Co-op City Times 05/21/16

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Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2016 Co-op City Times

Vol. 51 No. 21

Saturday, May 21, 2016

25¢

Leslie Peterson emerges as top vote getter in 2016 Riverbay Board election

Leslie Peterson

Sonia Feliciano

Incumbent Riverbay Board director Leslie Peterson clinched first place in the 2016 Riverbay Board of Directors election held this past Wednesday, May 18, garnering 3,224 votes from Co-op City shareholders, according to the preliminary count conducted on Wednesday night in room 31 of the Bartow Center. BY ROZAAN BOONE

Andrea Leslie

“I am grateful and wish to thank all of the shareholders for the support I received during the election and the vote of confidence I received on the day of election,” said Ms. Peterson. “This re-election affirms my belief that honest communication is of the utmost importance. I will always keep the best interests of Co-op City at the forefront of any decision I am asked to

Prototype of new front door intercom system

Bernard Cylich

consider. I honor your vote and will do my best to make your vote count by working with new management and setting policies that implement cost saving solutions and improved quality of life and services to the community.” Peterson, who ran as an independent, was followed by 4 of the 6 Cooperators With Vision slate members who secured the remaining 4 of the top 5 seats to

Photo by Bill Stuttig

REMINDER: Riverbay “Suggestion Box” is open Help Riverbay Corp. save money and win up to $500

The “Riverbay Suggestion Box” is open for business, and shareholders with a good idea that saves money for the Riverbay Corporation can be rewarded for their input with a $500 check and dinner out on the town. Earlier this year, the Riverbay Board of Directors announced that it is seeking ideas from shareholders to create cost savings, improve operations, BY JIM ROBERTS

increase revenues, eliminate safety hazards or improve procedures at Riverbay. “I believe the shareholders’ incentive program is a fabulous opportunity for Riverbay to tap into the incredible resources we have right here in Co-op City,” said Linda Berk, Riverbay Board First Vice President. “Money saving ideas from fellow shareholders is (Continued on page 4)

Marie Smith

serve 3-year terms on the Board when they are sworn in on Thursday, June 2, pending the recount and certification of the 2016 election results next Thursday, May 26 at the Brooklyn Board of Election warehouse. In second place is Cooperators With Vision team member Sonia (Continued on page 17)

Riverbay continues building senior staff, adds director of utility assets Construction Director Mark Warren. Co-op City’s 40-mega watt cogeneraThis newest hire adds to the depth of tion plant, which supplies all of the comthese experienced professional execumunity’s electricity, hot water and air tives to enhance the productivity of the conditioning, is advancing into its next more than 1,000 employees working phase of development under a long-time here, many for several decades. industry leader who joined Riverbay last “We have a lot of sharp employees week. on staff already, but the challenge has been to set them free and “My 30 years of expelet them show their talent,” rience in the power indussaid Ellison. “By bringing try have provided me a in these managers with deep understanding of the wide experience in their importance of the ecorespective disciplines, we nomic value of availability, are meshing the practices reliability and maintainability for an equipment that are unique to Co-op owner and operator,” said City with leaders familiar Anthony Ligato, with the state-of-the-art in Riverbay’s newly appointthe outside world.” Anthony Ligato ed Senior Director, Utility Riverbay will remain an Photo by Jim Roberts Assets. affordable housing comLigato joins other senior management munity with a luxury-type flavor in the staff added to Riverbay in recent months way buildings are cleaned, the grounds are maintained, play spaces are reand reports directly to Riverbay General designed and the information technology Manager Noel Ellison. Under the leaderis upgraded. Adding the new property ship of Riverbay Board President Cleve management firm Douglas Elliman to Taylor, the company has strengthened its the mix is the final piece of the puzzle, management team by hiring outside professionals, including Procurement Ellison said. Director Jose Mendez, Internal Audit “Bringing in Douglas Elliman with Director Averil James-Bonnette, Human (Continued on page 2) Resources Director Inelle Cooper and

BY JIM ROBERTS

A new front door intercom system is currently being installed in Building 15A and Riverbay management expects the installation of the sturdier door and a more userfriendly intercom system to be fully completed by the end of next week. Riverbay General Manager Noel Ellison said that one of the problems (Continued on page 5)

Claudia Sampson


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