The sacrifice of public parkland to private development is always forever, a loss that is irretrievable.

In the instance of the Octagon Development, the loss follows other sacrifices of parkland this community has already suffered. Octagon Park was 25 full acres when Roosevelt Island's first residents moved in.

In December of 1977, ten acres were slashed from Octagon Park to create the Manhattan Park development. The acres around the Octagon itself have been fenced off for years due to RIOC's failure to develop the park. Another major chunk of Octagon Park the size of the soccer field and gardens combined is blocked off by the Water Tower grounds, a situation that is not likely to change in our post 9/11 world for security reasons. never mind the fact that RIOC has already spent the funds that were allocated for park development of that land on Southtown infrastructure costs.

We've lost enough. And we have Pete Grannis to thank that we don't have to lose any more.

In 2002, Grannis introduced the RI Open Spaces Bill in Albany, and, before the end of that year, Governor Pataki signed it into law. That law protects our RI parklands from further encroachment, especially from one branch of government doing deals with another. In order to build this development, the RI Open Spaces Law will have to undergo formal amendment in the NY State Legislature. It is for us, the residents of RI, to speak out strongly through this referendum to protest any change to this law.

It is important to remember that the history of the Octagon Project began before Octagon Park was so firmly protected by law. The original plan was particularly tempting. The developers themselves are exemplary. The building as it was originally conceived was lovely, with its mansard roof that left the restored Octagon its primary visual focus. The Octagon itself would be restored to its earlier splendor. Land that is now blocked off to us would be developed as parkland. There was the promise of that lottery.

All of that is history now. Taller wings and an extension dwarfing the Octagon, on site parking, no affordable housing, no lottery.

RIOC certainly needs the income, and that income would, theoretically, benefit the residents. Theoretically.

And, of course, without the apartments, the land that is fenced off from us now will remain fenced off for at least a while, the Octagon will remain a ruin. For now at least. But times change, as we've seen. Money markets change. If we let the parkland go, it's gone forever.

RIOC needs the income because Gov. Pataki has defaulted on New York State's responsibility to Roosevelt Island's capital expense. Bad governance will be rewarded by an income source from assets taken from the governed.

If we speak with one voice it doesn't have to happen.

Vote Yes in the RIRA referendum to ask our State Legislature to refuse to amend the RI Open Spaces Law.

Karen Stewart