I am pleased to announce that the Board of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation approved the purchase of four new hybrid-electric buses.  With partial grants from the New York State Research and Development Authority and the New York State Power Authority, we will be able to replace the aging and less energy-efficient buses with new alternatively fueled buses.

There are many benefits to the new buses.  The current ones, which are approximately ten years old, have started to break down on occasion.  It is also difficult for those buses to look truly clean, due to the fact that some areas of them are just worn.  And finally, the current buses are not fuel-efficient.  As many of you know, one of Governor Pataki’s top priorities is to preserve the environment.  It is anticipated that the new buses will alleviate all of those problems.

There is further good news.  The New York State and New York City Offices of Emergency Management will make good on their promise to hold a meeting with RIOC and a community representative in early July.  Matthew Katz, the president of RIRA, volunteered to be the representative, and from what I have been told, he will be contacted within the next several weeks to confirm this meeting.

These two agencies have also demonstrated their commitment to Roosevelt Island by sending representatives and the New York City mobile command post to the Island on Roosevelt Island Day.  Many Island residents enjoyed the tour of the incredible bus with all of its radios, cameras, video screens, and other high-tech monitoring equipment.  As soon as we contacted the two offices and told them about Roosevelt Island Day, they welcomed the opportunity to come back to the Island.

I want to take this opportunity to again publicly acknowledge Doryne Isley and Charlie De Fino for all of their hard work on Roosevelt Island Day.  The mobile command post was just one of the many exciting features. I  am told that everyone seemed to have a fantastic time. Between the rides, snow cones, and artist demonstrations, there was something for everyone. I am also told that the evening concert was the best one yet!

Planning is already under way for the next big Island event, the Fourth of July fireworks. Tickets are on sale via the web, and will be available at the Tram by next week.  I look forward to seeing you there.  Click here to order tickets.

As many of you have already heard, I have had to recuse myself from anything to do with Island House and Westview.  I would like to pass on one bit of information, though, that may be helpful to residents who live in those buildings.  I know that there are many rumors flowing about what may happen.  As publicly stated by Board Chair Mary Beth Labate at the June 14 Board meeting, information about what is happening is being made available.  I invite everyone to visit the RIOC website for that information.  On the lefthand side, under the section on news, there are a resolution and a memorandum of intent that have been drafted, but not yet approved by the Board.  They clearly spell out the Board’s intentions on this issue.  If someone does not have access to the internet, please come into the RIOC offices and we will make this available to you.

Finally, I invite everyone to take a moment to look at the newly refurbished rose window at Good Shepherd.  It looks fabulous, and I welcome everyone to enjoy the return of this part of Roosevelt Island’s rich history.

Enjoy the warm weather!