After the Blackout last summer, several residents approached us to ask about emergency planning for and by Roosevelt Island.  The search for answers led us to contact the State and City Offices of Emergency Management.  One of the main things that was stressed to us by these agencies was the necessity for individuals to be knowledgeable and prepared for different types of situations.  The guidebooks, Ready New York, were sent to us as a result, and distributed to all of the housing management companies to be distributed to residents.

A study of the Island and its needs was also performed by the State and City.  Now that the study is under way, I am pleased to announce that I have additional information about the emergency-planning meeting to be held by the New York State and New York City offices of Emergency Management.  As I reported in my last column, the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21.  It is now confirmed that the meeting will be from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at PS 217.  Representatives from the State and City offices stand ready to give information and answer any questions at this time.  RIOC is happy to facilitate this event and invites all residents to attend.

I am also pleased to announce that as we head into spring, both Octagon and Firefighter’s fields are going to receive the attention that they both deserve.  Maintenance, including reseeding, will begin and will be worked, as much as possible, around the scheduling of baseball for the fields.  The fields will be partially closed for two months, though, and will be fully in shape for late summer and fall use.  We apologize for the inconvenience, but this past winter was very damaging, and we are committed to providing the best and most attractive playing surfaces for the Island’s residents and visitors.  Please remember the spectacular views from the fields as well as the 250-foot outfield distance!

Back to the weather, the rains of late have been enhanced by rainmaking equipment brought here by Dark Water, a film that stars Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly.  In addition to the rain, we have also seen a water tower added to the top of the Eastwood building, and a sign announcing that the dry cleaner is now also a coin-operated laundry.  All of these additions will be taken down when the film crew leaves.  Everyone is invited to take a moment to watch the filming in action, but be sure to have your umbrella handy.

We look forward to seeing this movie in a future edition of the Roosevelt Island Film festival.  Just another reminder that movies, movies, and more movies about Roosevelt Island is the theme of this weekend’s Roosevelt Island Film Festival, sponsored and organized by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society under its leader, Judy Berdy.  Check it out at www.rihs.us on the web or call 212-688-4836 for the screenings to be held at the Manhattan Park Theater Club.

I am sure that many of you have also seen the commercial for a new lottery game with the pandas coming into the City from all different venues, including the Tram.  We are thrilled that so many filmmakers now recognize what a wonderful and welcoming place Roosevelt Island is for the arts.

There is finally some good news to report about the elevator at the Tram.  A new company has been consulted, and they have identified the best steps to take to ensure a temporary, and then a permanent, fix.  This whole process has been extremely distressing, and I am now confident that I will soon have all good news to report on this front.

I have additional good news, this time about the Red Buses.  We are in the process of purchasing new hybrid electric buses to replace the current fleet.  Please note that these buses take approximately two years for delivery, so while we are excited about providing better service with more environmentally friendly buses, they will not be on the road for approximately two years.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and happy holiday season.  I hope that we have some good, sunny spring weather soon!