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Co-op City Times / January 20, 2024 Director’s’ Viewpoint –
Daryl Johnson
Setting The Record Straight Some controversial statements appeared in the Co-op City Times last week. So, let’s review some of the statements that were published. You Be The Judge Being on a board comes with many challenges. And, one of the worst challenges for any director is when they and lots of shareholders can see terrible financial and other issues in their community. However, they know that they will just waste their time trying to explain these issues to other directors. In my case, my primary reason for being on this board is to help our cooperators and to introduce new ideas to make things better here. That’s it! Now, some directors might not like my reasons for being on this board. But, they don’t seem to understand that I will not join, follow, or associate with them on most matters here. Why? Look at how they have voted on some of the worst resolutions in the history of Co-op City. Look at how they voted to approve the constant carrying charge increases for our community. Regardless, can you think of one time that you saw an article in any newspaper with a demand to management to dramatically reduce our budget? Now, we’re not talking about reducing our budget in a reckless way. No, we’re talking about reducing our payroll, the exorbitant payments made to our contractors, and the questionable resolutions that are presented to our board. When you really think about it, you’ll see that our cooperators will always have to reach into their pockets when there is a forecast of a possible deficit. But, when will the time come when our cooperators have the nerve to say: “Enough! Riverbay will not continue to fund their wild spending by increasing our carrying charges from us. Deficit? Riverbay must look at their internal expenses, like their payroll, before reaching out to us.” Now, let’s look at the annual amounts of money that Riverbay has spent over the past few years: $225 million, $250 million, and now we’re up to $273 million. So, yes, Riverbay is going to easily spend $273 million in just one year. Furthermore, Riverbay is going to be spending the equity money that new shareholders are going to spend for the use of their apartment. How is this possible? Yet, some statements were published in this paper last
week about some directors that previously went on gummies in her house to help her to sleep. Regarda development training weekend trip, from Friday less, the child ate 15 gummies. That’s right, 15 – Sunday. gummies! Well, the doctors treated the little guy, So, yes or no, was it prudent for a board to apand he made a full recovery. prove carrying charges increases to their commuBottom line: Parents, please take preventative nity and then take a big weekend trip at your exmeasures to make sure that children in your home pense? Should this community have paid for travel cannot gain access to marijuana edibles or any expenses, a hotel room, food, drinks, and a large product that can cause harm to them. meeting room for the majority of the board? Is this Close the right way to go for—Co-op City? No! Again, Board directors are not supposed to get involved Riverbay has been spending way over $200 milin the day-to-day operations of their housing delion every year on a variety of matters. So, do you velopment. But, everyone needs to understand that see a major problem here? Do you see how some Riverbay is going to spend more than $273 million directors think? this year. Therefore, we need to meet with manageThen, another statement was made about some ment to reasonably reduce our bloated payroll and directors that do “not serve on a committee in any all of our other expenses. capacity.” Good! Some directors are in charge of Thank you. committees that meet every now and then, over Contact Information sandwiches and beverages. But, can anyone prove Please send a letter to: Board Director Darthat their committee has helped Riverbay to stop yl Johnson, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow the wild spending that goes on here? No! Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Currently, here is my I was recently asked to go to a legal committee ONLY email account: djohnson@riverbayboard. meeting. Then, I listened to how our collections com. were being done. So, I offered some good suggesI will never ask for or accept money from anytions on how we can improve the way that we colone. Therefore, please do not respond to any meslect money on accounts that are past due. Regardsage with my name on it that requests money, less, the chairperson seemed disinterested in those money transfers, gift cards, personal information, good suggestions to correct a terrible problem here. or anything from you. And, please do not ever send Therefore, I left the meeting. money or anything to anyone because you saw my Bottom line: We need some of our no-nonsense name on a false message. shareholders to run for the board. Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 Edibles Containing Marijuana – if you would like to have a brief discussion with Parents Be Careful me. And, please hang up your phone immediately Some children had to be taken to a hospital beif someone calls you and says that they’re Daryl cause they found and ate candies containing THC. Johnson or is associated with me and asks you for In one case, a mother had a 21-month-old boy. money or anything else. Then, he started shaking and crying as soon as he Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonwas placed in his crib. So, the mother took the child derful week. And, may God bless you and your to a hospital. The doctors then found out that the family. Thank you. child had THC in his system. THC is a substance that makes people feel high. Then, it was determined that this young child had opened a tin container with edible gummies containing Communities Speak cannabis. The mothAnswer this anonymous survey to help er allegedly had these Bronx Borough President and our city's leaders understand what you are experiencing and what your community needs. Building 24 shareholders, The Building Association will be meeting on Thursday, January 25, at 7 p.m. in our Association Room located under the portico, to the right from the rear lobby door. On the agenda are election of officers and a discussion of suggestions for Management for improving “current procedures used to get repairs completed in shareholder’s apartments.” Management has invited Building Association presidents to discuss this at a meeting to be held in early February. Let’s see if we can come up with some ideas which I will present at the meeting. This is an opportunity for shareholders to improve service in our community. If anyone has suffered long delays in having maintenance work done in their apartment or anyone who has any ideas about improving service, please share your thoughts at our meeting and they will be presented at the meeting with Management in early February. —Bruce Silberman
Building 24 Association
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