For RIRA Presidency, Race Is
Steve Marcus vs James Whalen

Some 25 candidates, including Whalen, have filed for the Common Council, seeking to represent their buildings. In those races, the only contests are in Westview and Rivercross; in other buildings, the number of candidates is equal to or fewer than the number of seats available (see numbers in parens, right). There are no candidates from the new buildings in Southtown or in 4 River Road, and only two seeking seven Eastwood seats.

But for the first time, the 10-40 addresses in Manhattan Park have enough candidates running to fill 7 of the 8 seats assigned to the four-building district.

Statements by the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates appear on page 8.

Voters will also have the chance to register their views on five referendum questions - on the future of the Octagon Park area, space for the Youth Center, Southpoint Park, Public Safety, and RIOC maintenance of the Island. Those referendum questions are reproduced on page 9, along with some resident views on the questions.

Asked to provide its views on the five questions, the administration of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) declined without offering a reason. The referendum votes are only advisory; the power to make the decisions rests with RIOC as the State agency administering the affairs of the Island and with the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), which supervises RIOC. RIRA leadership decided to use the election as an opportunity to seek resident input on the questions to serve as a guide in its interactions with the power structure.