Riverbay Election Supplement on pages 23-29 Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. Vol. 52 No. 20
© Copyright 2017 Co-op City Times
Final Election Forum Brings Lively Discussion On Contract Oversight, Increases, Safety Issues And More
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Voting Period For 2017 Board Election Ends At 9 P.M. On Wednesday, May 24 Vote For Your Chance To Win $250
The voting period of the 2017 Riverbay Board of Directors election will end at 9 p.m. sharp on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the deadline for all ballots to be returned directly to Election-America in the envelope provided with your ballot. Co-op City shareholders can also cast their vote online by using the PIN number and CODE that were included on their ballot letter, or at the voting kiosk located in each of the three community centers near to the ATM machine. You will also need your PIN and CODE numbers to vote using this option. Instructions are posted at the kiosks and the entire process takes less than three minutes. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Wednesday, May 24, 2017 to count Voting kiosks have been placed in all in this year’s election. three community centers to accommoThe ballots for the 2017 Riverbay date residents who like the ease of Board of Directors election, enclosed in voting online. Photo by Ralph Henriquez bright yellow envelopes with the words “Official Ballot Enclosed,” were mailed to Co-op City households last Friday. Shareholders are urged to safeguard the ballot and to make sure only a shareholder(s) of record in the apartment to which it is addressed completes it. Those who have not yet received an election ballot may call Election-America at (866) 384-9978 for a replacement ballot. The voting kiosks in the three community centers are available for those who do not have a laptop or smartphone, but would like to cast their ballot online. These (Continued on page 2) BY ROZAAN BOONE
Election Committee Response— A Fair Election
Every year, the Riverbay Board adopts a set of Rules to govern the Riverbay Board Elections. The Rules set forth the basic qualifications that a person must have to run for the Board, the procedures to be followed for conducting the election, and a Committee to oversee the enforcement and interpretation of the Election Rules. The Rules also try to ensure that candidates are provided with a level playing field. One way this is accomplished is by limiting the number of times that incumbent directors can endorse (Continued on page 2) candidates or state their opinion on how
The final election forum of this campaign season was held Wednesday evening in Einstein Center and Section 5 did not disappoint as the forum was well attended and pertinent questions asked by residents resulted in lively discussion on the BY BILL STUTTIG
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issues throughout the evening. The forum began with each candidate being given two minutes to make an opening statement. While this time was used at past forums by the candidates to provide a background profile, (Continued on page 4)
Riverbay Board Director Francine Reva Jones, General Counsel Jeffrey Buss and Director and Election Committee Chairperson Claudia Sampson preside over Wednesday evening’s election forum. Photo by Bill Stuttig
‘Re-Charge’ Laundry Room Smart Cards Through New System Using the laundry rooms just got more convenient for shareholders when they use the new payment system that went into operation this week. Instead of having to bring cash down to the basement and loading their laundry smart cards there, cooperators can now go on the internet or make a phone call to replenish the smart cards using their debit or credit cards. “In addition to using cash, shareholders now have the option of going online or calling the CoinMach Service Center to add additional money on their smart card by charging the amount on their debit or credit card,” said Joe Boiko, Riverbay’s Director of Special Projects. “This is a tremendous new benefit for our residents. Shareholders can now very easily replenish their laundry smart cards on the web or over the phone from their homes rather than having to carry cash (Continued on page 2) down to the laundry rooms,” Boiko said. BY JIM ROBERTS
Final Extension For Filing income affidavits is June 16
The Riverbay Finance Department mailed a letter on May 16 to shareholders who have not yet filed their income affidavits past the original deadline. Any shareholder who has not yet mailed in their income affidavit as required by the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal must now do so by the final extension due date of Friday, June 16 in order to avoid a 50% surcharge penalty for not filing, as per NYS regulations. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important annual requirement.
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Coinmach
To use the new system, go online at http://www. coinmach.com/customer-login/ or call 844-492-7469 and press option 4. Have your smart card number (shown on the back of the card) and the CVA number for your building handy and add the order the amount you want. You’ll then be given a four-digit PIN number to use in the laundry room. Bring your smart card to the white smaller laundry room machine (the CVA machine) with the number keypad and insert it to see the current balance on your card. Then you’ll enter the PIN number and the additional funds you purchased will be added to your card. Current laundry room fees are $1.25 for a 22-pound wash, $2 for a 30-pound wash, $2.75 for a 40-pound wash and 25 cents per eight minutes for the dryers. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, residents receive a 25cent senior discount on all the washing rates from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Shareholders are also using another technology upgrade that lets them pay their monthly carrying charges online through the PayLease system that Riverbay started here, taking advantage of the housing company’s initiatives to update
Fair Election
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017 and upgrade its business procedures for the convenience of residents. In April 2017, PayLease processed 3,092 payments through its portal, enabling shareholders to pay their carrying charges online and to avoid writing and mailing a paper check or having to take time off from their jobs to come into the Riverbay administrative office to pay their monthly maintenance bill. The electronic payment option can be found on the “Home” page of the Riverbay website, www. riverbaycorp.com. By clicking on the “PayLease” icon located just above the third paragraph of the welcome message, shareholders of record are able to register for a “new” account which will require their Riverbay account number. PayLease has simplified the registration process for shareholders completing their registration from the Riverbay website and Co-op City shareholders are strongly advised to access the site through the PayLease portal on the Riverbay website, and not through any extraneous websites.
COINMACH CREDIT VALUE- ADDER NUMBER BY BUILDING FOR OBTAINING CREDITS
(Continued from page 1)
shareholders should vote. They can do it once. Otherwise, directors would have a platform, not available to other shareholders, to address the community every week. No one else has that right. The same principle applies to the use of community rooms. If they are being used for an election purpose, they have to be made available to all candidates, or paid for. Similarly, the use of Riverbay employees for election purposes by candidates is not allowed. Therefore, if you are participating in an event at which the Co-op City Times photographer or reporter is present, the Corporation’s photographer is not going to take and publish your photograph. If you want your photograph taken, you have to make your own arrangements, for example, snap a photo on your phone. If you wish that photograph to be published by the Co-op City Times, you have to submit it to the Election Committee. The Committee will approve the publication of paid ads, of a weekly candidate statement (for free), and of newsworthy events that a candidate participates in. The Committee is also directed by the Board to review any article or Director’s Viewpoint to ensure that it does not contain libelous statements that could expose the Corporation to a lawsuit, person attacks against a candidate, or material misstatements of fact. Another Rule allows Candidates, and the Board, to respond to attacks and challenges filed against them in another publication. The response is limited to the issue presented. This right is available to all candidates. Therefore, if the City News publishes an article which states, “Vote for Candidate A, but don’t vote for Candidate B because Candidate B took a certain position,” then Candidate B has the right to respond to the specific criticism in the Co-op City Times. Members of the Election Committee are not allowed to publicly endorse candidates, and Board members who serve on the Committee are not allowed to write any Viewpoints during the Election cycle. Recently, there have been criticisms hurled at the Election Committee which are not true. We understand that passions rise during an election, however, the Election Committee is constrained to respond to incorrect allegations of a double standard. First, certain Directors have requested, and been denied, the opportunity to make multiple endorsements of candidates. The Rule limiting the number of endorsements has been in existence for decades. The Committee is required by the Rules adopted by the Board to deny
such a request. Second, the Committee was accused of showing favoritism by allowing the publication of a photograph showing Linda Berk with the Mayor. That photograph was newsworthy since it included promises by the Mayor to increase the City’s support for Riverbay. A second candidate, Marie Smith, objected that photographs of her participation in a recent community event relating to mental health were not published. However, no photographs were submitted to the Committee by Ms. Smith. As such, the Committee did not have an opportunity to consider publication of Ms. Smith’s community activity. In response to Ms. Smith’s complaint, the Committee reviewed the matter and learned that the event did occur, and had a photograph been submitted to the Committee, it would have allowed its publication. The Committee also learned that a Co-op City Times photographer was present at the event, but that photographer, following rules prohibiting Riverbay staff from participating in election related activities, refused to take her photograph. Finally, the Election Committee does not endorse or support any candidate or slate of candidates. Again, there is no double-standard being employed by the Election Committee which is acting in a transparent and fairminded fashion when it meets to review candidates’ statements and ads, as well as current directors’ viewpoints. After engaging in meaningful and thoughtful discussions, they make decisions based on facts, not emotions, and strive to achieve consensus. As the election draws to a close, it is the hope of the Election Committee that the community fully participates in the new voting process so that we can achieve our singular mission: to elect the five most capable and committed directors to serve on the Riverbay Board. Voting has started and ends on May 24th. —Claudia Sampson, Chair 2017 Riverbay Election Committee
(Continued from page 1)
Happy Birthday, Denise
Happy birthday to my sweetheart daughter, Denise. I can’t tell you how much you mean to me. You are the greatest. Love always —Mom
Cooperators Must Provide Coinmach with the CVA Number To Their Respective Buildings In Order To Obtain A Credit Code (This Applies To The Newly Renovated Laundry Rooms)
Voting Ends
machines are only available during the hours when the community centers are open, not after 9 p.m. or overnight. The 2017 Election Rules and Regulations, printed in the final Election Supplement which is on pages 2329 in this week’s issue, are revised to reflect changes that were approved at the May 10th Board meeting to address issues concerning the confidentiality of shareholders’ votes. “This year, we embark on a new voting process – online voting using a discrete PIN and Code assigned to each unit’s shareholder of record, or a mail-in ballot requiring you only to attest to the fact that you, and only you, as the shareholder of record, cast the ballot and returned it in the sealed, self-addressed envelope provided by Election-America,” said Director Sampson. “Once again, we strongly urge you to vote. Elections have consequences, and every vote matters!” Shareholders are voting for five of the seven candidates running in this year’s Board election. The order in which the candidates’ names appear on the ballot was determined by lottery at the Candidates’ Meeting held on Tuesday, April 11. That order is Marie Smith, Linda Berk, Daryl Johnson, Leah Richardson, Aminah Lucio, Jerome L. Rice and Kevin Lambright. The final election forum held on Wednesday, May 17th in the Einstein Center will continue to be broadcast on Channel 12 (MATV) and Channel 591 (Cablevision) on Saturday, May 20; Monday, May 22, 9-11 a.m.; 3-5 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. It will also be shown on Wednesday, May 24, from 9-11 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. To enhance voter participation, the 2017 Election Committee is offering a voting incentive of $250 to 10 shareholders, two from each section, who participate in the election. A random, computerized drawing will take place on Wednesday, May 31, when the election committee will meet to certify the results of the election received from Election-America. “It’s my belief that an engaged and well-informed community will ensure a successful election outcome,” emphasized Director Sampson. “We may not all agree on every issue, but when it comes to voting for the best qualified and capable candidate, there’s no debate. Your vote matters. The decision to vote is not only a very personal choice, but also a way to voice our opinions despite our differences.” This year, 5,036 votes are needed for a quorum. Once the election is validated on May 31, the newlyelected Board members will be sworn in on Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. in room 31 of the Bartow Center at an Open Board meeting. (Continued from page 1)
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Accomplished Co-op City photographer to offer free nature photography walks Combing Co-op City Find out what’s going on in Co-op City here...
Co-op City Day @ Universoul Circus Universoul Circus will be at Hutchinson Field in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. on Wednesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. Guest Ringmaster will be Co-op City’s own Michelle Sajous, Riverbay’s Director of Community Relations. Get your tickets today at universoulcircus.com. Tickets start at $19.50. Use Code “COOPCITY” for a discount.
Community Fair June 3 at Section 1 Greenway Come join the fun at the Co-op City Community Fair on Saturday, June 3 from noon to 6 p.m. on the Section 1 Greenway. There will be food and drinks, entertainment and much, much more along with a celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month. For vendor information call Leandra Peters at 718.320.3300 x 3500 or go to www.ccc-fair.eventbrite.com
BY BILL STUTTIG
Lisa DuBois, a long-time Co-op City resident has traveled the world photographing nature, people and cultures and the interactions between each during a long career as a professional, accomplished photographer. She said this week that she would like to share both her knowledge and her love of photography and nature by offering free photography and nature walks amidst the acres of beauty that exist just across the river from Co-op City in Pelham Bay Park. Ms. DuBois, who works for Getty Images, a world-wide photo agency with more than 80 million images in their portfolio, currently has a collection of her work on display through the non-profit Bronx-based photography organization En Foco Inc. The exhibit, which went on display yesterday at the Andrew Freedman Home, 1125 Grand Concourse near 166th Street, features the works of ten Bronx photographers/artists chosen as the winners of the 2017 Photography Fellowship Program of En Foco Inc. Ms. DuBois and the nine others, were chosen for the fellowship out of 108 applicants. Ms. DuBois’ works on display are entitled Holy Water and feature the use of water by cultures around the world for spiritual worship and healing. “Each of
Co-op City resident and professional photographer Lisa DuBois is organizing a free nature and photography walks in Pelham Bay Park for residents interested in taking photos and enjoying nature here in Co-op City. (Submitted photo)
tied much of her recent photographic study to the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto who dedicated his professional life to studying the effect of people on water. “Water has an effect of people and people have an effect on water,” DuBois explained as the inspiration behind the study which was done over a two-year
‘Shredfest’ starts at 10 a.m. Sunday Protect your identity and shred your personal papers for free at this year’s Shredfest on Sunday, May 21. Shredding trucks will be available until 4 p.m. or until they are filled, which may be sooner. The location is at Triangle Plaza at Co-op City Boulevard and Rombouts Avenue next to the Municipal Credit Union. Bring old bank statements, old papers with personal identifying information, old pay stubs and credit card applications that should be discarded.
Celebrate Mom Saturday in Bartow Celebrate Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Room 28 at the Bartow Community Center. Free beauty care, massages and health screenings will be provided. Sponsored by state Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.
DuBois’ work from Holy Water (above and right), is currently on display at the Andrew Freeman Home at 1125 Grand Concourse and the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center .
(Submitted photos)
the photographs was taken at an event that involved worshiping in water,” she explained. The display includes a wide range of ceremonies involving water ranging from a commemoration of ancestors who were victimized by slavery that takes place on the Coney Island shoreline each year, to a Hindu religious ceremony on the Ganges River in India. Each occasion, whether religious or secular, produces a trancelike state for the people participating in the ceremonies, she explained, and thus the unique perspective the photos provide. Ms. DuBois explained that she has
period. To do this kind of work, Ms. DuBois explained, “You have to learn to become invisible, to not get in the way of people. They can’t know that I am taking their photo at that moment. I have to be invisible and not interfere with what is going on and that is a skill that you have to learn.” She added that much of the work is
taken on a beach or shoreline and water and sand are not friends of the camera from a mechanical point of view, so you have to prepare for what you are doing. She explains that while nature offers these types of challenges to the art of photography, it also offers perhaps the greatest opportunity to recreate its beauty for the whole world to take notice of and see, beauty that people pass every day and never pay attention to, such as all that the immense Pelham Pay Park with its beautiful wetlands, meadows and forests offer within the contrasting shadow of the world largest housing cooperative and its 50,000 residents. “I go out in the park a lot anyway so I started thinking about sharing my love of it with others and started gathering names of residents here who would be interested in going into the park with me to take photos and observe. There are so many beautiful spots that people might not know about and I want to share my enjoyment of them,” Ms. DuBois said. She said that all that is required for the walks is a camera and a good pair of walking shoes, along with the physical ability to walk some distances, perhaps a few miles into the park. She added that during the Orchard Beach off season, the group can meet in the beach parking lot which offers closer proximity to Hunter Island and the meadows and wetlands at the southeast end of the massive park, the largest in New York City. During the beach season, the group can instead meet near the walking trail that begins on the Co-op City side of the Hutchinson River Bridge at the south end of Bartow Avenue and then take the short walk over the bridge into the park for the many natural meadows and wetlands that exist as you enter the park there via the walking/cycling trail. DuBois said that she will offer photography tips to those interested, but residents who just want to take photos with their phones are welcome too. The walks will be voluntary and free. Anyone interested can text Lisa at 504-5771268 as she tries to organize the first walk in the coming weeks. For information and times for viewing Ms. DuBois’s work at the exhibit at the historic Andrew Freedman Home, call 718-588-8200. Ms. DuBois’s work is also on display beginning today at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center as part of an exhibit of works by several artists exploring the link between human life and nature entitled Life on Earth. The center is at 135 Broadway in Brooklyn. For more information, call 718-486-6012 or 7372. That exhibit will be on display through June 11th.
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Election Forum
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
many of them chose to make statements on the issues this time around. Incumbent candidate Marie Smith focused on quality of life issues and keeping Co-op City affordable and clean, as well as working with legislators to make it easier for residents to downsize their homes when they no longer need a larger apartment. She noted her desire to work with management to address the issue of subletting in the community. Incumbent Board President Linda Berk, during her opening remarks, referenced her late mother and how her move to Co-op City in 1969 with her and her sister helped to ensure the success of her children and also gave her ill mother the chance to raise her girls in a good community which led to the success of both her daughters, Ms. Berk shared. Ms. Berk reiterated her dedication to Co-op City to allow other families to have the same chance to thrive in an affordable community. “Affordable housing must remain; we can’t afford to lose it,” Ms. Berk stressed. Incumbent Daryl Johnson continued with the theme of being the one candidate opposed to the upcoming carrying charge increase stressing that cuts in operations can be made in lieu of the increases. He said, “We must demand that Riverbay cut their budget.” Candidate Leah Richardson focused on her history of community achievement, as well as her professional expertise which includes bringing differing sides together to settle differences for the good of all. She also added that she plans to lend her 27 years of professional experience with technology oversight to help the community advance in that area. Aminah Lucio detailed her professional experience as an education supervisor and said that she is dedicated to sustainability and transparency and working with management to have the community advance in those areas. Jerome Rice focused on his long history of service to the Co-op City community, most recently as the president of the community’s NAACP branch, as well as his professional history which includes serving as a captain with the New York City Corrections Department. He promised to answer for each tough decision he will have to make for the community and said he will “tell you what you need to hear as opposed to telling you what you want to hear.” He added, “I am more proactive than reactive. I don’t wait for something to happen.” Incumbent Director Kevin Lambright also used his two minutes to focus on his family history in Co-op City both as a young man growing up here and as a father raising children. He dedicated his statement to his 83-year old neighbor who passed away earlier that day and who asked him to show the community the kind of person he really is. Numerous residents signed up to ask questions of the candidates and Election Committee Chairperson Claudia Sampson did a good job of keeping the questioners on point and focused so that everyone who signed up got the chance to ask their question before the two hour forum was over. She was successful at doing that. The first questioner, Janice Brown, asked the incumbents what they plan for Section 5 specifically. Incumbent Director Daryl Johnson focused on his history of getting involved with each cooperator’s concerns and following through to get the issues resolved. Candidate Marie Smith, a Section 5 resident, focused on her work to clean-up debris around “killer curve” and all other areas that are not properly maintained by the agencies responsible for them. Mr. Lambright pointed specifically to three people in the audience from Section 5 who he helped in resolving issues affecting their quality of life. He added that problems that affect one usually effect many. Candidate Berk focused on her ongoing efforts to get a bus shelter erected at the Einstein Loop express bus stop and to get lighting for the Section 5 pathway by killer curve which she said is currently not safe to
walk after dark. The next questioner, an elderly woman, detailed her plight in getting relocated to another apartment or having repairs made after an electrical fire badly damaged her current home. Ms. Berk advised the woman that she has the right to appeal her request for relocation to the state’s Division of Homes and Community Renewal. Ms. Smith promised to help intervene if given the information after the meeting. Mr. Lambright called “roadblocks to relocation” a systematic problem in Co-op City which the community must fight together. Mr. Johnson said that these types of problems are the exact reason why the community needs a good Board to fight for them. Shareholder Katherine Wood asked the three new challenging candidates, “Are you willing to go against your slate?” regarding issues where opinions differ. Candidate Rice said he is known for making independent decisions. “It is not about who I stand with, but what I stand for,” he said. Ms. Aminah Lucio said her loyalty is to the cooperators and not to any particular slate or person. “It is about working together as a team of 15 directors,” she said. Incumbent President Berk added that if you check the record of previous votes in past Co-op City Times newspapers, you will see in recent history that Board directors who run together do not vote the same once they get on the Board. Candidate Richardson called herself a team player who is also an independent thinker. Candidate Lambright promised to stand his ground and vote according to his beliefs. The next shareholder specifically addressed her question to candidate Johnson as to which resolutions he generated. Johnson pointed to no resolutions, but defended his record of sticking up for the community on all issues of concern. “It about working with the community and getting a problem solved,” he said and advised the shareholder to talk to anyone in the community who has worked with him on issues about how effective he is. The next shareholder, Bruce Silberman, also addressed his question directly to Mr. Johnson asking him to explain his position in favor of cutting the work force. Mr. Johnson said that there are over 1,100 employees at Riverbay costing the shareholders more than $100 million annually. He added that there are few, if any, major companies today that have not faced decisions about downsizing and Riverbay should not be an exception to that. “We should not be spending $100 million,” he said. President Berk answered Director Johnson asking him for data that will prove that cutting jobs will improve the community, pointing out that Riverbay is a service-oriented corporation. “There is no way to say just cut without knowing where to cut,” she emphasized. She said that any decision to cut must be done after systematic analysis and to say just cut is not enough. The next shareholder asked the incumbents why the costly mistakes over the installation of the new boiler in the Power Plant. President Berk called the mistakes “legacy” mistakes that happened under the previous management company long before any of the current Board directors were seated on the Board. She said that past mistakes were due in part to a reliance on 50-year-old blueprints that provided inaccurate information on the plant’s foundation. She said that recent Boards have tightened up the process for contract oversight to eliminate similar mistakes recently and in the future. Candidate Lambright pointed to the public relations gimmicks that the previous management pulled in order to cover-up Power Plant problems and the mil-
(Continued from page 1)
lions of dollars of wasteful spending. Candidate Smith called the Power Plant a money pit into which hundreds of millions of dollars have been poured and the engineers and the contract oversight staff need to be held accountable. Candidate Johnson questioned how tens of millions could have been spent on a boiler that did not fit in the plant and questioned why many of the people responsible for these mistakes are still working at the plant. The three candidates who have not yet served on the Board each called for more transparency and oversight particularly in regard to more stringent vetting into potential contractors and writing contracts in such a way that they protect the financial interests of the shareholders. Shareholder Harriet Silver addressed a letter that she had published in the Co-op City Times which had a paragraph removed. Ms. Silver used her time to read the omitted paragraph which specifically addressed candidate Johnson’s record on the Board, his non-participation in Board Committees, her belief that he offered no specific plan to cut costs, and a recent private conversation the two had. As Ms. Silver was reading the omitted paragraph, Mr. Johnson interrupted her and called the paragraph a personal attack. Ms. Silver asked the candidates to address the issue of censorship and while none of the candidates directly answered her concerns about censorship during their response, they did, however, address her remarks about Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson, in his answer, again accused Ms. Silver of a personal attack, and defended his position calling for no carrying charge increase. Ms. Berk pointed to more than $19 million saved by the current Board with the help of the Riverbay internal auditor by consolidating functions, not cutting jobs. Without naming names, Mr. Lambright pointed out that a Board member who has a history of never working with fellow Board directors should not be on the Board. Ms. Lucio referred to the departments that make up the majority of the Riverbay work force and said that all those departments directly affect the quality of life of all shareholders, adding that cuts would result in reduced services for the residents. Candidate Rice called for Board directors to stop attacking each other and to start working together. He added that any department affecting the safety of the community should not and cannot be cut. The next shareholder was Bruce Gitelson who asked about expanding parking in overcrowded Section 5, perhaps by expanding the existing garages, and by taking away funds from the Dreiser auditorium refurbishment. Mr. Lambright said that he was willing to investigate taking funds from other projects to fund the Section 5 parking expansion. Ms. Berk added that funds for the auditorium refurbishment come from a grant provided by Councilman Andy King and that that money cannot legally be diverted to another project, but she added that the parking shortage does need to be looked into. Candidate Rice suggested forming a committee and also contacting elected officials for their financial assistance. Shareholder Marlene Smith next asked about the problem of youth loitering around the buildings and enforcing regulations regarding dogs in the community. Mr. Lambright answered that many of these problems should be tackled and brought to Management’s attention through the building associations and the Board to let Public Safety know about the locations of such activity. Candidate Rice said, “Cooperators need to be held accountable for the activities of their children.” He added that marijuana smoking is also prevalent, particularly in Section 5. Ms. Richardson said that she believes the answer is (Continued on page 14)
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Natural Learning
It’s
HAPPENING in Co-op City!
Very young children from Co-op City’s Garvey School visited the River Runs Community Garden on Co-op City Blvd. Friday afternoon May 12th to learn about nature and human nature. One half of the group was taught anti-bullying strategies by Sgt. Milton Gregory (photo at right) and other officers from Riverbay’s Public Safety Department, while the other half of the group were taught how plant and food refuse can be composted and converted into rich soil to allow nature to recycle and regenerate. The young children were taught by master composter Lois Colon from the NYC Department of Sanitation (below). Photos by Bill Stuttig
Employee Health Fair
Several Riverbay employees listened to tips for healthy eating Tuesday morning as one of several wellness seminars offered that day as part of Riverbay’s Second Annual Employee Health and Wellness Fair. The day also included free health screenings, fitness demonstrations and raffles of fitness related items. Photo by Bill Stuttig
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Letters to the Editor
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 signed by the writers and include their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor – can•verify the of Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. cannot 350 –• – authenticity •All–letters • –must •–thebe•authors. •Co-op – City Times – •by–3Letters •p.m.– every • – Monday •exceed – •– •words. – • –Ideally, they should be typed. in–the office in Room 21, Bartow Community Center, to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.
Garage Space Fight Back! To the Editor: I believe Resolution #17-27 unfairly targets 306 garage space lease holders and would penalize families for being two-parent households with a child who is a student and employed! Previously, the garages (except Section 5) had nonincome-generating, vacant spaces. 306 families produced income for Riverbay by leasing multiple spaces three days after ‘closing’ on their unit. They are now being penalized for being good stewards and faithful patrons of then-vacant garages. I believe Riverbay must enforce its own rules/regulations to annually verify and ensure that only currently registered and insured vehicles hold leases to garage spaces, even if the lease holder has only one space. Instead of the occasional $25 fine for failure to maintain inspection/registration/insurance, Riverbay should deny lease renewal for non-compliance with the rules. For years, many have refused to support Riverbay by leasing garage spaces, because they could park free on the street. Interestingly, since the NYPD has begun aggressively ticketing vehicles in Co-op City; and, since
the garages have begun to deny transient parking earlier in the day in anticipation of pending snow storms, those non-income-generating ‘street parkers’ need spaces! Why should those who consistently generated income for Riverbay be forced out by those who avoided paying Riverbay in lieu of street parking? For new move-ins or new vehicle owners, there is a waiting list. First come, first served. Just as ‘forced’ downsizing is not permitted when shareholders have less occupants on their Income Affidavits than bedrooms, ‘forced’ downsizing should not be permitted for those who have generated income for Riverbay for years with registered and insured vehicles for the number of adult occupants on their Income Affidavits and the number of leased garage spaces. In Riverbay’s endeavor to become ‘customer centric’, Riverbay must also engage its customer loyalty. There was no stated stipulation that we could only have the garage spaces as long as no one else was willing to pay for those spaces. At the very least, the 306 must be ‘grandfathered’ into their lease agreements. —Linda Collins
Still Resisting
Power Plant work update
New York City didn’t want Trump. Only 18.4% voted for him. The Bronx really didn’t want Trump. Only 9.56% voted for him. But Co-op City really, really didn’t want Trump. Not by a mile. Only 5.8% of Co-op City’s voters voted for Trump. So what can we do about it now? We can RESIST. Millions across the nation are doing it. Thousands in New York City are doing it. Hundreds of people in our own congressional district are doing it. And many of them are following a step-by-step resistance “how to.” The indivisible Guide was put together by a group of progressive former congressional staffers who detail effective strategies and tactics to do just that: resist the Trump agenda. Indivisible’s primary tactic is pressuring individual members of congress to act, support, and vote more progressively. NYCD16-Indivisible formed specifically to influence Congressman Eliot Engel in everything antiTrump. Eliot Engel is the representative for NY Congressional District 16. He is Co-op City’s member of congress. Every Co-op City voter is welcome to join NYCD16 (Google NYCD16-Indivisible) as long as they agree to: 1.) Resist Trump's racist, authoritarian, and corrupt agenda. 2.) Insist our representatives serve as our voice. 3.) Embrace progressive values by modeling inclusion, respect, and fairness in all of our actions. At this time, when the rights of the 99% are being attacked on a weekly, if not daily, basis we need to summon up the energy to fight back. Preserve or improve our healthcare, maintain “net neutrality,” insist on police accountability, restore voting rights. Pick a cause, any cause, and give it some of your time and money. —Mary Pearson
A secondary hot water shut down for the entire community took place last night beginning at approximately 10:30 p.m. The necessary work to reinstall the valves taken out during last Friday night’s shutdown was scheduled to be completed by 4 a.m. today and your hot water service should have been fully restored by 6 a.m. Shareholders were given notice of the shutdown in the few days prior to allow them the chance to readjust their daily schedules around the hot water shutdown. All the work required for the power plant’s changeover from heating to cooling should be completed this week and the plant’s main chillers will be started up on Monday, May 22nd to ensure that at least two chillers are operational and cooling will be on for the holiday weekend beginning May 26th. Riverbay thanks you for your patience, understanding and cooperation.
VOTE BY MAY 24th! ***
in the Riverbay Board of Directors Election and W I N $ 2 5 0 Be one of ten (10) lucky shareholders to win for voting in the Board election from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 to 9 p.m. Sharp on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017.
Two shareholders of record from each section who voted will be chosen as winners. Vote online or mail your ballots back to Election-America. BALLOTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017
Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 34 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.
Building 34
Current Lease Expiration Date
New 3 yr. Expiration Date
Building 34 120 Elgar Place
July 31, 2017
July 31, 2020
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 signed by the writers and include their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the authors. Writers will be limited to one letter per topic. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times office in Room 21, Bartow Community Center, by 3 p.m. 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 20, 2017
Public Safety Report
CCPD offers “Are You Okay?” Program to residents who live alone BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO
The Co-op City Department of Public Safety has offered the “Are You Okay?” program to residents of the community for more than 20 years. The very successful program, also known by its initials of “R.U.O.K.,” is offered to persons over the age of 60, disabled persons or homebound individuals. The “Are You Okay?” program has been responsible for numerous life saving interventions during the time that it has been in effect. The program is free of charge to Co-op City residents. Lt. Jeffrey Bowman was responsible for the inception of the program, as well as maintenance and updating of the system. Each year, the computer-generated program makes more than 10,000 calls and issues more than 100 alerts requiring additional follow up. If notification that the participant is not scheduled to be home has not been received, an officer is dispatched to the apartment to ensure the well being of the participant. The “Are You Okay?” program calls residents at a scheduled time between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The resident is requested to press a number on their telephone keypad to register that they have received the telephone. If the first call is not received, two more attempts are made. After the third call, an alert is issued to the Public Safety dispatchers who take steps to ensure that the resident receives assistance if necessary. Signing up for the program requires that participants leave a copy of all keys to their apartment with one or more trusted neighbor, relative or friend who resides in Co-op City. It also requires that several emergency contact persons are listed on the application. In the event that an emergency contact with keys cannot be reached, it may be necessary to force entry into the participant’s apartment. Advising the Department of Public Safety of absences, updated emergency contacts and availability of spare sets of keys minimize the chance of having entry forced. It is important for all residents to make sure they have updated emergency contact information on file even if they do not wish to participate in this program. Signing up for the program is easy. Applications are available at Co-op City’s senior citizen programs. The applications will also be available at various community functions. “Are You Okay?” You can contact Lt. Jeffrey Bowman at Public Safety at (718) 320-3300, extension 3339, for more information or to register for the program. Information and application regarding the “Are You Okay?” program is available on our website www.ccpd.us. All cooperators should make sure that their Emergency Contact information is up to date. This can be done by contacting your CSO office at (718) 320-3300, follow the prompt menu for the section in which you live. To update the information on your Key Card it is necessary for you to appear in person at the Maintenance Office located in the lower level of the Dreiser Community Center, 177 Dreiser Loop. To update contact information in the Emergency Alert System, please contact Public Safety at (718) 320-3300, extension 3331, or on our website www.ccpd.us. Be sure to drive safely and obey all traffic rules. Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Always buckle your seatbelt; it will save your life in a serious collision. Avoid distractions and excess speed when driving; these are the two leading causes of collisions within New York State. Be sure to Move Over for any emergency or service vehicles on the side of the road with their lights flashing. Residents are also reminded that bike riding is not permitted near buildings, in shopping malls or anywhere else signs prohibiting bicycle riding are posted. Next week’s article will be about parking and (Continued on page 34)
OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY 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
NO CONTRACTS FOR THIS WEEK. PLEASE CHECK IN FOR FUTURE POSTINGS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Please visit the Barow Administration office to see all jobs posted.
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Director’s Viewpoint
Bernard Cylich First Vice President We have a real choice in this year’s Board of Directors election. Re-electing Linda Berk and Kevin Lambright, and electing Leah Richardson, Jerome L. Rice, and Aminah Lucio, will enable us to continue the progress we have experienced since 2014, providing us with a safe, well-maintained community, with attractive apartments at affordable rates. Let’s examine what has been accomplished under the leadership of Riverbay President Linda Berk: After solidifying our relationship with City Hall, various city agencies have promised to provide us with a much needed water front park. On January 21, 2017, under Berk’s leadership, we filled five buses with cooperators headed for Washington, DC. There, we joined the historic
Real Choice Women’s March to demand that the new Trump administration not eliminate our hard-won rights and benefits. Linda Berk initiated a two-day leadership development conference for directors of our Riverbay Board – a first. Under Berk’s leadership, our bank balance continues to grow from $900,000 in 2014 to over $30 million today. Under her leadership, Management has generated $19.7 million in savings and new income, including: • $4.6 million savings from payroll cuts and merged departments; • $3 million in income from the Power Plant, paid by Con Edison; and • $5 million savings by the power plant’s timely switch from gas to oil. Under Berk’s direction, we adopted a budget, with minimum carrying charge increases, that will invest resources in our community’s future, enabling us to maintain modern, comfortable housing at affordable rates.
Building 24 Association I'm happy to report that our Cake Sale, held last Saturday, was a great success. Thanks to all our neighbors who worked so hard to bake the wonderful cakes that were so beautiful and all the other pastries that were offered. At our next meeting, scheduled for May 25th, we'll discuss the sale. Thanks too to everyone who participated and to those who made contributions to the building association. We hope everyone had their cake and ate it, too. I'll try to talk with Mark Warren from Construction to find out what he's done to address the problems with the lot across the street on Co-op City Blvd. that we brought to his attention at our last meeting, and bring everyone up to date on what's being done. We encourage everyone to keep up with issues affecting cooperators and be sure to submit their vote in the upcoming Board of Directors election. Read the Co-op City Times for information about the candidates’ positions. The third and final Candidates' Forum will take place in rm. 45 of the Einstein Center on May 17th and voting begins at 6 a.m. on that day and concludes on May 24th at 9 p.m. Ballots are in the mail now and voting may be done by mail or online. Online voters must follow the directions included with the ballot for casting their vote. For those who want to vote online, but do not have a computer, one voting kiosk will be available at each of the community centers. Those who wish to mail their ballots must do so by May 24th using the stamped addressed envelope included with the ballot. Our garden areas are seeing a regrowth of grass and although there are still some bare patches, there will be another re-seeding and hopefully continued improvement. The gardens will have new plantings soon, too. We hope everyone had a happy Mother’s Day and we look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting. —Bruce Silberman
Avoided Double Digit Increases Because of the $30 million surplus the corporation has generated and the $19.7 million in savings and new income, we have avoided double-digit carrying charge increases, while keeping Co-op City the best deal in the Bronx for hard-pressed working and middle-income families. At the same time, the budget will finance $112 million for essential capital projects such as: • replacement of 160 faulty elevator motors; • replacement of 64 lobby doors with ADA-compliant state-of-the-art doors; restoration and beautification of our 63 building lobbies; introduction of an EZ-Pass-like garage access system; renovation of basketball courts; and the remodeling of Dreiser Auditorium to become a state-of-the-art income-producing facility. Let’s continue the progress and stay on course, providing luxury housing at affordable rates. Re-elect Linda Berk and Kevin Lambright. Elect Leah Richardson, Jerome L. Rice, and Aminah Lucio.
Happy Birthday, D.L.! Happy birthday to D.L. Jackson. May your birthday be as nice & pleasurable as you are. I feel that my spirit is in touch with yours. —Kathy
Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana ***Only 9 Seats Left!!!*** • Limited to 20 people • Flight Leaves JFK August 8, 2018; 14 days. • Passport must be valid up to 6 months upon return to United States. • 23 meals: 12 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 7 Dinners.
Highlights Revised... • Cape Town • Table Mountain • Stellenbosch • Entabeni Conservancy • Victoria Falls • Chobe National Park • 7 Wildlife Safaris - in search of the BIG FIVE
Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association Greetings. Our next general membership meeting is Wednesday, May 24th, 7:30 p.m., activity room. Join us. A special shout-out to our new neighbors. At our next meeting, we will discuss the results of our planned building trip. Reminder: Don’t forget to vote. We have seen what happens when we don’t vote. Take the time to vote whether you are voting online or by mail, please vote. Note: If you have papers to shred, the truck will be here on Sunday, May 21st, at MCU, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Some of our floors do not have floor captains. If interested, call Donald, 917848-0122, or Sonia, 718-379-8305. If there is an issue regarding street lights that are out in front or in back of our building or potholes in our streets, call 3-1-1. When you call, you will be given a reference number. Keep the reference number in a safe place just in case you need to call again regarding the same issue. Our Annual Section 2 Summer Fun Day is right around the corner and is scheduled for Saturday, June 17. If you would like to volunteer, call or email 718-379-7841 or MLSAH@aol.com. Best wishes to all who are celebrating a special event this month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss or is sick and shut-in. If you see something, say something. To contact CCPD (Public Safety), call 718-671-3050. We can be reached at MLSAH@aol.com or 718-379-7841. —Sonja Maxwell
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Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m. St. Michael’s Church.
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Building 32 Association Meeting Thanks to our esteemed president, Ms. Eleanor Bailey, we have two special guests for our last meeting of the season on May 24. Our meetings start at 7:30 p.m.; the location is the association room in 32B, first floor rear. We will be hearing from representative of the Montefiore Hospital organization, who will be discussing heart disease and diabetes. Diabetes is on the rise and what it does to your body is practically unbelievable. We also have the pleasure of hearing from the Section 5 person in charge of Buildings and Grounds. This might be the time to consider where you walk; trampling on the grasses does not make for a good community appearance. In addition, your children should be taught where to walk; if you don't train them, who will? The flowers are for the beautification of our community and as such, should not be picked. OUR grounds are not anyone's personal flower shop. If you have not yet paid your $5 annual building dues, you can do it at our meeting. Bake Sale Our fundraiser Bake Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, starting at noon in our association room. We greatly appreciate both bakers and buyers. Please consider experimenting on us; there is nothing as good as home-baked goods even though anything and everything is gladly accepted. After all, it is the spirit of giving that counts.
National Council Of Negro Women Membership – Our next membership meeting will be on the 3rd Sunday of May, May 21, in room 11 Dreiser Community Center at 3 p.m. since the second Sunday is Mother’s Day. This is the only scheduled meeting of the year that occurs on the 3rd Sunday. If you can’t come to our meeting, remember you can contact us at Facebook.com/ncnwco-op or ncnwco.opcity@gmail.com or at P.O. Box 93, Bronx, NY 10475. Spirit Cruise Pre-Mothers’ Day Celebration – In spite of the inclement weather, a good time was had by all who attended our Spirit Cruise Pre-Mothers’ Day celebration. Guests came from Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester as well as the Bronx. Perhaps this will become a regular celebration for us. Thanks again to Deborah Gadsden who spearheaded this event. Bethune Height Recognition Program – Our 43rd Annual Bethune Height Recognition Program will take place on Saturday, May 20, at the Astoria World Manor. This is a celebration in which all NCNW sections in NewYork State come together to support and live the legacy of NCNW’s founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Chair/President Emerita. We are fortunate in having a van to provide transportation to our Recognition Program in Astoria, Queens. The van will leave from Dreiser Loop at the rehabilitation center, but make three stops in Co-op City on the return trip. The cost per person will depend on the number of riders (up to 20) in the van. We will have to share the price of the van for the afternoon. Contact 718-3792176 if you are interested in van transportation. National Museum of African American History & Culture – OUR BUS IS FULL! We only have a waiting list for our trip, August 6 – 7. We will spend Sunday afternoon and Monday morning at the museum and Monday afternoon, on the way home, we will visit Arundel Mills (back to school shopping) and the Live Casino! If you want to be put on our waiting list, call (718) 655-9034 or (718) 538-8606 or (718) 320-2366. Health Fair – Save the date, Saturday, September 23, for our annual Health Fair. We are looking forward to once again bringing to our community health information, health testing and healthy snacks. —Joyce Howard
Trips All of our events are fundraisers to help with numerous projects such as all buildings' contributions to the Section 5 Association, our Summer Fun Day, decorations for our lobbies, thank you's to our porters, lobby attendants, etc. at holiday times, and myriad other items. We are going to the Haight-Brown winery on Saturday, September 23. There will be pick-ups and drop-offs at Asch, Dreiser, and Building 32. There will be wine-tastings, with five different varieties being sampled. We will then go to Foxwoods Casino, where you will receive ten dollars for gambling and a free buffet. The TOTAL cost for this fun-filled day is fifty-five dollars ($55), payable in two installments of $30 and $25, respectively. First payment is due by June 15, and the remainder due July 15. There are no refunds as we have to pay the venders.
All payments are to be sent to Ms. Rankin, who deserves accolades for the great job and her professional manner in handling these funds. Please specify which trip you are paying for, and your pick-up location. In the meantime, don't forget the Dinner Theatre. October 18 is the date, and it is a matinee performance at the Westchester Dinner Theatre. The show is "Annie, Get Your Gun" and the total cost, including round-trip transportation, full course luncheon, taxes and gratuities, is $80. The first payment of $40 is due June 5; the second payment is due no later than September 5. The last date for refunds is September 5. Payments, via check or money order, made payable to Building 32 Association, can be sent to Ms. Dolores Rankin at 4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy., Apt. 10 E, Bronx, NY 10475. Ms. Rankin can be reached at 718-379-0910. —Lorna Smith
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Empowered Cooperators Dictate Effectiveness Of The Board Director’s Viewpoint
the community tolerate repeated references to former Board leadership and the former Management agent instead of holding those of us currently on the Board and current Management responsible for what goes Treasurer on here? Don’t be deceived about the 1.9% increase. That Putting the community first is void of personal wasn’t a victory for the community. Have you conagendas and provides sound reasoning for proposals sidered that if the increase doesn’t begin on June 1st, and recommendations. For instance, the passed the increase will probably be greater and hit just budget includes money to upgrade the building lob- before the holidays? An additional increase will bies. Yet, the insistence of upgrading the lobbies at likely be needed in 2019. the same rate and not the best work speaks of preWhen will the community stop responding to the senting the appearance of luxury, but it actually costs repeated pronouncements of this still being the best us more to have to have the work redone. This is a deal in town when, in my opinion, an increase that prime example of getting what you pay for. doesn't sufficiently address the capital project needs In regards to the IT upgrades, for an entire year, will only require additional increases sooner than later? I have repeatedly beaten the drums about the need the IT Committee remained inactive, but now that Management has hired a new director of IT, there’s to get the elevator repairs started quickly as this is the renewed interest in ensuring that the corporation most important and urgent need we have (this has operates in the 21st century, really? How long will been substantiated by our Elevator Consultant). Why
Deborah Jenkins
Co-op City Sports
hasn't leadership expressed this need with the community? The Whistle Blower Policy was presented by me. It's already being worked on! Not one person is able to stabilize the finances, it takes an entire Board. I proposed the Whistle Blower Policy, but couldn't enact it without the support of the other members of the Board – the same applies to each item any one Board member seeks to take credit for having done. Finally, I need you to know that there are a few vocal Board directors who refuse to be go along-toget-along members. But I can promise you this, for the next year, I will seek to share as much as I can and encourage all of you to attend the Open Board Meetings/Townhalls and hold our feet to the fire. We have capable Management now and they need to be allowed to do the work. You have 15 Board members, you deserve to have us all represent you. I can be reached at (718) 644-0951 or via email at djenkins@ riverbayboard.com.
Velocity Track Club
Velocity Track Club hopes every mother enjoyed their Mother’s Day!! VTC returned to the track on April 23rd at the New York Relay (Youth Challenge) at Icahn Stadium, Randall’s Island, and on Sunday, May 7th at the AAU-New Jersey Annual Youth Track & Field Invitational. Both meets were highly competitive. VTC coaches try to attend track meets with the best competition within a 1½ hour car drive. We look at the events and cost. Most track & field meets don’t have all of the events that our athletes compete in. Therefore, we are
VTC athletes sporting their awards at practice. The team will compete in upcomng meets in New Haven, CT, Plainfield, NJ, and Fitchburg, MA.
willing to travel to prepare our athletes for the nationals. Plus, this gives our children the opportunity to compete against different athletes and visit different schools outside the New York City. Next week, we’ll travel to New Haven, CT. Then to Plainfield, NJ and Fitchburg, MA and to the Junior Olympics in Eastern Michigan University. We will also be attending local meets in New York City. At the AAU-New Jersey Annual Youth Track & Field Invitational, medals were given to the top 3 athletes and ribbons for 4th, 5th and 6th place finishers in their event/gender. We were able to bring home 7 Gold medals, 7 Silver medals, 4 Bronze medals and 22 ribbons in this highly competitive meet. Due to publishing rules I will note the following VTC Athletes who won medals. In the Girls 8 & under division: Shyenne Blake won a Gold medal in the long jump and Silver in the 100 meter dash. Hannah Deflorimonte won a Bronze medal in the 200 meters dash. In the 9 & 10 division: (Girls) Dakota Hickman won the Gold in the high jump, Silver in the 200 meters race and a Bronze medal in the 400 meter dash. (Boys) Pierce Parker won Gold in the 1500 meter race. In the 11 & 12 division: (Girls) Aysya Brown won a Gold medal in the 3000 meter race. Jada Clarke won a Gold medal in the long jump, Tiarra Jackson won Bronze medal in the discus. (Boys) Matthiaus Anderson, Silver medal in the turbo javelin. Dontae Lindo, Gold in the 3000 meter race and Bronze medal in the 1500 meter race. In the 13 & 14 division: (Girls) Hannah Gadpaille won Silver medals in the 100 and 400
meter dash. (Boys) Kabir Gaydarik won a Silver medal in the high jump. In the 15 & 18 division: (Girls) Jaelah Eargle won Gold in the long jump and Silver medal in the 100 meter hurdles. (Boys) Raseam Phillip won a Bronze medal in the 100 meter dash. Great job to all athletes. On Wednesday, May 24 VTC with Co-op City residents will be attending the Universoul Circus in Mt. Vernon. Our next meet will be Sunday, May 21st, the New Haven Age group Youth Meet at the Bowen Field in New Haven, CT. For information, you can go to our website Velocitytrack.org or contact me, Coach Winston Dinkins, at 914-441-6196 or email me at watclt@aol.com. —Winston Dinkins
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Mark Your Ballot For The “Cooperators First” Team
Director’s Viewpoint
Rod Saunders Assistant Secretary
Hopefully, you are a concerned shareholder and you are about to exercise one of your rights by participating in this year’s Riverbay Board of Directors election process. We all have paid thousands of dollars for our cooperative shares, and whether you moved into Co-op City 49 years ago, or 49 days ago, you have the right to cast that vote. From the onset of our being granted the right to have a resident Board selected by the shareholders of an apartment here, Co-op City has seen its “Best of Times” and “Worst of Times.” In my opinion, we have turned the corner of a period in our time when decisions surrounding this community were made, were not necessarily in the best interest of the cooperators. Had there not been a course correction, Co-op City could very well have been brought to the brink of bankruptcy. Today, we are in far different place. Followed by a change in management, the subsequent selection by shareholders of committed, intelligent and hardworking residents to the Riverbay Board of Directors, Co-op City has gotten much closer to being on track to be THE place to reside when it comes to affordable middle income housing. Within the past three years, the Board of Directors and Management have worked very hard for all of us as cooperators, and that involvement has covered every aspect of Co-op City’s uniquely complex housing issues imaginable. While we recognize that we’ve turned several corners in a significant number of ways, I can tell you with complete honesty that there are “many more miles to go, and bridges to cross!” The last loan agreement came with capital (construction) spending stipulations. Next came the realization that there had been a “bait & switch” elevator motors contract that was agreed to by the former management,
a former Board, and accepted by DHCR more than a decade ago. Add to that, the Dept. of Buildings’ Local Law 11 facade (brick & balcony) inspections cycle, the replacement of the lobby doors, and the Power Plant’s boiler project, which thanks to this Board, avoided what could have been a catastrophic financial setback caused by a potentially reckless approach of the new boiler’s installation, we’ve had a lot on our plates. I trust that if you are taking the time to read this viewpoint, that you probably made time to watch at least one of the three candidates’ forums, as well as read their individual statements which have appeared in the newspapers, and on their flyers. With that in mind, I am proud to endorse: incumbents (Riverbay Board President) Linda Berk, and (Board member) Kevin Lambright, established community leaders Leah Richardson, Jerome Rice, and educator Aminah Lucio, who, I believe, can become part of a team that can continue the vision of making Co-op City THE residential choice of middle to upper middle income families, as well as comfortable for those who have retired on fixed incomes for years to come as well. I first met Linda Berk when I ran for the Riverbay Board back in 2015. Linda Berk has brought her own leadership style (different from Cleve Taylor’s). Linda Berk’s presidency has continued the vision of bringing Co-op City into the 21st century, and she understands that there needs to be a changing of the culture of management, to reflect that our shareholder concerns must come first and foremost. Linda Berk, as Riverbay Board president, successfully engaged the Mayor of New York City, and he responded by committing his staff to meet with members of our management team, to get the City of New York to contribute some type of capital construction project(s) which would serve to augment monies that we have saved the city from spending. I first met Kevin Lambright, when he volunteered to serve on the election committee back in 2015. Kevin, president of the African American Association, is a strong voice for cooperators in the Board room, a supporter of youth-related activities,
and a dedicated family man. My wife and I have known Leah Richardson for many years. Leah is an outstanding cooperator, she’s an executive Board member in the Co-op City Democratic Club, is an experienced Co-op City community organizer and representative, and has memberships in organizations that have made her the recipient of several awards recognizing her commitment to work on the behalf, and betterment of others. Leah’s understanding of technology will be instrumental in giving the Board an experienced ear and voice during future discussions that we will have with both Management, and future contractors, as we move our technology Dept. into the 21st century. Jerome Rice is another Riverbay Board candidate that my wife and I have known for many years. Jerome Rice is the very outspoken president of the NAACP – Co-op City branch. If you have read his articles, you are aware of his service to the community, to the city, and for his country. When we first met Jerome Rice, he was part of a team of officers, and members of the legal community who would set up demonstrations to advise our teens and young men, on how to correctly respond to encounters with a police officer. As the president of the NAACP, we’ve witnessed Jerome Rice sponsor political events which have allowed cooperators to have an independent view of candidates running for political office. As the past president of the American Legion Post – Veterans’ Post located in Section 5, he was instrumental in advocating for our senior vets who have given much for their country. While I have just recently met Aminah Lucio, I know that she grew up and attended school here in Co-op City, works as an educator, and is committed to putting cooperators first, a direction that truly needs to be addressed going forward. I am asking that you vote and mark your ballot for the “Cooperators First” team: LINDA BERK – KEVIN LAMBRIGHT – LEAH RICHARDSON – JEROME RICE – AMINAH LUCIO.
Spanish American Community Club
Rivers Run Community Garden
Please join us on the second Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! The Installation of Officers Dinner and Dance took place on Friday, April 28th. ‘Member of the Year’Awards were presented to Noelia Santiago, Ruben Telemaco and Carlos Hernandez. The President’s Award was presented to Carmen Rodriguez and Mel Camacho. Honorable Mentions were bestowed on Nelly Rivera, Maria Soto, Enrique Ojeda, Daliah Rodriguez, Nelly Rodriguez and Nora Rivera. 40th Anniversary recognition was given to Ed & Iris Delgado and Hector & Carmen Crespo. 20th Anniversary recognition was given to James & Jenita Parson and Lourdes Suarez. ‘Karaoke Night’ will take place on Saturday, May 20th. Please join us in room 16 of the Dreiser Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Admission will be $2. ‘Social Friday’ will take place on May 26th at 7:00 p.m. Our next General Membership meeting will be held on Thursday, June 8th, at 8:00 p.m. It will be our last meeting until September. Parents’ Night will be hosted by the Sunshine Committee on Saturday, June 24th. Additional information will be available soon. ‘El Batey’ Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 23rd. Permits are required for all vehicles and will be distributed to members only. If planning to attend, please contact any Board member to have your name added to the list. Parking permits are $5, in advance. Membership renewal dues are now $48. The Assistant Corresponding Secretary position is open. The main responsibility is to represent the Correspondence Secretary whenever she is unavailable. Any interested member can speak to one of the Board members or contact me via the email address below. Additional information for all of our upcoming club events, as well as details concerning the club in general, can be found on our website: http://spanamcccc.synthasite.com. You may also contact the club at (718) 379-7017, email us at SpanAmCCCC@gmail.com or find us on Facebook (search for ‘spanamcccc’). —Carmen Rodriguez
Today’s membership meeting will be held at the garden at 1 p.m. Also today, we welcome the Girl Scouts and appreciate their help. Thank you for the artists who came out on the rainy Mother’s Day and brought the sun with them. It is always wonderful to have these family crafting sessions. In addition, we’d like to thank the 1st graders of PS 153 for our first Releasing of The Butterfly extravaganza. Update on the gazebo: We have sent in our deposit and the pieces are on order. We are moving closer to our dream thanks to our members and supporters. If you’d like to take advantage of the opportunities to get your hands dirty and make your heart happy, there is always something that needs doing. Also, we are looking for artists to help paint the water containers. Just stop by, pick up a brush or hammer and enjoy yourself. Please tell your friends and family about this amazing place where we not only grow fruits and vegetables, but we grow knowledge and friendships. Rivers Run Community Garden is a movement towards improved mental and physical health. We provide all types of workshops including nutrition, meditation, edible and medicinal wilds identification, planting, building and crafting. We are the outdoor classroom for the local schools, daycares as well as residents and neighbors. We are a place of beauty and peace. Visit. Stay. Experience us. Important dates (All are welcome): • May 20 – Girl Scouts Work Day @ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (weather permitting) • May 20 – Member Meeting @1 p.m. • June 15 & 16 – PS 153 (4th grade) visits garden @ 9:30 a.m. Rivers Run is open: • Tuesdays – 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. (or until dusk) • Wednesdays & Fridays – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Sat. & Sun. – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Membership requirements: $20 per year fee and 20 hours of work. There is a waiting list for beds. Members who are actively fulfilling the 20 hours of volunteer work requirement are moved up on the waiting list. Volunteers are welcome. To schedule your volunteer hours for July, please email jam239@ aol.com and rivers_run@yahoo.com. If you’d like to reach out to us, please email us at Rivers_run@ yahoo.com or call Denise Shelley at 917-232-2982 or me at 718-671-3801. —Gail Sharbaan
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Cooperators United Of Co-op City Hi: Our next meeting is Tuesday, May 23, Bartow, room 31, 7:00 p.m. Our guest speaker is a representative from Allstate. Allstate’s presentation to us is a program they have set up to assist us in reaching out to our neighbors via newsletters, blogs, etc. Come on out to hear what they have to say. Most of our mailboxes have been returned and we would like to thank all of you for your help. If your mailbox has not been returned, please let me know MLSAH@aol.com or 718-379-7841. Voting for our Board of Directors is upon us. Please remind our neigh-
bors to vote whether they are voting online or by mail. Call 3-1-1 if the street lights are out or you see potholes. When calling, you will be given a reference number. Keep the reference number in a safe place just in case you need to call again regarding the same issue. Best wishes to our graduates and to all celebrating a special event this month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss or is sick and shut in. We can be reached at MLSAH@aol.com or 718-379-7841. —Sonja Maxwell
Co-op City CERT-10 Community Preparedness
Please Be Respectful Of Your Neighbors
The Allergy Season Has Arrived – Ways to Prepare Seasonal Allergy Allergic conditions affect one in six Americans, causing about 50 million people to suffer allergies nationwide. Allergies are an overreaction of the body’s natural infection-fighting defense system. Although most people will have some problem with allergies or allergic reactions at some point in their lives, the severity for most is minimal. But for many people the spring and fall seasons of the year are the times when their allergy symptoms reach their peak with what is known as seasonal allergy. In an allergic reaction, the body’s immune system begins fighting substances (mold, pollen, animal dander, or foods) that are usually harmless. Seasonal allergies show up at the same time every year, causing rashes, itchy eyes, runny noses, and/or difficulty in breathing. Hay fever is the most common. The best prevention is to begin allergy treatments with your doctor before the season starts. Here are some other actions that you can take to relieve or avoid allergies: Preventive Measures • Clean your home and car prior to the allergy season • Know the pollen count in your area • Use the air conditioner in your home and in your car • Take a bath or shower and change your clothes after being outside • Replace and/or clean convector trays or air conditioner filters • The pollen count is most high in early morning and late afternoon – at these times, if possible, remain indoors. Allergic reactions range from mild and annoying to sudden and life-threat-
ening. If you have had a severe allergic reaction in the past, you know how frightening it can be. Those with severe allergies should carry an epinephrine dispenser (EPI Pen). A shot of epinephrine can slow down or stop an allergic reaction. Keep it with you at all times and know how to use it correctly. Some important things to think about before you give yourself a shot: • The shot does not replace the need to be seen by a doctor. After giving yourself a shot, seek emergency care. • An epinephrine shot should only be injected into the side of the thigh. Do not give the shot into the buttocks or a vein. • Learn the signs that indicate a severe allergic reaction. If you feel them coming on, act quickly. • Keep an allergy kit with you at all times: one at home and one at work or school. • Keep two epinephrine shots in each kit in case a second shot is required. Always wear a medical alert bracelet to let others know about your allergies. • Teach your family, friends, and coworkers how to give you a shot in case you need help. If you would you like to join CERT or want more information, please send your questions or request to CERT 10 (CC), 100 Donizetti Place, Bronx, NY 10475. You can also contact us on the web at info@bxcert10.org. General information about the CERT program is available at www.nyc.gov/cert or by calling 311. —Khalil Abdul-Wahhab Team Chief
CO-OP CITY FOOT CARE CENTER SECTION 5 • BUILDING 29C 4240 HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY EAST
(718) 671-2233 DR. LOUIS JACOBS, DIRECTOR ALL FOOT CONDITIONS TREATED The in-office surgical correction of BUNIONS • HAMMERTOES • INGROWN TOENAILS PAINFUL CORNS and CALLOUSES The treatment of traumatic foot injuries, heel spurs, bursitis and arthritis of the joints of the feet, toenail and skin infections, as well as other conditions.
Most Union and Insurance Plans Accepted. HIP CMO (Montefiore) Health Plan Accepted. We participate in Postal Workers, Mail Handlers, Letter Carriers, Verizon Workers, 1199, GHI, Blue Shield, Empire Plan, Medicare, Travelers, United Health Care and many other union and major medical plans. Se Habla Español MEDICARE ACCEPTED • HOUSE CALLS BY APPOINTMENT
Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Call The Vote
Pending Board Approval: $400,000.00 + tax (Management for Hartco Floor Tie)- (Management) Director’s Viewpoint 1 Million Dollars maximum for Bill Warr, DTM, Inc. Elevator Consultant. This consultant will write the modernization and maintenance specification and oversee the modernization through final sign-off of the project. (This does not include the cost of elevaThis director voted NO to Resolution# 17-19 subtor repair which is approximately $40 million. Do mitted by: Linda Berk and seconded by: Claudia Sampson on May 10, 2017. Why? A contract was the math. Will the saving cover this cost? Shareholders should submit questions about this entered into with Specialty Business Solutions at the million dollar consultant prior to the vote. Submit cost of $309,834.72+ tax for three (3) years. What was the contract for? It is for Leasing & questions to eturner@riverbayboard.com. Please remember that the purpose of FIRST Maintenance of Copiers. This director asked how many copiers we are talk- READINGS, that this director requested sharing ing about. The executive general manager shared an with shareholders, is to give you a chance to ask questions before the vote. Please be proactive instead approximate number of 18 to 19 copiers. of reactive. You have been provided with an example Resolutions are typed up by our Legal Department of a "reaction" that is costly and non-specific. with input from Management and, in some instances, As we prepare for new leadership on the Board, Board members who may be makers of Resolutions. If Management is asking for this amount of money it's important to receive more input from shareholdfor operation of the day-to-day business, this direc- ers in regard to First Reading. If it's easier to email tor's position is you should know the EXACT NUM- Board members you elect with questions, don't hesitate to do so. We deserve better. BER of COPIERS on the premises. Kudos To The Garvey School Other Resolutions Passed A special thanks to Ms. June O'Connor, founder, Reportedly, “we have increased our bank account by $30 million dollars.” However, consider these for inviting members of the Board to a Mother's Day amounts of money shareholders are paying out as of Breakfast on Friday, May 14. What a wonderful, May 10, 2017: $400,000 for two years (Procurement enriching experience. The children visited the comDepartment). $59,000 plus tax for a three year munity's River's Run Garden after breakfast. Our period. (Procurement Department). $70,200 per own Public Safety staff talked to the older students year for two years (distribution of Co-op City about "bullying" providing great tips on what to do. Times). $309,834.72 + tax for three years (Contract The younger children learned about making compost. Administration). $456,271.550 approved (Rock Please support this wonderful community school. Voting Group NY Corp.-) for protective bridging for BuildTo Section 5 residents, please know that this direcings 26, 30, 31 for one year installation and one year tor asked that the Candidates' Forum be rescheduled rental of sidewalk bridging.
Evelyn Turner
Election Forum
and NOT happened the same day as the first day of voting. The request was denied by the Board. However, amendments were made on an emergency basis on May l0th in regard to previously approved general rules and regulations. Honesty & Integrity Please VOTE as we have some challenging days ahead. We are all entitled to our opinions and hopefully you will VOTE on the side of honesty and integrity. Graduation A recent accomplishment was completing studies at Fordham University to assist in training the next generation of Social Workers, a wonderful profession. I have more years behind me than in front and want to “pay it forward." We have so many problems in society that require skilled trained professionals. I am confident that shareholders will VOTE and we will get 5 Board members. My recommendations are in. Regardless of who gets in, I will continue to share information with you. This is our home and it's worth volunteering for. Soon Co-op City will be 50 years old and reportedly from the long-term stayers, Co-op City has come from a mighty long way. If it's God's will, this director looks forward to volunteering with the planning of a big Co-op City birthday event next year. VOTE- VOTE- VOTE- VOTE! MAIL YOUR BALLOT OR VOTE ONLINE! “Bank accounts are like toothpaste; easy to take out, but hard to put back." (Sidney Harris) YOURS IN SERVICE: Evelyn M. Turner, LCSW: 917-324-1033 or eturner@riverbayboard.com. Please call or email me with your concerns and questions.
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change orders and because of that, he cannot justify in more youth activities and more internships, menany budget proposal that has been brought to the toring and career development programs. Board recently. Section 5 community leader Hattie Overman Shareholder Novella Thomas asked how each asked the candidates about how they would better director would prevent the Board from becoming a ensure the integrity of Riverbay contracts. “We’re “divided house.” Each candidate answered that the wasting a lot of money here,” she complained. Board has an obligation to be respectful of each other Ms. Lucio suggested better checking of contracand to get along. “You can’t get anything done when tors’ references, using the Riverbay auditor more you are fighting,” said Mr. Lambright. Candidate effectively and making sure the specifications are Rice said, “Cooperators are sick and tired of the fightexactly what the project calls for. also called for a more extensive vetting ing,” and President Berk said that an effective corpoMr. Rice process involving all Board directors. ration starts at the top and if the Board acts unprofesMs. Richardson advocated for more legal oversionally, how can it expect management and staff to sight over the process. do a good job. Director Johnson used the opportunity to defend The last questioner for the evening, Michelle Marhis record of constantly questioning and voting “no” bury, asked each candidate to identify the commuon the many contracts that come before the Board in nity’s biggest weakness and biggest strength. recent years. Director Lambright identified the weakness as the renter’s mentality that many shareholders have. President Berk, in turn, defended the Board by stating that recent history shows the Board termi- “We do not see ourselves as cooperators,” he said, adding that he is working with the Sales Commitnates contractors who do not perform according to tee to change that perspective among new sharethe term of their agreement, pointing specifically to two architectural firms that were recently fired for holders. underperforming and substandard concrete deliverCandidate Lucio identified the weakness as the ies that were recently turned away. She said the past bickering and the fighting. She said we need to come policies of the previous management company led to together. She identified the biggest strength as “being many of the past problems and that the current Board the best deal in town.” Ms. Berk identified the biggest weakness as a has cleaned that up over the last three years. general attitude of complacency among residents Ms. Smith stated that she has been a proponent of checking each contract, making each conand staff, and its strength as the sheer size of the carefully tractor stick by their original price quotes for the job, community and its ability to exercise its political and eliminating costly change orders. will on the basis of that size. Next, Board Director Andrea Leslie specifically Mr. Rice cited the large number of people who asked Mr. Johnson why he votes “no” on every rescome out to vote in the elections as its biggest olution concerning the budget whether it called for strength and its weakness as having most of those an increase or no increase. same residents not work together and get involved in internal affairs affecting the quality of life of the Director Johnson answered that there are just too too many community in the same way that they vote and get many contracts that are wasteful and
involved in external politics. Voting in this year’s Board election started the day of the last forum, May 17, and will continue through 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24. This year, voters are voting online, by mail or by using one of the kiosks positioned in each community center.
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Retirees of Dreiser Loop Reminder! Our luncheon is scheduled for WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14th at Marina Del Ray, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $75/person including free transportation (if needed), to first-pay, first sign-up. Travel Events: (*price includes transportation via Coach Bus; - located at Dreiser Loop, in front of H&R Block) • July 5-7, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Del. Price: double, $400pp; single, $490pp. Deposit: $100 ASAP. Two payments each: $150 double/$195 single. Final payment due: June 5. Contact Serita G., 347-564-5722/Barbara W., 718-320-0500. • Sept. 9-16, (8 days/7 nights), Canada & New England Cruise on the beautiful Carnival “Sunshine.” NYC departure/return. Cabin/category prices from $929 to $1399 which includes your cabin, meals, port charges and taxes. FINAL PAYMENT due now. Travel insurance (additional cost) encouraged. Contact: Serita G., 347-564-5722. • Oct. 5-7, National Museum of African American History & Culture Washington, DC. (a lot of walking). Price: double, $385; single, $440. Deposit: $100 ASAP. Payment plan: (1st – due 6/19: double, $140 & single, $170) (2nd – due 7/17: double $145 & single $170). No refunds. Lunch at Phillips, Baltimore Inner Harbor 1st day. Two Continental breakfasts; dinner at Golden Coral, stopping at Maryland LIVE casino and Arundel Mill outlets on 10/7. Contact: Serita G., 347-564-5722/Barbara W., 718-320-0500. Theatre Committee: (price includes transportation from Dreiser Loop opposite Rehab Center): • June 21st (Wed.): “MAMMA MIA,” Westchester Broadway Theatre; lunch/show time: 11 a.m. Price: $70. Balance due now. Contact: Marie G-R, 718-671-4949. REMEMBER – Your DEPOSIT, along with your name and telephone number, is required to reserve your trip &/or theatre seat. ONLY a check or money order, payable to RETIREES OF DREISER LOOP, will be accepted. Committee members will be available in Dreiser clubroom 19 (718-379-0377) on Mondays and/or Thursdays, 2:30-5:00 pm. Good And Welfare: May good health envelop Elizabeth Hayes as she recuperates at home. Those of you still under the weather, know that you are thought of warmly and wished brighter days. Call Josephine Flowers, 718-320-0539, regarding illnesses and bereavements. If interested in joining us on our next SPA DAY (date to be determined), call 718-379-4784 (Claudette D.) or 718-671-8449 (Hattie L.) and leave your name and phone number for a return call. “In this new month of May 2017, here are our wishes for you: this month bring you satisfaction, peace and joy. May all the desires of your heart be granted. May this be the beginning of new things in your life. Stay strong, be positive and fulfill your dreams.” —Claudette Davis
Building 9 Association Greetings. The Election-America test survey results for the new voting system have been released. The Building 9 survey participation rate is low. Of 414 total units, only 133 units (9A=62 and 9B=71) responded to the test survey. We can do better. Please vote this week in the 2017 Riverbay Board Director election. Be an informed voter. Informed voting helps to protect, preserve and strengthen our ability to remain in our affordable homes. Our Building 9 Association Membership meeting scheduled for May 17th with Ms. Sheena McNeil, director, Residential Sales, as our guest speaker. Ms. McNeil is patient, clearly articulates the mission of the Sales Department and responds to member questions in a courteous and professional manner. Thank you, Ms. McNeil. We agreed to cancel our June meeting due to our extensive June calendar obligations and unavailability of a guest speaker. Our Building 9 Association BAKE SALE is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. CALLING ALL BAKERS! We need your support as Baker or Buyer. Please let us know if you will be donating your delicious baked goodies. The Section Two Summer Fun Day will be held Saturday, June 17th, 12 p.m.– 6 p.m. The first 50 children on line will get free 2017 SFFD t-shirts. Please come out and join us. Our WINE TASTING trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 24th. Please see our flyers posted in all 65 building lobbies. Seats are selling fast. Get yours soon. Buses depart Debs Place & Dreiser Loop at 8:45 a.m. sharp! and return at 6:00 p.m. Included will be 10 wine tastings, a souvenir wine glass, meat, cheese and cracker platter, fresh fruit platter, pound cake and strawberry dessert platter, an onsite festival with live music and local vendors. The per person cost is $60 single payment due on or before 5/31. Our bus trips are open to all. Please feel free to join us. Contact: Linda, (718) 328-5683, or Gwen, (347) 326-8553 or Shirley, (718) 813-2188. Retain your receipt. Due to our monetary obligation to the vendor, NO REFUNDS. Our Building 9 Children's Art Workshop on Saturday, June 3rd, will be cosponsored by Allstate/The Wright Agancy, 1435 Gun Hill Road. Please contact me to register your child age 5 y.o. and up. Our social events are planned with you in mind. Please support our events as we strive to provide meaningful and enjoyable experiences for you and your family. Please contact the CSO and/or CCPD should you have any quality of life concerns. If anyone engages in anti-social behavior toward you, call CCPD. Make sure a report is taken. Contact the CSO to report the incident. Parents, please monitor your children! Stay in the know, wherever you go; please 'follow' Co-op City Times at www.issuu.com/cctimes. If you want to go swiftly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. –African Proverb —Linda Collins
Building 13 Association Reminder: Help our community Recycle, Reduce and ReUse—Earth Day is every day! TODAY – Women Keeping It Real, Saturday, May 20, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Red Box returns! Join us this evening at 100 Casals Place (Bldg. 13) association room. Women Keeping It Real is an inspiring, insightful and informative social gathering of women of all ages. We welcome new participants. Remember! You must be 18 and over to participate. We want to give an early thank you to some sponsors of our Summer Fun Day: Councilman Andy King, Rosenshein RealtyPeartree Mall, Stop and Shop, Fairway Foods, Restaurant Depot, McCall’s Bronxwood Funeral Home, Attorney Stephen Kaufman, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Stop and Shop and Amalgamated Bank. Summer Fun Day has FREE t-shirts to the first 50 youth. Want to get dunked? The Annual Summer Fun Day event is scheduled for June 17, from noon to 6 p.m. in Section 2 between Carver Loop and Casals Place. Save the date on your calendar. Enjoy music and free refreshments. Join in on the festivities with our Zumba instructor and show your Salsa skills dancing to the musical talent of Juan Ortega. If you would like to volunteer, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Ms. Maxwell, at 718-379-7841, email MLSAH@aol.com or advise your building association representatives. Need papers shredded? The truck will be at MCU on May 21, between 10-4 p.m. REMINDER: Don’t forget to vote….May 17-May 24 via mail or online! Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. For information re the Nordic Lodge Lobster Feast, contact Sherrie Hernandez at 914-837-5970; Gail Sharbaan, treasurer, at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370. Our website is http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at bthirteen.assoc@ yahoo.com. Again, thanks for making our team work. —Leslie Peterson
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
“Forward Ever”
Director’s Viewpoint
ion Scott Company days of chaos and crisis, there is reason to hope that in this crucial time, detractors will not be able to slow us down or undo our success. I currently chair two Board committees, Internal Audit and Disabilities and Accommodations. I co-chair Vote for the team that will keep Co-op City moving Construction, and am a member of the Education and forward. Re-elect Linda Berk and Kevin Lambright Legislative Committees. and elect Aminah Lucio, Leah Richardson and Very important work is done in these committees Jerome Rice. that make recommendations for policy and procedures For more than 15 years, a small team of present and to the Board. past Board members, along with community members, How would the Board function if all Board memhave worked hard to turn this community around from bers only came to the Board meetings and never a dark past, a deep hole of debt and an array of things chaired, co-chaired or attended a committee meeting? that went wrong. We have promoted and encouraged Teamwork and individual feedback are essential. It cooperator activism in our community. This is a far cry is indisputable that more is achieved when people work from the Marion Scott Company days when cooperator together to accomplish goals. There have been attempts activism was discouraged—even punished! Though it to denigrate candidates who are part of a slate, I beg to sometimes almost seems as though some miss the Mar- differ. Those candidates are a TEAM of like-minded
Andrea Leslie
individuals who, by democratic process, understand that working together to achieve their common goals is a good thing. Here are some reasons why Teamwork matters. 10. TEAMWORK makes the impossible possible. 9. Shared enthusiasm energizes everyone. 8. When a collection of minds and hearts works together, great things happen. 7. It is good to know that a helping hand is always in reach. 6. None of us is as smart as all of us. 5. There is strength in NUMBERS. 4. TEAMWORK divides the task and doubles the success. 3. Individually, we are special; together, we are SPECTACULAR. 2. A dynamic TEAM is unstoppable. 1. Together Everyone Achieves More.
Black Forum Next Defensive Driving Class The next Black Forum defensive driving course will be on Saturday, June 10, 8:50 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dreiser Center, rm. 1. 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. Please also bring your current driver’s license and a pen. Call (718) 320-8035. Trips To Casinos Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA on Sat., June 24. Cost: $45. Casino rebate: $20 for slot, $5 for food. No refunds. For information, please call (718) 320-0033 or 917-209-5334. Call today.
Summer Youth Program If you are young person between the ages of 16-24 and you are interested in working with the Black Forum over the summer, please call us, (718) 320-8035. Food Pantry Volunteers Needed Two nights a week from 5-6:30 p.m. Please call (718) 320-8035. Food distribution sites 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. to 12:45 p.m. Likewise, residents of Buildings 26, 30, 31, 34 and 35 must go to the Evangelical Church, 2350 Palmer Avenue, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays to pick up food. Residents of all other buildings and townhouses can pick-up at Dreiser Center, room 20. For information, please call (718) 320-8035.
Building 26 Association Fond wishes to everyone celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrated events during the month of May. Congratulations to all of our May graduates. We wish you much success with your future endeavors. Speedy recovery to all who are sick, home-bound, and/or hospitalized. Our sincere condolences to those families who have suffered the loss of a beloved one. Blessings to you during your difficult time of bereavement. We would like to thank Mr. Noel Ellison, general manager and Mr. Mark Warren, director of construction, for attending our emergency building association meeting on May 9th regarding locked balconies. We’d also like to thank those numerous residents who attended. Mr. Ellison started the meeting with a belated apology to the residents whose balconies have been locked since last year. He further explained that due to the selection of a better engineer and the change in Management, time has elapsed and no work has been done to the balconies. Mr. Ellison and Mr. Warren explained Local Law 11, HCR, and Change Orders and how they didn’t realize how deep in the hole Riverbay was in with the past management. Mr. Ellison and Mr. Warren are meeting with the Riverbay Board of Directors on Wednesday, 5/10, at which time, they will be presenting to the Board two options to vote on: #1 Change Order – to immediately start emergency repair work on the closed balconies; which would be opened by mid-July. #2 – to go with Local Law 11 which would necessitate a new bid, someone to design an elevation plan; and access to balconies would be another 2 to 3 years. Everyone in attendance asked Mr. Ellison to highly recommend option 1 - for the Board to vote on. In addition, two separate families who reside in Building 26C notified Mr. Ellison that they purchased their 6.5 bedroom apartment and moved into it in December and they were not notified by Riverbay that they would not have access to their balconies. To date, these families have not stepped out on the balconies. These families were rightfully upset and frustrated. Mr. Ellison offered to speak with them. Another resident complained that the scaffolds are full of trash. Mr. Ellison said he would have them checked and cleaned. A resident complained that the janitors in Building 26C are not properly cleaning the building. Mr. Ellison said he would follow-up on it. Mr. Ellison and Mr. Warren were applauded for attending the meeting. Mr. Ellison concluded the meeting, but returned later in the week with Assistant Executive General Manager Mr. Carey Smith, III, to notify us that the Board voted 14-1 for Option #1 – Change Order. Work will begin on the balconies on May 30, and should be completed in approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Again, we send an appreciative thank you to Mr. Ellison, Mr. Warren, and Mr. Smith for their assistance in helping to resolve this matter. —YuVonne Lewis
Emergency Food Program We are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., rm. 20 in 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 tonyshome 10475@gmail.com. Call or visit us, room 20 in the Dreiser Community Center. —Tony Illis
DR. LEWIS WOLSTEIN Podiatrist — Foot Specialist • Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery • ALL conditions of the foot treated • We
accept most health insurance plans
• Participating in the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program • Evening and Saturday appointments
Dr. Lewis Wolstein
Call:
“Se Habla Español”
718.671.7226 100 DeKruif Place
Building 8 • Ground Floor Section 1 • Co-op City • Bronx, NY 10475
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Donizetti Building 4 Association Trips: For our fundraiser trip, we ask that you join us on August 19 as we board a coach bus to Perth Amboy, NJ to get on the Cornucopia Princess Cruise Ship for a four-hour cruise down the Jersey Coastline with an all-you-can-eat buffet luncheon (food menu is savory chicken, prime rib carving station, full salad bar, pasta, vegetables, dessert, etc.). There will be music, dancing and loads of fun. The bus will depart from 120 Donizetti Place at 9 a.m. SHARP. Just think, all this for just the low price of $125. Payments can be made in installments with the first payment of $40 is due on or by May 20; second payment is due June 17, and final payment is due by July 2. For more information, please contact Yvonne, (718) 671-6922; Mary, (718) 671-0425 or Diane, (347) 275-7565. Scholarship: Each year, we give two $500 awards to high school graduates
from Building 4 who intend to further their education. Applications for our Annual Scholarship Award are available by seeing or calling Sandra, (718) 3202745 (A section); Diane, (347) 275-7565 (B section), or Mary, (718) 671-0425 (C section). The deadline for submission of scholarship applications is July 1, 2017. Game Day: Every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the meeting room, we play games (bid whist, pokeno, Bingo or any other game. You bring it…we play it.) Congratulations to all graduates and others celebrating a special day, get-well wishes to our sick and shut in, and condolences to those who may have lost someone. Remember, this is our home…IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!!!! —Yvonne Burrus
Wake-Eden Christian Academy 2074 Strang Avenue, Bronx, NY 10466
Registration is now Open for Pre-K – 5th Grade Ages 2-10 Call (718) 325-8056
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
African-American Association of Co-op City Our scholarship Award program is in full effect and time is running out. We are looking to award a deserving college-bound student with a $400 scholarship whom has demonstrated strong academic performance, participated in community service and extracurricular activities. 1. Applicant must be a high school senior in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or B+ average) 2. Applicant must be a resident of Co-op City. 3. Student must participate in community service and extra-curricular activities. 4. Student must plan to attend (and be accepted at) a college or university for the fall of 2017. 5. If chosen as a scholarship recipient, provide a recent picture of yourself to be printed in the Co-op City Times (preferably a wallet size picture). 6. Recipient should be available to receive the scholarship in person on a specified day in June. Application Procedure: 1. Obtain an application from the AfricanAmerican Association. 2. Provide a copy of your most recent report card or HS transcript. 3. Write a brief essay of 200-300 words about yourself and how you can give back or help your community. 4. Provide a letter of recommendation from either a school official or from your volunteer service. 5. Provide a copy of your college letter of acceptance. 6. Mail completed application, essay, proof of grades, letter of recommendation & of acceptance to: The African-American Association of Co-op City, PO Box 702, Bronx, NY 10475. Deadline: 5/27/2017 The Association sponsors the following
ongoing programs and encourages your participation. Acting Classes – Children’s and Adult classes are available. Contact: Meca Talent for more info call us at: 646-373-4122 Belly Dance Classes – Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room #2. For a nominal fee, you will have fun and stay in shape. For more information, call Xonia, 646-301-9438 Children’s Programs – For information about the early morning school drop-off program Contact: Ms. Hines at 347-283-3809 and the after school program call 718-379-5555. Evening Line Dance Classes – Dance to Soul, Latin, and Gospel music on Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, Room #2. Call Cynthia, 917-903-7073. 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. Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Classes on Tuesday 7:15 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. 2. Lose weight, tone and strengthen your muscles with exercises that reduce stress through breathing techniques. For more information, call 718-671-8364. Zumba And Yoga – Classes on Saturday start at 9:30 in Dreiser Center room #2. General Membership Meeting – The next meeting will be Tuesday June 13. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please read our weekly column for updates. Also, if you wish to join or update your membership, please send a check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) of $15 for a single membership or $25 for families to: African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook: Coopcity Africanamericanassoc/ Email us at: aaaccpower@gmail.com —Ebony Rae Lambright
Co-op City Working Families Party
American Legion Post 1871 Countdown to Memorial Day in Co-op City Our Annual Veterans’ Memorial Day Celebration is now eight days away. I hope that everyone will find time on Sunday, May 28th to use the occasion to honor our veterans and families, especially those who lost someone in the line of duty. Unserviceable Flags Ceremony There’s need for the observance of proper respect for the flag of our country and the education of our citizenry in the proper courtesies to be paid especially when the flag is no more fit to be put on a pole. Most of the times, when the flags which have been used for the decoration of graves on Memorial Day are collected after such service, they are inspected and found to be worn and unserviceable. Thus, they are to be condemned and properly destroyed. Ordinarily, the method of disposing an unserviceable flag should be that they are destroyed by burning, until the American Legion adopted a ceremony in its official manual. Thus, the Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is outlined in Resolution No. 440, passed by the 19th National Convention of the American Legion in New York, Sept. 20-23, 1937. The ceremony has been an integral part of American Legion ritual since that date. The purpose of the American Legion in adopting this ceremony was to encourage proper respect for the flag of the United States and to provide for disposal of unserviceable flags in a dignified manner. Resolution No. 373, approved by the National Convention of The American Legion meeting in Chicago, Illinois, September 18-20, 1944, re-emphasized the purpose of proper public flag disposal ceremonies and encouraged greater use of this ceremony by the American Legion. The resolution adopted is as follows: American Legion believes that due to the importance of Our Flag and what it represents to the nation, it is befitting that when it becomes faded and worn, it must be honorably retired from life in a proper service of tribute and memory and love, and such retirement of flags that have become unserviceable may be done in public with respectful and honorable rites. We believe that the American Legion’s Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is a dignified tribute to the U.S. flag and to its symbolism. We therefore conclude that this ceremony is both legal and proper, and that it is an effective instrument for promoting enhanced respect for the U.S. flag. This forum will not be the best platform for me to elaborate on how the ceremony is conducted, but I want to let the public know that American Legion of Co-op City will be ready to educate the citizens, especially our young ones in schools, churches, civic organizations and/or community engagements. The entire ceremony is also put together in a booklet called “Manual of Ceremonies.” American Legion at every local area will continue to enhance respect to the flag in our community and provide a much-needed service to those who have flags needing to be retired. —Lsjc Adeyemi LaCrown O'toba, MSA
Voting: There are only a few days left to submit your Board of Directors ballot by mail or online. Vote, Co-op City. Now let’s turn our attention to New York State voting. One figure has us at number 41 in the country for voter turnout, another figure put us at number 47! Either is pitiful. The reason there is such low turnout at the polls is because New York voting rights haven’t yet entered the current century, or even the last one. New York doesn’t have Early Voting, Automatic Voter Registration, or Electronic Poll Books, New Yorkers have to change party registration six months before a primary, and parolees are denied the right to vote. We have to secure these voting rights in time for Family Owned and Operated next year’s general elections. You may have noticed, • Large Chapel • Pre-need counseling nothing much is happening legislatively nationally, so on premises we need to focus locally. As the EasyElectionNY.org • Out of town services website states: • Ample Parking on premises NY’s antiquated voting laws are used as an excuse in A dignified funeral every family can afford. • Cremations states engaging in overt voter suppression. North Car• Casket Showroom All areas are handicapped accessible olina argued in court that it can’t be in violation of the on premises Voting Rights Act by cutting back on early voting Personalized & Professional Care • 50 Years Serving Our Community because NY doesn’t even have early voting! Ohio’s governor pointed to NY when asked why he signed a law Worldwide Shipping including Caribbean, Africa & South America cutting back on early voting, saying “Don’t yell at Ohio, go yell at NY, they don’t have early voting at all." New York State voting rights reform was discussed at our May 16th WFP meeting. We’ve decided to join in the VOTING RIGHTS DAY of ACTION on June 13th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Capitol building in Albany. If you would like to be kept informed on WFP Serving all Call issues and plans, sign on to the email list at mpjazz cultures 24 @optonline.net. NOW WEBCASTING TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABROAD & faiths Hours And also plan to join us at the June meeting. WFP meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month www.mccalls.net • director@mccalls.net (except for July and August). The next meeting will be 4035 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. held on June 20th at 7:30 in room 35, Einstein Community Center, Section Five. —Kelly Canzoneri
718-231-7647 Fax: 718-231-7665
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Community Protestant Church On behalf of our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone: (718) 862-9172. Regular Church Schedule: Sunday School - 9 a.m. Worship Service - 11 a.m. Communion Service - Every first and third Sundays Prayer Meeting and Bible Study – Wednesday at 7 p.m. The following programs are at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North (Co-op City) Morning Prayer Services -Tuesday, 6 a.m. – 8 a.m., and 9 a.m.11 a.m. Neighborhood Bible Study - Thursday at 10 a.m. Extension of Prayer and Worship Service – Every first, second and third Fridays at 7 p.m. Sunday School at Community Protestant Church begins at 9:00 a.m. In Sunday School, in a nurturing Christian education environment, an opportunity is provided for children to learn about the Bible, to grow in grace, to show love and respect for one another and to live more abundant lives. Children attending Sunday School are served breakfast. We encourage you to bring your child, children or grandchildren to Sunday School and we look forward to seeing you. Other Scheduled Events Tomorrow, Sunday, May 21st, the Sunday School will present a MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS tribute. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Community Protestant and the Sunday School will join other churches and organizations in sharing information, promoting equal care, and coming against the stigma related to mental illness. Please join us for this important program. Sunday, June 11th, 11:00 a.m., Annual Men’s and Women’s Day Celebration. September 12–15 – The Missionary Ministry sponsors a trip to THE HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, the only Entertainment Park that celebrates the Biblical Word of the Christian Faith. Package includes: round trip airfare; round trip airport transportation from Bartow Ave. (Co-op City, Bronx); 4 days/3 nights hotel accommodation; 3 buffet breakfasts; 1 group dinner, 2 day admissions to the Holy Land Experience; Lunch-ToGo at the Holy Land Experience; transportation from the hotel to the Holy Land and Travel Insurance. $1,013 per person double occupancy; $961 per person triple; $1,253 single. $113 deposit was due December 3, 2016 (non refundable after 5/17/17). For reservation and/or additional information, call (718) 671-0425 or (718) 379-8514. God Bless Our Member, Brother Willie Thompson, On Your 100th Birthday! May God keep you happy always, may He answer your prayers and be there when you need Him, and may He always bless you for being the special person you are. HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY! 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
Poochie Goes To WASHINGTON!
The African-American Museum (8 Tickets Left) Labor Day Wknd, Sept. 2-4, 2017
Poochie Goes To CUBA!
Faith in God Church & Bible Institute Rev. Dr. Gladys R. Little, Apostle, and Pastor & Evangelist Vernon Little greet everyone in the name of Jesus, that name which is above every name. We want you to know that you-are welcome in this house of the Lord! It is His house by ownership: it is our house by stewardship: and it can be your house by membership; so come on in and join with us. May God bless you in this house! Sometimes, fear of what lies ahead can crush your spirit and you stumble along, desperate for a God who will strengthen you. Let's look at a passage of scripture for encouragement. Psalm 34:11-18 in the (NIV) says: 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church The congregation of St. Joseph’s cordially invites you and your family to worship in Coop 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. Choir rehearsal is on Thursdays at 7 p.m. The (ECW) Episcopal Church Women meet immediately after service on the first Sunday of each month. Membership is open to all women of the church. The men hold their meeting after service on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We look forward to welcoming everyone to service at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, when we will celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The service will also incorporate a Memorial Mass to celebrate the life of one of our founding members, Mrs. Helen Williamson, who passed away on May 2. Please make a special effort to attend this service. At the request of her family, the preferred attire should be colorful and if possible, the color green, a favorite of Helen. Our Supply Priest, Father Simeon Johnson, will be the preacher and celebrant.
Poochie Goes To BERMUDA!
New York to Bermuda aboard the Carnival HORIZON! July 19th-23rd, 2018 $50 Deposit due by July 1, 2017 Come Travel with Poochie!
April 16th-23rd, 2018 $350 Deposit by June 20, 2017
and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Invitations Sweet Hour of Prayer is today at 3 p.m. Sunday School is tomorrow at 10 a.m. Our Sunday Morning Worship Service is at 11 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday following the morning worship, we serve Holy Communion. If you’re into gospel rap/holy hip-hop, go to www.reverbnation.com/vernonlittle and download music from Vernon Little free of charge. He also has videos on YouTube. You will be blessed, encouraged, and inspired. We are located at 171 Dreiser Loop in Section 1. Our phone # is (347) 276-4925. Jesus loves you, and so do we! —Apostle Gladys R. Little
poochiespicks.com 646.484.9206
Fundraising Events 1) National Museum of African American History & Culture, Washington, DC, Saturday, June 3. Motor coach transportation leaves from Dreiser Loop at 7 a.m. All-you-can-eat luncheon buffet at the Golden Corral. SOLD OUT!! 2) ECW Day Trip on Saturday, July 22, to Pindar Valley Winery in North Fork, Long Island. Enjoy wine tasting at the famous Pindar Vineyards, shopping at Tanger Outlets, and a delicious sit-down luncheon at the Cooperage Inn. $105 p.p. Down payment of $50 required to hold your seat with the balance of $55 due by July 1. Deluxe motor coach transportation leaves from Dreiser Loop at 9 a.m. Outreach Program: We continue to collect non-perishable food for the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. We are also collecting clean used summer clothes for St. Margaret’s Church. Please remember to donate. For additional information on all of the above, please call the church at 718-320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org. “Bless our God, you peoples; * make the voice of his praise to be heard.” -- Psalm 31:1 —M. Chambers
VISION CARE SPECIALIST
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120 ALCOTT PLACE
(Bldg. 17 • Sect. 3) • Co-op City
718-379-8029 Medicare and many insurances accepted. DOCTOR’S HOURS: MONDAY: 1:30 - 7:00 PM • WEDNESDAY: 2:00 - 7:00 PM FRIDAY: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM • SATURDAY: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT!
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Evangelical Church of Co-op City – UMC Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds
Come & Visit Us – We welcome you to God’s House – Your House – One Family in Christ. We are a congregation with spiritfilled worship, offering 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. Our phone number is (718) 320-3795, and leave a message if there is no answer. Pastor Magaly Beltre is at the church on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Come & Join Us On Black Friday: November 24, we will be going to Lancaster, PA. to do Christmas shopping at Rockvale Square Mall, then to Sight & Sound to see “The Miracle of Christmas,” finishing with dinner at Miller’s Smorgasbord. Includes transportation to and from. Cost is $160/person and $120/child (5 yrs. to 12 yrs.). If you are interested in coming with us, call Barbara at (347) 603-7473. $50 deposit required to hold a seat. Seats go fast. HIV/Aids Testing: Testing will be done on May 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is free and confidential, so come and get tested.
Also join us for our services, Bible studies and prayer times. Sunday Services – The first Sunday of the month is a bilingual service with communion, service starts at 10 a.m. Every other Sunday, the English Service is at 10 a.m. and the Spanish Service is at 12:30 p.m. Remember the importance of worship & fellowship of all who believe and have a relationship with the Lord. Sunday (Bible Study) School – We are now having Sunday School for Adults at 8:45 a.m. in English, 10:30 a.m. in Spanish and 10:30 a.m. for children. 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 at noon to 1:00 p.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. Family Night: Friday nights at 7:30 p.m., we have family night with Bible studies in English & Spanish and all kinds of activities for children, teens and young adults. —Barbara Penn
Church of the New Vision Pastors Kenneth Hodge and Deborah Hodge and the New Vision congregation invite you and your family to come and worship the Lord with us. Church of the New Vision is designed to meet the spiritual needs of God's people. Serving the community for over 44 years, we offer a warm, friendly, spirit-filled atmosphere of Christian Love. All are welcome. Order of Services: Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Adult and Youth Sunday School: 9:4510:45 a.m. Mid-day Bible Study: Tuesdays, 12-1:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Prayer and Bible Study: 7:00-9:00 p.m. Youth Ministry: Fridays, 6:00- 9:00 p.m. Upcoming Events 1) Friday, May 26th at 7:30 p.m., the Youth Ministry/Next Generation for Christ will sponsor a Night of “Praise, Prayer and Worship.” 2) May 28th, Senior Anniversary Service will be held during the 11:00 a.m. service.
Rev. Anne L. Palmore will be the speaker. 3) Senior, Family and Friends Day will be held on Sunday, June 11th, during the 11:00 a.m. service, with dinner served immediately after. Invite your family and friends for an afternoon of praise, worship and fellowship. This year, we are honoring Octogenarians (80+ year old). For further information, please contact Sis. Loretta Scott at (718) 571-2623. 4) Women Bible Study: Second Saturday of each month; Today, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., the next scheduled date is June 13th. 5) Saturday, June 17th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Senior Ministry will sponsor a cake sale. Church of the New Vision is located at 115 Einstein Loop, Bronx, NY 10475. Telephone, (718) 671-8746 or (203) 374-3020. Mailing address: P.O. Box 753037, Bronx, NY 10475. Visit our Facebook page: Church of the New Vision concerning upcoming events and trips, or call the church. —Carol Haque
DIVORCE - BANKRUPTCY • ABSOLUTE LOWEST FEES • EVENING APPTS. AVAILABLE • IMMEDIATE FILING
• FREE CONSULTATION • FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS
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633 Lydig Ave • Bronx, NY 1 block from Pelham Parkway & White Plains Road Accessible by #2 & #5 trains • #12, #22 & #39 buses
DAVID BRODMAN,Esq.
718.239.7110
Open Door Ministries
The Exquisite Pain of Giving Birth (Full sermon @ opendoorministries.net)
“Men were created before women…But that doesn’t prove their superiority – rather, it proves ours, for they were born out of the lifeless earth in order that we could be born out of living flesh. And what’s so important about this priority in creation, anyway? When we are building, we lay foundations on the ground first, things of no intrinsic merit or beauty, before subsequently raising up sumptuous buildings and ornate palaces. Lowly seeds are nourished in the earth, and then later the ravishing blooms appear; lovely roses blossom forth and scented narcissi.” Moderata Fonte, The Worth of Women: Wherein Is Clearly Revealed Their Nobility and Their Superiority to Men Exquisite: intensely felt, intense, acute, keen, piercing, sharp, severe, racking, excruciating, agonizing, harrowing, searing; unbearable, unendurable Psalm 29:9 (ESV) The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” John 16:20-21 (NIV) Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees, (AMP) So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down to the earth and put his face between his knees, 1 The King went to eat the Prophet went to pray 2 Up to the mountain and down on his knees. 3 He cast himself down as upon the mercy of God 4 He put his face between his knees in the agony of miraclebearing 5 Instigated by God his prayer stopped the rain; after three years of travailing his prayer once again opened the heavens “No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.” Leonard Ravenhill Open Door Ministries’ Therapeutic Mentoring/Counseling Program meets Mondays & Thursdays by appointment in Dreiser Loop, room 9. Every 3rd Thursday we meet at 6 p.m. to discuss life and spiritual issues; ALL ARE WELCOME. Sunday services are at 11 a.m. at Bartow Community Center, room 28. Contact Pastor Luis by texting 917-334-4407 or email opendoorministries.net. Blessings in Christ. —Pastor Luis Ramos
H H H 2017 Election Special H H H
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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2 0 1 7 R i v e r b a y B o a r d E l e c t i o n ✫✫
Candidate statements appear on pages 23-27 • Candidate order determined by lottery. NOTE: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED WITHIN ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE CANDIDATES AND NOT THOSE OF RIVERBAY CORPORATION. BALLOTING
BALLOT RETURN PROCEDURE
Voting will be conducted by mail-in or online ballot between Wednesday, May 17 – 24, 2017.
To ensure the integrity of the election, ALL mail-in ballots must be returned DIRECTLY to ElectionAmerica in the stamped, addressed envelope provided with your ballot. Under no circumstance should your election ballot be mailed back or delivered to Riverbay Corporation, or enclosed with your carrying charge payment. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by May 24, 2017. Online votes may be cast from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Please follow the directions included with your ballot to cast your vote online.
2017 RIVERBAY CANDIDATES
Marie Smith* Linda Berk* Daryl Johnson* Leah Richardson Aminah Lucio Jerome L. Rice Kevin Lambright* *Denotes incumbents
Monday, April 24, 2017
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Saturday, April 29, 2017 Saturday, May 6, 2017
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 Wednesday, May 17, 2017 Saturday, May 20, 2017
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Thursday, June 8, 2017
2017 Board Election Schedule
Candidates’ Forum, 7:30 p.m., Bartow Center, rm. 31
Candidates’ Forum, 7:30 p.m., Dreiser, Audit. B
1st Election Edition; 1st Election Notice (Co-op City Times)
2nd Election Edition; 2nd Election Notice (Co-op City Times) Mail-in/Online Voting Period begins at 6 a.m.
Candidates’ Forum, 7:30 p.m., Einstein Center, rm. 45
3rd Election Edition; 3rd Election Notice (Co-op City Times) Annual Meeting Day, Voting Period ends at 9 p.m.
Election Committee Review & Certification of final election count, Bartow Center, rm. 31 Swearing in of Elected Board Members, 7 p.m., Bartow Center, rm. 31
Remember to VOTE BETWEEN MAY 17–24, 2017 ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Leah Richardson I respectfully request that you grant me your support to serve on the Riverbay Board of Directors. I bring 21 years of Board experience from the Tribune Society Inc. of the Courts of New York State for judicial and non-judicial court employees. I’ve directed forums, many geared for young people to enable diverse communities to better understand how the court system works; developed teen summits for middle and high school students; administered preparatory classes for court service entrance and promotional exams; and developed and administered career development seminars for court employees including our youths. I will use my leadership and management experience to continue developing successful programs throughout Co-op City. Through my 28 years of experience, I have gained insight and a deep understanding of many challenges and opportunities that organizations face on an ongoing basis. With this in mind, I believe that in order for an organization to remain relevant and vital, they must be publicly engaged so that they are “at the table,” heard and understood. I have experience in bringing together bipartisan differences from the community to promote awareness and teamwork. My extensive experience in the public and private sector con-
sists of promoting and advancing technical services and implementing programs and policies that build a stable working environment. Shareholders and community officials I have worked with over the years can attest to my passion, involvement in public policy and community issues. With integrity and loyalty, I will extend my professional and personal experience to all members of the Riverbay Board of Directors to ensure they remain fiscally responsible and effective in serving the needs of the community. I bring common sense approach to problem solving and follow a set of values that has helped me succeed in whatever I do. I stand with the following candidates: Leah Richardson, Jerome Rice, Aminah Lucio, Kevin Lambright and Linda Berk.
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ Daryl Johnson It’s almost time to start voting for board candidates. So, whom are you going to choose to be on this board? Are you going to vote for candidates that are in favor of increasing our carrying charges by 1.9 percent this year and 1.9 percent next year? If yes, then please consider some facts. Our board issued a huge 4.5 percent increase just two years ago. And, a question that still concerns our cooperators is: “I thought that the previous 4.5 percent increase was to pay for an employee lawsuit. If that was so, how come they didn’t stop that increase after we paid for the lawsuit?” The answer is that Riverbay never published their intentions to stop that carrying charge increase after the lawsuit was over. So, management can spend that money any way they want. Now, some people might not think that’s a problem. But, what do you say when we have 1,000 cooperators going to Bartow to pay their carrying charges on the last business day of the month? This one problem should tell us that lots of cooperators are strug-
ELECT DARYL JOHNSON gling to make ends meet. So, that’s why this community should elect candidates that will do their best to reduce our expenses and eliminate the waste that goes on here. Fact: Just two years ago, nine board members and a Riverbay employee received new laptops. The total cost of the 10 laptops was $13,265.48. Amazing, huh? Final question: Do cooperators have to vote for five candidates? The answer is no. You do not have to vote for five candidates. But, please make sure that you vote for me so that I can continue to offer my best services to you and to this entire community. Thank you.
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
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Linda Berk As I write this, my final candidate statement to my fellow shareholders, I want to remind everyone of the importance of participating in the election process. This is your opportunity to have a say in how your property is managed. When I was first elected to the Board, it was very important to me that we raised the level of expectation of Management and the staff. If we were to ever bring this corporation into the 21st century, we would need an overhaul from top to bottom. It was important that the community also have high expectations of the Board, for as the saying goes, a fish rots from the head down. How could we expect excellence from Management and the staff if we too were not performing as a professional and unified Board? In April, 2015 we developed a Board Mission Statement that, in part, reads . . . “The Board of Directors will apply special focus on fostering an environment of cooperative living that supports a sense of community and that encourages shareholder participation in the overall governance of the residency. “The Board will endeavor to always utilize responsible financial
management that is transparent, of the highest standard of integrity; and is dedicated to providing effective business handling.” The mission statement has been my guide and driving force to insure we have safe, clean, modern and affordable living in Co-op City. I believe I have made major steps in fulfilling those goals. And there is still more work to be done. I am dedicated to continuing to give selflessly of myself, my time and my ability to strategize creatively, analytically and efficiently for an enhanced living environment for all of us. Please vote for Kevin Lambright, Aminah Lucio, Jerome L. Rice, Leah Richardson, and me, Linda Berk. Thank you!
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ Kevin Lambright KWe are here at the final stretch of this election. You’ve kept up with and followed most of the important aspects of what is real. Thank you for being a true cooperator and having the ability to read between the lines. Thank you for knowing when writing articles that just sound good because someone wants to appeal to your emotions is counter-productive. Thank you for understanding that it’s ok to be an independent thinker as most of us are, but in order to get things done, you must be able to work with other people. This board consists of 15 people. In order for decisions to be made, you have to be able to get a majority vote in order to be productive. You must be precise and able to articulate to your fellow Board members or you will serve nothing and no one but your own pathetic misrepresented ego. Modify the incoming screening process—create internal auditing department—monitor management productivity—Expedite Capitol Projects— assess all inventory from materials to commercial spaces—Train and retrain office personnel in customer service. I don’t like to just make claims, I believe my record is the best evidence
I can provide. Thank you for knowing the difference between hiding behind a curtain of words in a newspaper and actually making tough decisions to keep us moving forward. I am thanking you for what you’ve done and what you will live to enjoy if you continue to think positive and vote for us. Us includes me, you and the many generations to come after us. Thank you for taking the time to encourage your neighbors to vote for the candidates who put “Cooperators First.” Please be sure to cast your vote for Kevin Lambright, Linda Berk, Jerome Rice, Aminah Lucio and Leah Richardson.
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Jerome L. Rice “Exercise Your Rights To VOTE” The time has come for you to make an important decision for better Leadership, Customer Services and Direction. Here are some reasons why I should earn your VOTE: • I will provide you a definitive answer to every tough decision I make versus telling you what you want to hear. • Have an Approachable & CanDo Attitude • Endorsed by CO-OP City Demomunity cratic Club Some Unacceptable Conditions: • Past-President for the Building 9 • Elevated lead levels in water in all Association six schools – Unsafe & Unacceptable • Proud member of Bronx Clergy • Delayed Capital Projects – UnTask Force acceptable. • Retired NYC Correction Captain • Subletting – Only delays those /Retired Army Veteran who are on the waiting list to become • A long time Public Servant with respectful cooperators in our comman extensive history for fighting for unity – Unacceptable. people’s Civil & Human Rights. • Lobby doors are too heavy to • Managed two fully operational open for both the disabled and elderly offices located in Section 5 (NAACP – Unacceptable. & American Legion) to best serve • Several unoccupied spaces that can our community. be used for our youth – Unacceptable I’m more proactive than reactive. I The decision is yours; don’t allow don’t wait for something to happen. anyone to influence your VOTE, make I am your relentless leader who is a difference by exercising your rights to battle-tested and demands both respect VOTE. May 17-24—you can VOTE and answers. either via mail or online. As the current branch president of VOTE for the entire “Cooperators the NAACP, I ensure that the five game First” slate: Linda Berk, Kevin Lamchangers (Education, Health, Econobright, Leah Richardson, Jerome L. mic Sustainability, Civic Engagement Rice and Aminah Lucio. We put and Criminal Justice) are the focus point and fully operational in our com- “Cooperators First.”
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ Marie Smith I hope everyone has been following the Campaign Forums which have now ended and reading the candidates’ statements in our CC Times newspaper. Some of the items that I will be focusing on if I am re-elected are as follows: ELEVATORS: We are going to spend $40M to replace our Elevator Motors and I want to be sure that the contractor that is awarded this huge project will have the highest credentials, that our Contract Dept. checks their references, that we are given a long-term Warranty and that they are committed to doing this job in a timely, safe, efficient manner; that our engineers are on the job-site making sure everything is being done correctly. Shareholders are tired of paying for Capital Projects to be done more than once and costing us more money. LOCAL LAW 11: We have some buildings that are not safe and they need to have the bricks and balconies repaired correctly, safely and costefficiently. ADA LOBBY DOORS: These doors need to be installed in our lobbies to make it more accessible for anyone with a disability, for the elderly, for handling shopping carts and baby strollers. Presently, they are too heavy and not conducive to our
RE-ELECT MARIE SMITH
needs. FUTURE IDEAS: Re-cycling bins throughout the community. BUILDING SIGNAGE: Needed in the back of buildings on Co-op City Blvd. JERSEY BARRIERS: Re-paint and replace cracked, broken barriers in Section 5. CLOSING REMARKS: I would like to say that I am totally committed to working with my other Board members to continue the projects we have started and I am READY, WILLING AND ABLE to respond to all SHAREHOLDER/RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS. LET’S keep Co-op City, our home, AFFORDABLE, SAFE and CLEAN. REMEMBER: I’M JUST ONE PHONE CALL AWAY AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE. THANK YOU.
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I'M JUST ONE PHONE CALL AWAY! • Started a Chapter of National Alliance Mental Illness Family & Friends Support Group which meets in Section Five - Einstein Mall to help Family & Friends with a Mental Illness. • I am committed to my Board responsibilities and have never missed a Board Business Meeting. • Played an active role in the following Board Committees: Co-Chair of Buildings & Grounds Committee * Interim-Treasurer for my Building Association’s Executive Board * Played a critical role in obtaining Speakers for the Disability Expo.
An Active Board Member Who Cares Remember to cast your vote by mail-in or electronic ballot between May 17 – May 24, 2017.
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Aminah Lucio The Loyalty Pledge—Riverbay Corporation – This week, many of us continued to be shocked by the national news. Mounting evidence suggests that our FBI director was asked to pledge loyalty to an individual, the US President. Reading some of the viewpoints of our directors suggest that Riverbay Corporation is a microcosm of the larger society. We should be reminded that the integrity of our work and loyalty is to Riverbay Corporation. However, too often some of us lose sight that we, 15,372 families, are the Riverbay Corporation. We, cooperators, are the owners, the landlords of Co-op City. We exercise our rights and delegate our authority to the 15 elected directors who, in turn, govern the Riverbay Corporation. These Directors have full fiduciary responsibilities and are charged with maintaining high quality of services while keeping our carrying charges affordable. As an elected director, I want to continue to be part of the trajectory that views and maintains Co-op City as the best deal in town! As compared to other housing complexes across New York, none can match the quality of life we enjoy, such as the 300 acres of open green space, comfortable, bright, airy apartments with par-
quet floors, A/C and quality services. Yet, to remain the best deal in town and maintain quality service while keeping our carrying charges affordable requires directors who remain vigilant and proactive. As a Riverbay director, I pledge to be vigilant and proactive and work with Board members to enhance our quality of life by: • Expediting capital projects and minimizing bureaucracy; • Introducing 21st century technology to ensure efficient delivery of services; • Establishing a centralized call center; • Modernizing our high-rise lobbies; • Creating a whistle blower policy to protect cooperators’ interest. Vote Cooperators First; Vote for Aminah Lucio, Linda Berk, Kevin Lambright, Jerome Rice and Leah Richardson.
Riverbay Board Election Rules and Regulations
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO THE RIVERBAY CORPORATION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION AND THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING GOVERNED BY RIVERBAY CORPORATION BY-LAWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017.
A. GENERAL RULES 1. The election of Directors of Riverbay Corporation and the Annual Shareholders Meeting will commence on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 at 6:00 a.m. and continue through 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, (hereafter "Election Day"). The Election Committee reserves the right to extend voting hours. 2. The election will be for five residents to serve on the Board of Directors and as many as needed to fill unexpired terms. 3. The Riverbay Board Election Committee shall be established during the month of January, or as soon thereafter as feasible, in any calendar year. a) The election shall be supervised by a Riverbay Board Election Committee (hereinafter" Committee"). b) The Chairperson of the Committee, (hereinafter “Chairperson”) shall be a member of the Riverbay Board of Directors, (hereinafter "Board") who is not a candidate in the election. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board. c) The Chairperson shall recommend to the President the appointment of such additional residents as the Chair deems prudent for membership on the Election Committee. All members shall be resident shareholders, appointed by the President and approved by the Board. d) The Committee shall be assisted by the Corporation's General Counsel or an attorney retained by the Corporation's Board of Directors. e) No member of the Committee or their immediate family shall in any way engage in any campaigning either for or against a candidate or slate of candidates. Commit-tee members shall, to the extent reasonably possible, refrain from publicly commenting upon any issue in the cam-
paign, and shall not engage in any activity which may create the appearance of partiality. Members of the Committee who are also members of the Corporation's Board of Directors shall refrain from writing viewpoints during the period of time commencing one week prior to the Date of Certification and continuing through the date of the election. f) A member of the Committee who violates the provisions of paragraph "e" or whose family member violates the provisions of paragraph "e" shall immediately be removed from the Committee. g) Nothing contained herein shall be construed as limiting a member of the Committee or a member of his/her immediate family from signing a nominating petition or voting. 4. There will be one vote per unit by residents who were shareholders of record on April 3, 2017. 5. Voting, by mail or electronically, will commence at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17th, and conclude at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. B. RULES FOR ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES 1. A candidate must be a resident shareholder as indicated on the candidate's stock certificate, occupancy agreement and the current Occupants Annual Affidavit of Family Income and must continue to reside in Co-op City for the entire term of office in order to serve as a Director. 2. No more than one resident shareholder of a single unit may be a candidate for the Board of Directors; and no more than one resident shareholder from a single unit may serve as a Director. 3. No candidate may be indebted to the Corporation when picking up petitions; on the date they are certified; and on the date votes are counted. If a candidate is
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indebted to the Corporation on any of these days, the candidate will be disqualified. In addition, all candidates must remain current throughout the election period until the candidate is sworn in if elected, for unpaid carrying charges or other debts to the Corporation. A candidate shall not be indebted to the Corporation for purposes of this rule if their monthly carrying charges and maintenance are fully paid by the 10th day of the month in which it is due. At the close of business on the date the petition period ends and weekly thereafter, Riverbay's Finance Director will provide a written list to the Chair of the Election Committee of all candidates' indebtedness to the Corporation, if any. 4. Prospective Candidates may, after signing the required authorizations and upon verification that they are current on their indebtedness to the Corporation, pick up a petition package and nominating petitions from the Riverbay Legal Department, at 2049 Bartow Avenue, any weekday between March 20th, 2017 and April 3rd, 2017, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In addition, Prospective Candidates may pick up a petition package after 5:00 p.m. during this period by signing a form at the Public Safety Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. (Nominating Petitions will not be enclosed in the package). On the following business day, the financial status of the Prospective Candidate will be checked. If the Prospective Candidate is not indebted to the Corporation and has executed the required authorizations, he or she will be contacted and allowed to pick up nominating petitions from the Legal Department, or from the Public Safety Department, and allowed to proceed with petitioning. If a shareholder interested in running for
the Board is indebted to the Corporation, he or she will be provided with an opportunity to satisfy the debt and to collect nominating signatures before the petitioning period ends on April 3, 2017. If the indebtedness is not fully satisfied prior to said time, he or she will not have qualified to be a candidate. A candidate who is current on a written arrearage agreement shall be considered current on charges to the Corporation if such candidate is not otherwise indebted to the Corporation. No candidate shall have felony convictions or convictions of misdemeanors involving moral turpitude. 5. It is inappropriate for any person or entity doing business, or soliciting business with the Corporation, including present or prospective managing agents and contractors, vendors, professionals, unions, their employees, commercial tenants, or persons having a direct or indirect interest in such companies to make campaign contributions or pay campaign expenses, whether in cash or in-kind, of persons running for the Board of Directors of a housing company. Directors of a corporation act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the corporation, and are required to place the corporation's interest above their personal interests. Accepting campaign contributions from parties who contract with the corporation creates at least an appearance of a conflict of interest and, in most circumstances, an actual conflict as well. Any candidate who knowingly accepts campaign contributions or payment of campaign expenses, direct or indirect, in cash or in-kind from any person or entity doing business or soliciting business from the Corporation, including but not limited to the managing agent, or any vendor, union, (Continued on next page)
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28 H H H 2017 Election Special H H H commercial tenant, professional or contractor, their employees, or persons having a direct or indirect interest in such companies, will be disqualified. C. RULES FOR CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES 1. Official Petition Forms (hereinafter "Petition"), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1, will be distributed to candidates at Riverbay Corporation's administration office, starting on Monday, March 20. 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Prospective candidates are required to pick up their own petition materials. 2. Prospective candidates will also receive a copy of the Election Rules and Regulations (hereinafter "Rules"), and a copy of an agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2. This agreement must be executed acknowledging the candidate's receipt of the rules and the candidate's agreement to abide by the rules. 3. a) The name of each candidate on a Petition and on the ballot must correspond to the name of the candidate as it appears on his/her occupancy agreement and signature card, or the name by which each candidate is commonly known. b) Each candidate's name and address must appear on the Petition sheet both at the time it is being circulated for signatures and at the time it is submitted. 4. In order to be nominated, a candidate shall submit a Petition containing the signatures of at least seventy-five (75) resident shareholders (one per unit) within the time specified in these Rules. A resident shareholder may sign the Petition of more than one candidate, but no more than one resident shareholder of a single unit may sign the Petition of any one candidate, with the earliest dated signature of a unit to be counted. In order to be verifiable, each signature should appear as it does on the shareholder's occupancy agreement, along with an address and/or building number and apartment number sufficient to verify that the signature is from a resident shareholder. Signatures that cannot be verified will be eliminated. 5. In order to assist the candidates in obtaining signatures correctly, each candidate will be given a list of building addresses containing corresponding building numbers with the petition package. 6. Completed Petitions must be returned to the Riverbay Legal Department no later than 5:00 p.m., on Monday, April 3, 2017. The Committee will designate an official or officials to receive the Petitions. A receipt will be issued for each Petition filed. The petitions may be returned in person or by a designee of the prospective candidate. 7. No set of Petitions will be accepted unless filed with an executed copy of the "OFFICIAL FORM" acknowledging submission of the petitions with a minimum of 75 signatures. If a candidate fails to provide the Official Form to the Committee, the set of Petitions will not be valid, and the candidate shall be disqualified. 8. The Committee will certify Petitions as valid or reject them as invalid by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. The Committee will, to the extent reasonably possible, provide notice to each candidate that submits Petitions whether they have been certified as eligible candidates for election prior to the initial meeting of candidates scheduled to occur at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Notice of the Committee's certification will be published in the Co-op City Times within ten days thereafter. 9. The Committee shall hold a briefing on the Rules for all candidates or their designees immediately after the random drawing called for under Section E, Paragraph 7. D. CAMPAIGNING STANDARDS OF CONDUCT 1. No audio and/or video equipment may be used in Co-op City by candidates or by those campaigning for candidates in connection with the election. 2. The posting of all campaign signs, literature and other material (posters, gummed stickers, etc.) in Co-op City is
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prohibited except on personal property, or within a shareholder's premises, with the owner's permission. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, lobbies, elevators, bulletin boards, walls, doors, and common areas. In order to ensure strict compliance with Rule B (4), campaign literature, including flyers, may not be posted by a Candidate in a commercial establishment within Co-op City, or on their websites, Facebook pages, or similar electronic forums, unless the owner of the commercial establishment is a Candidate for election. Residents, employees, candidates and their supporters may remove any improperly posted non-electronic campaign material as a service to Co-op City, and the Committee will cause a notice to this effect to be published in the Co-op City Times. Candidates shall, if requested by the Committee, request any improperly posted electronic campaign material to be removed from websites, Facebook pages, or similar electronic forums, maintained by any tenant, vendor, or other entity doing business with Riverbay. 3. Except for the material prepared and published by Riverbay as described herein, all literature used or distributed by or for a candidate must include the name, address, or post office box of the person or organization who issued such literature, and in the case of an organization, the name of the chairperson or treasurer. 4. Campaign literature may be slipped under apartment doors between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and campaign handouts are permitted. 5. The unauthorized use of the Riverbay logo in any form is prohibited for use in or on campaign materials. (Resolution #9396). 6. No member of the Election Committee, Riverbay Board of Directors, Riverbay employees, Riverbay's Management Staff or any contractor can participate in any prize(s) approved by the Riverbay Board of Directors during its election. 7. Notwithstanding paragraphs D (1) and (2), candidates shall be allowed to use social media and to conduct email and electronic campaigns in conformance with Section D3. Candidates shall not use social media or email anonymously, not engage in personal attacks on fellow candidates or shareholders, and not make defamatory statements. Any such conduct shall be a violation of these rules, and the Candidate may be subject to sanction by the Committee The Corporation shall not be liable for any defamatory statements made by any candidate, or by any person or entity in the course of the election campaign, nor shall the Corporation be required to insure, defend or indemnify any such candidate or conduct. Candidates agree to indemnify the Corporation for any and all costs and expense incurred by the Corporation, including attorney's fees, incurred by the Corporation in the defense of any defamation claim arising out of any statement or publication of any kind made by said candidate, or by any person or entity acting on their behalf, during the election. E. USE OF CO-OP CITY FACILITIES FOR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES 1. There shall be three official candidates' forums. One forum shall take place on Monday, April 24, 2017 in the Bartow Community Center, Rm. 31 at 7:30 p.m. The second forum shall take place on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in the Dreiser Community Center, Auditorium B at 7:30 p.m. The third forum shall take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 in the Einstein Community Center, Rm. 45 at 7:30 p.m. The Committee shall, to the extent reasonably possible, televise the forums over the Corporation's public access channel. The transmission by the Corporation of any statement made by any person at the forum shall not be an endorsement of any such comment or statement by the Corporation and the Corporation shall not
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be responsible for, nor shall it indemnify, any person or candidate who makes any false or defamatory statement. No person, other than authorized Riverbay personnel may use audio or video equipment at any of the three forums, however, individuals may use personal electronic devices in a manner which does not interfere with the conduct of the forums. All certified candidates will be invited to participate in the forums in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Committee. If a candidate cannot attend the forum, and the candidate provides the Election Committee Chairperson with the reason for non-attendance, the Committee Chairperson, with the permission of the candidate, may announce the reason to the audience. The Committee shall establish rules and procedures for the civil conduct of all forums, including the establishment of time limits for questions and answers, the limiting of participation, the editing of televised statements, and the removal or preclusion of individuals, including candidates, who, in the opinion of the Chairperson, are disruptive to the orderly conduct of a forum or who engage in personal or malicious attacks, or who make defamatory statements. 2. The use of any outdoor space owned by Riverbay for public gatherings related to the election is prohibited. 3. No candidate or organization may use the facilities of Riverbay Corporation for campaign activities, except as provided herein, unless applicable rates for the use of such facilities have been paid in advance to the Corporation, and unless all candidates can be provided with equal access to such facilities or services. 4. At no cost, Riverbay will publish pictures of each candidate and three different narrative statements or articles by each candidate in three successive print and electronic issues of the Co-op City Times beginning with the Saturday, April 29, 2017 issue. The Editor shall set the deadlines and technical standards for these submissions. All candidates' articles will be reviewed by the Committee prior to publication. The Committee reserves the right to delete any material which in its opinion contains libelous statements, personal attacks, or material misstatement of fact. 5. In conjunction with the statements described herein, Riverbay will also publish at no charge a 1/4-page campaign ad by each candidate in three successive print and electronic issues of the Co-op City Times beginning with the Saturday, April 29, 2017 issue. The same ad will be used in each of the three issues and will appear opposite each candidate's article for that week. The Editor shall set the deadlines and technical standards for these submissions. All ad copy will be reviewed by the Committee prior to publication. The Committee reserves the right not to publish, or to delete any material, which in its opinion constitutes a libelous statement, personal attack, or material misstatement of fact. 6. a) Campaigning by prospective candidates or their supporters may not begin until the day after the initial candidates' meeting is held on April 11th, 2017. This prohibition shall specifically include campaigning on social media, email, or other electronic forums. b) Starting on the day candidates are certified and continuing during the period of the campaign, board members who are not running for election shall be free to write Viewpoints of a "non-political" nature, except that a board member may endorse candidates in one viewpoint only. It shall not be deemed to be "political" for a non-candidate Board member to describe the activities and achievements of the Board as a whole, including the activities of any incumbent candidates. In the event the Board wishes to publish a joint Viewpoint, it may do so, but only if the Viewpoint has been unanimously approved by the full Board. c) Management shall not endorse any candidate or slate of candidates. However, information of a non-political nature, for
example, relating to the operation, management or maintenance of the property, or to an emergency may be published by the General Manager during this period of time. d) In the event that an article appears in a print or electronic publication other than the Riverbay sponsored publication, which is currently titled the “Co-op City Times,� in which the actions of the Board as a whole, or of an individual Board member are challenged, the Board, or the individual Board member who is challenged, shall have the right to respond to such challenge, without regard to whether the Board member is a candidate in the election and without regard to the political nature of the comment. Any such response shall be limited to the subject matter of the challenge. e) The same right shall apply to candidates who are not members of the Board of Directors. 7. A candidates' meeting shall be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 8:00 p.m., in the Bartow Community Center, Room 31. A random drawing will be made to determine the order of placement of candidate statements and free campaign ads in each of the three election issues of the Co-op City Times and the order of speakers at the candidates’ forum. The drawing for order of speakers will also determine the relative position of each candidate's name on a ballot. If possible, names on the ballot will automatically rotate. 8. Campaign ads other than those provided by Riverbay may be placed in the Co-op City Times but must be paid in full by money order or certified check at least 48 hours before the normal deadline of an issue. The Committee will review all paid campaign ads prior to publication and reserves the right to reject any copy which, in its sole judgment, contains libelous statements, personal attacks or material misstatement of fact. 9. The election of a Board of Directors is a right of residents of Co-op City. Employees living in Co-op City are encouraged to exercise their rights as residents of the community during the Board of Directors election within the scope of this policy. All Riverbay employees are reminded that as employees they have a duty of loyalty to Riverbay and should not engage in any activity which raises the appearance of impropriety. Participation in the electoral process must not interfere with employees' work duties. All employees shall refrain from engaging in any activity that might be construed as an attempt to abuse their positions as employees for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the election. Examples of acts that may be deemed to be an abuse of an employee position include: soliciting donations for candidate(s), distributing campaign material for or against particular candidate(s), or engaging in any other activity that may reasonably be viewed as an abuse of position. Candidates who encourage, accept, or knowingly benefit from such prohibited participation are subject to disqualification by the Committee. This policy does not affect employees' right to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, or their right to refrain from any or all such activities. F. BALLOTING AND CERTIFICATION 1. Voting will be by mail, and by online, electronic ballots. 2. Mailing, tabulation, collection, processing, initial counting and preservation of election ballots shall be conducted by an independent, third party entity, selected by the Board of Directors pursuant to a written contract, duly approved in accordance with all corporate and regulatory requirements. A copy of any such contract, as well as the name and address of any such independent third party, shall be published in the Co-op City Times. 3. One ballot will be mailed by the (Continued on next page)
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Riverbay Board Election Rules and Regulations
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independent third party to each residential unit occupied by one or more eligible residential shareholders of record at the address set forth for said shareholder(s) of record on the Corporation's books and records as of April 3, 2017. 4. In accordance with the Corporation's by-laws, only one vote per occupied residential unit, cast by a resident shareholder of record residing in said unit, shall be counted. 5. All ballots, including electronic ballots, must be cast by an eligible, residential shareholder of record, and verified by a unique identifier randomly selected by Election America and affixed to each ballot. Absent a court order, Election America shall not disclose the identity of any voter. 6. Any eligible, resident shareholder of record residing in an occupied Unit may vote, but only one ballot may be cast by a Unit, regardless of the number of shareholders of record residing within said Unit. 7. In the event that more than one ballot is received from a single unit, only the earliest dated ballot, or the first electronically recorded ballot, shall be counted. All other ballots received from said unit shall be disregarded, but preserved until five (5) days after the period to challenge the election has passed. 8. In order to be counted, any mail-in ballot must be post marked no earlier than May 17th, and no later than May 24, 2017. In addition, any mail-in ballot must be actually received no later than Tuesday, May 30th. Any electronic vote must be transmitted and received no earlier than 6:00 a.m. on May 17th, 2017 and no later than 9 p.m. on May 24, 2017. 9. All ballots received, including disqualified ballots, shall be preserved until the time to challenge the election has elapsed. 10. The initial count, as recorded by the third party independent company, shall be provided to the Election Committee no later than 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31st, 2017. The initial count shall set forth the total number of ballots cast, the total number of votes received by each candidate, the total number of votes cast for each candidate by building, the number of votes disqualified and the basis therefore, and the total number of ballots required for a quorum, 11. The Election Committee shall, in a meeting to commence at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31st, 2017, at which the Chair of the Committee and at least one other Committee member is present, review and certify the final count of the election ballots. The meeting shall continue from day to day until such time as a final count is completed. Each candidate for election, together with one resident observer of each such candidate, shall be invited to attend and observe the certification of votes by the Election Committee. Candidates wishing such representation must notify the Committee of the name of any such observer, in writing, no later than May 25th, 2017. Candidates and observers shall not interfere in any way with the certification procedures. 12. Upon completion of the count, the Committee shall certify to the Board of Directors that a quorum has been obtained, the total number of votes cast, the total number of votes disqualified, the total number of votes cast for each candidate, and the names of the candidates who have been elected, as follows: (a) The five candidates who have received the highest number of votes will be certified to the Board as having been elected to full three-year terms. (b) The candidate receiving the sixth highest vote shall be certified as having been elected to a vacant Board seat, if any, which will have the longest unexpired term. (c) The Committee shall continue the certification of candidates by certifying the candidate with the next highest vote for each vacancy by the longest unexpired
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
terms, if necessary, until all vacant seats on the Board are filled. 13. The Election Committee shall cause the official Certification of the Election to be publicly posted by 5:00 p.m. on May 31st, 2017, or if the Certification has not yet been completed, as soon thereafter as possible after the conclusion of the Election Certification Meeting. 14. If a quorum is not reached, the Committee may recommend that the voting period be extended for an additional twenty (20) days, during which time shareholders eligible to vote in the election who received a ballot but did not cast a vote, shall be allowed to cast their ballot. If a quorum is not reached at the end of the extended voting period the Board of Directors shall schedule a new election, to be conducted within thirty (30) days of the date that the Committee certifies the lack of a quorum. Until such time as a quorum is obtained and a valid election conducted, existing Directors shall continue to hold their office. G. DISQUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MISCONDUCT 1. The Committee may recommend the disqualification of a candidate for violation of these rules, or impose an administrative charge, not to exceed $300.00 per violation, on any candidate that it determines, has violated, caused or knowingly permitted others to violate these Rules. The Committee may do so on its own initiative, or upon the complaint of another candidate or resident. However, the Committee is under no obligation to initiate a proceeding under this Section or Section H, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, believes it to be appropriate. 2. No candidate may be disqualified for election to the Board unless the Committee has provided the Candidate with notice of its intention to consider the Candidate’s disqualification for election, and conducted a hearing in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section H below. 3. The Committee may impose an administrative charge, without conducting a formal hearing in accordance with Section H, if the Committee has provided the Candidate with notice that it may impose such a fee, the reason the Committee is considering imposing a fee, and an opportunity for the Candidate to appear before the Committee to contest the imposition of an administrative fee. 4. Notification of the Election Committee's decision to impose an administrative fee will be hand delivered to the Candidate by Riverbay’s Department of Public Safety or if not home, left under the candidate's apartment door. 5. Upon delivery of the notification of a fine by Public Safety, the Candidate is indebted to the Corporation and payment is due at the bookkeeping office located at 2049 Bartow Avenue, along with a copy of the notice by 5:00 p.m. on the second business day following delivery of the notice by Public Safety. 6.Any candidate may object to a determination of the Committee to impose an administrative charge, and may, within ten (10) days of delivery of said determination to the Candidate by Public Safety, request a review of such determination by the Riverbay Board of Directors. The Board, in its discretion, may affirm, modify, or reverse the determination, or decline, without explanation, to review the Committee’s determination. A request for a review shall not stay a Candidate’s obligation to make payment of any administrative charge levied by the Committee. H. CHALLENGES TO VOTING RESULTS 1. Any resident or candidate may challenge the certification of a candidate for election, or the results of the election, or
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the election of any one candidate, based upon election irregularities or the failure of a candidate to meet required qualifications, by notifying the Election Committee Chairperson of the challenge, c/o Legal Department. The Committee may also initiate a challenge to the election, or to the candidacy or election of any candidate, on its own initiative. 2. The challenge must be in writing. Such written challenge must set forth the reason and the factual basis for the challenge. Any challenge by the Committee shall be on written notice to the candidate, or candidates impacted by the challenge, delivered to the candidate(s) by the Public Safety Department in person, or under their door if they are not home. 3. A written challenge by a candidate or shareholder eligible to vote in the election must be delivered by hand to the Legal Department as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 1st, 2017. Failure to file a timely written challenge by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2017, shall preclude consideration of the challenge by the Committee. In the event that a quorum was not obtained by the May 31st Certification Date, then in that event, the time to file an objection to the Election shall be extended until one day after the Election has been Certified. 4. Should the Committee find the challenge to be without merit, it may dispense with a hearing and reject the challenge in writing. 5. If, after reviewing the challenge, the Committee determines that the challenge sets forth substantial questions concerning the certification of any candidate or candidates, or the results of the election, the Committee may hold a formal hearing to review the challenge. 6. All hearings under this Section H shall be scheduled upon prior notice to the challenger and to the candidate(s) whose qualifications, certifications, or election are being challenged. 7. The hearing shall commence no later than five (5) business days after the Committee's receipt of the challenge. The Chairperson may request that a member of the Committee recuse him/herself from the hearing if such committee member has a conflict of interest. 8. Upon notice of a formal hearing by the Committee, the challenger or candidate whose certification is being challenged may submit affidavits to the Election Committee Chairperson, setting forth the charges and facts upon which the challenge is based. Such affidavits and supporting documents shall also be delivered by the challenging party, by hand, to the opposing party's home address at least one day before the scheduled hearing. 9. At the hearing, either party may present testimony supporting the challenge. 10. The proceedings shall be recorded; however, any person or party requesting a copy or transcript of any such recording shall be responsible for the costs of producing said recording or transcript. 11. No witness will be allowed to present testimony except under oath as administered by the Chairperson. No witness will be called on behalf of a challenger, unless the challenger has submitted an affidavit from the witness prior to such testimony providing the sum and substance of the witness's testimony and served said affidavit upon the Committee and the opposing party in the manner set forth above. The challenger(s) shall also be required to appear at such hearing and may be subject to examination by the Committee or the challenged candidate(s). 12. At any hearing, General Counsel to the Corporation, or an attorney designated by General Counsel, shall be present to advise the Committee. Any candidate or resident participant shall be entitled to be represented at the hearing by counsel of his or her own choice at his or her own expense. 13. At such hearing, the Committee
Chairperson shall be the presiding officer and shall make any ruling with respect to procedure to be followed, or the testimony or evidence to be introduced. The Committee need not follow formal evidentiary rules applicable to the Courts of this State. In the event a member of the Committee who is present shall dispute such any procedural or evidentiary ruling by the Chair, the Chair may be overruled by a majority vote of those members present. After testimony by a witness for either party, the opposing party shall have the right to question the witness. 14. At the conclusion of such hearing, the Committee may uphold or void the election results, disqualify the candidate for a violation of these Rules, apply other sanctions as set forth in Section G (1) of these Rules, or dismiss the charges brought. In order to void any election result, or to disqualify a candidate, such violation must be deemed to be material by the Committee in light of the number of votes cast for the candidate and the number cast in the election. 15. If a candidate who is disqualified received one of the highest vote counts, the disqualified candidate shall be ineligible to take office. The candidate who received the next highest count will be certified to the Board in his or her place. (If more than one candidate is disqualified, the next candidate or candidates with the highest vote will be certified). 16. The decision of the Committee shall be addressed to the Board of Directors, shall be in writing, shall state the basis for its recommendation, and shall constitute the Committee's final certification of the election results, or the qualification of a candidate. 17. The Board of Directors, by majority vote, shall determine whether to confirm or reject the Committee's determination. The Board shall make any such determination within ten (10) days of the date of any written recommendation of the Committee. The Board's failure to determine the issue within ten (10) days shall, except for good cause shown, be deemed an acceptance of the Committee’s recommendation. 18. Any candidate or resident aggrieved by the Board of Directors’ final determination shall have the right to seek judicial review of the Board's determination, provided that any such Court challenge must be commenced within ten (10) days of the Board's decision, or within ten (10) days of the Board's failure to render a decision. 19. The Committee may call for a recount of all ballots cast, if it is determined by the Committee that such an action is warranted. Such recount of the ballots must be completed, and the result certified by the Committee to the Board, within four days of the date the Committee determines such recount is necessary. The results of this recount, upon certification by the Committee, will constitute the final election results. 20. The Committee may call for a new election if the Committee has determined that material irregularities cast doubt on the election results, or in the event the number of votes cast did not constitute the legally required quorum. Such a new election must take place in accordance with these rules on a date within thirty days after the final decision on the challenge and such election held among the previously qualified candidates. Linda Berk, President, Riverbay Corporation
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Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Word Games 9:30 - 11 a.m. Library 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Weight Management Bartow Center – 10:00 a.m. Arthritis Exercises 11 a.m. - noon Bingo 1-2 p.m. Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m.
Word Games: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Walking Club: 10:30 a.m. Bingo: 12:30-2:00 p.m. Caregiver Support Group: 1:00 p.m. 1st & 3rd Tues Card Games: 2-4 p.m. Dominoes: 2:30 p.m. Blood Pressure: Every 1st & 3rd Wed., 9-10 a.m. Games: 9:30-11:00 a.m. Stay Well Exercise: 10 - 11 a.m. Line Dancing: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Bingo: 1-2 p.m. Card Games: 2-4 p.m. Dominoes: 2:30 p.m. Smartphone Class: Beginner – 12:30– 1:30 p.m.; Intermediate – 1:30–2:30 p.m., Bartow office Library: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Word Games: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Crocheting & Knitting: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Chat Session: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Bingo: 1- 2 p.m. Card Games: 2-4 p.m. Dominoes: 2:30 p.m. Men’s Line Dancing: 9-10 a.m. Word Games: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Women’s Line Dancing: 10-11:30 a.m. Chat Session: 10 a.m. Bingo: 1 -2 p.m. Piano Sing-along: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Card Games: 2-4 p.m. Dominoes: 2:30 p.m.
Wed., May 24
Mon., May 22
MENU Alternate Kosher Meals are also available
Tues., May 23
Dreiser Room 7 unless otherwise noted
Thurs., May 25
Einstein Room 49 unless otherwise noted
Fri., May 26
Bartow Room 31 unless otherwise noted
Library 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Line Dancing 10-11 a.m., Rm. 45 Around The Lunch Table 11:30 a.m. Word Search 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bingo 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35 Diabetes Support Group 2nd Monday, 1 p.m. Pokeno 3-4 p.m.
Dominoes: 10 a.m. Tai Chi: 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Matinee Movie: 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Karaoke by Steven: 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Rm. 45
Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m. Stay Well Exercise 10-11 a.m., Rm. 2 Color Your Stress Away 11 a.m., Rm. 4 Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Diabetes Support Group 1 p.m. – Last Monday of the month Bereavement Counseling Rm. 13, 1 p.m. Gentle Yoga 1:15-2 p.m., Rm. 2 Basic Cell Phone & iPad 12:30-1:30 p.m. Intermediate Yoga 2-3 p.m.
Apple juice, BBQ sauce, Turkey meat Pork stir-fry sauce, Mashed potawith vegetables toes, Mixed vegetables, White rice Hamburger bun, whole Cauliflower wheat, Fresh fruit w/carrots & parsley Alt: Tuna salad
Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Alert & Alive:10:30-11:30am 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 Afternoon Movie: 1:00 p.m.
Orange juice, Chicken Francaise, Mashed Chicken cacciatore butternut squash, Egg Noodles Steamed kale, Whole Steamed peas wheat bread and & carrots Fresh fruit Alt: Egg salad
Kosher
Non-Kosher
Zumba: 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45
Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sewing: 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Tai Chi: 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Mind Teasers: 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 African Brazilian Dance: 1 p.m., Rm. 2 Art Class: 1-3 p.m. Yoga: 2-3 p.m., Rm. 2
Orange pineapple juice, Pepper steak, White rice, Asian cabbage, Whole wheat bread and Fresh fruit Alt: Grilled Caribbean chicken breast
Dominoes: 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Grandparent Connection: 1st Thursday, Rm. 35, 10:30 a.m. Arthritis Exercise: 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee: 11 a.m. Word Search: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Karaoke by Steven: 1 p.m., Rm. 45
Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Blood Pressure: 10-11:30 a.m., 1st & 3rd Thursday, Rm. 8 Line Dancing: 10-11 a.m., Aud. A Piano Sing Along: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Mind Teasers: 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Drama Club: 1:30-4 p.m.
Orange juice, Baked Sole fillet, Moroccan fish sauce, Cous cous, Lemon garlic Tilapia California blend Sauteéd spinach vegetables, Whole Sweet baked yams wheat bread and Apple sauce Alt: Turkey salad
Dominoes: 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Art: 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Bingo: 1–2 p.m. Card Games: 2-4 p.m. Pokeno: 2-4 p.m., Rm. 35 Blood Pressure: 2nd & 4th Friday, 10-11:30 a.m., Rm. 45
Crochet & Knitting: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session: 9:30-10; 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Meditative Moments: 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Rm. 8 Mind Teasers: 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Bingo: 1-3 p.m. Card Games, Dominoes: 2-4 p.m.
Walk Group: 9:30 a.m., Rm. 40 Dominoes: 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee: 10 a.m. Spanish Practice Class: 10:30 a.m., Computer Lab
For information, please call: (718) 320-2066
(Schedule subject to change without notice) Payments for trips @ the Bartow office can be made Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., & 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. only Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.
Apple juice, Spanish style roast chicken, Roasted potatoes, Fresh fruit and Challah bread Alt: Gelfite Fish
Deluxe cheeseburger w/onions Plain hamburger bun Baked French fries Garden salad
Meat sauce Pasta w/sweet peas Italian blend vegetables
Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $5.00 for guest
ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk *Menu subject to change without notice. Alternate Kosher Meals are also available Bartow Center (929) 399-1394 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Einstein Center (718) 671-5161
Upcoming Events/Trips JASA WELCOMES EVERYONE AGE 60 AND OLDER! Payments for trips can be made at all 3 centers. Trip registration policy: There will be no refunds for all trips. All trips include roundtrip transportation! All trips must be paid in advance – JASA will not accept checks under $5.00 (FREE) LiveOn NY - SCRIE Application & SNAP (Food Stamps) Assistance – Fridays, May 26, June 9, 16 & 23; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. First Come First Served! JASA Main Office 2049 Bartow Ave 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. St Mary’s Recreation Center Pool–Fri –May 26 & June 16 - $3 - Pool aerobics for seniors, 10 a.m.– 12 p.m. Bartow - 8:30, Einstein - 8:45 & Dreiser - 9 a.m. 14 seats available. There is a $25 yearly fee to use the facility, If you wish to become a member please come into the JASA Bartow office and fill out an application. Membership is non-refundable. Bronx Opera is coming to JASA! – Every Thurs @ 10:30 a.m. until June in the Bartow Senior Center, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Room 31. Do you love to sing? Would you like to learn to sing? Would you like to spend time with your friends singing your favorite music? You don’t have to be an opera singer (or even like opera) to
have fun and learn with us. New Smartphone/Tablet class @ the JASA main office - 2049 Bartow Avenue on Mondays – Beginner class starts @ 12:30 p.m. & Intermediate class starts @1:30 p.m. IKEA/Bed Bath & Beyond & Christmas Tree Store – New Jersey – Wed May 24 - $15 - Bartow 9:30. Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Empire – Wednesday May 24 -$5 - Bartow- 9:30. Einstein 9:45 & Dreiser-10 a.m. Wait List Walmart – Thurs – May 25 - $15 - Bartow– 8:30, Einstein– 8:45 & Dreiser– 9 a.m. Wait List. City Island – Lunch - Sea Shore Restaurant – Thurs – May 25 - $25 - Bartow– 11 a.m., Dreiser – 11:15 a.m. - Einstein 11:30 a.m. Tanger Outlet Mall - Deer Park, Friday, May 26, $18 - Bartow– 8:30, Einstein– 8:45 & Dreiser– 9:00am. Wait List. Intrepid Museum – Thurs – June 1st - $40 - Bartow – 9 a.m., Einstein – 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser – 9:30 a.m. Wait List. Stew Leonard’s –Mon – June 5 - $5 - Bartow9:30 Einstein 9:45 & Dreiser-10 a.m. Empire – Tues – June 6 - $5 - Bartow- 9:30. Einstein 9:45 & Dreiser-10 a.m.
Central Avenue –– Friday, June 8 – $13 - Xmas Tree Store, Trader Joe’s & Amazing savings- Bartow9:30. Einstein 9:45 & Dreiser-10 a.m. Fairway – Fri June 9 - $3 - Bartow- 9:30. Einstein 9:45 & Dreiser-10 a.m. Aldi – Fri June 9 - $2 - Bartow - 9:30- Einstein 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Walmart – Tues – June 13th - $15 - Bartow– 8:30, Einstein– 8:45 & Dreiser– 9 a.m. Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall – Wed June 14, $15 – Bartow– 8:30, Einstein– 8:45 & Dreiser– 9 a.m. Father’s Day Event – Friday June 16 – 135 Einstein Loop Room 45, DJ Mikey - $6-$8 at door. Menu: BBQ ribs or roasted chicken, baked mac & cheese, collard greens, corn bread, juice, dessert. Pickups: Bartow-9:15 a.m. and Dreiser-9:30 a.m. Beautiful the Musical - the Carol King broadway show – Wed- June 21 - $140. Included is an enjoyable delicious chicken & rib combo meal at Dallas BBQ with a side dish, dessert & beverage. Meal will be served between 11:30/11:45 a.m. Mid Mezzanine seating. Dreiser - 9:00; Asch Loop (Bartow) - 9:15 & Einstein - 9:30 a.m. Payment deadline is Wed May 24. Show starts @ 2 p.m. (Coach Bus) Wait List.
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Scheduling Activities Calendar
Goose Island Seniors Spring Indoor Picnic—Saturday, May 20th at 12:30 p.m. Today is our Indoor Picnic. Members and their spouse are invited in our club room #39. Admission, $5 for buffet and entertainment. Come and have a fun time with us. Bingo—Wednesday, May 24th, at 1:30 p.m. with Stephen, in our club room #39. Members only. Admission, $5 for 3 cards, 12 games and Jackpot. Extra cards are 25¢ each. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Come have some fun and win a little money on the side. Mohegan Sun—Tuesday, May 30, in Uncasville, CT next week, the day after the Memorial Day weekend. Price is $33. Rebate, $20 voucher and $5 toward food. Pick-up time is 8:30 a.m. at our usual bus stops: Einstein Loop, Asch Loop (by library) and Dreiser Loop (by the hardware store). Come have fun on the bus with us. A wonderful movie will be shown on the bus coming home. Bring your Mohegan Sun Casino card, if you have one. “Mamma Mia”—Wednesday, June 7th at Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, NY. Come and enjoy a delicious lunch and a terrific show. Price is $79, includes a show, luncheon, and transportation. Pick-up at 9 a.m. at our usual bus stops. See Ann, Mary or Stephen. Resorts Casino—Tuesday, July 25th in Atlantic City, N.J. You may also enjoy the beach and boardwalk or shop in the many stores. Price is $33. Rebate, $20 for games and $5 for food. Pick-up time is 8 a.m. at our 3 usual bus stops. Crab Shanty—Thursday, August 17th in City
Island, BX, NY. Time, 12:30 p.m. They are charging more this year. Price, $30. Let’s have a delicious lunch together. “Come Blow Your Horn”—Thursday, October 12th at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton, NJ. It’s a very funny play by Neil Simon. Also, you will enjoy a scrumptious lunch and all the desserts you can eat. They are de-li-cious. Price is $79 for show, lunch and transportation. All money must be paid by September 21st. See Ann, Mary or Stephen. To all members: Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all our members who celebrate their day in the month of May: Ruth Jenkins, Carole Haque, Bernice DeCarmo, Mary Pilla, Gerald Ortiz, Josephine Betacourt, Vivian Melendez-Vasquez and Geneva Lindsey. Our Lounge—Come sit and relax, read a book from our large library, play cards every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Play Bingo every Wednesday and last Sunday of each month for only $15 per year. Also, come with us on wonderful trips. Note: Call Ann, Mary, or Stephen at Goose Island Seniors 718-379-9613 or visit us Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 135 Einstein Loop, rm. 39. You can also call Mary at 718-379-4899 and she will return your call. Leave a message and your phone number. To call Stephen, 347-847-1941. Visit Stephen in room 39, every Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Good health to all. —Mary Pilla
AARP Chapter #4997 FYI: An AARP survey found that New Yorkers would likely stay in the state as they age if improvements were made for them in health, housing, transportation and jobs. Leading needs, the survey found, are civic participation, employment and housing. In an age-friendly move, the New York City Council recently required that certain city facilities be equipped with assistive listening programs. Please contact our Good & Welfare Coordinator, Frances Wilson, 718-671-5493, if you have a family member who has passed or one of our members who is sick, in the hospital or in a nursing home. 2017 Tour Activities July 7 - 9: Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, Washington (DC) – SOLD OUT – WAITING-LIST ONLY… round-trip transportation via Deluxe Motor coach, w/3 breakfast buffet, 2 dinner buffet – including a seafood buffet; a professional guided tour of Washington, DC; one full day at the Smithsonian African American Museum; and full day shopping at Arundel Mill mall, including the Maryland Live Casino before traveling home. Arrive at 8:00 a.m. Asch Loop (in front of the Library) to get bus seating and luggage tags; LEAVING at 8:30 a.m. SHARP. Contact Judith, 718-3793370. September 18 -21: 4-day/3-night trip to Cape Cod – Motor coach transportation, 3 full breakfast, 2 dinners, 1 Lobster dinner; Foxwood Casino (w/bonus); guided escort to African American tour of Martha’s Vineyard site; Hyannis, John F. Kennedy Memorial; Provincetown along scenic route 6A; Cape Cod National Seashore Visitors Center; admission to Zion Union Heritage Museum and more; $599/person – double; $739 – single; $50 deposit due immediately; 2nd payment of $150 due 3/20; 3rd payment of $200 due by 5/15; final payment due 6/30; trip insurance is available. Contact Hannah, 718-379-7962. December 29, 2017-January 2, 2018: Swingin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration in Savannah (GA) – Motor coach trip (2 night lodging to & from Savannah); 4 breakfasts; 2 full course dinners including a Riverboat Dinner Cruise; guided tour of Savannah, historic Davenport House, and Savannah’s River Street District; New Year’s Eve Show & Party at the Savannah Theater; New Year’s Day Buffet Lunch… $799/person – double, single fee TBD; trip insurance available. Contact Judith, 718-379-3370. —Delores Debnam
Einstein Cancer Fund Hopefully, you all had a very good Mother’s Day. Happy birthday to those celebrating birthdays this month of May. Monday, May 22 – Mohegan Sun, $35 per person. Casino package is $10 slot play, $10 food voucher. Time of pick-up at 8 a.m., starting at Einsterin Loop followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop. Don’t forget your casino cards. About ourselves Einsterin Cancer is a non-profit organization of non-salaried volunteers. Our sole purpose is to raise funds through our trips and luncheon show events. All profits are donated to our three charities which are: Enstein Cancer children’s programs; Memorial Sloan Kettering Research for the continued search for a cure and Calvary Hospital for the comfort and care of cancer patients. Your continued support is a blessing and hopefully we’ll be here to see the end of this disease. For the Mohegan Sun trip, call Lydia at 718-6713005 or Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874. Please give a call to those in nursing homes or the homebound. Your phone call will be received with joy. Great health is wished to all. —Lydia Ruas
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Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear lobby of Building 27B. Phone: 718-379-6920 Note: Office hours are Thursday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Please call the office before attempting to come over. If no one is in the office, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Shabbat ends today, May 20, at 8:59 p.m. Candle Lighting for Friday, May 26, at 7:58 p.m. The Synagogue has Services Saturday morning at 9 a.m. After services, we always have a kiddush. Everybody, please try your best to come to services, so we have a minyan and be able to take out the Torah. This Saturday, Rabbi Kronengold will conduct Services. Good & Welfare: We sell tree certificates in honor or memory of a loved one. The cost is only $15 per tree. Mazel Tov to all having Simchas. If you’re ill, wishing all a speedy recovery. Birthday wishes for the month of May to Mr. Eli Kalman, Scott Cohen, Mrs. Karla Klaus and Mrs. Edith Gitelson. Bingo: The synagogue’s next Bingo is Sunday, May 21, at 1 p.m. The cost is only $3 admission, which includes refreshments and 10 games of Bingo. Also, there is a 3-part jackpot game for $2. Shavuot Holiday: Shavuot represents the Wheat Harvest in Israel. Also is the anniversary when G-d gave the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Services will be held Wednesday, May 31, and Thursday, June 1, at 9 a.m. On June 1, Yiskor will be said at 11 a.m. After services, we will be having cheesecake in honor of the holiday. Your support of the Traditional Synagogue, and Men’s Club is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends, peace and good health. —Gary Schwartz
Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue Try your luck with the Men’s Club
Reflections by Rabbi Solomon I. Berl Spiritual Leader of Young Israel Synagogue A personal history proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the U.N. is an institution that is unworthy of American support. Besides failing to stop the aggression against Israel in 1948, 1967 and 1973, it has also failed to stop Soviet aggression against Hungary in 1956 and against Czechoslovakia in 1967, Iraq’s aggression against Kuwait in 1990, the slaughters in the Balkans in the 1990’s, the ongoing massacres in Africa from the 1960’s to the present, the Chinese subjugation of Tibet and the Iranian-Syrian destruction of the once-free Lebanon. Sadly, this is an incomplete list. As the innocents die, the U.N. turns away from its stated duty and instead passes resolution upon resolution condemning Israel for defending herself. U.S. should leave the U.N., and expose its hypocrisies. It is time to quit the U.N. and proclaim to friend and foe alike that we, the United States, stand for freedom, peace and justice – and that the U.N. stands for none of these sacred values.
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 a.m. 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.
Our next trip is on Monday, June 19 to the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. Walk the boardwalk, shop at the outlets, enjoy the sights, have a good time. Everyone in the community over 21 years old can attend our trips and functions. The cost of the trip is $35 per person. Receive $25 slot bonus. You need a Tropicana Casino card or a government ID, passport, non or driver’s license to receive the bonus. It’s like costing you only $10 for a round trip to Atlantic City after bonus. On the bus, we provide a drink, snack, play Bingo, 50/50 raffle, and on the way back, show a movie. We keep you entertained, the trip goes fast to Atlantic City. The bus stops at all three shopping centers going and returning. We leave Einstein Loop at 8 a.m. by the supermarket; Asch Loop, 8:15 a.m. by the library, and Dreiser Loop, 8:25 a.m. by the hardware store. Please don’t wait to the last minute for a reservation. Payment is due before the trip. For a reservation, call Gary at 718-671-8424 or Bruce at 718-320-2234. Please make out check or money order to Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue, 120 Erdman Place, Building 27B Lobby, Bronx, NY 10475. Future Trips: Sunday, July 30, the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City. Monday, August 28, Tropicana Casino which will include a show. Your support of the Men’s Club is greatly appreciated. Wishing everyone peace and good health. —Gary Schwartz
Jewish War Veterans Post 500 On Sunday, May 28th at 10 a.m., Co-op City Post 500 will be holding its Memorial Day Observance breakfast meeting at the Town House Restaurant. After the meeting, Post 500 will proceed to the Halsey J. Mosley Veterans Memorial Park where we will join with the other veterans, dignitaries, and large crowd of Co-op City residents for the local Memorial Day observance. The next Sunday, June 4th, the Department of
New York State JWV will be marching up Fifth Avenue in the Celebrate Israel Parade. For those from Post 500 marching, the Jewish War Veterans will assemble at 10:30 a.m. on Fifth Avenue at 55th Street. For those not able to walk, a "trolley" will carry them in the parade. The uniform for the parade is white-collared shirt, dark pants or skirts, and JWV cap. —Marvin Warm
MAY
Building 19 Association Warm greetings to our neighbors, Our building association general meeting was held on Friday, May 12. Invited guests were the NYC Fire Department. They did a nice presentation on Fire Safety. At the request of community groups, they come out and educate the public on eliminating residential fire death in New York City by providing life saving strategies that focus on fire prevention. There was a lot of engagement amongst the attendees. They provided each attending shareholder with a nice oven mitt. Members of the Building 19 Association attended the 45th Precinct Council annual breakfast held at the Villa Barone, Bronx, NY on Wednesday, May 10. Our Riverbay honoree was Michelle Sajous. Congratulations!! The purpose of the Council is to help bridge gaps between community and police. The winner of our Mother’s Day basket was Ms. Susan Weingarten. Our next committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 6. Join us to help us develop ideas on projects that benefit our shareholders and building association. Our next General Membership meeting will be held on June 16, at 7:30 p.m. Our invited guest is an officer from the NYS Comptroller’s office to discuss unclaimed funds. Our condolences to the family of Trevor Beridge, a long time shareholder, who passed away last week. We look forward to seeing our new shareholders and existing ones. We encourage you to join our building association if you have not done so already. The dues are $5 annually. If you have not paid your dues, you can do so at our General Meeting on June 16. Remember, if you “see something, say something.” At Building 19 Association, we “Come In As Neighbors, and Leave as Friends” —Sonia Feliciano
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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 a.m. and 11 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, lower level, room 50. Our telephone number is 718-320-3774. Join us for a mid-week spiritual pickup 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. Prayer Service is held on Fridays at noon and 7:30 p.m. And, be sure to extend your worship with us today and every Saturday, 4 – 5 p.m. on Principle Centered Living Radio, redeemradiofm.com. Also, learn more about our Pastor and the principles of our church, while enjoying a laugh or two on Facebook (Principle Centered Living with Rev. Sheldon Williams). Please “Like” the page and share the posts. Only those who “LIKE” the page will qualify for upcoming contests and rewards. On Sunday, May 21, at our 11 a.m. service, the Pastor’s Aide Ministry will be celebrating their 39th anniversary. The theme for the day is “On the Move for God by Serving the Man of God” 1 Timothy 5:17. The guest speaker will be Min. Diane Thomas, Associate Minister of Church of the New Vision. We invite all to this celebratory service. On Saturday, June 3, at 1 p.m., the First Lady’s Ministry will have a comedy show, at the church. Deacon Der-
rick Watson will be the comedian. Adult ticket is $25 and children tickets will be $10. The price of the adult ticket will be $30 after May 20 and at the door. We invite all to come out for a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment. For additional information, call the church. On Sunday, June 25, the Praise Dance Ministry will have a celebratory anniversary service at 3 p.m. All are invited to come and celebrate with the youth. On March 6 to March 15, 2018, we will be going to the Holy Land in Israel. Worship sailing on the Sea of Galilee; be baptized in the Jordan River; share in communion in the Garden Tomb; all where Jesus walked. The price per person from JFK is $2,995 for a double room an additional $586 for a single room. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due immediately. Final payment is due on or before November 12. It is recommended that all purchase travel insurance for this trip. All checks/ money orders should be made out to the Co-op City Baptist Church. A flyer, along with the itinerary and reservation form, has been placed on the information table. For additional information, you may call 718-671-1918, 718-3790541, 718-379-1776, 718-671-1271 or the church at 718-320-3774. 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
Circle of Christ Church 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). La familia de la Iglesia Circulo de Cristo les extiende una cálida invitación a usted y su familia para que vengan a alabar a Dios junto con nosotros. Nos encontramos en el 147 de Dreiser Loop, al nivel del patio (localizado en el centro Comunal de Dreiser). We are a multicultural church that embraces God’s love for all. Family unity is very important to us. We have a wonderful children ministry focus on learning God’s word. Our Youth Ministry is very active and dynamic. The youth are involved in music, retreats, concerts, debates, conferences, drama, counseling among many other activities. Somos una Iglesia multicultural que recibe y da del amor the Dios para todos. La unidad de la familia es muy importante para nosotros.Tenemos un ministerio para los jóvenes que es muy dinámico. Los jóvenes disfrutan de música, retiros, conciertos, debates, conferencias, dramas, consejería, y mucho mas. We also have a food pantry for those in need in our community. Our phone number is 347-945-1992; in case there is no one in the office, please feel free to leave a message, we will call you back. Suplimos comida a aquellos en nuestra comunidad que lo necesitan. Nuestro teléfono es 347-945-1992 de no haber nadie en la oficina sientan-
cen libres de dejar un mensaje, le devolveremos su llamada. Thought for the week 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Mathew 11:28 Trust the Lord with every worry, problem, sadness and depression. For God there is nothing impossible, he can give you peace and help you to go through difficult times in life. Reflexion para la semana 28 Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados y agobiados, y yo les daré descanso. Mateo 11:28 Confía en el Señor dale todas tus preocupaciones, problemas, tristeza, y depresiones. Para Dios no hay nada imposible. El te puede darte paz y ayudarte a pasar los momentos difíciles de la vida. English services Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., Prayer & Bible Study. Friday, 7 to 9 p.m., Youth Night Sunday, 11 a.m., Worship and the Word Children Church, 5 years old to 12 years old Little lamb nursery. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. Prayer and the Word Thursday, 5 p.m., Boys and Girls Club Horario de Servicios en Español Domingo, 9:00 a 10:30 a.m., Alabanzas y Predicación Jueves, 12 p.m., Oración y Estudio Bíblico All are welcome. —Reverend Samuel Colon
Co-op City Pentecostal Tabernacle We invite everyone to attend worship service at 100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22A, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 Sundays: Sunday School for all age groups begins at 10: 30 a.m. Midday Worship Service starts at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday: Prayer and fasting service every Wednesday morning at 11 a.m12:30 p.m. Bible study and prayer meeting will also be held Wednesday evening starting at 7:30 p.m. Effective Fervent Prayers change things. Come and experience the power of Biblical prayer. God’s power is released through His Word. Come and study the word of God; it can change your life Friday: Youth service at 7:30 p.m. Focus: THE MIRACLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM: Jesus walks on the things that cause us to fear. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear: But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried saying, Lord save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the
ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worship him saying, of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matt 14:26-33 Life is much like the ocean in that it is seldom calm, as quickly as the winds of one storm subside, the horizon dances with the clouds of another one approaching. Just as Jesus was the key to the disciples, security on the sea that faithful night, He is our miracle in the storm of our lives. The storm that arose frightened the disciples, and when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought they were seeing a ghost. They cried out in fear, and Jesus revealed Himself to them We should always keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the storms of life. There are many storms of life that can make us become afraid. We have seen tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, fire burning buildings out of control, snow storms where many people have lost their lives. However, we must learn to trust in God believing in Him that He is able to take us through all the storms of life. When Peter saw the wind boisterous he was afraid and began to sink, therefore, our duty is to keep our eyes on Jesus. He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. St. Mark 4:39. For further information, call 718-3240334 or 718-320-4218. —Rev. R. Sibblies
Meet and Greet Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m. St. Michael’s Church.
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Broun Place Townhouse Association From Broun Place Townhouse Association: Hope all the moms were celebrated yesterday and that time was available to think of all the moms dear departed and those with us. Being with loving family creates beautiful memories and stories, so forget the little stuff, enjoy. Cooperators, VOTE for your Board of Directors. Please study the new process and VOTE. Remember, each candidate serves a three year term. Your VOTE counts in Co-op City. By this publication, our May townhouse association meeting will have occurred. Issues on grounds and matters pertaining to townhouse clusters will have been aired. The report will be in the May 27 issue. Our guests were CSO Manager, Vanessa Aldea, and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor, Michael Ambo. Please convey your issues to your board. Special Projects Director, Joe Boiko, took me on tour to all townhouse clusters looking at signage. Broun Place is the most deteriorated and our townhouse ID signs will be repainted or replaced. Only Cooper Place has a street sign and that is faded. Updates will appear in our press releases. The next meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is June 6. More building chairpersons should attend. Each attendee has the time to express their particulars. Please attend these most important committee meetings. Scam phone calls are in epidemic proportions. Never give personal information over the phone. Donate to trusted agencies that can be referenced and confirmed. The caller says, “We are calling about your credit card interest rate.” They never mention their
company, but use scary language so you will press to access their marketer. The History Committee is looking for memorabilia of Co-op City. Contact Mr. Bernie Cylich or Eva Lazaar to submit your photos or objects. Spring/summer living in Co-op City is perfect as it’s twenty minutes to City Island, Orchard Beach, Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens Pelham Bay Park, or The Bartow-Pell Mansion. However, garbage dumping is a dangerous and disgusting problem. Call 3-1-1 to report public areas that have been dumpead upon. We have been in contact with 3-1-1 regarding Bassett and DeReimer Streets and Edson and Bartow Avenue. Let’s do our job, DO NOT LITTER! The green and white recycling bins by the garages are only for reusable items. Hallelujah, some mailboxes are back. Here’s the thing though, that slot is hardly wide enough for a large envelope. In order to return a package you must go to the post office and stand on that line. Yet, go to another neighborhood and the old fashioned mail boxes with large chutes are on public street corners! Why were we fitted with this type of mailbox? Townhouse residents can purchase window guards. Completion of the forms is not required for townhouse residents. By working with Adler Place Townhouse Association and president, Kenneth Graham, that was learned. “If you see something, say something;” call Public Safety: 718671-3050. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families. Have a great week! —Eva Lazaar
Parkchester Chorus, the 77th Annual Spring Concert BY EVA LAZAAR
Sunday, May 21, 4 p.m., join in the fun and celebrate America the Beautiful with Parkchester Chorus. This program is a tribute to America’s rich musical tapestry. The concert is held at First Lutheran Church of Throggs Neck, 3075 Baisley Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., the concert starts at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and are available on a first come, first served basis. Members hail from Co-op City, Westchester, Throggs Neck, Parkchester and other Bronx neighborhoods. This concert, developed by Parkchester Chorus’ talented Director, Miles Fellenberg, with assistant director and pianist Avra Nazar accompanying, will delight the audience, for example with music by Irving Berlin, and Aaron Copeland and includes “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and the anthem from the Statue of Liberty. Parkchester Chorus, the oldest ecumenical chorus in the Bronx, truly brings a broad mix of American music to the folks of the Bronx. There will also be a live quartet and chorus soloists. One of the most unique factors of Parkchester Chorus is that the chorus consists of talented local vocal musicians of all ages. Another unique distinction about Parkchester Chorus is that we are known for singing different kinds of music and this concert exemplifies just that. Keep in mind that Director Miles Fellenberg was inspired to create this concert from the wealth of music in the Parkchester Chorus repertoire Parkchester Chorus website has recently been updated. The website address is http://www.parkchesterchorus.org/. For membership information, please write: ParkchesterChorus.Members@gmail.com. You can access the First Lutheran Church by the Q50 or Bx5 bus from Pelham Bay Station. By car, a left turn from Tremont Avenue crossing east over Crosby to Baisley, will get you there. Limited street parking is available. You may also call: 1-718-3202790, for further information and please leave a message.
Building 27 Association Greetings, neighbors. Spring is here, pink and white flowers blooming on our trees. Enjoy the beauty of nature. Candidate Elections – Please, my fellow cooperators, pay attention, read, listen to what the candidates have conveyed to you. It is critical that we elect Board members who express their desire to seek responsibility and accountability amongst all entities involved in the operation of maintaining our homes and community of Co-op City. Kiosks – Computers are in all three community centers for those who do not have a computer to vote online. Voting began May 17, through May 24, mail-in or online. We must become involved, engaged and informed to help improve the integrity of the operation of Co-op City. The shareholders expect accountability for the quality of service, the compliance of all proper components and thorough vetting of all contracts and contractors which will help to eliminate the waste of the shareholder funding to the corporation. Association General Meeting – will be Thursday, May 25, 7 p.m.; light refreshments and 50/50 raffles. Possible speaker, flyers will be posted.
Public Safety Report driving in Co-op City’s parking lots and garages. The article will also cover parking on the Co-op City streets. Please always be sure to read all signs before parking your vehicle at a location. This is important when you are in Co-op City and anywhere you travel. Please be reminded that the Bartow Shopping Mall parking lot has a two hour parking limit for shoppers while they are shopping at the mall’s stores. Various means of enforcement are in effect at this and other locations. Always check signs to the front and the rear of your vehicle before leaving it in a parking spot. Be mindful that you are not illegally parked. 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.
Foxwood Casino, Connecticut – The Building 27 Association would love for you to join us on Friday, May 19; price: $40, $10 rebate and a buffet voucher. Final payment and no refunds due on Thursday, May 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. in lobby 27C. Bus leaving at 8 a.m. SHARP from Einstein Loop Center. PLEASE, THE BUS WILL LEAVE ON TIME. Checks or money orders may be mailed to Lillian Sumpter, 140 Erdman Pl. Apt. 6D, Bronx, NY 10745. Contacts, if any questions, 718-379-4629 or 718-6711905 (9-5 p.m.). Happy birthday all celebrating this month. We extend condolences and prayers to those who have lost a loved one. Please share with the Sunshine Committee, Ms. Lydia Rondon, by calling her at 718-583-3040. If a neighbor in our building is ill, homebound, celebrating a birthday, experiencing bereavement, Ms. Rondon will respond on behalf of the association. Please keep our Board and community in prayer that the Board will make wise decisions in protecting the interest of our homes. Pray for leaders in the world for peace and stability. —H. Overman (Continued from page 7)
Co-op City is a diverse community with people of all ages, abilities and characteristics. All persons should remember to respect each other and embrace their differences. Don’t forget to say hello to your neighbors when you pass each other in the hallway or in the street. Co-op City strives to accommodate all persons. As Stevie Wonder said at the Grammys, “We need to make every single thing accessible to every person with a disability.” It is also important to remember that not all disabilities are visible. Someone who appears to be healthy may have a physical or developmental disability. May is awareness month for ALS, Allergies and Asthma, Arthritis, Cystic Fibrosis, Celiac Disease, Fibromyalgia, High Blood, Lupus and Lyme disease. This is a good opportunity to schedule an appointment for a physical exam. It is also a good opportunity to learn about these diseases or others which may affect your friends, family members or neighbors. Knowledge is power, the more you learn, the stronger you become.
Public Safety Blotter May 10 – 140 Alcott Place FDNY responded to a fire in the compactor chute. The fire had been extinguished prior to the fire department’s arrival by the built-in sprinkler system. Acting on intelligence information, the CCPD Detective Unit responded to investigate the incident. Detectives interviewed a subject of interest and determined that he was responsible for the incident. As a result, a community complaint was issued to this individual for damaging Riverbay property. Further investigation is ongoing.
May 11 – 99 Einstein Loop A cooperator reported discovering property had been removed from their vehicle without permission or authority. May 13 – Corner Co-op City Blvd. & Carver Loop A complainant reported that he was assaulted by four males. During the course of the incident, the victim was stabbed on his foot. He was able to get assistance by going to the nearby garage. He was treated and released. The incident is currently under investigation.
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OFF
Present This Coupon (except vacuums/lamps)
STOVES • WASHERS • REFRIGERATORS • VACUUM CLEANERS and more. LIMIT — One Coupon Per Person. Fully Insured • NYC License #1233497
718.792.2655
10/7
EMERGENCY SERVICE
5/27 5/27
Pigeon Problems Locksmith
718.792.2655 10/7
FAMILY LOCKSMITH AND BLINDS Licensed and Bonded
HIGH SECURITY LOCKS
Cleaning Service
20% Off Any Lock Job!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG! LET US HELP YOU DE-CLUTTER. CALL A BEE CLEANERS 718-798-4259 5/27 or Sales@abrags.org
Medeco • MultiLock • Wilson High Quality Labor, Low Price!
NEW STYLE BLINDS
All Colors • Vertical • Minis • Woods • 2 in. Regulars • Wash, Tape, Cord Blinds
FREE VALANCE & INSTALLATION
Re-installation of any types of Blinds.
Advertise!
DOMESTIC SERVICE
Co-op City Resident Specials
Elim in Bugsate
www.co-opsales.info
(except vacuums)
• Basic Cleaning $90 • Deep Cleaning $130 • Non-Medical Senior Care $80 • 4 Hour Min. + 8.78% tax • Bonded • 7 Days • Cash, Pay-Pal www.spoonercleaning.com 5/27 (718) 320-5112
Grout & Carpet Cleaning
DON’T PAY MORE AT YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE!
Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 NYC License #1233497 10% DISCOUNT
SPOONER
Breathe Easy
• RANGE HOODS We BEAT • LIGHT FIXTURES Any • KITCHEN CABINETS • CABINET REFACING Quote! • COUNTERTOPS • CUSTOM CLOSET MIRROR DOORS • CUSTOM WALL MIRRORS
Vertical, Mini, Wood, Pleats
• ALL MAKES & MODELS • Stoves • Washers • Dryers •Lamps • Dishwashers • Refrigerators • Bags • Hoses • Belts • Vacuum Cleaners
2951 Middletown Road, Bronx, NY 10461 (Near Pelham Bay Station)
• ALL HANDYMAN SERVICES • VERTICAL & MINI BLINDS • SINK VANITIES • SPACE SAVERS • MATCHING HAMPERS • BATHTUB ENCLOSURES • CLIP-ON MIRROR FRAMES
CO-OP SALES BLINDS!
L & L APPLIANCE REPAIR
Fully Insured
Painting
Repair Closet Doors and Sell New Bi-Fold Doors! Serving Co-op City for over 25 years. “When you see me, You’ll know me.” Call Anytime • Seven Days A Week
Call for rates!
7/15
Computer Consultant, Sales & Repair JB RYAN COMPUTER REPAIR & UPGRADE
8/26
Repair - Upgrade - Trouble-shooting - Data Recovery Virus Removal - Laptop Overheat - Cracked Screen Broken Power Jack. Call James 646-281-4475 • 718-324-4332
Decorator 5/13
Call Mike at: 718-974-1290
5/27
5/20 EOW
Upholstery/Blinds Custom Craftsmen - 40 yrs. experience. Sofas & Chairs upholstered; Slipcovers-Fabric & Plastic; Kitchen Chairs $8.99 & up. Caning; Venetian Blinds; Drapes - Custom made Refinishing, Touch up & Polishing of Furniture
REUPHOLSTERING 718.881.7691
STYLISH DECORATORS
3314 White Plains Rd., Bronx, NY 10467
5/20 EOW
36
Co-op City Times / May 20, 2017
Freshen Up Your Home! PROTECT YOUR FLOORS FROM LEAKS! Ask us about our Waterproof Laminate Flooring at the Lowest Prices!
1-800-479-2667 • www.co-opsales.info
Reface Your Kitchen BEST PRICES !
with New Counters, Sink & Faucet!
• All Wood Doors • Choice of Hardware (Nickel, Stainless, Bronze) • Hundreds of Counter Options • Granite Available
BEST ! ITY L A U Q
Short Closet Doors? Get your full height closet doors back! You don’t have to overpay for elegance! OTHER SERVICES: • TRY OUR NEW PAINT SERVICE! • Flooring (Tiles, Laminate, Wood) • Blinds • Bath Cabinets/Sinks • Appliances • Grout/Carpet Cleaning • Range Hoods • Shower Doors • Light Fixtures • Tub Liners
— We Beat ALL Competitor Pricing! — JasonLash@Co-opSales.com • Se Habla Español Licensed & Insured #1188270, NYC Better Business Bureau, NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs