A Roosevelt Islander has labeled all who oppose Jerry Blue's mismanagement at RIOC "racist."

Specifically, Lisa Knox's words were that she "can only construe" the opposition to Jerry Blue's RIOC management is "racally motivated."

Same turkey, different dressing.

Knox and three co-signers of her letter to DHCR Commissioner Joseoph Lynch (see Letters) also suggested those who oppose Blue are a "minority."  This dismisses nearly 500 residents who demanded Blue's departure in the February 4 Town Meeting, forgets the representative views of the elected members of the RIRA Common Council, and ignores the fact that those who would agree with the four – either on the racism charge or on Blue's effectiveness – can probably be counted on two hands and couple of toes.

But there is something far worse about Knox's letter:  She read it in a RIOC Board meeting.  And nobody at the front of the room – not Lynch, not Blue, not one member of the Board – took exception to this accusation being cast so freely upon so many who live here.

Should Lynch have objected?

Well, a few minutes later he did object when RIRA President Patrick Stewart put forth the pledge that opposition to Blue will continue until he has left Roosevelt Island.  Lynch's response:  "I don't believe it serves this Board to take personal issues against members of the staff here...  There should be some civility."

So we have the Commissioner of DHCR tacitly endorsing a charge of "racial motivation" against every resident who opposes Blue, while upbraiding the President of the Residents Association for associating Blue's name and person with RIOC management tactics.

Astounding.

If, to these events, we add cancellation of a meeting Lynch was to hold the next day (already a month past the promised schedule) with Stewart and two other Islanders, we have a formula that suggests...

...suggests the Governor and Sen. Al D'Amato are circling the wagons...  that they've authorized tactics of this kind in defense of Blue.  It would appear Pataki has sent out the word that he will brook no criticism of Blue in his administration, on pain of dismissal.  That's not far-fetched:  Lynch's predecessor was fired when he wrote Pataki calling Blue a disaster waiting to happen.

From here, it looks like Pataki's orders are:  Stall those Roosevelt Island people until after the election.

Knox's charge – that opposition to Blue is motivated by race – is patently absurd.  Yet it's now in RIOC Board minutes, unchallenged.

And isn't it simply amazing that in attempting a defense of Blue, his allies do not address his actual performance?  Knox praised him, for example, because "stores are occupied" and "services remain intact." She didn't defend his week-long refusal to put on alternate transport for the disabled when the Tramway went down, or his attempt to raid public purpose funds for it, or his attempt to take over the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, or his attempts to gouge Little League for field time, or his attempt last year to cut Tramway hours, or his failure to negotiate Metrocard transfers to and from the Tramway.  Or any of the considerable number of things for which he is quite reasonably criticized.

Instead, she and her co-signers – and earlier, Jessie Rademaker, all apparently with Blue's encouragement – spewed a charge of racist against all who criticize the current management at RIOC.

Shame on them.  Shame.