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November 4, 2006 |
Matthew Katz
I’m running for a third, non-consecutive term as president of the Residents Association. I bring to the job three years experience as a Common Council delegate from Manhattan Park and two terms (2000-2004) as president. I helped to forge an organization that exclusively represents the residents by election and that is the voice of Roosevelt Island. I’ve used my experience and my contacts and working relationships with RIOC, with Community Board 8, with our elected officials and with the media to maintain Tram service when it was threatened and to bring MetroCard service to the Tram. I pushed to convince the Department of Transportation to start work on our decrepit Roosevelt Island Bridge and convinced them to move the starting date of this three-year renovation project from 2012 to December of this year. I’ve kept RIRA in the consciousness of my neighbors by encouraging a variety of programs that didn’t exist prior to my assuming the presidency: fund-raisers, parties and dances, outdoor film screenings, free breakfasts on Roosevelt Island Day, apartment insurance fairs, blood drives, and so on. I intend to work with Gov. Spitzer to insure that Southpoint Park remains nothing but a park and to insist on responsible on-site leadership for the Island. With your vote and with your support, I hope to build on my record of accomplishment for the betterment of Roosevelt Island.
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James Whalen
I have decided to run for President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association simply because it is time for a change.
We have had six years of the Katz/Marcus regime. We do not need another two years of RIOC bashing and whining about the delusional need for "self-government," a/k/a/ The People’s Republic of Roosevelt Island.
We should thank Mr. Katz for once again offering his services but after a lifetime of public service, he should be allowed to spend his remaining years promoting blood drives unencumbered by public office.
A brief review of a few of my many proposals:
1) This Island be returned to the care and protection of our true mother – the wonderful City of New York.
2) All land and buildings other than designated parks be privatized and sold.
All moneys received should be used to provide mortgages for the eventual "co-oping" of all of the Island which will occur within the next few years.
3) A morning Express Bus service be instituted.
4) No more "free rent" – the Thrift Shop and the "art" gallery must pay.
5) Donald Trump will buy the Coler/Goldwater property and build a 100 story building on the southern end of RI. A new modern hospital will occupy the first 25 floors. The remainder will be co-ops for the rich. A tram from Mr Trump’s 80-story tower on 47th Street will provide access to the building. A restaurant on top will provide a breathtaking view.
The old hospital property will be converted to condos.
Finally, I have not changed my opinions regarding: cats (note spelling), tennis players, gay marriage, tree huggers, vegans (note spelling).
Raj Kumar
If I am given a chance to serve the Roosevelt Island community, I will organize some cultural and entertainment programs, which will give opportunity to the residents to meet and greet people in their neighborhood and they do not feel like strangers. Basically the aim is to organize networking events. Secondly I would like to discuss problems of the residents and try to solve the same as early as possible and I will try to see that all vacant retail and commercial space is filled with useful services being offered by them to residents. There will be a dedicated phone line to solve their problems on a day-to-day basis. I will also work on organizing MetroCard being used in Red Bus. (No photo available.)
Ian Sundwal-Byers
No statement provided.