We note, in a tracking box on page 1, that Governor Eliot Spitzer has prolonged an agony here by 55 days – the 55 days since becoming Governor that he has failed to name a new RIOC President.

Those have been 55 days of uncertainty and worry for tenants in Island House and Westview, where a RIOC Board decision is needed on the ground-lease extensions that are a key element in charting the future for those buildings and their residents.

Those have been 55 days in which Island lighting has gotten worse.

55 days in which a bungled Red Bus plan has remained in effect.

55 days in which no RIOC Board meeting has been announced.

55 days in which no progress has been made in charting a new future for Island energy by figuring out a productive future for the Steam Plant.

State law specifies that the RIOC Board of Directors hires and fires the President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. That’s the law.

But by custom, the RIOC Board has always waited for the Governor to send somebody. Then they’ve gotten out their giant-size rubber stamp and welcomed the Governor’s choice, hoping for the best. Under George Pataki, that got us Jerry Blue (left under a cloud), Rob Ryan (fired), and Herb Berman (now a lame duck, expecting to leave).

Obviously, Spitzer isn’t paying attention.

While he’s not paying attention, the RIOC Board should send out the word that it is going to interview for Herb Berman’s replacement. It should quickly set out a sensible list of qualifying skills and background. We’d suggest experience in community management (hello?) to top the list.

Will it happen?

No. It won’t happen because the Chair of the RIOC Board, DHCR Commissioner Deborah Van Amerongen, is a Spitzer appointee, and she’s not likely to call a meeting to start the process of finding a new RIOC President without permission from her handlers on "the second floor" (Albany’s euphemism for the Governor’s office). And at least some of the resident members of the RIOC Board have been so tamed by years of kowtowing to the Governor that they are unlikely to act, in any case. And (we have to admit) it’s probably not a good way to get things started under a new administration – to stick a finger in the boss-man’s eye.

Will we residents, then, simply sit and wait?

Or will residents find a voice and make it heard?

And does another regime at RIOC have to start with residents already resentful over Albany’s failure to pay attention to Roosevelt Island?

55 days.

How many more?

DL