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To the Editor: Seems strange to me that the day they announce that theTram was back in working order was the same day Eliot Spitzer was coming to the Island. Hmmm! After he left, we were immediately back to no Tram again. I hope all the money I put on my Handicap MTA pass when the Tram was working will still be good, since the only place I used it was on the Tram. Regina R. Malone
To the Editor: Just recently some of our community members planted trees in honor of their loved one in countries overseas. This action touched and inspired us, and we decided that we can assist those who would like to do the same on Roosevelt Island. We will be happy to offer our expertise and knowledge to any one who would like to contribute towards a tree for his/her dear one’s memory, and at the same time beautify our Island. We can recommend a choice of a suitable tree, the place for it, and provide the follow up care as the tree grows, using our own contributed funds. The best time to plant a tree is in the Fall season. We are available for any inquiry or consultation. We are eager to have more community members join the Roosevelt Island Tree Board. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Schwayri at 212-751-2848 for details. Ali
Schwayri
To the Editor: Did anyone see a notice from RIOC that lamp-post installation would begin before 7:00 a.m.? On Tuesday, August 29, my children were awakened at 6:45am to the sound of machine tools cutting down old lamp posts in front of our building. To me, this is just too early for this kind of work on a street where noise already echos, increasing the volume of the event in question. Eric Schwartzman
To the Editor, The New York Times: With statements like those of two April 18 Tram riders, (Anthony Ramirez’s Roosevelt Island Tram, Version 2.0, Nears Its Rollout, August 25), it’s no wonder that Pataki’s DHCR Commissioner, Judith Calogero or whoever from DHCR, might make a comment heard in this community lately that residents don’t care to use or need to have the Tram back in service. Ramirez would have done well to query those in the newest Southtown development (two hospital staff buildings, a high-end condo and another rental/condo on the way), promised the Tram as a quick and safe egress to their nearby places of work and evenings in Manhattan. Choosing to quote these two riders, one a first-timer and the second afraid of heights, gives fodder to the State and the impression that The New York Times supports Governor Pataki’s facilitation of DHCR’s/RIOC’s miserable and repeated management failures, one being the April 18 Tram incident, along with DHCR’s possible misrepresentation of community needs. We look forward to having our Tram back, especially in light of maddening F-train weekend construction re-routings and delays and, by the way, my neighbor, who was the last person out of the Tram on April 18, eagerly awaits its return to ride it again! Sherie Helstien,
To the Editor: What wonderful news! We have the Tram back. I am rejoicing! Can I please make some recommendations regarding the Red Bus? Please accept these suggestions to help make the Island an even better place to live! Especially since, in the 125 days the Tram has been down, the north end of the Island has seen a surge of residents. My intent is to help accommodate those of us who have the greatest distance to travel to get to transportation. The Red Bus exists to serve the residents of the Island, not just the Tram. The entire Island should be considered when scheduling. Here are some thoughts: 1. Early in the day, the majority of the people are leaving the Island; later in the day people are returning to the Island. Why not set up two different schedules to accommodate the bulk of the needs? Earlier in the day, keep the buses running throughout the Island, to help people get to the transportation, and later in the day, have them waiting at the Tram & subway more, to pick up passengers and get them home. (a) In the mornings, when few people are coming to the Island – and those who are, for the most part, are walking to the tennis courts or the hospital – the greater need is to move people as quickly as possible to the Tram or subway. Why not have the buses running continuously between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 or 4:00 p.m., rather than stopping and waiting for a handful of passengers? This is especially true on weekends or during off-peak times. (b) If (a) above is not completely do-able, there needs to be a rule of thumb that a bus shouldn’t sit at the Tram more than a few minutes (say, for example, six minutes – not the 13 I’ve seen happen a lot), especially on weekends, or off-peak times when a minimal number of buses are running. They need to keep going, to accommodate others! This would apply particularly on pretty days, when people can walk or have a pleasant wait. (c) Even in the evenings, at no time should there be more than one bus sitting at the Tram (by the time it broke down, there have been, with increasing frequency, evenings when 2, 3 or even 4 buses have been sitting at the Tram – but only one would pick up these passengers – with those behind waiting for the second, third, and fourth Tram away). When a southbound bus is passing the subway station, it should trigger the bus ahead (unless a Tram is close to docking) to take off, pick up the subway passengers, and let the one coming up pick up the Tram passengers. Subway passengers can be better served this way as well. (d) With Manhattan Park now at capactiy, and Octagon filling up, at least one additional bus at all times needs to be running, and during rush hour, perhaps two or three. Perhaps additional buses need to be ordered. 2. The white MTA bus: (a) Please work with the MTA to make the Tram an official bus stop. While most drivers do stop, there’s the occasional stickler who won’t. This would really be helpful, and wouldn’t cost them anything extra! (b) Another way to relieve the burden on the Red Bus is to have the MTA add a couple more stops. Any reason why they can’t stop at 40 River Road, at the Red Bus stop, in both directions? (c) Can you get the MTA to consider creating a bus route between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan? The first stop could be at 60th Street and Second Avenue. 3. The transportation headaches we’ve experienced – not just the Tram, but also the several subway malfunctions – highlight some need to be able to get off the Island on foot or by self-propelled vehicle like bicycle, rollerblades, or wheelchair. We need access to the Queensboro Bridge – both a ramp and a lift system that will function even in a power outage. Thank you for letting me share these suggestions. I hope you will give consideration, in order that we can have the best possible transportation experience Laura Fels
To the Editor: So many Island residents have asked about the memorial celebration for my late husband, Grampa Al Lewis, that I thought it best to share our plans with The WIRE. This is an open invitation to the community to celebrate Al’s life. It will start at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 18, at the children’s playground which bears Al’s name, across from PS/IS 217. All are welcome, especially children, who meant everything to Al. After a brief remembrance, we will then walk along the Eastwood sidewalk to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. RIOC graciously arranged for the Chapel space, and to manage the details of the evening. We hope the Dragula, Grampa’s favorite Munster car, will make an appearance, too. The program of personal reminiscences, music and film clips will begin at 7:30. There is also time scheduled for others who knew Al to say a few words. Refreshments will be served at 9:00 p.m., courtesy of Trellis and Starbucks. For those who don’t know, Al and I made our home here for 17 years and he loved Roosevelt Island. I hope you will join me in this celebration. Karen Ingenthron Lewis |
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