Steve Marcus's commentary in the last issue of The WIRE has prompted me to write about another parking issue. My concern is with the area between Westview and PS/IS 217.
For the last several years, just after the area along the driveway north of 625 was re-landscaped, Westview management allowed a parking area for its employees to develop there on top of the roots of three 30-year-old maple trees. The yew bushes that were planted are already destroyed. Now cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs are endangering those trees, not to mention destroying the curbstones.
North of the entrance to 625, just at the top of the driveway, is another off-street parking area, and here vehicles are damaging both the curbstones and the paving stones.
Ultimately, it will be the residents of Westview who will have to pay for replacing trees and repairing sidewalks and driveways. It is also Westview residents who'll be turning up the air-conditioners (and electric bills) in summer if those trees are destroyed.
And while we're on the subject of who is paying, why must residents of Westview pay to park in Motorgate or on the street while employees of RY Management get free parking? Is this declared additional income for the employees or employee benefit expense for RY Management?
So, I hope that when RIOC turns its attention to parking on Roosevelt Island it will clear up all parking issues in one fell swoop.
Eileen Gardiner
I would like to address the small number of "haters" amongst us who find fault with every single issue on this Island. I personally appreciate my involved neighbors who give freely of their time and talents to effect positive changes and strive in a reasonable manner to make our neighborhood a safer, more enjoyable place. I thank you. However, there are a few who are constantly irritating and pompous and, I believe, adversely affect the degree of positive influence that those sincere and straightforward activists have with our governing agencies. The constant nitpicking and blatantly insulting nature of these few doesn't seem to be a tactic that will make friends and influence people.
For example, I don't agree with sending Red Buses off-Island to "rescue" people during emergencies, unless maybe to transport the handicapped only. From Queens Plaza, we can access the Q102 bus directly to the Island, or the Q101, transferring either to the Q66 down 35th Ave. to 21st St. (a short walk to the Island) or the Q104 down Broadway to Vernon Blvd. and 34th Ave. (another short walk). That seems reasonable, knowing emergency situations are inconvenient; no other community I know of demands or receives transportation to their doorstep! The Red Buses are funded for Island transportation and I think that's where they belong.
I am also tired of this big protest about "privileged parking." It is not that widespread, nor happening with 24/7 frequency. I don't know of many professions, or people of status, that do not receive perks of some type, and I have no problem with that. Transit workers ride free, retail employees get discounts, medical people get professional courtesies, gamblers get comped, community leaders get amenities. Let he who has never received special consideration cast the first stone. Perhaps if the "haters" taking photos of cars (intrusive, unless identifying features are blocked out) and publicly insulting our Public Safety Officers acted more respectfully, they might find themselves on the receiving end of more consideration. Nice people are treated nicely, jerks are not. It's been tiresome all these years. Choose your battles, and get a life.
Gail Montague
Last Thursday, our dear friend Dr. Kathie Grimm was hit by a bike travelling against traffic.
The fall caused her to break her hip, requiring hip replacement surgery and what will be a long and painful recuperation period.
In speaking with neighbors about this accident, it is apparent that almost everyone has numerous and recent stories about collisions and near-collisions with bikers traveling either the wrong way on a one-way street or on the wrong side of two-way streets. Pedestrians seldom look in the opposite direction from oncoming traffic, nor should it be necessary.
I was hit by a bike traveling south on the east side of Park Avenue a few weeks ago, and was almost hit another two times in the last several weeks. I am concluding that this is becoming an epidemic.
I imagine that there are already laws on the books that fine bikers who travel against the traffic.
Perhaps you can try to have these laws more thoroughly enforced, and strengthened if necessary.
Thanks kindly.
Steve Marcus
Who says New York City residents are unfriendly? As a parent and Island resident, I am proud to be a part of a community that celebrates families, diversity, and the human spirit.
I have the great fortune of being under the direction of Coach Tommy, who is out each Saturday morning with a smile, energy, and enthusiasm for our kinderkickers. He is extremely animated, and motivates the children to be their best when they're out on the field. He demonstrates the values that we all strive to instill in our children, those of good sportsmanship, a sense of humor, endurance, and team work. Coach Tommy is what's right in the world. He is the type of person who is approachable and does whatever it takes to create an inclusive, team-oriented approach to soccer, while running clinics for novice parents serving as surrogate coaches. Coach Tommy has the ability and insight to bring out the best not only in the most aggressive, well-coordinated children. He motivates even the shyest, uncoordinated on the field. He is amazing!
Each Saturday he draws the kids together in a huddle and explains to them that they should wake his wife up on the top floor in Westview by shouting "Teamwork." Well, I'd like to take this opportunity to shout what each family should echo after walking away from kinderkick on Saturday mornings: "Thank you, Coach Tommy!" You're inspiring children to develop the tools to become productive citizens who will change the world one day.
Keisha Lawrence