The Appointment Drama

A Meeting of Power, Transparency, and Discomfort

This article covers the March 6, 2025, meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) Board of Directors, held at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main St., Roosevelt Island, New York. The meeting began at 5:30 PM and became a focal point for tension, particularly surrounding the appointment of Mary Cunneen as Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. It details the dramatic discussion, the Board’s engagement with the community, and the moments that exposed deeper issues of transparency and governance.

The Appointment Drama:

The public session kicked off with palpable frustration from the community. Residents had gathered once again to voice their concerns over priority passes for the tram—a topic that has stirred emotions for months. Their message was clear: why are residents denied priority access, while tourists are given free rein? The anger wasn’t just about tram access—it was about the lack of transparency from the Board. The community had been promised a meeting, a chance to discuss this pressing issue directly with the Board, but like so many other promises, it had been ignored.

As the questions rolled in, Conway Ekpo seemed to stumble through his responses. Despite having committed in a previous meeting to engage with the public, he had failed to follow through. His answers came across as smug, yet beneath that, it was clear he was uncomfortable—caught between the demand for transparency and the political realities of his position. In an almost defensive tone, he redirected the conversation to Fay Christian and the Operations Committee, sidestepping the direct answers the public was demanding. The legal memo, which had been shrouded in secrecy, was another sore point. Dr. Melamed and Professor Tang both advocated for releasing the memo, believing that legal consent could clear the way for the Board to share the document with the public. But Conway was reluctant, choosing to cling to the veil of secrecy that has clouded this issue from the start.

The meeting moved forward, and in many ways, it was business as usual—a series of routine votes and discussions. But there was something different this time: Conway Ekpo, historically known for sitting back and avoiding public engagement, was now actively participating. Recently reappointed, he seemed to have a new spirit, one that hinted at real service and a genuine desire to ask the tough questions. While some of his questions dove too deep into the weeds, often confusing the speakers and the audience, it was hard not to admire his engagement. This was a Conway Ekpo who wasn’t afraid to stir the pot—and that was refreshing, even if it came with a few missteps.

But the heart of the meeting was always going to be NB-5: the appointment of Mary Cunneen as Vice President/COO. When the discussion finally began, Professor Tang immediately pushed to move it to executive session. Meghan Anderson, as the Chair, asked why—and Lydia explained that the discussion was too sensitive to be held in public. Dr. Melamed seconded her, and the motion to go into executive session was put forward.

Then the drama unfolded.

As the vote began, Howard Polivy, somewhat unusually, voted yes to move to executive session—this was in line with the right course of action, despite his background involvement in Cunneen’s impending appointment, as Theo Gobblevelt had reported. His vote was crucial, as it set the tone for what would follow. But then came Lydia, who also voted yes, and Fay, who raised a few questions but voted no. The rest of the board followed suit: Morris Peters and Meghan Anderson both said no, and then Melamed voted yes. Finally, Conway said no.

The motion did not pass.

The motion failed, and they could not move into executive session. The tension in the room was palpable. Lydia, visibly frustrated, suggested that if they couldn’t go into executive session, she would have the conversation in public. There was a moment of awkward silence as Meghan Anderson and Morris Peters whispered to each other, trying to figure out their next move. The Board was at a crossroads, unsure of how to proceed without looking completely disorganized.

It was then that Conway, taking charge, asked, “Who will present the resolution?” It was a valid question, one that revealed the lack of preparation on the part of the Board. With no one ready to present, the momentum faltered.

At this point, Dhruvika Amin whispered to Meghan Anderson, with a hot mic, saying that there was no one available to present the item, as it had never been planned for presentation. This was the moment when the curtain truly fell, revealing the power dynamics at play. Meghan Anderson, clearly flustered, turned to Morris Peters for counsel, and, in a moment of panic, decided unilaterally to move the discussion to executive session—no vote, just a decision.

It was a breathtaking moment. For all the talk of transparency and engagement, Meghan Anderson’s actions revealed the underlying truth: the power really resides in the Chair’s hands, and when the plan falls apart, the curtain is fully exposed.

The meeting then shifted to less contentious matters, but the Board remained in executive session for over 60 minutes, leaving the public in suspense. When they finally emerged, the motion for Mary Cunneen’s appointment passed, but with only one dissenting vote—Professor Tang.

The true dramatic arc of the meeting wasn’t about the appointment itself, but about how it unfolded: the evasiveness, the secrecy, and the power dynamics that were put on full display. The process, which should have been straightforward, became a test of the Board’s integrity, and ultimately, their unwillingness to engage with the community was laid bare.

Final Thoughts:

As Theo Gobblevelt has so often pointed out, the Board is not there to serve the public, but to follow the commands of HCR. This meeting, and especially the drama surrounding Mary Cunneen’s appointment, was a vivid reminder of this reality. The Board’s decisions are not shaped by the community’s needs, but by the directives of those with real influence behind the scenes. Transparency, accountability, and genuine engagement with the public remain elusive goals—and this meeting will leave a lasting impression on Roosevelt Island’s governance.