Self-Governance Wins Ballot Appeal By 92%  

Roosevelt Island residents overwhelmingly voted Yes on Tuesday's ballot question calling for local elected control of the governmental entity that manages the Island. The vote has no legal effect, but it makes public record of a decisive popular rejection of New York State management of the Island - and popular acceptance of a plan for an elected Board of Resident Directors empowered to hire professional community management.

The uncontested re-election of Patrick Stewart as President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) can be seen as a further signal of resident disgust with the administration of Dr. Jerome Blue, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC). For the two years of his first term as RIRA President, Stewart has been a symbol of unwavering opposition to the style and substance of Blue's management.

And the general election defeat of Senator Alfonse D'Amato, Blue's political sponsor as an appointee of Governor George Pataki's administration, is seen by many as the dominant factor in shaping a new political landscape that could serve as the backdrop for changes in the way Roosevelt Island is run.

As a result, many Island leaders view the next several weeks as a period of potential changes - a replacement for Blue, perhaps, or an opportunity to prepare the way for sympathetic State consideration of Assemblymember Pete Grannis's proposed legislation for self-governance of the Island. Just what change is likely - or even reasonable to expect - remains a major unknown.

Grannis commented Thursday that the vote was "a stunning statement about how angry people are about how the Island has been managed under the current administration." He said, "The goal now will be to mobilize that dissatisfaction to get a bill through both Houses of the legislature."

Majority approval of the idea of democratic self-government was expected, but the 1,046 to 89 margin of affirmation was something of a pleasant surprise for members of the Maple Tree Group (MTG), who had worked since July 7, 1997, to assess the Island's condition and needs, and produce the draft legislation - now the Grannis bill - addressing a clearly-identified need for greater resident participation in guidance of Island affairs.

MTG leader David Bauer responded to the vote by calling it a significant victory. "The people of Roosevelt Island have won the second skirmish with an overwhelming vote to proceed with the Drive for Democracy. We are in a struggle for our Island and the future looks bright.
"The first skirmish ended with success when the State Assembly legislative drafting service cleared the Pete Grannis bill to free the Island from the rule of carpetbaggers." The "carpetbaggers" comment is a reference to the fact that Blue does not live on Roosevelt Island, nor do any members of the RIOC Board, except for David Kraut. (Kraut and two other Islanders comment on the movement for elective democratic control of the Island on page 2.)
Bauer continued, "There is a whole series of skirmishes ahead. We cannot afford to pause in the effort. To date, a total of 77 people have added their collective wisdom to the development of the plan to be our own people." Bauer paid tribute to several MTG members: Mary Camper-Titsingh, Vicki Feinmel, Laurence-Marie Brodsky, Sherie Helstien, Rhonda Jennings, John Miller, Linda Heimer, Patrick Stewart, and Ron Vass.

"The Maple Tree Group will continue to meet in weekly sessions," Bauer added, pointing out that the meetings are open to all residents. (The hour-long sessions take place Mondays at 7:30 in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.) "There is room in this effort for the interests and talents of every Island resident," Bauer said.

While not an official arm of RIRA, the Maple Tree Group effort has involved members of the RIRA Common Council, and it received a Common Council endorsement of the draft legislation several months ago.