Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community.
Vol. 48 No. 45
© Copyright 2013 Co-op City Times
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Board authorizes exploration of bulk cable agreement Cooperator input essential to final decision
On Wednesday night, Riverbay’s Management sought and received approval from the Board of Directors to pursue a bulk sale agreement for cable services with Cablevision that would significantly lower the cost of such service to shareholders. “Management believes we would be doing a disservice not to explore the possibility of providing affordable cable service to residents, but if the Board or the cooperators don’t want it, then we will not proceed, nothing lost,” Management stated in the memo last month notifying Board Directors of the offer from Cablevision. “…there is nothing about entering such an agreement which is important for the Riverbay Corporation; BY ROZAAN BOONE
the benefit is solely for individual cooperators… There is simply NO benefit for the housing company or for your Management.” Management also reached out to Verizon to give that service provider the same opportunity to make an offer as well, however, given the timing and current agreement in place with Cablevision, both Management and the Board determined that Cablevision would be the better choice at this juncture, although Verizon has been invited to wire and come into Co-op City at their convenience in order to provide an alternative to residents. Riverbay Board President Bill Gordon said: “Management and the Board have
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Second Open Board meeting to be held Wednesday in Einstein Center BY ROZAAN BOONE Riverbay Board President Bill Gordon has scheduled the second Open Board meeting for the 2013-2014 year to be held on Wednesday, November 13, 7 p.m. in Room 45 of the Einstein Community Center. “In keeping my promise to the community to have three Open Board meetings during my tenure as President this year, I have scheduled the second for this coming Wednesday, so that shareholders can see their Board at work first hand,” said Gordon. “There will be a Gallery Session where residents who have specific questions for the Board or Management can ask those questions and get responsible answers instead of relying on hearsay which is not in
anyone’s best interest.” As is customary, before the Board meeting begins at 7 p.m., cooperators will be able to meet with Riverbay Department Directors and personnel from 6-7 p.m. to discuss issues of concern or to receive answers to their questions. During this period, the Riverbay Finance Department will have personnel available to answer shareholders’ questions about the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE), Disabled Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), and the School Tax Relief (STAR) Tax Exemption. It should also be noted that JASA is offering help to seniors who need assistance (Continued on page 8)
An Election Day marked by landslide victories
Public Advocate Bill deBlasio finished his unlikely but decisive march to City Hall on Election Day capturing more than 73% of the city-wide vote and finishing with more than 500,000 votes than his nearest challenger, Republican Joe Lhota. With 99.74% of the city precincts counted, deBlasio, as of Wednesday morning, had captured 752, 604 votes to Lhota’s 249,121. Former Bronx Borough President and Obama Cabinet member, Adolfo Carrion, running on the Independence Party line, finished a distant and disappointing third, securing just 8,202 votes or 0.8% of the vote. Each of the 12 other candidates vying for the BY BILL STUTTIG
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Mayor’s office won less than 0.5% of the votes. In giving his victory speech on Tuesday evening, deBlasio kept to the same theme that seemed to strike a note with most of the voting public in New York City, that of progressive change for the under, working and middle class of the city. He said: “Our work, all of our work, is really just beginning, and we have no illusions about the task that lies ahead. Tackling inequality isn’t easy. It never has been and it never will be. The challenges we face have been decades in the making, and the problems we set out to address will not be (Continued on page 2)
Riverbay closed on Monday, Veterans’ Day
Riverbay Corporation, including the administrative offices, will be closed for business on Veterans’ Day, Monday, November 11. Shareholders may contact the maintenance desk for emergency maintenance, and the Co-op City Public Safety Department at (718) 671-3050, and 9-1-1 with emergencies. Because of the holiday shortened work week, all community organizations must submit their club articles before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12. Material received after this time will not be considered for publication in the Saturday, November 16th issue of the Co-op City Times. Directors’ viewpoints are also due before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12. We wish everyone an enjoyable Veterans’ Day holiday weekend.
November’s last business day is on Wednesday, Nov. 27 BY ROZAAN BOONE Since Riverbay’s administrative offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, respectively, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the last business day of this month will be
Wednesday, November 27, when shareholders can pay their carrying charges to avoid legal action and the accompanying $200 legal fee. On Wednesday, November 27, the (Continued on page 2)