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 February 19, 2005 |
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The RIOC Column 
Winter, as I'm sure all have noticed, is not kind to our Z-brick streets. In fact, it is downright rude. But road repair has to wait for more clement weather. Potholes can be dangerous for auto and pedestrian alike, but their repair is dependent on assured temperatures above freezing. Otherwise, if repaired during winter, the potholes are subjected to freeze-and-thaw cycles that cause heaves in the pavement, ultimately defeating the repair job completely. In other words, during the winter months we have to watch where we drive and where we walk when in the street. The RIOC Board, as many of you have no doubt heard by now, decided that the Island should have an additional senior shopping bus for excursions to Long Island City. So in addition to the regular Wednesday trip, there is a Tuesday trip at well. Both buses now leave each Tuesday and Wednesday from in front of the Roosevelt Island Senior Center on Main Street at 10:30 a.m. and return at 12:15 p.m. from 21st Street and Broadway in Long Island City. Even though we are in the season of cold and wet, RIOC staff has begun planning for the annual viewing at Southpoint of the July 4 fireworks display in the East River. Each year RIOC tries to improve on the year before. This year we are looking to add efficiencies to the event so that the crowd can move more freely and expeditiously through the line to enter Southpoint. Obviously, since September 11, 2001, and given Southpoint's extremely sensitive location, crowd safety is paramount and security must come first. RIOC is exploring better ways to accomplish this, including perhaps contracting out the entire event with the exception of ticket sales. Finally, DHCR is lending one of its executives to RIOC several days a week to lend a hand in Island operations. She is Catherine Johnson who has been a right hand to RIOC Board Chair Mary Beth LaBate. Johnson is a longtime Albany functionary with years of experience and on occasion has been enlisted to act as Secretary to the RIOC Board. Her presence is most welcome.
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