The version of the constitution of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association that is currently in effect is that amended December, 1991. The revision to the RIRA constitution announced on October 13 by the RIRA Common Council and reported in The WIRE is null and void.

A letter with a detailed explanation of why this is true has been sent to RIRA. (The letter is available on Website 10044 at (nyc10044.com/wire/2504/diamond.pdf). It advises that Robert's Rules of Order states, "No motion is in order that conflicts with... the assembly's constitution or by-laws, and if such a motion is adopted, even by a unanimous vote, it is null and void."

At the September 8 meeting of the Council, there was a motion to vote on a revision to the RIRA constitution. The Council overlooked a requirement in the RIRA constitution that amendments must be proposed in writing at a meeting of the Council and then voted on at a subsequent meeting. The minutes of the meeting show this was not done; the motion to vote is null and void.

The purpose of the requirement is to allow Council members time to review a proposal. The text that was voted on contained errors and in fact did not represent the wishes of the Council.

Subsequent ratification of the voided proposal at the October 13 meeting is similarly null and void.

In contrast, two amendments to the constitution were properly introduced in writing by Karen Stewart at the August meeting and voted on in September.

The letter also debunks RIRA President Matthew Katz's excuse for trying to rush through a document that knowingly included errors.

The Council must now propose an amendment to the constitution should it wish to provide for representation of Southtown residents.

Robert's advises, "Great care should be exercised in amending constitutions, etc., to comply with every rule in regard to their amendment."

Marc Diamond

To My Neighbors:

Gristede's has recently been fined by New York City for price fraud. In lay terms, the price says one thing on item or sign, then another thing, usually higher, on the computer. Then you have to stand in line at the manager's counter for a refund, then - I'm not done yet - you have to go back in line at the cashier's for your money. I asked the manager if he knew his was the worst grocery chain in New York. He replied with a question: "Have you ever been to Macy's?" "Yes," I said, "but I usually never pay more, in fact it's usually less. If it isn't, you at least have a choice before ringing it up. Beware, my fellow Islanders - know the price before checking out. You could be rich by year's end!

Carol Elbaz

To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the ad placed in The Main Street Wire on October 16, 2004, regarding the announcement that Riverwalk is accepting applications for their condos currently under construction. My numerous failed attempts to get a response from Riverwalk Marketing and Sales Agent's Sales Center, via e-mail, phone, and even in person, leads me to question whether the ad was merely a formality. It may be that those who are able to apply were screened long before and that the placing of the ad was merely to give the appearance of a transparent and fair process.

Gaurav Narula

Editor's note: David Kramer of the Hudson Companies tells The WIRE, in response to a question about Narula's letter, "We've gotten a tremendous response and have a lot of unanswered calls and e-mails to return."