Co-op City Times 02/21/15

Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2015 Co-op City Times

Vol. 50 No. 8

Saturday, February 21, 2015

March carrying charge bills to include ballot on Cablevision bulk cable proposal Carrying charge bills for March will include a Cablevision ballot which shareholders are asked to complete and return to Riverbay with their March carrying charge payments by March 10.

The ballot, which will be included in the same envelope as the March carrying charge invoice, will be mailed Wednesday and should begin arriving in Co-op City homes on Friday, February 27. It asks shareholders to indicate by a “yes” or “no” vote whether they want Riverbay to enter into an agreement to lower their Cablevision tv charges by up to $50 per month.

Each shareholder’s Riverbay account number is included on the Cablevision ballot to ensure the integrity of the count.

The Riverbay Board, under the leadership of Board President Cleve Taylor, has been revisiting the Cablevision bulk cable offer as a way to ease the financial burden on shareholders by helping to offset the proposed 4½%

BY ROZAAN BOONE

carrying charge increase which is slated for this summer to raise the funds needed to satisfy the Ramirez vs. Riverbay labor settlement and to cover the approximately $1M that was spent on cleaning the cooling tower at the Power Plant after the city’s Department of Health reported elevated cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in the Bronx.

Several meetings have already been held with Cablevision executives to iron out the details of the bulk cable offer and the Board continues to work with its legal advisors to shore up the agreement and to make a determination on the billing method which, it appears, some shareholders are uncomfortable with having their cable tv charges included on their monthly carrying charge bills.

In two televised Board forums held last week, Board President Taylor outlined the community’s financial state to shareholders and introduced the (Continued on page 4)

No ferry service to Co-op City in de Blasio plan

A controversial, but politically popular, plan presented by Mayor de Blasio earlier this month to expand ferry services into Manhattan will add routes in Astoria, Brooklyn, the

BY JIM ROBERTS

Lower East Side and the Rockaways, along with a dock in Soundview in the Bronx.

However, any thoughts that a ferry

25¢

First telecast of regular Board Meeting scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.

The first ever telecast of a regular meeting of the Riverbay Board of Directors will be presented at 7 p.m. this Thursday, February 26th. The telecast can be seen on channel 591 for Cablevision subscribers and channel 12 for those on the master antenna. The meeting will be held on February 25th, digitally recorded and then telecast to the community 24 hours later.

Riverbay President Cleve Taylor said that telecasting a regular Board meeting is historic in that shareholders are being provided the ability to witness first-hand on television the community’s decisionmaking process for the very first time in Co-op City’s more than 40 year history.

He said that the regular telecasts will enhance the new era of transparency which began this summer with more frequent Open Board meetings and community forums through which shareholders are regularly given the chance to address the issues, which, in turn, gives the Board Directors greater insight into what the community wants regarding a wide variety of concerns that come before the Board. Taylor said that transparency is a crucial factor in allowing the Board to represent and make decisions for the community to the best of its ability.

As with the two recent live telecasts and repeat telecasts of the community forums regarding Riverbay’s finances,

BY BILL STUTTIG

Eddie Diaz, Riverbay’s longtime Electrical Shop Supervisor, will serve as the director of the telecast, switching shots between three cameras set up at different areas of the room. Diaz said that telecasts from the much smaller Riverbay Board conference room in the Bartow Center presents a different challenge in that he has to situate cameras so they do not impose unnecessarily upon the proceedings by taking up needed space from the Board Directors and others invited to participate. To accomplish this, Diaz said that he will be setting up cameras in the doorways of adjacent rooms.

Like the telecasts of the community forums, three cameras will be rolling at all times with Diaz alternating shots frequently to keep the telecast visually interesting. In the near future, possibly by this next week’s meeting, Diaz and his staff will have computer programs in place enabling him to add graphics.

With this and other telecasts, the entire meeting will be shown except for when the Board is required to go into Executive Session to discuss issues that cannot be divulged publicly without violating the privacy rights of individuals or companies employed by or doing business with Riverbay.

Executive sessions will not be recorded and, if they are, they will be edited out of the recording before the public telecast.

(Continued on page 2)

Benedetto meets with Management; promises to lobby Mayor on behalf of Co-op City In the first of what Riverbay Management hopes will be a series of informal sit-downs with leading elected officials about issues specifically affecting Co-op City, on Wednesday, State Assemblyman Mike Benedetto met informally with Riverbay’s two cointerim General Managers, Noel Ellison and Peter Merola, to discuss government issues directly affecting the community’s finances and operations.

The most pressing issue, especially when considering the community’s recent financial shortfalls, is the longstanding asbestos abatement testing requirements enforced upon Co-op City by the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), a

BY BILL STUTTIG

requirement which costs the community and its shareholders extra expenses estimated at $4 million a year.

Benedetto told Ellison and Merola and also Riverbay Community Relations Director Michelle Sajous that last year during at Mayoral visit to Albany, he asked Mayor Bill de Blasio about the costly asbestos abatement requirements that only Co-op City is required to abide by and the Mayor seemed amenable to getting some relief for the community then, which was just weeks after he took office.

Earlier this month, Benedetto was appointed Chair of the State Assembly’s Cities Committee by new Assembly (Continued on page 17)

Brrrrrr… Whether you call it a Polar Vortex, Arctic Blast or Siberian Express, a persistent and plunging jet stream this winter has caused record low temperatures throughout the Eastern two-thirds of the nation this past week, including the New York City area which saw a record low of two degrees yesterday morning. The extremely long and bitter stretch has resulted in one of the coldest Februarys on record for the entire Northeast, icing over much of the adjacent Hutchinson River for the past several weeks, creating a unique view from many warm Co-op City apartments, but also serving as a reminder that the arrival of spring is still a distance away.

Photo by Bill Stuttig

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Ferry

might also be added in Co-op City were dashed by the mayor’s proposal.

Ferry service out of Co-op City has always been a longshot proposition for both logistic and economic reasons. The Hutchinson River, where a ferry would be deployed, is a tidal river not navigable by larger craft, including ferries during low tide.

In addition, to keep a fare at a reasonable cost to riders, a Co-op City ferry service would require an annual subsidy of at least $9.2 million per year, according to a study conducted in 2013 by the New York City Economic Development Corp.

If the de Blasio plan is actually implemented, there would be a ferry service from Soundview to Manhattan beginning in 2018.

The Mayor proposes spending $55 million in capital costs to build the docks for his ferry expansion.

Estimated annual subsidies to actually run the service are placed in the $20 million range to keep the fare for the ferry ride at $2.75, the same cost of a subway or bus ride.

Some mass transit advocates point out that expanded ferry service will only benefit a select few commuters who happen to live near the ferry dock and then are taken to a point close to their work location. Otherwise, riders

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015 (Continued from page 1)

will have to pay additional fares to continue their commute beyond where the ferry takes them.

In addition, the $55 million in capital costs and the ongoing annual $20 million in operating subsidies could be better spent to improve the entire bus and subway system, critics of expanded ferry service claim.

The Executive Director for Community Board 10, Ken Kearns, has advocated for water taxi-type boats that would run from Co-op City to the new ferry dock proposed for the Bronx, now scheduled to be sited in Soundview.

Mayor de Blasio’s press office did not respond to an email asking if there was the potential of expanding ferry service to Co-op City.

Mass transit advocates for Co-op City continue to press for expansion of train service into Manhattan. The long-touted plan to have Metro North trains coming from Connecticut make stops in the Bronx, including Co-op City, is still a viable possibility.

However, completion of the MTA’s massive Eastside Access Project to expand capacity and allow trains from Long Island to arrive at Grand Central must occur in order to open more room in Penn Station. That project is still several years from completion.

Snow disposal … Riverbay staff cleared ice and snow mounds from the parking area of the Bartow Shopping Center Thursday morning and placed it in trucks to be carried away for melting. With any luck, the next appreciable accumulation of snow will be at least 10 months from now, but don’t count on it. Cold weather usually brings snow and the forecast through early March calls for a continuation of the historically cold weather that has persisted throughout February.

Photo by Bill Stuttig

Cablevision ballots coming in mail

Fill out and return your Cablevision bulk cable ballot with your March carrying charge payments by March 10.

CO-OP CITY FOOT CARE CENTER SECTION 5 • BUILDING 29C 4240 HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY EAST

(718) 671-2233 DR. LOUIS JACOBS, DIRECTOR ALL FOOT CONDITIONS TREATED The in-office surgical correction of BUNIONS • HAMMERTOES • INGROWN TOENAILS PAINFUL CORNS and CALLOUSES The treatment of traumatic foot injuries, heel spurs, bursitis and arthritis of the joints of the feet, toenail and skin infections, as well as other conditions.

Most Union and Insurance Plans Accepted.

HIP CMO (Montefiore) Health Plan Accepted.

We participate in Postal Workers, Mail Handlers, Letter Carriers, Verizon Workers, 1199, GHI, Blue Shield, Empire Plan, Medicare, Travelers, United Health Care and many other union and major medical plans.

Se Habla Español MEDICARE ACCEPTED • HOUSE CALLS BY APPOINTMENT

Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.

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Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

2nd

Combing Co-op City

JASA’s SNAP Application Assistance

On Friday, February 27 at the JASA office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be free SNAP (food stamps) application assistance.

First come, first served! Please bring documents that verify your identity, address, income & expenses (rent, medical, etc.) For more info., please call the JASA office at 718-320-2066.

NCNW’s Black History Youth Celebration

Next Saturday, Feb. 28, NCNW, Inc. Co-op City Section, and the Riverbay Fund, will co-sponsor their 14th Annual Black History Youth Celebration entitled, “Living The Dream And Celebrating Our Gifts;” “Equality and Justice For All,” at Dreiser Auditorium B, from 1-4 p.m.

Youth interested in showcasing their talent in song, dance, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theatrical performances, instrument playing, etc., please call (917) 399-2643.

Next CB 10 meeting

The next Community Board 10 meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. Loation: TBA. For more info., please call Community Board 10 at (718) 892-1161.

Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee March 21

The African American Association and the Riverbay Fund will present the 2nd Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee for 4-8th graders on Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. in Room 31 of the Bartow Center. FREE admission.

The Grand Prize is $100, and all participants will be recognized.

Registration forms are available at the Riverbay Administrative Office in the Bartow Community Center.

To register your child or to volunteer, please call (718) 379-5555.

REMINDER: First Board Meeting telecast Thursday

The first ever telecast of a regular Riverbay Board of Directors meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. on channel 591 for Cablevision subscribers and channel 12 for those on the master antenna.

The meeting itself will take place on Wednesday, February 25 when it will be digitally recorded and then telecast the following day.

Tune in at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 and be an informed cooperator!

FRONT PA G E

Obituary: Ruben Garcia, musician and former Riverbay Board Director

BY BILL STUTTIG Ruben Garcia, a 30 year resident of Co-op City who served the community in a volunteer capacity as a Riverbay Board Director between 1992 and 1995, passed away on February 14th after a long illness.

Mr. Garcia, 65, was born on the Lower East Side and raised, along with two brothers and a sister, by his mother, Trinidad. He attended Harren High in Manhattan, Brooklyn College and then NYU where he successfully completed a certificate program in construction management which led to a long and successful career in the construction industry.

Construction management was his profession, but music was his passion, according to his daughter, Tai. As a young man, Ruben learned to master the trumpet and conga and then formed a band along with his friends from the lower East Side of Manhattan called Ray Jay and the Eastsiders. The band of friends would play gigs throughout the city and eventually cut an album which would become a moderate financial success on the island of Puerto Rico. While the success of that first album was never

duplicated, the band of friends continued to play together throughout much of Ruben’s life.

Ruben moved to Co-op City in the mid-80s with his young wife, Theodora.

Here they raised two children, daughter Tai and their son, Ruben Jr. Tai said that after her father moved here, he developed a great interest in the community and ran and won a seat on the Board of Directors

Calling Riverbay employees “the best in the business,” Board President Cleve Taylor thanked this year’s honorees at the annual Perfect Attendance Luncheon held on Feb. 19 at the Bartow Community Center.

“I just want to thank everyone here today because you represent the infrastructure that keeps this corporation going,” Board President Taylor said.

“I’ve come to realize that you, who make up this company, are the best managers and professionals in the business. There is no other residential property in the United States as large as Riverbay Corporation and I’m here to praise you today. No one is bigger than you and no one is better than you.”

Speaking of the new management approach that the new Board of Directors is implementing, President Taylor told the employees: “It’s bottom up, ladies and gentlemen. We’re listening, and I will not let anyone come in to this company and ruin the direction that this com-

pany has now undertaken.”

Also addressing employees at the luncheon were co-Interim General Managers Peter Merola and Noel Ellison and Director of Human Resources Colette Ragin (all Perfect Attendance honorees), and Board Director Francine Reva Jones, who all thanked the honorees for their service and dedication to the residents of Co-op City.

Two employees – Kenneth Duchnowski and Paul Zadrima – were recognized for their outstanding achievement of 35 years of perfect attendance as Riverbay workers. The honorees included management employees, as well as members of Local 153.

This year’s honorees for Perfect Attendance in 2014 are: Amaryllis Bizardi, Aracelis Vega, Sharan White, Michael David Ambo, Courtney Berry, Raymond Cooper, Mark Giacoia, Peter Miranda, Dindyal Persaud, John Samura, Alexander Vargas, Paul Zadrima, Vasilj Kocovic,

Ruben Garcia

in 1992. He served an entire three-year term until 1995. Even after Ruben left the Board, Tai said he remained very interested in the civic and political affairs of the community, reading the Co-op City Times each week to stay abreast of the community’s political, financial and social issues.

“He always had a huge smile for everyone he met and loved his community and his family,” Tai remembered. “My father was an amazing man and an amazing father. Everyone will remember him for his smile and I will remember him for being my partner in crime. He will be severely missed and forever remembered. I’ll always be his ‘poochie’ and he will always be my Papi.”

Co-op City Interim General Manager Noel Ellison said, “Ruben Garcia was a good friend. We shared a love for Latin music and Ruben helped enhance my appreciation because of his musical background and passion. I also remember him as a vocal Board member who fought hard for the good of the community. I and many others that I know in this community will surely miss him.”

Ruben is survived by his wife, Dora, and his children, Ruben Jr. and Tai.

Riverbay employees saluted for Perfect Attendance in 2014

Luis A. Lopez, Benjamin Samalot, Daliah Rodriguez, Ranee GaynorParker, Kim Marie Umstead, Filomena Velasquez, Samir H. Al-Gaylani, Anthony Rasulo, Jennifer Piovanetti, Ralph Henriquez, Margaret Echevarria, Lois English, Frankenny BaracelRomero Marlon Smith, David Best, Nyema Dolma, Kenneth Duchnowski, Peter Merola, Victoria Net, Luz Pena, Alan B. Poretsky, Linda Pujols, Louis Salegna, Mohamed Suleman, Michelle Sajous, Noel A. Ellison, Trenise Myrie, Colette Ragin, Michael J. Munns, Saturnius Alcide, Josue Coronel, Jose Altagracia Cruz, Heriberto Diaz, David Fraguada, Tonin Jakaj, Theodore Jefferson, Toma Kastrati, Raymond Francis Kenny, Leka Kocovic, Louis Loscalzo, Obed Ortiz, Hubert Phillip, Kirk Williams, Filip Zadrima, Bob Tausch, Mary Ahland, John Key, James Melendez, David Jackson, Alisa McCluney, Therese Mavinga, Warren Mitchell, Mark Allen, Robert Love, Helen Zimmerman, Obed Torres, Sherron L. Clarke, Blanca N. Guzman-Mendez, Pamela Apollo, Chris Bulat, Anthony Warner, Carl Wright, Sheena McNeil, Janine-Adele Nelson, Marlece CalderonChiaramida, Pedro Jose Bisono, Aleksander Knezevic, Daniel Rivera, Hasan Karim, Rosalind Pierce, David Rodriguez, Maharani Suleman, Kevin Keenan, Hugo Castillo, and Richard W. Schmidt.

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Ballots

Cablevision bulk cable offer as a way of helping residents to cope with the proposed carrying charge increase and also a 10% increase in parking fees for those with garage leases, fees which have not gone up in 7 years.

The Cablevision proposal is to have Riverbay Corporation purchase cable services from Cablevision with a retail value of approximately $75, a considerable bulk rate discount, for the next 5 years. Riverbay will then pass on this saving to shareholders, and provide cable tv service to each residential unit for $25 per month for the next 5 years.

This translates into a savings of approximately up to $50 for some cable subscribers, and a much more affordable cable television bill, savings which could help to offset the proposed carrying charge and garage fee increases slated for this year.

“We left $8 million dollars on the table by not taking this package last year,” Board President Taylor told the audience at the crowded February 7th town hall meeting held in the Dreiser Auditorium. “This year, Cablevision is offering another $8 million to put directly in your pocket. They want to lower your television charge by $75 a month for the next five years…”

Cablevision currently has more than 13,000 subscribers in Co-op City.

Depending on which Cablevision Optimum cable tv package they have, they are paying different amounts each month. Some of these subscribers also have the Optimum Triple Play which means they have cable tv service, and also telephone and internet services with Cablevision.

The Riverbay-Cablevision cable bulk offer is only for cable tv charges, not for the telephone and/or internet charges, so subscribers will still get a monthly Cablevision bill, but the charges for their cable TV will be significantly reduced each month. All other charges will remain on their cable bills, such as for Optimum Online (internet) and Optimum Voice (phone), as well as charges for additional outlets, remotes, On Demand services ordered, and taxes, fees and other charges. (See sample Cablevision bill on page 27.)

Co-op City Cablevision subscribers who currently have Cablevision’s Optimum Value cable tv package paying the current non-promotional price of $64.94 will be billed $0 for their Optimum Value package on the TV portion of their monthly Cablevision bill under the heading “Account Details.”

These subscribers will then be billed $25 on their carrying charge statement

by Riverbay for their cable tv services, resulting in monthly savings to them of $39.94.

Cablevision subscribers who currently have the Optimum Preferred cable tv package paying the non-promotional rate of $74.95 per month will see a charge for $0 for their Optimum Preferred cable tv packages on their monthly Cablevision bills under “Account Detail” for their TV accounts, along with their current charges for

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015 (Continued from page 1)

their phone, internet, On Demand (if services were ordered) and taxes/ fees/other charges. The net result is a savings each month of $49.95 for each subscriber with the Preferred package.

Co-op City residents who are currently on the master antenna will be upgraded to Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred cable TV service. Each of these households will be given one free cable box making it possible for them to have access to hundreds more channels than they currently receive free of charge. If they decide to install additional cable boxes, they will be charged and in so doing become a Cablevision subscriber.

Those who wish to remain on the master antenna will also have that option as the master antenna will continue to be maintained.

As apartments on the master antenna change over, they will be included in the cable tv stock and future shareholders of those units will be charged the $25 fee for their cable tv services provided by the Riverbay-Cablevision bulk offer.

Cablevision subscribers who currently have the Optimum Silver cable tv package and pay the non-promotional charge of $89.95 will be billed $15 by Cablevision on the TV section of their monthly Cablevision bills under the heading “Account Detail.” This $15 presents the difference in cost for the Preferred cable tv package. Riverbay will then bill these subscribers $25 on their monthly carrying charge statements for their cable tv service, resulting in $49.95 in savings to Optimum Silver subscribers each month.

Cablevision’s Optimum Gold subscribers in Co-op City who currently pay the non-promotional price of $109.95 for their cable tv service will be billed $35 on their Cablevision monthly bills for their tv service and $25 on their monthly carrying charge statement by Riverbay for a monthly saving of $49.95. The $35 billed by Cablevision represents the difference in cost from the Optimum Preferred cable tv package.

At last week’s Board town hall meetings, Board President Taylor demonstrated to shareholders how their monthly carrying charges will be reduced in some instances, and increase slightly in others, depending on the size of their apartments, should the Cablevision bulk offer be accepted. (See Proposed Carrying Charge Increase & Cablevision Proposal chart on page 27.)

“We put together these proposals in order to soften the impact and blow of any carrying charge, but if you adamantly don’t want to take advantage of this, then you just pay the full 4.5% increase, you can subtract out the $25 and you can forget the Cablevision credit because you won’t get it,” President Taylor informed shareholders.

“They (Cablevision) have no problem keeping the $8 million dollars.”

(Continued on page 27)

DR. LEWIS WOLSTEIN Podiatrist — Foot Specialist • Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery • ALL conditions of the foot treated • We

accept most health insurance plans

• Participating in the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program • Evening and Saturday appointments

Dr. Lewis Wolstein

Call:

“Se Habla Español”

718.671.7226 100 DeKruif Place

Building 8 • Ground Floor Section 1 • Co-op City • Bronx, NY 10475

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

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It’s happening in Co-op City Black History Celebrated at Church of the New Vision

The Church of New Vision’s Black History Month celebration entitled "A Century of Black Life, History and Culture," paid special tribute to Ruby Dee, Geoffrey Holder and Maya Angelou. The program included African-American collage art exhibits, health awareness & a resource table, with performances by the Next Generation Dancers. The guest speaker was Jerome L. Rice, President of the Co-op City branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, who presented a Power Point presentation on Black History through the eyes of children, followed by a question and answer period addressing "What is Black History?”

What images have we set for our children?

What path have we set for them to travel on?

Mr. Rice discussed the importance of knowing your history and tradition, stating too many adults know more about what's on the “tell-lies-vision” versus what is going on with their child or civil rights. He shared that the NAACP is the oldest civil rights organization and it has been in existence since 1909 fighting to protect both civil and human rights for all people. Mr. Rice closed by giving thanks to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for having a dream, that children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. He also said, “Thank you, Rosa Parks, for sitting, so that today I can stand up for justice; Thank you, Malcolm, for teaching us that the only thing that puts you and me at a disadvantage is our lack of knowledge concerning history, and thank you, Shirley Chisholm, for saying ‘Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth’."

Thank you to the Co-op City community for supporting our events. Thanks also to Associated Store-Einstein, Stop & Shop and McCalls Funeral Services for their donations.

—Brenda Brown

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Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Letters to the Editor

Optimize our commercial spaces

To the Editor: If it is true that Co-op City is in the midst of a financial crisis, then why has the conversation not shifted to raising additional streams of revenue?

There are lots of vacant stores in Bartow Mall, including the 10,000

square foot former bingo hall. Yet the Board wants to give it away for $1 a year. How can this be? Business is booming in Bay Plaza and Bartow Mall could be getting the collateral benefits of this expansion.

Every dollar we collect in revenue

from the commercial spaces is less money that has to come out of our pockets.

I urge the Board to make the tough economic decisions, and optimize the full potential of Bartow Mall.

—Gary Geleski

Bulk cable deal not in Co-op City’s best interest

To the Editor: Why in 2014 was it important for Cablevision to lockup Co-op City?

Verizon, in 2014, for no apparent reason paid Vodafone $45 billion to buy back the 45% of Verizon wireless it did not own. This made Verizon primarily a wireless company, with 3/4 of its revenue coming from the wireless business.

Each year, the federal government holds a wireless spectrum auction. This year, the auction brought in the largest amount of money in history.

Bulk Sale proposal — Based on what I know and the few figures we got and what some Directors told me, this is what I think the proposal said.

Cablevision gets $3,760,000.

Riverbay gets 2.5% for processing and handling ($94,000). Subscriber monthly payment to Riverbay is $25.

To the Editor: During nearly nine hours of open forums to discuss the community’s budget problems last week, the community’s growing disabled population was mostly, if not completely, ignored.

There are many ongoing initiatives and programs designed to help the disabled that will be affected by the budget shortfalls, such as the installation of disabled accessible front doors for all building lobbies throughout the community and the development of an emergency evacuation plan for the community’s disabled. It has been months since any

The contract is for 5 years.

Therefore, if you do the math, Riverbay is paying monthly per living unit (15,372) around $21 per/month.

Riverbay therefore needs 12,850 Cablevision subscribers to break even; more, it makes money; less, it loses money.

The question is what happened to wireless in 2014? Why would Cablevision give $40,000,000 to lockup Co-op City?

I believe, the answer was provided in October, 2014 by the Sprint CEO in an interview with a financial commentator on a cable news channel. He stated that Sprint is current trailing wireless 600MB Internet service in a few Japan cites. Why is this a game changer?

From experts in the field, I understand that:

What about the disabled? progress has been reported regarding these issues and the Board’s newly formed Committee for the Disabled has not met in more than two months. This community has thousands of disabled residents affected by these issues, but during the crucial time for the community, it seems as if disabled issues have been put on the back burner.

I could not get to either of the two forums because the snow and ice made it difficult for people like me to get around this time of year. I am grateful that the forums were televised live so that I and others like me can be kept

500MB speed can support HD 1080p TV services like Cablevision.

600MB speed can support Full HD 1080 TV services like FIOS. The Sprint CEO stated that it was his belief that this type of service could be readily available in the US within 18 to 24 months.

When do TV providers begin to make money? · A cable provider in a high rise building when 50% of living units subscribe. · A wireless TV provider makes money on the first subscriber.

Co-op City could be served by 3 - 4 providers within three years. Cleve Taylor is right when he said all providers have the same content.

Therefore, providers will need to compete based on price.

—Bruce Gitelson

informed. But watching on television does not give me the chance to offer input and if I don’t offer input on behalf of the disabled community, frankly, nobody else will.

So as the Board continues to consider all options in creating Co-op City’s new two-year budget plan, I ask that consideration for the needs and the issues of the disabled be given its due priority, the same priority that they were seemingly given when the new Board majority came to power eight months ago.

—John Rose

Legal Department’s response to Director’s viewpoint

In last week’s Co-op City Times, a Director’s Viewpoint raised questions on court actions involving a shareholder who does not pay the proposed $25 cable television charge. The proposed Riverbay Cablevision Agreement plans, subject to HCR approval,

Article SIXTH of your Occupancy Agreement provides, in part, that your lease automatically renews for an additional three (3) year period. You need to do nothing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) year period. If you will be moving out at the end of your lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Sales Support Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to lease expiration.

to include the $25 cable television charge as part of a shareholder’s carrying charges.

Non-payment of the $25 cable television charge, if it is included in the carrying charges, will result in a nonpayment action in Housing Court. If the

$25 is listed as a separate line item on the carrying charge bill, non-payment will result in collection action. In either case, a shareholder may be subject, but not limited to, legal action, loss of parking/storage spaces, collection costs, legal/attorney fees and/or court costs.

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 18 Building 18

Current Lease Expiration Date

New 3 yr.

Expiration Date

100 Alcott Place

Feb. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2017

Co-op City Times

Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community.

(718) 320-3300, ext. 3375 cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Bill Stuttig

Associate Editor

Jim Roberts

Business Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez

Production Manager

The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be handsigned by the writers and include their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the authors.

Writers will be limited to one letter per topic.

Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication.

Letters cannot exceed 350 words.

Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times office in Room 21, Bartow Community Center, by 3 p.m. every Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters and Directors’ Viewpoint are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.

Advertisements and classified advertisements in the Co-op City Times do not necessarily reflect an endorsement from Riverbay Corporation of goods and services, but present greater options to cooperators of products and services available.

The Riverbay Corporation does not assume any responsibility nor is it a party to any contract or agreement between the cooperator and the vendor.

All matter published herein is copyrighted by the Co-op City Times.

Permission for reprints of advertising or editorial contents produced by the Co-op City Times must be obtained in writing from Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, New York 10475.

If the Co-op City Times Was Not Delivered: Call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays ONLY, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Public Safety Report

CCPD offers safe driving and walking tips for winter weather New York City has received quite a few major snowfalls from the end of 2014 to the beginning of 2015 with a few more predicted to be on the way.

These snowfalls with the frigid temperatures have had quite an impact on walking and driving. Cooperators need to use extreme caution when walking or driving.

The year’s weather is very similar to last year’s record snowfalls in the Northeast; once again, we can expect to be tired of snow.

We have come to learn that there is nothing predictable about weather in the New York area. This year, unseasonably warm weather stuck around for so long, we almost thought we would not get a winter.

During severe winter weather, it becomes even more important to be sure to drive safely and obey traffic rules. Snow, ice and freezing rain present an increase in hazards for drivers and pedestrians alike. By allowing extra time for travel and avoiding unnecessary travel, readers can stay safe during adverse weather conditions.

When there are hazardous conditions, residents should try to stay home, if possible. Walking or driving in bad weather increases your chance of getting injured. The elderly and those with mobility issues should definitely stay home and enlist the help of a friend or neighbor. Many local restaurants and establishments offer free delivery service. There are supermarkets that offer food delivery that you can order from your home.

Driving in extreme weather should be avoided at all costs. New York City Department of Sanitation is prepared to step up plowing and salting efforts. However, roads will not be clear until several hours after snow finishes falling. Salt used for melting snow is no longer effective when temperatures plummet below 20 degrees. Snowy weather days are excellent times to catch up on reading, movie watching and TV viewing.

When it snows, replace road trips with family game night, break out those good old fashioned board games and enjoy quality family time.

Extreme weather makes it even more important to be sure your car is in optimum condition with good tires. It is also important that all drivers and passengers BUCKLE UP for safety. Children should be secured in the proper restraint system for their age and weight, always in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Never put a rear facing infant seat in the front seat of an auto that has a passenger side airbag. The airbag can propel the car seat into the seat back with enough force to seriously injure or kill the child. Never hold a child on your lap while driving or while seated in the front seat. The force of the airbag throwing the child against you could be fatal. You should never take a child out of a car seat if they are fussing. Car seat in the rear seat is always the way to go, never regard not sitting in a car seat or sitting in the front seat as a reward.

Children need to be buckled up in the rear seat of the vehicle properly restrained. Children aged 8 or over, weighing 100 pounds or more or taller than 4 feet, 9 inches may use a seat belt. Children between 4 and 8, 40 to 100 pounds should use a booster seat.

There are even booster seats to accommodate children that exceed one hundred pounds but are still shorter than 4’9” and younger than 8. Children 1 to 4 years of age should be in a child safety seat with a five point

BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

(Continued on page 16)

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

7

Tell your friends, relatives and employers about:

2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 • 718-320-3300 Riverbay Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbay corp.com; AND Barbara Penn at Bpenn@riverbaycorp.com. Please note that emails should be sent to both parties.

Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails.

For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see bottom of the employment listings for specific directions.

CONTRACT SUMMARY

Contract 2969, Hazardous Materials Spill Clean-up (Standby Agreement): Provide 24-hour emergency spill clean-up response services Pre-bid Meeting: February 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

Bids Due: March 5, 2015 at 2 p.m.; no bids accepted after 2 p.m.

Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract 2970, Auditing and Tax Service: Provide auditing and tax services from a qualified independent auditing firm.

Bids Due: Feb. 24, 2015 at 2 p.m.; no bids accepted after 2 p.m.

Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract P762, Web Design For Riverbay Bids Due: February 25, 2015 To receive the bid package, contact bpenn@riverbaycorp.com Contract 2981 Building 15A Lobby Renovations Pre-Bid meeting: Feburary 25, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Bids Due: March 12, 2015; no bids accepted after 2 p.m.

Insurance: Insurance is required To receive a bid package, contact lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com Contract P764, Purchase of Convector Covers Bids Due: March 11, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Contact bpenn@riverbaycorp.com to receive a bid package Late Bids will not be accepted

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

New Job Posting: Open to All applicants from February 18, 2015 to February 26, 2015.

Job Reference #: 15-03 Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by February 23, 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position.

8 Contingent Parking Attendants Parking Facilities THIS IS AN ON-CALL POSITION. The ideal employee will be responsible for the day-to-day responsibilities of monitoring and maintaining security of vehicles at garage locations; control and monitor equipment for garage entry/exit; ensure cooperators use access cards; validate authorized passes.

Job Description: • Keep parking areas clean and orderly to ensure that space usage is maximized.

• Direct motorists to parking areas or parking spaces, using hand signals or flashlights as necessary.

• Patrol parking areas to prevent vehicle damage and vehicle or property thefts.

• Greet customers and issue transient and courtesy tickets to visitor.

• Calculate parking charges, and collect fees from customers.

• Issue ticket stubs, or place numbered tags on windshields, and give customers matching tags for locating parked vehicles.

• Lift, position, and remove barricades to open or close parking areas.

• Inspect vehicles to detect any damage.

• Maintain logbooks, tally daily receipts, and report activities to supervisor.

• Check elevators to make sure operable.

• Check bathrooms for cleanliness; clean as necessary • Sweep debris from front of garage (in the winter season shovel snow).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is a plus; Excellent customer service skills; Cash handling experience; Ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders; work in inclement weather, as well as lift and carry up to 25 pounds; Must be available for emergency work; Must be able to read and write in English; Bilingual is a plus.

Days and hours will vary on a flexible schedule Testing Requirements: Basic Math Test; Drug Screening Test; Background check.

How to Apply: See below. All applicants are advised to submit a resume along with the application.

New Job Posting: Open to 32BJ Union Members from February 19, 2015 to February 27, 2015 Open to All applicants from March 2, 2015 to March 10, 2015 Job Reference #: 15-04 Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by February 27, 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position.

Floor Mechanic (2) Restoration Department Ideal employee will be knowledgeable in the layout and installation of Parquet and commercial vinyl floors. The employee will be required to flash patch and level rough surfaces on floors when necessary.

Job Description: • Sweep, scrape and clean floor including wood chips that may be stuck to floor.

• Use the dash patch method to level floors when required.

• Layout parquet floors to keep wastage to a minimum.

• Prevent gaps from appearing on the floor and ensure all tight cuts are within tolerance.

• Use floor expansion cork to caulk around perimeter of wooden floors.

• Install base board and saddles.

• Install a minimum of 250 sq. ft. wooden flooring per 8 hour day.

• Remove wooden floors when required (20 sq. ft. & less).

• Remove garbage to designated area.

• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is a plus; 1 to 3 years of experience in flooring or as a floor mechanic; Working knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures; Ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders, work in inclement weather; as well as lift and carry up to 100 pounds; Must be available for emergency work; Must be able to read and write in English; Bilingual is a plus.

Testing Requirements: On-site Flooring Test will be administered; Drug Screening Test; Background check.

Days and hours will vary on a flexible schedule How to Apply: See below. All applicants are advised to submit a resume along with the application.

Applications are given out at the following address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Riverbay Corporation Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475; OR Resumes can be faxed to 718-3203672 with the Job Title and Job Reference # on the TOP RIGHT CORNER of the resume. *Riverbay Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer*

8

Cablevision clarity Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

the draft offer agreement, and I appreciate all the kind words providing you with a brief mailregarding my recent Board officer Director’s Viewpoint in questionnaire to decide. I am appointment from Second to First actively raising issues from last Vice President. Although bittersweet, First Vice President year, along with areas to I am honored to, at the pleasure of the improve our Cablevision servBoard, serve in this position. I have a ice (Wi-Fi on the greenways, in great deal of respect and good worklaundry rooms, and a satellite cablevision center in ing relationship with Director Johnson our community). and will continue to work with him for 2. Cost Savings: Based on the Cablevision packthe good of the community. ages, I put together the below chart to show monthly Town Hall Meetings costs with this offer. These amounts are only for the Attending both Town Hall meetcable tv portion of your bill. ings was a privilege because it gave me the opportunity to hear the thoughts and opinions of the community so I can better represent what is important to you. I took lots of notes, spoke with some in the audience and through coordination with our IGMs (interim general managers) and Public Safety Chief, invited the 45th Pct. Crime Prevention Officer to join our Public Safety officers to provide safety tips outside the auditorium.

I’ve been a long-time advocate of televised Board meetings and was pleased to have the opportunity as co-Chair of the IT (Information Technology) Committee, to coordinate with Board President Taylor, IT Chair Director Abdul-Wahhab, committee members, and Electrical Dept. Supervisor Eddie Diaz to bring this Let me briefly explain: broadcast to life. To the electrical team, job well done!

• If you have the non-promotional Value cable Cablevision package, the current cost for this package is $64.95.

Having dealt with the Cablevision Bulk Agreement Under a cable bulk agreement, your monthly cable bill concerns in Dec., 2013 and hearing similar complaints for this package will show zero (0). $25 will be applied at the Town Hall meetings, it seems the biggest issues to your carrying charges. This results in a monthly savare (1) distrust in the Management Agent, (2) knowing ings up to $39.95. the actual cable offer costs and (3) having the $25 on • If you have the non-promotional Preferred cable the carrying charge statement. I will try to clarify these package, the current cost for this package is $74.95. main concerns: Under a cable bulk agreement, your monthly cable bill 1. Distrust in Managing Agent: That managing for this package will show zero (0). $25 will be applied agent is no longer here. We now have the opportunity to your carrying charges. This results in a monthly savto carefully and openly address the logistics, budgetings up to $39.95. ary and billing components with this cable offer and • If you have the Silver cable package, the current will strive to address what’s in the best interest of the cost for this package is $89.95. Under a cable bulk community. We are in the process of getting all quesagreement, your monthly cable bill for this package, will show $15 and $25 will be applied to your carrying tions answered, placing a FAQ (frequently asked charges. This results in a monthly savings up to $49.95. questions) in the CC Times, reviewing the language in

Leah Graham

• If you have the Gold cable package, the current cost for this package is $109.95. Under a cable bulk agreement, your monthly cable bill for this package, will show $35 and $25 will be applied to your carrying charges. This results in a monthly savings up to $49.95.

3. Carrying Charges plus $25: The Cablevision Corporation offered Riverbay Corporation (Co-op City) a reduced cable rate for current and future cable subscribers of up to $75 per month by combining our cable cost and charging the corporation one flat fee.

This arrangement is called a cable bulk agreement, which means, current cable subscribers would receive a monthly discount on their cable bill. In turn, the Riverbay Corporation pays Cablevision one flat fee each month. Each cable subscriber would then reimburse the corporation $25 for that payout on the carrying charge statement. Without this arrangement, which guarantees a monthly reduced cable, Cablevision says they cannot provide a better discount.

I hope this clarified many of your concerns and answers the “how much will I have to pay” question.

My goal is to raise your questions with Cablevision and share all I know with you. I will, along with the IT Committee and other Board Directors, continue to advocate for improved Cablevision service and ensure the language in a cable agreement is equitable and fair.

Budget Committee As a result of recent financial changes and the possibility of a 4.5% carrying charge increase, the Budget Committee, under the guidance of the Finance Director, is reviewing the 2015/2017 draft budget to identify all opportunities that may help offset costs and minimize the carrying charge increase. This process is being done in conjunction with a 10% budget reduction in each department, without affecting quality of service. This process is being referred to as the “AllHands-on-Deck” budget reform approach.

Closing Please feel free to contact me at lgraham@river bayboard.com or you may leave a phone message with the Riverbay Board office at 347-913-4225. I will return your call within 24 hours of receiving your message.

Remember, sharing is caring.

STAR deadline for tax year 2015/2016 is March 15, 2015

BY ROZAAN BOONE Co-op City residents who have not yet applied for the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) Property Tax Exemption for tax year 2015/2016 have until March 15, 2015 to postmark their applications.

Eligible shareholders who applied for the 2014/2015 tax year received their credit on their February, 2015 carrying charge statement.

This year, recipients of Basic STAR received $100.68 and those who qualify for Enhanced STAR got $215.08.

Out of Co-op City’s 15,372 apartments, 7,688 received the credit this year which amounts to a total of $1,105,524.28 shared by those households for Basic or Enhanced STAR. All Co-op City shareholders are entitled to receive either Basic or Enhanced STAR, but this tax reduction must be filed for—it is not automatic. Once you have been approved to receive STAR benefits, there is no need to reapply each year unless you move. In this case, the property owner should notify the New York City Department of Finance to cancel STAR at the old address and reapply for it at the new address.

Basic STAR is available to any owner of a house, cooperative apartment, condominium or other property as long as at least one owner lives in or uses the property as their primary residence. Married couples owning more than one property can only have STAR on one property unless they are divorced or legally separated and can provide documentation to support their claim.

For Enhanced STAR applicants, the property must be the primary residence of at least one owner. Therefore, for a married couple applying for Enhanced STAR, if one owner is absent from the property because they are receiving inpatient health related

services at a residential health care facility, such as a nursing home or any other facility that provides lodging, board and physical care, as long as the property is not occupied by anyone other than the remaining spouse or co-owner, it may qualify for Enhanced STAR as long as all other criteria are met.

There is no age limit to receive Basic STAR, however, the combined household income of the owner(s) must be $500,000 or less.

On the other hand, to be eligible for Enhanced STAR, the property owner(s) must be age 65 or older as of December 31 of the exemption year and have an annual total combined household income of $83,300 or less to qualify.

Total combined household income is the federal adjusted gross income minus the taxable amount of IRA distributions.

In 2013, the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance required all recipients of Basic STAR only (not those receiving Enhanced STAR) to register with the state by December 31, 2013 in order to receive the 2014 STAR credit and to continue to receive the credit in subsequent years. Although the registration date has passed, the state is still accepting late registrations and shareholders who currently receive Basic STAR and have not yet done so, are urged to register with the state Taxation and Finance Department by calling 518-457-2036, Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or online at www.tax.ny.gov.

If you are a shareholder who applied for the STAR program this year and did not receive a credit, you should contact the New York City Department of Finance at (212) 504-4080. And, if you have not yet filed an application and, as a result, did not receive a credit this year, you should fill out an application before the upcoming March

15th deadline for a credit next year.

You can obtain a STAR application by calling 3-1-1, or the Department of Finance at (212) 504-4080 or by logging onto the DOF website at nyc.gov/STAR. Completed STAR applications should

In loving memory

be mailed to: The New York City Department of Finance, STAR Exemption, P.O. Box 3120, Church Street Station, New York, N.Y. 10008-3120. You should keep a copy of your application for your records.

It is with sadness and great sorrow that the Nival family announces the passing of Humberto Nival on January 19, 2015 at the age of 90. An original cooperator of Building 5B and an active member of the community, Mr. Nival (Bert, as he was known to his close friends) moved into Co-op City with his family in April of 1969. He was a lifelong sportsman and an original member of the Co-op City Anglers.

Born on November 26, 1924 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, he attended James Fenimore Cooper Junior High School in New York City, from which he graduated in 1940 with commendations for his scholasticism. After graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School in January of 1943, Bert was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 18, 1943. A corporal in the Army, he served in Central Europe and the Rhineland as a gunner until the end of the war when he was honorably discharged on December 9, 1945.

While in military service, Bert received the American Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

A vigil for the late Humberto Nival was held on Thursday, January 22, at the Victor Quirolo and Sons Funeral Home (3176 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461); a religious service, followed by a military ceremony, was performed on Friday, January 23, at the funeral home.

Mr. Nival is survived by a son, Robert Dennis (who also lives in Co-op City) and a daughter, Janet Marie. A man who throughout his life gave his all to his family, his community and his country, he will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

—Robert Nival

9

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Shareholders urged to update contact information Riverbay Cooperator Services Office (CSO) reminds shareholders that if there have been any changes in their contact information, they should update their files with Riverbay Corporation as soon as possible so that if there is a need to contact them in an emergency, the information on record with Riverbay will be the most current and accurate.

To update your contact information, two important steps are involved.

First, the shareholder of the unit is required to go in person to the Emergency Maintenance Office (located in the lower level of the Dreiser Mall) with photo identification and update the “Key Card.”

Secondly, shareholders should request an Emergency Contact form from their respective Cooperator Service Office (CSO). This form must be completed by the shareholder and returned in person to their respective CSO, along with photo identification. Their new contact information will then be updated in the Maintenance system and forwarded to the shareholder’s file.

Once the information is updated at the Emergency Maintenance Office and Cooperator Service Office, the new information will then be relayed by CSO to Public Safety to be added to that department’s database as well.

Happy birthday, Daniela!

Happy birthday and much love to Daniela Romero.

She moved to Co-op City in 1971, attended Truman HS, SUNY Stony Brook, then went to California where she graduated from Southwestern University School of Law. Daniela lives in Pasadena with daughter, Miranda, and has a law office there. We are proud of her career accomplishments and her excellent parenting.

—Mother Sally Nussbaum, a 44 year resident of Section 5; brother Alex Nussbaum, and aunt Doris Fassler

Electrical shutdown Buildings 22 A & B, 2nd-12th floors

The electrical contractor has to tie in new wires to circuit breakers. There will be no electricity to the apartments on the above mentioned floors during this time. The emergency lights will be on in the elevator; the lights will appear dim. The shutdown will not affect the public hallway. The laundry room and basement will remain open.

Date: Monday, February 23, 2015

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for Bldg. 22A and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for Bldg. 22B As soon as the repair has been completed we will restore the electricity to your apartments.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience in this matter.

—CSO (Bartow)

Follow Riverbay Fund on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverbayfund and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/riverbayfund.

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Riverbay Fund Report The Riverbay Fund is your notfor-profit agency. The Fund will continue to use our non-profit status to sponsor community events.

However, as the President of the Fund, efforts and advocacy will continue to have our OWN facility for the enrichment of the entire community.

Co-op City has the most talented individuals in the City of New York. If we opened a building tomorrow, we have cooperators who could present workshops, teach music, sewing, quilting, art, etc. Therefore, it’s an insult to suggest that this community is so lacking in expertise that we have to “bring in another agency” to “care for our own.”

Continue to email me your area of expertise for our resource file. At the last Riverbay Fund meeting, a budget was approved to hire a parttime Independent Program Director Consultant, a Grant Writer and an Architect. We also have access to a Strategic Advocacy Funder.

An awesome Power Point pres-

entation of the proposed program, based on input from the community, was presented by Ms. Cassondra Smith. Ms. Smith will be our Independent Executive Director Consultant providing managerial and administrative support to the Riverbay Fund’s Board of Directors. She will work collaboratively with the Riverbay Director of Community Relations, the grant writer and Architect.

Ms. Smith is also preparing to present Power Point presentations at building association meetings in the Spring/Summer so that cooperators have an understanding of what is being proposed. Please contact me if you would like to communicate directly with Ms. Smith and schedule her for your association, club, Little League or church event.

The Fund will resume interviewing for those who have submitted resumes for future employment. Continue to lift up this initiative in prayer.

—Evelyn M. Turner, LCSW President, Riverbay Fund

10

An $8 Million Shortfall Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Bernard Cylich

The major portion of Riverbay’s $8 year and zero the next year, million current shortfall is the $6.4 mil- Director’s Viewpoint as well as a one-time 10% increase in garage parking lion we must pay —by September 2015in a court approved settlement of a labor fees and no increase the folTreasurer lawsuit that, charges illegality in the way lowing year. certain Riverbay employees were paid These tentative proposduring Marion Scott’s management. It is als were the focus at two televised, crowded towna staggering figure, but is far less than was hall meetings. Cooperators at the meetings and initially demanded ($40 million) and less those watching at home saw Board President than it would cost us to go to trial.

Cleve Taylor’s comprehensive, transparent explaAnother part of the shortfall is the $1 nation of Riverbay’s financial history leading up to million it cost to comply with the NYC the $8 million crisis and the urgent need to meet Department of Health’s Order to clean our obligations. and disinfect our cogeneration water coolIn his Viewpoint columns, and especially in the ing tower after the Department of Health reported a pages of the City News, one Board member has repeatlocal cluster of Legionnaires’ Disease cases. This edly called for initiating budget cuts and ending waste, Department of Health Order resulted in Co-op City but he has presented no resolutions to the Board for purchasing Con Edison electricity during that cleaning discussion and action on these issues. Such discusperiod. Readers should be aware that the carrier of that sion would be welcome, but the business of our corpodisease has been found in 60% of similar water coolration is conducted at Board meetings, not in the ing towers. newspapers.

The Board has struggled to raise the $8 Cutting Waste - Actually Doing It million other than by increasing carrying charges. We Under President Taylor, the new management team considered tapping into our $60 million reserve has acted to cut waste and trim our budget. He requested accounts, but neither HUD, our mortgage guarantor, management to terminate a no-show employee and an nor Wells Fargo bank, our lender, would allow us to assistant to the Public Safety Chief. He suspended a use these restricted accounts. We thought some money Department head who, while on Riverbay payroll, was would be available from the settlement of our suit allegedly doing work for other MSI properties. against MSI, who we consider responsible for the As Treasurer, I co-sign hundreds of Riverbay financial predicament, but our lawyers warn that the checks every month. Each must be accompanied by an case will not be settled soon. Cutting Riverbay payroll invoice justifying payment, while not an auditor, I nevmight be seen as acts of retaliation and negatively ertheless review each check before signing. impacting the quality of services.

In one instance, checks to Atlas Painting/Plastering In the end, a majority of the Board determined that Company were accompanied by hundreds of invoices we had only two choices: increase carrying charges or for work performed in apartments. In a random check impose an assessment. The pain of increased carrying of several apartments, I found that payment was being charges could be reduced for seniors through the approved for uncompleted work. When I brought this SCRIE (Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption) situation to the attention of President Taylor, he too program; these protections do not apply to assesslooked at those apartments. After meeting with manments. agement, inspectors and department directors, he put a A majority of the Board, therefore, approved a tentastop to the practice of paying for work that was not tive proposal raising carrying charges by 4.5% for this completed. Within a short time, Atlas walked off our

premises. The work is now being performed by our inhouse painters and plasterers.

Early in November, President Taylor discovered that Management and a department manager had negotiated $8.5 million for insurance contracts without any bidding process or approval — or even knowledge of the Board. This practice was also terminated immediately. All insurance contracts are now submitted for bidding and have been brought before the Board for review and approval. The new process enables us to save thousands of dollars.

President Taylor, in fact, discovered a variety of serious violations, some of which I’ve mentioned already that occurred during Marion Scott, Inc.’s management of Co-op City.

As Riverbay’s chief officer with responsibility to protect the community’s assets, Taylor asked Board officers to authorize him to suspend MSI. As of November 17, 2014, MSI has been suspended and the state Housing and Community Renewal agency has been asked to review MSI’s conduct.

Cablevision Bulk Rate - Yes? No? For Cablevision subscribers, approval of a proposed Cablevision bulk agreement may ease the burden of the proposed 4.5% carrying charge increase.

The company is proposing a five-year bulk agreement with Riverbay, offering a monthly minimum $75 reduction to subscribers. In turn, Riverbay would collect $25 from each subscriber to pass on to Cablevision. Subscribers can potentially save $600 a year. However, as was the case in December 2013, the Board will enter into such a contract only if it is approved by cooperators. A survey will be enclosed with the March carrying charge bills. It will be up to shareholders either to approve or to reject this offer.

Some have Asked Some have asked whether the Board ever “brought Verizon to the table.” The answer is Yes. Top Verizon representatives came before the Board in June, 2014. They offered to expand their Internet services. They did not offer to bring FIOS into our buildings.

Richard B. Chernaik, M.D. Please Refrain From Littering in the Garages. There are Several Trash Cans on Every Level For Your Convenience. Keep Co-op City Clean! Thank you!

In Memoriam Alexander Selikoff It is with deep sadness that Jewish War Veterans Post 500 announces the passing of our previous Post Commander Alexander Selikoff, who died in Florida on February 11 at the age of 95.

Our sincere condolences go to his daughter, Blanche; her husband, Dr. Kenneth Rosenblatt and all other family members.

—Marvin Warm

Be an informed cooperator — Pick up and read your Co-op City Times

The Co-op City Times is distributed each Saturday to each townhouse door, at the elevators in the high rise buildings, and in the three (3) community centers.

It is very important that you pick up and read your Co-op City Times to ensure you are informed about what is going on in the community, and more importantly, what your Board and management are doing to ensure efficient delivery of services to you, and the proper upkeep of the development.

When you are informed, you can be prepared to discuss issues that are pertinent to you and your household at the community meetings held periodically by the Board of Directors. Be an informed cooperator.

The Co-op City Times can also be read online at www.issuu.com/cctimes.

I have been in solo Internal Medicine practice in Co-op City for over 35 years.

I have many years of experience in Primary Care as well as consulting at Montefiore Hospital. I have taught medical students and residents at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and am a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine there. I have been recognized in Connelly's Book of "Top Doctors".

I am in the office 5 days a week and make rounds at Montefiore Hospital daily including weekends. I am also on call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I provide a "Medical Home" for my patients (I am willing to help make all significant medical decisions). I have excellent consultants available whom I have vetted over the years and work well with them.

Good Primary Care requires the Primary Doctor to know his patient thoroughly and guide them through our chaotic medical system.

We now accept Medicare, Centerlight, VWS Choice, Empire, GHI, HIP, United Healthcare/Oxford and Emblem Health.

100 Elgar Place, Building 35 Telephone (718) 320-2188 • rchernaik@aol.com

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

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12

Adjusting the budget Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Francine Reva Jones

Benedetto was also present.

Dear cooperators, The Master of CereThere was lots of enthusiasm at the Feb. Director’s Viewpoint monies for the event was 11th Town Hall meeting in the Einstein Mr. Kori Chambers of Community Center. President Cleve Taylor Secretary PIX11 Morning News. made a thorough presentation outlining the Assemblyman Carl Heastie need for a 4.5% increase in carrying charges was recognized and congratas a result of the $6.25M settlement of the ulated on becoming the first African-American to be class action lawsuit, Ramirez vs. Riverbay elected Speaker of the New York State Assembly. The Corporation, approximately $400,000 in Jonathan Hicks Award Recipient went to Jamaal Bailey. legal fees and approximately $1M for the And, Dr. Dena W. Robbins, President of The shut down and cleaning of the Power Plant Association for the Study of African-American Life cooling tower due to a sudden outbreak of and History (Bronx Branch), received a Proclamation.

Legionnaires’ Disease in the Bronx. He also This organization also circulated a position paper on explained how a bulk agreement with why the term “African-American Heritage Month” Cablevision would give shareholders a $50 should be used instead of “Black History Month.” per month credit. Many shareholders were Brooklyn D.A. Ken Thompson spoke about his upvery impatient and were reminded that the Q&A session bringing. He was raised in Co-op City and his mother still would follow. All shareholders with questions or comlives in Building 11. He recalled frequenting Cappy’s and ments were recognized. The meeting ended at 11:30 p.m. playing with the Little League team. He was a paper boy Some shareholders at the Town Hall meeting sugin Building 11. He could not play basketball very well, so gested a layoff of some Riverbay employees, which is he read lots of books. He addressed the youth when he presently happening in companies and corporations all said that, “God has a plan for your life. You have greatacross the country. However, the Board would prefer to ness within you. You must be true to yourself.” He further avoid this approach, if possible. In the meantime, the stated that people have been accused of crimes that they Budget Committee is taking a serious look at the budget did not commit. He has moved to vacate 12 convictions. with a view toward making cuts. The Chief Financial And, finally, he stated that he is the Brooklyn District Officer has outlined budget items for our review, and the Attorney today because Co-op City produced him.

Committee, headed by Director Leah Graham, is examFather/Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance ining these items, including equity, parking, appliance In the Dreiser Community Center last Saturday, I was fees, hallway closet rentals, late fees, legal fees, move-out pleased to see that the Co-op City Girl Scouts had sponfees, transfer fees, community center rentals, newspaper sored a Father/Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance. The ads, washer/dryer fees, storage room fees, and more. girls appeared to be about five to ten years old and they Following a final review, recommendations will be prewere dressed so beautifully. They danced and took picsented to the Board for approval and implementation. tures with their fathers. It was a charming family affair.

African-American Heritage Month Upcoming Baychester Library Events On February 12th, Bronx Borough President Ruben Parenting can be Tough: Mondays, Feb. 9 – March Diaz, Jr. presented an African-American Heritage 16th (no class March 9th), 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Month celebration in the Dreiser Center Auditorium African dancing and folktales, presented by Urban honoring Karen Washington, a community activist and Stages; Friday, Feb. 20th, 3:30 p.m. urban farmer, as well as Ken Thompson, Brooklyn Don Witter Performing Latin American Guitar: Sat, District Attorney. Upon entering the auditorium, guests Feb. 21, 2 p.m. were entertained by the Sophisticated Ladies Jazz Band Arts for a Lifetime, A poetry writing workshop: and Fourzando Quartet from The Celia Cruz Bronx March 11, 18, 25.

High School of Music. Assemblyman Michael

The 2015 Great Debates The great debates ask the question, “Who was the greatest of our ancestors in the African-American community?” The discussion highlighted the accomplishments of Mary McLeod Bethune and Booker T. Washington. Both made great contributions.

Booker T. Washington was born into slavery in Virginia in 1856. He wanted to be a missionary in Africa.

He arrived at Tuskegee, Alabama at the age of 26. In 1881, there was radical reconstruction and Washington played a dominant role in Black politics, winning wide support in the Black community of the South and among more liberal whites. He started thousands of small community schools and institutions of higher education for the betterment of Blacks throughout the South, which became Tuskegee Institute. He wrote several books, one being his autobiography, Up From Slavery.

Mary McLeod Bethune was born in Mayesville, S.C. in 1875 to parents who were enslaved. McLeod picked cotton from the age of one until nine and then went to school. When she was in her 20’s, she was chosen to go for more education at a seminary for advanced education.

She wanted to become a missionary in Africa. Bethune was an organizer and fundraiser and received funds from churches and white benefactors. She formed two schools in Daytona, Florida, eventually named BethuneCookman College. She also created a hospital. By the 1930’s, she was sitting at the table with U.S. Presidents.

She met the Pope, the Mayor of London and organized the National Council of Negro Women.

You & Your Health If you take prescription drugs, be sure that your pharmacist presents you with what the doctor ordered. Make a copy of the doctor’s prescription before presenting it to the pharmacist or write down the name and dosage of what the doctor prescribed. Be certain that it is correct before taking or using it.

Some pharmacies deliver. If you are in need of this service, ask your pharmacy if it provides this service.

Contact me If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact me. I can be reached at: Francine Jones, Board of Directors, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or call 718-671-5957.

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

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Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Computerization of Board business leads to efficiency and cost savings

One of the most critical changes to Director’s Viewpoint personal email addresses. occur since the election of the latest Rather than wasting time Board of Directors is the computerilooking for a document, regulaAssistant Secretary zation of the Board. Under the leadertion, by-law or resolution, every ship of President Taylor, the Riverbay Board member can access the Board of Directors has gone from Google Drive that includes any document they may paper copies to digital sophistication need in order to give thorough review, investigate in six months. This has enabled the details or perform due diligence to provide better deciDirectors to be more efficient, thorsions for the corporation. To give you an idea of how ough, informed, educated and the comprehensive the Google Drive is, below is a listing ability to work faster and from any on most documents on the drive. location.

Here is one Yes, the Riverbay Board of example of how it Directors has entered the 21st century! Through the use saves time and of Riverbay laptops, Directors have every conceivable money and allows piece of information to meet their responsibility as Directors to be Board members, spontaneously and in detail. more efficient.

Previous to the computerized Board, Directors This drive allows were made copies of documents that were placed in access to over their mail boxes for them to pick up and read prior to 1,000 pages of Board meetings. This limited how much information proposals from could be provided and whether a Board Director could bidding managing have access to all the documents at any given time and agents, enabling not much time to read these documents thoroughly.

Directors to reHalf the documents were in most Directors homes, the view these masother half in their file cabinet in the board room. It was sive documents not only a very inefficient system, it was costly and any time, any environmentally unacceptable. Riverbay went through place. It saved hundreds of dollars in copying and didn’t thousands of dollars in paper regularly. require members to carry around very heavy reports In an effort to modernize the Riverbay Corporation, that were several hundred pages each. It allowed for a a Google Drive was established that all Board membetter review and discussion of the eight reports submitbers have access to at all times. The Board of Directors ted as part of our managing agent search process. is now required to use a Riverbay Board email through In addition to this program, the Directors are also Google. The Google Drive includes folders shared for using a program called “Any Meetings” to conduct all Board members to view. This ensures uniformity meetings off site. This program allows Telephone and keeps Riverbay business confidential by not using Conferencing and Video Conferencing using your

Linda Berk

Use of parking facilities during inclement weather

As you are aware, during inclement weather, the garages are often more full than normal. Many of our residents who pay for a garage space utilize street parking on a regular basis. However, when there is snow in the forecast, these drivers then come into the garage. In addition to the mass influx of vehicles in the garage, the overcrowding is also caused by those cooperators who park and do not leave to their normal destination, instead remaining at home.

In order to balance these factors, we close some of the garages in advance to the public. This is done to ensure that our cooperators who park are able to find a spot with minimal difficulty.

The capacities of our garage spaces include the rooftop and both ramps. We’d like to reiterate to cooperators the safety of our roof parking. The roof should be utilized in inclement weather, especially by those with four (4) wheel drive vehicles. This will allow other vehicles that may not have 4 wheel drive capabilities to drive and maneuver through the garage safely and securely. In addition, drivers who block the drive aisles make it difficult for our snow plows to get up to the roof. Therefore, patrons are asked to make every effort to find a parking space and refrain from parking in the drive aisles.

Cooperators, please be patient and safe when the garages are filled to capacity. Be mindful of your fellow drivers in the garage, especially during difficult weather conditions. If you have any trouble navigating the roof or are unable to locate a parking space, please inform the attendant and s/he will contact the supervisor for further assistance.

—Parking Facilities Department

Follow Riverbay Fund on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverbayfund and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/riverbayfund.

Laptop Computer, Smart Phone or Home Phone. We are also setup to SKYPE in to any Board meeting so we have been able to maximize Board Directors’ participation in critical discussions and votes on issues facing the corporation. This, in itself, is unprecedented!

The use of these programs allows for quicker and more efficient communication between Directors, staff and management personnel. It allows the corporation to cut down on using ink, paper, and staff time by not having to make copies and print memos, mostly everything can be sent electronically and shared with the entire Board instantly.

The computerization of the Board of Directors will serve this Board and future Boards well. It will enable the Board to do a better job on your behalf. It will enable more transparency and accountability.

Everything the Board needs and writes is now available to the entire Board for all to see. When new Directors are sworn in, they will have every document for at least the past ten years at their disposal. This is monumental!

Now the Board is equipped, as every employee at Riverbay, to responsibly oversee our corporation. This advancement will save the corporation unforeseen dollars. The Board of Directors at Riverbay is now digitized and empowered and there’s no turning back!

Oh, and by the way, when a Director leaves the Board, they leave behind the laptop too!

Stay safe and warm in this frigid weather we are experiencing. Continue to look out for each other. This is our community!

I continue to be interested in your thoughts, so please feel free to contact me directly. I can be reached at Lberk@riverbayboard.com or Board of Directors, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475.

2015 Window Guard Notice

Please fill out your 2015 Window Guard form and return it to the Window Guard office using the envelope provided. You may also leave your form in any Cooperator Service Office or in Room S in the Bartow Community Center. Thank you.

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Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

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This Board is going down the wrong road

This board thinks that issuing a 4½ percent increase is going to solve our problems. But, this tactic is simply kicking the can down the road, in my opinion.

Here We Go, Again As a cooperative community, we have to always think about ways to keep this place affordable. So, that means that we have to constantly evaluate what we're doing and ask ourselves if we can make positive changes and save some money.

If not, then, we're going to be at the point where we're at right now. That is, having this board issue a resolution for another increase.

But, faced with proven examples of waste, shady contracts, excessive expenditures on our vacant apartments, deceptive change orders, and overbillings, our board has not taken sufficient action to stop these practices, in my opinion. And, they've callously ignored the overwhelming cries from our community to make cuts and stop this huge carrying charge increase.

"Why can everyone else make cuts, but we can't make any cuts here?" was a major question during our two recent community meetings. Then, some cooperators issued a warning about their expected living conditions. "There is no way that I will be able to make it if we get an increase."

Inappropriate Board Representation This entire community should take a hard look at this board and ask if they're representing us in a proper manner. For instance, why is this board unwilling to cut anything? The thoughts behind this question are problematic for this community. Additionally, why should this community continue to play someone's game? One example: Why are good

CCPD

harness. Children younger than 1 should placed in a rear facing infant seat in the back seat of the auto. Never use a car seat that has been in an accident, it may have sustained damage that is not visible.

Car seat installation can seem difficult at first. It is very important that you carefully read the owner’s manual for both the car seat and for your auto.

The LATCH system is an attempt to simplify car seat installation and make it universal from one car to another.

The acronym LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It includes Lower Anchorage points and top tether straps to fasten car seats. All vehicles manufactured after 2003 must have at least 2 LATCH points in the rear seat. Seat belts can still be used to install car seats. This is an option for a third seat or if installation in the center seat is desired. Information regarding the LATCH system and the installation of car seats may be found at the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration at 1(888) DASH2DOT or on their website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ Certified child passenger safety technicians are available at various locations to check for the proper installation of car seats. To find out about car seat check locations, call 1(866) SEAT CHECK or at their website at www.seat check.org.

Every person riding in an automobile should wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives. Airbags are not a substitute for seatbelts and are designed to be used in

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Daryl Johnson

Director’s Viewpoint

floors being pulled up in our vacant apartments and why do our new cooperators have to go to just one store for their flooring needs? That's appropriate? Who created this plan? But, then again, this is just one reason that it costs us, on average, about $19,000 to restore just one apartment here. Does this make sense? I don't believe so. So, the question becomes: Can this community continue these practices and expect to stay affordable? The answer has to be no. The main reason is that these schemes are going to cost more money to continue. And, from my viewpoint, we're going to have a board that is going to rubber-stamp everything and then shout one word when they need more money: "increase."

And, now we're facing a 4½ percent carrying charge increase, a 10% garage increase, and we might get a 25-cent increase for the new washing machines.

Additionally, on another note, we shouldn't forget about that MTA fare increase.

Solution We need to go forward with the $20 million in cuts that I printed before.

However, if anyone doesn't like my cuts, then let's set a goal to reduce our overall departmental expenses by an equal amount. Might this latter choice involve employee reductions? More than likely,

yes. But, either way, we'll be able to avoid this big increase and save some money. If we had the right board members, we could restructure our budget and actually improve the services that are offered to you.

Cablevision Vote Your monthly statement for March will arrive with a ballot to vote on the latest Cablevision proposal. The process will be simple; you just vote yes or no.

Thereafter, the votes will be tallied and the results will be given to the board.

Some cooperators have stated that they're happy with this Cablevision proposal. Then, again, there will be ballots with a vote of no on them. Looking at the results, the board will vote on this proposal for the entire community.

So, what will this mean? Will the subscribers be stuck with paying for Cablevision's television service for the next 5 years? Will they be able to cancel their service?

At this point, it seems that the board's vote will encumber every television subscriber to this Cablevision agreement for the next 5 years, without any means of cancellation. Please think about this matter carefully before you vote.

STAR Credit Cooperators that previously enrolled in the Basic or the Enhanced STAR program received credits of $101.68 or $215.08, respectively, on their February carrying charge statements. And, that was good. But, we have a problem because only half of our cooperators received this credit. This is not right.

And, that is why I am placing a notice into this paper every week so that everyone will have an opportunity to get something from this program.

Let's look at the requirements for this School Tax Relief program, STAR. There are no age restrictions for the Basic STAR program. But, your combined income has to be less than $500,000. Then, we have the Enhanced STAR program for cooperators that are 65 or older and have a combined income of $83,300 or less. In both cases, Co-op City must be your primary residence if the credit is supposed to be applied here.

That's it!

The easy online application will take you just a few minutes to fill out. "I don't have a computer or online access?" No problem. Please call 3-1-1 and make sure that you get an application.

Finally, the deadline to apply in NYC is March 15, 2015. But, I would like for everyone to please make a goal and get this application in as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Close We must vote out every board member that is running again in this year's election. So, I want you to please call me if you're interested in running for the board. Thank you.

Questions or comments? Please send a message to: Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, please send a message to me at darylhjohnson@optonline.net (Please double-check the spelling of this address.) Also, please call me at 718671-4544 if you don't receive a response from your message. You can also join me on Facebook by typing in: Daryl H. Johnson.

Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

ans may be observed straying into areas that would normally be traffic lanes due to large mounds of snow and cars parked into bike lanes and even roadways. This area is usually very icy and can result in slips and falls. Parked cars may be further from the curb, impinging on the buffer zone between cyclists and drivers. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians need to alert at all times. Changing weather conditions create new hazards on the roadways. Drivers should use the garages when possible.

Drivers should consider taking a Defensive Driver Training Course.

These courses teach drivers tactics in becoming a safer driver plus provide an insurance discount (usually 10 percent off on both liability and collision for the car driven by the student) and possible point reduction. Riverbay Corporation is happy to announce a five dollar discount on the National Safety Council’s new online 6 hour course. Enter referral code #664 at www.ddcnsc.org/ny to receive your 5 dollar discount off the Online Driving Course. The course is regularly $29.95, comes out to $24.95 with the discount. When first introduced the online course cost $44.95. Now you get the same discount and information for a reduced price. The course is an interactive, informative course. You have one month to complete the course in as many sessions as you desire. The online course offers the same benefits as the live course. A computer with a flash drive is required; Visit the website for more information. This weekend would be a good time to stay home and take

this course online.

School is open, DRIVE CAREFULLY. Never pass a stopped school bus with a STOP sign displayed or its red lights flashing. This means children are loading or unloading. Be aware of pedestrians and bike riders when operating a motor vehicle. Bike riders must refrain from riding bicycles near buildings and shopping centers. Bicycle riders must give pedestrians the same level of respect that they expect from motor vehicles. Everyone needs to share the road safely.

If consuming alcoholic beverages is a part of your winter fun, be sure to designate a driver that will not drink. Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Always buckle your seatbelt; it will save your life in a serious collision. Avoid distractions and excess speed when driving; these are the two leading causes of collisions within New York State.

Hazardous road conditions require drivers to be at a heightened state of alertness.

Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us.

Callers may remain anonymous when giving information.

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity or sent information via our website. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained.

(Continued from page 7)

connection with seatbelts. An airbag comes out of the steering wheel or dashboard at a speed of 250 miles per hour.

Without a seatbelt the force of an airbag can cause serious injuries to the front seat passenger and driver. Wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle equipped with airbags will minimize injuries in otherwise life threatening collision.

Seatbelts will prevent the wearer from being thrown from the automobile in the case of a collision. Today’s automobiles are designed to keep the passenger compartment intact in the event of a collision. Without a seatbelt, you will not remain within that safety zone.

Unsecured persons in a vehicle continue to travel at the vehicle’s speed until they strike a solid object within or outside the vehicle. Internal organs of the unbelted person then collide with the skeletal system causing serious internal injuries. An unbelted person also serves as a projectile and can cause injuries to other persons in the vehicle. A person properly restrained stays within the vehicle’s safety zone and comes to a slower stop thereby minimizing injuries.

Any snowfall presents a unique driving challenge. Share the road safely with cyclists and pedestrians. Bicyclists should give pedestrians the same level of courtesy they expect from motorists.

You may think because it is winter, no one will be riding a bicycle, but there are some die-hard cyclists who are out on the roads year-round. The snow only makes it worse by making less space for cyclists to ride, as well as making a slippery surface. Both cyclists and pedestri-

Benedetto

Speaker Carl Heastie, and as such, now has additional access to Mayor de Blasio. Benedetto told the two coGeneral Managers on Wednesday and reiterated that same statement to the Co-op City Times the next day, that Mayor de Blasio is scheduled to meet in Albany this week with the state legislature’s Ways and Means Committee and as the new Chair of the Cities Committee, he has the privilege of presenting the first question to the Mayor.

“Raising the issue of Co-op City’s costly asbestos abatement requirements will be the first order of business during my discussion,” Benedetto promised, recalling how the Mayor was receptive to his and the community’s concerns when they were brought to his attention last year.

In fact, before de Blasio became Mayor, when he served as the city’s Public Advocate, de Blasio wrote a letter to DEP expressing his concern over the unfair requirement being placed on Co-op City. In the 2013 letter to then-DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland, de Blasio wrote: “I remain concerned that on the basis of inadequate evidence, the Department of Environmental Protection has placed onerous and unnecessary obligations on the tens of thousands of Co-op City residents. While city, state and federal regulations carefully prescribe corrective action in asbestos removal and remediation, the 75,000 tests seem to suggest

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015 (Continued from page 1)

that the type of non-friable asbestos present at Co-op City does not warrant the action that has been mandated by the Department. I am also concerned that the requirements have proven to be onerous and financially burdensome to Co-op City residents.”

Benedetto said that he plans on reminding the Mayor of his efforts on behalf of Co-op City as the city’s Public Advocate and ask him to continue those efforts now that he is Mayor and Co-op City shareholders are in need of financial relief to help offset the burden of impending carrying charge increases.

During the Wednesday meeting, Benedetto said that he also plans to revisit Public Safety’s efforts to obtain New York State Peace Office status for its officers, an action that Public Safety Chief Frank Apollo has consistently maintained is necessary to safeguard the department against losing its police powers should the NYPD one day decide to abandon its special patrolman status program.

Benedetto told the General Managers and Chief Apollo that he hopes to craft a new bill which is more specific to the needs of Co-op City in an effort to get the measure though the New York State Legislature to the Governor’s office for signature.

Apollo said he found the Assemblyman’s statements at the meeting to be encouraging and gives him and the department new hope in getting the

Movie Review - American Sniper AMERICAN SNIPER was incredible.

It was a very harrowing and riveting portrayal of a person’s life, a person who always stood up for what he believed in.

In Chris Kyle’s case, he was a hero in the military’s eyes without a doubt. When he was home, it wasn’t the same thing. That is why I loved the film. It portrayed both sides of the story even though Sienna Miller’s Taya (wife) was the typical wife in distress. Chris Kyle was married to her, but it was obvious who he was really married to. He was addicted to war.

It was his duty to fight for his country.

When he came back from his tours, he was visibly a different person. The war definitely took a toll on him. Whether it was his conflict in the war with actual bounties set on him or when he was home dealing with everyday life. Having said that, the film actually had a very fascinating portrayal of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). It was very thought-provoking.

Bradley Cooper gives his best role to date. As of now, he is my favorite to win for Best Actor at the Academy Awards this year. Cooper embodied Chris Kyle.

He gave the character such confidence, intensity and vulnerability. It was visible on screen how personal it was to Cooper.

BY ANATOLIY BUDNITSKIY

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He gave it his all. I wholeheartedly respect him for going the full 100%.

Chris Kyle’s story demands to be seen.

Cooper brought it to life for sure. It was phenomenal!

And it doesn’t surprise me how well it is being received since its release, even though there are people who disagree with the film’s message. They can’t, however, deny how extraordinary Cooper’s performance is. It is really a treat to see and witness.

Clint Eastwood directed a fantastic war film. Clearly, he has a great eye for war action scenes. American Sniper is one of Eastwood’s better directorial efforts of late. It isn’t only a great entry in the War genre, but it is a fantastic drama. Also, the ending was very touching. I won’t give away much, but it was a very fitting end to the incredible life of an American hero.

This film should be seen by all.

AMERICAN SNIPER, 2014 Rated R, Running Time – 134 Min. Director – Clint Eastwood Writer – Jason Hall Bradley Cooper – Chris Kyle Sienna Miller – Taya Kyle Luke Grimes – Marc Lee

(Anatoliy Budnitskiy is a resident of Building 15B.)

officers and supervisors the Peace Office status they need to guarantee Public Safety’s law enforcement powers in the long-term.

The Assemblyman also said that he is continuing to work with the developers of Bay Plaza, Prestige Properties, and the city’s Department of Transportation to come up with long- and short-term solutions to the increasing traffic coming into the Bay Plaza complex, especially in the wake of the opening of the new Mall at Bay Plaza this past summer.

He said a recent article in the Co-op City Times citing the NYPD’s finding of a 60% jump in traffic accidents at the intersection of Co-op City Blvd. and Bartow Avenue somewhat misleading because he found that many of those accidents occurred within the Bay Plaza complex and were just assigned to the nearest intersection which happened to be the one at the main entrance of Bay Plaza, adjacent to Co-op City. But, he added, nevertheless it points to a problem with the traffic pattern within Bay Plaza being confusing, chaotic and dangerous, especially after the complex’s recent major expansion. Benedetto told the meeting that he has been working with Prestige and the Department of Transportation to get them to improve the traffic flow within the shopping complex in the short term and working with both the city and state Departments of

Transportation at getting a ramp leading directly onto the Hutchinson River Parkway from the mall without the traffic impacting on Section 5. But he added that there are many obstacles that have to be overcome before that can become a reality in the distant future.

Interim General Manager Noel Ellison called the meeting informative, productive and hopefully just the beginning of a more enhanced dialogue between Riverbay and the many elected officials that have the power to help the community with its concerns.

Co-General Manager Peter Merola, who also serves as the community’s Chief Financial Officer, called the meeting encouraging because it demonstrated Benedetto’s commitment to helping Co-op City with issues, particularly issues affecting finances, such as the asbestos abatement requirements.

Riverbay Community Relations Director Michelle Sajous thanked the Assemblyman for his participation and input. “Assemblyman Benedetto has always demonstrated a willingness to listen and help in any way he can with a number of issues.”

Sajous added that this meeting was the first in what will be a series of regular meetings with leading elected and government officials as part of what will be a new era of a more cordial and open dialogue between them and the leaders and residents of Co-op City.

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Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

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Cooperators speak out at Townhall meeting Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

During the Town Hall meetings, many shareholders expressed their concern about the proposed increases and cable bulk offer. There were suggestions about certain cutbacks. We were proactive when we removed the garbage from around our buildings thus eliminating the horrendous odor in the summer, leftover garbage when snow storms prevented Sanitation pick-ups, vermin and businesses that routinely, illegally, dumped their garbage on our dumpster pads. Many cooperators stated they would not want to see that return. It was unsightly.

The equity now is much more than years ago. New shareholders were given a restored apartment then and if I were moving in now, paying the current equity, I would demand a restored apartment.

Restoration of floors was debated at the Town Hall meeting. Cooperators were told the majority of the flooring cost was for repairs. What I would like to know is what happened to the asbestos waiver we were seeking that would save upwards of $4 million. Regardless of anyone’s view, a report in the February 25, 2012 Co-op City Times referenced a letter from the Assistant Commissioner of HCR (then DHCR) who directed Riverbay to refurbish and restore all apartments to be transferred to existing cooperators or assigned to new cooperators moving into the development for the first time.

Many are calling for a reduction in staff. This is something that we will have to look at but haste makes waste.

Unfortunately in most organizations, the easiest staff cuts to make are clerical staff and those most recently hired and ready to work hard. Strategic cuts have to be

and the following information may assist others. The top of the SCRIE application states “Application for Rent Increase/ Carrying Charge which became effective on (date),” but they advised me that you should apply after an increase is in effect.

Additionally, they stated the application review is a lengthy process and usually takes months, however, when I told the SCRIE unit representative that if we received an increase it would probably be effective June 1st, she stated the new applicant would probably not be advised if they are accepted until next year because they begin recertifications in August and during that period of time they do not process new applicants, they will make retroactive payments. It is important, if you call 3-1-1, that you let them know you are in a Mitchell-Lama development so you are given the correct return address for your application. To contact the SCRIE Unit, you can call 212-863-8494.

February is Black History Month. In the 60’s, there were many debates about Black History and the need to have it included as part of the school curriculum when teaching American History.

Through persistence, the community of educators and protesters were successful.

Unfortunately over the years, those classes have become pretty much non-existent in schools and it is business as usual. It was refreshing to read about a teacher and principal in a Bronx school (PS 48 located in Hunts Point) that have initiated a project for their students that will bring history to the present with hands on learning. What am I referring to?

THE HUNTS POINT SLAVE BURIAL GROUND - Yes there is a

slave burial ground in the Bronx.

Using old photographs, maps, and newspaper accounts, PS 48 has identified the site of the now-eliminated Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground. It is located to the south west of the Joseph Rodman Drake Monument between the Parks Department path (the old Hunts Point Road) and the Drake Park South.

In 2010, the Museum of the City of New York published online versions of more than 50,000 historic photos of New York City. Among the thousands of Bronx images was a haunting 1905 photograph entitled Slave Burying Ground.

It is well known that the New York City area's wealthy landowners had slaves, even here locally in the Bronx.

Alongside the well-to-do landowners that are buried in Hunts Point in the Hunt family cemetery was the family slave burial cemetery. In here lies the mystery: where is that cemetery? Local students saved the Hunt family cemetery (now a city park) from obliteration in the 1960s, yet the slave burial grounds were leveled and lost to history much earlier.

The Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project seeks to definitively locate and commemorate the lives of slaves that lived in Hunts Point, Bronx, New York. Though the graves may have been destroyed, their lives shall be remembered. For information and to read more, go to hpsbg.weebly.com.

I am always interested in hearing your thoughts on various issues. I can be reached by mail at: Leslie Peterson, Riverbay Board Director, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475; telephone at 718-320-1370, or e-mail at daddpeterson@aol.com.

made that won’t affect our quality of life.

In my last article, I spoke about those on SCRIE and DRIE. Some receive pensions and Social Security above the SCRIE income limits. What about shareholders who worked for the government (city, state, federal) and other union workers who haven't received increases that equal the 4.5% increase, if they received an increase at all.

From meetings, calls and e-mails received, other possibilities were mentioned: with the introduction of the cable agreement ($50 credit) a $50 assessment per month for one year would take care of the upcoming debt ($600 per unit). A waiver of this payment can be requested for those on SCRIE or DRIE as of January 1, 2015 (or charged and credited). After the year, you would at least be able to reap some benefit of the cable credit and the carrying charge would remain the same or other possibilities: find ways to make staffing cuts, and propose a 1% or 2% carrying charge increase. Various suggestions have been made and are being explored. It was good to hear from shareholders at the Town Hall meetings.

Trying to assist a shareholder that contacted me, I called the SCRIE Unit

Our next meeting is scheduled for March 12, at Dreiser Loop Community Center, Room 9, at 7 p.m.

Beneath the ice of the once vacant lot along Co-op City Blvd. stirs the daffodils that will bloom come spring. The bulbs, laid down by the folks who dream with their eyes open and hands in motion, will add to the beauty of folks’ hard at work, building, planting and erecting our Rivers Run Community Garden.

There will be a lot of opportunities for members and volunteers within the next few months to get involved with the transformation. We partnered with New York Restoration Project, New York Botanical Gardens and New York City

Parks GreenThumb NYC to ensure the success of the garden. If you’ve never held a drill, gotten your hands filthy or nailed something together, there will be plenty of instructors to ensure confidence and pride. If you are already a master, we need you – please come.

Dates and times are below.

We would like to thank NY Botanical Gardens, along with Osborne Associates, for building the garden’s benches and storing them until we can accept delivery.

Important dates (All are welcome): • March 12th: Ursula Chanse from NY Botanical Gardens will be conducting a seed planting workshop at our monthly meeting at the Dreiser Loop

Community Room. Please be on time and prepare to play in dirt.

• March 21st: GreenThumb Grow Together conference at Hostos Community College. For more information: w w w. g r e e n t h u m b ny c . o rg / ga r d e n events.html • April 6th – 10th: New York Restoration Project will be leveling the ground, erecting a fence and building beds at Rivers Run Community Garden.

• April 11th and April 17th: NY Botanical Gardens will conduct planting and gardening workdays at Rivers Run Community Garden.

Garden members are encouraged

to take workshops sponsored by GreenThumb and The Botanical Garden, as well as working in other gardens.

Knowledge is power and participation in some of the workshops qualifies Rivers Run to receive FREE stuff, like fruit trees, plants, seeds, dirt, compost, mulch and tools.

There are committees to help manage the various aspects, including planning and design, construction, fundraising, events coordination, and composting. We have even formed a call committee for those who do not have email. We hope you join in and use your skills to grow a better Co-op City.

—Gail Sharbaan

Reminder, our next monthly general membership meeting is Monday, February 23, 7:30 p.m., Activity Room. We will be discussing Cablevision package and other issues concerning Co-op City. Also, some of the items on the agenda will be building issues, security and any other matters you may want to add to the agenda. We

have a full agenda planned for this meeting.

Summer Fun Day is Saturday, June 20. We hope all of last year’s volunteers will volunteer this year. In the meantime, we have a Design Poster Contest. All of the information you need to enter can be found in our Bulletin Board. You can pick up flyers

for the Design Poster Contest at the February 23rd meeting. The due date for submission is March 31, 2015.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss and to our sick and shut-in. If you see anyone defacing our property or not picking up after their dog, call Riverbay Security at 718-671-3050 and for

Maintenance issues, call 718-3203300. Don’t forget if you see something, say something.

We have a few more weeks of cold weather. Please be careful when entering and leaving the building.

We can be reached at 718-3797841, MLSAH@aol.com.

—Sonja Maxwell

Hi, all: Barring inclement weather, we will hold our monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 24th, 7:00 p.m., Bartow, Room 31. We have invited the aide to Assemblyman Benedetto, aide to Comptroller Stringer and aide to City Councilman Andy King. The topics of the meeting will be Bay Plaza Traffic

and issues concerning Co-op City. It’s important that we all meet to keep each other updated and to share information.

We thank you for your support.

Come out to our next meeting. Let us hear from you. We can be reached at 718-379-7841 or MLSAH@aol.com.

—Sonja Maxwell

Leslie Peterson

Director’s Viewpoint

Rivers Run Community Garden

Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association

Delivery of the Co-op City Times has returned to the elevator area on your floor. If you do not receive your Co-op City Times by 12 p.m., please call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays ONLY, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Cooperators United of Co-op City

Co-op Insurance

21

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

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22

Change has come

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Thanks to your Board President and Board members we are now up to date via technology. Our Open Board meeting was televised. It’s been a long time coming and now cooperators can view Board meetings in the comfort of their home.

Many of you are concerned about the carrying charge increase and the bulk rate Cablevision deal. It’s a definite that we will have a carrying charge increase.

However, the deal with Cablevision will be voted on in a Democratic manner.

Having $25 attached to the carrying charge continues to be unacceptable to many shareholders.

This Director will follow-up with cooperators’ concerns with the Sales Department. Why so many vacant apartments? Is there a staffing issue? What is needed to get apartments occupied at a faster rate, etc.? Empty apartment equals zero income.

The corporation’s decision to provide laptop computers was a wise one as Board members can now separate personal business from Board Business. Presently, we have hundreds of pages to read on the computer. These computers will be returned to the corporation as Board members rotate off the Board.

I can testify to the fact that our President has made and continues to make attempts to get all 15 Board members together in a positive, constructive manner. However, we all have unique personalities and advocacy styles. We all are serving because we care about the corporation.

BLACK HISTORY Part 3 OUR MELANATED SKIN A common saying in my community use to be: If you are White you are alright; if you are Brown stick around; if you are Black get back! In the 1960’s, a concern

The next general meeting of the association will be February 26th at 7 p.m.

Leah Graham, First Vice President of the Riverbay Board of Directors, will be our guest speaker. Come out to bring your questions and voice your concerns.

As usual, light refreshments will be served.

Association dues were collected February 10th, 12th and 14th. Many cooperators did not know that there are association dues or their purpose. The

for many Black men was “I need to marry a light skin girl to look out for my children’s color and hair.” In my segregated hometown in North Carolina, the “light skin” majorettes had preference when the selection was made to march in the annual parade. Also, swimming was not an option for fear of getting our hot-comb pressed hair wet and having it turn to its natural state.

Many dark skinned girls were told not to wear light colors or red clothing due to skin color. Good hair was hair that was close to Caucasian hair texture. (Good hair is clean hair). Light skinned boys were told by their families to marry “light skinned girls.” Black psychologists did a “doll test” with Black children years ago.

They were asked to select the pretty doll.

They choose the “white” doll. This experiment was repeated recently on CNN and most Black girls would pick the “white” doll as the “pretty” doll.

Why did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. say, “we should not be judged by the color of our skin, but the content of our character?” Why do you see Black men being treated in a way that White men are not? How many Black men in America have killed a White child for whistling at a Black female? (Emmitt Till) What and why the obsession with “Black skin?”

On the continent of Africa today, it is reported that “skin bleaching cream” is a

multi-million dollar business? In America today, why aren’t “Black males and females” more visible as models in stores, in magazines or on the Fashion Week Runway? Why don’t we see positive media images of the beauty of the continent of Africa today?

There is evidence that an aggressive effort to prove that the Black race is “inferior” has been ongoing for centuries.

Africans that survived the Middle Passage were stripped of their names and language - dehumanized. The one (1) TRAIT they could not get rid of was the color of their skin. They were called darkies, Negroes, colored, Black, Afro-American and now, African-American. Unflattering names were coined for Black hair texture.

Strategically, thanks to two European scientists during the 18th Century, Carl Von Linnaeus, (1707 -1788) and Friedrich Blumenbach (1752-1840), with reportedly no basis or fact set forth a race classification using skin color as a criterion.

Linnaeus assigned moral and intellectual capacities to his classification.

According to Linnaeus, “Homo Americaninus were reddish, choleric, obstinate, contented and regulated by custom;” (Native Americans); “Homo Europeans are white, fickle, sanguine, blue-eyed, and gentle and governed by laws” (Caucasians); “Homo Asiaticus were sallow, grave, dignified, avaricious, and ruled by opinion.” (Asians); “Homo Afer are black, phlegmatic, cunning, lazy, lustful, careless, and governed by caprice.” (AfricanAmericans).

Blumenbach considered a combination of color, hair, skull and facial features in his classification. He originated the word “Caucasian” taken from Mount Caucasus.

He concluded that Europeans were the first humans.

These beliefs, over 200 years ago, were widespread in books and media giving birth to racial superiority and white supremacy beliefs worldwide that, in my opinion, exists today. Because of skin color, Africans were considered inferior, non-Christian, impure, uncivilized and fit to be slaves.

Many Presidents documented their disdain for Blacks and the Virginia Code of 1705, over 300 years ago, removed criminal consequences for killing a slave (Black man) in the act of correcting them. “They shall be free and acquitted of all punishment and accusation, for the same, as if such had never happened.” This was also referred to as the “Casual Killing Act.” According to Tom Burrel’s “BRAINWASHED: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority,” attempts to deny our humanity by denying our intellect has grown more insidious over the centuries when helping our children understand they can be anything in life they want to be.”

According to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “The job of arousing manhood within a people that have been taught for so many centuries that they are nobody is not easy.”

SANKOFA – We must retrieve from our past for the present and meet the future undeterred.

To be continued.

Thanks to a cooperator at the Open Board meeting who shared a book called SOAR by David C. Banks. Please contact me.

All History Matters: Knowledge is power.

I may be reached at: Evelyn M. Turner – 917-324-1033 – eturner@riverbayboard.com.

money collected is used for the children's yearly trick or treat, decorations for the Holidays, refreshments and supplies for our meetings, etc. They are collected yearly and are only $7 per family. In case you did not contribute on the designated days, you can bring your dues to the meeting on the 26th.

A schedule of upcoming meetings are posted in the lobby bulletin board.

Check the schedule and make plans to attend. We need participation and voices if we are to accomplish any-

thing. Complacency can no longer be the order of the day.

Many cooperators received their STAR incentives this month. If you have not applied for next year, the deadline is March 15th. You can download your application at tax.ny.gov/pit/ property/star or call 3-1-1. Those eligible for the SCRIE and DRIE Programs should apply ASAP. You can obtain the applications by downloading them from nyc.gov/ site/finance/benefits/ tenants or call 3-1-1. Both programs are very important to our community

right now. Please inform yourself on these benefits.

The town hall meetings in Dreiser and Einstein were very well attended.

If you did not come out, hopefully you watched the broadcast. There was a great deal of information given. If you did not understand or if you still have questions about the proposals, come to your association meeting.

Stay warm, stay safe, stay dry.

Reach out to your neighbors if you need help. We are a community!!!

—LaVerne Floyd

Evelyn Turner

Director’s Viewpoint

Building 34 Association

No Co-op City Times? Call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays ONLY, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Building 13 Association

Please join us as we wish our former Building Association President, Olubiyi Sehindemi, aka “Mr. B,” a speedy recovery. Known for his care and concern for others, we send loving thoughts back to him. He will be moved shortly from Kings Harbor Multicare Center to Sloan Kettering. Since posting the information in our building, many have reached out to him and he is deeply thankful.

Karaoke coming soon!

Sur La Table - Chef Night - Laugh, eat and learn together. It’s a dinner party. Led and instructed by chefs and trained culinary professionals, we will create a multicourse meal. Once finished, we will sit down, eat and enjoy.

The price includes the chef, kitchen assistants and all food. Water, tea, coffee, soda and sparkling water are pro-

vided. Scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m. The cost is $95, payable in two installments. Payment of $45 is due

by March 7, and the balance by April 4.

To submit payments, see the last paragraph.

Paint Party – Scheduled for Saturday, February 21, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. No need to trek to Manhattan to create a masterpiece! B13 offers a relaxed and fun filled environment that is perfect for a friend or a date! Intended for people who have little or no experience painting, but all levels will be welcomed. Place: Association Room, 100 Casals Place, Bronx, NY 10475. Donation: $20 per person (includes material). THIS IS A BUILDING 13 ASSOCIATION, INC. FUNDRAISER FOR FUTURE ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING.

Black History Month It’s been pretty cold out lately and we hope everyone is bundling up well.

Your 21 Association has been heating it up behind the scenes. We have been attending Board committee meetings, Town Hall meetings and our own executive board meetings. We have been soaking up as much information as we could from Legionnaires’ Disease to maintenance increases. We try to stay abreast so we can remain equipped

enough to answer questions as best we can. With so much going on in our community at once, we are fortunate to have real leadership at the helm.

Our next meeting will undoubtedly be one of our best!!! We are reaching out to spoken word artists, singers, educators and linguists of every positively inspirational genre to participate at our next meeting. Participants will have 3 minutes to perform or present inspirational poetry/prose/song/mono-

GAME NIGHT - Scheduled for Saturday, February 28, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. in the association room of Building 13 hosted by Miguel and Nancy. Join us and play Left, Right and Center, Bingo, Cards, Dominoes, Heads Up or any game you choose. We eat, chat and listen to good music. All are welcome to come and join the fun and by all means bring a friend.

The American Red Cross – On Saturday, March 21st at 4 p.m. we will conduct a Disaster Preparedness Workshop in the Building 13 association room. A limited number of items will be distributed for your preparedness bag. Interested in attending and would like to bring someone, please let us know in advance. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the workshop will begin at 4:00 p.m., so please be prompt!

Women Keeping It Real is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It's an INSPIRING, INSIGHTFUL, INFORMATIVE and often HILARIOUS social gathering of women of all ages discussing various issues. Remember! You must be 18 and over to participate. YOU and your friends are welcome. DON'T MISS IT! Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to: Bldg. 13 Assoc. Inc., 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. For information, contact Gail Sharbaan at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370, our website: http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at building13assoc@ yahoo.com.

Thanks for making our team work.

—Leslie Peterson

logue. You must come as early to participate in this segment. All participants must arrive at 6:30 p.m.

That celebratory meeting will be held on Thursday, February 26. The official meeting will start at 7 p.m. sharp. It is sure to be standing room only so be sure to come early. There will be hot coffee, tea and doughnuts served so yes, come early. We are expecting some surprise appearances from a few notables in our community as well. Whatever you do, don’t look

back and say, “I wish I would’ve gone.”

We must also remind you to go to our ongoing fundraising website www.21association.com. We also invite all individuals and organizations to look at it and use it to start your own fundraiser.

We are neighbors and we are family; we will all win by working, sharing and living together. For further correspondence: 21association@gmail.com or call us at 347-504-1821.

—Kevin Lambright

Building 21 Association

Building 33 Association

We are having a building meeting today at 1 p.m. in the association room.

Please try to attend. Guest speaker will be Mr. Eugene Hawkins from Family Fitness Gym. He will be giving us information about fitness and signing us up, to come to the gym. Come down and get some valuable information.

I talked about the Group Homes last week because one of our cooperators complained about them in the paper.

Unfortunately, I could not use her name.

All senior citizens who have not signed up for SCRIE, you should do so as soon as possible before the rent increase.

If you are 62 or older, you might quality if your total household income is $50,000

or less after allowable deductions. You can call 3-1-1 for an application. SCRIE stands for SENIOR CITIZEN RENT INCREASE EXEMPTION!!!

The flea market and cake sale are planned for March 28 or April 15. The problem is the weather. When we have nice weather, we have a better turn out, so the date is still up in the air. If you have anything to donate, I can collect it early, just call me. Thanks.

The Bingo will start soon. I ordered the cards, we have a cage, so you will be informed of the date and time.

Get well wishes to the sick and the shut-in's. Feel better soon. Sincerely!

—Patricia Bonaparte

Please join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome – not just members.

The Cultural Committee hosted ‘Recordar Es Vivir’on Saturday, February 7th. We would like to thank all those who volunteered their help, made donations and joined us for a wonderful evening of shared memories and great music.

February’s ‘Social Friday’ will take place on the 27th at 7:00 p.m.

Our next general membership meeting will be held on Thursday, March 12th at 8:00 p.m., where the nomination of club officers will take place. Elections will follow at a special membership meeting on Thursday, March 26th.

Members: please plan to attend.

The club has planned another ‘Vegas Night’ fundraiser for Saturday, March 28th (rescheduled from the 21st) in the club room from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission will be $2 at the

door. Try your luck with us!

The Youth Committee’s Easter Party is scheduled for Saturday, April 4th.

More information will be available at a later date.

The annual Installation of Officers Dinner and Dance will take place at Maestro’s on Friday, April 24th, from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Tickets for members are $55; non-members are $75. Please contact Joe Rodriguez at (917) 656-0811 or Nora Rivera at (646) 338-5061 for tickets.

Members: Late annual dues are now subject to a penalty. Renewal dues after January 31st are $48.

Additional information for all of our upcoming club events, as well as details concerning the club in general, can be found on our website: http://spanamcccc. synthasite.com. You may also contact the club at (718) 379-7017 or email us at SpanAmCCCC@gmail.com.

—Carmen Rodriguez

Spanish-American Community Club

23

24

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Apologies for missing sending Valentine’s greetings to all last week!

We sincerely hope, despite the cold, that you had a lovely or loving Valentine’s Day. Additionally, with Monday having been Presidents’ Day, we respectfully remember our Presidents, particularly Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Washington, February birthday celebrants.

For years, televised Board meetings was a debated issue. After last weekend and the critical circumstance we are in, I actually appreciated seeing the Board at work. It was great to hear the pros and cons on various issues. Now, with careful, deliberate plans, teamwork, and compromise, we will get through this difficult time in Co-op City. We elect our Board and if you didn’t get out and vote, you shouldn’t complain. The Riverbay Election season 2015 is just around the

corner. This year, please make it your mission to vote. Each apartment family has a vote. Do you know what is “Mitchell-Lama Housing” and your role has a shareholder?

Our Executive Officers are: President: Mrs. Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar; Vice President: Mrs. Vivian Burrus; Treasurer: Ms. Lillian Richardson; Secretary: Ms. Grace Emanuel. Ms. Lana Spaulding and Mr. Jesse Seise are our support team.

Our next general meeting is Thursday, March 19, 7 – 9 p.m., Bartow Community Center.

We extend kudos to Buildings and Grounds workers for doing a great job on clearing the ice and snow. And hopefully, cutting staff isn’t an option to help the budget. In Restoration, Building and Grounds, Maintenance, or adminis-

trative people, cutting staff will only make daily work impossible. Besides, these people need their jobs, too. Thank you to the powers that be for taking care of our “Legionnaire’s Disease” problem correctly. If you missed any of the Town Hall goings on or didn’t get “it” from watching, the Co-op City Times provided a complete picture.

Keep in mind, the three designations of our dumpster bins are: White is for mixed paper, cardboard, paper containers; Blue is for bottles, cans, metal, and foil; Green is for ALL other garbage.

On discarding electronic equipment, sort and bundle separately, then put it at the dumpster site. Please don’t litter in our sidewalks and gutters. It’s disgusting finding broken shopping carts, food containers, diapers, bottles, etc. in the streets and gutters.

Trip Join us on June 20 for a day of fun.

Leaving Co-op City at 8:00 a.m., we will be heading to a Wine Tasting at the Amore Vineyards. Our next stop is the Sands Casino (w. casino bonus) and attached Outlet Shopping Mall for hours of gambling and shopping. Our last stop is for an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Coral Restaurant prior to heading home.

Total cost is $85, with deposit of

$40 due no later than March 16 and final payment of $45 due by April 18.

There will be NO refunds after April 18.

Payments can be sent to: Ms. Eleanor Bailey, 4180 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10A, Bronx, NY 10475; (718) 379-7754, or given to: Ms. Dolores Rankin, 4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10E, Bronx, NY 10475; (718) 379-0910.

We have decided on the above trip

in place of the trip to the Dinner Theatre, which was originally scheduled for May. Cake Sale We are planning a fundraiser Cake Sale for Saturday, April 18. Pull out your recipe books and experiment now so you'll be ready for our event. All baked and purchased goods are greatly appreciated. Contact Ms. BrownClarke at (718) 671-1685 for info., suggestions, questions, etc.

Building 32 Association

VISION CARE SPECIALIST

DR. DAVID HORN, O.D. FAAO • FELLOW, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY

• COMPLETE VISION CARE - EYE EXAMINATION

• OCULAR DISEASE TREATMENT

• EYEGLASSES

• GLAUCOMA TREATMENT

• CONTACT LENSES

High Fashion Frames on Premises. “Your Vision Health Is My Concern.”

Much of Learning Is Done Through The Eyes. Insist on a Professional Eye Examination.

120 ALCOTT PLACE

(Bldg. 17 • Sect. 3) • Co-op City

718-379-8029 Medicare and many insurances accepted.

DOCTOR’S HOURS: MONDAY: 1:30 - 7:00 PM • WEDNESDAY: 2:00 - 7:00 PM FRIDAY: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM • SATURDAY: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT!

Keep your eyes and ears open to recognize frauds and scammers. “The NYPD Retirees,” “Veterans of the Vietnam War,” “American Water Resources” are frauds and/or not applicable to us. The best thing to do is register with “Do Not Call.” For Public Safety, dial 718-671-3050. Help enforce our quality of life regulations, “If You See Something, Say, Something.”

Remember, maintain the winterization of your terrace or patio, close tables and grills, tie them down, and make sure your terrace drain is clear.

Tell a Broun Place board member about your tidings and special dates.

Special tidings to Dave Lazaar as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Prayers out to all for good health and safe days!

—Eva Lazaar Association Dues Annual Dues collection of FIVE DOLLARS per family for the ENTIRE year (2015) are in progress. Look for postings indicating when dues will be collected and/or Executive Board members sitting in the lobby. Your dues are less than 10 cents per week, and as previously stated, serves numerous purposes. Please help your building association stay alive.

—Lorna Smith

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

African-American Association

General Membership Meeting – Due to the weather prediction of more snow, the association meeting was cancelled last Saturday. The next meeting is scheduled for March 14th, 4:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. All current members will still be eligible to win a Valentine’s Day prize, as promised. The agenda will include updates on the White House Tour, Spelling Bee, Ebola crisis, celebration of February and March birthdays, refreshments and music.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please read our weekly column for updates. Also, if you wish to join or update your membership, please send a check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) of $15 for a single membership or $25 for families to: AfricanAmerican Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook: CoopcityAfrianamericanassoc.

Spelling Bee – The Spelling Bee Chair, Ms. Cheryl Birdsall, is working very hard for the success of the Second Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 21st, 11:00 a.m., Bartow Center, Room 31. If you would like your child to participate, call 718379-5555 and leave your email address and a registration form will be sent to you. You may also obtain the form at the Riverbay Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue.

The Ebola Virus – At the last meeting of the Association, we welcomed guests from the United African Congress and from Amuloma Development Foundation, Inc. to discuss arrangements to send food and supplies to the West African countries suffering from the effects of the Ebola virus.

They have presented us with the information on what is needed and informed us that the shipping cost would be $180. We hope that the community will

Attention, Retirees!

This is an Election year for all offices. The NOMINATING COMMITTEE is currently accepting applications for candidates interested in holding an office. You may pick-up a Candidate’s Form in our Dreiser, Room 19 after 2 p.m. any day except Wednesdays.

Travel Events Thurs., March 19 – We are going back to the SANDS CASINO RESORT - SOLD OUT! Rebate – TBD. Meet bus /depart: 8:45/9:00 a.m. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722/Barbara W, 718-3200500.

▪ May 19-21. (Tues.-Thurs.).

MARTHA VINEYARD/ CAPE COD. Price: double $429 & single $489.

FINAL PAYMENT DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH. SOLD OUT! Waitlist. Package includes WELCOME Reception, 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts, several tours, and shopping at Clinton Crossing outlets. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722/Barbara W, 718-3200500.

Theatre Committee: (*prices include transportation/Dreiser Loop): ● Thurs., March 26th, 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68. CAMELOT. Westchester Broadway Theatre. “The story of the marriage of England's King

Arthur to Guinevere. This new, intimate production focuses on the dynamic and rich intense characters in this most regal of American musicals.”

Final payment due Thursday, Feb. 26th. Meet van/depart: 10:00/10:15 a.m. Contact Marie Green-Ryan, 718379-0377. ● Wed., April 22nd. (Note-Date change) 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68.

WEST SIDE STORY. Westchester Broadway Theatre. A modern (musical) version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set on the mean streets of New York during the turbulent fifties.

A deposit of $35 to hold seat. Final payment due Thursday, March 19th.

Contact: Ione Edwards, 718-3797756. ● Sat., April 25th. 4:00 p.m. show.

Price: $45. ALIVE 55+ AND KICKIN’. "The first 50 years are for learning; the second 50 are for LIVING!" That's the motto of a new show in Harlem with a cast of singers ages 55 and up. Dempsey Theatre, W. 127 St. Harlem. $20.00 Deposit required to hold seat. Final payment due Thursday, March 26th. Contact: Lois Scott, 347-768-3943.

Come to the Dreiser clubroom to check out the show/trip wall and sign up for your performance of choice

The Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club will hold its Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday, March 19, in the Bartow Center, Room #28 at 7:30 p.m.

It is requested that all members attend this very important meeting.

Significant issues will be discussed relating to the club's upcoming activities for the year 2015.

The club extends thanks and gratitude to all the persons who attended our St. Valentine's Day Dance on Saturday, February 14. We appreciated your attendance in spite of forecast for impending inclement weather for that evening. Luckily, the weather did not become a factor regarding this dance.

Thank you all for attending this event.

We did have a wonderful time.

We give special thanks to those volunteers who gave their time and worked tirelessly, once again, to assure

the success of this event. Those members who worked the entrance door, the bar, raffles, and decorations and clean-up are recognized for your assistance. Thanks also to Ms. Ruth Gonzalez, whom I omitted recognizing at the dance for her welcomed assistance in decorating the auditorium. Thank you all for your hard work on these committees.

The club extends get well wishes to those members who are home-bound and recovering from various medical procedures. Our prayers are with you for a full recovery. Best wishes are also extended to those members who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or special event during the month of February.

I would like to thank the membership and the community for your continued support.

—George T. Clarke

contribute to this humanitarian effort.

More information will follow.

The Association sponsors the following ongoing programs and encourages your participation.

Belly Dance Classes – Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Dreiser, Room #2. A fun and healthy way to stay in shape! Call Xonia, 646-301-9438.

Evening Line Dance Classes – Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Dreiser, Room #2. Dance to Soul, Latin and Gospel music. Call Cynthia, 917-903-7073.

Study Groups – The Institute for Youth: 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m.

Book Study Group: Every 3rd Sunday, 1:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room #15.

Call 718-379-5555.

Music, Rhythm & Dance – Most Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Dreiser, Room #15; most Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Dreiser, Room #2. Call Keith, 917-561-6211, or Iris, 917-838-7723.

Creative Movement – Saturday

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club

with a deposit to hold seat.

Good And Welfare To all members and friends, who have been ill and to those whose hearts are grieving for the loss of a loved one, we want you to know that you are thought of warmly and we wish you brighter days. Contact: Elinor Gordon, Chair, at 718-379-8755, regarding illnesses and bereavements.

Recap: We require your name, telephone number and a deposit to reserve your seat when signing up for shows/

25 dance classes for children, ages 3-7 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Dreiser, Room #1. Call 646-281-4570.

Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Dreiser, Room #2.

This class will resume on 3/3/15. Call Meena, 718-671-8364.

Before School Program – Your child will be cared for from 6:00-8:00 a.m. and walked to school. Call 718379-5555.

After School Program – Your child will be picked up from school and cared for from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Call 718-379-5555.

Our Officers: President: Francine Reva Jones; Vice-President: Deborah C. Nelson; Secretary: Ebony Raé Lambright; Treasurer: Sandra Mitchell; Assistant Treasurer: Kevin Lambright.

Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dreiser, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 15.

—Francine Jones

trips (money orders/checks payable to - RETIREES of Dreiser Loop, at 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 19, 10475).

Committee members will be available in Dreiser, clubroom 19 (718-3790377) on Mondays and/or Thursdays approximately from 2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

“Our blessing starts when we wake up in the morning....with the sun shining bright telling you welcome to a new morning and a new day.”

—Claudette Davis

26

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Black Forum

Next Defensive driving course The next Black Forum defensive driving course will be next Saturday, March 14, in Rm. 1, Dreiser Community Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lower your liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from your driver’s license.

Please make your check in the amount of $35, payable to “the Black Forum of Coop City,” and mail to P.O. Box 563, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 at least 1½ weeks before the class, or you can walk in on the day of the class but you must have $35 in cash to pay for the course.

Returning to Aqueduct We will be heading to Aqueduct on Saturday, March 21. All seats must be paid for by March 7, no exceptions.

Cost: $25. No checks, preferably cash.

No refunds.

Black Forum Aerobics and Zumba Aerobics classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays; Zumba on Thursday. Classes will be held in the Dreiser Aud., 7:30 p.m. To register, please call (718) 320-8035. Nominal fee for each class.

Black Forum’s Lyons Mane Track Club Register now for the fall. Youth ages 8-18. Practice sessions are held on Mondays & Wednesdays, Dreiser Auditorium. Please call (718) 320-8035.

Food distribution sites added On Thursdays, residents of Buildings 27, 28, 29, 32 and 33 must pick up food at the New Vision Church, 115 Einstein Loop, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

The Williamsbridge Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. is an organization dedicated to community service in the areas of health, employment, education and economic development. If you are interested in joining our organization, dedicated to community service, please call Sylvia Hicks, Membership Chairperson, 917.921.

5445. Young Adults are persons 18-35 years of age; you may inquire about our rapidly evolving leaders in the Young Adult section. Ombudsmen are men of the community interested in decreasing the dropout rate of youth in the community. We are interested in your ideas concerning the accomplishment this goal.

The Youth Club consists of youth 12 to 18 years of age. The Youth Club is dedicated to community service, higher education, technology and activism. If you fit this description, are interested in

expressing yourself, obtaining community service credit, developing new programs and leadership skills, you should join this organization. This is your chance, as a young person, to help plan the activities of the club. Don’t delay obtaining your required community service credits in a fun and interesting way. Mrs. Hicks welcomes your inquiry about any one of these groups and will be happy to help you through the application process. Applications for scholarships are available for seniors in high school, please call Sandra Hall, 917.972.7732, or Joetta Brown, 404.803.

9869.

Black History Moment: Do you know who said “Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom.

If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.” Or who said: “In my music, my plays, my films, I want to carry always this central idea: to be African.

within zip code 10475 to participate in this program. You must also have your card with you and bring two clean plastic shopping bags. Please also have your current photo ID such as a non or driver’s license or any photo ID card with proof of address. You will then be issued a card in order to pick up food in the future.

We Need You - Join Us Today Membership is $5 per year/person.

Call (718) 320-8035 or write to Black Forum, P.O. Box 563, Bronx, NY 10475; email: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com or tonyshome10475@gmail.com. Help us keep independent community organizations alive in Co-op City. Everyone is encouraged to join. Call or visit us, Room 20 in the Dreiser Community Center.

—Tony Illis

Multitudes of men have died for less worthy ideas; it is even more eminently worth living for.” The answers will be listed next week.

The club’s next event in collaboration with The Bronx Club is “THE POWER OF PRAYER” AT F & J PINE family style restaurant, 1913 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462 at 8:30 a.m.

Donation: $35. Please call the listed numbers to respond. Our guest speaker is Mildred Green-Thompson.

Anyone wishing to render community

service assisting with any of our programs, without joining any of our club areas, may do so. To obtain more information, please contact the First Vice President, Sandra Hall, 917.972 .7732.

Information concerning the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. may be found at www.nanbpwc.org or our mailing address: Williamsbridge Club, P.O. Box 6, Co-op City Station, Bronx, New York 10475.

—Joetta Brown

Williamsbridge Club

Building 15B Association

It’s been very cold and snowy outside, so please dress in layers to stay warm. If you have to go out, please be careful, it can be slippery.

Our next meeting for 2015 will be held on Thursday, February 26th at 7 p.m. in our meeting room in the rear lobby of Building 15B.

Likewise, residents of Building 26, 30, 31, 34 and 35 must go to the Evangelical Church, 2350 Palmer Avenue, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays to pick up food. For information, please call (718) 320-8035.

Volunteers needed We need volunteers, especially men, for the Food Program, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you live within the vicinity of the Dreiser Center and can spare 2 hours per day, between 11-12:45 p.m., please call us, (718) 320-8035.

Emergency Food Program We are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Room 20 in the Dreiser Center. Also, due to budget constraints and shortage of available food, you must live

We will have a guest speaker, Mr. Joe Boiko of Riverbay. Please make every effort to attend our meeting and bring a neighbor. Refreshments will be served.

We will also have a 50/50 raffle.

Remember, if you see something, say something.

—Sandy Krasnove

Ballot

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015 (Continued from page 4)

As was the case in 2003, when the bulk cable offer was first introduced, it seems that some shareholders are still uncomfortable about their cable charges being included on their carrying charge statements.

This week, the Riverbay Legal Department, responding to a related item in a Director’s viewpoint published in the Co-op City Times last week on the topic stated, in part: “The proposed Riverbay-Cablevision Agreement plans, subject to HCR approval, to include the $25 cable television charge as part of a shareholder’s carrying charges.

“Non-payment of the $25 cable television charge, if it is included in the carrying charges, will result in a nonpay-

ment action in Housing Court. If the $25 is listed as a separate line item on the carrying charge bill, non-payment will result in collection action. In either case, a shareholder may be subject, but not limited to, legal action, loss of parking/storage spaces, collection costs, legal/attorney fees and/or court costs.”

The March bulk cable ballot is expected to be advisory to the Board of Directors when they meet in the near future to discuss whether or not to accept the Cablevision bulk offer.

Shareholders are urged to fill out and return the ballots with their March carrying charge payments so the Board Directors can get a sense of how many shareholders are interested in the bulk cable deal.

PROPOSED CARRYING CHARGE INCREASE & CABLEVISION PROPOSAL

M SA ‘

27

E L P

Frequently Asked Questions: Co-op City Cable TV Bulk Offer Q & A

Residents within the community are beginning to realize that this is a unique opportunity to save money while continuing to enjoy their cable TV. With the excitement now building within the community regarding Cablevision’s bulk rate proposal to Co-op City, we would like to take this opportunity to answer some frequently asked questions regarding this savings opportunity.

Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save?

A: Yes, you would still receive Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred Package. Your monthly savings here would also be substantial. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $75 for Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred plan, your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $0. Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $50 per month savings for your family.

Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Silver package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save?

A: Yes, you would still receive the Cablevision’s Optimum Silver package.

Your overall monthly bill will decrease substantially should the proposal be accepted. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $89.95 for Cablevision’s Optimum Silver, your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $15.

Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $50 per month savings for your family.

Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Gold package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save?

A: Yes, you would still receive the Cablevision Optimum Gold package.

Your overall monthly bill will decrease substantially should the proposal be accepted. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $109.95

for Cablevision’s Optimum Gold, your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $35.

Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $50 per month savings for your family.

Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Value package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save?

A: In this scenario, you would be automatically upgraded to Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred Package. You will still end up paying less money for more channels. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $64.95 for Cablevision’s Optimum Value plan, you will be automatically upgraded to the Optimum Preferred package. Your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $0. You will receive more channels, for no money in this scenario. Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $40 per month savings for your family.

Q: I have Cablevision’s Optimum Triple Play; will this affect my Online or Voice pricing?

A: No. You will continue to enjoy your Cablevision Optimum Online and Voice service at the same regular rates you currently pay. The Cable TV portion of your bill will be reduced as described in some of the scenarios above. Cablevision will continue to bill you separately for your Online and Voice services.

Q: How long will I receive reduced rates?

A: Cablevision has proposed a 5 year agreement to Riverbay.

Q: Why does this charge have to be included on my Carrying Charge Statement?

A: In order to give a communitywide bulk rate savings plan, Riverbay Corporation would need to enter into a contract with Cablevision on behalf of the Co-op City community. Cablevision would be billing Riverbay for the services starting at the Optimum Preferred package level.

28

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Newsong Church is a multi-cultural church that believes God has a purpose and a plan for your life. We exist to reach people who are far away from God, and teach them how to follow Jesus step by step. That's why you will find our Sunday Worship Experience to be so warm and friendly, we genuinely care about you! We're not concerned about where you've been, but where you're going. You see, we've all got a past, we've all made mistakes, and we still do. When you step into our worship experience, you won't find a bunch of "Holier-than-thou" people pretending to have it all together. Instead, you'll find that we're all broken people, but we're allowing God to put us back together. We're not perfect, but God is! As God puts us back together, we're realizing that although our past has shaped us, it does not define us! We're find-

Pentecostal Tabernacle

The Co-op City Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to worship service at 120 Benchley Place, Bldg. 24. Church #718-320-4218; H. 718-324-0334 Sunday School for all age group begins at 10:30 a.m.

Worship Service starts at 11:45 a.m.

Evangelistic service will be held every Sunday evening at 6 p.m.

Wednesday morning prayer and fasting service will be held at 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Bible Study and prayer meeting will also be held Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Friday evening Youth Service starts at 7:30 p.m.

Focus God created mankind with the freedom of choice.

His will is that we choose him with a heart of love.

Joshua 24: 14-16 14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

15 And if it seemed evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that was on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods.

God desires a relationship with mankind One of the wonderful revelations of Scripture is that God longs for a relationship with mankind. He does not need us, but he desires us, He loves us. He wants communion and intimacy with those whom He created and redeemed. It was for this purpose Jesus Christ died on the cross.

When God created mankind, He enjoyed close connection with Adam and Eve. He enjoyed daily fellowship with them, for when He arrived after their sin they were not surprised by his presence, just ashamed for their nakedness. It was evidently common for them to enjoy time with him daily. What a precious thing it must have been to have ongoing, regular, intimate fellowship with Him! It still is.

Some people are more decisive than others and seem not to have a problem making up their minds regarding natural choices both big and small. Others choose between their options, whether the decision is as significant as which job offer to take or as mundane as “paper or plastic.”

Choices have consequences. We have observed this pattern throughout our lives. In matters great and small, this principle holds true, and it is no less true, regarding one’s spiritual standing before God. Life and Death hang in the balance of the choice to repent and to obey the gospel. Our decision either to live for God or reject his appeal leads us ultimately either to Heaven or to Hell. It is this knowledge and understanding that should cause us to approach every decision about our spiritual life soberly and in the fear of God. Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life & death, therefore choose life.

—Rev. R. Sibblies

Newsong Church

ing out that not only does God love us with a radical and unconditional love, but that He loves us just as we are!

At Newsong Church, we believe that the Bible is the greatest book ever written, containing the greatest story ever told, and that each of us is part of His-story!

In fact, we have a saying at our church: "If you're not dead, God's not done with you!" We don't just believe this for the adults, but for our children as well! At Newsong Church, we're so passionate about our children learning about Jesus, that we created a church just for them called Kidsong! At Kidsong, our children learn about Jesus in a safe, fun, age-appropriate learning environment!

We hope that you will join us this Sunday as we continue our teaching series, “Don't get married

until...” Since it's February, we want to focus on bringing God into our relationships! We meet at 177 Dreiser Loop in Auditorium B at 11:00 a.m. Parking is available in the parking garage located on Dreiser Loop. Please bring your ticket to our connection tent for validation. Deaf interpretation is available during our adult worship experience. For more information, you can contact us: Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org; Email: info@newsongchurchnyc.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/newsongchurchbx; Twitter: @ newsongchurchBX. Our Newsong family is here for you, stop by this Sunday and experience the difference!

God bless you!

—Pastor Mike Tolone

Fr. Taylor and the congregation of St. Joseph's cordially invite you to worship with us in Co-op City at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level. All are welcome.

Weekly Schedule: Sunday service with Holy Communion and Sunday School are both at 9 a.m.

Every 4th Sunday, our children participate in the reading of the lessons and every 5th Sunday, our young adults assist in the service. Bible study is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Choir rehearsal is on Thursday at 7 p.m.

The (ECW) Episcopal Church Women meet immediately after service on the 1st Sunday of each month.

Membership is open to all women of the church and dues are $2 per month.

We look forward to welcoming everyone at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, when we will celebrate the First Sunday in Lent with Sunday School leading the service. Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Stations of the Cross led by members of the Vestry.

Fundraising Events: Saturday, April 18, Deluxe Motorcoach bus trip to Warmdaddy’s Blues & Jazz in Philadelphia with sit down dinner and stop at the Sugar House Casino. $110 p.p. 1st deposit of $30 required now, followed by 2nd

deposit of $40 by March 8, and 3rd deposit of $40 by April 5. No refunds after March 15. Contact June Grimes, 347-457-8249.

• Reminder, ECW 8-day cruise on the Carnival Splendor, leaving out of New York on August 12: Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas and Nassau, with fun days at sea. Ocean view cabins start at $1,297 and inside cabins start at $1,217, depending on how many persons per cabin.

Only 5 cabins remain available. If you would like to go, please contact June Grimes as soon as possible (Tel. 347-457-8249) to indicate your interest and work out a payment plan with her.

Outreach Program: We continue to collect nonperishable food for the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. Please remember to donate. For additional information on the above, please call the church at 718-320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org.

“All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”

—(Psalm 25:9) —M. Chambers

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

No Co-op City Times?

Call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays ONLY, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Family Owned and Operated • Large Chapel on premises

• Pre-need counseling

• Ample Parking on premises

• Out of town services

• Casket Showroom on premises

• Cremations

A dignified funeral every family can afford.

All areas are handicapped accessible

Personalized & Professional Care • 49 Years Serving Our Community Worldwide Shipping including Caribbean, Africa & South America

718-231-7647 Call 24 Hours

Fax: 718-231-7665 NOW WEBCASTING TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABROAD

www.mccalls.net • director@mccalls.net 4035 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.

Serving all cultures & faiths

29

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Community Protestant Church

On behalf of our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone: (718) 862-9172.

Church Schedule Sunday School - 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Communion Service - Every first and third Sundays Prayer Meeting and Bible Study – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

The following programs are at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North (Co-op City)

Morning Prayer Services - Tuesday, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.

Neighborhood Bible Study - Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Extension of Prayer and Worship Service – Every first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 p.m.

Other Scheduled Events Sunday School at Community Protestant Church begins at 9:00 a.m.

In Sunday School, in a nurturing Christian education environment, an opportunity is provided for children to learn about the Bible, to grow in grace, to show love and respect for one another and to live more abundant lives.

Children attending Sunday School are served breakfast after classes are over.

We encourage you to bring your child, children or grandchildren to Sunday School and we look forward to seeing you.

Sunday, February 22nd - GO RED SUNDAY. The Nurses’ Ministry requests that everyone wear Red this Sunday in support of the American Heart Association’s effort to raise awareness of Women’s Heart Disease.

The Women’s Guild invites you to join us on our Christmas/New Year Extravaganza, December 22, 2015 – January 3, 2016. A fantastic 12-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise aboard the

Magnificent Queen Mary 2, departing from New York, Red Hook in Brooklyn.

Ports of Call: St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie; St. Kitts, Basseterre; St. Lucia, Castries; St. Maarten, Phillipsburg; Tortola, Road Town.

To make a reservation or for additional information about the cruise, please call (718) 320-1435, (718) 671-5961 or (718) 320-8576.

The doors of Community Protestant Church are open to all to worship and fellowship with Christian believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are cordially invited to come in, join in and receive your blessing.

—Evan G. Mitchell

The Circle of Christ Church family extends a warm welcome to you and your family and invites you to come and worship with us at 147 Dreiser Loop, patio level (located in the Dreiser Community Center).

Thought for this week: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mathews 6:33 It is hard to deal with all that is thrown at us every day. It is difficult to deal with life’s struggles. There are millions of things that compete for our attention to deviate us from our trust in

God and our peace of mind. Emotions, materialism, negative thinking, doubts, legalism, our past pains and failures, work, finances, debts, stress, discontentment and relationships among a list that could go on forever.

The word of our loving God tells us: Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be given to you. Mathews 6:33 Everything changes when we seek Him first and commit all our plans to

Him. His presence gives order to our thoughts and every day life. It is all about our personal day-to-day walk and trust in Jesus. We then will experience peace and a deeper faith.

We want to remind you that we are collecting non-perishables items and supplies in order to provide and support families in need of food. We also are providing counseling and referrals for families in the community. If you need or know someone in need, please call 347-945-1992. Please leave a message and we will gladly call you back.

Come join us at Circle of Christ Church and experience the Love of God. Church Service Schedule Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Prayer & Bible Study.

Friday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Youth Night.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Worship and the Word.

Children Church, 5 years to 12 years old.

Little lamb.

All are welcome.

—Rev. Sam Colon

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., Pastor, and Lady Theresa M. Smith, co-Founders, and the Church of the Savior family extend an invitation to every person to worship with us. We are a non-denominational, inter-racial, inter-cultural, intergenerational fellowship of believers. We care about you, not your W2. We are not church as usual. Come as you are, we leave the judging to God. The Church of the Savior family extends love and affirmation to the Coop City community; A warm welcome awaits you!! A very special invitation to our new neighbors in Co-op City. We

love you for who you are, not what you have. Please call us at 917-734-4058 for more information.

To our friends and neighbors: Come grow with us. Do you have a gift for music? Do you want to be part of planning singles, married, youth ministries? Do you have special talents that’re been ignored? Are you serious about changing your life? God has a plan just for you and today is the first day of your new life.

Message to the Community Church of the Savior has a new website. It is the open door to all the friends we haven’t met yet. You can get to

know us by going to www.churchofthesaviorbx.org. New friendship and growth is just a click away!

Church of the Savior is located at 920 Baychester Ave. (close to Darrow Pl.). Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 86, Bronx, NY 10475.

Sunday Schedule Meditation and Adult Bible Study 9:15 -10:15 a.m.

Divine Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Come and be blessed. We want an opportunity to love you. See you in church.

Dr. Smith’s Sermon Topic: “It’s a Done Deal!”

Circle of Christ Church

Church of the Savior

Reading from Holy Scripture: Romans 8:28-31 Weekly Activities Bereavement group, Monday, 5:00 p.m.

Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., Channel 70, Bronxnet.

Church of the Savior food pantry will close effective, February 21. We thank all our donors for our sacrifice, which improved the lives of so many in a significant way.

Thought of the Week: “The one who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

—Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr.

If you SEE something, SAY SOMETHING!!! 718-671-3050 • Co-op City Public Safety

Fri., February 27

Thurs., February 26

Wed., February 25

Tues., February 24

Mon., February 23

30

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Bartow,

Einstein,

Activities in Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Activities in Room 45 unless otherwise noted

9:30-11am Word Games 9:30-11:30am Bingo 9:30am-1pm Library 10-11:30am Weight Management, Bartow Office 11am-noon Arthritis Exercises 12:40-1:40pm Tablet class 1st & 3rd, Cell Phone 2nd & 4th, Bartow office 2-4pm Card Games 2:30pm Dominos 9:30-11:30am Word Games 10am Current Events 10:30am Health Current Events Club, Bartow office 12:30-2:30pm Bingo 1pm, 1st & 3rd Tues.

Caregiver Support Grp

Dreiser,

Activities in Room 45 unless otherwise noted 9:30-10:30am Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 9:30am-1pm Library 10am-12pm Crochet & 10am Dominoes Knitting 10-11am Stay Well 10-11am Line Dancing Exercise Rm. 2 12-1pm Mind Teasers 11am-12pm Word Rm. 4 Search 1pm, last Mon. Diabetes Support Group 11:30am Around The 1:15-2pm Gentle Yoga Lunch Table Rm. 2 1:30-2:30pm Cellphone 1pm, 2nd Monday Diabetes Support Group & iPad 2-3pm Intermediate Yoga Rm. 2 9:30-10:30am Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 10am Dominoes 10:30-11:30am Alert & 10am-noon Matinee Alive Movie 10:30-11:30am Cultural 11am Tai Chi Dance Aud. B 1pm Bingo

2:30pm Dominoes

2-4pm Movie

9am-1pm Library 9:30am-11:30am Word Games 9:30am-1pm Chat Session 12:30- 2:30pm Bingo 2-4pm Card Games 2:30pm Dominoes 9-10am Men’s Line Dancing 9:30am-11:30am Word Games 10-11:30am Women’s Line Dancing 10am Chat Session 12:30-2:30pm Bingo Rm 25 11am-12pm Sing-along 2-4pm Card Games 2:30pm Dominoes

10am Dominoes

9:30-10:30am Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

10am Spelling Bee

9:30-11:30am Sewing

10:30am Spanish Practice Class, Computer Lab

11am-12pm Tai Chi Rm. 2

11am-12pm Zumba

12-1pm Mind Teasers Rm. 4

1-3pm Bingo Rm. 35

1-3pm Art Class 2-3pm Yoga Rm. 2

10am Dominos 10-11am Stay Well Exercise 10:30am 1st & 3rd Thurs.

Grandparent Connection, computer room 11am Spelling Bee 11am-12pm Arthritis Exercise Class 11am-12pm Word search 1-3pm Bingo & Pokeno Rm. 35 10am Dominoes 10am Art 1pm Bingo 2-4pm Card Games 10-11:30am 2nd & 4th Fri. Blood Pressure, 1-3pm Bingo Rm. 35 3-4pm Pokeno Rm. 35

9:30-10:30am Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 10-11:30am, 1st & 3rd Thu. Blood Pressure Rm. 8 10-11am Line Dancing, Aud. A 11am-12pm Piano Sing Along 12-1pm Mind Teasers Rm. 4 1:30-4pm Drama Club 10am-12pm Crochet & Knitting 9:30-10:30am Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 11am-12pm, Rm. 8 Meditative Moments 12pm-1pm Mind Teasers Rm. 4 1-2pm Spanish Class 2-4pm Card Games, Dominoes 1:30-2:30pm Yoga Rm. 8

(Schedule subject to change without notice)

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $3.50 for guest

*Menu subject to change without notice. Lunch must be ordered a week in advance.

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk

Bartow Center (718) 320-2066, Ext. 2010 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Einstein Center (718) 671-5161

For information, please call: (718) 320-2066

New Payment Schedule - Payments for trips @ the Bartow office can be made Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Only) Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.

Soups, Breads and Desserts

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

Apple juice BBQ sauce turkey Mon., Feb., Mashedmeatballs sweet potatoes 23 Steamed green beans

Sweet & sour pork Fried brown rice Sautéed spinach

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Alt: Veggie burger patty Orange juice

Tues, Grilled Caribbean chicken Meatloaf w/beef & pork Garlic mashed potatoes Feb., breast Mixed vegetables Rice a Roni 24

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Vegetable mix Apple juice

Chicken stir fry/

Wed., Stuffed cabbage w/beef vegetables Mashed potatoes Broccoli & red peppers Feb., Steamed carrots Yucca con Mojo (Yucca 25

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Orange pineapple juice Pork meatballs Lemon garlic Tilapia Fettuccini w/sauce Pasta w/sweet peas Italian blend vegetables Sautéed spinach Alt: Baked turkey breast

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Alt: Tuna fish salad

Thurs., Feb., 26

1-3pm Pokeno Rm. 35 1-2pm Zumba Aud. A

9-10am 1st & 3rd Wed. Blood Pressure 9:30-11:30am Word Games 10-11am Stay Well Exercise 11am-12pm Line Dancing 12:30-2:30pm Bingo 2-4pm Card Games 2:30pm Dominoes

Date:

12-1pm Mind Teasers Rm. 4

2-4pm Card Games

Non-Kosher

Kosher

Fri., Feb., 27

Orange juice Italian roast chicken Kasha Varnishkes Cabbage w/shredded carrots Alt: Gefilte fish

w/garlic lime sauce)

Salmon in garlic butter sauce Baked brown rice pilaf Fresh sautéed red & white cabbage

Upcoming Events/Trips

There will be no refunds for all trips. All trips includes roundtrip transportation! Call the Bartow Office to register unless otherwise noted, 718-320-2066. All trips must be paid in advance. No exceptions!

Free SNAP (Food Stamp) Application Assistance – Friday, February 27 at the office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. First come, first served! Please bring documents that verify your identity, address, income & expenses (rent, medical, etc.). For more information: 718-3202066.

Making plans for your adult child with disabilities with Bronx Legal Services – Tuesday, February 24, 10:30 a.m., 2049 Bartow Ave., Rm. 31.

NY Roadrunners presentation – Tuesday, March 3rd, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 2049 Bartow Ave., Rm. 31.

Live Music of Juan Ortega Wednesday March 4 - $2, 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 31, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Sign up for lunch in advance at all 3 senior centers. Pick-ups: Einstein, 10 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:30 a.m. See the Co-op City Times for the menu.

Stew Leonard’s – Monday, February 23, $5, (2 hrs.) Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Central Avenue – Wednesday, February 25th, $13. 2 hrs. Xmas Tree Store; 1 hr. Kohl’s; 2 hrs. Burlington Coat Factory. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m., Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Empire Casino – Thursday, February 26. $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Super Wal-Mart – Friday, February 27th. $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9 a.m.

Tanger Outlet (Deer Park) – Friday, February 27th. $18. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9 a.m.

Westchester Broadway Theatre – Rhythm of the Dance: The Irish Dance Spectacular. Monday, March 9. $57.

11:15 a.m. lunch, 1 p.m. show.

Includes roundtrip transportation.

Pick-ups: Bartow, 9 a.m.; Einstein, 9:20 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:45 a.m.

Songs of Legends presents Greg

Challah bread Canned apricots

Hill Delfonics Review at the NLBC Theater, 213 East 125th St., Thursday, March 12th - $35 – (20 seats available). Doors open at 12:30 p.m. – Delicious lunch catered by Manna’s Restaurant - 12:45 p.m. -1:30 p.m. – Showtime: 1:35 p.m. – Pick-ups: Bartow, 11:15 a.m.; Einstein, 11:30 a.m. & Dreiser, 11:45 a.m.

Shoprite – Monday, March 16 – $3 – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - 149 Polito Ave. – Lyndhurst Ave., New Jersey - March 20th. Show starts promptly at 11:00 a.m. - $43 (19 seats available bus) Menu: Oven roasted chicken, spare ribs, garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, herb roasted potato, pastry of the castle, and select non-alcoholic beverages. Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m.; Dreiser, 9 a.m.

Garden State Plaza Mall – Monday, March 23rd - $15 – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:00 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m.

(FREE) Brooklyn Botanical Garden – Tuesday, March 24th – Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:00 a.m.

Fairway – Wednesday, March 25th. $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

(FREE) ALDI Supermarket – Thursday, March 26th – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Super Wal-Mart – Friday, March 27th. $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m.; Dreiser 9 a.m.

Empire Casino – Monday, March 30th. $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m.; Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Radio City Music Hall 2015 New York Spring Spectacular – Friday, April 17th, $45, Coach (53 seats) bus.

Show starts at 11:00 a.m. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:15 a.m.; Einstein, 8:30 a.m. & Dreiser, 8:45 a.m. – Seats will be assigned at the time of full payment.

AARP Tax-Aide Hosted by JASA: Free tax preparation and free E-file: 135 Einstein Loop, Room 35, February 3April 15, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays. First come, first served!

AARP has the right to limit the number of clients seen on each day.

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

AARP Chapter #4997

FYI: The February 9th meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Unfortunately, we could not notify the membership of the meeting cancellation in advance. In the future, we ask that you not venture out in extreme weather. Our next meeting is scheduled for MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1 p.m. in Dreiser Auditorium “A” – weather permitting.

To our sick, on the mend and shut-in members, and those bereaved members, please know that you are in our prayers.

Contact Frances Wilson, Good & Welfare Coordinator, 718-671-5493.

2015 TOUR ACTIVITIES APRIL 23 – 26 –Azalea Festival in Norfolk (VA) w/reserved seats for the Azalea Festival Grand Parade; a Dinner Cruise on board the Spirit of Norfolk; attend the International Tattoo Show; Norfolk Botanical Gardens Tram Tour; 3 breakfasts and 3 full-course dinners; evening entertainment; deluxe Motorcoach transportation – NOTE: Space available; however, deposit/full amount is

31

due AS SOON AS POSSIBLE… $550/person double; $719/single (correction)…$100 deposit, payable to AARP #4997, when you sign up…travel insurance available upon request. Contact Jean, 718-379-3742.

OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 13 – Autumn Repositioning 15-day Cruise on the Norwegian Dawn – Deluxe Motorcoach to Boston, MA to board the ship going to San Juan, PR; Bonaire Curacao and Aruba; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown in Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; returning to New Orleans, LA to fly back to New York.

Cabins going fast; deposit — AS SOON AS POSSIBLE — will guarantee a cabin…Double occupancy - Inside State Room - $1,853; Ocean View - $2,253 and Balcony - $2,553; Insurance and 1st deposit ($600/person) due at time of reservation; 2nd payment due June 5th and final payment due 7/15/15. Contact Jean, 718-379-3742.

—Delores Debnam

Goose Island Seniors

Baychester Library Events VISIT THE LIBRARY - A GREAT WEALTH OF INFORMATION Upcoming Events for February Toddler Time - Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m.

YA Program - Tuesday, 2/24, 3-4:30 p.m. - CSI @ Baychester Tech Connect - Wednesday, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 2/25 - MS Excel Tech Connect - Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 2/26 - Protecting your Privacy & Security Click On - Fridays, 10:30 a.m., 2/27 - MS Word Films - Saturday, 2 p.m., 2/28 - Duke Ellington Music @ NYPL Presents Don Whitter - Saturday, 2/21, 2 p.m.

Boys Town Common Sense Parenting® class - NEW STARTING DATES; Mondays, Feb. 23-March 30, (NO class March 9th) 4:30-6:30 p.m. Parents are invited to join in our fun and interactive classes. • Balancing discipline with affection • Praising your child's good behavior • Reducing a child's problem behavior • Power struggles between you and your child • Effective communication. CSP Classes run for 6 consecutive weeks. Childcare and MetroCards are NOT provided. Class size is limited! Classes are FREE. To sign up, call Lilybelle Gonzalez at 646-488-6053 or 718-636-0496 today!

The New York Public Library Baychester Branch • 2049 Asch Loop • Bronx, NY 10475 (Fully Wheelchair Accessible) HOURS: Monday & Wednesday, 10-7; Tuesday & Thursday, 10-6; Friday & Saturday, 10-5. Libros En Español (Books in Spanish). HORARIO DE LA BIBLIOTECA: Lunes 10-7, Martes 10-6, Miércoles 10-7, Jueves 10-6, Viernes 10-5, Sábado 10-5, Domingo Cerrado.

718.379.6700 FREE ADMISSION TO ALL

Sunday, February 22 - Bingo game in Room 39 at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $3.

Everyone is welcome to play the game, snacks and refreshments are served.

Wednesday, February 25 - No Bingo.

Trip to Atlantic City is Tuesday, February 24. Price is $33. Rebate is $25 slot play. Always bring your I.D. card with you. Pick-up time is 8:00 a.m. at our 3 usual bus stops: Einstein Loop, Asch Loop (back of library) and Dreiser Loop.

Trip to the Hunterdon House on Tuesday, April 14. They are having Abie’s Irish Rose, a hilarious comedy.

Price is $79. Pick-up time is 8:30 p.m. at our 3 usual bus stops. You can pay this in installments. See Ann or Mary.

Menu: Yankee pot roast, fried jumbo shrimps, stuffed breast of

chicken, lemon pepper cod baked, vegetable lasanga, roasted vegetables kabob, also their famous homemade bread, mixed garden salad and delicious coffee and tea. Don’t forget to pay your yearly dues for 2015 of $15.

With my deepest sympathy, I would like to thank all staff and member and friends for all their prayer and condolences for the passing of my sister-inlaw, Hilda Inzalaco. She will be greatly missed.

For more information, call Ann or Mary at 718-379-9613 at 135 Einstein Loop, Monday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or call Mary at 718379-4899. Leave a message and I will return your call.

Good health to all. —Mary Pilla

Tuesday, March 3rd. General membership meeting in Room 38 at 1:30 p.m. We may have a Bingo after our discussions on future fundraising trips.

Refreshments will be served.

Our next casino trip is on Thursday, March 12th to the Sands Casino. Cost per person, $33 and receive a $20 slot play and a $5 food voucher. Time of pick-up is 8:30 a.m. starting at Einstein Loop, followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop. Don’t forget your photo I.D. and casino card.

Every Thursday, the Sands Casino has extra money in your account. Take

advantage of the incentive and besides their indoor shopping mall and excellent buffet.

For the above trip, please call Loretta at 718-671-2958, Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874 or Lydia at 718-6713005.

Our condolences go out to Mary Pilla and family on the passing of her sister-in-law, Hilda Inzalaco. May they know of no more sorrows.

Good health and healings are wished to all. Stay warm in this cold weather snap.

—Lydia Ruas

Einstein Cancer Fund

REMINDER: Be careful

If you are having work done in your apartment, shareholders – especially those who are elderly and/or who live alone – are reminded that all personal items should be secured in a safe location. This is for your own peace of mind, as well as the protection of the Riverbay workers/contractors coming into your home.

Riverbay employees wear identification badges and so do the various Riverbay-approved contractors seeking access to your home. Ask to see identification before allowing anyone to enter your apartment. If you are unsure, you should contact your local CSO at (718) 320-3300 (follow the prompts), or Public Safety at (718) 671-3050.

32

Young Israel of Co-op City

Winter Schedule Young Israel of Co-op City (lower level of the Dreiser Loop Shopping Center) is a house of worship that opens its doors every morning from 6 until 7.

Anyone who wishes to start the daily routine with prayers, during which our spiritual leader, Rabbi Solomon I. Berl, offers a brief Bible teaching is welcome.

On Friday evening, Sabbath services begin at 10 minutes after the candle-lighting time. Saturday

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

morning services start at 9 a.m.

Rabbi Berl delivers his sermon at 10:30 a.m.

The Rabbi's class on the Torah reading of the week begins one hour before sunset every Saturday afternoon.

For office hours or any information you may seek, feel free to call (718) 671-2300 and leave your name, phone number and a brief message on the synagogue’s answering machine, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue is running a trip to RESORTS CASINO in Atlantic City on Sunday, March 22.

Have a day of fun on the Boardwalk, shopping and all the sight and sounds of Atlantic City.

The COST: $35 per person with a $25 slot. Player may use any machine or table.

I would like to remind you that you need a RESORTS Casino Card or government photo ID card (such as a Driver or Non-Driver License) to get your bonus slot play. Payment is due by March 15.

Please send checks and make it out to

the following: Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City, 120 Erdman Place, Building 27B, Bronx, NY 10475.

We provide a free snack going, play games, and on the return trip, we show a movie.

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL: Gary, (718) 671-8424 or Bruce, (718) 320-2234.

PLEASE NOTE PICK-UP TIMES: Einstein Loop, 8:00 a.m.; Asch Loop, 8:10 a.m., Dreiser Loop, 8:20 a.m.

Everyone is invited to all our functions. We hope you will join us.

Shalom!

—Bruce Gitelson

INCOME TAX PREPARATION MARC A. GOODMAN ENROLLED AGENT & ACCREDITED TAX PREPARER SERVING CO-OP CITY SINCE 1972 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR LOW PRICES AND USEFUL INFORMATION AT:

WWW.GOODMANTAX.COM 137 EINSTEIN LOOP * SECTION 5 LEFT OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER

PARKING VALIDATED FOR GARAGE 7

FOR INFORMATION CALL: 718-379-5217

Shalom Jewish Funeral Home, Inc. George Farr - Funeral Director

(718) 828-1700 / 914-654-1700 Keeping Tradition Under Rabbinical Supervision

1528 Castle Hill Avenue Bronx, NY 10462 www.shalomjewish.com Services from Our Chapel, Graveside or Synagogue Parking Facilities • Pre-Arrangements

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City, Young Israel of Baychester, Section 5 at 120 Erdman Place (behind the lobby 27B), welcomes you to pray with them. Tel. for the Synagogue: 1718-379-6920.

Note: Our office hours are on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Candle Lighting on Friday, February 27, is at 5:25 p.m. Shabbat ends today, Saturday, February 21 at 6:28 p.m.

Coming Events Services will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 9 a.m. Join Rabbi Daniel Kronengold in prayer.

We have scheduled Bingo for March 22 and April 12. Admission: $3. Refreshments served.

On Wednesday, March 4, we have a fast of Esther. The fast ends at 6:20 p.m. and the reading of the Megillah is at 7:15 p.m.

The following day, Thursday, March 5, we have Purim. Services begin at 11 a.m.

After services, we will be having a luncheon. Cost is $18 per person. Be sure to get your payments in to the synagogue by February 28. The menu

includes salmon croquettes, sweet noodle kugel, salad, garlic bread and the traditional hamentashen.

We hope that you will sign up to sponsor a Kiddish to take place after services on Saturdays.

Come pray with us and enjoy the Kiddish after services.

Keep in mind that Passover comes early this year, starting on the evening of April 3 and ending 8 days later on April 11.

On April 11, we have Yiskor Services at 10:30 a.m.

Dues are due for both the synagogue and Sisterhood.

Good and Welfare We wish a speedy recovery to Rabbi Solomon Berl.

Best wishes to all celebrating special occasions this month. We have tree certificates “in Honor of” or “in Memory for” a special occasion or a condolence. The cost is $15 per tree.

If you are feeling under the weather, we wish you all a speedy recovery.

Mimi Berlofsky welcomes all calls at 347-427-4526.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

—Miriam Berlofsky

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We welcome your letters to the editor, however, if you would like your letter to be considered for publication, it must be signed, and include your address and telephone number – which will be kept confidential – so the authenticity of the writer can be verified. The Co-op City Times does not print anonymous or unsigned letters.

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Evangelical Church of Co-op City – UMC Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds

33

Come & Visit Us – We welcome you to God’s House – Your House – One Family in Christ. We are a congregation with spirit-filled worship, offering a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship and service to God and our community. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and bilingual congregation and all are welcome.

Services are at the church at 2350 Palmer Avenue, across the street from Building 30. Parking is available.

Sunday Services – The first Sunday of the month is a bilingual service with communion at 10 a.m. All other Sunday services are as follows: English Service at 9 a.m. and the Spanish Service at 11:30 a.m. There are Bible studies in English

and Spanish at 10:30 a.m. We also have a children’s service at 10:30 a.m.

Prayer Night (English) & Prayer Morning (Spanish): The Lord said: “Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:20. We will be having a prayer night on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the church building. Come and bring your prayer needs so we can pray together. Also on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m., there is prayer till 11:30 a.m. in Spanish.

Crescendo Christian Music School: Learn piano, guitar, percussion, flute, voice and theory. Contact Maestro Frank Colon at (917) 753-3644. The school will be open from Monday – Friday, 2

p.m. – 8 p.m. Private and group lessons are available.

Earlier lessons can be arranged. All ages are welcome. Registration is free and rates are affordable.

Sunday School For Children: Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. – noon.

Classes are for 3 yrs. – 12 yrs. The curriculum being used will be The Super Book.

Family Night: Friday night family night is back. Come and have an enjoyable time for the whole family.

Starts at 7:30 p.m. every Friday. Bible Study will be in Spanish or English, whichever you prefer.

Trip to Florida to the Holy Land Experience: 9-day trip to the Holy

Land Experience and other features on August 8 – 16. Cost is $799 per person double occupancy. Deposit is $75/person. If you are interested in going, call Linda at (917) 684-6463. If no answer, leave a message.

Trip to Lancaster to see Joseph at Sight & Sound: Trip’s on May 22. Will include shopping at Rockville Square Mall, Theater, Dinner at Shady Maple + Transportation. Cost is $140 per person.

Deposits (deposit is $70/person) must be received no later than March 8. If you are interested, please call Barbara at (347) 603-7473. If there is no answer, leave a message. Reservations must have deposit or full payment.

—Rev. Dr. Milca C. Plaud

Pastor Anne L. Palmore and the congregation of the Church of the New Vision extend a warm and friendly invitation to everyone to worship with us every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.

We are a church where inspirational messages from the Word of God, the Bible, are delivered every Sunday morning.

The church is designed to meet the spiritual needs of our community by offering anointed singing and preaching, and a general atmosphere of Christian love and friendly hospitality.

We also invite the youth of our community to attend our Sunday Morning

services starting a 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School, designed to meet the spiritual needs of our young people.

Parents, please send your children to learn of the Lord Jesus.

Bible teaching from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Prayer Service from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening. Be with us to learn the Truth from the Word of God. List of Events Come join New Vision’s “Partners in Reading Program” every Sunday afternoon from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Students in Grades 1 through 8 can discover the joy of reading while exploring

and improving their literacy levels through small groups and reading partners. Parents, we encourage you to bring your children to benefit from this free program taught by trained professionals. Registration is ongoing. You can contact the church at the number listed below.

Sat., Feb. 28th, the Women’s Fellowship will sponsor “You Got To Have Heart” from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wear comfortable active wear for low impact activities. There will be informational sessions regarding nutrition and heart health, along with a nutritious lunch.

Come out for a wonderful time of fel-

lowship. Donation is $10. For tickets, see any Women’s Fellowship member or call Sis. Scott at 718-671-2623 or Sis. Hardwick Whyte at 347-398-8993.

The Church of the New Vision is located at 115 Einstein Loop, Bronx, NY 10475; Telephone: (718) 671·8746 or (718) 320-0409. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 753037, Bronx, NY 10475 Wishing all our neighbors and friends God’s blessing during this holiday season and throughout the coming New Year!

Please visit our website at www.churchofnewvision.com.

—Carole Haque

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us tomorrow at 8:00 or 11:00 a.m. for worship service.

Sunday School for children and adults is held at 9:15 a.m. We invite you to worship, study, and pray with us.

The Co-op City Baptist Church is located at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 50.

Our telephone number is 718-3203774. Visit us on the web at www.coop citybaptistchurch.org.

Join us for a mid-week spiritual pick-up at our mid-week worship service which is held on Wednesdays at noon Bible study is held on Wednesdays at 1:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Bible study will also be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Prayer Service is held on Fridays at noon and 7:30 p.m. Men’s prayer serv-

ice is held monthly at 7:30 p.m., we invite the men of the community to join us on Tuesday, March 10.

Tomorrow, February 22, we will have our Black History service at 11:00 a.m. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Anthony Davis, Pastor of Harvest Restoration Ministry, located here in Co-op City.

Next Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m., the Sunday School will present their Black History Program. All are invited.

The Co-op City Baptist Church exists to glorify God and to establish a living community of people who follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ through worship, prayer, Bible study and fellowship. We seek to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the church through ministry.

—Hattie L. Lucas

Church of the New Vision

Co-op City Baptist Church

Strict enforcement of angle parking regulations by NYPD begins

The NYPD has begun begin strict enforcement of parking regulations pertaining to angle parking spaces. Shareholders should be aware that vehicles in angle parking spaces on streets such as Asch Loop, Einstein Loop and Hutchinson River Parkway East, must be parked within the marked lines or they will be summonsed.

Throwing garbage/objects from apartment windows is UNLAWFUL, DANGEROUS and could cause you to receive a community complaint and fine.

34

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS 718-320-3300 x3384 • cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Notary Public

Blinds

Notary Public on Wheels. Affadavit, Signing/Docs. 7 days per week.

Contact Paulette 347-524-6801.

5/2

Get Top Cash for your Jazz, Soul, R&B and Gospel albums from 50s to 70s. Call Howard 3/14 at 212-873-4016 anytime.

FAMILY BLINDS SERVICE

•

SERVICES

NEW STYLE BLINDS

All Colors • Vertical • Minis • Woods • 2 in. Regulars • Wash, Tape, Cord Blinds

FREE VALANCE & INSTALLATION. NEW WINDOWS? Removal & Re-installation of any types of Blinds Quality work! Lowest Prices in Town!

Repair Closet Doors and much more!

Call Mike at: 718-974-1290

Appliance Repair

ACE APPLIANCE REPAIR

DR. STEVE’S APPLIANCE REPAIR

(718) 379-8782

2/21

L & L APPLIANCE REPAIR

• 1 Year Guarantee on parts • Over 25 Years Experience • Insured • Seniors Discount • 10% OFF with this Ad Call (718) 671-0700 3/28

2/28

DARREN HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE

Cleaning Service

No Job Too Big - or Too Small! Cabinetry, Painting, Tiles, Electrical, Plumbing, All General Appliance Repair, Carpentry.

My Motto - Honest, Reliable, Fair.

2/21

917-541-6528.

• Stoves • Washers • Dryers • Refrigerators • Vacuum Cleaners and more

3/7

Home Improvement

vacuums 10% DISCOUNT (except and lamps)

Fully Insured NYC License #1233497

Call 718.792.2655

1-800-479-2667

10/10

CO-OP SALES - JASON LASH

EMERGENCY SERVICE

L & L APPLIANCE REPAIR

• ALL MAKES & MODELS • Stoves • Washers • Dryers •Lamps • Dishwashers • Refrigerators • Bags • Hoses • Belts • Vacuum Cleaners

2/28

Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 NYC License #1233497 10% DISCOUNT (except vacuums)

Fully Insured

Handyman

Call Anytime • Seven Days/Week • “When You See Me, You’ll Know Me!”

Refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, washers, dryers, dishwashers. Free service call with repairs.

For prompt service call:

2/28

Serving Co-op City for over 25 years

Records Wanted

SERVICES

Floor Refinishing

Breathe Easy

• RANGE HOODS We BEAT • LIGHT FIXTURES Any • KITCHEN CABINETS • CABINET REFACING Quote!

• COUNTERTOPS • CUSTOM CLOSET MIRROR DOORS • CUSTOM WALL MIRRORS

Grout & Carpet Cleaning Co-op City Resident Specials

Elim in Bugsate

CO-OP SALES BLINDS!

718.792.2655

2951 Middletown Road, Bronx, NY 10461 (Near Pelham Bay Station)

• VERTICAL BLINDS • MINI BLINDS • SINK VANITIES • SPACE SAVERS • MATCHING HAMPERS • BATHTUB ENCLOSURES • CLIP-ON MIRROR FRAMES

Vertical, Mini, Wood, Pleats

1-800-479-2667

10/10

DON’T PAY MORE AT YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE! Locksmith

EMERGENCY SERVICE

L&L APPLIANCE REPAIR

$20 OFF

Call

FAMILY LOCKSMITH

Present This Coupon (except vacuums/lamps)

STOVES • WASHERS • REFRIGERATORS • VACUUM CLEANERS and more. LIMIT — One Coupon Per Person.

Fully Insured NYC License #1233497

718.792.2655

10/10

P&R APPLIANCE SERVICE

if you are tired of paying too much for repairs!

718-829-9090 Service Charge only $24.95 plus 10% off any repair Senior Citizen Discount

• Washers • Dryers • Stoves • Refrigerators • Dishwashers • Vacuums

Licensed and Bonded

SPOONER DOMESTIC SERVICE

HIGH SECURITY LOCKS

• Basic Cleaning — $90 4/25 • Deep Cleaning — $130 • Non-Medical Senior Care — $80 • 4 Hour Minimum + 8.78% sales tax • Bonded • 7 Days • Accept Cash, Pay-Pal

20% Off Any Lock Job!

Medeco • MultiLock • Wilson

www.spoonercleaning.com (718) 320-5112

Computer Consultant, Sales & Repair JB RYAN COMPUTER REPAIR & UPGRADE

High Quality Labor For a Low Price!

Serving Co-op City for over 25 years.

“When you see me, You’ll know me.”

2/28

Repair - Upgrade - Trouble-shooting - Data Recovery Virus Removal - Laptop Overheat - Cracked Screen Broken Power Jack. Call James 646-281-4475 • 718-324-4332

Call Anytime • Seven Days A Week

Call Mike at: 718-974-1290

2/28

Decorator

Vacuums FREE Pick-up and Delivery!

1058 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx

2/28

2/28

2/28

Now you can follow the Co-op City Times online at www.issuu.com/cctimes

Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 www.ccpd.us If you SEE something, SAY something!

35

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS

RIVERBAY

Painting

2/28

Advertise! Call 718-320-3300, x3384 for affordable rates!

Co-op City Times 20492049 BartowBARTOW Ave. • Room 21 • NY21 10475 AVE. • Bronx, ROOM

BRONX, NY 10475 • 718.320-3380 1.718.320.3300, ext. 3384

CLASSIFIED AD FORM

Rates: $6 for 20 words or less Over 20 words, $6 plus 30¢ for each additional word. $2.40 per line for bold type (3 words max.)

Display Classified: $8 first column inch, $4 ea. add’l. column inch.

Fee is payable in advance. No exceptions. No refunds. Checks or Money Orders ONLY payable to Co-op City Times must accompany ad. We no longer accept cash.

Deadline is MONDAY at 3 P.M., except when there is a holiday, in which case the deadline is moved up one day or as announced. Classifieds advertising the sale of land, homes, or apartments outside Co-op City or advertising businesses operating within homes in Co-op City cannot be accepted. No blind ads accepted. No personals.

PRINT YOUR AD HERE CLEARLY. Attach sheet if needed. Use Pen or Typewriter.

1. CATEGORY (Required): 2. AD TEXT:__________ ____________ ____________ ______________4 ____________

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NAME _________________________________________________________ PHONE ADDRESS

________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

CITY ________________________STATE________ ZIP __________________ Insert for (#) _________ times. Starting issue date: _____________.

Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 www.ccpd.us If you SEE something, SAY something!

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: February 21 Malcolm X Assassinated In New York City, Malcolm X, an African American nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated by rival Black Muslims while addressing his Organization of AfroAmerican Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights.

Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925, Malcolm was the son of James Earl Little, a Baptist preacher who advocated the black nationalist ideals of Marcus Garvey. Threats from the Ku Klux Klan forced the family to move to Lansing, Michigan, where his father continued to preach his controversial sermons despite continuing threats. In 1931, Malcolm's father was brutally murdered by the white supremacist Black Legion, and Michigan authorities refused to prosecute those responsible.

In 1937, Malcolm was taken from his family by welfare caseworkers. By the time he reached high school age, he had dropped out of school and moved to Boston, where he became increasingly involved in criminal activities.

In 1946, at the age of 21, Malcolm was sent to prison on a burglary conviction. It was there he encountered the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, whose members are popularly known as Black Muslims. The Nation of Islam advocated black nationalism and racial separatism and condemned Americans of European descent as immoral "devils." Muhammad's teachings had a strong effect on Malcolm, who entered into an intense program of self-education and took the last name "X" to symbolize his stolen African identity.

After six years, Malcolm was released from prison and became a loyal and effective minister of the Nation of Islam in Harlem, New York. In contrast with civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X advocated selfdefense and the liberation of African Americans "by any means necessary." A fiery orator, Malcolm was admired by the African American community in New York and around the country.

In the early 1960s, he began to develop a more outspoken philosophy than that of Elijah Muhammad, whom he felt did not sufficiently support the civil rights movement.

In late 1963, Malcolm's suggestion that President John F. Kennedy's assassination was a matter of the "chickens coming home to roost" provided Elijah Muhammad, who believed that Malcolm had become too powerful, with a convenient opportunity to suspend him from the Nation of Islam.

A few months later, Malcolm formally left the organization and made a Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, where he was profoundly affected by the lack of racial discord among orthodox Muslims. He returned to America as ElHajj Malik El-Shabazz and in June 1964 founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which advocated black identity and held that racism, not the white race, was the greatest foe of the African American. Malcolm's new movement steadily gained followers, and his more moderate philosophy became increasingly influential in the civil rights movement, especially among the leaders of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee.

On February 21, 1965, one week after his home was firebombed, Malcolm X was shot to death by Nation of Islam members while speaking at a rally of his organization in New York City.

Source: www.history.com

36

Co-op City Times / February 21, 2015

Co-op Sales Servicing Co-op City since 1969

• Tub Enclosures

• Range Hoods

• Wall Mirrors

• Carpet Cleaning

• Cabinet Refacing

• Vanities

Closet doors falling apart?

• Medicine Cabinets

We have the solution!

DON'T SHORTEN YOUR CLOSET DOORS, DON'T LOSE SHELF SPACE!

• Light Fixtures

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We’ll match or beat any competitor’s prices!

CALL 1-800-479-COOP

(ask for Jay) or email jasonlash@co-opsales.com

Licensed and Insured, NYC Better Business Bureau, NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs