Letters
To the Editor:It is a bit mystifying to me that we aren’t talking about creating a ferry service.
Obviously, there are costs to be dealt with in terms of building or finishing docks, but it seems self-evident that it is a relatively inexpensive and much-needed solution to the general overcrowding, and certainly to a Tram outage.
Can anyone explain why this option isn’t high on the list of possibilities?
Denise Shull
Editor’s note: Water-taxi service is in the Island’s future. Becker and Becker, developers of The Octagon, await Army Corps of Engineers approval for a dock, a process pushed along by City Councilmember Jessica Lappin with a recent appeal to the Corps. A dedicated Roosevelt Island ferry, serving only the Island, is not being considered, as far as we know. The cost of equipment would be substantial, and such a service, leaving riders off at the water’s edge, would find it hard to compete with a multi-stop subway, even when passengers must wait for several packed trains to pass during the morning rush. The per-ride cost, likely to be higher than a subway ride, would also be a factor. To the Editor:I think most Island residents are now resigned to the current system of express bus service for The Octagon; however, that doesn’t mean the problem shouldn’t be occasionally revisited.
The current system of providing express bus service for The Octagon unfortunately denies bus service to everyone else on Roosevelt Island, and appears to be a favor to the developer of the Octagon. A public, taxpayer-financed amenity which should be available and shared by all, is being diverted for quasi-private use.
If the developer of The Octagon feels his building requires express bus service, he could certainly purchase and operate his own mini-fleet of shuttle buses for the sole use of Octagon residents. They could additionally use the RIOC buses, which would continue to run as before, up and down Main Street from the Tram to The Octagon, making all stops each way. The Octagon residents would have to show an Octagon-issued ID badge proving their Octagon resident status prior to boarding the Octagon shuttle.
The developer of The Octagon is making more than enough money off of The Octagon; as we know, rent increases for Octagon units continue apace, so providing an amenity such as a resident mini-bus should not take that much of a chunk out of his profits.
Restoring the RIOC bus to full service for all residents would go a long way toward restoring unity to Roosevelt Island.
Helen Chirivas
To my Roosevelt Island friends:
I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate the amazing outpouring of concern, prayers, and love after my unfortunate accident on September 19. I thank God that it was not worse, and to have so many friends is such a major blessing. Thank you so much for all the cards, notes, calls, flowers, food, and gifts!
I am now home, attending outpatient rehab, and hope that when I see my surgeon on October 31 that I will have the green light to go back to work early in November.
In the meantime, I have the added blessing of a new granddaughter, Nicole Hannah, born October 11, who came home October 15.
Another big blessing is that one of my former medical students, Dr. Yasmin Lyons, who is a board-certified pediatrician, has been able to help out in the practice in my absence. She will continue with me once a week after I return to work.
I miss you all and send you my very best wishes and love. Thanks again for everything.
Kathie Grimm