Co-op City Times 05/16/15

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

Candidates’ forums raise numerous community issues in a respectful, intelligent dialogue

© Copyright 2015 Co-op City Times

Vol. 50 No. 19

The following report highlights some of the key questions and responses from each of the three candidate forums held on April 27th, May 6th and May 11th. ************************** At the first candidate’s forum held in the Bartow Community Center on Monday, April 27 and moderated by Election Committee Chairperson Andrea Leslie, all nine candidates participated

BY BILL STUTTIG

Saturday, May 16, 2015

and introduced themselves to the community during their two minute opening statement.

Each of the candidates used much of their opening statement outlining the history of their service to the community, their professional accomplishments and brief synopsis of their vision for the future of Co-op City.

(Continued on page 3)

Riverbay Board candidates faced questions from dozens of shareholders during three candidate forums held in each of the community centers over the past three weeks. The forums were overseen and moderated by Election Committee Chair Andrea Leslie and the rest of the Riverbay Election Committee.

Photo by Bill Stuttig

Notice to Increase Parking Charges

This is to notify all shareholders that the parking charges are scheduled to increase by 10% (ten percent) effective June 1, 2015. Reserved parking spaces will increase by $8.80 per month, from $88.04 to $96.84 per month. Regular parking spaces will increase by $6.62 per month, from $66.24 to $72.86 per month.

In accordance with HCR regulations, shareholders have a right to submit comments and protests to HCR or Riverbay Corporation until May 19, 2015. Comments addressed

to HCR should be sent to NYS HCR, Attention: George Chan, 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004.

Riverbay’s should be sent to Riverbay Corporation, Attention: Parking Charge Comments, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475.

The reason for the increase is for Riverbay Corporation to meet its financial obligations and operating expenses based of the adopted F15/16 and F16/17 Budgets.

(See page 2 for a complete listing of parking charges.)

25¢

Riverbay Board election to be held Wednesday 25 shareholders will win $100 each for voting

BY ROZAAN BOONE

Shareholders of the Riverbay Corporation will head to the polls this Wednesday, May 20, to choose 5 of the 9 candidates running in this year’s Board election to represent them on the Riverbay Board of Directors.

Of those voting, 25 names will be pulled in a random computerized drawing in the days following the election for the chance to win $100 each.

“This year, we decided to offer 25 shareholders, instead of only 5, the chance to win $100 each for participating in the Board election,” said Director Andrea Leslie, Chair of the 2015 Election Committee. “We hope that cooperators take advantage of the voting incentive, come down to your lobby on Wednesday to vote, and we are able to make the quo-

rum to validate the election.”

This year, 5,059 votes are needed for a quorum.

At the final Candidates’ Forum, which was held on Monday, May 11 in the Einstein Center, Director Leslie stressed to the attending shareholders the importance of making the quorum on election day, pointing out that the annual Board election is an expensive venture for the Riverbay Corporation and therefore, the cooperators.

“We have placed a lot of emphasis on budget cuts and so we’d like to not have to prolong the election past Wednesday and to spend the money that we have allocated for this year’s election efficiently,” said Director Leslie. “That means that we all have to

Neighboring communities lobby NYS DOT about fixing Bay Plaza traffic mess

BY BILL STUTTIG

It appears that Co-op City has neighboring community organizations as allies in its fight to resolve the traffic nightmare caused by the expansion of Bay Plaza.

A coalition of organizations representing seven communities of the East Bronx near Co-op City have recently started a campaign to lobby leading New York State transportation officials to immediately address the issue of poor highway access from the massive Bay Plaza shopping complex to its adjacent highways.

The first salvo in the fight was fired

(Continued on page 8)

this week as the group, calling itself the East Bronx Traffic Coalition, sent a letter to Commissioner Polly Trottenberg of the New York City Department of Transportation, Executive Director Bob Megna of the New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors, and Sonia Pichardo, Regional Director of the New York State Thruway Authority, specifically requesting that the three leading transportation agencies under their charge address the lack of highway access from the massive shopping complex, which, according to the coalition, (Continued on page 21)

HPD workshops will provide assistance filling out SCRIE applications

BY ROZAAN BOONE

New York City Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has scheduled 3 Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) workshops to assist Co-op City shareholders to complete their SCRIE applications in order to receive help paying for the 4.5% increase in carrying charges which will be implemented on Monday, June 1, 2015.

It should be noted that if you have already been approved for SCRIE, you do not need to reapply. Riverbay has submitted all required documents regarding the upcoming carrying charge increase to HPD and your increase exemption will be processed automatically.

(Continued on page 21)

A coalition of east Bronx community groups this week requested New York State transportation agencies, specifically NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority, provide direct access from the massive Bay Plaza to the two major adjacent highways. The only improvement made before the opening of the new Mall at Bay Plaza, which doubled the commercial space in the shopping center, was an expansion of the entrance into Bay Plaza from I-95 north. Nothing major was constructed to improve access to the highways.

Photo by Bill Stuttig

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Election Endorsement for the Riverbay Corporation Board of Directors Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

significantly affects the My Fellow Shareholders: In my opinion, Co-op City has President’s Message residents of Co-op City turned the corner and is now heading 1st Co-op City Resident in the right direction. We have collecSurvey – In January, 2016 tively raised the consciousness and a survey will be sent to President morale of the resident shareholders the shareholders to plan our and our 1,065 employees. The termifuture nation of our Managing Agent ends a No Unqualified Managing Agent to further 15 year bad experience that included ruin Co-op City payments to Board Directors for elecTake back our Laundry Rooms – build tions. them properly with stainless steel machines and Our company can now look foradd water option ward to maximizing our revenue base No Long Term Contracts for Coinmach, for our own living benefits. This will Cablevision or any other contractor take a few years as economies to our $2 million Rebate – to Shareholders and the Cooperative through the NYC DEP – scale and synergies are explored and Multifamily Conservation Program exploited. True cooperative living has its benefits.

I have reviewed the candidates’ professional backBalance Budget – maintain a balanced budget for the next 2 years ground, experience and actual years of volunteer work in Co-op City and I give my full endorsement to these WORKING WITH OTHERS Contrary to what many may think, this Board of candidates and ask that you VOTE FOR: SONIA Directors is starting to come together.

FELICIANO, ROD SAUNDERS, DEBORAH The budget issue created by our former approved JENKINS, FRANCINE REVA JONES AND Managing Agent caused a lot of divisiveness and EVELYN TURNER. dissent among a few Board members as we all DELIVERY struggled to resolve the issue in a plausible manner I believe Feliciano, Saunders, Jenkins, Jones and supported by empirical logic.

Turner will show up to work and keep up the I believe that the Team FELICIANO, SAUNmomentum that we got started in 2014-2015!

DERS, JENKINS, and the returning JONES and Televised Broadcast – transparency of our Co-op TURNER will add to a smooth and forward thinkCity Board Business Meetings ing team! They will be able to deliberate reasonably Residential Apartment Manager Certification and intellectually to get you the continued positive – RAM training for all Board Officers and Directors results for 2015-2016.

Resident voting by mail on any major issue that

Cleve Taylor

New Parking Garages rates

HELP NEEDED Many of you have asked me, “How can I help you?”

Simply put, remember these important names: JONES, TURNER, FELICIANO, SAUNDERS and JENKINS. Share them with your friends and neighbors, bring this article with you and come out and vote on Wednesday, May 20th!

Riverbay Board Election Wednesday, May 20th

VOTE 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. in your building lobby and be 1 of 25 shareholders to win $100.

Participate in the governance of your community!

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

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

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Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.

3

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Combing Co-op City

Assemblyman Benedetto sponsors mammography van

Assemblyman Michael Ben-edetto, in conjunction with Project Renewal, will be sponsoring a free Mobile Mammography Screening Van which will be located outside of the Baychester Public Library, 2049 Asch Loop North, today, Saturday, May 16, beginning at 9 a.m. This program is for women 40 years of age and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. All insurance plans are accepted; however, if you do not have insurance, you can still sign up. An appointment is necessary, call 1-800-5646868. This program is funded by Bronx Cancer Services Program Partnership. Screening coordination & Outreach/In-reach funded by the Komen Greater NYC 2008 Comm-unity Breast Health Grant.

Shred Fest in Co-op City tomorrow

Protect your identity when Shred-Fest returns to the Co-op City Triangle Plaza tomorrow, Sunday May 17, starting at 10 a.m. Shred your personal papers for FREE! Arrive early. Shredding trucks will be available until 4 p.m. or until they fill up, which may be sooner.

Volunteers needed for Greenway clean-up

Last year, Co-op City volunteers cleaned up the Hutchinson River Greenway and we’re doing it again this year. Join us tomorrow Sunday, May 17, at 10 a.m. It's OUR Greenway. Let's work together to keep it clean. We will meet at 2100 Bay Plaza (on Bartow Ave. near the Greenway entrance by the overpass going towards Section 5). Partnership for Parks is donating gloves, trash bags, and tshirts for the first 25 people who show up! For more info., and to volunteer, please email Holly at Maloneh@hotmail.com.

VOTE & win $100

25 shareholders who vote this Wednesday, May 20, in the Riverbay Board of Directors election will be entered in a computerized drawing for a chance to win $100. Make sure you vote. You never know, you could win $100, just for going down to your building lobby and voting between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Candidates’ Forums

Roughly 50 shareholders attended the first forum and many more were afforded the chance to watch it on a broadcast delay through Co-op City’s in-house television channels.

Candidate Gail Sharbaan said she is running to protect shareholders’ investment in the community and to use her experience in budgeting to help protect the finances of the community.

Candidate Katrina Asante said: “We have to understand that we do have problems in this development and we have to recognize that and make changes,” adding that she believes the community needs better supervision and more accountability amongst its employees and leaders.

Candidate Peggy Diaz said part of her vision is to support the effort to bring a Youth Center to the former Bingo Hall space to give the youth something to do and get them off the streets and stop them from hanging out.

Shareholder Lisa Feliciano specifically asked Director Turner to provide an update of her efforts to make that same youth and community center a reality.

Director Turner outlined her recent efforts, including working with many of the community’s most talented residents to help make the much needed center a reality because she said, “Life matters in Co-op City.”

One cooperator asked what could be done to reduce the massive amounts of money the community spends to replace flooring damaged by convector floods in the homes.

Director Jones said the Board is now considering, under management’s direction, different types of flooring that could be used to better stand up to the prevalent episodes of flooding.

Director Tuner added that the Board has been looking into replacing the convectors, but she said, the cost of a complete replacement would be astronomical.

Another cooperator asked each candidate’s plan for dealing with the crisis the community currently faces and additionally how they plan to work with other Directors at coming up with these much needed solutions.

Candidate Diaz said that extra revenue is available by reducing vacancies in the community on a number of fronts, including commercial spaces, vacant townhouses and unused storage closets within the buildings.

Director Turner said that over the past year, the current Board has made significant progress in reducing waste and she added that the hard work that the Board has done in recent months must continue and the Board must continue to work as a team.

Incumbent Director Jones said that the increase in communication between the current Board Directors has helped move the community in the right direction in recent months and the community is better for it as a result.

Candidate Asante called for the new Board to agree on and establish short and long-term goals.

Williams said the problem now is leadership and not having a Board that is moving in an established direction.

Candidate Jenkins said that is up to

2nd (Continued from page 1)

the Board to listen and represent the community and make decisions based on what the community wants and on behalf of the community.

Candidate Saunders said that people move into Co-op City because of its affordability, safety and good quality of life so those three things need to be the priority. He added that the Board should work to increase the communication between Public Safety and the community’s youth.

Community Board 10 chairperson Martin Prince asked each candidate what would be their number one priority for the term.

Candidate Diaz said that she believes a priority needs to be made of filling the vacancies, particularly commercial vacancies, and stopping subleasing within the community which has detrimental effect on quality of life.

Sharbaan said that she believes that bringing the Riverbay budget under control should be the top priority.

Asante said the Board needs to provide better oversight of management and employees and also demand that New York State DHCR do its job and provide the oversight that they are obligated to provide.

Williams said that his goal would be to one day reach the point when you can actually tell someone you live in Co-op City without that person looking at you like you are crazy.

Jenkins said the number one priority should be restoring financial integrity.

Saunders said that he would like to restore Co-op City to the political powerhouse it once was by getting residents fully engaged in the political process and holding elected officials accountable.

Feliciano said that we need to hold management accountable and to manage our finances to the point of longterm sustainability.

Incumbent Director Jones said she would like to revive the relationship between the community and its schools and make the schools a resource for the entire community the way they once were.

Turner said that the rest of the community needs to live up to its senior programs which are leaving a legacy of community involvement. She said the rest of the community needs to emulate that so that we can restore a sense of pride in Co-op City.

The last questioner for the evening asked the incumbent candidates how they voted on the 4.5 % carrying charge increase and the other candidates to offer their take on the proposed increase.

Candidate Diaz simply said that she was one of the many shareholders in Co-op City who simply can’t afford the increase because of her fixed income.

Therefore, she said, she never would have voted for it.

Asante said salaries are not going up even as the shareholders’ carrying charges are going up. She said that she believes that cuts should be made in operations before a carrying charge increase goes through.

Sharbaan said that she has been fighting against the proposed increase as much as possible, gathering signatures

FRONT PA G E

to be presented to DHCR to make sure that the community’s voice is heard.

Williams said that the increase is unfair to the people of Co-op City and the Board should look for cuts instead.

Jenkins said that she sat on the Budget Committee and that the Board has to consider the thousands of residents who live here that struggle each month to make their payments and look at other options before enforcing such an increase.

Saunders said that he does not want the increase, but he also understands that there is no option and no one has presented the Board with a concrete alternative to the increase.

Feliciano said that she understands the need for the increase and the fact that there is no viable alternative, but she puts the blame on Board Directors who were complicit with the previous managing agent and their policies which made the increase necessary.

Director Jones explained that the cuts that were proposed did not prove nearly enough to offset the need for the increase and the Board has no choice but to vote for the increase to meet the community’s financial obligations.

Jones said that she abstained when it came time to vote.

Director Turner explained that charging a one-time assessment would have been an alternative to the increase, but to do so would have made the community’s seniors ineligible for SCRIE or DRIE protection. She added that even with the increase, Co-op City’s cost per room is still substantially lower than all other housing complex in the Bronx, all of which do not have the same quality of life as Co-op City. ***************************** At the second candidate forum, on May 6th in the Dreiser Community Center, eight of the nine candidates participated with Peggy Diaz not able to attend the forum because of a prior commitment, Election Committee Chairperson Leslie announced at the outset of the meeting.

Director Leslie and Election Committee member Kevin Lambright moderated the evening and moved the questioners along at a quick pace, eliminating long statements of opinion by shareholders and keeping the focus on issues at hand which in the end allowed for a succinct and information-filled two-hour forum.

The first questioner of the evening asked each candidate if they would ever support a return to Co-op City of the previous managing agent. All of the eight candidates who participated answered with a resounding no and one candidate, incumbent Director Turner, read from a letter she wrote two years prior asking the Board to then consider the removal of the managing agent based on a number of concerns she developed during her first year as a Board Director.

The next questioner asked each Director what they would do to raise $6 million and thus eliminate the need for the carrying charge increase.

(Continued on page 4)

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Candidates’ Forums

Candidate Williams said that he believes much can be accomplished by eliminating wasteful spending habits.

“No matter how small something is, it should be looked into,” Williams said but also added that he believes the issue regarding the carrying charge increase is dividing the community unnecessarily.

Asante pointed to her service on this year’s Budget Committee and the areas the committee uncovered where the stated budget was not being adhered to and, she said these areas need to be looked into, citing specific areas where money was overspent on needs and materials.

Sharbaan, who also served of the Budget Committee, similarly was a proponent for reviewing these areas of waste and also suggested areas where additional revenue could be raised, such as charging more for non-resident parking in garages.

Jenkins said it was her belief that the carrying charge increase was necessary.

“It is a bitter pill, but it is necessary,” she said. She added that she also was a member of the Budget Committee and she has not seen an alternative to the increase that was sufficient.

Saunders added the perspective that the increase is based on a legal settlement that reduced a $40 million lawsuit into a $6.5 million settlement. He added that other factors figure into the need for the increase, including the rising cost of energy and fuel over several years.

Feliciano said that she is not happy with the increase, but she does not see an alternative. But she added in the future, Riverbay needs to increase its sources of revenue – particularly the co-generation plant – to try to get the funds that were originally promised when co-generation was first proposed.

Incumbent Turner said that the current Board sat through several long and arduous meetings over the past several month where alternatives were discussed at length including charging a one-time assessment but the idea was rejected because seniors and the disabled would not be protected by SCRIE and DRIE and thus be responsible for the full amount.

Turner added that other factors play into the increase such as recent lawsuits against Riverbay due to the reported presence of the Legionella bacteria in the cooling tower.

Incumbent Director Jones also added that no adequate alternative could be found by the Board and the Budget Committee’s proposals presented at the time of the vote turned out to be insufficient. But she did not rule out a roll back in the future.

Each candidate was then asked if they were in favor of hiring a management company or a general manager. All but one of the candidates said that they were in favor of hiring a management company, even though each gave credit to the interim General Managers — Noel Ellison and Peter Merola — for doing a great job at running the community over the past several months.

The lone candidate who favored a general manager was Rod Saunders who said that Co-op City was always effectively run by a general manager — many times a resident general manager—over the first three decades of its existence.

The shareholders were then asked what they see being done to create more savings for the community in the future.

Williams answered installing water proof flooring in the apartments to cut down on costly flooding damage and automating the garages to eliminate the

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015 (Continued from page 3)

attendant positions.

Asante answered to work towards relieving the community of its asbestos abatement requirements which cost the community more than $4 million a year.

Also, she said, Riverbay needs to institute a more stringent departmental budget review process.

Sharbaan said she would like to tighten up departmental spending and increase training for department directors to allow them to do their job more efficiently and also better market the community’s available commercial space. “We need fresh new ideas to bring cash into this community,” she said.

Jenkins added that she believes that the contracting procedures need to be more accountable and she would also like to see increased use of solar energy panels in the community.

Saunders added that Riverbay needs to update its antiquated computer systems to increase efficiency and accountability and also step up legal effort to fight New York City on its unnecessary asbestos abatement requirements exclusively imposed onto the shareholders of Co-op City.

Feliciano said she would like to advocate for the rescinding of fees for paying your carrying charges late and also develop the technology to allow shareholders to pay their carrying charges online.

Turner said that the Board will be looking at ways to get Con Edison to reduce the exorbitant fees they charge Riverbay for standby electrical capacity and also support efforts to allow the power plant to produce power for sale back to the grid.

Director Jones said the community center should be renovated to make it a more suitable place to hold concerts and parties, thus increasing the amount of rental fees the huge spaces could generate and also lease out office space currently being used by Riverbay as storage space.

The next questioner asked what the candidates plan to do to encourage greater involvement among the community shareholders Incumbent candidate Jones quickly pointed to the flyer for the Team for Progress which promised quarterly cooperator forums.

Turner suggested an informal setting for the forums where cooperators will have a chance to go around and ask directors and department heads questions on Co-op City issues such as the labor lawsuit.

Feliciano suggested greater encouragement for shareholders to join committees and encourage more involvement in their building associations.

Saunders suggest that Riverbay start a data base of the community’s talents, residents who have skills to offer the community who can be called on to get involved and help out.

Jenkins said that forum can take the form of shareholders sitting around tables exchanging ideas and breaking bread together in much the same way that a family gets together to discuss their day.

Sharbaan said that all Directors should be directly involved in building association and community organizations attending events and finding out what their ideas are so that they can bring those ideas back to the Board room.

Asante said that Board Directors should meet monthly with residents in their buildings and also suggested creating competitions for the best ideas to advance the community in any of a number of ways.

Williams said that he believes that the current cooperator orientation programs need to be revamped so that each incoming shareholders fully understands what it means to be a cooperator in Co-op City.

“A lot of people just have no idea how this place works,” he said.

The candidates were then asked how they would increase Riverbay involvement with government agencies. Asante said that the state Division of Homes and Community Renewal needs to live up to their obligation of properly overseeing Co-op City and it is her intention to make sure that happens whether she is elected to the Board of not. Saunders made the point that practically no shareholder knows the name of the community’s HCR representative and in decades past everyone knew his name because he was here all the time. That is no longer the case, he said. ****************************** At the third and final candidate forum held on May 11th at Einstein Community Center, seven of the candidates participated, each responding to 17 diverse questions from shareholders.

Gail Sharbaan and Sonia Feliciano were the two candidates who did not participate.

The carrying charge increase recently approved by the state Division of Homes and Community Renewal came up several times. After the opening statements by each of the seven candidates, Election Committee Chair Leslie reminded the audience of approximately 70 residents of the importance of each shareholder voting to allow the community to meet the

requirement of a quorum in order to avoid a costly continuation of the election process. Later in the forum, Director Leslie announced an incentive to encourage as many shareholders as possible to vote. Twenty-five shareholders/voters chosen at random after the election will each receive a $100 bonus.

The first shareholder to question the candidates asked each if they would fight for change with the same passion as the current Board of Directors.

Candidate Diaz vowed to fight to stabilize the community and end corruption and make departments accountable to the community.

Asante said that she would like to investigate DHCR to make sure they perform their supervisory duties on behalf of Co-op City and she would also like to bring in an independent auditor.

Williams said he would like to overhaul the cooperator orientations to teach new shareholders what it means to be a shareholder and not a tenant. He said he would also like to end the concept of a pro-management Board.

Saunders said he favored getting the New York State Attorney General involved to investigate the practices of the prior managing agent.

Jenkins said she would like to change the culture of the Board, end the back-biting and take egos out of the equation.

Jones said that she would like to continue the progress accomplished by this year’s Board to make the community run as it should going forward.

(Continued on page 5)

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Candidates’ Forums

Turner vowed to continue to fight with passion adding that “under the direction of Cleve Taylor, we are going in the right direction.”

The next shareholder asked what could be done to establish an urgent care center in Co-op City to allow residents to have a place to go in case of a medical emergency.

Each candidate vowed to look into the possibility of having one of the area’s medical institutions establish such a facility here in Co-op City.

Candidate Jones added that there also must be a renewed focus on promoting good nutrition and healthy life-style choices amongst the community’s residents.

Saunders added that improving emergency transportation within the community might also improve the options the residents have when faced with a sudden illness or medical emergency.

Another shareholder asked about rumors regarding the cutting of lobby attendants. In response, all the candidates expressed support for the lobby attendants with some stating that they would like to see the program expanded into an around-the-clock program. Director Turner confirmed that cutting the lobby attendant program was a budget cutting proposal put forth by the Riverbay Budget Committee but never acted upon the Board.

Another shareholder to speak asked that in light of the impending carrying charge increase, what can be done to cut Riverbay’s expenses and save money in the future.

Saunders said that the Board has the power to knock down the increase in the future and we need to get there, asking shareholders to vote for his slate in order to let that happen.

Jenkins said she would not support cutting lobby attendants for one, but she believes that there has to be more stringent oversight of the contract process and “making sure that these contracts are up to standard and we get what we deserve. I believe a lot of money will be saved just by doing that alone.”

Director Jones added that more work needs to be done in lobbying the community’s elected representatives to make sure it gets its fair share of available funding and a fair share of reduced expenses, such as eliminating asbestos abatement costs and getting a

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015 (Continued from page 4)

tax rebate for the sanitation services the community provides for itself. “We need to get out there and be a strong community like we were when Co-op City first opened,” Jones said.

Director Turner said we need to look at the Power Plant and optimize its efficiency to begin realizing the savings the community was originally promised. She added that the community also needs to look at the possibility of reducing the exorbitant fee Con Edison charges for stand-by services.

Williams added looking at purchasing waterproof flooring to end the costly replacement of wood flooring that takes place each time there is a convector leak.

He added that the community also needs to end its long-standing convector problem.

Asante promised that she would work to end the community’s onerous and exclusive asbestos abatement requirement that costs Co-op City approximately $4 million a year.

Diaz said that Riverbay spends wastefully and needlessly, citing the recent purchase of washing machines to replace ones that were purchased just seven years ago.

The next shareholder asked for the status of efforts to change regulations to make it easier for older shareholders to downsize and transfer to a small apartment.

Director Jones told the group that a resolution to ask HCR for authority for Riverbay to permit this was authored by Director Bernard Cylich and passed by the Board last year and thus far HCR has not acted upon the resolution.

Director Tuner suggested inviting HCR representatives to a town hall meeting just to acquaint them with the importance of this issue.

Saunders added that Co-op City needs to get its elected representatives involved in this effort.

Williams charged HCR never enacts rules that actually help the people of Co-op City, only ones that create onerous restrictions.

Asante suggested mobilizing the residents in the effort to lobby HCR. A shareholder asked each candidate — by a yes and no vote — whether they would favor retaining general manager Noel Ellison on a permanent basis. Two of the

5 candidates, Asante and Diaz said they would not retain him, but hire a management company. Williams said he favors a management company, but would retain Ellison in a major capacity.

Each candidate was then asked by another shareholder what they would do to eliminate workers wasting time and not doing their jobs properly.

Turner advocated greater shareholder oversight and more follow-up of shareholder complaints with the general manager.

Jones and Jenkins called for better supervision on the part of the department directors and Saunders said that the onus of making workers do their jobs properly lies with middle management.

Williams charged that Riverbay is top heavy with management.

Asante said that a performance assessment needs to be done. Diaz charged that supervisors are just as guilty. “Supervisors are hanging out too,” she said.

The next shareholder asked how each candidate proposes taking advantage of the financial windfall that the expansion of Bay Plaza could bring to Co-op City’s shopping centers.

Williams suggested bring in an outside consultant to fix-up and turn around the commercial centers.

Saunders said that a number of commercial tenants can be brought to the centers, including Cablevision who needs to provide an on-site service office to Co-op City.

Both Jenkins and Jones called a total physical upgrade of all three shopping centers. Jones included upgrading the community centers as well to make them more marketable to promoters of outside events.

Turner said that Co-op City needs to solve the traffic problems caused by Bay Plaza first and then diversify the stores here so that shareholders will receive products that they need and want to patronize, not another fast food restaurant.

As the questioning of the candidates ended, Election Committee chairperson Leslie thanked the candidates and all the shareholders for participating in the three candidate forums and urged everyone to vote in the building lobbies on Wednesday, May 20th.

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Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

East Bronx Traffic Coalition address Bay Plaza traffic

The following letter was sent by the East Bronx Traffic Coalition to Commisssioner Polly Trottenberg, Director Sonia Picchardo and Director Megna. See related article on Page 1.)

Dear Commissioner Trottenberg, Director Pichardo and Director Megna: We, the East Bronx Traffic Coalition, write to you today on behalf of the community-based organizations we represent in Bronx County, New York.

Recently, our memberships have expressed great concern about traffic conditions on Interstate 95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway, which fall collectively under your agencies. Some important steps have been made to improve this situation, and we thank you for your involvement in those efforts. That being said, additional concerns remain, prompting us to write to you today.

Last year, The Mall at Bay Plaza, located in the Baychester section of the Bronx, completed a massive two-year expansion, costing $300 million. The shopping center now stands at 780,000square-foot and is attracting people from all over the city and region alike to shop at this location. Surely, this is good news for Bronx County, as our area has historically suffered from a lack of economic investment for some time. That being said, except for the one improvement extending the I-95 exit ramp into

the mall, no additional infrastructure or transportation improvements have been implemented to compensate for this development. As a result, motorists are often left to wait at Bartow Avenue (under I-95) to cross under the interstate to travel back onto the roadway. Thus, it is not uncommon, given the traffic congestion in the area, for it to take over 45 minutes to exit Bay Plaza. This situation is totally unacceptable and could leave residents and customers vulnerable in the case of an emergency.

In 2000, Urbitran Associates Inc. developed a traffic plan that was submitted to the NYS Department of Transportation. Within this plan, the findings stipulated that adding on and off Bronx Community Board #10 - City Island Civic Assoc. - Country Club Civic Assoc.

– Locust Point Civic Assoc. – Morris Park Community Assoc. – Pelham Bay Taxpayers & Civic Assoc. - Spencer Estates Civic Assoc.- Throggs Neck Homeowners Assoc. – Throggs Neck Merchants Assoc. - Waterbury LaSalle Community & Homeowners Assoc. ramps by Bartow Avenue onto the Hutchinson River Parkway was feasible.

It is our understanding that since this time, no such ramps have been under-

taken in light of the need for alienating parkland (a cumbersome and difficult process) and the proximity of coastal wetlands.

While we appreciate these concerns, some consideration should also be given to the air pollution and traffic created at Bay Plaza and the need to rectify such situations. We are also aware of a 2010 NYS DOT study which identifies the lack of a direct exit/entry point for Co-op City to the Hutchinson River Parkway to be a major reason for congestion on I-95.

Therefore, we are respectfully asking your organizations to work together to formulate a feasibility plan that could make these ramps a reality. Recently, through the work of State Senator Jeff Klein and the NYC Department of Transportation, ramps going into the Hutch Metro Center from the Hutchinson River Parkway, long thought to be infeasible, will now be examined for future implementation. We would like to see a similar outcome here. We look forward to hearing from you in a timely manner.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you wish to contact our organization, we ask that you reach out to John Doyle at 646-469-8339 and doylejc1@gmail.com.

Broadcast of the 3 Candidates’ Forums begins today

The three Riverbay Board election Candidates’ Forums will be aired according to the following schedule. If you were unable to attend the forums, please tuned in to channel 12 on MATV (master antenna) and channel 591 for Cablevision

subscribers.

• The Bartow forum will be aired today, Saturday, May 16 at 5 p.m.

• The Dreiser Forum will be aired tomorrow, Sunday, May 17, at 5 p.m.

• The Einstein Forum will be aired

on Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m.

Tune in and hear what the candidates have to say so you can make informed choices when you vote for candidates in the Board election this Wednesday, May 20, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in your building lobby.

Cooperators urged to check convectors prior to air-conditioning

If cooperators follow the procedures recommended below, the number of malfunctioning convector units can be greatly reduced.

Cleaning Procedure: 1. Make sure all switches are turned off before cleaning the convector.

2. Remove cover by lifting it up and swinging the bottom out.

3. Make sure the drain from the drip pan and drip tray is not clogged. Test by pouring one quart of hot water into the long tray. If the water does not go down the drain, or the drain becomes clogged, immediately contact the appropriate Cooperator Services Offices listed below.

4. Fan coils (that row of thin metal sheets inside the convector) should not

be cleaned or vacuumed during air cooling season. Never use a sharp object, such as a knife of screwdriver, to clean the fan coil.

5. Filters can be cleaned at anytime.

During the winter, filters may be vacuumed and washed; during the summer, they should not be washed.

6. To replace the cover, place it flat against the convector, lift it up one (1) inch, and let it drop into position.

7. If there is a leak, a pot or towel should be placed under the convector until the unit is serviced.

8. Cooperators who are unable to check their convectors because of age or a physical condition can call their CSO and a Riverbay staff member will be sent

Convector cleaning video

to check for clogged or malfunctioning drains and convectors.

Cooperator Services Offices: CSO 1 (Bldgs. 1-14, Carver, Debs and Defoe Pl. Townhouses) Maintenance Service, Dreiser Center, Rm. 6; (718) 320-3000, and follow the prompts · CSO II (Bldgs. 15-25, Adler, Asch, and Broun Place Townhouses) Maintenance Service, Bartow Center, Rm. B; (718) 320-3300, and follow the prompts CSO III (Bldgs. 26-35, Earhart Lane Townhouses) Maintenance Service, Einstein Center, Rm. 37; (718) 320- 3300, and follow the prompts

To view the Co-op City convector cleaning video on YouTube, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvXqhEzO2WA. Article SIXTH of your Occupancy Agreement provides, in part, that your lease automatically renews for an additional three (3) year period. You need to do nothing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) year period. If you will be moving out at the end of your lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Sales Support Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to lease expiration.

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 21 Building 21

Current Lease Expiration Date

New 3 yr.

Expiration Date

100, 120 & 140 Bellamy Loop

May 31, 2015

May 31, 2018

Co-op City Times

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

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

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Bill Stuttig

Associate Editor

Jim Roberts

Business Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez

Production Manager

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

Writers will be limited to one letter per topic.

Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication.

Letters cannot exceed 350 words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

CCPD offers home repair tips for smart consumers

BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

Now that the spring cleaning and repair season is upon us, cooperators may be considering hiring persons to help with these tasks. Some cooperators may have just had new windows installed and may be upgrading blinds or window treatments. It is very important that consumers take steps to make sure that the services they are paying for are the services they are getting. Fraud is very common among people claiming to be legitimate contractors.

The Department of Public Safety offers these tips to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.

Make sure when hiring someone to do work you receive recommendations from friends or family who have used the contractor for similar work. Get at least three written estimates for the work you wish to have done. Make sure all estimates detail the scope of the job so that meaningful comparisons can be made.

Remember that no structural changes to Co-op City apartments can be made without the permission of Riverbay Corporation. Please check with your Cooperator Service Office if you have any questions about intended improvements. Also remember that you are responsible for the cost of restoring your apartment to the original condition.

It is also important to make sure the contractor meets licensing and registration requirements. The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, (212) 487-4444, www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dca/home.html or the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau Office of the Attorney General, (212) 416-8300, www.oag.state.ny.us. You can check with these agencies or the Better Business Bureau, (212) 533-6200, www.newyork.bbb.org, to see if there are any complaint records against an intended contractor or repair service.

Make sure your contractor is insured. They should have personal liability, property damage and worker’s compensation insurance for workers and subcontractors.

Also check with your insurance company to see if you are covered for any injury or damage that may occur. Be sure any valuables are locked up while work is being done in your home.

Insist on a written contract that details the entire scope of the job. Be sure it states exactly what will be done, when it will be done and the quality of materials to be used. Any warranties or subcontractors should be listed.

The total price and schedule of payments should be included. Make certain you understand all payment options and any financing charges. Never make a final payment or sign a final release until you are satisfied with the work performed. Paying by credit card may give you any extra avenue of dispute resolution.

Always be cautious of the deal that seems too good to be true. Be wary if the contractor comes door to door to seek you out or just happens to have material left over from another job. Be alert to a contractor who quotes you a price that is out of line with other estimates. Do not allow a contractor to pressure you to make an immediate decision or who asks you to pay for the entire job up front. Be cautious of a contractor driving an unmarked van or a vehicle with out-of-state plates. Senior citizens can often be the victims of this type of fraud.

Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained.

Public Safety Report

7

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

Tell your friends, relatives and employers about:

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

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

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

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

CONTRACT SUMMARY

Contract 2990, Replacement & Repair of Sidewalks at Various Locations: Concrete work for the replacement and repair of sidewalks on an as needed basis.

Pre-bid Meeting: May 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

Bids Due: May 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract 2999, Balcony Restoration/Repair (Buildings 10, 20 & 26): The repair of nine (9) Lines of Balconies in three Tri-core Buildings Pre-bid Meeting: May 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

Bids Due: June 9, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

Bonding: Bonding is required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract P786, Pest Control Services Pre-Bid Conference: May 27, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Bid Due: June 11, 2015 Winning bidder is required to provide insurance

Contract P792, Design of Dreiser Auditorium Bids Opened: May 28, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Late bids will not be accepted Winning bidder will be required to provide insurance.

New Job Posting: Open to All Internal Candidates from May 7 to May 18, 2015 • Job Reference #: 15-27 Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by May 14, 2015.

Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department.

Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position.

Grounds Department Lead Supervisor Ideal candidate will have a working knowledge and experience of all aspects of gardening, grounds maintenance and landscaping. He/she must be able to supervise a large group of both union and non-union employees, assist the Director of Grounds with the seasonal planning, planting of shrubs, trees and flowers.

This candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day duties of overseeing annual mowing, landscaping schedules, responding to all emergency situations, including preparing equipment for snow emergencies.

The selected candidate must be familiar with grounds tools, equipment and related materials. Under the directions of the Grounds Director, the Lead Supervisor will direct staff and other team members in the landscaping, maintenance and general upkeep of company grounds and property greens. Responsibilities include basic grounds keeping duties as planting flowers, trees & shrubs, weeding, fertilizing, mowing, cutting hedges, general lawn & nursery care and seasonal duties including snow removal.

Job Description: Ideal candidate will: • Establish and enforce operating procedures and work standards that will ensure adequate performance and personnel safety. • Inspect completed work to ensure conformance to specifications, standards, and other requirements. • Direct activities of workers who perform duties, such as landscaping, cultivating lawns, or pruning trees and shrubs. • Schedule work for crews, depending on work priorities, crew or equipment availability, or weather conditions. • Plant or maintain vegetation through activities such as mulching, fertilizing, watering, mowing, or pruning. • Monitor project activities to ensure that instructions are followed, deadlines are met, and schedules are maintained. • Train workers in tasks such as transplanting or pruning trees or shrubs, finishing cement, using equipment, or caring for turf. • Provide workers with assistance in performing duties as necessary to meet deadlines. • Supply an inventory of tools, equipment, or materials to ensure that sufficient supplies are available and items are in usable condition. • Confer with other supervisors to

coordinate work activities with those of other departments or units. • Perform personnel-related activities, such as hiring workers, evaluating staff performance, or taking disciplinary actions when performance problems occur. • Direct or perform mixing or application of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides. • Review work assignments to determine service, machine, or workforce requirements for jobs.

• Prepare or maintain required records, such as work activity or personnel reports. • Order the performance of corrective work when problems occur and recommend procedural changes to avoid such problems. • Identify diseases or pests affecting landscaping and order appropriate treatments. • Investigate work-related complaints to verify problems and to determine responses. • Direct or assist workers engaged in the maintenance or repair of equipment, such as power tools or motorized equipment. • Install or maintain landscaped areas, performing tasks such as removing snow. • Perform administrative duties, such as authorizing leaves or processing time sheets. • Recommend changes in working conditions or equipment use to increase crew efficiency. • Confer with the Grounds Director or other managers to develop plans or schedules for landscaping maintenance or improvement. • Tour grounds, such as parks, gardens areas and other property areas to inspect conditions of plants and soil.

• Supervise the installation of sprinkler systems, calculating water pressure, or valve and pipe coverage needs. • Oversee employees that operate vehicles and powered equipment, such as mowers, tractors, twinaxle vehicles, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, and pruning saws. • Direct teammates to shovel snow from walks, driveways, or parking lots and spread salt in those areas.

Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is a plus; 1 to 2 years of supervisor experience is a plus; Candidate must have a working knowledge of grounds equipment, tools, and material; Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA Driver’s license is required; Applicant must have ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders; work in inclement weather; as well as lift and carry up to 100 pounds; Must be available for emergency work; Must be able to read and write in English; Bi-Lingual is a plus.

Days and Hours: Days and hours will vary.

Testing Requirements: Drug Screening Test; Background check.

How to Apply: Applications are given out at the below address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All applicants are advised to submit a resume along with the application.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Applications are given out at the following address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Riverbay Corporation Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475; OR Resumes can be faxed to 718-320-3672 with the Job Title and Job Reference # on the TOP RIGHT CORNER of the resume. *Riverbay Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer*

8

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Election Wednesday do our part to make sure we achieve a quorum next Wednesday.”

Voting will take place in the building lobbies from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Nine of the eleven shareholders who submitted qualifying petitions to the Riverbay Legal Department before the April 7th deadline indicating their intention to enter the contest were certified by the 2015 Election Committee after the appropriate checks and validations were completed.

The nine certified candidates in this year’s Board election, in the order and format in which their names will appear on the ballot on Wednesday are: Rod Saunders, Deborah Jenkins, Sonia Feliciano, Katrina Asante, Junius Williams, Evelyn M. Turner, Francine Reva Jones, Peggy S. Diaz and Gail Sharbaan.

There will be one vote per unit by residents who are shareholders of record as of April 6, 2015.

After the polls close at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, the votes will be tallied in Room 31 of the Bartow Community Center and the preliminary results will be published in the next issue of the Co-op City Times on Saturday, May 23.

A recount will be conducted on Thursday, May 28, and the official election results will be published in the Saturday, May 30th Co-op City Times.

After the results of the election are certified by the 2015 Election Committee, the top five vote getters will be sworn in on Thursday, June 4th and begin serving their terms.

Last Saturday, the third and final issue of the Election Supplement with the candidates’ views and opinions about issues facing the Riverbay community.

Additionally, the election rules were

(Continued from page 1)

changed three years ago to allow the Co-op City Times to cover the official Candidates’ Forums. This year’s combined account of the 3 Candidates’ Forums is published on page 1 of this issue.

If a quorum is not reached on Wednesday, the election will continue on the following day(s) using paper ballots until enough shareholders vote to meet the requirement.

However, to ensure a quorum this year, a voting incentive of $2,500 is being offered so that twenty-five shareholders can each have the chance to win $100 just for participating in the election. The names will be randomly selected by computer and checked against the voting registers to determine if they voted in the election. As long as the shareholders voted and they are not indebted to the Riverbay Corporation, they will each be eligible to receive their prize money of $100 each.

Absentee ballots are available from the Riverbay Legal Department, located at 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. Shareholders of record who require an absentee ballot should contact the Legal Department at (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3326, and it will be mailed, or they can also go to the reception desk in the Bartow Community Center and request an absentee ballot which can then be completed and returned, as long as the shareholder has proper identification.

Absentee ballots may be returned by hand delivery to the Legal Department or mailed, however, they must be postmarked by Wednesday, May 20.

With just a few days left before the Board election, the Election Committee – composed of Board Director Andrea Leslie, Vivian Burrus, Maliya Cherelus,

Riverbay Board Election - Wednesday, May 20th VOTE 6 a.m. - 9 p.m in your building lobby and be 1 of 25 shareholders to win $100.

Participate in the governance of your community!

Linda Collins, Kevin Lambright and Allison Wells-Soler – cautions candidates and their supporters that electioneering within 100 feet of the polling area on Wednesday is absolutely prohibited.

The voting machines to be used in this year’s election will be available for public inspection on Tuesday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Brooklyn Board of Elections Warehouse, 4312 2nd

Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232. Any candidate who cannot inspect the voting machines in person and who would like to send a representative should notify the Election Committee prior to Tuesday.

The 2015 Riverbay Board of Directors election recount will take place on Thursday, May 28, also at the Brooklyn Board of Elections Warehouse, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

9

10

Possibilities In Moving Forward Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Leah Graham

Co-op City is a beautiful community Expense memorandum to find with lots of possibilities. One of these pos- Director’s Viewpoint sources of revenue that could sibilities is focusing our attention on keepcover the lawsuit payments ing this community safe and affordable. due in Feb., April & Sept.

First Vice President Our choice of people to serve on the 2015. Due to the time conBoard plays a crucial role in achieving the straint, the committee could possibility of maintaining affordable housnot review the budget in its entirety. Its primary focus was ing. All of the current candidates are pasfinding sources of revenue to cover the lawsuit payments, sionate about improving the quality of life thereby avoiding an increase. for our community and possess a wide2. Due to the corporation’s financial shortfall, I asked range of experiences and talents. Good that the corporation operate at its current departmental luck to the candidates running in this budget of $104.4 million, instead of the requested year’s election. Please remember to vote amount of $111.3 million. This could have saved the corWed., May 20, 2015 in your lobby. You do not have to be poration approx. $7 million. a registered voter to elect a Board Director; you only need 3. My memorandum dated Feb. 18, 2015, asked that to be a shareholder. each department reduce their budget of $104.4 million by HCR Approved 4.5% Carrying Charge Increase 10% without affecting quality of service (no layoffs).

Starting in June, your carrying charge statement will This could have provided the corporation with approx. show an increase between $39 and $61 per month $10.4 million. depending on your apartment size. Fortunately, our 4. In March and April, a colleague and I reviewed the SCRIE and DRIE cooperators are protected from the budget in its entirety and identified specific budget reducincrease, but that only consist of approximately 7% tions without layoffs. DHCR reviewed my proposal and (1,029) of the apartments. The rest of us, which make up shared “there were elements within my proposal worth approx. 93% (14,115) of the apartments, will have to pay exploring” and to present to the entire Board and Finance this forever increase. The parking garage increase will go for consideration. The Board determined an assessment up about $9 per month depending on the type of parking would not protect the SCRIE or DRIE cooperators. I was space. If you own more than one motor vehicle, that later informed of several M-L co-ops with an assessment. monthly cost is higher. Many cooperators will hurt from I am awaiting specific information on this matter. this increase as lines to make carrying charge payments 5. I prepared another budget alternative and on April by the last day of the month may get longer.

29, 2015, in my absence, Director Peterson presented this The DHCR approved 4.5% increase actually laid at proposal to the Board. The proposal included a 1-year the hands of the Board. DHCR shared, if the Board 4.5% carrying charge increase that would have brought in approved a budget alternative, we could have modified $8.2 million (similar to an assessment). The proposal also our application for the 4.5% increase. Because of this included a 2% carrying charge decrease in the second information and the number of cooperators concerned year, which would have brought in $4.4 million into the with the increase, Director Leslie Peterson and I provided corporation. I added in few sources of revenue and a the Board with a few alternatives to reduce the carrying reduction in departmental expenses without any layoffs. charge increase while protecting the corporation: The Board asked for a resolution to take a vote. I prepared 1. In Feb., 2015, the Budget Committee was made and submitted the resolution as requested. However, I aware of the possible increase. The budget team referred was refused a resolution number for assignment and a to the Sept., 2014 Finance Director Revenue and vote was never taken.

African-American Association

I share this information with you for a few reasons: 1. Due to the incumbent Board Directors’ incorrect budget comments at the election forums 2. DHCR budget projection reduced the corporation’s expense by $1.2 million in budget year 1 and $4.8 million in budget year 2, 3. The goal of Director Peterson, the Budget Committee and myself was to collectively find probable budget solutions that would increase cash and provide financial relief to the working families in lieu of a permanent 4.5% carrying charge increase. The Board received all of the above proposals for consideration and approval, 4. Finally, our choice of people to serve on the Board is essential in maintaining the integrity of this $200 million corporation while keeping our homes affordable.

The Election – Proper Plans, Future Successes Because of Co-op City’s mere size, I believe we could have prevented the 4.5% carrying charge increase with advance planning, information sharing and constructive dialogue. With five new Directors coming on board, I look forward to building productive Board relationships as we work to support advancements within the corporation while protecting the best interest of our shareholders.

Although I like all of the candidates, I have only decided on four (4). For me, my choice comes down to Katrina Asante, Gail Sharbaan, Rev. Deborah Jenkins and Rod Saunders. I believe their business attributes, focus and sincere intent to work for this community would add much value to the Board of Directors team.

There is a saying, “a business is like a man rowing a boat upstream. He has no choice; he must go forward or he will go back.” I believe our community will move forward with the right leaders in place. Best of luck to all of the candidates on Election Day; I will see you in the boardroom.

Closing If you would like copies of my above proposals for your review, please contact me at riverbaydirectorlg @gmail.com, or you may leave a phone message with the Riverbay Board office at 347-913-4225. I will return your call. Remember, sharing is caring.

Thanks to all members and friends who attended the general membership meeting last Saturday. Mrs. Regina Usher was the first mother to arrive and was greeted by the President with a bouquet of Mother’s Day flowers.

The following is a meeting summary: The White House Tour has been postponed until June. Date: TBA. There were positive comments about our Wholistic Health & Wellness Fair on April 11th. Dr. Arthur Lewis and the health demonstrations were all fantastic. The President thanked Deborah C. Nelson and Ebony Raé Lambright for their leadership.

Although there was a low turnout, the first Entrepreneurs’ Showcase on April 25th was commendable. Ms. Felisha White was present to demonstrate her manicure design business.

On May 3rd, representatives from the Amaloma Development Foundation, Inc.

came to collect and will transport our donations to help the people of Sierra Leone, West Africa against the lethal Ebola virus.

The Scholarship Awards Committee seeks high school seniors to apply for the scholarships the association offers and will present them on June 13th. Call 718-3795555.

We discussed Riverbay issues, including the vote that rejected the Cablevision bulk rate offer, new washing machines and the Board of Directors’ Elections on May 20th.

On April 25th, the family of Mrs. Elayne U. Cole, held a memorial service for Mrs. Cole, who joined the ancestors on April 1, 2015. Mrs. Cole was the former President of the NAACP and NAACP Day Care Center.

Everyone expressed fond memories of her.

She will be missed.

All agreed to participate in the AfricanAmerican Day Parade in September.

We welcomed new members, wished all

mothers a happy Mother’s Day, and celebrated Augusta’s birthday with music and refreshments.

The Association sponsors the following ongoing programs; Please participate: Adult Study Group – The Institute for Youth meets on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m.

Book Study Group - meets every 3rd Sunday, 1:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15.

Call 718-379-5555.

Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Tuesdays, 7:15 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. #2. Call Meena 718-671-8364.

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

Evening Line Dance Classes – Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. #2.

Dance to Soul, Latin, and Gospel music. Call Cynthia, 917-903-7073.

For the association meeting on May 7th, we were privileged to have two guest speakers. The first was Eugene Hawkins, who owns and operates the fitness center located on the lower level of the Einstein Community Center. He gave a brief overview of the center. He is a personal trainer as well and works with people of all age groups and people with health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

There are rates for people 62 and over and installment plans are available. If you need to start getting in shape for the summer, Mr. Hawkins’ gym might be the perfect solution to your problem.

Our next speaker was Cleve Taylor, President of the Riverbay Board of Directors.

He reiterated several points concerning the increase in our maintenance fees and gave background on how we got to this point. The increase is over $9 per room and will begin on June 1st. Mr. Taylor acknowledged the difficulty for some shareholders to meet this new financial obligation, but encouraged eligible cooperators to look into the SCRIE and DRIE programs. He applauded the association for the sign that hangs in our room stating that we are not renters, but shareholders in this Riverbay Corporation and have a vested interest in what goes on here. We were urged to take part in the dealings that gives us a say like the various forums and the upcoming Riverbay Board elections on May 20th. Voting is such an easy thing to do. Just

go down to the lobby and pull a lever. We cannot stand by and let things happen to us.

The association is having its annual Bake Sale today in the meeting room. We look forward to you all stopping by to either bring or buy bake goods. This is a good way to get to know your neighbors.

There are many health awareness issues this month, but the three that I feel affects most of us are arthritis, high blood pressure and allergies. The aches and stiffness you feel in the morning or when it rains may not just be a sign of aging, but some form of arthritis. That headache or occasional dizziness you have experienced could be high blood pressure. The only way you can know for sure is to see your doctor. This month,

Building 34 Association

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

The association office hours at 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 15: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2p.m.; 718-379-5555.

General Membership Meeting – Next meeting, June 13th, 4 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please read our weekly columnsTo join or update your membership, please send a check/money order (NO CASH) of $15 for a single membership or $25 for families to: African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. From MarchJuly, dues are reduced by ½. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook: CoopcityAfricanamericanassoc.

—Deborah C. Nelson allergies have been particularly bad as I am sure some of you who have them can attest to. But if you are sneezing, have a runny nose and itchy eyes, medication is not the only answer. Seek advice from a medical professional to find out other ways you can get relief.

Sorry I missed Mother’s Day; hope you had a great one and were treated like a queen.

Happy birthday, Taurus. Enjoy your special day and get well wishes to all of those who find themselves under the weather.

We are looking forward to our end of the season June association meeting.

We have planned for a closeout celebration. Details to follow.

—LaVerne Floyd

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

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Cooperators with Vision will steer us towards a promising future Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Bernard Cylich

Under the leadership of Director’s Viewpoint to a multimillion dollar lawsuit Board President Cleve Taylor, against Riverbay. Because MSI had Co-op City is once again living emptied Riverbay’s cash reserves, Treasurer by the ideals it once promoted: we were forced to propose a one& the largest housing complex in time, 4.5 percent carrying charge the nation is becoming a comand a 10 percent hike in garage fees Assistant Secretary munity of shareholders commitin order to cover the cost of that lawted to providing comfortable, suit. affordable apartments to workEver since the MSI suspension, ing families. Last fall, we began we have come across a number of the task of restoring Co-op City serious mistakes the firm had by taking several needed steps: made—in power plant design and We terminated a no-show, highly engineering, in administration, in payroll, and more—that we are now paid employee in the Co-op City paying, big time, to correct. No Times and eliminated a costly superfluous position in the Public broom could be large enough to Safety Department. We uncovered and stopped overclean up the mess MSI left us. We must continue the billing by the outside painting and plastering company; the jobs are now done by Riverbay employees. We renewed the practice of bidding for our $8.5 million annual insurance coverage and bringing those contracts before the Board for approval. We discovered, and immediately halted, work that a risk manager on the Riverbay payroll was doing for other housing complexes. And finally, we suspended the Marion Scott, Inc. real estate firm, whose mismanagement led

Linda Berk

Congratulations, Taylor!

Congratulations to Taylor Sowah who graduates with honors from SUNY New Paltz tomorrow, Sunday, May 19. Taylor majored in Communications and minored in Black Studies. He was also captain of the New Paltz Hawks men’s basketball team for the last 2 years.

During his illustrious tenure with the Hawks, Taylor became the 19th player since the team was started in 1948 to score more than 1,000 points.

Taylor is the son of Mary Ann Sowah, a former Co-op City Times graphic artist, and resident of Building 2. We’ve watched Taylor grow up and mature into a responsible, respectful and outstanding young adult. We are exceptionally proud of all that he has so far accomplished.

Best wishes, Taylor, as you embark on the next phase of your journey.

Job well done, to you, Mom and big brother, Obed.

Parking Advisory Notice

Please be advised that specific sections of GARAGE #6 will be under construction and closed as of May 18th.

The locations are as follows: • The entire roof of the garage • The up ramp between the 6th floor and the roof • The down ramp between the 6th floor and the roof ***Transient parking will be suspended during the hours of 4 p.m. - 7 a.m. However, transient parking will be available in Garage # 5*** Please ensure that your vehicle has been removed from the above mentioned location no later than 7 a.m., Monday, May 18th. If not, your vehicle may be towed at your expense.

We ask that you please drive slowly, cautiously and adhere to the posted traffic signage. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you in advance for your attention and cooperation.

—Parking Facilities Department

repair process and turn our ship around, steering it on course toward a promising future while protecting our financial integrity, enhancing our quality of life, and optimizing the operation of our corporation.

We should open a youth/community and enrichment center. We must expand transparency—a process already underway with open and televised Board meetings. We need to foster fuller cooperator participation in the governance of our community.

Accomplishing these goals will be greatly helped by the election of Cooperators with Vision candidates.

We urge you to re-elect Board members FRANCINE REVA JONES and EVELYN TURNER, and to elect SONIA FELICIANO, REV. DEBORAH JENKINS, and ROD SAUNDERS. Together, we can return our beloved Co-op City to the way it was and should be.

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

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With much gratitude for your support Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Al Shapiro

To my fellow shareholders, thank Director’s you for allowing me the honor of serving this community for 21 years, 8 of those years as President of the Riverbay Board of Directors. As I leave the Board this May, I must say I am very proud of the accomplishments achieved during my several terms on the Board with the help of many past and present Board members and community participants. I thank you all because together, we were able to keep Co-op City affordable and to make the necessary repairs as we worked to upkeep and maintain our homes.

We were able to first negotiate new agreements with the State of New York that allowed us to draw down monies that enabled us to repair our underground piping system known as the Ric-Wil system, eliminate the bi-annual double digit maintenance increases and get rid of the alleged $11 million in mortgage arrears. This all occurred in my first term

on the Board of Directors from 1987 to 1993.

I was re-elected to the Board of Directors in 2000 and remained on the Board until this May. During this period, we were able to significantly reduce apartment vacancy from 800 apartments to well under 100 vacant apartments.

We were also able to repair and rebuild Co-op City. The repairs to the underground piping in Section 5 was completed and new elevators were installed. We rehabbed the 8 garages in the community. We also changed and installed new windows in all of the buildings, an historic project due to the size of Co-op City; and completed Local Law 11 work on the exterior bricks and balconies.

We rebuilt our aging Power Plant and converted it to a 40 megawatt cogeneration plant. All of this work was done because we were able to obtain private financing, and eventually, we qualified for the current low interest 35 year mortgage from Wells Fargo that is guaranteed by HUD. This was all done with

the shareholders receiving low, single digit increases well under 3% or no increase over the last 15 years.

These accomplishments were made with the help of many savvy, dedicated and concerned shareholders and fellow Board members past and present.

Choosing to serve a community this large is not an easy decision. It requires dedication, honesty and the willingness to speak out and defend the position of shareholders. For this reason, I am asking my fellow shareholders to vote for Gail Sharbaan. She has proven her community leadership with her work in the Building 13 Association, Inc. She is a grant writer and has secured funds from the Bronx Council of the Arts enabling her to run programs for youth and adults in various crafts and writing courses. I know she will keep everyone apprised of what is going on with the Board and community. I know she was a vocal advocate against the 4.5% increase in maintenance and 10% in the garage fees. I urge everyone to vote for Gail Sharbaan.

Once again, I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve this community.

Buildings 30 A and B had a flooded basement the weekend of Mother’s Day. The flood caused problems within our laundry room shorting out the washers and dryers, thus causing the closure of the laundry room.

Unfortunately, Riverbay Corporation didn’t communicate any of this information over the weekend to the residents of our building. As of this writing, the infor-

mation as to when the laundry room will be open hasn’t been expressed by management.

At next month’s general membership meeting, we will hold our elections for building board.

Our Crochet class for this Wednesday is cancelled.

Movie night is still on for Friday, May 29th in the association room at 7:30 p.m. with the door opening at 7.

Don’t forget Section 5 is having its annual Sun in the Fun on Saturday, August 22nd. We are still looking for volunteers and performers.

Those who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or new additions, congratulations; for those under the weather, get well soon.

—Linda Werner

Viewpoint

Buildings 30 A & B Association

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, IN YOUR BUILDING LOBBY FOR THE RIVERBAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS!

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

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My vote is for independent thinkers with fresh ideas

Every year, I read candidates’ statements or Directors’ viewpoints stating that this election is the most important election ever. As I sat down to write this viewpoint, I realized that the statement is always correct. Each election is always more important than previous elections as the subsequent elections give shareholders a new opportunity to fashion the course of our community. You can vote for the status quo or you can vote for new people with fresh ideas.

Having run for the Board 4 times, I am impressed by the four independent candidates who are running. Mounting a campaign for the Board consists of

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Bill Gordon

Director’s Viewpoint

physical, mental and financial hardships that are best handled with the support of your fellow slate members. These four cooperators’ passion for this community has driven them to take this trip alone.

However, I am only endorsing two of these candidates: Gail Sharbaan and

Katrina Asante.

Both of these candidates are independent thinkers with fresh ideas to bring to the Board. Ms. Sharbaan has been a community leader for some time now and Ms. Asante’s experience in the political arena will bring a much needed expertise to the Board. Both candidates possess management skills essential to being a good Board member and seem to have the temperament to deal with the stresses of being a Board member, stresses that originate within the Board and from cooperators at large.

At one time, I was planning to write a very negative article detailing what I

Building 13 Association

felt were the misdeeds done by the present Board majority, but I realized that my opinions about the present Board is not relevant to the candidacy of these two fine candidates. They need to be judged on their experience and opinions, and not mine.

As a Board member, I am constantly speaking to cooperators, and I also know that there are cooperators who value my opinion. I hope you all join me in voting for Ms. Sharbaan and Ms. Asante and if you have three other candidates, fine. No matter whom you support, please participate in the election by voting.

Summer Fun Day is scheduled for June 20, from 12 p.m.-6:00 p.m., between Carver Loop and Casals Place. If you like Salsa, you don’t want to miss Juan Ortega, One Man Band. Salsa contest is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. Special game to be announced a little later. There will be free refreshments and lots of family fun.

Youth under 18 years old must have a parent sign a waiver form to participate in games. Summer Fun Day shirts are currently for sale. Contact anyone from

Buildings 9-14. Youth shirts from XS-XL cost $7, Adults from S-XL $10 and 2X and 3X cost $12. A sample shirt is available to view. No shirts will be sold the day of the event so purchase in advance.

We will be dancing to the sounds of JUAN ORTEGA (weather permitting), so our Salsa dance contest time is moved to 1:00 p.m. You don’t want to miss our Dunk Tank participants this year, more information to follow. Keep reading in the weeks to come to see the list of names.

Come with us as we travel to Foxwoods and the Tanger Outlet Stores now located on the premises. This fundraising trip includes over 80 brands at this destination that includes shopping, dining and gaming. The trip is scheduled for October 3, leaving from 100 Casals Place at 8:00 a.m. The cost is $65. First payment of $35 due June 30; 2nd payment, $30 is due on August 28. It will include the casino with bonus, luncheon buffet and shopping with discount book-

Mark Your Calendars The next Building 10 Association meeting will take place on June 2, at 7 p.m. The meeting will occur in the association room behind the lobby in Building 10B. June 2nd will be the last meeting until September, 2015. Keep an eye out for Building 10 Association articles here for information regarding Building 10 Association summer activities.

Section 2 presents “Summer Fun Day,” noon - 6 p.m. at the park between Carver Loop and Casals Place. This event is a block party to celebrate family,

lets. Join us and have some fun!

Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc., Inc. and mailed to: Bldg. 13 Assoc., Inc., 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. For information, contact Gail Sharbaan at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370, our website: www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at building13assoc@yahoo.com.

Thanks for making our team work.

—Leslie Peterson

friends and the community that brings them together.

Wednesday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m. will be a collection of money for the shareholders who are interested in purchasing Fun Day t-shirts: Youth shirts XS-XL $7; Adults S-XL $10 and 2X and 3X cost $12.

A Building 10 Association Fun Night is in the planning stages and you can join the planning committee at our meeting on June 2.

New cooperators are welcome and are urged to attend our next meeting.

The Building 10 Association is com-

prised of shareholders. We are eager to learn about your concerns, ideas, and look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Unpaid dues can be paid at any of the General Association meetings.

We would like to thank all of our volunteers!

—Ron Campbell

Building 10 Association

Co-op Insurance

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Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

The Wright Agency: Serving Co-op City for 34 years!

Riverbay Requires Current Co-op Shareholders to Obtain Coverage!

Your Co-op is an Investment Worth Protecting!

Protection to cover your belongings against: • Fire & Smoke • Water damage from plumbing • Vandalism/Riot

We offer:

• Low Premiums

• Protective Device Discounts • Auto-Home Discounts

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• Certain personal liabilities • Guest medical protection • And so much more!

Other Lines of Insurance: • Auto

• Homeowners • Life

Agency Owner

The Wright Agency

Rates as low as $72 for the entire year!

Notary Public on staff!

Conveniently located only blocks from Co-op City! (near Eastchester Road) Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Wednesday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

1435 East Gun Hill Road

718-671-8000 Contact Us Today!

sny79441@allstate.com

Courteous Staff!

Convenient Hours!

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Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

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Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

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Can this Compass manage to guide us in the right direction?

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

On Tuesday, May 5, the board conducted an interview with a company named Compass Rock Real Estate. They brought ten representatives here. And, things went well, after a rocky start.

A Rocky Start Compass Rock manages 30,000 apartments across the nation. One of their biggest properties, Stuyvesant Town– Peter Cooper Village, is located between 14th and 23rd streets, from First Avenue to Avenue C. Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village has 11,241 apartments within 110 buildings. The current lowest listing for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,999. Too small? The current lowest listing for a 3-bedroom starts at $4,510.

Compass Rock took over Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village back in 2012. David Woodward is the president.

His organization employs more than 1,200 employees across NYC, Atlanta, Orlando, Reno, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

So, this organization is big. But, there was one issue that came up at the beginning of the interview.

As cited above, they've only been in business since 2012. However, our bidding specifications from the NYS Homes & Community Renewal agency (HCR) states that all "bidders must have 5 or more years experience managing large residential properties in complex regulatory environments." However, I was advised that this issue was resolved by HUD, HCR, and Wells Fargo in January of 2015. And, this requirement can be satisfied by individuals with at least five years of experience.

A New Direction?

Compass Rock is ready to bring in professionals that can cover almost every aspect of our business. Their professionals have experience with management operations, public safety, power

Hello neighbors, are you enjoying the beautiful blossoms of our trees and flowers? I really enjoy the beautiful scenery of nature here in Co-op City, thanks to our ground keepers.

NEW COOPERATORS - We especially invite you to join and host any committee if you want to share your talents, as well hosting a committee.

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE - One that enjoys putting a smile on other’s faces, visiting or calling about a sick neighbor in our building, birthdays, etc.

Please let the association know.

Building associations are established so that the shareholders may become

plants, legal operations, maintenance, etc.

Management: The president of Compass Rock stated that he will work here for 40 hours a week. Plus, he has other professionals that will assist him.

Public Safety: At the interview, they distributed a 52-page book that showcased a glass command center on their public grounds. With just one or two officers, they can review 1,232 cameras.

The director of their force, with 30 years of experience, served as a deputy inspector/command officer of two Brooklyn precincts. Here are the major elements of his plans: 1. Promote transparency, 2. Enhance deployment, 3. Review quality of life enforcement, 4. Embrace crime prevention strategies, 5. Rigorous overtime analysis, and 6. Liaison with the NYPD. Inventory: Compass Rock made an impressive presentation on their inventory system. Their inventory system can track an extensive amount of items from an initial order to the daily usage of those items.

Our inventory system? There have been numerous cases that proved that our items were stolen. Therefore, a new inventory system is needed to put a stop to the pilferage here.

Legal: They have an in-house legal department that can handle a wide variety of matters. Plus, they confirm that their tenants "are using their apartment as their

primary residence."

Construction: Unfortunately, Compass Rock wants to charge a 6% fee for managing our construction work here. So, this might be a problem when you look at the awful conditions at the Bartow and Dreiser shopping malls.

The full board should have interviewed our third and final management company by the time that you read this article. Thereafter, I would like to have these companies make a presentation to the entire community about their proposed services. Then, we will need to answer a big question: Will we continue with our current management operations or will we bring in a new management company?

Cooperators First How can a group of board candidates tell us that we should gladly accept the recent increases because we have a better deal than other housing developments?

Who developed this theme for them? Was it this current board working along with another group? Look, from my perspective, this community should not follow or support anything from this current board.

Moreover, there is no way that candidates should pay money to a completely dysfunctional group that will try to get them to compromise their professional standards to get on this board. This is not what this community needs. No, we need good leaders that will represent the best interests of this community. And, in my opinion, we do not need candidates that will blindly follow a board that has refused to cut anything to help this community.

Therefore, I will not vote for anyone that supports the policies of this current board and the increases that they issued.

Coyotes in the Community As mentioned before, there have been numerous sightings of coyotes running

involved in their homes, buildings and community.

OUR GENERAL MEETING - The next meeting prior to the summer will be Thursday, May 28th, at 7 p.m. We may have a speaker, will let you know before the meeting. So please bring all your comments and suggestions for what you would like to see take place during the summer, such as games, movies or hosting a committee, etc. It’s up to you. We will resume the association meetings in September, however we can still meet with our neighbors for various activities.

SECTION 5 FUN DAY- Is still in the works, so keep an eye out, plan to volun-

teer, it will be our second year adventure.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL - We all have an incinerator room on each floor; a suggestion was offered, perhaps we could put a flyer or note on the doors asking the cooperators to properly disposed of their garbage.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION - will take place on May 20 Each year, we vote to elect shareholders, such as yourselves, to serve on the Board of Directors as Board members of the Riverbay Corporation (shareholders). The Board consists of 15 members and each Director serves a term of three years. The 15 Board members set policies for the

the Golden Corral, all for $85. We will be leaving from Building 32 at 8:00 a.m., arriving back in Co-op City at approximately 8:30 p.m., with return stops at Dreiser Loop, Ash Loop, and Einstein Loop. We will be showing movies and we will start our trip with a breakfast snack.

Payments can be sent to: Ms. Eleanor Bailey, 4180 Hutchinson River Pkwy.

Apt. 10A, Bronx, NY 10475, (718) 3797754, or Ms. Dolores Rankin, 4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10 E, Bronx, NY 10475, (718) 379-0910.

Checks and/or money orders made out to Building 32 Association, please.

Garbage The weather is getting warmer and little critters (roaches, etc.) abound. Please dispose of your garbage accordingly.

Dues Building dues of $5/year/family, is still being collected.

—Lorna Smith

General Membership Meeting Wednesday, May 13 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 28 of the Bartow Community Center. At the meeting, we will discuss the upcoming election for five Riverbay Board Directors. We urge all our members to vote on Wednesday, May 20. There will be a voting machine in each building’s lobby, so please be sure to make sure to cast your ballot by voting between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

On another matter of importance, we’d like to remind anyone who’s not yet applied for SCRIE or DRIE that you should do so immediately so that you can be qualified for an exemption from the imminent 4.5% carrying charge increase approved by HCR recently.

However, do not use the form provided online at the NYC.gov website. It’s not the correct one as I was informed when I spoke with a JASA representative over

Daryl Johnson

Director’s Viewpoint

Building 27 Association

Building 32 Association

Flea Market We will be hosting a Flea Market on Saturday, May 30 from noon to 4:00 p.m.

We can accommodate six (6) additional cooperators who want to sell their wares.

The only charge is $10 per table; this is a building fundraiser. For additional information, please contact Ms. Dolores Rankin at (718) 379-0910.

Trip We are definitely, positively, absolutely going on our June 20 trip. This is also the last time I will be telling you about this great trip as the final count must be submitted by week’s end. There are still seats available, so it is not too late to join us for a great day of gambling, drinking, shopping, and eating at the renowned Golden Corral. We will be going to a wine-tasting, Sands Casino with casino bonus and attached outlet mail, and all you-can-eat buffet dinner at

around Co-op City, Pelham Bay Park, Van Cortland Park, and throughout several areas of the city.

On Wednesday evening, April 29, a coyote was spotted near building #2 on Co-op City Boulevard. The coyote ran throughout several areas of Co-op City.

Thereafter, our Public Safety force responded and the coyote ran away along Co-op City Boulevard, near the water.

On Thursday, May 7, messages were sent out that a coyote was seen running around on the 4th floor of garage #6.

Garage #6 is located about a block away from the baseball fields on Co-op City Boulevard.

Thereafter, another message stated that some cooperators heard howling noises along the waterfront area near garage #6.

Please call our Public Safety department at 718-671-3050 and 911 immediately if you see a coyote or any other wild animal in this community. Thank you.

Close I did not feel comfortable endorsing anyone in this election. Nevertheless, please vote for candidates that you believe will help this community.

Thank you.

Questions or comments? Please send a message to: Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475.

Or, please send a message to me at darylhjohnson@optonline.net (Please double-check the spelling of this address.)

Also, please call me at 718-671-4544 if you don't receive a response from your message. You can also join me on Facebook by typing in: Daryl H. Johnson.

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

Riverbay Corporation, in conducting Co-op business and protecting the interests of the shareholders and that our homes will REMAIN affordable now and in the future to come Happy birthday to all in the month of May. We wish all of our sick and shut-in a speedy recovery. To those that lost a loved one, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences. Please keep our Board members in prayer, and also pray that the newly electeds shall be the right Board member to do right by the people and for the people. Pray that peace will prevail.

—H. Overman

Coalition to Save Affordable Housing

the phone. You can call the JASA office at 718-320-2066 to provide your name, building, apartment number, and I was told a social worker would contact me to offer assistance with completing the appropriate form for my mother who lives in Co-op City. If you’ve already applied and are receiving SCRIE or DRIE, then you don’t need to do anything. This is only for those shareholders of record who are 62 years or older, and have an income of $50,000 or less, and who pay more than a 1/3 of their income towards their monthly carrying charge here in Co-op City.

Also, be sure to visit us at ctsah.net, as well as our FB page to learn more about the organization. Let us know if you like what you see. Leave a comment so that we’ll know you were there.

See you at the June meeting!

—Claudia A. Sampson

SCRIE

However, if you are 62 years of age or older and you meet all of the other SCRIE criteria, and you have not yet applied for the program, you should fill out an application, submit it to HPD for processing and HPD will subsequently notify you if you qualify for the exemption.

The SCRIE program provides senior citizens an exemption from paying future increases in their carrying charges, thereby helping them to remain in affordable housing.

To be eligible for the SCRIE program, applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements: • They must be 62 years and over; • Have an annual household income not in excess of $50,000; • Have a valid one or two-year lease for an apartment that is regulated by the Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), for example, a rent controlled, rent stabilized or hotel stabilized apartment; and • They must pay more than one-third of their household’s monthly income for rent, or in the case of Co-op City shareholders, carrying charges.

A SCRIE workshop will be held in each of the 3 community centers. The first workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, June 4, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Room 28 of the Bartow Community Center.

Traffic

leads to massive traffic ties up on local streets commonly resulting in 45-minute delays when trying to get from the shopping complex onto one of the two major highways that ironically sit just a few dozen yards from the shopping complex on both sides. (See page six for the letter in its entirety.)

Copies of the letter from the East Bronx Traffic Coalition was also sent to Riverbay and several elected officials whose job it is to represent the interests of the communities of the East Bronx and lobby state and city agencies on their behalf. Elected officials who were sent copies of the letter included Congressman Joe Crowley, Councilman James Vacca, State Assemblyman Mike Benedetto, State Senator Jeff Klein and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. John Doyle, a principal organizer of the East Bronx Traffic Coalition, said this week that the letter is only the first step and the coalition hopes to host a public hearing within the next month at which leading transportation officials can hear directly from community residents about the concerns caused by the massive shopping complex which doubled in size in August of 2014 with the opening of the new Mall at Bay Plaza, but with no major highway access improvements accompanying the expansion despite the fact that the construction of the new mall was talked about and planned for well over a decade until it finally came to be last year.

The Coalition, according to the organization’s letterhead, is comprised of several organizations including: the City Island Civic Association; the Country Club

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015 (Continued from page 1)

The second SCRIE workshop will be held on Saturday, June 6 in Room 35 of the Einstein Center, 135 Einstein Loop. The time will be announced at a later date.

The final SCRIE workshop will be held on Saturday, June 13, in Room 2 of the Dreiser Center, 177 Dreiser loop.

Time to be announced.

To complete their applications, those attending the workshops should bring proof of their age, as well as the following documents for themselves and everyone else in their household – sources of income, for example, pension, Social Security; and copies of their 2014 taxes.

In addition to these workshops, JASA Senior Services is also providing assistance to seniors to fill out their applications, however, they must first call ahead to make an appointment and a social worker will then be assigned to follow-up with each caller.

Applications for SCRIE are available both at the JASA Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY, and at the Riverbay Administrative Office, also located at 2049 Bartow Avenue. Applications may also be available at the HPD workshops, but that information was not confirmed as of press time, so you should make an effort to get an application to bring to the workshop; either pick one up from Riverbay or JASA, or download it

(Continued from page 1)

Civic Association; the Locust Point Civic Association; the Morris Park Community Association; the Pelham Bay Taxpayers and Civic Association; the Spencer Estates Civic Association; the Throggs Neck Homeowners Association; the Throggs Neck Merchants Association, and the Waterbury LaSalle Community and Homeowners Association.

Doyle said the group will also be reaching out to Co-op City for direct involvement from some of its community-wide resident organizations, as well as Riverbay Corporation.

The community organizer added that members of the coalition recently met with Assemblyman Benedetto and Councilman Vacca about the coalition’s concerns and will be meeting in the very near future with Senator Jeff Klein about the issues raised in the letter.

In the letter, the coalition states: “The Mall at Bay Plaza, located in the Baychester section of the Bronx, completed a massive two-year expansion, costing $300 million. The shopping center now stands at 780,000-squarefeet and is attracting people from all over the city and region alike to shop at this location. Surely, this is good news for Bronx County, as our area has historically suffered from a lack of economic investment for some time. That being said, except for the one improvement, extending the I-95 exit ramp into the mall, no additional infrastructure or transportation improvements have been implemented to compensate for this development. As a result, motorists are often left to wait at Bartow Avenue

21

online from the Riverbay website, www.riverbaycorp.com.

It was learned earlier this week that the SCRIE application at the New York City Department of Finance website is not the correct application to be used by Co-op City shareholders. Since HPD is the administrator of the SCRIE program for Mitchell-Lama residents, the correct application can be downloaded at the HPD website, www.nyc/gov/hpd, not at the Department of Finance or the NYC Rent Freeze websites as reported last week. Those SCRIE applications are for tenants, not Mitchell-Lama owners, which Co-op City shareholders are.

The SCRIE application cannot be completed online. It must be printed, filled out and mailed back with the supporting documents to HPD according to the instructions that accompany the application.

Riverbay’s Finance Director Peter Merola confirmed this week that Co-op City shareholders will be able to submit their completed applications to the HPD representatives on-site at the 3 workshops listed above.

New applicants who will not be attending the HPD workshops should be aware that they have 120 days from the date of the increase, June 1, 2015, to submit their SCRIE applications for their exemption to be retroactive to June

1. If their application is received by HDP later than the 120 days window, their exemption will begin on the first day of the month following the date that their application is received by HPD. HPD has confirmed that all applications are date stamped upon receipt.

For instance, since the carrying charge increase goes into effect on June 1, 2015, new applicants in Co-op City have until around September 28, 2015 to submit their SCRIE applications. If their application is received by HPD later than September 28, say for instance, on September 29 or October 15, the exemption will begin on November 1, 2015 and will not be retroactive to June 1, 2015.

The Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), on the other hand, is administered by the city’s Department of Finance (DOF). DRIE applications can be requested by calling 3-1-1 or from the Riverbay Administrative receptionist and/or JASA. In addition, DRIE applications can be downloaded at www.riverbay corp.com and at www1.nyc.gov/assets /finance/downloads/pdf/drie/drie_appl. pdf.

Similar to SCRIE, DRIE applications should be mailed; they cannot be faxed or should not be completed online as supporting documentation must accompany the application.

(under I-95) to cross under the interstate to travel back onto the roadway. Thus, it is not uncommon, given the traffic congestion in the area, for it to take over 45 minutes to exit Bay Plaza. This situation is totally unacceptable and could leave residents and customers vulnerable in the case of an emergency.”

The letter goes on to state: “In 2000, Urbitran Associates, Inc. developed a traffic plan that was submitted to the NYS Department of Transportation.

Within this plan, the findings stipulated that adding on and off ramps by Bartow Avenue onto the Hutchinson River Parkway was feasible. It is our understanding that since this time, no such ramps have been undertaken in light of the need for alienating parkland (a cumbersome and difficult process) and the proximity of coastal wetlands. While we appreciate these concerns, some consideration should also be given to the air pollution and traffic created at Bay Plaza and the need to rectify such situations. We are also aware of a 2010 NYS DOT study which identifies the lack of a direct exit/entry point for Co-op City to the Hutchinson River Parkway to be a major reason for congestion on I-95.

Therefore, we are respectfully asking your organizations to work together to formulate a feasibility plan that could make these ramps a reality. Recently, through the work of State Senator Jeff Klein and the NYC Department of Transportation, ramps going into the Hutch Metro Center from the Hutchinson River Parkway, long thought to

be infeasible, will now be examined for future implementation. We would like to see a similar outcome here. We look forward to hearing from you in a timely manner.”

Earlier this year, members of the coalition reached out to the Co-op City Times to access past articles on the traffic issues regarding Bay Plaza and also a copy of the 2000 Urbitran Associates report which recommended several access improvements from Bay Plaza to the adjacent highways.

At a meeting in 2013 between city and state transportation officials and leading Co-op City community leaders, including the community’s elected representatives and several Board Directors at the time, to discuss plans to improve highway access, a representative of the Co-op City Times brought up the existence of the Urbitran report and state transportation officials said at that meeting they had no knowledge of the report.

Since that time, the Co-op City Times has provided copies of the Urbitran report to the coalition, State Assemblyman Mike Benedetto’s staff, and Community Board 10.

Community Board 10 chairperson said this week that while the coalition does not speak for the Community Board: “We wholeheartedly agree with their findings and support their efforts. This is a fight we have all been taking up for the past decade and as I said recently, we definitely now need to push to get New York State’s transportation planners involved.”

22

My votes for Board Directors go to...

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

“We will never get along and agree with everyone we meet. We should look to be honest with all we meet, even if it means disagreeing in a tactful, honest manner. To have a civilized disagreement is one way progress is made in a discussion. The other is coming to a common agreement and trying to meet each other halfway. It shouldn’t be a competition to win, but it should be a joint effort to make progress and achieve a common goal.” — Walter W. Welle.

It is refreshing to see individuals running independently. This is the way you would like to see your Directors vote, independently, after researching a proposed resolution and asking questions.

As shareholders, we have an obligation that has serious consequences. Do not stay silent because you feel you have no voice; you do and there are candidates willing to take a stand on your behalf.

Those elected will be a part of providing direction for the future of Co-op City.

I have participated as a member and chair of committees and interacted with some candidates running for the Board of Directors this election period. I am always intrigued by the passion shareholders have for this fantastic community.

I congratulate all who have decided to run for the Board. It is not an easy decision or journey.

During the past few months, we have been consumed with discussions and debates about the 4.5% increase. I was pleased to see that shareholders wrote letters and made calls to voice their opinion one way or the other. Two individuals stood out during this time, Gail Sharbaan and Katrina Asante, who worked tirelessly with other Budget

Going forward, hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I say it a lot, we are so lucky here. Yup, your writer really believes that and looking at the extreme conditions in housing, weather, economics, etc., I am convinced Co-op City is a great place to be. We will continue to fight to correct problems. At the same time, appreciate what we have here. With that in mind, a huge salute to the writers of the Co-op City Times. We particularly read the article on page 1 to page 4 on the “HCR Conference.” We also strongly recommend reading the election articles. These may help you make up your mind. Remember, Co-op City is built on a system of democracy and guidelines that strengthen the system. Soon, we’ll have an opportunity to express support for candidates and the system by voting. The Broun Place Board Executive Officers are President: Mrs. Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar; Vice President: Mrs. Vivian Burrus; Treasurer: Ms. Lillian Richardson; Secretary: Ms. Grace Emanuel and Ms. Lana Spaulding

Leslie Peterson

Director’s Viewpoint

Committee members to implore the powers that be to reconsider the imposition of a garage and carrying charge increase. I am confident these candidates will put all shareholders first and protect your investment in Co-op City. Gail Sharbaan and Katrina Asante have exhibited a concern for getting your voice heard.

Gail Sharbaan has always shown an interest in this community with her dedication to the youth and seniors. As a member of her building association, she has engaged in community service including creative programming.

Gail helped find areas in the budget that could generate revenue, cut expenses and minimize the proposed increase.

Her budgeting skills focused in on areas that still remain a concern. She has experience in budgeting, insurance, development of programs and training.

These are skills that would be an asset to the Board of Directors.

Katrina Asante is a member of the Dog and Budget Committees. I continue to be impressed with her calm focus and attention to detail. Her position as Chief of Staff for a State Senator advocating on citizens’ behalf will translate here as she advocates for shareholders first. Katrina wants to improve the quality of services

and repairs and reduce wasteful spending.

She has been an active member of her building association, and I know she will speak her mind, be steadfast and bring your concerns to the table.

I have also been a member of committees that included Rev. Deborah Jenkins. I have conversed with her and found her willing to listen and consider other members view without personalizing if there was a difference of opinion. I am endorsing Rev. Deborah Jenkins for Board of Directors. I still have pending questions for some of the candidates. I read some misstatements along with inaccurate information and need clarification from the individuals.

However, after having the opportunity to speak with Rod Saunders about some points made in his articles, I’ve decided to endorse him also. I’ve heard him speak and I’m pleased with his responses to my questions. Did we agree? Not necessarily, but that is not a condition for my endorsement. When asked about vacant apartment sales, he stated the facts, vacancy is less than 1%, and half of those units are assigned; facts. My hope is that his declarations are sincere.

I will reserve my other choices at this time.

Don’t be distracted!

It is not about being pro or anti anything as some want you to think. It is about the best way to keep Co-op City affordable, maintain the quality of life and protect our investment; not about promoting individual agendas. I read recently in The Cooperator that it is unfortunate that people run for the Board with a particular agenda in mind. It is the overall well-being of the community that should

be the utmost concern. Co-op City is the sum of all its parts and we must choose individuals that understand the importance of regaining the trust of the community, re-establishing a voting bloc and willing to not go along to get along.

However you decide, I implore you to vote on May 20, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in your lobby; you can make a difference. There is one glaring truth about the demographics now and then…the vote. Vote for Gail Sharbaan, Katrina Asante, Rev. Deborah Jenkins and Rod Saunders.

On another note, we need to vigorously pursue our asbestos waiver request. The former Public Advocate and current Mayor said, “Government is often resistant to change, but the Public Advocate’s role is to push our bureaucracy to become more responsive and hold our elected leaders accountable to the needs of the people.” Last year, the Bronx Times wrote, “the Mayor told Benedetto he will direct the new health commissioner to review the policy and look for ways to provide relief for Co-op City residents.” “I’m very concerned that it may be an undue mandate, and a costly one, so we’re going to reevaluate that quickly,” de Blasio said. Going forward, this is something we must be more pro-active about, stated a recent candidate interviewed for the management company position. We agree.

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

Our gutters are not garbage cans!

Please use the green Riverbay/Co-op City waste cans placed on many corners. The signage at our northern dumpster pad is repaired and that is appreciated. Keep in mind, the three designations of townhouse dumpster bins at the sites: White is for mixed paper, cardboard, paper containers; Blue is for bottles, cans, metal, and foil; Green is for ALL other garbage.

Electronic equipment should be sorted and bundled separately, then put at the dumpster site.

May is the month to celebrate graduations, confirmations and christen-

ings. We also close out the season for many civic organizations with a party.

Congratulations to everyone participating in such an occasion. Dave and Eva Lazaar send special birthday congratulations for their grandson, Benjamin Kindaichi Raines, as he celebrates his third birthday. Again, hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day. For Co-op City Public Safety, dial 718-3671-3050, help enforce our quality of life regulations, “If You See Something, Say, Something.” Please share your tidings with Eva or a member of our board.

—Eva Lazaar

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Neighbors, please support and attend association meetings! Broun Place hosts the last meeting of the season on May 28. Expected guests for this meeting include Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and a representative from Congressmen Eliot Engel’s office. The proposition to reduce Bartow Avenue driving lanes to two lanes cannot go through. As the traffic speeds from Bay Plaza, and delivery trucks and busses stop by our Bartow Mall now, traffic is scary! Help fight this proposal, make your voice heard.

We will also be getting signatures for the petition for better postal service.

Broun Place neighbors have also voiced not to sacrifice our garbage removal/sanitation and recycling to spend more money, only to go back to inconsistency, inadequate, and incomplete! City Sanitation services will never provide service and options for recycling as we enjoy now. However, we have to work with services and keep our grounds and walkways clean.

Inspection of voting machines

The voting machines to be used in this year’s election will be available for public inspection on Tuesday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Brooklyn Board of Elections Warehouse, 4312 2nd Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232. Any candidate who cannot inspect the voting machines in person and who would like to send a representative should notify the Election Committee prior to Tuesday.

—2015 Election Committee

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

23

24

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Happy Spring greetings to all of our Co-op City families, friends, neighbors, merchants, and especially, our new residents. We finally have very warm weather, so get out and enjoy the beauty of Co-op City by taking a leisurely stroll on the greenway or to our beautiful shopping mall.

We send loving wishes to all of you celebrating birthdays, wedding anniversaries, new births, and

Buildings 26 Association

other celebrated events during the month of May. Belated happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, grandmothers, and mothers to be. We hope all of you had an enjoyable and restful weekend.

Well wishes for a speedy recovery to all home bound, sick, and hospitalized persons. Our deepest condolences are sent to those families who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. May you

be blessed during this difficult time of bereavement.

Let’s all work to help keep Co-op City clean by properly disposing trash into the nearest garbage receptacle.

If you see something, say something by calling 9-1-1 for emergencies and 3-1-1 for all non-emergency incidents.

—YuVonne Lewis

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, IN YOUR BUILDING LOBBY FOR THE RIVERBAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS!

B

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25

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015 Next Defensive driving course The next Black Forum defensive driving course will be next Saturday, June 13, in Rm. 1, Dreiser Community Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lower your liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from your driver’s license. Please make your check in the amount of $35, payable to “the Black Forum of Co-op City,” and mail to P.O. Box 563, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 at least 1½ weeks before the class, or you can walk in on the day of the class but you must have $35 in cash to pay for the course.

Voice of Co-op City coming soon We will be starting Voices of Co-op City for all cooperators to discuss and debate issues of particular relevance to living in Co-op City, matters that affect our quality of life, social interactions, education, commercial, jobs, and other topics. Meetings will be held once or twice a month. More to follow. Tentative start in early September. If interested, please call (718) 320-8035.

Mohegan Sun trip We are going to Mohegan Sun in the Poconos

American Legion Post 1871

Greetings to all of our Post members who are homebound and recovering from various medical operations. We wish you a speedy recovery.

Happy birthday to all of our members who will be celebrating their birthday this month.

Our Post is always looking for new members to join, so if you are a veteran from any branch of the military, stop by and join. Bring your DD-214 with you. Post 1871 is located in Section 5 in the Community Center, 135 Einstein Loop, Room 41. Our office telephone number is (718) 320-8165, and our e-mail address is post1871@optimum.net.

Post 1871 would like to welcome aboard a new Post member, David Rivera, U.S. Army. Our executive board voted him in with 100% approval. Our top seller again in the Post is Lew Waterman; he sold over $2,000 of raffles. Great job, Lew; mission accomplished again.

On Saturday, May 23, in Einstein Loop, Room 35, information will be giving out about veterans’ benefits.

Bring your family with you to attend this meeting. Light refreshments will be served around 10 a.m. sharp.

Do you know what the dot over the lower case i is called? If you said it’s called a tittle, you’re correct and know you know.

Mayor DiBlasio has picked a former Army Brigadier General to oversee the veterans affairs.

Volunteers are still needed for May 23 and 24 to pick up the food (May 23), and return all of our equipment back to the shop (May 24). Support our Post by giving your effort and time on the above days.

The next General Meeting will take place on May 16, at 11 a.m. Please arrive on time and upon your arrival, turn off your cell phones.

Did you know you can save milk by freezing it for up to 3 months? When you get ready to use it, thaw it in your refrigerator for two to three days and-don’t forget to pour some of the milk out before you freeze it because it will expand.

For all of our Post members who are still waiting for your Post shirt and caps, the word is the machine broke down and when it’s repaired, we should have our order filled, so in the meantime, I trust everyone has paid for their items, that’s on order. I trust every one of our Post members had a great “Mother’s Day.” My family knew my uncle was losing it. He thought he was a chicken. We thought about getting him help, but we really loved the eggs.

Q. What starts with a P, ends with an E, and has a million letters in it? A. Post office.

This information was provided to you by your Post information officer.

—Richard I. Lawson, Jr.

Black Forum

Down on Saturday, June 27.

Cost: $45; casino rebate is $25 slot play and $5 for food. No refunds or adjustments. Checks should be made out to the Black Forum, and must be received no later than June 5. Once payment is received, seats will be assigned. Pick-up: TBA. Black Forum Aerobics and Zumba Summer’s coming and this is the time to get in shape, get healthy and feel healthy. Aerobics classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays; Zumba on Thursday. Classes will be held in the Dreiser Aud., 7:30 p.m. To register, please call (718) 320-8035.

Nominal fee for each class.

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

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

Emergency Food Program We are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Room 20 in the Dreiser Center. Also, due to budget constraints and shortage of available food, you must live within zip code 10475 to participate in this program.

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

We Need You - Join Us Today Membership is $5 per year/person. Call (718) 3208035 or write to Black Forum, P.O. Box 563, Bronx, NY 10475; email: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com or tonyshome10475@gmail.com. Help us keep independent community organizations alive in Co-op City.

Everyone is encouraged to join. Call or visit us, Room 20 in the Dreiser Community Center.

—Tony Illis

NCNW

General Membership meeting tomorrow, Sunday, May 17, at 3:00 p.m., Dreiser Community Center, Room 11.

Reminder: Members, please bring in canned goods.

Come join our Harambee program, Saturday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Acknowledgement to Father’s Day and Remembrance of Juneteenth Freedom Dreiser Community Center, 177 Dreiser Loop, Auditorium B. Harambee is “Pulling together,” the Journey from Africa to the Americas. Theme: “To Celebrate and Pull Our Family Together.”

Reminder: Please encourage your family and friends to participate in the Ethnic Food Contest and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Essay writing contest…

Entry forms can be pick up Sunday, Dreiser Community Center, Room 11 from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Come and join the fundraising event: Shopping at Woodbury Commons of America/lunch at Gasho Hibachi and Brotherhood Tour – America’s oldest winery est. 1839. (Wine tasting) Saturday, June 13. Coach bus leaves at 8 a.m. sharp from: 177 Dreiser Loop front of the hardware store. Return Stops: Einstein, Bartow

and Dreiser. Few tickets are available; please call 718548-9325, 718-320 2366. Cost: $80. Make checks payable to: NCNW Co-op City Section.

Recognition: 41st Anniversary Celebration New York State Annual Bethune/Height program and luncheon will take place on Saturday, May 16. We will be leaving from in front of the hardware store on Dreiser Loop at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

Theatre Group: Tickets for May 31 at 2:00 p.m. at the Signature Theatre to see The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek. Cost: $27. Few tickets available, —Maxine Sullivan please call 718-320-2366.

Building 35 Association

The Building 35 Cooperators Association, "The Tower of Power" is planning a fundraising bus trip to "Bally's" Atlantic City on August 15th. Bus will be leaving from in front of the Einstein Center at 8:30 a.m. and will cost $35 with a $20 slot play rebate. Flyers will be posted. You can contact Bill Gordon at baldsgm@ yahoo.com, or 917-940-9147.

—Bill Gordon

Richard B. Chernaik, M.D.

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

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

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

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

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

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

26

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

The RETIREES’ 42nd Annual LUNCHEON will be held on Wed., June 17th at the beautiful Marina Del Rey, featuring the Carol/DAD Productions, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. At the luncheon, we will be honoring the following persons who have made significant contributions to our organization, our Recording Secretary, JoAnn DanielsHarris and to Elinor Gordon, former Good and Welfare Coordinator, Posthumously. Donation: $75. Tickets are available for pick-up and please advise if transportation needed. Contacts: Beverly Waller/Daisy YoungAnderson, 718-379-0377).

TRAVEL EVENTS • May 19-21, (Tues.-Thurs.), MARTHA’S VINEYARD/CAPE COD. SOLD OUT! Coach Bus will be located on Dreiser Loop, opposite H&R Block.

Boarding/departure: 9:00/9:15 a.m. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722/Barbara W, 718-320- 0500.

• August 17-19, (Mon.-Wed.), DOVER DOWNS HOTEL & CASINO, Dover, DE. Price: Double, $400 pp/Single $490. $100 deposit required now to hold seat. Monthly payments: $150 pp/double $195/ Single. (Final payment due Thursday, July 9th). Casino rebate: TBD. Package includes - All You Can Eat Crabs at Woody’s Crab House, shopping at Rehoboth Outlet Stores; and on day of return, stopping at the Harrington Raceway & Casino, with bonus: free slot play and free buffet. Contacts: Serita G., 347 564-5722/Barbara W, 718-320-0500.

• September 12, 2015 (Saturday). GOSPEL LOBSTER FEAST IN THE POCONOS. Price: $175. $50 deposit required to hold seat. 2 monthly $50 payments each, and final payment of $25 due August 10th. All You Can Eat Lobsters and a variety of 50+ items on menu, such as crab legs, shrimp, scallops, mussels, salmon, prime rib of beef, etc. Live Choir with uplifting Gospel Music. Shopping Woodbury Commons. Travel by coach bus, Bob Mann Tours.

Contacts: Serita G., 347-564-5722//Barbara W, 718320-0500.

THEATRE COMMITTEE: (*prices include transportation/Dreiser Loop): • Sat., MAY 16th, 4 p.m. show. Price: $45. ALIVE

NAACP Co-op City Branch #2210

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 75-3111, Einstein Station, Bronx, NY 10475. President: Jerome Rice; Office Telephone: (718) 320-3210. Address: 135 Einstein Community Center, Room 36.

Membership Meeting, May 24th at 3:00 p.m.

Thanks to our branch memberships, the life blood of the association.

2015 Goals: to increase membership in Co-op City Adult membership, $30; Youth, $10 and Silver Life Membership, $750.

Voter Registration forms available in English & Spanish. VOTER REGISTRATION IS AN ONGING ACTIVITY. Our goal is to register ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS 18-45 years.

SAVE THE DATE May 21st - Dinners to pre-order, call the office.

May 30th - Game changer, Open House, noon – 6 p.m.

FREE at Einstein, Room 38. Presenters: IDNYC, Amalgamated Bank, Family Fitness Center, etc.

September 19th - Annual Fall Dance, Einstein, Room (call for tickets).

REMEMBER! Our branch is here to address the five game changers in the community. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the oldest civil rights organization and its mission and goals are STILL RELEVANT! Ensuring the political, educational, economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate discrimination.

“All lives matter, whether your skin is brown or your uniform is blue.” — Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO, NAACP. “Justice is what LOVE looks like in public” — Dr. Cornel West “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.

Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, exertions and struggle: the tireless and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. —Jerome L. Rice

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

55+ AND KICKIN’. Dempsey Theatre, W. 127 St., Harlem. Meet/depart: 2:45/3:00 p.m. Contact: Lois Scott, 347-768-3943.

• Wed., Sept. 16th, 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68.

BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS. The Ginger Roger Musical. Westchester Broadway Theatre. Deposit now $30 to reserve seat. Balance due by Thursday, July 30th or sooner. Contact: Marie Green-Ryan, 718- 379-3377.

GOOD AND WELFARE Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends of James Kennedy, our Van Manager, whose father recently passed away. Get well wishes to Ann Mayo currently in NYU Langone Hospital. Those of you still under the weather, know that you are

thought of warmly and we wish you brighter days.

Call Josephine Flowers, 718-379-0377, regarding illnesses and bereavements.

NOTE: When signing up for either travel and/or theatre event, you are also required to leave the requested deposit to reserve your seat (NO deposit, seat not guaranteed). Check/money order addressed to RETIREES OF DREISER LOOP. Committee members will be available in Dreiser clubroom 19 (718-379-0377) on Mondays and/or Thursdays, 2:30-5:00 p.m.

“Our blessings start when we wake up in the morning…with the sun shining bright telling you ‘Welcome to a New morning and a New day’.”

—Claudette Davis

Williamsbridge Club

The Williamsbridge Club of the National more information please contact the First Vice Association of Negro Business and Professional President, Sandra Hall, 917.972 .7732.

Women’s Clubs, Inc. is an organization dedicated to Information concerning the National Association community service in the areas of health, employof Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, ment, education and economic development. If you Inc. may be found at www.nanbpwc.org or our mailare interested in joining our organization, dedicated to ing address: Williamsbridge Club, P.O. Box 6, Co-op community service, please call Sylvia Hicks, City Station, Bronx, New York 10475.

Membership Chairperson, 917. 921.5445.

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

The Williamsbridge Club’s Thirty Eighth Annual Founder’s Day Luncheon held Saturday, May 2, was very successful thanks to our families, friends and supporters. We hope that all of the attendees will come out again next year to support our efforts in funding scholarships. Thank you, Above is a picture of some of the members of the Williamsbridge Club.

Many thanks to all who came out; it is this kind of support that keeps thank you. our community viable. Our honorees Eleanor Minor, Karriem Dean, Anyone wishing to render comLinda Berk, Virginia B. McKenzie, Rev. Alicia Bailey, and Dyane Epps munity service assisting with any of were joined by their families and friends to see them receive their our programs, without joining any of awards. The proceeds of the Founder’s Day Luncheon go to provide our club areas, may do so, to obtain scholarships for local youth.

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Serving all cultures & faiths

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

27

Co-op City Sports Velocity Track Club

The Velocity Track Club’s mothers had a good Mother’s Day at the Northeast Youth Invitational Youth Challenge Series at Icahn Stadium on Sunday, May 10. The VTC fathers ordered lunch for the mothers and served them at the track meet. Then, the children went on the track and either won medals or performed their personal best for their mothers. It was a great day for the many mothers who were at the meet. Most on the top teams from throughout New York and New Jersey attended this meet.

Medals were awarded to the top 3 in their age group/ event & gender. The events were: 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, 3,000 meters, 2,000 steeplechase, 80 meter hurdles, 100 meters hurdles, 200 meters hurdles, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, turbo/javelin and invitational pole vault. With only 1 month of training after our 1 month break, VTC was able to win 35 medals, 18 gold, 11

silver & 6 bronze medals, plus some broke their person records (PR). The following student athletes broke their personal record (PR): Zaria Wright, Shantea Leach, Danielle Jackson, Matthiaus Love-Anderson and Trevon James.

The following student athletes won medals: Jaelah Eargle (1), Danielle Jackson (3), LaDarius Jones (3), Avery Phillips (2), Nariah Mathis (1), Kaseem Stand (3), Darius Gordon (3), Charles Jackson (1), Matthiau LoveAnderson (2), Dontae Lindo (3), Lisha McKenzie (1), Tyron Ingram (3), Dante DaCosta (1), Jordon Ingram (1), Julian Caldwell (1), Jaysiah Moore (1), Tiara Jackson (1), Oliver Burrell (1), Desiree King (1), Allyson Wright (1) and Brianna Burrell (1).

This is our second competitive meet since returning from our break and the student athletes are performing well.

Our next stop is on Saturday, May 23rd, AAU Metropolitan (New York) District

Save the date: On Saturday, June 27, our signature program Griots’ Gate will feature an afternoon of traditional and contemporary African music and entertainment under the theme: When Dignity Prevails (WDP).

This exciting program will bring together heritages from across West "What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds." Wayne Dyer.

We would like to thank Chief Apollo for speaking at our building meeting on April 28th. The meeting was very informative and it was great seeing new faces.

On Saturday, May 30th, we will be having a Summer Kickoff Party. This will be a combination of a Cook-off competition, our flea market and bake sale mixed in with great music and good vibes. This party is a fundraiser; in the coming months, we will be looking into doing more events like bus trips, Sunday football parties, adult Halloween costume party and more. So this triple-prong event will help us organize these events

Velocity Track Club New York athletes sporting their medals from the Northeast Youth Invitational Youth Challenge Series.

Qualifier at DaSilva Memorial Field, St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y. If you are in the area, stop by to see your future Olympians.

Velocity Track Club New York is also a 501C3 not for profit. 100% of

your donation will go to help our children. For additional information, you can go to our website, Velocitytrack.org or contact me, Coach Winston Dinkins at 914-441-6196 or email me at.

—Winston Dinkins

Africa regions of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone that have been impacted greatly by the Ebola crisis.

In addition to performances by renowned recording artists from the African community, there will be African business and vending boutique on hand with their wares, so plan to shop for your

favorite African arts and crafts, jewelry and hair products from African women businesses.

The event is free to the public and is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department for Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

in the future.

Flea market: We are looking for items that are in good condition that you are willing to pass on. We will soon be collecting items for the flea market on the following dates and times: May 19th from 6-9 p.m. during Tech Tuesday; May 23rd (Saturday) from 5-10 p.m. during Movie day, and May 26th from 6-9 p.m. during building meeting. Or, you can call our hotline number (347-746-0608) and schedule a pick-up that's convenient for you.

Chicken Wing Cookoff: Starting May 18th, we will start signing up residents for the "Chicken Wing Cook-Off." Entry into this event will be $10 due when you sign-up to hold your spot, then on May 30, you will bring down 30 of your best wings! The prize: $100 and a trophy!

Bake Sale: Calling all bakers: We have some excellent bakers in the building, we are asking if you would be gracious enough to donate some of your delightful treats. If you aren't a baker, but would still like to help us, we will be accepting store bought goods as well. We start receiving baked goods and treats, May 30th. Volunteers needed, please contact us to help.

Upcoming meetings: Tuesday, May 19th, we will have a Summer Kickoff party planning meeting from 6:30-7 p.m., so if you would like to help, please come down. Tuesday, May 26th, we will have our general building meeting at 7 p.m.

On May 19th at 7 p.m., we have the next Tech Tuesday on Internet Streaming devices. These devices are a great way to

Consider becoming a member to support multimedia and cultural programs in Co-op City or, you may also write to us and send your tax-deductible contribution by check/money order payable to: The Drammeh Institute, P.O. Box 558, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475.

—Elise Edwards

Drammeh Center

Building 33 Association

watch your favorite shows and save money by cutting back on your cable bill.

Our deepest condolences to the family of John Wilkes, you are in our prayers at this difficult time, may God be with you.

Well wishes continue to be with building president, Ms. Pat, on her recovery.

Thoughts and prayers for any other of our sick and shut-in neighbors. Get well soon.

Getcha popcorn ready! Saturday, May 23rd we will be having Movie Night!

We have a Facebook page: Building 33 Association. We also have a website: www.building33.org and you can email us at: bldg33Assoc@gmail.com, you can also call or text our Building 33 Hotline number, 347-746-0608 —Tobias Garcia

28

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

On behalf of our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone (718) 862-9172 Church Schedule Sunday School - 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

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

The following programs are at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North (Co-op City) Morning Prayer Services - Tuesday, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

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

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

Other Scheduled Events Saturday, May 30th, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Deborah

Community Protestant Church Women’s Ministry’s FIRST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE - “VICTORIOUS WOMEN OF GREATNESS.” Guest Worship Leader: Bishop Mary Freeman, Emmanuel Church of Christ, NYC; Facilitators: Lady Antoinette Crawford, Union Grove Baptist Church, Bronx, NY; Lady Bernita Washington, New Mount Zion Baptist Church, NYC; Rev. Audrey Jones, Friendly Baptist Church, Bronx, NY; Rev. Deborah Davis, First Baptist Church, NYC. Conference Preacher: Min. Alonda Hassel, Kingdom Christian Cultural Center, Yonkers, NY. Registration: $30. (18 years and older). To register and for more information, contact the church office at (718) 862-9172.

Friday, June 5th, 7:00 p.m. - One Night Revival sponsored by the Deborah Women’s Ministry. Our Guest Preacher will be Rev. Lois Giles, Seven Lights Baptist Church, Bronx, NY. All are welcome.

Sunday, June 7th, 11:00 a.m. – We invite you to worship with us as we celebrate our ANNUAL WOMEN’S DAY in honor of the women of Community Protestant

Faith @ Work Christian Church

120 DeKruif Place (street level).

Praise and Worship begin at 9:30 a.m.

Church telephone: (347) 346-5790; email: fatwcc@ aol.com Weekly Worship Experiences 6:00 p.m., Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Bible Study Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m.

Teen Church, 10:00 a.m., 2nd Sundays; Children’s Church, 3rd Sundays (K-3); Older Children’s Church, 4th Sundays (4th-7th).

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, where 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.

Position: Assistant Summer Camp Director, 30 hours per week funded position for a mature (must be over 24 years of age), reliable, dependable and having great verifiable references to work in this specialized summer camp. Must be able to successfully pass a background check. Must be able to take instruction and provide supervision. Must be an honest and moral person of good character. If interested, email resume and cover letter to

Pentecostal Tabernacle

The Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to worship service every Sunday morning at 120 Benchley Pl., Building 24, Bronx, N.Y. 10475; Tel.718-324-0334.

Sunday School for all age group begins at 10:30 a.m. Midday service starts at 11:45 a.m. Evangelistic service will be held every Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m.

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

- 12:30 p.m. Regular prayer meeting & Bible study will also be held every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.

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

Focus: The fruit of the spirit.

If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Galatians 5:25 Galatians 5:16-23 This I say then, walk in the spirit, and he shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

But if ye be led by the spirit, ye are not under the Law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.

Envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is

love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law.

The fruit of the spirit will develop to its full potential in a believer’s life only with careful and diligent cultivation. The Christian must work daily on each aspect of the fruit to see progress. One writer stated that it is significant that the works of the flesh are contrasted with the fruit of the spirit. Without cultivation and effort, the flesh just naturally produces negative traits.

As long as we allow the spirit of God to have full control of our life, the works of the flesh will not be able to manifest its self. Galatians 5:24 states: And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lust. The goal of each Christian should be to develop each aspect of the fruit of the spirit to the highest possible potential in his life. A Christian should never be satisfied with his present states; he should press on to a fuller dimension. It is important that Christians maintain the fruit of the spirit, Goodness is one that speaks of basic character, Paul said, for I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. (Romans 7:18) Goodness must be imparted to us from the character of Christ.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) The basic character of goodness will affect one’s ethics. Les us live a clean life.

—Rev. R. Sibblies

Church. Our Theme: “Victorious Women of Greatness.”

Our Guest Preacher is Rev. Deborah Davis, First Baptist Church, New York, NY. All are welcome!

The Women’s Guild invites you to join us on our Christmas/New Year Extravaganza, December 22, 2015 – January 3, 2016. A Fantastic 12-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Magnificent Queen Mary 2, departing from New York, Red Hook in Brooklyn.

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

To make a reservation or for additional information about the cruise, please call (718) 320-1435; (718) 6715961 or (718) 320.

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

—Evan G. Mitchell

fatwcc@aol.com. POSITION BEGINS JUNE 29TH! SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION ONGOING: The Faith S.T.E.A.M. Camp will run from June 29-August 21, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

(7:30 a.m. early arrival/6:00 p.m. late pick-up add’l. fee) S.T.E.A.M.= Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Our camp will enroll 1st through 8th grade students on a first come, first serve basis. August 17th-21st is a BONUS FREE week of Vacation Bible School! Trips are scheduled for each Friday through August 14th. Please stop by the church for a flyer and for fees.

Remember, it’s never about us, but always about the goodness of the Lord. —Deacon Juanita E. Pressley

29

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Co-op City Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us tomorrow at 8:00 or 11:00 a.m. for worship service.

Sunday School for children and adults is held at 9:15 a.m. We invite you to worship, study, and pray with us.

The Co-op City Baptist Church is located at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 50.

Our telephone number is 718-3203774. Visit us on the web at www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org.

Join us for a mid-week spiritual pick-up at our mid-week worship service which is held on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. Bible study is held on Wednesdays at 1:00 and 7:30 p.m. Bible study will also be held on Wednesday, April 1 at

5:00 p.m. Prayer Service is held on Fridays at noon and 7:30 p.m. Men’s prayer service is held monthly at 7:30 p.m., we invite the men of the community to join us on Tuesday, May 12.

Tomorrow, May 17, the Pastor’s Aide Ministry will celebrate their 33rd Anniversary at the 11:00 a.m. service. Rev. Linda Spears, Associate Minister St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Harlem, NY. Please join us for this celebratory service.

On Saturday, May 23, the Praise Dance Ministry will begin celebrating 10th anniversary in the Dreiser Auditorium B at 2 p.m., along with invited guest praise dancers. On Sunday, May 24, at 11 a.m., they will have a celebratory service in the Einstein Community

Center, Room 45, with an invited guest speaker. The theme is “Faith That Moves Mountains.” We invite all to these uplifting services and to support our young people.

On Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the First Lady’s Ministry will host a Gospel Luncheon featuring the Ecstatistics in Einstein Center, Room 45. Donations for adults is $25, children 6-18 is $10. For additional information or tickets, call 718-862-9243 or 646-842-2458.

Beginning July 6 to August 28, the church will have a summer Liturgical Performing Arts intensive day program for ages 6 – 17. This program will include daily Bible study, prayer, and

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

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

Sunday Services – The first Sunday of the month is a bilingual service with

communion at 10 a.m. Every other week, the English Service at 9 a.m. and the Spanish Service at 11:30 a.m.

Children: At 10:30 a.m., classes are for 3 yrs. – 12 yrs. The curriculum being used is The Super Book.

Prayer Night (English) & Prayer Morning (Spanish): The Lord said, “Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:20. Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Come and bring your prayer needs so we can

pray together. Remember that prayer brings many blessings, which God has promised to all his children that have a personal relationship with Him. Trip to the Holy Land Experience in Florida: We will be having a 9 day trip to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida from August 8 to August 16. The trip is $799 per double occupancy. A $75 deposit will hold your seat. We will be stopping at different places and will spend two days at the Holy Land Experience and two extra days in Florida. For information,

call Linda at (917) 684-6463; if there is no answer, leave a message and she will get back to you. There are still seats available.

Flea Market: We are having a Flea Market on May 9, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you are interested in being a vendor, call Pauline (718) 320-1552 (mornings, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or evenings between 5 p.m. & 8 p.m. only) or Priscilla (347) 987-8219 (if no answer, leave a message). Space is $30 and add $5 if you need a table.

—Rev. Dr. Milca C. Plaud

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

Weekly Schedule: Sunday service with Holy Communion and Sunday School are both at 9 a.m. Every 4th Sunday, our children participate in the reading of the lessons and every 5th Sunday, our young adults assist in the service. Bible study is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Choir rehearsal

is on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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

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

We look forward to welcoming everyone at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, when we will celebrate The Seventh Sunday of Easter. We will also celebrate St. Joseph’s Day with a pot luck event after service. Please remember to

bring in your special dish of goodies.

Fundraising Event On Saturday, June 27, the ECW will be sponsoring a trip to North Fork, L.I., Pindar Vineyards for wine tasting, luncheon at the Sound View Inn Restaurant and discount shopping at the famous Tanger Outlets. Donation: $100 per person.

Bus leaving at 8:30 a.m. from Dreiser Loop. Call 718-320-0844 for more information.

Outreach Program: We continue to collect non-perishable food for the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. Please remember to donate.

For additional information on all of the above, please call the church at 718320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org.

“Happy are they whose delight is in the law of the Lord.” (Psalm 1:2) —M. Chambers

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

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

writing, African drumming, theatre, poetry, literature, gospel music, field trips and games. This summer program will end with two performances that will showcase their program experience. Registration will be held every week on Mondays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesdays from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., and Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

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

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

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718-379-8029 Medicare and many insurances accepted.

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

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Wed., May 20

Tues., May 19

Mon., May 18

30

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Bartow,

Einstein,

Dreiser,

Activities in Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Activities in Room 49 unless otherwise noted

Word Games 9:30-11am Bingo 12:30-2:30pm Library 9:30am-1pm Weight Management1011:30am, Bartow Office Arthritis Exercises 11am -noon Tablet class 1st & 3rd; Cell Phone 2nd & 4th, 12:40-1:40pm, Bartow office Card Games 2-4pm Dominos 2:30pm

Library 9:30am-1pm

Activities in Room 7 unless otherwise noted Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 9:30-10:30am Crochet & Knitting 10am-12pm Stay Well Exercise1011am, Rm. 2 Mind Teasers 12-1pm Rm. 4 Diabetes Support Group 1pm, last Mon. Gentle Yoga 1:15-2pm Rm. 2 Cellphone & iPad 1:302:30pm Intermediate Yoga 2-3pm, Rm. 2

Word Games 9:3011:30 a.m.

Current Events 10 a.m.

Health Current Events Club 10 a.m., Bartow office Bingo 12:30-2:30pm Caregiver Support Group 1 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tues Card Games 2-4 p.m.

Dominoes 2:30 p.m.

Blood Pressure 9-10am 1st & 3rd Wed. Word Games 9:3011:30am Stay Well Exercise 1011am Line Dancing 11am12pm Bingo 12:30-2:30pm Card Games 2-4pm Dominoes 2:30pm

Thurs., May 21

Library 9am-1pm Word Games 9:30am11:30am Chat Session 9:30am1pm Bingo 12:30- 2:30pm Card Games 2-4pm Dominoes 2:30pm

Dominoes 10am, Rm. 45 Line Dancing 10-11am, Rm. 45 Around The Lunch Table 11:30am Word Search 11am12pm Diabetes Support Group 1pm, 2nd Monday

Dominoes 10 a.m.

Tai Chi 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Matinee Movie 10 a.m.-noon, Rm. 45 Bingo 1 p.m.

Pokeno 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:3010:30am

Spelling Bee 10am

Sewing 9:30-11:30am

Spanish Practice Class 10:30am, Computer Lab

Tai Chi 11am-12pm

Zumba 11am-12pm, Rm. 45

Mind Teasers 12-1pm, Rm. 4 Art Class 1-3pm

Bingo 1-3pm, Rm. 35

Yoga 2-3pm, Rm. 2

Dominoes 10am, Rm. 45 Stay Well Exercise 10-11am, Rm. 45 Spelling Bee 11am Grandparent Connection 1st & 3rd Thurs computer lab, 10:30am Arthritis Exercise Class 11am-12pm, Rm. 45 Word search 11am-12pm Bingo & Pokeno 1-3pm, Rm. 35

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 9:30-10:30am Blood Pressure 1011:30am, 1st & 3rd Thu., Rm. 8 Line Dancing 10-11am, Aud. A Piano Sing Along 11am-12pm Mind Teasers 12-1pm Rm. 4 Drama Club 1:30-4pm Crochet & Knitting

9 -10am

Dominoes

10am-12:00pm

Word Games

10am, Rm. 45

9:30am-11:30am

Art 10am, Rm. 45

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

Women’s Line Dancing

Bingo 1pm

Meditative Moments

Card Games 2-4pm Blood Pressure 2nd & 4th Friday 10:00 -

11am–12pm Rm. 8

9:30-10: 11am-12:00pm

10-11:30am

Chat Session 10am Bingo 12:30-2:30pm, Rm. 25

11:30am, Rm. 45

Piano Sing-along 11am-12pm

Card Games 2-4pm Dominoes 2:30pm

Date:

Soups, Breads and Desserts

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

Orange pineapple juice

Mon., Stuffed cabbage w/beef Bowtie noodles May Green beans w/tomato 18

Tues, May 19

Alt: Egg salad Orange juice Chicken Piccata Mauzone toasted barley onion Sautéed Zucchini

Chicken Fricassee White rice pilaf w/onions, peas & carrots Creamed spinach

Whole wheat bread Healthy wildberry & applesauce

Deluxe cheeseburger w/onions Coleslaw Potato salad

Whole wheat bread Canned apricots

Braised beef tips Baked sweet potato Broccoli w/toasted garlic

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Alt: Tuna salad Apple juice Veggie burger patty Wed., Mashed sweet potatoes May Winter blend vegetables 20 Alt: Baked flounder fish Orange pineapple juice tilapia fish fillet Thurs., Breaded Pork spare ribs Brown Rice Macaroni & cheese w/mushrooms May Steamed carrots Baby carrots w/parsley 21

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Alt: Baked turkey breast

Fri., May 22

Orange juice Baked chicken legs Roasted potatoes Sautéed spinach

Breaded fillet of sole fish Baked brown rice pilaf Baby spinach salad

Upcoming Events/Trips

Challah bread Fresh fruit

Alt: Gefilte fish

Dominoes 10am, Rm. 45

Men’s Line Dancing

Fri., May 22

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Alert & Alive 10:3011:30 a.m.

Cultural Dance 10:30– 11:30 a.m., Aud. B Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Zumba 1-2 p.m., Aud. A Tuesday - Movie w/popcorn 2-4 p.m.

Non-Kosher

Kosher

Mind Teasers 12pm-1:00pm, Rm. 4 Spanish Class 1-2pm

Card Games, Dominoes Bingo 1-3pm, Rm. 35 Pokeno 3-4pm, Rm. 35

2-4:00pm Yoga 1:30-2:30pm, Rm. 8

(Schedule subject to change without notice)

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $4.00 for guest *Menu subject to change without notice.

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk Bartow Center (718) 320-2066, Ext. 2010 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Einstein Center (718) 671-5161

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

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

There will be no refunds for all trips.

All trips include roundtrip transportation! All trips must be paid in advance No Exceptions.

(Free) SNAP (Food Stamp) Application Assistance – Friday, May 22nd, June 12th & 26th at the office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. First come, first served!

WORD PLAY - Children and older people create and perform poetry together and learn public speaking skills.

Remaining dates: Tues., May 26 & Fri., May 29, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., Room 25.

Health Literacy Series – Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Room 31: 5/14, Medications; 5/21, Nutrition and Supplements; 5/28, Advance Directives; 6/4, Pain Management; 6/11, Hospice and Pall-iative Care.

Weight Loss Surgery Presentation —Monday, May 18th, 10 a.m., Rm. 25.

Stress & Anxiety Management Presentation – Thurs., May 21, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., 135 Einstein Loop, Room 35.

Diabetic support group at Dreiser has been changed from May 25 to May 18 due to Memorial Day. JASA CLOSED – Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. FREE six-week workshop with lunch included - build skills to manage ongoing health problems – Mondays, June 1st through July 6th, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Rm. 25. Raffle entry for $50 gift card for attending all six sessions. Please call to register by May 26.

Empire Casino – Tuesday, May 19th, $5. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:00 a.m.

Woodbury Commons – Friday, May 22nd, $15. Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:00 a.m.

(FREE) - Tai Chi Class at Poe Park – Friday, May 22nd, Bartow, 10 a.m.; Einstein, 10:15 a.m.; Dreiser, 10:30 a.m.

Bronx Botanical Gardens (Frida Kahlo Art Garden Life) – Thurs., May 28th, $17. (Lunch included), Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. and Dreiser, 9:00 a.m.

Wave Hill Garden Tour – Friday, May 29th, $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Dreiser, 9:45 a.m. & Einstein, 10 a.m.

Fairway – Monday, June 1st; $3.

Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. &

Dreiser, 10 a.m.

City Island - Seafood City – Monday, June 1st. Bartow, 11:15 a.m.; Einstein, 11:30 a.m. & Dreiser, 11:45 a.m. Fee: $3.

Empire Casino – Tuesday, June 2nd, $5. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum Tour - Pelham Bay Park – Wednesday, June 3rd – $8. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Dreiser, 9:45 a.m. & Einstein, 10 a.m.

Westchester’s Ridgehill Shopping Center – Thursday, June 4th - $7. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m, 97th Street Greenmarket Tour – Moved to June 5, $4. Tour starts at 11 a.m.

Pick-ups: Bartow, 9 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. Learn about the concepts of seasonality, local food, and sustainable agriculture, experience an exploratory walk-through of the market, taste fun seasonal Greenmarket farmer products, and take home recipes.

Wal-Mart – Friday, June 5th, $15.

Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9 a.m.

Aldi – Monday, June 8th - $2. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Stew Leonard’s – Monday, June 8th, $5. Bartow, 9:30 a.m., Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Let’s Go Yankees! – Yankees vs.

Washington Nationals @ Yankee Stadium – Wednesday, June 10th, $25. Game starts at 1:05 p.m. Bartow, 10:30 a.m.; Einstein, 10:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 11 a.m.

Tanger Outlet Deer Park – Thursday, June 11th, $18. Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9 a.m.

Parkchester Green Market Tour – Friday, June 12th; $4. Bartow, 9:45 a.m.; Einstein, 10 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:15 a.m.

Statue of Liberty Lunch Cruise on Spirit Cruises – Monday, June 15th, $50.

Boarding time: 11:30 a.m. Cruise time: 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Boarding at Chelsea Pier 62.

Bartow, 9:00 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. (Only 33 seats available). Lunch buffet – Organic mixed field greens, Organic spinach & kale salad, Mediterranean couscous & chick pea salad, roast salmon & Tilapia, chicken parmesan, meatballs, baked ziti, roast broccoli, maple & mustard glazed pork loin & desserts.

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Einstein Cancer Fund

Attention – Members’ luncheon — Tuesday, June 2nd at 1 p.m. at the Olive Garden at the Mall at Bay Plaza.

Cost per member, $22, payments must be made before May 26.

Tuesday, June 9th – the Sands Casino – Cost per person, $33 casino bonus, $20 slot play and $5 food voucher.

Time of pick-up 8:30 a.m., starting at Einstein Loop, followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop. Don’t forget your casino card and a valid photo I.D. Thursday, September 17th — Hunterdon Hills Playhouse for the luncheon show comedy of Social Security. Enjoy their delicious menu choices of Yankee pot roast, fried chicken platter, chicken marsala, par-mesan Tilapia, baked vegetable lasagna and roasted vegetable kabob. Indulge in

31

their famous unlimited dessert buffet.

The above entrée includes mixed salad, coffee, tea. The cost per person is $79 which can be paid off at your discretion. Final payments are due by September 1st.

For all of the above trips, please call Loretta at 718-671-2958, Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874 or Lydia at 718-6713005. We are available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and in the evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.

We have cancelled the Renault Winery trip for July 14th.

We wish a speedy recovery to Mary Pilla. Remember the homebound and in nursing homes — give them a call.

Good health and healings are wished to all.

—Lydia Ruas

Goose Island Senior Citizens

There will be a Bingo game on Wednesday, May 20th, at 1:30 p.m., in Room 39.

On Tuesday, May 26, we are going to the Sands Casino. The price is $33, the return is $20 slot and $5 for food.

Pick-up will be at 8:30 a.m. at Einstein Loop, Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop.

Also, don’t forget your picture I.D. On Wednesday, August 12th, we’re going to La Neves for an unforgettable, Motown Show. Dancing and singing along is certainly encouraged. The price is $75 for an all-inclusive menu, including two free drinks per person, pasta marinara, chicken francaise or roast

beef with gravy, cheesecake, coffee or tea for dessert. Pick up time is 8:30 a.m. at the same places, listed above.

On Wednesday, October 14th, we are going to Westchester Dinner Theater to see a performance of Show Boat, everyone’s favorite. The luncheon menu has six different entrees to choose from. The price is $80. The pick-up time is 9 a.m. at the same places listed above.

Mary Pilla welcomes your calls while she is recuperating. Please call the club at 718-379-9613 to get her number. Good health to all.

—Ann Schlanger

On Sunday, May 24th, Co-op City will again be holding its Memorial Day Observances at our Harley J. Moseley Memorial Park.

Co-op City Post 500 will be on hand to pay tribute to all the men and women who gave their lives for our country.

But, due to the Jewish Holiday of Shavuet, we cannot take an active part in the proceedings. No speeches or participating in parades. We can wear

our caps and salute our flag with pride, but only while joining with the assembled general public.

Also, our usual pre-ceremony breakfast meeting will not be held.

To all officers, on June 7th at 9:30 a.m., there will be a Bronx County Council meeting at the Bronx Veterans Hospital. Do try to attend.

Birthday greetings to Allen H. Davis and Dr. Gregory Gang.

—Marvin Warm

Jewish War Veterans Post 500

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

Arts for a Lifetime - Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Tech Connect - Wednesdays, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Tech Connect - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Click On - Fridays, 10:30 a.m Matinee - Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

Film - Saturdays, 2 p.m.

The New York Public Library Baychester Branch • 2049 Asch Loop • Bronx, NY 10475 (Fully Wheelchair Accessible)

HOURS: Monday & Wednesday, 10-7; Tuesday & Thursday, 10-6; Friday & Saturday, 10-5. Libros En Español (Books in Spanish). HORARIO DE LA BIBLIOTECA: Lunes 10-7, Martes 10-6, Miércoles 10-7, Jueves 10-6, Viernes 10-5, Sábado 10-5, Domingo Cerrado.

718.379.6700 FREE ADMISSION TO ALL

Read and follow the Co-op City Times online at http://issuu.com/cctimes

Riverbay Board Election Wednesday, May 20th

VOTE 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. in your building lobby and be 1 of 25 shareholders to win $100.

Participate

in the governance of your community!

32

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Reflections

by Rabbi Solomon I. Berl Spiritual Leader of Young Israel Synagogue In the third century, Rabbi Joshua, the son of Levi, took a trip to Rome. He was astounded to behold the magnificence of the buildings. He was especially struck by the care lavished upon statues, which were covered with exquisite cloth to protect them from the summer heat and the winter cold.

As he was admiring the beauty of Roman art, a beggar plucked at his sleeve and asked for a crust of bread. The sage looked at the statues and turning to the beggar in rage, he observed, “Here are statues of stone covered with expensive clothes.

Here is a man, created in the image of G-d, covered with rags. A civi-

lization that pays more attention to statues than to men shall surely perish.” He was correct, for the decline and fall of Rome had already begun.

This story should make us reconsider the goals of education today.

We seem to think that to survive, we must create better machines, rather than better men. We make our heaviest investments in technology; we place more emphasis on producing engineers than on creating good teachers.

This is an error, for the solution to living in a peaceful world will not come about through better spaceships, but through finer spiritual structures.

Young Israel of Co-op City

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

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

On Friday evening, Sabbath services begin at 10 minutes after the candlelighting time. Saturday morning services

start at 9 a.m. Rabbi Berl delivers his sermon at 10:30 a.m.

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

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

Art lessons began on Tuesday, April 14th with our instructor, Moses Groves, who is an award winning artist. Mr. Groves studied at NYU and the Art Students League. He has also won many awards for his artwork. You can stop by Room 5 in the Dreiser Community Center on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. or call Moses Groves at 201-862-0847 or K. Klaus at 718-379-6074 if you are interested in

taking art classes.

Our annual library art show will begin in June at the Baychester Library located in the Bartow Mall in Co-op City. Our paintings are exhibited in the library for the month of June in celebration of Bronx Month. Stop by and see our work. We know you’ll be impressed.

Science is for the body and art is for the soul.

—Sylvia Lochansky

Baychester Visual Arts Association

If you see something, say something! CCPD - 718-671-3050

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

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

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

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

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

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

Candle Lighting on Friday, May 22, is at 7:53 p.m.

Shabbat ends on Saturday, May 16 at 8:57 p.m.

Coming Events From now through the summer, Friday night services will be held at 7 p.m.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 9 a.m. Join Rabbi Daniel Kronengold in prayer.

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

Sunday, June 14, at 1 p.m., we will have bingo. Cost $3 per person. Snacks and refreshments are provided. We look forward to seeing everybody.

Sunday, May 17, Yom Yerushalayim.

Saturday, May 23, Erev Shavuot.

Candle lighting on Sunday, May 24, first day of Shavuot is at 9:04 p.m.

Monday, May 25, second day of Shavuot, Yizkor is at 11 a.m. Holiday ends at 9:05 p.m.

Dues are due for both the synagogue and Sisterhood.

Good and Welfare Get well wishes to Goldie Nieman, Hillary Weber, and also to our friend, Mary Pilla. We wish them all a speedy recovery.

Best wishes to all celebrating special occasions this month. We have tree certificates “in Honor of” or “in Memory of” a special occasion or a condolence.

The cost is $15 per tree.

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

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

We welcome the warmth and birth of Spring.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

—Miriam Berlofsky

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue is running a trip to TAJ MAHAL CASINO in Atlantic City on Tuesday, May 19. Have a day of fun on the Boardwalk, shopping and all the sights and sounds of Atlantic City.

The COST: $35 per person with a $35 slot. It is as if the bus trip is FREE. The player may use the $35 on any slot machine or table.

I would like to remind you that you need a TAJ MAHAL Casino Card or Government Photo ID card (such as a Passport, Driver or Non-Driver License) to get your bonus slot play. Payment is due by May 12.

Please send checks and make it

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

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

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

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

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

Shalom!

—Bruce Gitelson

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue

REMINDER

Vote for a chance to win $100 on Wednesday, May 20, in the Riverbay Board of Directors election.

Polls open 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. in your building lobby.

DIVORCE - BANKRUPTCY • ABSOLUTE LOWEST FEES • EVENING APPTS. AVAILABLE • IMMEDIATE FILING

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718.239.7110

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

Church of the New Vision

33

Pastor Anne L. Palmore and the congregation of the Church of the New Vision extend a warm and friendly invitation to everyone to worship with us every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.

We are a church where inspirational messages from the Word of God, the Bible, are delivered every Sunday morning.

The church is designed to meet the spiritual needs of our community by offering anointed singing and preach-

ing, and a general atmosphere of Christian love and friendly hospitality.

We also invite the youth of our community to attend our Sunday Morning services, starting at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School designed to meet the spiritual needs of our young people.

Parents, please send your children to learn of the Lord Jesus.

Bible teaching from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Prayer Service from 8:00 p.m.

to 9:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening.

Be with us to learn the Truth from the Word of God. List of Events Come join New Vision’s Partners in Math & Reading Program every Friday evening from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Students in Grades 1 through 6, can discover the joy of reading while exploring and improving their literacy levels through small groups and reading partners.

Parents, we encourage you to bring your children to benefit from this free program, taught by trained professionals.

The Church of the New Vision is located at 115 Einstein Loop, Bronx, NY 10475; Telephone: (718) 671-8746 or (718) 320-0409. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 753037, Bronx NY 10475.

Please visit our website at www. churchofnewvision.com —Carole Haque

Hey, Co-op City! Have you ever glanced through your Instagram or Facebook feed and thought, “Why doesn’t my life look as “good” as all of my friends?” When we compare our unfiltered lives to a world “cropped and edited” where everything is perfect, we’re left with thoughts of misery and frustration. The struggle to know who we are in the world without compromising who we are in Christ is a battle as old as mankind, BUT God has an answer for finding peace. We invite you to check out our new sermon series, Death To Selfie. This week, Pastor Mike will be sharing how we sometimes get so caught up thinking about where we’d rather be, and what we’d rather be doing, that we forget all the places God has already been with us.

But there is a way we can experience God’s presence wherever we are and

wherever we go!

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

Instead, you’ll find that we’re all broken people, but we’re allowing God to put us back together. We’re not perfect, but God is! As God puts us back together, we’re realizing that although

our past has shaped us, it does not define us! We’re finding out that not only does God love us with a radical and unconditional love, but that He loves us just as we are!

At Newsong Church, we believe that the Bible is the greatest book ever written, containing the greatest story ever told, and that each of us are part of His-story! In fact, we have a saying at our church: “If you’re not dead, God’s not done with you!” We don’t just believe this for the adults, but for our children as well! At Newsong Church, we’re so passionate about our children learning about Jesus, that we created a church just for them called Kidsong! At Kidsong, our children learn about Jesus in a safe, fun, age-appropriate learning environment! We also have a fully staffed nursery!

We hope that you will join us this

Sunday! We meet at 177 Dreiser Loop in Auditorium B at 11:00 a.m. Parking is available in the parking garage located on Dreiser Loop. Please bring your ticket to our connection tent for validation. Deaf interpretation is available during our adult worship experience. If you have any questions, you can contact us: Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org; Email: info@newsongchurchnyc.org You can also interact with us on social media!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/new songchurchbx; Twitter: @newsongchurchBX; Instagram: @newsongchurchBX Our Newsong family is here for you, stop by this Sunday and experience the difference!

God bless you!

—Pastor Mike Tolone

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

Thought for this week: Don’t be discouraged.

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Look at babies how they learn to walk, they learn to walk taking one step at the time. Don’t they fall frequently?

Isn’t this a part of the process of learning? Amazingly, they continue this process until they learn to walk. If infants become discouraged, they will quit trying; consequently they will never walk.

We may get discouraged with many things, but remember everyone goes through the same process. Different situations in life are often designed to check our character and faith. Are we going to give up or are we going to get up and try again? The word of God says, the righteous man falls seven

times and rises again. We can obviously see that even the righteous man falls.

There is no one perfect. We will make mistakes along the way.

Do not get discouraged with yourself and quit along the way. We don’t have to live our lives that way. If we say we trust God, we must trust Him along the way. It is not about the destination as much as it is about the journey.

Faith is very simple, we do what we can and trust God to do what we cannot do.

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

Come join us at Circle of Christ Church and Experience the Love of God. Church Service Schedule Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Prayer & Bible Study Friday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Youth Night Sunday, 11:00 a.m., Worship and the Word Children Church, 5 years old to 12 years old Little lamb nursery.

All are welcome.

—Rev. Sam Colon

Newsong Church

Circle of Christ Church

VOTE! Wednesday, May 20 in your building lobby.

RIVERBAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

34

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS 718-320-3300 x3384 • cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Provide a caring environment for your bird when you’re away. Bird boarding available at reasonable rates. Call 917-596-7467 for info. 5/30

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5/16

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5/16

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Records Wanted

•

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Call Mike at: 718-974-1290 5/30 Quality work! Lowest Prices in Town!

Call Anytime • Seven Days/Week • “When You See Me, You’ll Know Me!”

Cleaning Service Houses, Apts., Offices cleaned. Reasonable Rates. References. 718-882-0598. 5/16

Appliance Repair

5/30

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Call Mike at: 718-974-1290

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Co-op City Resident Specials

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Home Improvement

Dresses, Suits, Prom, Bridal dresses. Alterations. Ask for Maria.

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Good movers “R” hard to find DOT 2040318 MC 842404 Since 1986 5/30

Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS

RIVERBAY

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY May 16, 1918 U.S. Congress passes Sedition Act

On May 16, 1918, the United States Congress passes the Sedition Act, a piece of legislation designed to protect America’s participation in World War I. Along with the Espionage Act of the previous year, the Sedition Act was orchestrated largely by A. Mitchell Palmer, the United States attorney general under President Woodrow Wilson. The Espionage Act, passed shortly after the U.S. entrance into the war in early April 1917, made it a crime for any person to convey information intended to interfere with the U.S. armed forces’ prosecution of the war effort or to promote the success of the country’s enemies.

Aimed at socialists, pacifists and other anti-war activists, the Sedition Act imposed harsh penalties on anyone found guilty of making false statements that interfered with the prosecution of the war; insulting or abusing the U.S. government, the flag, the Constitution or the military; agitating against the production of necessary war materials; or advocating, teaching or defending any of these acts.

Those who were found guilty of such actions, the act stated, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both. This was the same penalty that had been imposed for acts of espionage in the earlier legislation.

Though Wilson and Congress regarded the Sedition Act as crucial in order to stifle the spread of dissent within the country in that time of war, modern legal scholars consider the act as contrary to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution, namely to the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. One of the most famous prosecutions under the Sedition Act during World War I was that of Eugene V. Debs, a pacifist labor organizer and founder of the International Workers of the World (IWW) who had run for president in 1900 as a Social Democrat and in 1904, 1908 and 1912 on the Socialist Party of America ticket.

After delivering an anti-war speech in June 1918 in Canton, Ohio, Debs was arrested, tried and sentenced to 10 years in prison under the Sedition Act. Debs appealed the decision, and the case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, where the court ruled Debs had acted with the intention of obstructing the war effort and upheld his conviction.

In the decision, Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes referred to the earlier landmark case of Schenck v. United States (1919), when Charles Schenck, also a Socialist, had been found guilty under the Espionage Act after distributing a flyer urging recently drafted men to oppose the U.S. conscription policy. In this decision, Holmes maintained that freedom of speech and press could be constrained in certain instances, and that The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent.

Debs’ sentence was commuted in 1921 when the Sedition Act was repealed by Congress. Major portions of the Espionage Act remain part of United States law to the present day, although the crime of sedition was largely eliminated by the famous libel case Sullivan v. New York Times (1964), which determined that the press’s criticism of public officials—unless a plaintiff could prove that the statements were made maliciously or with reckless disregard for the truth—was protected speech under the First Amendment.

Source: history.com

Love a Tree Day, May 16

It's Love a Tree Day. So, go out and give a tree a great big hug.

Trees are a good thing. They give us shade, comfort and warmth. They give off oxygen, too. There are many, many benefits provided by trees. So, you have good reason to love a tree or two.

Everyone has a favorite kind of tree. Use today to identify a tree you love, and to pamper it. Give it a trim. Eliminate competitors around it. Feed it a dose of fertilizer. Tree spikes work great. And, give the tree some water, if it is thirsty.

Important Note: On Love a Tree Day, your attention must be turned toward trees. A bush or a shrub just won't do.

– holidayinsights.com

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Co-op City Times / May 16, 2015

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