The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) projects that its operating revenue will double over the next seven years, from about $9 million now, to about $18 million (year 2000 dollars) in 2007.

The projection was given by RIOC Financial Chief Pat Siconolfi Thursday night as he presented a budget for the fiscal year started April 1.

But RIOC's Board of Directors, including its three new members, heard RIOC President Robert Ryan get a tongue-lashing from Residents Association (RIRA) Vice President Joan Christianson, who said, "Mr. Ryan, you have been less than truthful to this community in regard to Southtown. If you are still here when [current law suits are] settled, I will demand to know why you have been untruthful to me directly and the community as a whole."

Christianson continued, "When you came to this job you asked us to give you a chance. We did and you are proving to be worse than Jerry Blue." Blue was Ryan's predecessor in the top job at RIOC. "I believe that the Island is bankrupt and you still fail to ask Albany for the funds needed for basic upkeep and repairs, yet you are spending thousands of dollars on a law suit that could have been prevented and you have caused the citizens of this Island to spend thousands on the same suit." Christianson said RIRA had met with Ryan in an attempt to reach an accommodation on Southtown development, without success. RIRA maintains the Southtown plans violate the Island's General Development Plan and the Lease with the City under which the State controls the Island until 2068. The organization has asked to intervene in Article 78 actions against RIOC brought by Roosevelt Islanders for Responsible Southtown Development (RIRSD) and Rivercross resident Robert Chira, an attorney representing the Alternative Southtown Design Committee.

Historical Society Vice President Judith Berdy also criticized Ryan's administration at RIOC, saying all but two of the Island's six landmark buildings are in a serious state of continuing deterioration. Ryan later responded that normal bureaucratic delays have kept restoration from starting on Blackwell House, and insurance delays have held up work on the Octagon, where a Labor Day fire caused extensive damage.

Ryan reported to the Board and residents attending the meeting on several other matters:

• He said RIOC expects to prevail in the Article 78 actions challenging the Board's September approval of developers and their plan for Southtown.
• The developer proposing to convert west shore mini-schools into condos will make a presentation at the Board's next meeting.
• Developers planning twin-tower hotels for Southpoint and an Eldercare facility are expected to appear before the Board or the community this summer.
• A developer planning residential wings with the Octagon as a centerpiece continues preparing plans for the venture, and further conferences are expected in the near future.