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 September 24, 2005 |
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The RIOC Column 
Many members of this community have been working over the past several months, as part of a Community Emergency Planning Team, to develop a comprehensive emergency management plan for Roosevelt Island. While RIOC has coordinated these meetings, we are but one partner on a team of organizations available to plan and execute a plan Island-wide. I would like to extend my personal thanks to Dolores Green of the Senior Association, Virginia Granato of the Disabled Association, Maari deSouza of the Child School, Father Miqueli of St. Francis Cabrini Church, Thelma McIntosh of Manhattan Park, Sherry Gregory of Island School 217, Doryne Isley of Housing Management, Keith Petty of Hudson-Related, Jennifer Jones and Joe Driscoll of Blackwell Management, Mitchell Hammer of Rivercross, Matt Katz (former president of the Residents Association), Peter Pressley of Coler-Goldwater, Michael Acevedo of Roosevelt Island Search and Rescue, Ted Fisch and Robert Conklin of NYS Emergency Management Office, Jacob Cooper and Matt Bednar of NYC Office of Emergency Management, Patrick Stewart representing Community Board 8, Amos Buhai of Speaker Miller's Office, and Michael Moreo, Emergency Management Coordinator for RIOC. These individuals have been working diligently to produce the first Island-wide emergency management plan. In addition, I'd like to thank all the State and City Agencies that have participated with us over the past two years. Organizations such as NYPD, FDNY, Keyspan/ConEdison, NYC DOT and NYC Transit/MTA, just to name a few, have been an invaluable resource in helping us understand how they play a role in our everyday lives and what responsibilities these organizations have as part of the New York City comprehensive emergency management plan. Much has been accomplished and more is left to complete. These individuals and organizations deserve our gratitude and thanks for undertaking this responsibility on behalf of all Island residents. As the recent events in New Orleans have demonstrated, the key to a successful emergency management plan is the cooperation and coordination of all organizations in ensuring the safety of residents. Roosevelt Island is part of the New York City comprehensive emergency management plan; however, there are ways in which, working together, we can augment City services for residents of Roosevelt Island. As we saw at the Superdome, it is not enough to simply say to people "go to the Superdome." If there isn't planning, coordination, and support, the best efforts can have a disastrous effect. RIOC is proud to be part of such an important group of people so dedicated to the protection and safety of Island residents. On a different note, on the suggestion of Matthew Katz, RIOC is implementing a schedule of removing all items from Island kiosks on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. This suggestion was made in an effort to keep information on the kiosks current and timely. We think it is a good idea and thank residents for bringing forward suggestions that improve the quality of life for all Island residents. Take a moment to notice the beautiful plantings alongside the Blackwell House as you walk along Main Street. A partnership of RIOC, the Historical Society, and a group of residents has resulted in these abandoned gardens coming back to life. Thanks to Sonia Jang, Kyu-Ken Lee, and members of the Korean community for their hard work.
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