The planning continued for the Fourth of July Fireworks Festival at Southpoint while I was out.  Tickets are selling well so far this year and, kidney stones allowing, I look forward to my first one.  I am confident, though, that it will be a great event.  There is going to be a swing band playing before the fireworks start.  There will also be face painting and a juggler for the children.  Food vendors will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream.  It is a real, old-fashioned family Fourth of July event.

There are some rumors that this year the fireworks have been moved to the west side.  While it is true that Macy’s will be doing fireworks by the Statue of Liberty this year, that is in addition to the ones on the east side.  I am confident that the view from Roosevelt Island will not be at all diminished.

The preparations for it do necessitate that we close Southpoint from Saturday through Monday for preparations and cleanup.  It will be reopened at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday for everyone’s enjoyment.

Another event is coming to the Island on July 11.  We received confirmation that the people at “Fear Factor” want to use the Tram for a stunt in one of their upcoming episodes.  The filming will take place on July 11, with set-up occurring on July 10.  The people at “Fear Factor” will be providing bus service during that weekend that will be comparable to the Tram schedule. We invite everyone to take a moment to look at the Tram that weekend to see the filming. Please note that information about this service interruption is also available on the RIOC hotline at 212-308-6608.

I also have some good news to report about Motorgate.  As mentioned in letters posted at the garage, work is moving on improvements to the elevators.  An elevator consultant reviewed the situation and made recommendations about what needs to be done to prevent the breakdowns that have been occurring.  The plans that he drew up were submitted as part of the Request for Proposals for contractors to make the changes and repairs.  We are moving forward with this, and it looks like there is, finally, an end in sight.  We appreciate everyone’s patience.

We also appreciate everybody’s suggestions about emergency planning for the Island.  On July 9, Matthew Katz, the President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, will be joining RIOC in a meeting with the City and State offices of Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to discuss the needs of the Island.  We will have much more to report on this in the issue after the meeting.

I would like to take a brief moment to describe something I saw on Main Street that I found very distressing.  For the most part the flowers in the planters are doing very well and actually seem to be thriving.  The other morning, however, as I was walking down by 503 Main Street, I noticed that someone had ripped the flowers out of the planter and deposited them, with the roots torn but attached, in the middle of the street.  We are working to beautify Main Street and request everyone’s cooperation.  If you see anybody destroying property on Main Street or elsewhere on the Island, please let Public Safety know.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy Fourth of July.  While celebrating, please take all of the necessary precautions, including barbecuing only in the designated areas.  This is for your safety and for the safety and health of your family and neighbors as well.  Enjoy!