To the Editor:

We would like to share the experiences we are having with our child at PS 217. Our son has both a speech and hearing impairment, is having difficulty processing two separate languages and cultures (American and Indonesian), and suffers from what we kindly refer to as "only-child syndrome." One year ago we requested assistance from the Roosevelt Island School, and a team of professionals quickly formed to help us assess and evaluate the challenges that our son faces, and plan for ways for him to overcome these challenges.

One year later, our child has received Reading Recovery, English as a Second Language, and enormous assistance from his talented teacher Miss Carson, his English as a Second Language teacher Miss Schwartz, his reading specialist Miss Vilahrera, his speech specialist Miss Kirschner, his educational evaluator Miss Holden, the school social worker Miss Perinea, guidance counselor Miss Cohen, psychologist Dr. Myska, as well as the school nurse, all coordinated with endless energy and compassion by school principal Miss Sherry Gregory.

It amazes us how large, competent, and caring this team of professionals has been. Each of them has a higher degree, and each of them has focused enormous individual attention on our son. We have also received strong support from our pediatrician, Dr. Grimm, and our PTA and its able president, Erin Feely-Nahem. (In fact, we were so impressed with the PTA we joined and now volunteer.)

Is our child flawless now? No. But he has grown tremendously, been supported endlessly, and continues to thrive on this tiny island. Last month he was awarded "Student of the Month" for his own efforts. And we believe it was because he has a family who loves him, Roosevelt Island neighbors that care about him, and a school and PTA that support him - and work for him. We cannot recommend our P.S. 217, nor its principal, more enthusiastically.

When I first visited Roosevelt Island 20 years ago - Donna Shalala suggested it would be a splendid place to live when I came to work at Hunter College - two things particularly delighted me: the Tram and the freedom the handicapped had as they wheeled up and down Main Street.

Now I am handicapped myself, and I've discovered that if it ever was easy for the handicapped to live on the Island, it no longer is.

According to Neville, one of the red bus drivers, RIOC says he is not to make the bus ramp available to people using walkers. If that is true, all drivers except Neville understand the direction is profoundly stupid and, bless their hearts, ignore RIOC. If it is not the case, then Neville ought to be discharged or, at the very least, given reason to use a walker himself.

Secondly, it might be useful for the money-savers at RIOC to try wheelchair and walker on the west side of Main Street. Let them discover the dangers of unlit and/or broken sidewalks, badly-joined bricks, and pits at the base of trees.

While they're at it, RIOC and/or RIRA and/or RISA might invite Governor Pataki to the Island (has he ever been here?) and lend him a wheelchair.

I am writing to express anger and frustration and to plead, once again, for your help.

I am sure you are aware of RIOC's latest fiasco - an attempt to shut down the Tramway for five days for Spiderman, with essentially no advance notice to residents. I understand the need for revenue from such ventures, but RIOC's attempt to do this without any semblance of consideration for resident needs is inexcusable.

But this is just the latest in a series of RIOC statements or actions that make it clear resident needs and views don't count under the present administration at 591 Main Street:

• Steven Hicks, DHCR Deputy Commissioner and former Chair of the RIOC Board: "We are not here to answer resident questions."
• John Mannix, Board member of RIOC, a Public Benefit Corporation, "RIOC is a real estate company.
• Mary Beth Labate, DHCR Deputy Commissioner and current RIOC Board Chair, as told to Matthew Katz on Thursday, April 26 (paraphrased): There is no need for a public session at RIOC meetings because all decisions are made (in Executive Session) before the meetings begin. The WIRE has been asking me for contact information of RIOC Board members but I don't think it's a good idea. After all, they all have private lives. (Note: This meeting took place two days before public notice of the tram shutdown, yet neither Labate nor Rob Ryan mentioned it to Matt.)
• At Monday's Town Meeting, Matt Katz repeatedly asked the RIOC Board members present (Patrick Stewart and David Kraut) if they would like to say something. Neither did. If the Board knew about the tram closing, why didn't they inform the public and why didn't they inform RIOC of necessary alternate services as provided in the past? If the Board wasn't informed by RIOC management in a timely manner, why didn't these resident Board members step up to the mike and complain about that?
• When a resident said that the resident Board members represent the community, David Kraut called out, "No I don't. I represent the State."

Pete, as you certainly know from past experience, from Board member votes, and as the above statements so clearly emphasize, residents have no real representation on the Board that runs and makes critical decisions for the Island. Only when resident Board members are elected, will they be answerable to, and therefore more responsive to, the community.

I implore you, Pete, to do everything within your power to obtain self-governance for Roosevelt Island now - in this legislative session. The bill is once again poised for action and it cannot happen without you.

I commend you for contacting Senator Olga Mendez in order to move things ahead. (I am sending a similar letter to her.) I also thank you for introducing the "Open Spaces Bill," which might save some of our parkland from ill-conceived and unwanted development. But deteriorating landmarks and infrastructure, lack of or insufficient services, and callous disregard for the needs and desires of the residents, make locally-elected rule more necessary than ever.

We might not need Spiderman but we certainly do need a hero or two willing to come to our rescue!

P.S.: I have just learned that RIOC has made arrangements to accommodate some of the requests made by residents. Although somewhat gratifying, why did it happen on the very day shooting is to commence and why did it take numerous emergency phone calls, e-mails and a Town Meeting to do it? My concerns and requests to you stand, Pete.

Copies:
Representative Carolyn Maloney
Senator Olga Mendez (separate letter)
Councilmember Gifford Miller
The WIRE