As most readers of The WIRE will know, I've only been on the job for two weeks. In that time I have had the opportunity to meet many Roosevelt Island civic leaders, residents and business people. All these individuals share one thing in common... a love for the Island and a concern for its future.

My main focus right now is to be a good listener, so that I can better understand the concerns of one and all. Hopefully, as I grow to know the Island and its residents better, I will be able to formulate common-sense solutions to those problems that exist.

In the short term I have taken steps to address some of the little problems that residents and visitors witness everyday.... the small things that create negative impressions in the mind and yet are so easy to solve. As the summer progresses, I hope anyone who has concerns or ideas will take the time to drop me a note or schedule an appointment so we can sit down and talk.

In the meantime, have a safe and happy holiday weekend and don't forget about the best place in the whole City of New York to celebrate the birth of our Nation and watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July... Southpoint on Roosevelt Island!