetings they had attended. Some of their reports werewell-written; others were just notes from which I could work.

I also attended a lot of meetings, to the point where I woremyself out. Nonetheless, I tried to cover most of the ses-sions in person, because that was the best way to sense thedynamics of the meeting –something not really satisifedby someone else’s notes orrecollections.

Relying on other residentsto bring in information pro-duced a widely varying cast ofcharacters for those meetingsat Jack’s. Usually, they in-cluded Judy Berdy, BarryPuritz and Karen Puritz, and– of course – Terri Resnick,who provided both reports andfresh-baked cookies. JudyConnorton was frequently atthe table and Ginny Ewald was a regular.

If I couldn’t cover a meeting, Nancy Masterson wouldoften attend for me.

Ken Paul used to contribute frequently. Gian Picco was asource for me at the United Nations – then became famouswith the release of the hostages held in Iran. The Post’sPaul Rigby provided cartoons and, when he moved to Con-necticut, his son Bay did some. Shirley Margolin was afaithful reporter of what the State government was doing.Linda Heimer was a frequent contributor. Charlie De Finoprovided a good deal of information on our youth. DebraMount Cornet was faithful in rounding up news, reportingon it at the biweekly meetings, and then sometimes shewould write the stories. Tim Johns reported regularly onprogress at buy-out attempts.

I have to mention Beverly Shutes. She did all the typingfrom my hasty notes, managing to translate them into read-able English.

The politicans and Island officials were always coopera-tive: Charles Rangel, then Congressmember CarolynMaloney, when she took over; Gifford Miller, who’s nowCity Council Speaker; State Senator Olga Mendez, andAssemblymember Pete Grannis.

One memorable incident occurred when RIRA PresidentPatrick Stewart and his followers gathered outside the RIOCoffices, and wouldn’t let anyone in. Then RIOC finallyopened the door for a couple of people, but those inside theoffices never saw the crowd that was outside. That wasalways the trouble with most RIOC people – they were con-fined to the office and didn’t see what needed to be donearound the Island.

The new President, it seems to me, is trying to do thingsabout the physical condition of the Island, and to make morefriends for RIOC. Mostly, he needs to talk to more people,as a good reporter for The WIRE would.

by Mark PerkissIt’s hard to believe that The WIRE is starting its 25th year

of publication. I first joined The Main Street WIRE startingwith its second edition, after having written a few storiesfor its predecessor, The Island View.

Little did I know then that my experience with The WIREwould lead to a journalism career that has included stints atThe Associated Press, United Press International, and nowThe Times of Trenton in New Jersey, where I am a politicalreporter.

When I joined The WIRE, I was lucky enough to fall un-der the wing of the paper’s first news editor, Clare Walker,the first in a string of professional journalists or writers tohold that position She gave me encouragement and insightand helped push me toward a reporting career.

The WIRE was a tremendous training ground for me. Itlet me gain experience in covering a wide array of issuesranging from urban development to the workings of cityand state governmental agencies to local politics.

While there were a number of important stories onRoosevelt Island in the mid to late 1980s, the ones I re-member best are those dealing with the experiment of a ferryrun from the Island to lower Manhattan, the shutting downof the tram because of a na-tionwide insurance crisis,and the paper’s coverage ofcrime, particularly drug sell-ing from what was thenknown as the Green Kitchen.

That coverage led tothreats of lawsuits against thepaper and me, but JackResnick, who founded TheWIRE, encouraged me tocontinue pressing the issue,which culminated with a raidon the restaurant and the ar-rest of its two owners.

I remember talking Jackinto the paper covering the meeting of the state agency thatfinally approved what is now Manhattan Park and gettingthe story in the issue that would come out the next day.

Needless to say he was concerned about trying to makechanges at the last minute and risking our press schedule,but I refused to back down saying the story needed to becovered and he finally gave in.

I raced out to our publication office in Queens that after-noon to rewrite much of the story with new details. WhenJack arrived to give final approval to the issue and put thepaper to bed, I remember how pleased he was that we hadbeen able to get daily news into the paper.

I’ll admit that I was a bit intimidated by Jack when I firststarted writing for the paper, but I got over that. My admira-tion and respect for him grew tremendously in the years I servedas news editor before moving to Chicago to join the AP in1988, however. He encouraged me to be aggressive in ourcoverage of Island affairs, whether they were the doings ofRIOC or countless other issues, and we became good friends.

I developed many friends through my work on The WIREand people on the Island grew to know who I was – ratherheady stuff for a twentysomething. That was driven home tome when my dad, who has lived on Roosevelt Island continu-ously since 1977, was approached by someone who asked him,“Excuse me, but aren’t you Mark Perkiss’ father?”

My time on The WIRE was both a joy and a tremendouseducational experience. The paper holds a special place inmy heart.

As The WIRE Enters Its 25th Year, Past Editors Remember...

tors from the rest of the world.”A listing of principles touches on the question of visitors:

“Help make Roosevelt Island an economically sustainableand culturally vibrant urban Island village.” It calls on theplanners to “program the park so visitors are drawn to itsunique character and spectacular events, thus contributingto the economic health of the community and the operatingcosts of the park,” but also to respond to the “rhythms andmajesty of the river,” “to provide for special-needs visitors,”“provide times of solitude and quiet,” and for “times of com-munal gathering and celebration.”

“Make the park a source of pride and community identity.”Here are condensed versions of the text descriptions of

the plans, which are illustrated on pages 12 and 13.Wild Gardens / Green Rooms

A rustic stone gatehouse with a small tower and an arch-way greets visitors. It offers a place to eat and rest on stoneterraces and balconies overlooking the East River. Throughthe gateway, a wide shady path meanders along the top ofthe rugged shoreline through dense trees. The bank of theEast River is so rocky you can get down to the water onlyalong a narrow winding path. The shoreline offers placesto sit on rocks, to listen to the river, and to watch crabs playon the rocks. Sitting low, near the water, the sounds and sightsof others fade. There are frequent opportunities for solitude.

Another path offers the visitor a chance to climb a mod-est rugged mount. From its top, there are views of the sun-rise, the sweep of the metropolis, the twinkle of theQueensboro Bridge lights, and the gliding Tram.

On the way down, the visitor is drawn by glimpses ofsunny lawns and the sounds of a cascade tumbling into apool where rocks lie, half-covered by water, providing placesto sit and walk. A succession of winding paths throughclumps of trees leads to a rustic wall and then an opening.It is the ruin, stabilized, but weathered; it is sunny and filledwith ferns. A brick floor is dappled with moss; it is a beau-tiful room, open to the sky. Windows offer glimpses ofbright green lawns and a hedge-enclosed garden.

Through the arch, into the space beyond, is an artisticbuilding housing a theater or café. On its roof is a shadyterrace; here the ruin’s windows reveal a sweep of the riverextending into the distance. In the foreground is an oval ofshimmering water, embraced by stone steps and an artisticplanting. In the winter, the plants form a winter garden, theoval of water an ice rink, and the hill behind offers sled-ding. In the summer, this slice of hill slopes gently to thepoint, providing a place for large-scale musical perfor-mances, movies, or weekend picnics.

VisionarySculptural walls and a spiral of artistic plantings draw

visitors into large sweeps of plantings that change color withthe seasons. They encounter park environments and artis-tic elements that draw on the environment for their inspira-tion. Art enhances the visitor’s experience and apprecia-tion of the site, its living things, and natural phenomenalike the river, the stars, the movement of the sun, and thewind. Artistic structures incorporate the large quantities ofthe site’s salvaged stone.

A crystal-shaped building of glass hovers inside the sta-

bilized ruin. At night, it glows, casting rays of light throughthe windows. Its four floors of interior space could accom-modate a variety of uses including a gallery, a retreat orconference center, a theater, or a museum. Certainly, itwould include a restaurant and publicly accessible rooftopterrace. At ground level, mossy brick paths lead to a walledgarden inside the southern portion of the ruin.

South of the ruin is the Kahn memorial to FranklinD. Roosevelt. A monumental set of granite steps raise thevisitor to a wedge of grass surrounded by pollarded lindentrees. After traversing successive funnel-shaped gardens,the visitor enters a granite room at the tip of the Island.Walled by masonry of unquestionable tectonic honesty andceiled by the light of the sky itself, the memorial room al-lows outward views only to the south, down the river andpast the UN toward the Williamsburg Bridge. The nearbytumult of Manhattan and its spiky midtown skyline arescreened from sight.

Parc VilleA modest ensemble of imaginative contemporary build-

ings are arranged in an arc to create a remarkable street.Their terraces, loggias, and public spaces provide comfortin all weather – a place to meet your friends or someonenew. The public rooms will accommodate a variety of usesincluding dining, boat building, entertainment, and com-merce.

Below, a strolling garden for romance and reverie undu-lates. It beckons with the expectation you will experiencesomething wonderful. Artful water, sunny lawns, and shadygroves embrace the Renwick ruin. Its windows and doorsoffer views of its interior, its vine-covered walls and theat-rical deterioration. Paths lead to the naturalistic shoreline,enhanced with arcs of deck that allow sitting, sunning, andfishing.

A wedge of lawn on a soft hill accommodates perfor-mances and spectacles, such as the fireworks. The stageand lawn are shaded with artistic structures like sails, softlyilluminated at night. The wedge of lawn will accommodateall manner of spectacles including light shows and large-scale art performances. Theatrical lighting makes this a placeof unparalleled night beauty.

Southpoint from page 1


We Applaud

The Main Street WIRE

on the Start of its Twenty-Fifth Year ofDedicated Service to

the Roosevelt Island Community

Our Thoughts and Prayers Are with AllOur Thoughts and Prayers Are with AllOur Thoughts and Prayers Are with AllOur Thoughts and Prayers Are with AllOur Thoughts and Prayers Are with AllWho Lost Loved Ones on September 11, 2001Who Lost Loved Ones on September 11, 2001Who Lost Loved Ones on September 11, 2001Who Lost Loved Ones on September 11, 2001Who Lost Loved Ones on September 11, 2001

Assemblymember Pete Grannis,Tony Morenzi, Amy Baxter, Elsbeth Reimann

1672 First AvenueNew York, NY 10128

212-860-4906

Manhattan ParkManhattan ParkManhattan ParkManhattan ParkManhattan Parkcongratulatescongratulatescongratulatescongratulatescongratulates

The Main Street WIREThe Main Street WIREThe Main Street WIREThe Main Street WIREThe Main Street WIREon the starton the starton the starton the starton the start

of itsof itsof itsof itsof itssilver anniversary yearsilver anniversary yearsilver anniversary yearsilver anniversary yearsilver anniversary year

Congratulations and thanks to

on its 25th anniversary yearfrom all of us at

TM

Heartfelt Thanks

to the Women and Men

of the Newspaper

Who Record the Life of the Island

(Anonymous advertiser)


Classified50¢/word • 212-751-8214

Deadline for Sept. 25 issue: Tue., Sept. 21

EXPERT PIANO REPAIRS & TUNING – Prompt service. 212-935-7510. Beeper917-483-1020.PIANO TUNING – $75. Used Steinway pianos for sale. Ben Treuhaft, toll-free866-505-3173. Formerly with Steinway & Sons.ELDER LAW – Probate, Wills & Trusts, Medicaid Planning, Nursing Home Matters,Estate Planning. Steven M. Ratner, Esq., One Penn Plaza, Suite 4401, New YorkNY 10119. 800-836-1124.AVON AGENTS WANTED – Start your business today. Call Joyce – 718-362-4823.VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – The Icla da Silva Foundation is looking for volunteersto help in the office, located at Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island.Please call Airam da Silva at 212-593-1807.MOVING SALE – Treadmill, excellent condition, $250; 12,000 BTU air conditioner,$250, and 15,000 BTU air conditioner, $350, both used only one summer; lightbox, $100; huge desk, 2 years old, $200. Call Danielle at 646-732-5695.FOR SALE – Plymouth Minivan 1995; excellent condition; 150K; $2450 or bestoffer. Please call 212-935-1027.FOR SALE – Miscellaneous flea-market-type articles, in apartment. Call212-752-6463.NYS-LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDER available to care for children weekendsand public school closings. 212-421-8781.SUBLET WANTED – Studio or one-bedroom apartment, unfurnished, long-term –$1100 max. Call 646-299-2588.LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST / Certified Reflexologist – Island resident DianaBrill. Gift certificates available. 212-759-9042.NEED MORE SPACE? Danielle Broussard, Closet Factory design consultant.No one puts more into a closet than we do. I can personally customize yourcloset, and I live on the Island. Call 646-732-5695.YOUR FRIENDLY AVON REPRESENTATIVE – Dolores Green. 212-223-4077.PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER – Portraits, Children, Pets, Art Production. SmallAdvertisers and Web Design – E-mail [email protected] or call212-308-1988.CHEAP SHOPPING – Rockbottom price e-commerce. www.fp.shopnmalls.com,www.fp.ebizmalls.com. 800-645-6395, ext. 10460.EARN BIG MONEY at home. 800-645-6395, ext. 10460. www.fp.cashmalls.com.COMPUTER problems/consultations/upgrades/virus removal. Free estimates.917-916-5306.MAIN STREET THEATRE & DANCE ALLIANCE – Ongoing registration for danceand theater classes. 212-371-4449. Unique or period clothing & furniture gladlyaccepted.NOTARY PUBLIC – 212-935-7534.ROOSEVELT ISLAND POSTCARDS – Rich color Views of Tram by day andLighthouse Park at night; sets of 20 (10 each) for $8, or two sets, $15. Checkpayable to The WIRE to 531 Main Street #413 / NYC10044 with your address,phone, e-mail address (if available). Questions: 212-826-9055. Sorry, no phoneor credit card orders. Proceeds benefit The Main Street WIRE.EXPERIENCED PAINTER/CONTRACTOR – Excellent Island references, fullyinsured. Free estimate. 212-751-8214.

RIVERCROSS SUBLETAVAILABLE October 1, 2004

FULLY FURN, 1 BDRM W/ 1½ BTHS, GRT VW,FOR 1 YR, OR LONGER, NO SMOKERS, NO PETS

CALL 571-221-3551

At Public Safety’s office I was frisked, cuffed to a rail in the muster room (muster closetmight be more descriptive), and held incommunicado while summonses were prepared.

The 114th Precinct was called in, and Sgt. James Heffernan informed me that Andersonwas claiming physical injury and was being checked out by Emergency Medical Services.(Huh?) He explained the likely course of events to me (summons, court appearance, andprobably it would be tossed out), but I was lost in thought: Anderson, clearly, realized shehad overreacted, and was trying to build a case that I had somehow gotten physical withher. Apart from the belly-bumping she did, we had no contact, but I realized she wouldwant to cover her posterior.

An hour later, while writing this chronology, I was still incommunicado, waiting forsummonses to be issued. Eventually, three were presented to me: Disorderly conduct,trespassing, and harassment. Pretty standard stuff, but as Heffernan had carefully avoidedsaying, mostly bovine deposits, since there had been no signs indicating I could not step upon the grass for a better angle, since nobody had been disorderly until Anderson stiff-armed my camera, and harassment was the way I was treated, not anybody else.

When I finally left the Public Safety Office, now more bemused by the experience thanangry, I realized my bicycle was yet to be recovered, so I returned to ask where it might be.There, I encountered Chief James Fry, who asked me to join him in his office for a chat.

It was a pleasant chat, and Fry even complied when I suggested he have PSO Andersonjoin us. She didn’t like it when he let it be known the summonses would be voided. Sheeven didn’t like it when I said to her, “Can this be OK between us?” She stomped out,saying, “No I’m not OK with it.”

For the record, I specifically asked Fry to be sure Anderson was not hurt by this incident.I’ve overreacted myself at times, in my younger days – and she is younger. (Fry promisedhe would make her comfortable with the outcome.)

The lessons to be learned here are, I suppose, that you can’t fight City Hall or PublicSafety – that an officer with ire will call in reinforcements whose job it will be to respondto the situation as described, rather than attempt to ascertain what the situation really is.

There are also lessons in it for Roosevelt Island and Public Safety, having to do withoverreaction, proper understanding of the rules being enforced, and – let me not fail tomention – something we call the First Amendment.

DL

–

Observer from page 2

To the Editor:About that unticketed, privileged Toyota:I find the parking issue so offensive, as

do many other people. It’s just unfair to allthose Roosevelt Island drivers who use theparking as originally intended – for shortstays to load and unload. The rare times thatI do drive onto the Island for the purpose ofloading or unloading, I have given up anyhope of finding a space.

A few years ago, when I had to take mydaughter to the airport early in the morning(about 5:00 a.m.), there was no place to parkat my building. On the other hand, last sum-mer we had close friends visiting from LongIsland. They inadvertantly parked acrossfrom Motorgate in the handicapped zone andwere given the maximum parking ticket,probably within an hour of parking. I thinkthe ticket was for $165, and I could not suc-cessfully appeal it. The handicapped signwas covered by a tree bough, the blue paintwas faded, and none of the other cars hadhandicapped plates, although they did havehandicapped tags hanging from the rear-view mirrors. I sometimes wonder howmany of those signs are being used legiti-mately.

I suggest that Main Street be used solelyfor loading or unloading and that, if handi-capped individuals are due special privi-leges, their vehicles be required to havehandicapped plates.

The situation is so much worse than whatit was when I moved to Roosevelt Island in1992, and therefore a radical policy changeis required. I truly hope that we will seejustice done.

Name Withheld

Letters Letters Letters Letters Letters from page 2tures. These units are so large they effec-tively add 50% to the height of the IslandHouse school. Vibrations penetrate ourapartment even with windows firmly closed.In addition, the system remains on when theschool is closed and empty, and in weatherbelow 70o .

Your school is, in effect, taking from usmuch of what we pay for to live here. Wemoved to Roosevelt Island (some of usnearly 30 years before The Child School)and have paid a premium in rent for ourapartments’ quiet, fresh air, and lack of ur-ban/industrial noise. The constant noise pol-lution and changes to our air quality due tothe systems on The Child School rooftopsnow affect 135 apartments in Westview andIsland House and force us to live with closedwindows and air conditioning. These fac-tors have begun thus to severely interferewith the habitability of our apartments. Inaddition, the noise pollution and vibrationsalso disturb our sleep, produce anxiety, andaffect our health and wellbeing and our abil-ity to conduct our social and professionallives.

Whether Island House or Westview re-main privately owned or are converted toresident ownership, noise pollution is a ma-jor factor affecting the habitability and mar-ket value of these apartments. Constantmachine vibration can have serious struc-tural effects. The net effect of 135 apart-ments running their air-conditioners con-stantly just to keep noise out increases pol-lution and adds thousands of dollars to build-ing operating expenses; it will increase air-conditioning unit replacement costs for theaffected apartments – costs which will beborne by all building residents. Current andpotential new owners should take heed andjoin us in our efforts to reach a solution.

Since May, we have requested and re-ceived three visits from Department of En-vironmental Protection (DEP) noise inspec-tors in our apartment at 595 Main Street. Af-ter the last visit, we were informed that a sum-

Tours of the Lower East Side – a Walking Guide was published.On Roosevelt Island, she was active in RICLA, the Roosevelt Island Community Liter-

ary Associates, which operated the Island’s community library until it was taken over bythe New York Public Library. She served as President of the Island Library for severalterms.

In a letter to The WIRE published a year after Ruth Limmer’s death, her fellow Rivercrossresident Mickey Karpeles-Bauer noted that her neighbor had given generously to Islandorganizations, and recalled how many of her students had gathered on the Island for hermemorial, many speaking warmly of her no-nonsense wit and demanding discipline inteaching writing.

Of the bequest to The WIRE, Managing Editor Dick Lutz said this week, “Because shewas a writer, a teacher of the writing discipline, and a lover of language, Ruth Limmer’sgift is particularly meaningful and touching. In some sense, it is the ultimate review of thenewspaper, and a recognition of its role in the fabric of our community.” Lutz said theLimmer bequest will be used to clear some of The WIRE’s accumulated debt, and towardthe purchase of a badly needed proof-page printer to replace a slow seven-year-old unitthat creates a deadline bottleneck in preparing each issue of the newspaper.

Limmer from page 1

mons was issued to The Child School and acourt appearance set for September 29 for aviolation under Noise Code section 24-237.

Ronald G. Musto, Ph.D.Editor’s note: This letter was condensed

for publication. The writer has also providedinformation on how to lodge a noise com-plaint with DEP; see page 23.

Between issues, get The WIRE’s e-mail bulletins.Send an “AddMe” to

[email protected].


We will feed and lovingly care foryour cat while you are away.We will make sure your pet is safeand happy in his or her own home.Will also help with mail, plants, etc.Excellent references. Call us at212-751-8214.

CATSITTER

Give your apartment a lift

HOME SHOPPING SERVICEConsultations Available – Use What You Have

No job too small

FFFFFurnitureurnitureurnitureurnitureurnitureUpholsteryUpholsteryUpholsteryUpholsteryUpholstery, Slipcovers, Slipcovers, Slipcovers, Slipcovers, SlipcoversWWWWWallpaper & Fallpaper & Fallpaper & Fallpaper & Fallpaper & Fabricabricabricabricabric

Carpet & Area RCarpet & Area RCarpet & Area RCarpet & Area RCarpet & Area RugsugsugsugsugsAll WAll WAll WAll WAll Window Tindow Tindow Tindow Tindow TreatmentsreatmentsreatmentsreatmentsreatmentsFloor & TFloor & TFloor & TFloor & TFloor & Terererererrace Trace Trace Trace Trace Tilesilesilesilesiles

LightingLightingLightingLightingLightingCarpentryCarpentryCarpentryCarpentryCarpentry

Kitchen RKitchen RKitchen RKitchen RKitchen RenovationenovationenovationenovationenovationPPPPPaint & Faint & Faint & Faint & Faint & Faux Faux Faux Faux Faux Finishesinishesinishesinishesinishes

All AAll AAll AAll AAll AccessoriesccessoriesccessoriesccessoriesccessoriesCloset DesignCloset DesignCloset DesignCloset DesignCloset Design

Ellen LevyInterior Decorator531 Main Street

212-751-8214

Jack Resnick, M.D.Board-Certified Internist, FACP

Specialist in Adult Medicine

212-832-2310

501 Main StreetRoosevelt Island, N.Y. 10044

Health Plans AcceptedAetna/USHealthcareEmpire Blue CrossCIGNA GHI HIP

MultiplanOxford

United HealthcareMedicare

House Calls

For the frail elderlyand the

homebound

Thank you and congratulations toThe Main Street WIRE

and all its staff and volunteersfor dedicated service to our community.

Thanks for your concern,thanks for your support,

and thanks for getting it right!

Philip Groner, Esq.67 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, #8028

212-709-8028

Want to Complain About Noise?Here’s How, Step By Step

by Ronald G. MustoAccording to the NYC Noise Code, section 24-237, Circulation Devices, “No person

shall operate or permit to be operated a circulation device in such a manner as to create alevel in excess of 45 dB(A) when measured inside the dwelling unit affected in a line withthe window nearest the exterior face of such circulation device. The measurement shall betaken with the window fully open at a point three feet from the open portion of the win-dow.”

While the combined noise level of all units will be considered after new city legislationgoes into effect after January 2005, at present a summons can only be filed against indi-vidual units.

Here are the steps to arrange a free noise inspection that could result in serious fines foroffenders:

• Call 311. Ask for the City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).• Describe the source of the noise (e.g., ventilation systems on a building roof). Provide

both your address and the address from which noise is emanating.• Request a DEP inspection-team visit, and record the case number and the name of the

agent taking the call.• If a visit hasn’t been scheduled within a week, call again with your case number.• During the visit, write down the inspectors’ names (there should be at least two inspec-

tors) and badge numbers.• The inspectors will need to take readings with the noise source turned on, and one with

ambient noise only.• Ask the inspectors for the readings, and about what action DEP will take.You can buy your own easy-to-use decibel noise meter at Radio Shack for about $50.00.

It’s a good idea to begin recording decibel levels at night, during the day, on weekends, etc.Cheaper units don’t meet DEP standards for legal measurements, but they provide mea-surements accurate enough for logging purposes.

Here are some additional sources of information:• Article on Mayor Bloomberg’s attack on noise pollution –

www.citymayors.com/environment/nyc_noise.html• The Noise Pollution Clearinghouse – www.nonoise.org• The Council on the Environment – www.cenyc.org/HTMLPE/noise.htm• DEP (noise code) – www.nonoise.org/lawlib/cities/newyork.htm• The legislative aide at DEP – 718-595-3497



Thai cuisineWhere Thai food stays Thai

Catering for all occasions

Free delivery to Roosevelt Islandwww.ThaiRestaurant.US

Free Parking

Open 7 days a week, 12:00 noon-11:00 p.m.24-42 Steinway Street • Astoria, NY 11103

Tel. 718-545-2874, 718-545-0743Major credit cards accepted

Your table awaits

Authentic Thai CuisineA “STAR” in Astoria for“glorious” Thai cooking.

– Zagat survey – rating 24Superior Thai cooking

– Newsday

WIRE25mswire.nyc/issuepdfs/2501.pdf · carrying an air-conditionng filter.” One called him a...

Documents

Transcript of WIRE25mswire.nyc/issuepdfs/2501.pdf · carrying an air-conditionng filter.” One called him a...