Co-op City Times 5/1/2021

Second Candidates’ Forum tonight, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. Tune in to Riverbay Crawler, Channel 12 (MATV) and Channel 591 (Optimum); and Facebook Live, @coopcityrb

Voting period in 2021 Riverbay Board election begins Monday, May 3 Vol. 56 No. 18

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Twelve $200 Voting Incentives to be offered

BY ROZAAN BOONE

Riverbay Board of Directors 2021 election ballots, enclosed in bright orangecolored envelopes, began arriving in mailboxes of Co-op City households this week, and those who participate in the election could win one of 12 voting incentives being offered, each worth $200.

Riverbay’s independent election contractor, YesElections, formerly Election-America, confirmed that ballots were mailed on Monday, April 26. Shareholders who do not receive an election ballot by May 3 – opening of the 2021 voting period – are asked to contact YesElections by calling (866) 877-3125, or by sending an email to help+riverbay@yeselections.com.

“As chair of the 2021 Riverbay Election Committee, I am urging all shareholders to vote in the Riverbay Board of Directors election,” said Director Francine Reva Jones. “By now, you should have received your election ballot and I sincerely hope that you will exercise your right and responsibility to vote. There are twelve candidates running and you can vote for up to five of them. They are depending on you. We are not tenants in this community but shareholders with a responsibility to participate in this annual election.”

The voting period will begin no earlier than 6 a.m. this coming Monday, May 3, and end no later than 8:59 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021. During this time frame, shareholders have two options to register their votes – mail-in, or electronically using their computer, smart phone or other electronic device.

Mail-in ballots must be returned directly to YesElections in the stamped, addressed envelope included with the ballot. Mailed ballots must be postmarked no earlier than May 3 and no later than May 21 in order to be counted in this year’s election.

Election ballots should not be returned to Riverbay Corporation, or delivered (Continued on page 2)

Pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine lifted

Dreiser site resumes use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

The CDC and federal regulators announced last week that the nationwide pause on administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine had been lifted after completion of a safety review and the vaccine is once again being offered at sites nationwide, including the Coop City mass vaccine location in the Dreiser auditorium.

On Tuesday, April 13, the CDC and FDA recommended a nationwide pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because “a small number of cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot have been reported in people after receiving the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.”

Reports of the rare blood clots occurred among women ages 18 and 48, with symptoms occurring six to 13 days after vaccination. According to news reports, one of the women died.

“A review of all available data at this time shows that the J&J/Janssen COVID19 Vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks,” the CDC reported.

The website still warns that women under 50 specifically should still be aware of risks. “Women younger than 50 years old especially should be aware of the rare but increased risk of this adverse event and that there are other COVID-19 vaccine options available for which this risk has not been seen.”

BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

(Continued on page 4)

$1.25

HUD-mandated Property Needs Inspections begin May 5 Shareholder cooperation necessary

Starting this coming Wednesday, May 5, inspectors from Dominion Due Diligence Group will begin property-wide inspections in Co-op City. These inspections are a requirement of the community’s current HUD-insured mortgage with Wells Fargo.

Inspectors will require access to at least 10% of each apartment-type in Co-op City (chevron, triple-core, tower and bedroom size). Each Dominion inspector will be accompanied by a Riverbay staff member and the inspection should take approximately five minutes. The inspector will mainly examine the ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlets throughout the apartment, smoke detectors, electrical panels and the general condition of the apartment and balcony. In some cases, the inspector may need to take photos. Proper identification will be worn and all Covid-related health guidance will be adhered to, including the wearing of face masks and social distancing, for the safety of all parties.

In addition to residential units, common areas of buildings, mechanical rooms, roofs, grounds, commercial spaces and garages will also be inspected.

These Property Needs Assessments – or Capital Needs Assessments as they are also known – are mandated every 10 years for all HUD-insured loans such as Co-op City’s current mortgage with Wells Fargo. This year’s inspection is being done in year 9 as part of Wells Fargo/Riverbay’s exploration of a possible refinancing, and will allow Riverbay and its lender to assess what needs to be repaired, when the repairs are needed, and estimated cost of those repairs to ensure proper financial planning.

The cooperation of shareholders is needed to complete this mandatory inspection.

––Riverbay Management

CB #10 schedules meetings regarding 801 Co-op City Blvd.

Developer’s proposal could reduce on-street parking now used by Co-op City residents

Bronx Community Board #10 urges shareholders to attend the upcoming virtual Housing and Zoning Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m., as a reduction in public parking along Co-op City Blvd. is on the table.

During the upcoming meeting, members of CB#10, along with developers of the project, will gather to discuss the developer’s proposal regarding 801 Co-op City Blvd. where they are seeking a special permit to waive parking from the City of New York Board of Standards and Appeals. This developer previously held a meeting with CB#10 back in April 2019. However, because of the pandemic, CB #10 will now hold another committee meeting on this matter, followed by a public hearing where Co-op City neighbors will be able to weigh in on the proposal.

BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

(Continued on page 3)

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Election

or given to a Riverbay staff member.

To vote electronically, shareholders will need the PIN and CODE specific to their respective apartment which is included in their ballot letter.

Shareholders who do not have access to a computer or smart phone and would, nevertheless, like to cast their vote online, may visit the local public library or solicit the assistance of a neighbor or relative as voting kiosks will not be available in the community centers, as has been the case in the past, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related health concerns.

“The candidates have written articles and would have participated in two forums as of Saturday night, which I encourage you to watch,” said Director Jones. “Voting begins on Monday and I urge you to fill out your ballot and mail it back as soon as possible. No stamp necessary. Or, you can vote online. You have until May 21st to cast your vote. In the meantime, please watch the Candidates' Forum on Channel 12 (MATV) or Channel 591 (Cablevision) as well as Facebook Live.”

Only one ballot per residential unit is allowed in the election by a shareholder of record as of March 30, 2021.

On Wednesday, April 28, the Riverbay Board approved the 2021 Election Committee’s recommendation to offer a $200 voting incentive to 12 lucky shareholders to help improve participation in the Riverbay Board election and make this year’s quorum of 4,998 votes.

This number represents one-third of eligible Co-op City shareholders as of March 30, 2021, and is the number of votes required to validate the election, an annual process.

Two voters from each of six sections of the community will be selected in a random drawing, broken down as follows: Section 1 will be composed of Building 1-8 Section 2 – Buildings 9-14 Section 3 – Buildings 15-19, plus Adler, Asch, Broun, Cooper, Debs & DeFoe Place townhouses Section 4 – Buildings 20-25 Section 5A – Buildings 26-28, plus Earhart Lane townhouses Section 5B – Buildings 29-35 In all, $2,400 will be shared equally by the 12 winners. The random drawing will be held on Monday, May 24, and shareholders will be notified by the 2021 Election Committee the following day. Prizes will be distributed on Wednesday, June 9, when the swearing in of the elected Board members is held.

Director Michelle Marbury, co-chair of the 2021 Election Committee, said: “Want to win $200? Remember this: ‘Riverbay’ is you and me. The Riverbay Corporation is our shared business investment. The Riverbay election is our right to choose who will run our business. Each year, you get to decide who speaks for your best interest because we all 55,000 of us can’t be in the Board Room. It is your privilege to vote, to choose your Board.

Vote – send in your ballot, or vote in the comfort of your home online. Shareholders! It’s our Riverbay election time! Vote!”

A Board election was not held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and NY (Continued from page 1)

Open Letter to the Co-op City Community

Dear valued patients, friends and neighbors,

I hope this letter finds you and your families well. It’s been a long, tough year for all of us.

So many challenges, losses and changes. I personally have been unable to return to work for over a year as per my doctors’ orders.

This has been due to the pandemic. Having received my vaccinations, I am now able to return to that which I love and have been doing for over 45 years; tending to the foot care needs of you and your family.

I am looking forward to seeing you at my office at 100 De Kruif Pl. Bldg 8. Tel: 718-6717226.

Best,

Lewis Wolstein, DPM

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mandatory stay at home order which was implemented in late March until the summer when New York began to very slowly and cautiously reopen, first with essential businesses.

This year, shareholders are voting to fill five open seats as the terms of Riverbay Board President Linda Berk, and Directors Daryl Johnson, Kevin Lambright, Leslie Peterson and Leah Richardson are expiring. Ms. Berk is not seeking re-election. The other four directors are among a field of 12 that includes eight shareholders, most of whom are first time candidates in the Board election. The order in which their names will appear on the 2021 election ballot was determined by lottery at the April 9th Candidates’ Meeting: Monique Coleman, Sheila Richburg, Alixan Ducreay, Leah Richardson, Akeisha Neely, Isabel Fletcher, Regina Hamilton, Kevin Lambright, Daryl Johnson, Anika Green-Watson, Aminah Lucio and Leslie Peterson. This order will be randomly rotated on the official ballots.

The top five candidates in the election will serve 3-year terms.

Starting with the Saturday, April 10th issue of the Co-op City Times, the first of three consecutive Election Supplements were published in which the candidates introduced themselves and their platforms to shareholders. To re-visit the three Election Supplements, digital copies of the Co-op City Times can be accessed at issuu.com/cctimes. Once on the issuu.com platform, look for the Co-op City Times dated April 10, April 17 and April 24, 2021. The Election Supplements will also be available on the official Co-op City website at coopcityny.com starting next week. Go to “Resources” on the Shareholders page and scroll to 2021 Riverbay Board of Directors Election Supplements.

To further familiarize shareholders with the candidates seeking their votes, three official Candidates’ Forums were scheduled by the 2021 Election Committee; the first took place Wednesday, April 26. Tonight, Saturday, May 1, the second forum will be held virtually on Cisco Webex and broadcast on the Riverbay Crawler, channel 12 (MATV) and channel 591 (Optimum), starting at 7:30 p.m., and on Facebook Live, @coopcityrb. It will be rebroadcast in the days following on the Crawler and on the corporation’s official YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/channel/UCOUN4FCLKlBWGzjnTRFk1WQ. The rebroadcast offers shareholders who are not available to view the program live ample opportunity to see and hear from the candidates before casting their ballots. The final forum will take place on Wednesday, May 5, also at 7:30 p.m. and broadcast on the Crawler.

Shareholders can submit questions for individual candidates or all candidates by sending an email to Riverbay2021Election@riverbaycorp.com. All submissions must be received 24-48 hours prior to the scheduled forum and must include the shareholder’s name and a phone number where the shareholder can be reached.

In addition to Directors Jones and Marbury, the 2021 Riverbay Election Committee is made up of shareholders John Gale, Denise Gerrald, Sandy Krasnove, Marita Taylor and Joyce Wilson.

“The candidates and the Election Committee members have worked very hard to assure that we get at least 4,998 shareholders to vote in order to have the required quorum,” Director Jones said. “Please help us make this election a success. It is the responsibility of all of us to participate. I'm depending on you, too.”

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Walk-ins now accepted at all city or state vaccination sites Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

The effort to vaccinate all New Yorkers continues to strengthen statewide as now any individual 16 years or older can walk-in at any city-run or state-run vaccination site and receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced earlier this week that all state-run vaccination sites would now accept all walk-ins for individuals 16 years and older.

The governor’s announcement comes just a few days after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the same development for all city-run vaccination sites, which now accept all walk-ins too.

As a result, with appointments no longer required to get the vaccine, the dedicated COVID-19 hotline that was set up exclusively for Co-op City shareholders has been disbanded. Since its inception, the hotline has been instrumental in registering approximately 2,900 Co-op City residents for vaccines.

“Just show up, and roll up your sleeve, and the mass vaccination sites have the capacity to handle it. The more New Yorkers who get vaccinated, the faster we will defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild a new and better state and economy for everyone. That’s why it’s critical for us to make the vaccine as accessible as possible and provide more opportunities for New Yorkers to get vaccinated,” Governor Cuomo said at a press conference on Tuesday. “This new accommodation means any

CB #10

eligible adult will be able to walk into any mass vaccination site and walk out with a shot in arm, eliminating the need to make an appointment online or by phone. We’ll continue to work 24/7 to get the vaccine to communities across the state so everyone can benefit.”

During his announcement, the governor also encouraged other vaccine providers, such as pharmacies, to begin allowing walk-ins as well.

With the vaccine process now simplified for all adults, the governor is hoping to eliminate any apprehension around the stressful process many faced in the last few months trying to obtain a vaccination appointment.

Cuomo also acknowledged that walk-ins are more feasible because the state vaccine capacity can manage it.

In New York City, Mayor de Blasio echoed the same message citing the city’s vaccine supply as the main reason for the elimination of appointments.

Additionally, city-run vaccine sites are no longer only limited to serving individuals from that same respective neighborhood, a prior restriction that was in place to ensure residents in hardest hit neighborhoods received their vaccination shot first.

Notably, younger adults looking to be vaccinated should be aware that the new walk-in policy does not expand eligibility requirements for the vaccine. As a reminder, only those ages 16 and older can receive

3

the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while only those 18 and older can receive the Moderna vaccine.

The extremely important second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be given via appointment after an individual receives their first dose.

Vaccination sites across the city can be found online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

Individuals looking to be vaccinated may have even more incentive to do so as restrictions for international travel slowly seem to begin loosening following an announcement this week from the European Union that fully vaccinated people may be able to travel to Europe starting this summer.

“The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said last week during an interview with The New York Times.

“This will enable free movement and travel to the European Union. Because one thing is clear, all 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved

by E.M.A.,” von der Leyen added.

No specific timeline or date was provided by von der Leyen during her interview, but the European Commission’s acknowledgement of vaccine certificates indicates a potential change in the near future to the current travel bans in place.

(Continued from page 1)

Community Board 10 District Manager Matt Cruz to approximately 275 areas. meeting on Cisco Webex, use meeting link: https://nytold the Co-op City Times this week: “As part of Mr. Cruz previously told the Co-op City Times, ccb.webex.com/nyccb/j.php?MTID=m6b27452488e3 having an advisory opinion, we cannot make the best, “There is a proposed 6-story medical building by a de93c9224a15c92453ed98, and Meeting Access Key: most informed decision without listening to the shareveloper, and as of right now, in their opinion, there’s 1730637689. To dial-in to the meeting, call (646) holders. We would greatly appreciate that they join a stringent parking requirement and they are looking 992-2010, and Meeting Password: housezone2021. us for this meeting to better understand why a parking for a Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) variance The CB #10 virtual public hearing will be held on reduction is being requested on the property when to ease that requirement.”

Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. To attend, shareholders Co-op City is plagued by lack of on-street parking Along with the Housing and Zoning Committee should use meeting link: https://nyccb.webex.com/nyfor its own vehicles.” meeting, CB #10’s public hearing on the matter will ccb/j.php?MTID=m6b27452488e393c9224a15c9245 In April 2019, the Executive Board members of take place on May 20. At the public hearing, Co-op 3ed98, and Meeting Access Key: 1730637689. MeetCB#10 met to discuss plans and get feedback from City shareholders will have an opportunity to express ing Dial-In: (646) 992-2010, and Meeting Password: the community about constructing a new medical fatheir sentiments on the issue. housezone2021 cility accompanying Bay Park Nursing Home while CB #10’s Housing & Zoning Committee meeting, Shareholders who cannot attend either meeting gaining a deeper understanding of the projected parkwhich shareholders are welcomed to attend, will be can send their opinions via email to Mr. Cruz at ing layout on the shared site. held on Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. To join the bx10@cb.nyc.gov.

The site in question is on the north side of Co-op City Blvd. and will share the same property owned

by Bay Park, who will share and lease to Montefiore.

According to Todd Dale, Esq. of Rothkrug Rothkrug & Spector, LLP, the proposed development seeks to construct a new building that is going to house a new medical facility. At the time of the initial meeting, the plan was to have a six-story structure with three floors; one thru three will include accessory and valet parking, 2089 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 (Next to Sangria Café) while floors five thru six will hold the medical office space. There will be parking spaces on the ground level and within the structure itself.

Developers seek a variance to reduce the number We at ATC, while practicing strict social distancing, of parking spaces that the property is zoned for, 538, and continually disinfecting our work areas, encour-

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J&J

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021 (Continued from page 1)

Although the pause is now canceled, the CDC still recommends those who get the Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine should seek medical care “right away” if they experience symptoms that may include severe headache, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, new or easy bruising and more.

Federal regulators responded very quickly in calling for a national pause in using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as did local officials in shutting down use of the vaccine at mega-sites throughout New York City – including at Coop City’s Dreiser auditorium – that were exclusively administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

During the interruption of the J&J vaccine, the Dreiser location offered Moderna. Now, the Co-op City location will once again provide the J&J vaccine as well as universal walk-ins. Riverbay General Manager Noel Ellison told the Co-op City Times, “Those who already have appointments scheduled for their second Moderna shot will receive their second Moderna dose on the day and time they have scheduled.”

Additionally, last week, Governor Cuomo announced that walk-in vaccinations would be available at all state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites in New York “on a first come, first serve basis for all.” This change will include the Dreiser location.

“The more New Yorkers who get vaccinated, the faster we will defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild a new and better state and economy for everyone,” Gov. Cuomo said.

While the demand for appointments decreases, some smaller vaccination locations such as pharmacies and other providers may still require initial appointments. However, Gov. Cuomo is encouraging them to allow walk-in’s as well.

The governor said: “Allowing walk-ins simplifies a process that bedeviled many New Yorkers earlier in the pandemic, when obtaining a vaccine appointment often took hours of online searching and some luck as well. The new policy may also draw out people who are still hesitant to get vaccinated.”

For the locations that offer Moderna and Pfizer, second doses will still be given by appointment, scheduled after the first dose is administered; this doesn’t apply to those receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Residents 18 and older interested in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can walk-in, Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Dreiser Auditorium, 177 Dreiser Loop.

Shareholders who would like to explore other vaccination options or locations should call (877) 829-4692 or visit https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/ for more information.

New city budget details path for economic recovery

New York City’s road to economic recovery seemed directionless for a majority of the final months in 2020, and that was due in large part to the uncertainty surrounding possible federal relief funding.

City officials in charge of creating the fiscal budget for 2022 feared losing a potential $4 billion in state aid should additional federal assistance not arrive in time. More specifically, the State of New York warned of dire cuts for localities statewide while it awaited the latest COVID relief bill. Many city officials worried how a major loss in funding would lead to cutbacks on city services, city jobs and education.

Fortunately, the preliminary 2022 city budget released earlier this year had to be modified last month as President Joe Biden’s Great American Rescue Plan delivered the desperately needed aid to keep the city afloat as it navigates a wholescale economic recovery.

On Monday, April 26, Mayor de Blasio shared his optimism with reporters during the announcement of the final version of the 2022 city budget plan. The mayor emphasized that the budget will be a major investment into working families across the city because he sees working families as the driving force for the city’s path to economic recovery.

“A recovery for all of us starts by investing in working families across New York City. The pandemic hit us hard but together we will fight back and drive a recovery in every neighborhood. We are meeting the moment with direct investments in education, small businesses, open space and public health, and we are building up reserves to continue our strong fiscal foundation for the future. With the Recovery Budget, New York City will emerge from this challenge stronger, fairer, cleaner, greener and safer than ever,” Mayor de Blasio said to the media during the budget announcement.

In total, the city received $12.9 billion from the last two federal economic stimulus packages, which was broken up into $5.9 billion for direct local aid and the remaining $7 billion for education.

The new 2022 budget will allot $700 million for the continued expansion of vaccination efforts citywide. Recent city data has recorded that over 6.1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have already been administered across the 600 plus city-run sites and an additional 7400 individuals have been vaccinated via the Homebound Program.

City schools come away a winner from the latest budget plan as well. $377 million will be used to jumpstart the Universal 3-K For All initiative with the goal of having 3-K available for all New York City families by 2023. $155 million is earmarked for bolstering digital tools that will support technology literacy for all students. Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) athletics will receive $6 million in funding too with priority given to those schools with the greatest need.

Equally important, the new 2022 budget will deliver funding to support special education services. $236 million will be used to help students make up the services they have missed during the pandemic with specific focuses on physical therapy, speech therapy and counseling. Notably, an additional $22 million will be used to expand early childhood special education services.

Another aspect of the budget shows that the city is hoping to maximize the impact of their new Summer Rising program, which aims to act as an educational and social bridge of sorts for city students. To be exact, $200 million will be allocated for the Summer Rising program as it hopes to accommodate over 175,000 students this summer. An additional 5,000 CUNY Summer Youth Employment slots will be added to its program, totalling 75,000.

Some other notable highlights from the latest budget include: the creation of 10,000 additional city jobs through the new City Cleanup Corps and $100 million dedicated for small business rental assistance.

Overall, the new 2022 budget restores nearly all prior cuts and cost shifts imposed on the city back in January when the preliminary budget was released.

The budget details the road to a full economic recovery as a lengthy one but more importantly one that will require adequate investment into various aspects of the lives of working families citywide.

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Rivers Run Community Garden Earth Day Celebration

Rivers Run Community Garden, Co-op City Little League, and Riverbay Corporation celebrated Earth Day with a parade and family fun on Saturday, April 24, in Co-op City.

Photos by Toriea McCauseland, Phillip McCoy, Elena “Mamarazzi” Marrero and the Co-op City Little League

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Board of Directors’ Meeting - April 28, 2021 First Reading - Resolution #21-22

SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Lambright terest as required by NY Business Corporation Law SecSECONDED BY: Cheryl Jenkins tion 713.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING: April 28, 2021 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board approves an increase of $50,000.00 annually to the WHEREAS, On June 1, 2016 the Board of Directors, by existing Management Agent Contract with Douglas Elliman Resolution 16-29, approved a Management Agent Contract Property Management to a new annual price not to exceed with Douglas Elliman Property Management for an initial $600,000.00 annually in accordance with Board of Directors price not to exceed $550,000.00 annually; and Resolution #85-16 and as amended by Board of Directors WHEREAS, the Board now approves a $50,000.00 in- Resolutions #95-44 and #20-19; crease in the Managing Agent Contract fee for a new annual BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution price not to exceed $600,000.00 annually; and shall take effect June 1, 2021, subject to HCR approval and WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Resolution no di- that the President and Management shall take all necessary rector has disclosed to the full Board any conflict of in- steps to make this action effective.

First Reading - Resolution #21-23

SUBMITTED BY: Sonia Feliciano to Riverbay Corporation; and SECONDED BY: Kevin Lambright and WHEREAS, the Project Manager has recommended LandFrancine Reva Jones lord Guard, Inc. be awarded the contract (Recommendation BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING: April 28, 2021 attached) WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Resolution no director WHEREAS, the Procurement Department sent out seven- has disclosed to the full Board any conflict of interest as required teen (17) requests for proposals for Bid #3606, Applicant by NY Business Corporation Law Section 713.

Screening; and NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: that the WHEREAS, we received four (4) proposals which were proposed contract 3606 with Landlord Guard Inc. at no cost reviewed in detail by the Project Manager; and to Riverbay Corporation over a two (2) year period be approved WHEREAS, the Sales Department presently collects in as recommended by Management in accordance with the Board advance from each applicant a total of $278.33 ($42.41 for of Directors Resolution #85-16 and amended by Board of Dicredit check, $151.00 for criminal investigation and $84.92 rectors Resolutions #95-44 and #20-19 and the President is for home visit) which is the same amount paid to the vendor; hereby authorized to execute the contract and Management is therefore, the fees paid for the services herein result in no cost authorized to take all steps necessary to make this action effective.

First Reading - Resolution #21-24

SUBMITTED BY: Mary Pearson pable of preparing a plan to create a beautiful and sustainable SECONDED BY: Andrea Leslie; Cheryl Jenkins Section 5 Waterside Walkway for Co-op City once the brush BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING: April 28, 2021 is cleared; and WHEREAS, The Board supports Management instructing WHEREAS, The Board has approved and budgeted for the In-House staff to prepare and present to the Board such a development of a four-acre Waterfront Park along the Hutchinson plan to extend and enhance the existing layout of the Section River near the Little League fields based on designs provided 5 Waterside Walkway; and from the landscape architect firm of Imbiano-Quigley; and WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Resolution no director WHEREAS, The Board further supports the creation of has disclosed to the full Board any conflict of interest as rea Waterside Walkway in Section 5 to improve the quality of quired by NY Business Corporation Law Section 713. life for Section 5 residents; and NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE, RESOLVED: That WHEREAS, Imbiano-Quigley has retained and supplied the Board directs Management, in accordance with DHCR Riverbay with documentation of the 2019 Section 5 waterfront regulations, to prepare and present to the Board plans for the inspection, and site, including with estimated costs, to make a Section 5 WaWHEREAS, the Board agrees that once the issue of clear- terside Walkway a reality; and ing away the obtrusive brush lining the waterway is explored BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board’s Construcand accomplished, by any permitted action including the pos- tion Committee shall provide oversight and the President is sible employment of goats, and hereby authorized to take all steps necessary to make this acWHEREAS, the Board agrees In-House staff is fully ca- tion effective.

First Reading - Resolution #21-25

SUBMITTED BY: Michelle Marbury in the General Counsel contract fee for a new base contract SECONDED BY: Linda Berk and Claudia Sampson rate of $204,000 per year, plus an hourly rate not to exceed BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING: April 28, 2021 $395.00 per hour for partners and $325.00 per hour for associates to work on Special Matters at the request of the CorWHEREAS, On January 1, 2010 the Board of Directors, poration; and

by Resolution #10-03, approved a Legal Services contract WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Resolution no director with Smith Buss & Jacobs, LLP to act as General Counsel has disclosed to the full Board any conflict of interest as refor the Riverbay Corporation for a base contract of $144,000 quired by New York Business Corporation Law Section 713. per year, plus an hourly rate not to exceed $395.00 per hour NOW THEREFORE BE IT: RESOLVED, that the Board for partners and $275 for associates to work on litigation or approves an increase of $60,000 annually to the existing General other matters not covered by the Base Contract (“Special Counsel Contract with Smith Buss & Jacobs, LLP for a new Matters”) at the request of the Corporation; and annual price of $204,000, plus an hourly rate not to exceed WHEREAS, the services performed by Smith Buss & Ja- $395.00 per hour for partners and $325.00 per hour for associates cobs LLP under the fixed price Base Contract have expanded, to work on Special Matters at the request of the Corporation, without additional compensation, to include work for the in accordance with Board of Directors Resolution #85-16 as Riverbay Fund and increased training; and amended by Board of Directors Resolution #95-44; and WHEREAS, Smith Buss & Jacobs LLP has not received BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall any increase in its Base Contract or hourly rate since 2010; and take effect June 1, 2021, subject to HCR approval, and that WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to continue the serv- the President is hereby authorized to execute the contracts ices of SBJ and to include the expanded scope of work under and Management is authorized to take all steps necessary to the base contract; make this action effective.

WHEREAS, the Board now approves a $60,000 increase See page 9 for more Resolutions

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

Toriea McCauseland Junior Associate Editor

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez

Production Manager

John Crow

New Media Producer

The Co-op City Times welcomes issueoriented 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 signed 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. 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 Corp. 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.

Please Remember:

Articles for Co-op City building associations, clubs, churches and organizations are due on Mondays by 5 p.m.

Email your articles to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com.

If the Co-op City Times Was Not Delivered: Call 347-697-6381 on Saturdays only, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Public Safety Report

CCPD urges residents to update emergency information

BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

Many of Co-op City’s residents have resided in Coop City for 45 or more, and in some cases, 50 or more years. Some residents have not updated their emergency contacts since their original move-in date. It is very important that residents make sure that their emergency information is up-to-date. It is also a good idea to provide an emergency key to a trusted neighbor or friend who can respond to your apartment in an emergency and to provide the contact number for that person.

The Department of Public Safety makes every effort to locate a shareholder when we receive a call that the person may be in need of medical assistance. This includes a forced entry into the apartment as a final step. The New York City Police Department and Emergency Medical Services have similar procedures and frequently call Public Safety to assist in gaining access into an apartment. Forced entry calls have saved many lives over the years. However, in some cases, the decision to make a forced entry is in an abundance of caution and no one is in the apartment. A fire, a gas leak, a major flood or other types of emergencies can result in a forced entry. In some cases, a great deal of damage results from a forced entry, including damage to a cooperator’s top lock.

A good way to prevent unnecessary damage to your door and lock is to have emergency keys available. Riverbay Corporation maintains a bottom lock key in a locked safe. Changing the bottom lock is a violation of the Occupancy Agreement.

Riverbay Corporation maintains the bottom lock. Riverbay retains a copy of every bottom lock key. Cooperators wanting a different type of lock may add a top lock with the option of providing a copy of that key. Public Safety highly recommends providing a top lock key in the event that emergency access is required. Bring a copy of your top lock key to the Maintenance office, which is located between the two staircases on the lower level of the Dreiser mall near the supermarket. The Maintenance office is open from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. All keys are in a locked safe with access only by authorized personnel following strict guidelines.

When cooperators move into Co-op City, they are required to provide the names of all persons they wish to give access to the key to their apartment on a key card.

Like the emergency contact information, many cooperators have not updated this information since their original move-in date. Having this information updated becomes important in an emergency. Contact your CSO office, (718) 320-3300, follow the prompts for your section to find out how to change this information.

In addition to providing emergency contact information and key card information, residents may also sign up for Everbridge notifications. This is a system of automated notifications specific to each building, group of buildings or the entire complex. Cooperators may sign up for these notifications by calling the Riverbay Call Center at (718) 320-3300, select option #2, and following the prompts for their section’s Cooperator Service Office. This system notifies cooperators of emergency shutdowns of service, activities and other important information.

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety also offers a program called “ARE YOU OKAY?” (“R.U.O.K?”). This program is free of charge and is for elderly or disabled residents who live alone. This program calls registered residents using an automated message at a scheduled time. If the resident does not pick up the phone and enter a number onto the keypad of their phone, Public Safety receives an alert. At this point, if no key is available and no information on the safety of the individual, it may become necessary to enter the apartment. Without keys, it can be necessary to drill out the locks or break through the wall next to the door.

This program has been responsible for saving many lives, and providing aid to persons who have been unable to call for help on their own due to medical conditions.

Updated emergency contacts and availability of a spare key are essential to the

7

Public Safety Blotter 04/18/21 – 04/24/21

April 20, 2021 – 100 Casals Place Multiple CCPD and NYPD responded to calls for shots fired in this area.

Units responded and found evidence supporting the shots fired but found no injured persons or property damage as a result.

04/23/2021 – 120 Alcott Place A male was found in a stairway at this location having no permission or verifiable authority to be therein. The male was checked by officers and found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The male was transferred to the custody of 43rd Precinct Detectives who then followed up on the investigation of this individual.

04/24/2021 – 99 Bellamy Loop Numerous CCPD and NYPD units responded to this area regarding multiple complaints of shots fired. Units arrived on scene and checked for injuries or property damage and found none. During a check of the area, evidence was found that supported the complaint of shots being fired. The incident is still under investigation. effectiveness of this program.

As we approach warmer weather, some people may need a refresher on spring and summer rules. Using fireworks in Co-op City is dangerous and illegal. It also violates shareholder agreements with Co-op City. New York City put in effect a Zero Tolerance policy regarding the sale or use of illegal fireworks within the limits of New York City. Both the New York City Police Department as well as the Co-op City Department of Public Safety enforce the Zero Tolerance Fireworks Laws here in Co-op City. Co-op City residents receive a Community Complaint in connection with an arrest by any police agency within the geographical confines of Co-op City.

Do not barbecue on any of the public areas of Co-op City. Additionally, New York City Fire Department restricts the use of barbeque grills on residential terraces, patios, and townhouse back yards. Public Safety issues Community Complaints for these violations resulting in significant monetary penalties. Do not ride a bicycle or scooter near buildings, in shopping malls or any other pedestrian only locations.

The Public Safety Department would like to remind everyone to stay safe this summer, especially near pools, beaches and other bodies of water. Unguarded beaches and pools are a threat to children as well as adults. Beaches closed for swimming may not have lifeguards and nobody to enforce no swimming regulations.

Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 911 and the

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

(Continued on page 29)

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties.

Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for specific directions.

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES For employment opportunities, please search “Riverbay Corporation” at the following sites: www.Indeed.com www.Glassdoor.com

Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply directly at either site.

Current Riverbay employees should submit a transfer request and resumé directly to the HR department.

Thank you for your interest in working for Riverbay Corporation.

8

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Director’s Viewpoint – Rod

Since the adoption of Resolution 21-08, I have been outspoken in my belief that the 2% increase in our shareholders’ carrying charges increase, combined with increases to our garage parking, hallway & basement storage fees, were completely unnecessary, especially while there’s a possibility that a considerable segment of our community may still be negatively economically impacted by this dreadful COVID-19 Pandemic. People over property should have been an easy call.

Whether you are living on a fixed income, or a lower income, if you’re a single parent, or just trying to get back on your feet, this pandemic has uprooted many of our cooperator’s sense of financial security.

My endorsements for candidates to the Riverbay Board of Directors This year, I am endorsing five Co-op City shareholders who are committing to put our people over property, and empathy over development. I am endorsing candidates who feel that issues surrounding the way our Maintenance department has been operating, how we must immediately address the washers & dryers in the laundry room that have broken way too often for brand new machines, and have taken more of our money to dry our clothing. I am endorsing candidates who, like myself, believe that a 2% increase at this time is NOT what shareholders should be contemplating for the coming year.

After hearing from all of the shareholders who are candidates for re-election, and election, in this year’s Riverbay Board of Director’s campaign, I have decided to give my support to the five individuals who I believe will serve with all of our residents in mind.

This year, without hesitation, I am supporting and asking those of you who will cast a vote in this year’ election to: re-elect Leah Richardson, Leslie Peterson, and Daryl Johnson, and to elect Anika GreenWatson and Akeisha Neely.

I have served with each of the three directors who are seeking re-election to the Board for multiple years now, and while we may not always be on the same page, each of them is consistent in their independence in voting on key issues.

Leah Richardson was very good with the committee work assigned to her. Leah is a former chair of Community Relations, Parking and Leasing, IT (Information Technology) committees, and the 2019 Election Committee, clearly a thankless undertaking. Leah was instrumental in originating the C.L.A.A.Y. program, which gave Co-op City youngsters an opportunity to learn about civics. The program culminated with a visit to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s office. The meeting was scheduled for 30 mins., but ended up lasting some 90 mins. Leah voted NO to the increase to our carrying charges, and storage fees.

Leslie Peterson and I initially began to work on a transfer of apartments program without an increase in equity to seniors in 2016. After speaking with the appropriate members of Management, we opined that a free transfer was in both the senior shareholder’s best interest, would increase the number of available larger bedroom apartments for families looking to move into Co-op City, and very important, increase the amount of equity for the transferred 2- and 3-bedroom apartments.

At least one Board director strongly disagreed, and we were asked to halt the advocacy of the project.

Thankfully, two years later, Management suggested the plan to the Lt. Governor, and in the final analysis, what we initially advocated for, came to fruition. It also should be noted that Leslie Peterson was instrumental in working on the Ad-Hoc MTA Committee, which, due to this COVID-19 Pandemic, has curtailed the implementation of bus routes that Co-op City so richly deserves. Leslie voted NO to the increase to our carrying charges, and storage fees.

Akeisha Neely has been an activist in our community for several years. Our paths cross many times because she is a member of the Co-op City Democratic Club, her daughter participates in the same martial arts program that my granddaughter attended, and she was active with the Riverbay Fund’s C.L.A.A.Y. program.

Her daughter was a recipient of our “Best and Brightest” awards. Akeisha has been a Girl Scouts leader for several years, in addition to being second V.P. of the Co-op City Branch National Council of Negro Women.

People over property

Saunders, Second Vice President

Akeisha opposes the increase to our carrying charges, and storage fees, and therefore earns my support.

Anika Green-Watson clearly does not have the community involvement credentials of those who are campaigning with her. Don’t let that be the determining factor in supporting her candidacy. Anika is representative of the reasons we love living in this community. Anika is a wife, mother, shareholder, and member of the Co-op City Democratic Club. As an attorney who has a qualified legal mind, Anika will provide the Board with a dynamic that can only enhance the Board’s understanding of complex issues. As of this moment, the Board has no colleague who is an attorney, who can speak authoritatively to some of our complex legal issues we are constantly bombarded with. In my opinion, Anika will bring a new perspective to our understanding of deciding what’s best for the corporation, while ensuring that our shareholders’

best interests are always a priority. Anika opposes the increase to our carrying charges, and storage fees, and therefore earns my support.

Daryl Johnson is the shareholder advocate supreme.

To those of you who read his articles, or have reached out to him for assistance, you already know that. Having acknowledged that, in the Board Room, Daryl has raised issues, and made suggestions that have made significant impact in areas of importance to the corporation’s income. Daryl’s independence is key to his voting on every Resolution, and while I don’t always agree with his decisions, or point of view, I do respect the fact that he votes his conscience, and stands by what he believes. Daryl vote NO to the increase to our carrying charges, and storage fees.

Thank you for reading my viewpoint.

Please “vote” beginning May 3, 2021. I can be reached at rsaunders@riverbayboard.com.

9

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Second Reading - Resolution #21-17

SUBMITTED BY: Francine Reva Jones SECONDED BY: Bernie Cylich BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, DATED: April 28, 2021

WHEREAS, on January 17, 2018 the Board approved Contract #3199 via Resolution #17-79, for Environmental Health and Safety Consultant, to Genesis Environmental for three (3) years at a total cost of $1,800,000.00 based on unit pricing and; WHEREAS, Contract #3199 is scheduled to expire on May 15, 2021 and; WHEREAS, Management recommends Change Order #1 to extend the term of Contract #3199 for a one year term from May 15, 2021 to May 14, 2022 to permit use of the remaining funds in Contract #3199 (See attached Memo dated March 30, 2021); and WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Resolution no director has disclosed to the full Board any conflict of interest as required by NY Business Corporation Law Section 713.

NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: that the proposed Change Order #1 under Contract #3199 for the Environmental Health and Safety Consultant with Genesis Environmental extending the contract term to 1 year from May 15, 2021 to May 14, 2022 be approved as submitted by Management in accordance with Board of Directors Resolution #85-16 and amended by Board of Directors Resolutions #95-44 and #20-19 and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that President is hereby authorized to execute the contract and Management is authorized to take all steps necessary to make this action effective.

YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Pearson, Peterson, Richardson, Rosario, Sampson, Saunders ABSTAIN: Leslie PASSED

Second Reading - Resolution #21-25

SUBMITTED BY: Michelle Marbury SECONDED BY: Kevin Lambright BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, DATED: April 28, 2021

WHEREAS, the Cooling Tower Fans require urgent re-piping and rewiring for reliability of the Power Plant for the Steam Turbine Generator, Gas Turbines, Gas Compressors, Chiller and Bearings; and WHEREAS, proposals have been requested from three qualified companies, RESA Power, LLC (RESA), EJ Electric Installation and Eldor Electric, LLC; and WHEREAS, Management reviewed the proposals and recommends Eldor Electric, LLC for a total of $453,300 plus tax (see attached March 22, 2021 Project Manager Memo); and WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Resolution no director has disclosed to the full Board any conflict of interest as required by NY Business Corporation Law Section 713.

NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: that the proposed Contract #3619 with Eldor Electric, LLC for a total contract price of $453,300 plus tax and a 10% contingency ($45,330) be approved as submitted by Management in accordance with Board of Directors Resolution #85-16 and amended

by Board of Directors Resolutions #95-44 and #20-19; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the President is hereby authorized to execute the contract and Management is authorized to take all steps necessary to make this action effective.

YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Marbury, Pearson, Peterson, Richardson, Rosario, Sampson, Saunders PASSED

Emergency Resolution #21-20

SUBMITTED BY: Linda Berk SECONDED BY: Sonia Feliciano, Cheryl Jenkins, & Leah Richardson BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: April 28, 2021

WHEREAS, the Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between Riverbay Corporation and Police Benevolent Association (“PBA”) (“the Union”) for Public Safety Officers expired on March 14, 2021; and WHEREAS, the representatives of Riverbay Corporation and the representatives of the Union did undertake Collective Bargaining negotiations; and WHEREAS, as a result of these negotiations the parties have reached a new Collective Bargaining Agreement covering Public Safety Officers for a period of five (5) years up to and including March 14, 2026; and WHEREAS, Riverbay Management recommends that the Collective Bargaining Agreement be ratified by the Riverbay Board of Directors.

NOW THEREFORE BE ITRESOLVED, that the Riverbay Board of Directors ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between Riverbay and the Coop City Police Benevolent Association for Public Safety Officers for a period of five (5) years commencing on March 15, 2021 to March 14, 2026 and authorize Riverbay’s President to sign the agreements on behalf of the Corporation.

YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Marbury, Pearson, Peterson, Richardson, Rosario, Sampson, Saunders PASSED

Lease Resolution #21-18

SUBMITTED BY: Claudia Sampson SECONDED BY: Francine Reva Jones BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: April 28, 2021

WHEREAS, Dr. Karim Badawy has requested a new lease from Riverbay Corporation for the premises at 100 Casals Place, Unit A, Bronx, New York, to be used as a multi-specialty medical office; and WHEREAS, the term of the lease is 5 years with one 5-year renewal option with a 5 month rent concession and annual rental rates are within the provisions of Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the lease agreement for the

premises at 100 Casals Place, Unit A, Bronx, New York, by and between Riverbay Corporation, Owner and, Dr. Karim Badawy, Tenant, containing the terms as negotiated by Riverbay Corporation’s management is hereby approved as submitted by management in accordance with Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Corporation is authorized to sign the lease agreement and related documents on behalf of Riverbay Corporation.

YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Marbury, Pearson, Peterson, Richardson, Rosario, Sampson, Saunders PASSED

Lease Resolution #21-19

SUBMITTED BY: Michelle Marbury & Cheryl Jenkins SECONDED BY: Linda Berk & Andrea Leslie BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: April 28, 2021

WHEREAS The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox & Tilden Foundations has requested a lease from Riverbay Corporation for the premises at 2049 Asch Loop, Bronx, New York, to be used as a public library; and WHEREAS, the term of the lease and annual rental rates are within the provisions of Resolution #85-16 as amended

by Resolution #95-44; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the lease agreement for

the premises at 2049 Asch Loop, Bronx, New York, by and between Riverbay Corporation, Owner, and The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox & Tilden Foundations, Tenant, containing the terms as negotiated by Riverbay Corporation’s management is hereby approved as submitted by Management in accordance with Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Corporation is authorized to sign the lease agreement and related documents on behalf of Riverbay Corporation.

YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Marbury, Pearson, Peterson, Richardson, Rosario, Sampson, Saunders PASSED

Emergency Resolution #21-21

SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Lambright SECONDED BY: Michelle Marbury BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING: April 28th, 2021

tract #3425(B); Perennial Construction Solutions – Contract #3425(D); Rainier Restoration LLC – Contract #3425 (E); and Cutlass Industrial, Inc. – Contract# 3474, be extended for an additional two years, with WHEREAS, On August 28, 2019 the no increases in costs, and an additional Board approved Resolution #19-37 that budget of not to exceed $600,000 per conawarded apartment turnkey renovation con- tract; and tracts for a two-year term and a not to exceed WHEREAS, prior to voting on this Rescost of $400,000 per contract beginning Sept. olution no director has disclosed to the full 1, 2019 to Board any conflict of interest as required by (1). Cove Improvements, LLC – Contract NY Business Corporation Law Section 713. #3425(A) NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE(2). Durablis Solutions, Inc. – Contract SOLVED, That notwithstanding Board of #3425(B) Directors Resolution #85-16 as amended by (3). K.D. Hercules, Inc. – Contract Board of Directors Resolution #95-44 that #3425(C) the Board approves amending Resolution (4). Perennial Construction Solutions – 19-37 and Resolution 21-03 and to extend Contract #3425(D) the term by an additional two years, and to (5). Rainier Restoration LLC – Contract add an additional budget of not to exceed #3425(E); and $600,000 per contract to Cove Improvements WHEREAS, On January 27, 2021 the LLC – Contract #3425(A); Durablis SoluBoard approved Resolution 21-03 which re- tions, Inc. – Contract #3425(B); Perennial allocated unspent funds from the terminated Construction Solutions – Contract #3425(D); K.D. Hercules, Inc. – Contract #3425(C) Rainier Restoration LLC – Contract #3425 and added Cutlass Industrial Inc. – Contract (E); and Cutlass Industrial – Contract #3474, #3474, to the approved list of Contractors with Management to assign turnkey work for Turnkey renovations; and as equally as possible based on each ConWHEREAS, Management recommends tractor’s quality of work, timeliness of comutilizing the $5,700,000 approved in the pletion; and budget for 2021-22 for turnkey apartment BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that renovations to be allocated by Management, President is hereby authorized to execute as equally as possible, among approved the contracts and Management is authorized apartment turnkey renovations contractors to take all steps necessary to make this action and/or potential new turnkey contractors effective. based on each Contractor’s quality of work, YES: Berk, Feliciano, Jenkins, Lamtimeliness of completion and total costs; and bright, Marbury, Pearson, Peterson, WHEREAS, Management further rec- Richardson, Rosario, Sampson, Saunders ommends that the terms of the contracts with NO: Cylich, Johnson, Leslie Cove Improvements, LLC – Contract ABSTAIN: Jones #3425(A); Durablis Solutions, Inc. – ConPASSED

10

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Director’s Viewpoint – Mary Inspired by this year’s crop of Board candidates’ articles, I started looking through old issues of the Coop City Times to see how many times I’ve complained about same ol’ pet projects and pet peeves.

Since I first started writing viewpoints, I’ve harped about inconsiderate dog owners, the possible abuse of the comfort animal rule, the need for more “curb your dog” signs, and the removal of the mention of the word pet wherever posted (yes, it does show up a lot, especially around our kids’ play areas).

I’ve groused about the need for more and better signage, on and around our buildings, especially during the pandemic when new delivery people became addresschallenged. (I’ve twice re-delivered mis-delivered flowers. They’d gotten the right apartment number but the wrong building. One bouquet belonged in Erdman Triplecore B, not A, and the other was meant for an Erskine Chevron A resident and (sniff) not for me. Local Law 11 bridging often blocks a building’s address, so eventually I put up a you-are-here sign on my building’s entrance with: 100 here, 120 over there, and 140 way over there helpful hints and pointing arrows.

The minute Early Voting came to be, and every election since, I’ve insisted that that poll site be here on our premises instead of at the hard-to-reach Truman High site. That goes for regular Election Day sites, too.

Return our voters to our three former on-site poll sites instead of sending us high and low on Election Day, I’ve griped. The BOE pays rent, you know, let’s keep that ca-ching!

I’ve argued that a Senior Fair Fare should be honored 24/7 on Express buses. I even got every candidate for public advocate who attended a Forum I helped mount in February 2019 to agree they’d do just that if they won, including the one who won. Hey, Jumaane!

I’ve harped on placard abuse, the insultingly mismatched ugly jersey barriers at killer curve, the lack

Candidates and complaints

Pearson, Secretary

of the need for that two-word nemesis – The RAMP, the back-burnered Bingo Hall renovation, the need for more and more consistent DOT stop signs, the need for a Garage 9 in Section 5.

I actually put that last one, a Garage 9 feasibility study request, in a Resolution. The answer, not yet. Not till Metro North is breathing down our necks. But boy oh boy will we have to revisit that issue when and if!

But at the same time, stuffed into the same resolution, after repeatedly arguing and writing about the need for a Bartow Center elevator (or preferably two), it made it into The Budget! It’s scheduled for completion within the fiscal year 2022/2023. (That’s sometime between 4/1/22 and 3/31/23.) So, coming soon!

I call this a squeaky wheel miracle.

Now, I’m inspired. My number one top complained about obsession, the one I’ve been writing about, literally since day one, is, “Why can’t we enjoy our Section 5 water view?!?!”

In my first viewpoint, in the June 30, 2018 issue of the CCTimes I wrote: Section Five has gorgeous views of the water, except when the brush takes over. Why can’t the brush be cut down and benches placed along the river’s edge fences? Then on August 25, 2018, I added … giving us a lovely waterfront view of Goose Island?

And then in my chock-full-of-complaints Viewpoint for 1-19-19, among eleven other wish-list items, was: Create a waterfront walkway in Section 5. My 22nd floor view is fabulous, but what about…

Not every apartment has a water view.

So today, inspired by the coming-soon Bartow Elevator action, I popped my obsession into a resolution.

And it looks like the Section 5 Waterside Walkway (so named to differentiate it from the Waterfront Park north of Bartow) might actually become a reality, maybe, maybe, once all the Local Law 11 fencing is finally removed.

Yeah? When’s that happening?

Building 27 Association

Hello, neighbors, hope all is well. Please continue to wear your mask, sanitize, and social distance. Please follow the CDC guidelines for the sake of us all. Spring is in the air and things are getting a little brighter. Happy to see the children outside for activities at P.S. 160; they need to play and do what children do.

Co-op vaccine site – After one has taken the vaccine, we are advised to continue to maintain physical distancing, wear a face mask, and practice good hand hygiene. These precautions remain critical in stopping the spread of COVID-19 even after one has been vaccinated. Stay alert to who are next in line to take the vaccine. If one is not sure, please call 718-879-5950, or set up an appointment. One may also schedule an appointment with Montefiore vaccine hotline at 844-444-2819, Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City cleanup corps – Contact nyc.gov/careers/search. There have been drastic changes in the lives of people. We should try to help in any way we can.

Section 5 juicing – Congratulations to our new business owners of Quality of Life Juices. Grand opening is Saturday, May 8, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at 169 Einstein Loop.

Ballots – Cooperators received their orange-colored envelopes with the ballot as of April 26 and voting period will begin May 3 to May 21.

Board of Directors’ election – We hope many shareholders watched the forum on April 21; if not, it is now on Ch591 and MATV12. Tonight is the second forum at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, May 5, will be the third and last forum held at 7:30 p.m. via Cisco WebEx, and broadcast on Channel 12 MATV and Channel 591. Questions and comments to be emailed to Riverbay2021Election@riverbaycorp.com, 24 to 48 hours before the forum. The questions may be directed at a candidate of your choice or to all 12 candidates. The candidates are running to protect and keep Co-op City affordable.

Happy birthday to those celebrating this month. Condolences to our Coop City families who lost a loved one. We continue to pray for one another.

Contact Lydia Rondon at 718-583-3040 to share information of illness, someone deceased or in a nursing home. Pray for the world and the blessings over the vaccines, and for the passing of this pandemic. Be prayerful, kind, thoughtful and thankful.

“We need leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity.” –Martin Luther King ––H. Overman

Ah, now we have a chorus of complainers.

By mid-April, the chorus became a cacophony so I took a little walk over to the river to see what the fuss was all about. I was astonished to see how locked-in Section 5 had become.

Local Law 11 requires protective bridging erected at all entrances and exits. In addition to that, a minimum length of fencing must close off all surrounding areas.

The formula being, the required distance fencing must stretch out from a building, must be at least half the height, of the building. There’s an “unless.” When a building entrance faces a street, the fencing stops at the curb. A 33-story Tower’s height is 330 feet. Fencing, unless it runs into a curb, needs to reach out 165 feet from any point of the building. For a 26-story Triplecore, that’s 130 feet and for a 24-story Chevron, 120 feet.

I submitted a lengthy request to Management asking that the fenced off area by Section 5’s water’s edge be remeasured and redone. The answer: nope.

Indeed, it would take a lot of extra work, time, and money to redo the area with form-fitting, free-standing fencing and extra bridging. It also might add an extra season to a project scheduled to be finished by year’s end. Those are the cons. The pros? It could liberate much of the waterside pathway and maybe, just maybe, one or both of the tot lots. Is it worth the extra expense to the community to regain this amenity?

Would the increased access be worth the extra length of time it would take to finish the project if it’s decided to remeasure and redo the fencing and add costly bridge extensions? Let me know, Section 5! And I’ll keep complaining…or stop.

P.S. Today, my purple balloon, a new batch of maskframes, and I (along with any shareholder who wants to help pass them out) will be at Dreiser Center from about 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

You can reach me by voice or text at 718-219-2211 or by email at mpearson@riverbayboard.com.

NAACP

Mission Statement: Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

Council member Kevin C. Riley is offering Ranked Choice Voting empowerment training – Learn about RCV and how to properly cast your ballot on Monday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m. To join via Zoom, please use the registration link: tinyurl.com/rcvnyc-may3. Then, test your knowledge with a game of Jeopardy! If you have a problem registering, let us know.

Youth Committee: Zoom meeting, Saturday, May 22, at 7 p.m. Elements & Effective Practice in Mentoring and Mentoring for College & Career Readiness with Mentor NYC. Contact: amg2109@gmail.com.

Economic Development Committee – Marijuana Law & Economic Benefits, May 23 at 3 p.m. Zoom information: TBA. Health Committee – COVID & Health Related Issues: Diabetes, Heart, Stress & Fear. TBA Go to NAACP.ORG to follow-up on: Breaking news: AG Merrick has announced an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department.

COVID-19 vaccine comparisons GSA Revives Commitment to Renewable Energy, pledging 100% of Renewable Electric Resources by 2025.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick

Johnson, releases the following statement on the guilty verdict in Derick Chauvin trial.

Petition Uniformed Police Reform – An end to the horrors of police brutality and a criminal justice system that fails to properly hold law enforcement officials accountable is long overdue. Join our call to end qualified immunity and collect data on police encounters that will provide transparency and safety for our communities. To sign the petition, go to: NAACP.ORG. Twenty20 In Black – A visual time capsule of the Black experience through one of the most challenging years of our time. For additional information, go to NAACP.ORG. The Bishop William H. Graves Memorial Membership Campaign ends May 31, 2021. The unit and membership community goal are to get 100 memberships. Thank you in advance for your help. As a reminder, the 50/50 membership campaign ends September. To pay a new, renewal, upgrade or gift memberships, send your Adult, $30; or Youth, $10, check/money order payable to: NAACP Co-op City #2210 and mail to: N.A.A.C.P. Co-op City Einstein Station, P.O. Box 75-3111, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. We appreciate your continued support and if you would like to make a financial contribution in any amount, we thank you in advance for helping the NAACP advocate for a more just and equal America.

––Brenda Brown

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

African-American Association

Earth Day Celebration March – “We were there!” – How wonderful it was to be out with the people of our community, celebrating the protection of our planet.

Save the date! May 15, 1 p.m., the 8th Annual Spelling Bee – Come out and support our youth ranging from 4th - 8th grades. Top prizes are $300, $200 and $100. Bee starts at 1 p.m. on the Section 1 Greenway Stage. Register your child today by calling Ms. Jones at 718-671-5957.

New African-American owned businesses in Co-op City – New business owners, Shavon & Keith Logan with Lenny Jones, will bring fresh juicing to Section 5 at the grand opening of Quality of Life Juices on Saturday, May 8. Big thanks to Heavyweight Boxing Champion Roy Jones Jr. (pictured with Lenny Jones) for stopping by our last Zoom meeting (the 17th Annual Wholistic Health and Wellness Fair) to highlight the benefits of juicing and wish us all wellness! Bridget Bonaparte, owner of the Green Earth Apothecary, another exciting new business to Co-op City, carries holistic, organic products. Located at 153 Dreiser Loop and currently open for business with a grand opening to be announced for early May. Contact Bridget at: 646-765-2113.

Use this for your own health and wellness –At the recent Wholistic Health and Wellness Fair, we examined a whole body approach to healthcare and modalities to improve health and wellness through the body mind and soul. Bravo again to Ms. Francine Reva Jones for putting together a fantastic program. We exercised with Belly Dance Instructor Xonia Wilson. We were enlightened by Queen Afua, an initiate of the Shrine of Ptah and Chief Priestess of Purification, and Dr. James McIntosh, co-chair, CEMOTAP (Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People) and host of Mind Field at WBAI 99.5 FM Radio.

Join the AAACC today – We had a great time. Hope you will join us for our next event as a member. This is your invitation to join us. Be the vision you want your people, your children, your world to see. Membership is only $15/year for a single membership and $25/year for your household. Email aaaccpower@gmail.com or call 929430-3255. The African American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Kindly send a check or money order only.

The African-American Association sponsors the following programs: Belly Dance Classes with Xonia Wilson – Contact: Xonia, 646-301-9438.

Evening Line Dance Classes w/Cynthia Dixon – Contact Cynthia, 917-903-7073.

Salsa Class with Keith Witherspoon – Contact Keith, 917-561-6211.

Yoga & Pilates Classes w/Meena Sharpe-Hicks – Contact Meena, 917-863-1507.

Each one of us divided by all of us equals a force for good.

––Michelle Marbury

Residential Sales

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Parking & Leasing

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Francine Reva Jones, chairperson Francine Reva Jones, chairperson Kevin Lambright, co-chair Kevin Lambright, co-chair Meeting date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 6:30 p.m., Via Meeting date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Via Cisco WebEx. Cisco WebEx Facilitator: Donna LaForey, Board of Directors Liaison Facilitator: Donna LaForey, Board of Directors Liaison Attendance: Francine Jones, chairperson, and Kevin Lambright, Attendance: Francine Jones, chairperson, and Kevin Lambright, co-chair co-chair Riverbay: Sheena McNeill, director, Residential Sales Dept.; Riverbay: Danielle O’Connor, director of Parking & Leasing Edgar Perez, Restorations director; Cary Smith III, Assistant Exdept.; Cary Smith III, Assistant Executive General Manager ecutive General Manager Board Directors: Sonia Feliciano, Michelle Marbury and Board Directors: Cheryl Jenkins, Sonia Feliciano, Leslie Peterson Michelle Marbury and Leslie Peterson.

Greetings: Francine Jones greeted everyone and called the Greetings: Francine Jones greeted everyone. meeting to order.

Roll call: Sixteen people were present.

Roll call: Sixteen people were present.

Review and approve agenda: The agenda was approved.

Review and approve agenda: The agenda was approved.

Minutes: The January 19, 2021 minutes were approved.

Approve meeting minutes: The January 19, 2021 minutes were approved.

Residential Sales Update: Sheena McNeill, director, Residential Sales dept.

Parking and Leasing Update: Danielle O’Connor, Parking & Leasing director Sales Director McNeill reported the following for the month of January 2021: The Parking & Leasing dept. has been busy dealing with plowing snow. • The A. Move-Ins end of month: 31 “TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS” signs when driving in the garage, have been B. Move-Outs end of month: 31 ordered. They will be installed in the next few weeks. • Storage units are being C. Transfers end of month: 5 repaired. • The dept. is working on transitioning the responsibility of key fobs D. Applicants on waiting list end of month: 7,345 from the Cooperator Services Office (CSO) to the Parking & Leasing dept. ShareE. Applicants on Transfer waiting list: 152 holders may direct any key fob concerns to the Parking & Leasing dept.

F. Available Units end of month: 205 Director O’Connor responded to questions, as follows: G. Vacant Units end of month: 334 • There have been vehicles parking illegally at Garage 3, especially Saturday Directors McNeill, Perez and Assistant General Manager Smith responded to night into Sunday. This will be investigated. questions: • The director will investigate wires hanging out of the temporary booth in the (i) Covid-19: Riverbay sanitizes the apartments when someone dies of Covid. back of Garage 3. (ii) Cooperators who obtain an apartment via succession rights do not go through • The director will investigate the back elevator in Garage 7 because the door New Cooperator Orientation. Changes should be made to make this happen. takes a long time to close. This is a safety issue. (iii) How many people take advantage of the Downsizing Pilot Program? The • The Garage 7 attendants need customer service instructions on greeting coSales director will send the response to the chairperson. operators. The director will review and correct. (iv) It takes 10-20 days to restore an apartment unit and the time begins when • A form must be completed and submitted to obtain a key fob for a caregiver. the keys are given to the contractor. The contractor is paid the same for the 10 • Black top spaces are plowed depending on the amount of snow. If there is a and 20 days. However, there are shutdown days to have work done, i.e. delivery significant amount of snow, they will be asked to move. of material to the apt. They can be charged liquidating damages if they do not • The director will have a partial waiting list published in the Co-op City Times meet the deadline. and on the Co-op City website in a few months, when she has more staff. (v) It was stated that there should be a shorter time period between the time • Discussions were held regarding assigning some Section 5 buildings to Garage the apartment becomes vacant and when the contractor gets the keys.

8. Garage 7 has two floors of reserve parking and this change would work better. (vi) Both restored and unrestored apartments are being shown for sale and they • No fee is charged to obtain a black top sticker from one vehicle to another. are moving toward only showing restored apts. However, it is better to restore • The storage units in Building 29C are in very bad condition. The director has apartments that people show a preference for, rather than letting restored apartments five more buildings to attend to, including Building 29C. linger idle and unoccupied.

Garage #7 pothole: The pothole in Garage 7 has been reported to the Con(vii) Only the outgoing cooperator is charged for wear and tear. If a cooperator struction dept. It is too cold for repairs now, but it will be taken care of. states that they are being charged, it is investigated and their file is credited $200 Garage attendant vacancies: Interviews are currently being held for garage for painting and the new cooperator is not charged. attendants and they expect to hire soon. (viii) There was discussion about inspectors who assess the apartments and Support local businesses: A Co-op City resident just opened a business called that they will be retrained. Also, Riverbay has no certified inspectors.

Green Earth Apothecary at 153 Dreiser Loop where holistic products are sold. It (ix) They have outsourced the restoration work and one of their responsibilities was suggested to stop by and give support. is to pass quality assurance. The contractors will be judged on the new shareholders’ Announcements: A cooperator complained that an employee in the Section critiques. This will hold contractors accountable.

5 supermarket deli was not wearing a mask. Also, an employee in Dunkin Donuts (x) The 15-day complaint form is no longer used. They use a punch list instead. was wearing a mask improperly. The director will follow up.

The director will send the chair information on the number of shareholders who Next meeting: March 16, 2021, 7:30 p.m. complained about the restoration of the apartments.

Adjourn meeting: The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. (xi) Re-glazing the bathtub becomes the shareholder’s responsibility after a year.

Respectfully submitted, A pink sheet is left in the medicine cabinet identifying how to care for the tub.

––Francine Jones Presidents’ List and Plaques: The chair reported that the list is being reviewed.

Once it’s completed, a plaque will be made listing the names of all Board presidents and placed in each of the three community centers.

Status of video for the New Cooperators Orientation Meeting: Chris Swain AW FFICE OF and his production team have identified what they want to film. They are using a drone. There will be another update at the next meeting.

Follow-up discussion: What should be done about shareholders who don’t vote in the Annual Riverbay Board elections?

The chair, co-chair and Director Marbury explained the importance of voting and getting more shareholders to vote in the annual shareholders’ meeting that • Auto Accidents • Stairs & Elevator elects the Riverbay Board of Directors. Members were reminded that the First • Slip & Fall • Spinal & Brain Injuries Readings of Board Resolutions are printed in the Co-op City Times and that they • School and Playground • Construction Accidents have an opportunity to express their opinions to Board Directors, if they wish.

• Death Cases • Birth Injuries Next meeting: March 16, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

• Fire & Explosions • Medical Malpractice Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m.

• Nursing Home Injuries • Dog Bites Respectfully submitted, • Scaffold Accidents • False Arrest ––Francine Jones

Committee Reports

L

O

Christopher W. Edwards, P.C. ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

National Council of Negro Women

Membership – NCNW Co-op City Section is celebrating our first 50 years this year! Our next membership meeting will be Sunday, May 16, (meeting is on the third Sunday instead of the second Sunday in deference to Mother’s Day) 2021 at 3 p.m. Our June meeting will be the last meeting as we take a summer break and resume membership meetings in September.

Pre-Mother’s Day Fundraiser—Treat Mother, Grandmother, Auntie and yourself to a fun evening of virtual Bingo. Friday, May 7, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., we will enjoy an evening of games, prizes, and good music!

Your $10 Eventbrite payment includes one Bingo card.

Each additional card is $5.00. Register through Eventbrite at https.//www.eventbrite.com/E/150380465019. Zoom code will be provided after registration.

Bethune-Height Recognition Program – Because

Broun Place Townhouse Association

May 2021 is upon us. This means Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, as well as the Riverbay Board election are around the corner. Please continue to wear your masks. It is a different world now and new rules have been established because they work. We are in a war with this disease. We will win if we follow the rules. Stop littering, especially PPE. Dispose of masks and gloves in pedestrian garbage cans.

It is very important to get a vaccine. Read and understand what is going on with the different vaccines.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is available again with information sheets being distributed too. The Moderna and Pfizer are also available.

By the way, what happened in the Bellamy Loop basketball court Saturday, April 24? Anyone with information about it needs to speak with a Public Safety officer. We were impressed with the number of uniformed officers who arrived on the scene.

Register with the Riverbay RUOK Emergency Broun Place dumpster contact programs. The pad power-washed.

Co-op City Times has been Photo by Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar publishing registration forms. It’s very important for you to register with these programs especially if you are older, living alone, or have a chronic condition. Information is stored confidentially but available in an emergency situation.

We have commenced the current election period for 2021. Voting for the Riverbay Board of Directors is your cooperator obligation. Study the candidates.

Don’t brush the process aside. You need to vote to assure ballot requirements are met. Send questions to: Riverbay2021Election@riverbaycorp.com, 24-48 hours before each forum. Watch the forum.

For more information on vaccines, visit: nyc.gov/covidvaccine or call 3-1-1. The following is the help site for all your questions on COVID-19: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/gettested/covid-19-testing.page. Thank you to the Co-op City Times for keeping cooperators fully informed on all that is going on. Read the Co-op City Times, it contains interesting and important news of our Co-op City community. It makes for a great and diverse community newspaper.

Use the CDC recommended guideline weapons to fight COVID-19: wear a clean face mask, (over your nose), wear disposable gloves, keep at least 6 feet between you and others; finally, wash hands frequently.

Don’t take the mask off to speak. And as said earlier, dispose in garbage cans, not sidewalks or gutters.

Are you missing supermarket weekly inserts? The contractor did not have permission to distribute in Co-op City. Refer the local market manager to the Co-op City Times for advertising information.

We want to wish the family of Lillian Richardson healing prayers and support as they pool their energy to heal. Join or renew your Broun Place Association membership. Dues are just $12 annually. Keep dancing and better days are ahead! Wakanda forever!

––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the BHRP Program will be a virtual program on May 15, at noon. At our 46th annual awards program, we will be honoring La-Trina Robinson-Webster, distinguished educator of NYC school system; Nydia D. Southerland, outstanding youth leader, and Sara E. Dennis, New York State honoree and affiliate. The contribution is $100 per person.

Please send your check or money order payable to “NCNW Co-op City Section” to NCNW Co-op City Section, P.O. Box 93, Bronx, NY 10475.

National Council of Negro Women, Inc.—A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Justice in Minneapolis: O Lord, our God, our hearts bow in humble adoration before your throne of mercy and grace. It is from you, and you alone, that every good and perfect gift flows. O, how we thank you, God, for the gift of justice in Minneapolis where White, former policeofficer, Derek Chauvin, was convicted of a cruel and very public murder of a Black

man, George Floyd, the first such conviction in the state’s history. With hearts still grieving justice denied in countless police murders of unarmed Black and brown citizens, we thank you for stepping in this one moment to declare, Beloved, never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” –Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, NCNW National Chaplin.

Congratulations to Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole and the entire production of the 2021 Academy Award winning movie, ‘Soul,’ the first Pixar film to feature an African-American protagonist. The entire NCNW family expresses joy and appreciation to Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., for her role as cultural advisor to Pixar in the making of ‘Soul.’ We appreciate your leadership and your vision. You make us very proud. –Janice L. Mathis, Executive Director, NCNW, Inc. —Joyce Howard

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Co-op Insurance

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

The Wright Agency: Serving Co-op City for 40 Years!

Riverbay Requires Current Co-op Shareholders to Obtain Coverage!

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

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Cooperators United

Greetings: Per the flyer that was sent to you a few days ago, this is a reminder to participate in Ranked Choice Voting Empowerment Training, Monday, May 3, 7:00 p.m. to learn about Ranked Choice Voting and how to properly cast your ballot. Register before May 3rd by dialing the Zoom registration link: TINYURL.COM/RCVNYC-MAY 3.

Stay safe.

—Sonja Maxwell

People First Democratic Club

Get informed and get involved!! Join, People First Democratic Club!

PFDC will be very active in our community, and our pledge to you is to keep you informed about what is going on within the city, state, and the federal government. One way to stay informed is to join us; you can do so by emailing us at peope1stdc@gmail.com to request an application; the annual fees are $30 for individuals and $35 for a family. You must be registered or plan to register as a Democrat and be at least 16 years old.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” –Coretta Scott King —Al Quattlebaum

Subscribe to the official Co-op City YouTube channel! coopcitynyc!

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

American Legion

Post operations American Legion of Co-op City will continue to operate remotely if the pandemic lasts. However, throughout the pandemic, we will be supporting our members by supplying PPEs and food boxes. More so, with the closure of the building’s office space, the administrative tasks would be conducted remotely with membership dues being processed and 2021 cards sent to members. Our meetings are conducted virtually through Zoom, and we thank God for how comrades adjusted to all these changes. I am calling all comrades to attend our meetings through this medium. Our Zoom information is the same – Meeting ID: 852 9376 7539, Passcode: 549673, and if anyone wants to join the meeting on telephone, dial: 1-929436-2866. Kindly save this meeting information as we meet every third (3rd) Saturday of every month.

Food distribution The Post will continue its food giveaway program throughout the month of April. The boxes contain fresh food, vegetables, meat/chicken, and dairy products. Our main distribution centers are Dreiser Loop Center in front of the pharmacy by noon, and Section Five location in front of the community center by 1 p.m. Anyone willing to benefit from the program is advised to come with shopping carts and bags, etc., if possible.

Vaccination Majority of American Legion members completed their second dosage of the vaccine already and others are near doing the same. With this new development, we might be considering our first open forum where we can gather outside to see each other after an exceptionally long period. Keep hope alive.

What you need to know Commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day: The National Vietnam War Veterans Day was celebrated on March 29 this year. We honored all those who served, all who fell in combat, and all who have suffered from the wounds and toxic exposures from their service in Vietnam.

VA to begin pilot programs to get COVID vaccines to all vets, spouses, caregivers: All veterans, their spouses and caregivers are now eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines through the Department of Veterans Affairs under a measure signed into law by President Joe Biden last week. VA officials said after the signing that they will start running pilot programs in coming weeks at some medical centers to work through distribution of the vaccine to the wider veterans’ community in anticipation of getting millions of additional doses in coming months.

VA co-payment debts to be canceled & refunded: If any veteran received a patient statement in January 2021 that included copayments for VA healthcare services received on or after April 6, 2020, those charges will be canceled. You should not pay them.

If you already paid your copayments for services received on or after April 6, 2020, you will receive a refund.

FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance: Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families.

—Adeyemi LaCrown Oloruntoba

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Section 4 Partnership

Zoom-in tomorrow to the meeting of the Section 4 Partnership of Co-op City, Sunday, May 2, at 3 p.m. No-one will “unite” our community but “us.” Help us reap the benefits of a united community and tackle what’s important to you.

Join us… Get involved. If you live in Section 4 and you’d like to attend our virtual meeting, email or phone us (below). Let’s show up! Let’s get it done!

Please Support… Please Support… Please Support… Support the Partnership fundraiser. Pick-up a t-shirt for 10 bucks. Call us or email us to get yours!

T-shirts are $10 and all sizes are available while supplies last. Email section4partnership@gmail.com or phone 347-915-4939.

“Your” individual building associations... Each Co-op City Community Committee is chaired and co-chaired by a Riverbay Board member. Each building can and should be represented in these committees.

When you “show up” in person or by Zoom or Webex, this will give you information to take back to your respective building association. Each building association should be represented in your respective “Section’s Association.” For example, the Section 5 Association is comprised of all buildings and their associations in Section 5, and the same for the Section 2 Association and so on. You then share the information you retrieve from the committee meetings with your neighbors and fellow shareholders at your building association meeting. This is how shareholders and residents should receive information about the community, besides reading the Co-op City Times, hint-hint. At the next committee meeting, you bring your feedback and hopefully you will have answers and positive responses to your needs. But “The Building Associations” each one, in each building is where it begins. Do you see how this works? It really is up to us to make this community work. Together, is the only way.

“Every floor” of every building should have assigned Floor Captains… Thanks to the cooperators of Building 21 who have stepped up to the plate and volunteered to be Floor Captain for their floor. You know who you are, and we truly appreciate you.

All we ask of anyone kind enough to be a Floor Captain is as follows: 1. Contact numbers for your floor only – List all emergency contact numbers and distribute to each neighbor 2. Co-op City Times – Place them at each apartment door (delivered on Saturdays) 3. Elevator notices – Read them and talk to your neighbors about them 4. Promote meetings, clubs and gatherings 5. Encourage your neighbors to: Vote – Vote – Vote! In the 2021 Riverbay election Make calls to the Riverbay offices Security 718-671-3050 • CSO 718-320-3300 Each one of us divided by all of us equals a force for good.

––Michelle Marbury

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Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

R.O.D.L., as we are soon coming together to celebrate Mother’s Day for us, I’ve felt in my heart that we would take a moment to honor our mothers. Honor them for all they’ve done for us. Recently I read something that truly touched my heart and made me reflect on what my mom, myself and all mothers do and are to their children. I’d like to share it with you and I hope it will be a blessing to you. I’m still mom... when you no longer listen or care what I say. I’m your mom... when you decide I’m old fashioned and want to go your own way. I’m still mom... when you talk back, complain and argue. I’m still your mom... when you figure you know more than I do. I’m still your mom... when you are away and take a piece of my heart with you. I’m still your mom and I will love you still as much as the first day I held you in my arms. I’m still your mom... and I will pray for you and make sure your wings are strong enough to soar. I’m still your mom... I’ll want what’s best and will sacrifice my plans for yours. I’m still your mom...

I’ll always have room for you and a hug to welcome you. I’m still your mom... until my last breath. I’ll keep carrying your love with me. I thank God every day for the privilege and joy it’s been to be called – your mom. (Author unknown) “Queens,” Let’s celebrate; we are a chosen people: Mother’s Day Spectacular, May 1 (alternate date: May 8), All-White event.

Step out... You don’t want to hear about it, you want to be there.

Dues: We are forever grateful to all of you as you pour in your generosity. Thank you, Joanne Harris is the contact.

Outings: Interested? Call Dorothy Byrd.

Sympathy: We extended our condolences to Keith Scarborough, the maintenance man who so lovingly has always assisted the Retirees. His father recently passed. Brother, we offer you and your family our deepest and most sincere condolences. May our prayers ease you through this most difficult time.

Blessings to all of you, beautiful, fabulous, awesome “Women of God.” See you in the place.

––Chaplain Gladys Baez

Building 9 Association

Salutations, Building 9 family.

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Social distance. Get vaccinated.

There will be a Ranked Choice Voting workshop on May 3, at 7 p.m. To join via Zoom, please use this registration link: TINYURL.COM/RCVNYC-MAY3 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month On April 22, the Bronx D.A.’s office offered a virtual Child Abuse Prevention Workshop for parents and other childcare/service providers via Zoom. It was very well presented and received. I thank Board Director Sonia Feliciano for sharing the workshop information with the Buildings & Grounds Committee.

Also on April 22, New York State Assembly member Michael R. Benedetto held a press conference to announce the installation of several crime cameras in and around the Co-op City community. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and Senator Jamaal Bailey acknowledged and thanked former Board Director Junius Williams for his vision and persistence in bringing the concept to Assemblyman Benedetto. We thank Assemblyman Benedetto for his tenacity in acquiring the necessary funding for purchase of the cameras. The cameras will be monitored by NYPD, a much needed safety layer for the Co-op City community.

On Sat., April 24, Rivers Run Community Garden celebrated Earth Day beginning with the appearance of Mother Earth in all her spring splendor. The ensuing parade was led by the Co-op City Little League and other little ‘earth’ angels. The Rivers Run Community Garden was opened

for a free food giveaway, garden tours, garden games, music, etc. A good time was had by all.

It is Riverbay Board election season. Know the candidates. Know the issues. The first televised candidates forum was held on April 21.

Due to the quality of the sound, much of the forum material was difficult to hear. We do appreciate the willingness of all candidates to participate in the process.

Reminder: Do not overload electrical outlets. Purchase an ABC-rated fire extinguisher and remember the fire safety acronym P.A.S.S.: Pull, Aim Squeeze, Sweep (Pull the plug on the extinguisher, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, use Sweeping motions). First, call 9-1-1.

Call CCPD to report unsecured lobby doors observed after normal business hours. Unsecured lobby doors are a safety and security risk.

801 Co-op City Boulevard In discussions with Community Board 10 District Manager Matthew Cruz, we continue to advocate for site development outcomes with the least negative impact on our community (parking, traffic and safety). The owner/developer wants to reduce parking from 538 to 278 spaces.

They have agreed to a virtual presentation to CB10 Housing & Zoning Committee with Co-op City shareholders present on May 11, at 7:30 p.m. via CISCO WEBEX. Please email Matthew Cruz at Community Board 10 (Bx10@cb.nyc.gov) to register your opinion on any reduction in the original number of parking spaces to be developed at this site.

There is strength, power and success in numbers.

“Poverty is what happens when people give up caring about one another.”

Good health to you.

–Linda Collins

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Dreiser (718) 320-1345

No Activities

Arthritis Exercise class with Damion, every Tues., 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/ Meeting ID: 982 8183 3325 Passcode: 582148 Mobile: +1-929-205-6099

Fri., May 7

Thu., May 6

Wed., May 5

Mon., May 3

Einstein (718) 671-5161

Tues., May 4

Bartow (929) 399-1394

Body in Motion (exercise class) 11 a.m. -12 p.m. (via Zoom or phone) Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387

Chair Yoga w/ Charles Tyler 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99565341173 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 995 6534 1173 Passcode: 855423

Music Therapy, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Zoom call-in #: 1-646-876-9923 Arts with Laura, 10 a.m. Meeting ID: 935-5178-1563 12 p.m. via Zoom and phone Passcode: 045708

“Zumba w/Ola,” 1 - 2 p.m.

Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99231696108 Meeting ID: 992 3169 6108 Passcode: 503637 Call in number: 1-929-205-6099 “Creative Hour with Sister Weight Management Support Group w/Gigi, 2nd Wed. of Grace,” 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Health and Wellness, How to make Floral Arrange- month, 1 - 2 p.m. Call: 929299-1045, Code: 1386 10 a.m. -11 a.m., via Zoom ments. or phone Dial-in: 929-205-6099 Game Day – Every Wed., 1-2 p.m.

Meeting code: 915 3777 w/Ms. Margaret Kempe and stuZumba with Ola 954. Email Ann for Zoom dents (Pay it Forward Engineers) 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., via Zoom or link, amoncrieffe@jasa.org at Scarsdale HS. Virtual game day, phone different games each week incl.

Smartphone/Tablets Zoom Bingo. Please call 718-320-1345 Bereavement Group, 1st & Meeting w/Ralph, 1 p.m. - to register & receive Zoom info.

3rd Wednesdays of the 2 p.m. month https://zoom.us/j/2959552471 Computer learning w/Ralph, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

To register, please call the JASA Wed., 11 a.m. -12 p.m. To regisoffice w/your name, email ad- ter, call JASA w/name, email & phone. Zoom meeting: Must call or email to regis- dress & phone number. https://zoom.us/j/93681329040; ter: 929-399-1387 Meeting ID: 2959552471 Dial in: 929-205-6609; Meeting ID: Passcode: 259554 936 8132 9040; Passcode: 259554 Dial in: 1-929-205-6609 Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387

Health and Wellness 10 a.m.

- 11 a.m. (via Zoom or Phone) Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387 Arthritis Exercise Class Smartphone/Tablet Class w/Damion every Thurs., 1 w/Ralph, 1 - 2 p.m. Call Main Office, 718-320-2066, 2 p.m. Zoom Meeting ID: to register. Please give your 986 0021 6442, Passcode: telephone # & email address 573762

Arts with Laura 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (via Zoom and phone)

Stretch and Tone w/Ola, 1 2 p.m. (via Zoom or phone).

Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387 (NORC) Aerobic Classes every Fri., 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Zoom: https://zoom.us/ Meeting ID: 986 8235 8691 Passcode: 849150 Mobile: 929-205-6099

No Activities

Club reopening – Members who would like to help clean our club room may join me this Monday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 4, any time between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If the room is prepared, Wednesday, May 5, and Friday, May 7, at 1:15 p.m., we will have Bingo, and 3:30 p.m., Pokeno. Bring in your nickels.

To enter the room, you must show proof of vaccination and masks will be worn. Everyone will be responsible to keep their area clean before and after the game. Bingo admission, $5 for three cards, 12 games and jackpot. Extra cards are 25₵ each up to three cards.

Refreshments available.

Game Day – Thursday, May 6, is game day. Play Mahjong, cards, Dominoes, Uno and more from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Admission: $1. Refreshments available. All are welcome. Proof of vaccination required.

Become a member, $20 yearly.

Meditation w/Charles Tyler Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Zoom Meeting: https:// zoom.us/j/94868805136 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 948 6880 5136 Passcode: 770292

Concerts in Motion, 1:00 2:00 p.m.

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/82906881632.

Dial in by phone: 646-558-8656 Meeting ID: 829 0688 1632

Goose Island Seniors

50th Anniversary plans 2022 Monday, June 6, 2022, next year. Phase 1: Dear members and friends, we are going to a restaurant in City Island for dining and dancing. (Restaurant and price to be announced).

Trip to Villa Roma Thursday, June 9, 2022, next year. Phase 2: DooWop show, luncheon, and a day of fun, all for $92. A choice of entrées includes roast loin of pork, chicken parmigiana over linguine or Flounder Francese, all served with chef’s choice starch and vegetables. A $20 refundable deposit; your choice of entrée and bus seat selection is required when signing up for trip. Must show proof of vaccination. For reservation, call: 347847-1941. Make checks to Goose Island Seniors.

To all members: Happy birthday to our members who celebrate in the month of May: Jesse Seise, Edith

Upcoming Events

23

JASA Co-op City NORC Program invites you for the Upcoming Virtual Activities – April - June

JASA Bartow Senior Center 12-week Cooking Classes – Every Thurs. starting May 11-May 27, 45 p.m. Please note: These are not plant-based classes.

Meeting ID: 910 2152 1179, Dial-in: 646-876-9923 w/meeting ID number.

Chat/Talk group w/our Social Work student, “The Bubble of Strength w/Kyra,” – Mondays, 1-2 p.m. Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95595038251. Meeting ID: 955 9503 8251, Passcode: 762941, Dial-in: 929-205-6099.

Every Tues., Yoga Classes with Adira Polite – 9:30-10:30 a.m. https://zoom.us/ Dial-in: 929-2056099, Meeting ID: 984 0464 7097, Passcode: 952022.

Every Wed., Arthritis Exercise/Dance Class w/Damion – 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96708931492, Meeting ID: 967 0893 1492, Passcode: 491268; Dial-in: 1-929-205-6099.

Every Wed., Tai Chi classes w/Adira Polite – 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom: https://zoom.us/ Dial-in: 929205-6099, Meeting ID: 952 6744 7198, Password: 455576.

Meditation Class, GPC (Grandparents) – 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., third Thurs. of every month, https:// bit.ly/35VESDV. Dial-in: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 991 1390 5105, Passcode: 170462.

Digital Photography class w/Eddie – Thurs., 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn how to not only take pictures but how to edit, enhance and digital print them by using your handheld devices. Zoom meeting, https:// zoom.us/j/94802959309. Meeting ID: 948 0295 9309, Passcode: 337875. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099.

Fri. Aerobics class with Adira Polite – 11 a.m.12 p.m., https://zoom.us/. Dial-in: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 986 8235 8691, Passcode: 849150.

Zumba Classes on Saturdays – 1-2 p.m. Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/. Meeting ID: 929 2810 9097, Passcode: 374977, Dial-in: 929-205-6099.

Bodies in Motion w/Ola – Sun., 1-2 p.m. Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/. Dial-in: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 988 6710 0439, Passcode: 252733.

JASA activities – If interested in knowing, we will email the information to you. Call 718-320-2066 and give us your email address.

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

(Schedule subject to change without notice)

Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, the NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.

Gitelson, Dorothy Drayton, Linda Singleton, Bernice DeCarmo, Edith Senior-Williams, Mary Pilla, Gerald “Jerry-Robert” Ortiz, Karla Klaus, Josephine Betancourt, Vivian Melendez-Vazquez, Geneva Lindsey, Lonia Strong-Davenport and Clotilda Hartfield.

Sick and Shut-in Edna Trujillo had a stroke. She is going through rehab. Mary Pilla, former Goose Island president, sends her love to all. Mary is in the Paramount at Somers Nursing Center in Somers, NY. She will love to hear from you. You may call her at (718) 753-1816.

Our club is at 135 Einstein Loop, rm. 39, Bronx, NY 10475, in the Section 5 Community Center; phone number: (718) 379-9613. We will reopen some time around May 3. You may call or text Stephen’s cell at (347) 8471941. Our email address is goose.island@optonline.net.

––Stephen Roberts, Sr.

24

Building 8 Association

Membership dues: Check out the Building 8 Association bulletin board for dates of membership collection of $10.00 per household. Collection dates are Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, May 15, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tentative date is May 19, 2021.

Facebook: Building 8 Association is on Facebook!

The page name is Building 8 members. You do not have to be a member to join. Facebook enables us to share information on what’s going on in and around the building.

Thanking all cooperators in Co-op City for wearing their mask. Let us keep it up, stay safe and kind.

If you see something wrong or hear loud noises after 10 p.m., call NYPD or CCPD; you do not have to leave your name.

––Azzie Mitchell

AARP

From President Mickens Here we are, approaching the end of the first 100 days of the Biden/Harris administration and so many good things have happened already. President Biden challenged the country to get 100 million shots of the Covid-19 vaccine in his first 100 days. That went so well, he upped the challenge to 200 million shots and we have surpassed that mark also! As a united country, there seems to be no height we can’t reach as we work together. All of us as Americans can be proud and pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. That said, we have more to do.

Bringing our community, state and country back to normal or better is still a work in progress. This week, we witnessed justice for George Floyd in Minneapolis, we saw President Biden agree to send much needed assistance to Puerto Rico that had been denied by the previous administration, we saw states begin to enact police reform to make our citizens safer and we saw more senseless death of Black men in a variety of states. The good news, unemployment filing has gone down; the bad news Covid-19 is still alive and thriving, and the gun violence is out of control all around our country.

AARP Chapter #4997 wants all of our members and friends to realize how important it is to vote. The changes that I spoke of above were only possible because we voted, strongly, in November 2020. In our community, we need to do the same or more for the two upcoming elections that we are facing in our own backyard. As shareholders, it is our responsibility to have a Board of Directors that represents our needs.

We are a community of over 50,000 people and to not reach a quorum during the normal voting timeline is unthinkable. There are virtual forums, with Q and A available with registration before forums, information shared by the Co-op City Times pertaining to issues and statements from the candidates themselves as to how they would solve our problems. There is no lack of information and solutions so that we are all educated voters and responsible for doing our job of voting. Do not complain later, if you don’t vote now.

The second election is for the Mayor and other elected officials who control how NY is going to move forward. The ballots for Ranked Choice Voting have been delivered and the date to vote is June 22, 2021. Watch this paper for any forums scheduled to instruct you on how the voting should be done. Due to Covid-19, we have been advised by Riverbay Corporation that we can’t have in-place meetings at our site until September 2021.

Our Good and Welfare contact, Mrs. Frances Wilson, asks us to remember our member, Mrs. Evelyn Watson, and her familyon the passing of her nephew.

May he rest in peace. Continue to send all information to Mrs. Wilson at 718-671-5493, and always contact President Mickens, 718-379-3742, with any AARP concerns.

––Ann Purnell

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Black Forum

zEmergency Food Pantry – 920 Baychester Ave., Bldg. 1A (entrance faces the basketball court). The pantry opens Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. for grocery distribution. Guests are eligible to pick up food once a month during regular distribution hours. Please look at the last date on your pantry card. It determines when you can pick up your monthly package again. You would pick up one month or more from your last pick up. It is a 30 to 31-day rotation. We will still text if additional items become available outside of business hours. All guests must present a pantry card to receive food. Remember to bring sturdy and clean shopping bags and a shopping cart. Wearing a mask/face covering is required. Physical distancing is a must. New guests are welcome to register for pantry services through April. New registrants can receive food the same day they register.

Black Forum guests living in Section 5 should visit Co-op City United Methodist Church at 2350 Palmer Avenue to pick up groceries. They open on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. It is only a distribution point. Guests do not have to be affiliated with a church or religion to pick up food at this location. Registration is open at this location for Section 5 residents.

Recertification – Guests currently registered with the food pantry must recertify. A valid ID NYC card, a non-driver’s, or driver’s license must be shown to remain in the emergency food program. Please bring the required ID the first time you pick up food in 2021.

Members of a household listed on an application must present themselves at recertification. They must show an ID. Pantry guests visiting the church at 2350 Palmer Avenue must also recertify to continue in the program.

Defensive driving class – Defensive driving classes sponsored by Black Forum are not scheduled now. We hope to see their return sometime this year.

Those needing to take the class should consider taking an online version of the course. Visit the Empire Safety Council website at https://www.empiresafetycouncil.com/. Use the promo code ‘Wright’ to receive a discount.

Contact us – We look forward to hearing from you at coopcityblackforum@gmail.com. Please stay safe.

––D. Illis

Co-op City Democratic Club

The CCDC would like to urge all families to vote in this upcoming Riverbay Board Election. Please vote as soon as you receive your ballot in the mail. I encourage all families to evaluate what you like and what you do not like about living in Co-op City. Vote for candidates who are willing to improve your quality of life. How do you feel about the Laundry Room – how many washers are usually “out of order,” how many quarters do you really have to use to get the dryers to “dry” your clothes. Do we need adjustments, or do we need new machines? What about those who use the garage and come down the incorrect ramp to exit the garage faster especially in the mornings? Why don’t we put up some cameras and enforce a penalty?

Who you elect is your voice to Management, on improving our community or expressing what we lack. Who you elect must also read contracts, in efforts to improve our community and to save us some money.

We do not want any carrying charge increases, nor garage parking, or storage space increases. Many cooperators have suffered during this pandemic, and need help, not additional expenses.

We are living in a beautiful community and it is up to us to keep it that way.

There are four members of the Co-op City Democratic Club who are candidates for the Riverbay Board of Directors, and they are willing to do what they must to improve our community, be your voice to Management, keep you advised as a community, expand senior programs and generate additional programs for our youth. Remember, only one person per family can vote so mark your ballot wisely.

Please vote to re-elect Leah Richardson and Leslie Peterson, and vote to elect Anika Green-Watson and Akeisha Neely.

The voting period goes from May 3 to May 21, 2021.Talk about it with your neighbors, but please vote.

—Shirley Saunders

Make a plan & vote in the 2021 Board of Directors election, May 3-21, 2021.

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Rivers Run Community Garden

Thank you to all who participated in the Earth Day event held on April 24th. If you marched with us, participated in the activities, and/or thought of us, Rivers Run members and the Little League Baseball crew are overjoyed. Thank you.

Beginning May 1, 2021 Rivers Run is open: Tuesday – 4 p.m. to dusk Wednesdays & Fridays – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Please tell your friends and family about this amazing place where we not only grow fruits and vegetables, but we grow knowledge and friendships. Rivers Run Community Garden is a movement towards improved mental and physical health. We provide all types of workshops including nutrition, meditation, edible

and medicinal wilds identification, planting, building, and crafting. We are the outdoor classroom for the local schools, daycares as well as residents and neighbors.

We are a place of beauty and peace. Visit. Stay. Experience us.

Membership requirements: $20 per year fee and 20 hours of work. There is a waiting list for beds. Members who are actively fulfilling the 20 hours of volunteer work requirement are moved up on the waiting list. Volunteers are welcome. Please mail your dues to Gail Sharbaan, 100 Casals Pl #32K, Bronx, NY 10475.

If you’d like to reach out to us, please email us at Rivers_run@yahoo.com or call Denise Shelley at 917-232-2982 or me at 718-671-3801.

Please continue to stay safe.

––Gail Sharbaan

Parents, did you know that May 1 is “School Principals Day?” Throughout the school year, a principal’s role, whether they lead an elementary, middle, or high school, is to provide leadership, develop and maintain effective educational programs, they support and guide quality teachers and staff resulting in a productive learning environment for our children, they assume the commitment to lead our young people to a prosperous future. The principal is the leader of an entire community, and within a school, many students see their principals as role models. So, parents remind your child to take the time to thank their principal on “School Principals Day.” While COVID-19 outbreak-social distancing remains in effect, we are not allowed to collect names in the lobby as we did in previous years for our graduating children of Building 25, so a few months ago, we posted an article asking parents to start providing your children’s name(s) via the general email address, building25ca@gmail.com, to be entered in the Co-op City Times in honor of their graduation year 2021.

We wish all neighbors born in May a happy birthday. For those who have been under the weather, we hope you get better soon.

Latest update to resuming our building meetings due to COVID-19, Riverbay

has not given the official go ahead to resume regular building meetings, but our next conference call will be Tuesday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for the telephone number and dial-in code posted near the elevators. Remember, residents of Building 25 can always address any comments or concerns by logging onto our building email address at building25ca@gmail.com. If anyone has problems accessing the building email address, please let us know.

Closing with the following quote: “A truly great Principal is hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget.” (Etsy) —Wanda Bailey

Building 25 Association

Building 19 Association

Hello, Building 19 family. Happy first day of May. Our association will be having two upcoming meetings next week.

The association will have its next general meeting on Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m., which will also be held via Zoom. Part of our general meeting will include part two of our “New Kids on The Block” series where members will be introduced to new community leaders who represent Co-op City and members will have an opportunity to ask them questions. At our last general meeting, our association was honored to have US Representative Jamaal Bowman of the 16th Congressional District speak to us about the bills that he has sponsored and the services that his district office provide to the constituency in Co-op City.

Next Friday, our association will have Council Member Kevin C. Riley of the 12th City Council District and Al Quattlebaum, president of People First Democratic Club, as guest speakers at our general meeting. Like our last general meeting, this will be a great opportunity for our members to get to know these new community leaders. So, I highly encourage you to come to this upcoming event.

The Zoom link information for both committee and general meetings will be posted on a flier in the lobby this weekend so please be on the lookout for it.

The association has a limited supply of printed copies of the following two New York State tax forms: Resident Income Tax Return (IT-201) and Claim for New York City School Tax Credit (NYC-210). The extended deadline to file your taxes this year is May 17. If you need a copy of one of the two tax forms, please call me at 917-442-9526 to request it.

Enjoy the weekend and I look forward to seeing you at our next two meetings.

––Leon Tulton

Building 13 Association

Mother Earth blessed us with a beautiful day to celebrate Earth Day. Thank you, Gail Sharbaan, for being the best Mother Earth we know. Kudos to Monica Vazquez, president of the Co-op City Little League, for her outstanding job and collaboration.

We want to thank the Community Relations department for the food giveaway.

All in all, it was a perfect day to celebrate the Earth Day theme to “Restore our Earth.”

Register now for this awesome educational experience. June is approaching, the primary will soon be upon us. We have many decisions to make. Early voting begins June 12. Voting day is June 22. You want to make sure your vote will count especially if no one receives 51% of the vote. When you finish this training, you will know exactly how to rank your vote.

Council Member Kevin C. Riley is offering Ranked Choice Voting Empowerment Training. Join Council Member Kevin Riley, Co-op City NAACP, Spanish American Community Club of Co-op City, Rivers Run Community Garden, Building 13 Association, Inc., Section 2 of Co-op City, Cooperators United, and Ranked Choice Voting NYC to learn about RCV and how to properly cast your ballot. Monday, May 3, at 7 p.m. To participate, please type into the search area, the following registration link: TINYURL.COM/RCVNYC-MAY3. You will then be prompted to register and you will receive an email with sign-on information.

By May 3 you should have your ballot for the Riverbay Board Directors election.

You can mail your ballot or vote online. Whatever is your preference, please make sure to vote. This is your home and the Board represents you.

Reminder: Annual Affidavit – The date to submit your annual Occupant’s Affidavit of Household Income has been revised to May 31, 2021 per HCR. Your affidavit will not reflect that date, so please remember this important change. In addition, like last year, no notary is required.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” –Harriet Tubman Our website is http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at building13assoc@yahoo. com. Contact: Gail Sharbaan, treasurer, at 718-671-3801. Thank you for supporting our team.

––Wendell Mattison

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26

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Faith @ Work Christian Church

120 DeKruif Place (street level); telephone: (347) 202-7006; email: fatwcc@aol.com, www.faithatworkchurch.org.

Weekly Worship Experiences: Wed. Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday morning Worship at 9:30 a.m.

Church Motto: “We are Christ-centered, familyfocused with power and authority.”

Church Mission: To empower, educate and motivate men, women, boys, and girls to reach their full potential and live abundant lives through preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come worship with us! We honor tradition but are not bound by it!

All are welcome to join us any and every Sunday because our goal is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in love, through teaching and preaching the word of God from the Bible.

May 23 is Pentacost Sunday. Bless the most high for the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Faith Summer Camp: We will take limited registration for our summer camp which will run from July 5 through August 13. The hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our theme this summer is ‘Art-ful Soul!’ After COVID-19, we all need a little healing, and our children are no exception. We are gearing up for fun, fun, fun! Ages 6-13 welcome. We will follow all required protocols for NYS/CDC. If interested, send an email to fatwcc@aol.com.

Join us for our Annual Good Friday Worship Service on April 10 at 10 a.m.

Remember, it’s never about us but always about the goodness of the Lord.

––Pastor Deborah D. Jenkins

The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. During this dark season, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens and the Community Protestant Church family continue to lift up in prayer our community, city, state, nation and the world, especially all those affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our regular church schedule has been cancelled due to the outbreak of the virus. However, our members and friends are invited to join us via the Telephone Conference Call Line at (712) 432-3900; at the prompt, enter access code 343284, followed by the # sign.

Church Schedule Sunday School is now in session via conference call every Sunday at 9 a.m.

For Youth Sunday School, call (712) 452-3900, access code 953697, followed by the # sign.

For Adult Sunday School, call (712) 432-3900, access code 343284, followed by the # sign Sunday worship service begins at 11 a.m. via Conference Call Line above.

Noon Day Prayer at CPC… On Wednesdays at 12 p.m., you are cordially invited to call in for an hour of Power, Prayer, Praise and Testimony.

Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 2, 11:00 a.m. – Celebration of the 52nd Anniversary of Community Protestant. We will pause to thank God for 52 years of Christian service to our members and the wider community. We pray that this anniversary of our church will be a sign of continued

good work and blessed ministry. The service will be broadcast via Zoom and telephone conference call.

For his message last Sunday, Pastor Owens chose the topic, “It’s Free.” For his text, he chose 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” He stated that most people enjoy getting something free, sometimes it is worth it, sometimes not.

Salvation is a free gift from God, regardless of how dishonest, immoral or shameful one may have been.

It is yours for the asking, for seeking, for knocking; but, you must ask, you must seek and you must knock.

Since salvation is free, you don’t have to work for it, earn it or deserve it. It is according to God’s mercy that you receive it. Salvation is free because Jesus paid the price for you and me. If you accept this free gift of Salvation, it will be for eternity the best gift that you will ever receive. The free gift God has for you is real and God wants you to enjoy it. So ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Reminder: COVID-19 vaccine is now available in our community. Be safe, practice social distancing and wear your mask when you go out.

Until we meet again, Pastor Owens and our church family pray that God will be merciful unto us and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; that His way may be known upon earth, and His saving health among all nations.

––Evan G. Mitchell

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us for Worship Service tomorrow at 11 a.m., https://us04web. zoom.us/j/9623430102, or Zoom Telephone Conference Line, (646) 568-7788, Conference ID: 962 343 0102, Password: 788175#.

Wednesday Bible Study is held at 1:00 p.m. You can join us by Zoom Video, https://us04web .zoom.us/j/9623430102, or Zoom Telephone Conference Line, (646) 568-7788, Conference ID: 962 343 0102, Password: 788175#.

Thursday Prayer Warriors is held at noon. You can join using the Free Conference Call.com Line, 563-999-2090, Pin #: 660065.

Friday Noon Prayer is held at 10 a.m. Please note time change. You can join us using the Free Conference Call.com Line shown above.

Friday Evening Prayer is held at 7:30 p.m. You can join us using the Free Conference Call.com Line shown above. Please note: Friday Evening Prayer service is not held on the first Friday of the month.

Sunday School for adults is held at 9 a.m. Use Free Conference Call.com Line shown above to join in.

Sunday School for children and youth are held as follows: Primaries (6-8 years old), 2:30 p.m., FCC: (701)

802-5451, PIN/ACCESS: 2788906 Juniors (9-11years old), 3:30 p.m., Zoom: (516) 259-9274 (no access code required) Young Teens (12-17 years old), 9:30 a.m., FCC: (701) 802- 5230, PIN/ACCESS: 3559529 The COVID-19 vaccine is available for those 16 and older. If you are a Montefiore patient, you can schedule an appointment at www.montefiore.org .

Montefiore also has a COVID-19 hotline which can be reached at 844-444-2819. You can also make an appointment at Dreiser Community Center. Co-op City residents can call 718-879-5950, Monday to Friday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to schedule an appointment.

Please keep each other in your prayers and be wise in your decisions. Don’t forget to wear your masks, practice social distancing and stay safe!

God will strengthen us as we travel through this storm. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 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

Community Protestant Church

Co-op City Baptist Church

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

Open Door Ministries

“The Restraining Hand of God”

(Full sermon at opendoorministries.net)

Even when we are determined to do something sometimes God’s restraining hand will stop us and help us to reorient ourselves. God’s love is so great that He will help us to realize the error of our ways or show us a better way before we harm ourselves or others.

We need to listen and submit to His restraining hand.

If He stops us, it is for our own good, not for evil.

Adam and Eve were prevented from remaining in the Garden of Eden as a protection from living eternally in sin.

Genesis 3:22 the LORD God said, “The man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever.” 23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove him out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

The false prophet Balaam was stopped from cursing Israel. Whenever he opened his mouth to curse them blessings came out.

Numbers 23:11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!”

Paul received incredible revelations from God. To protect him from pride God allowed a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble.

2 Corinthians 6:6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

God’s restraining hand also has a hold on the trials and temptations that come our way. He provides a way for us to come out from under them. His restraining hand keeps us safe from areas that we are weak in.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation (testing/trial) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

God’s restraining hand is a blessing, a protection, and an opportunity to change our ways. When we are corrected by God we are being led in a new direction. It is up to us to submit and surrender to God’s guidance and honor him by making wise choices in service to Him. Contact Open Door Ministries by phone/text, 917334-4407.

Blessings in Christ, ––Pastor Luis Ramos

WHISTLEBLOWER ANONYMOUS HOTLINE

If you have knowledge or a concern of possible violations of law, accounting irregularities, or other suspected wrongdoing affecting Riverbay, you are encouraged to report it to law enforcement, or you may report it through an anonymous hotline by the following methods: Go to an independent website, www.lighthouse-services/riverbaycorp, to complete an online disclosure form; Call the following independent third party whistleblower hotline at 1-833-290-0009 (English); or 1-800-216-1288 (Spanish); Send an e-mail to: reports@lighthouse-services.com (the email must include “Riverbay” in the subject); or Send a fax to (215) 689-3885 (the fax must include “Riverbay” in the subject of the report).

27

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Celebrate Eid at Home to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 • Keep your gathering small and celebrate Eid al-Fitr with household members only.

• If gathering in a group, wear a snug fitting face covering to protect the elderly and vulnerable.

• Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, including which groups are currently eligible to receive one.

Eid Mubarak!

For more information, visit nyc.gov/health/coronavirus.

If you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, book your appointment by calling 877-829-4692 (877-VAX-4NYC) or visiting nyc.gov/vaccinefinder.

Bill de Blasio Mayor Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc Commissioner

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Public Safety

Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050. 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. By working in partnership with the community, the Co-op City Department of Public Safety is able to provide shareholders a safe and secure community.

Co-op City is a diverse community with people of all ages, abilities and characteristics. All persons should remember to respect each other and embrace their differences. Do not forget to say hello to your neighbors when you pass each other while observing social distancing in the hallway or in the street. Co-op City strives to accommodate all persons. It is also important to remember that not all disabilities are visible. Someone who appears to be healthy may have a physical or developmental disability.

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety is asking cooperators to social distance and wear masks or face coverings whenever they leave their apartment. Since Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Riverbay Corporation put in effect a new policy regarding the wearing of masks. Non-compliant shareholders who fail or refuse to properly wear masks or face coverings are subject to a $50.00 Community Complaint violation. These fines double for repeat violations.

This new Community Complaint received approval from the New York State DHCR (Division of Homes and Community Renewal) due to mandates in effect within New York State.

Cooperators should never confront other cooperators who are not wearing a mask. Mask wearing is a very sensitive issue to many residents. All age groups have a valid concern over their neighbors taking every possible precaution to reduce transmission of COVID 19. We must all be especially mindful that Co-op City has a substantial senior community that is particularly susceptible to the COVID virus. Even those who may not be required to wear a mask must remain sensitive to the perception and level of concern this presents to other cooperators. Public Safety frequently responds to complaints and concerns from cooperators on both sides of the mask-wearing conundrum. Please wear a mask when entering or remaining in any public space. Guests, workers and delivery personnel are also required to wear masks inside of the Co-op City buildings. It is still a mandatory requirement to wear a mask while in the buildings, hallways and elevators of Co-op City. Be Co-op City Strong and wear your mask.

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30

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

Saturday morning services will start at 10 a.m. This change was made at the request of some of our members.

The requirement for wearing a mask and social distancing will be strictly enforced during all synagogue services.

General Information – The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear lobby of 27B. It is on the ground floor of Building 27B, and is handicap accessible, no steps. Phone #: 718-379-6920. Office hours are Thursday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Please call the office before you attempt to come over. If no one is in the office, please leave a message.

The synagogue has Services on Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. After Services, we always have a kiddush.

The synagogue has a Facebook page, Traditional Synagogue.

The synagogue needs donations. Whatever amount you can donate, big or small, would help. The synagogue needs men to help make a minyan. There are a lot of Jewish men who live in Co-op City who do not come to services. Please come by 10 a.m. so we can take out the Torah.

The Traditional Synagogue is the only synagogue in Co-op City.

Sabbath ends on Saturday, May 1, at 8:44 p.m.

Candle lighting for Friday, May 7, at 7:39 p.m.

Good and Welfare – We sell tree certificates in Honor or Memory of a loved one. The cost is only $15.00 per tree (if you want to buy a tree, call (347) 4495005). Mazel Tov to all having simchas. If you’re ill, wishing you good health.

If you asked the Rabbi to say prayers for a sick person, you should make your donation to the synagogue.

To all members – Happy Birthday to Scott Katz, Edith Gitelson and Karla Klaus, and all other members who will celebrate their birthday in May. For all those members celebrating their birthday/anniversary in May, please send me your names and I will add them to the list.

Fun and Games – After services and kiddush, members play games. Your support for the Traditional Synagogue is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends peace and good health.

––Bruce Gitelson

The Church of the New Vision and its Pastors Kenneth and Deborah Hodge welcome you to worship with us on Sunday mornings as we share the Gospels’ message of the love of God on YouTube. Just type in Kenneth Hodge.

Our Wednesday Night Prayer Service and Bible Study starts at 7:00 p.m. on our conference line number: (646) 769-9909, Access Code: 3099388. Once prayer has begun, please mute your phone so all can hear with clarity.

As we celebrate Jesus Christ, the very demonstration of God’s Love towards humanity (John 3:16), let’s continue to be thankful and grateful. Let us remain as the body of Christ remains steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain.

Our verse of focus this year is: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, be with you all.

Amen. –Pastors Kenneth & Deborah Hodge Sunday, April 18, Worship Service theme: “We Must Contend for The Faith.”

Scripture: Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write until you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write until you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered until the saints. (Jude 3:20-21; 24-25) Amen.

Sunday, April 25, Worship Service theme: “Our Commission”

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spanker unto them saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen.

A Letter to My Mother – All are invited to celebrate Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 8, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Mothers are the precious jewels who give life to and impact the lives of countless children and adults every day.

If you wish to express your love or appreciation on this day, please contact: Sis. Elzana Bartell at 718.801.7004 or Sis. L. Scott at 718.671.2623. To register for this free virtual event, RSVP no later than Wednesday, May 5, at https://www.churchnewvisionbx.org (scroll to upcoming events). In receipt of your registration, you will be sent a link via email and/or telephone number to join the event.

Continue to practice social distancing, wash hands, wear a mask and stay safe! Thanks for your contributions, Malachi 3:10. Mailing address: Church of New Vision, P.O. Box 75-3037, Einstein Station, Bronx, NY 10475.

––Brenda Brown

100 Co-op City Blvd., Bldg. 22A, Bronx, N.Y. 10475; 718-324-0334.

Worship service online on Sunday at 11 a.m. Call in #: 720-740-9746, Access code: 8876631.

Prayer and fasting service will be held every Wednesday morning at 11 a.m.

– 1 p.m.

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

Worship service will be held every Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Focus: The End Time, we are moving toward a grand finale. Therefore, be ye also ready: for in an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh. (Matthew 24: 44) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you, but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us but he answered and said, verily I say unto you I know you not Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13) The son of man will soon return in an hour that we think not. We must give ourselves to prayer and patiently studying the word of God and be prepared for His return.

This parable is telling us how important it is for us to live a clean life every day by praying and keeping our heart in tuned with God. We must maintain a good relationship with Him daily.

Psalm 16:11 says: In his presence there is fullness of joy, and at his right hand there is pleasure for evermore. Noah had spent many years building the ark, and he knew that the season for divine judgment was near, but he did not know the exact day. The same apply to us in this time, we have seen signs and wonders, strange things are happening all around us, but we do not know the day and time of Christ return. Therefore, let us maintain a sweet fellowship with God and prepared for the coming of our Lord and savior. Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

—Rev. R. Sibblies

Supplemental Needs Pooled Trust Let’s continue our conversation from last week about Medicaid and the Pool Trust. The Pool Trust provides individuals with disabilities an alternative to the Medicaid “surplus” of sending in their excess income to Medicaid or the Managed LongTerm Care (MLTC) that is providing them services. Through this program, Trust members would send their “surplus” to the Trust and the Trust will pay for bills that are for the benefit of the Trust consumer.

Individuals who have too much monthly income or resources to qualify for Medicaid can put the extra money into a special bank account called a Supplemental Needs “Pooled” Trust. The money put into the Trust account is not counted against the person when applying for Medicaid and can be used for other supplemental needs beyond what is covered by Medicaid. For example, an individual with a monthly income of $4000.00 can enroll into a Pool Trust and receive Medicaid. The Medicaid income guideline is $958. The surplus is $3,042 (excess amount). The $3,042 would be given to Medicaid or the MLTC that is providing services. However, enrollment into a Supplemental Needs Pool Trust would allow them to place $3,042 monthly into the Trust and use that money for rent, mortgage, cable, telephone, electric bill, taxes, purchase of food, clothes, furnishings and other essentials. The funds cannot be used for gifting and charitable donations. All deposits should be used each month unless planning for upcoming special occasion or project, for example, a vacation or upgrading the home.

The Community Supplemental Pooled Trust is available to all residents of New York State who have been determined disabled and wish to be enrolled in Medicaid but have a monthly income or excessive resources that prohibits them from being eligible for the program. There is a one -time administration fee and a monthly fee to keep the account active. Supplemental Needs Pooled Trust administration and maintenance fees can vary. Some monthly fees may be a percentage of the monthly amount deposited and others a standard monthly fee.

You should also seek the advice of an Elder Law Attorney for legal guidance to safeguard your loved one’s assets.

At this present time, Community Medicaid is requiring the most recent bank statement. However, the Medicaid guidelines continues to change. As of August 2021 the lookback will be 7 months and increases monthly with a goal of 2½ years by 2023. COME is here for you. Contact us with any questions or concerns, 718-379-3159, info@comeoutreach.org.

Please join us for our upcoming 45 mins. informational session on Tuesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. Presentation about Hospice by VNSNY. Did you know that individuals with a chronic disease may be eligible for hospice?

––Diane Cooper

Church of the New Vision

Pentecostal Tabernacle

Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment

Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

31

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Co-op City Times / May 1, 2021

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