I'd like to talk about responsibility in today's column.  Specifically, I'd like to talk about the responsibility that your RIRA Council Members have assumed, and from where that authority is derived.

We, who ran for office in November, all signed a pledge stating that (1) we understood the responsibilities of the office, and (2) that we would serve out our full terms.  The Common Council has done a good deal in the six weeks since it was seated, and I know the Members intend to accomplish a great deal more.  I said many times during the campaign that my personal effectiveness would be in proportion to and dependent upon the sincerity of purpose of the Common Council.

What is equally true is that the effectiveness of the Common Council is in proportion to and dependent upon the participation of this community.  I bring this up in light of the paltry turnout for the Town Meeting called by RIOC to hear what Becker & Becker Associates, the potential developers of the Octagon landmark, had to say.  This is a project that could conceivably add over 360 units of fair-market housing plus a restored Octagon plus an ecological park to our residential mix.  I thought it unfortunate that only two dozen residents thought this potential undertaking significant enough to attend the meeting.

Now it may be that RIOC simply didn't publicize the meeting sufficiently.  However, it was announced in the last Main Street WIRE.  It may be, as someone said, that, after many presentations by many developers, this community no longer believes that our opinions are being solicited in good faith.  Or, it may be that the community felt that it had learned what it needed to know from the reports in the WIRE of Becker & Becker's presentation to the Common Council.  I disagree.  The only strength this community has is in unity.  A strong turnout would have given credence and emphasis to the opinions presented at the Town Meeting that this remains a community of affordable housing and families, and that apartment prices and size must reflect that basic premise.  Also, the General Development Plan (GDP) defines the 15 acres south of Coler Hospital as Octagon Park.  Any construction on the property must comply with the GDP definition of Open Space, or must acquire the appropriate amendments to permit the construction of for-profit, fair-market residential housing.

I was impressed with Bruce Becker's presentation, his portfolio of past work and his ability to listen to us and ask good questions.  However, I've seen the pitfalls of a housing complex not responsive to the community as a whole in my own Manhattan Park.  In the recent RIRA elections, only 265 votes were cast from the 1,000 apartment units here.  Only four of the eight Council seats from Manhattan Park have been filled, and 4 River Road failed to present a single candidate for their seat.

My point is that everyone needs to take responsibility.  The time to criticize the Island developers' plans is now, not when their buildings blot out the sky.  And to make these critical decisions, we must all make it our business to be aware and informed.

In the coming weeks you will be asked to support various RIRA activities and fundraisers.  Vicki Feinmel and her committee are working as you read this, preparing a gala party on March 3 for the purpose of having some fun, lifting us out of the late-Winter doldrums and raising some money to give RIRA the clout to support new programs and ventures.  Also, the RIRA Legal Committee has voted to appeal the denial of the RIRA intervention in the RIRSD suit requiring the Southtown developers to proceed responsibly.  Our law firm has made it clear that they are proud to represent the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, and, by extension, you.  They have given us rock-bottom rates for first-rate work, they must be paid, and this community must foot the bill.

You made it clear in November's election that you support community control of development and elected control of Island management by sending to the Common Council many candidates, including myself, who espoused these issues.  And now, you must put your money and time and intensity and support where your votes were.  When RIRA asks for your bucks, be generous.  Make yourself a knowledgeable citizen of Roosevelt Island by attending RIRA meetings and RIOC Board meetings and Town Meetings and by reading this newspaper.  If Roosevelt Island is to remain a planned community, all of us will need to stand up and be counted.  ThomasJefferson was thinking of us when he said in 1807: "We are a people capable of self-government, and worthy of it."