Improving Roosevelt Island’s Emergency Preparedness
August 30, 2011
Mayor Bloomberg and our emergency response teams have done a tremendous job responding to Hurricane Irene. The decisions they made saved lives and reminded the world just how effective New York City’s emergency response is. However, Hurricane Irene has also provided a
unique opportunity to see gaps in emergency planning, allowing us to correct them before future disasters occur. Specifically, I am concerned about protecting and evacuating the residents of Roosevelt Island.
Although Roosevelt Island is located in Hurricane Zone “B” which was not evacuated, if the City had decided to evacuate Zone “B”, there was no practical plan in place to safely evacuate the Island’s residents. With both MTA subway and bus services suspended and the Roosevelt Island Tram shut down, the only point of access to leave the Island was the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Should the storm have been any worse, the Roosevelt Island Bridge would have been closed, isolating two acute-care hospitals, Coler and Goldwater, and nearly 14,000 residents, many of whom are elderly or disabled on the Island. You can see pictures of the damage on Roosevelt Island here.
I have called on Mayor Bloomberg to have the Office of Emergency Management meet with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and local elected officials to discuss ways to improve the emergency preparedness plan for Roosevelt Island. You can read my letter below:
8.29.11 Letter to Mayor RI Emergency Plans
FDR Hope Memorial: A True Inspiration
March 31, 2011
Franklin D. Roosevelt was a testament to the ability of the human spirit and mind to overcome physical limitations. Yet his disability, a significant piece of his life, is often left out of history.
I am proud to see that on Roosevelt Island, also named after our former president, his image will be fully represented. The FDR Hope Memorial will depict President Roosevelt how he was during much of his time in the White House: seated in the wheelchair he designed for himself.
I was also pleased to hear that Meredith Bergmann, a New York based artist, was chosen to design the monument. Ms. Bergmann’s experience in public art, and thoughtful approach, will not only allow her to develop and communicate the mission of the FDR Hope Memorial, but will help to bring about a work of art that will inspire generations.
On Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 6 PM to 7 PM, the RIVAA Gallery at 529 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, will unveil the design of the FDR sculpture that is to be placed in the fully accessible FDR Hope Memorial Park.
President Roosevelt’s inspiring story gives hope to individuals with disabilities. This sculpture of President Roosevelt, a personal hero of mine, will honor his enduring message.
For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.FDRHopeMemorial.org/>
Happy New Year from Assembly Member Kellner
December 29, 2010
As 2010 draws to a close, I want to wish you and yours the best of holiday seasons and a happy and healthy new year. It is an honor to represent you in the New York State Assembly, and I look forward to another year of fighting on behalf of the East Side and Roosevelt Island. As always, if there is any way I can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (212) 860-4906. Happy holidays!
Celebrating the Rebirth of the Tram
November 30, 2010
I am pictured at top on the inaugural Tram ride, and above, speaking
at the re-opening ceremony outside the Roosevelt Island station.
Today, the Roosevelt Island Tram re-opened for service after a nine-month overhaul. I was excited to take the inaugural ride on the new Tram and to be a featured speaker at the ceremony celebrating the occasion.
Roosevelt Island without the Tram is like Brooklyn without the Bridge. While most New Yorkers struggle to push onto crowded subways and buses each morning, Roosevelt Islanders can once again fly to work every day with the greatest city in the world spread out at their feet.
Originally the Tram was meant to be only a temporary solution until a subway connection to the Island could be completed. But the Tram became more than just a stopgap measure—it’s the defining symbol of Roosevelt Island, a unique form of transportation for a unique community.
While the skyline below has been transformed with time, the Tram remains an icon of New York, immortalized in films like Woody Allen’s Manhattan—taking off to the tune of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue—and from Sylvester Stallone saving the day in Nighthawks to Spiderman rescuing Mary Jane, the Tram has been at the center of so many high wire action films. It has even become a fashion statement—you can buy your very own Tram earrings at the Roosevelt Island Historical Society kiosk.
But after 30 years of service the Tram needed a reboot. And now we have version 2.0—faster, steadier and more reliable than ever before.
I’m particularly proud to have preserved the funding for the Tram upgrade over several budget cycles—ensuring that New York State keeps its commitment to Roosevelt Island’s infrastructure.
I congratulate all those who worked so hard to make this project a success, and I’m especially happy to welcome back the great men and women of the Operating Engineers who make the Tram run each and every day. I’m looking forward to many, many more high-flying rides across the East River.
Celebrating a Milestone for Four Freedoms Park
September 13, 2010
Here I am pictured with Sally Minard, Council Member Jessica Lappin, and Ambassador William vanden Heuvel at the ceremony laying the foundation stones for FDR Four Freedoms Park.
Today, I was proud to speak at a ceremony welcoming the granite foundation stones for the long-awaited Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island. It is tremendously exciting to see this splendid public space and tribute to one of America’s greatest Presidents taking shape. Now is an especially poignant moment to properly commemorate a great President who led our country out of the Great Depression and through the Second World War, and this civic space, designed by one of the greatest American architects, will be a fitting tribute.
It is especially appropriate that this memorial to a great President with a disability be located on Roosevelt Island, with its proud history of inclusiveness and accessibility. I was honored to be part of the celebration as the foundation stones were laid for this iconic masterpiece.
Governor’s Veto Is Not the End for RIOC Reform
August 31, 2010
In June, I reported that my legislation to reform the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) had passed the Assembly. I am incredibly disappointed that Governor Paterson has now vetoed this legislation — and I vehemently disagree with the reasons he has given for his veto. By passing the reform bill with overwhelming margins, the legislature clearly communicated its intent that RIOC should be more open and accessible, and that Island residents should have a greater say in the Island’s decision-making process. RIOC’s decisions have a vastly bigger impact on Island residents than on anyone else, and the needs of those who live on the Island should outweigh the abstract concerns expressed by the Governor in his veto message.
By rejecting these common-sense measures, the Governor has set back the cause of open government and public authorities reform. Nonetheless, I will not stop fighting to open up RIOC and make it more accountable to the Island residents it serves. I will bring these reforms back as many times as it takes to make them a reality.
A copy of the Governor’s veto message is below.
Governor’s Veto of RIOC Reform Bill
Kellner RIOC Reform Bill Passes Assembly
June 29, 2010
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is responsible for decisions that have a huge impact on the lives of Roosevelt Island residents — from housing to transportation, parks, sanitation, and more. Islanders know that the Island only works when RIOC is accountable and responsive to the community. This is why I introduced legislation to reform RIOC, opening it up to greater community input. I’m pleased to announce that my RIOC reform bill passed the Assembly today.
This bill means that Islanders will have a greater role in the governing process—it opens up the corporation to the public and establishes the principle that Island residents must have a say in how the Island is run.
The legislation gives the public a role in the process of hiring the RIOC President — requiring the Board of Directors to consider at least three candidates for the job and to hold hearings allowing members of the public as well as Board members to interview the candidates. It requires that meetings of the Board of Directors be subject to the state’s open meetings law, and specifies that members of the public must have an opportunity to comment on all agenda items before the Board votes on those items.
The bill also provides that two of the public members of RIOC’s Board of Directors will be chosen upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the Assembly and the Temporary President of the State Senate—who will make their suggestions based on consultation with the local member of the Assembly and the Senate, ensuring input for the elected officials who are most answerable to Roosevelt Island residents.
The bill’s passage is a victory for Roosevelt Islanders — a clear affirmation of residents’ right to be part of the Island’s decision making process.
A Victory for Students: Gifted & Talented Program at PS/IS 217 Is Saved
June 23, 2010
I am pleased to announce that we will continue to have a gifted and talented (G&T) program at PS/IS 217 on Roosevelt Island next year. After the Department of Education announced that there would be no incoming G&T kindergarten class at the school next year, I along with Council Member Jessica Lappin worked with parents to save the program. Now that next year’s kindergarten class has been secured, we will seek to expand the program to make it citywide — bringing some of New York City’s brightest students to Roosevelt Island and securing the Island’s gifted and talented program for the long term.
Below is a joint statement from myself and Council Member Lappin about this exciting news:
“It is with great joy that we are able to announce that the Roosevelt Island gifted and talented program has been saved. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education unilaterally announced that the program would not be accepting a class of kindergarteners for next year. This was the wrong decision and our offices immediately began working with parents and school officials to make it right. At a meeting with us and parents on June 11, the DOE committed to maintaining the program if at least 18 students could be found who were interested in attending. Our offices worked with parents from Manhattan, Queens, and Roosevelt Island to spread the word and recruit families for this program.
“We are pleased to say that as of today, there are 18 students enrolled in the program. There will definitely by a new G&T kindergarten class on Roosevelt Island next fall.
“This is a huge victory for parents who worked so hard and who refused to take no for an answer. More than that, this is a victory for the families who will now have a first-rate gifted and talented program for their children this fall.
“We’d especially like to commend PTA President Nikki Leopold, Principal Mandana Beckman, and Elizabeth Rose of the DOE for their efforts to preserve the G&T program on Roosevelt Island. This is excellent news and we look forward to continuing to watch the G&T program on the Island grow and thrive in the years to come.”
Celebrating Roosevelt Island Day 2010
June 21, 2010
Assembly Member Kellner with Eagle Scouts, Masons, and NY Life representative Carol Tanjutco, in front of the Child ID booth, Roosevelt Island Day 2010.
Roosevelt Island Day is one of my favorite summer events — it’s great to spend time with so many members of the Island community, enjoying the wonderful weather, the games, and the festive atmosphere.
I was happy to be part of this year’s celebration, and pleased to be able to sponsor a free Child ID service in conjunction with New York Life, the Masons, and the Eagle Scouts–offering parents the opportunity to obtain a record of their children’s identifying information which can be used in the event that a child becomes lost or missing.
It was a pleasure seeing so many of my Roosevelt Island friends on Saturday, and I look forward to another year of working with Island residents.
A Victory for Tenants: Kellner Submetering Bill Passes Assembly
June 10, 2010
When the management at the Eastwood housing complex on Roosevelt Island attempted to impose a potentially disastrous plan to directly charge tenants for their electricity use — a practice called submetering, which would have resulted in a massive de facto rent increase — I successfully worked with the building’s tenants to stop the scheme in its tracks. But the victory at Eastwood demonstrated the need to enshrine strong tenant protections into law, to ensure that residents of Eastwood and buildings across the state are never faced with this threat again.
The submetering plan at Eastwood presented a host of problems for tenants. The building’s poor insulation and clunky electric heat would have meant that under submetering, tenants would be paying enormous electric bills just to keep warm in the winter. And the electric charges would be deemed as rent in tenant’s leases–meaning that tenants could be taken to housing court and potentially evicted for nonpayment of their electric bills. Tenants faced the prospect of having to choose between paying the rent and heating their homes.
I am proud to report that, yesterday, the Assembly passed a critical tenant protection bill which I introduced in response to this threat. The bill (A. 7353-A) prohibits landlords from deeming electrical charges as rent. This legislation means that tenants will no longer be faced with the possibility of eviction in the event that they are unable to pay their electric bill. It will also help guarantee that tenants are able to exercise their rights as energy consumers, and if necessary, get assistance in paying their bills.
I will continue working to ensure that all the necessary protections are put into place to eliminate the threat of electrical submetering once and for all.
- Via @MicahKellner + @MMViverito NYPD, never sensitive to Trans NYers, but if these allegations true its beyond the pale http://t.co/UGWWI9Tn
10 hours ago from ÜberSocial for BlackBerry
