31 minute read
SECTION BUILDING 29C 4240 HUTCH. RIVER PKWY E.
NYC Election
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• Zach Iscol • Terri Liftin • Alex Pan • Brad Lander • Corey D. Johnson • Reshma Patel • David I. Weprin • Brian A. Benjamin • Kevin S. Parker
City Council District 12
• Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson (D) • Shanequa Moore (D) • Kevin Riley (D)
Member of the 82nd Assembly District
Voters will have to choose 12 out of 22 candidates on the list for District 82 Assembly, including the incumbent Assemblyman Michael Benedetto. Consult your ballot for the lengthy list of candidates in this race including a number of Co-op City shareholders.
NYC will participate in Ranked Choice Voting for the first time where voters can choose up to five candidates in order of preference. According to Vote.nyc, “If a candidate receives more than 50% of 1st-choice votes, they are the winner. If no candidate earns more than 50% of 1st-choice votes, then counting will continue in rounds. At the end of each round, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated.”
Residents who vote in person should practice social distancing and wear a face mask while casting their election responses. Like last year, due to COVID-19, all New York City citizens who are “affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus,” are encouraged to stay home and consider filling out an absentee ballot, especially if they cannot get to a polling location on Election Day.
According to the Board of Elections, all registered and eligible voters at risk, are encouraged to check the box “Temporary Illness” when applying for an absentee ballot for the June 22 elections. The site says, “The definition has been temporarily expanded to include “a risk of contracting or spreading a disease” such as COVID-19.”
All completed Primary absentee ballot applications must be submitted by June 7, 2021.
Voters can apply for an absentee ballot online, phone, email, fax, and mail. Applications are available in English, as well as several additional languages. To apply for a ballot by phone, call 1-866-868-3692, or visit nycabsentee.com. For more information about absentee voting, please visit https://vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting.
Early voting begins June 12 to June 20; please see page X for daily Early Voting schedule in room 31 of the Bartow Center.
On Election Day, Tuesday, June 22, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cooperators new to the community and/or unsure of their polling place, can log onto https:// nyc.pollsitelocator.com/search and plug your building address into the poll site location, or call the Bronx office of New York City Board of Elections at 718-299-9017.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked or brought in person to the Board of Elections by June 22.
Early Voting in Primary Elections
June 22 Primary Elections – Early Voting starts Friday, June 12 – Sunday, June 20. Early Voting for all Co-op City residents will be in room 31 of the Bartow Center. Schedule: Saturday, June 12, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, June 14, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, June 18, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun, June 20, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (last day)
Voters will be using Ranked Choice Voting Poll workers will assist, if necessary.
Bring Fastpass which received in mail, and if not, give name and poll workers will look up.
– • Letters to the Editor • –
We welcome your letters to the editor. If you would like your letter to be considered for publication, it must be signed. The Co-op City Times does not print anonymous or unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number – which will be kept confidential – so the authenticity of the writer can be verified. Thank you.
Co-op City Times
Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. (718) 320-3300, ext. 3375 cctimes@riverbaycorp.com Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief Toriea McCauseland Junior Associate Editor Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager Ralph Henriquez Production Manager John Crow New Media Producer
The Co-op City Times welcomes 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. Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters and Directors’ Viewpoint are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.
Advertisements and classified advertisements in the Co-op City Times do not necessarily reflect an endorsement from Riverbay Corp. of goods and services, but present greater options to cooperators of products and services available.
The Riverbay Corporation does not assume any responsibility nor is it a party to any contract or agreement between the cooperator and the vendor.
All matter published herein is copy-righted by the Co-op City Times. Permission for reprints of advertising or editorial contents produced by the Co-op City Times must be obtained in writing from Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, New York 10475.
Please Remember:
Articles for Co-op City building associations, clubs, churches and organizations are due on Mondays by 5 p.m.
Email your articles to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com.
If the Co-op City Times Was Not Delivered: Call 347-697-6381 on
CCPD offers robbery prevention tips
BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO
Public Safety Report The Covid-19 pandemic has affected crime statistics worldwide in unpredictable ways. New York City has seen an increase in certain types of crimes. This week’s article will address the topic of robbery and other crimes against the person. This article will provide information, which will help make you aware of these types of crimes and ways to help reduce your chances of becoming a victim. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety received reports of attempted robberies, which took place on the outer perimeter streets of Co-op City. Auto crimes on the perimeter streets have also shown a recent increase. Based on this information, it may be safer for cooperators to utilize interior walkways for exercise and leisure activities. Walking, running or bike riding is always safer with a friend or family member. Parking vehicles in Co-op City’s garages has also shown to decrease the risk of being the victim of an auto crime.
Cooperators need to be alert for crimes, which post a threat of physical violence especially if a weapon is involved. Robberies pose the risk of a victim sustaining injury because they involve property being taken by force from your person. By following these tips, you may be able to avoid becoming a victim or minimize injury if you do become a victim of a robbery.
For more information about crime prevention, contact the National Crime Prevention Council at 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 13th floor, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 466-6272, or on their website, www.ncpc.org. There are crime-proofing activities for kids of various ages and crime prevention ideas for adults.
Pickpocketing is a crime that usually tends to increase during the holiday season but can pop up at any time. The pickpocket is a criminal who would like to have his crime go undetected. Pickpockets often practice their skills and take pride in their ability to remove your property unnoticed. This can be disconcerting as they may be able to attempt to use credit and debit cards before you detect that your property is gone.
Pickpockets may work alone but are more frequently working in groups or packs. One may serve as a lookout, while another serves as a decoy and a third grabs your property. While shopping in crowded stores, be alert to any person who jostles into you or enters your personal space/comfort zone. Pickpocket teams can often include one or more women. Be aware of someone faking an injury or creating some other type of distraction. Always keep your guard up in crowded situations. Maintaining social distance has an added safety bonus.
Be alert to any persons loitering near banks or cash machines. Be alert to persons who appear to follow you from a bank or cash machine. Avoid using cash machines at night. If you must use a cash machine at night, choose a welllit location, in a familiar area. Also use caution when using a drive up cash machine, lock your car doors. Consider doing banking errands with a friend or family member.
Before you enter your building, apartment or vehicle, be sure no one is lurking about. Be sure your apartment door is locked at all times whether you are in or out of your apartment. The same holds true for Co-op City’s townhouse apartments. Make certain the front and rear door of your townhouse remain locked at all times. If someone suspicious is observed near your apartment, townhouse or vehicle, do not enter, call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050. Do not permit strangers to enter your building behind you. Not holding the door may seem rude but can keep a person with criminal intent from entering your building.
To minimize the impact of crimes involving theft of property from your person, keep your keys, money, identification and cell phone in your front pocket, separate from your non-valuables. Also consider an inside the clothing travel type wallet for your personal items and valuables. A pocket with a zipper or button is ideal for this purpose.
Remember, property can always be replaced; your safety is the most import-
Public Safety Blotter
May 23, 2021 – May 29, 2021
05/25/2021 - R/O 120 Benchley Place
A male was approached by four males who demanded he give them all his money. The males dropped his keys and fled the area, he was not harmed. CCPD was able to recover and return the keys.
05/27/20210 – 120 Casals Place
A small fire erupted when it was apparently sparked by a water leak onto an electrical circuit. The damage was minor and there were no injuries.
ant thing. If someone does try to rob you despite your precautions, do not resist, especially if the person has a weapon of any type. Try to remember as many details of the crime as well as a description of the perpetrator. Notify police immediately if you have been the victim of a crime.
Always remember, if you see something, say something. If you see suspicious persons in the garage or lurking near parked vehicles on the street, an auto crime could be taking place, an auto crime could be ready to happen, notify the authorities. Call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information.
The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity or sent information via our website. We also give a special shout-out to those persons who call up and share information about their experiences.
Co-op City is a diverse community with people of all ages, abilities and characteristics. All persons should remember to respect each other and embrace their differences. Do not forget to say hello to your neighbors when you pass each other in the hallway or in the street. Maintain social distancing and follow the current recommendations from New York City Board of Health and the CDC. Co-op City strives to accommodate all persons.
Both New York State and the CDC announced changes to the mask wearing mandates. Unvaccinated persons are still required to wear masks in most situations, especially indoors and in crowded areas. Vaccinated persons are still required to wear masks in certain situations. Check the NYS Health website and the CDC website for the latest updates. Contact your doctor and see if a Covid-19 vaccination is right for you. When in doubt, wear a mask especially indoors when social distancing is not possible. Do not forget about hand washing, the use of hand sanitizer and not touching your face. Good health practices are always good at preventing illness of all types.
Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 • www.ccpd.us • @CCPDnyc If you SEE something, SAY something!
OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY
For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties. Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for specific directions.
CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES
There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES For employment opportunities, please search “Riverbay Corporation” at the following sites: www.Indeed.com www.Glassdoor.com
Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply directly at either site.
Current Riverbay employees should submit a transfer request and resumé directly to the HR department.
Thank you for your interest in working for Riverbay Corporation.
Director’s Viewpoint – Mary Pearson, Secretary
Getting all our ducks in a row
The trade-off. Looks like Mayor de Blasio’s promise of placing an animal shelter in every borough will come to be by 2025: the inevitable was delayed by Covid-19 by a year. The many agreed-upon concessions granted in exchange for acquiescing to the proposal back in 2018 have met with even greater delays. The deal was, Co-op City would stop fighting the animal shelter project – tooth and nail – for free JASA breakfasts, “killer curve” esthetic and safety improvements, a Beacon Program for our youth, millions for the transformation of the old Bingo Hall into a community cultural center, and many other items included in the let’s-make-a-deal Memorandum of Understanding. [That MoU is detailed in a Co-op City Times 11/10/18 cover story which can be found online at issuu.com/cctimes.] What we’ve seen accomplished so far? A turn signal at a particularly frustrating intersection at Connor Street and Boston Post Road.
Last week’s CCTimes’ front page contained some concerning coverage of the newly renamed Animal Care Center. Words like returning rehabilitated animals “back to the community” and “adoption” were quoted. Riverbay’s Occupancy Agreement prohibits pets. However, as the law requires, Riverbay provides, on a case by case documented basis, exceptions to the Occupancy Agreement as a reasonable accommodation to our disabled neighbors. Those in charge of this project need to be reminded of that. They also need reminding that 1000 square feet on the first floor of the new building is to be reserved for the community to use in any way we see fit. That, too, was in the MoU. We must make sure to communicate these concerns and reminders to Community Board 10 before their June 17 meeting.
Metro North Station location. At the railroad station meeting in Bartow in 2019, insistent young presenters were adamant that the chosen location was perfect, just perfect. It was oh too reminiscent of the Fast Forward snow job we’d recently gotten. At that bus meeting, we were practically told: Do you really want all those pesky buses cluttering your streets? Just buy a pair of hiking boots. But I digress.
The train station planners saw no reason to not put the station on the Co-op City side of the tracks about half a block from Garage 8. Traffic? What traffic? Section 5 would become a parking lot what with all the commuter drop offs from outside of Co-op City plus travelers from Sections 1 through 4. No big deal, the demonstrators said, we’ll just make Erskine Place a one-way street. Their plan was on paper, and so, set in stone.
Who ya gonna call? Naturally, we complained to Assemblyman Benedetto. He had his own idea of where to place the station entrance and drop off area: on the northbound side of the tracks, the side heading toward Connecticut. Whichever side the station is on, train passengers will need to use one side going in one direction and the other side going in the other. The station must be placed where it will do the least harm.
If you have computer access to Google maps, look just southeast of where I-95 crosses Erskine. There’s a service vehicle road encircling a patch of trees. That’s where the station must be placed. That little road is reachable by heading west on Pelham Parkway from City Island/Orchard Beach or from the Pelham Parkway east turnaround.
But permits must be obtained. Is Assemblyman Benedetto on top of it? As Director Saunders reminds us, we need to make plans if we don’t want to encounter any unexpected and unpleasant surprises down the road. The station will surely be a benefit to our residents, and if situated properly, will not become a disaster for Section 5.
We need to get all our ducks in a row and all in the same row. Co-op City citizens are incredibly pro-active but we need to come together – activists, Board members, Management, elected officials. We need to present a united front and follow through on oh so many issues, like…
Vaccines for 12-year olds +. Again, a shout out to Assemblyman Michael Benedetto as well as to Councilman Kevin Riley and Senator Jamaal Bailey–our kids need a Covid-19 vaccine so Dreiser needs Pfizer. Please make it happen ASAP.
Early Voting/Election Day Voting. For now, just remember the Bartow room 31 Early Voting poll site is open every day from next Saturday, June 12, to Sunday, June 20, from at least 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Some days start earlier, some end later.) For more specifics, check these pages next week or go to find my poll site nyc.
To know where to go to vote on Election Day, June 22, check your Election mailer (your newly corrected mailer for some), go to find my poll site nyc, or look for the (coming soon) sign in your lobby. You could also go to Vote NYC or call 866-VOTE-NYC (866 868- 3693) for all kinds of voting information.
The Board of Election (BOE) has fixed some website mistakes but managed to make a new problem for mobility-challenged people who Early Vote here but live outside of Co-op City. The thing is, the entrance way to Bartow 31, on the lower level, is indicated as accessible. However you must enter through the sliding doors near the management office. We’ll need better directions, actual and virtual. I’m sure all will be sorted out and correct signage put in place before early voting starts on June 12. We’ve got plenty of time. Today’s only June 5. Eeek!
Shredding. Did you see there’s a free Section 4 Greenway shredding event this Thursday, June 10, rain or shine, starting at 3:30 p.m.? Thank you, Community Board 10 (and us). Perfect timing. Right after tax time.
I can be reached by voice or text at 718-219-2211 or by email at mpearson@riverbayboard.com.
Riverbay Corporation Summer Intern positions
Open to Co-op City youth, ages 16 to 22 Applications will be accepted until Friday, June 11th, 2021. Applicants will have their names placed in a random drawing to be held on Monday, June 14th and notifications will be made by June 16th . All applicants will need to submit a current resume with email address and phone number for notification purposes. Send this information to summerinterns2021@riverbaycorp.com and note SUMMER INTERN in the subject line. POSITIONS ARE LIMITED!
Rate of Pay: $15 per hour Period of Assignment: July 6th – August 20, 2021
Weekly Work Schedule: Monday-Friday/40-hour work week Only Co-op City residents are eligible for
consideration.
All work performed outdoors –rain/shine. PPE provided, as needed. All safety protocols must be adhered to. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stoop, bend & stand for extended periods.
Parents – Remember to accept your child's Pre-K offer today
By BRANDON ORTIZ
The next generation of New Yorkers begin their academic journey this month as parents across the city can now view their child’s Pre-K offers.
Pre-K offers are available until June 25, according to the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE).
After receiving an offer, parents still have the option to remain on a waitlist for additional programs they might be interested in. However, the NYCDOE advises parents to accept their initial offers in order to secure a spot for their child.
As a reminder, all New York City families with four-year old children, which includes families who may have relocated during the COVID-19 pandemic, are eligible for a seat in a pre-k program. There are enough Pre-K spots to accommodate every eligible child in New York City, according to the NYCDOE.
Parents should also know that their child does not need to be toilet trained in order to attend a Pre-K program.
Pre-K programs and offers can be explored using a MySchools account, which parents can access online at myschools.nyc.
Three different settings exist for Pre-K programs in the city.
First are Pre-K programs which are run by NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEEC), which are community-based organizations that partner with the NYCDOE. Some of these programs offer up to 10 hours of Pre-K programming year-round for certain families who qualify. NYCEEC pre-k programs are recommended for families who currently have another child attending the program or if the family receives social services from the organization that runs the early education center.
Second, some elementary schools offer pre-k programs as well. District school Pre-K programs are recommended for families who may have an older sibling already enrolled at the same school or who want their child to be in an elementary school setting. Additionally, students enrolled at a district school Pre-K program have priority for a kindergarten spot at that respective school, according to the NYCDOE.
Lastly, the NYCDOE runs their own Pre-K centers across the city, which focus on the grades before kindergarten. These programs make sense for families who have their child already enrolled at the center’s 3-K program or who want their child to be around only other young children.
Pre-K programs are able to accommodate all students, which includes those with disabilities, according to the NYCDOE. Some Pre-K programs even offer dual language programs where students are taught English and an additional language.
Parents who did not have a chance to submit their child’s application before the deadline passed earlier this year can still add their child to program waitlists by going online to their MySchools account.
Any questions about creating a MySchools account, available Pre-K offers, waitlists and Pre-K programs can be answered by calling 718-935-2009 or emailing ESEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov.
Be sure to subscribe to the new & official Co-op City YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/3h6CrF7. Stay informed!
Board Election
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received by the independent election vendor. Ballots postmarked on June 4, 2021 will continue to be received by YesElections during the coming days and will be added to the total election count up to Wednesday, June 9, when the extended election period comes to an end.
According to the extended voting schedule approved by the election committee, at 7 p.m. on June 9, the committee will review and certify the final count of the ballots in room 31 of the Bartow Center, and the official results will be publicly posted electronically by 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 10. Posting will be on the Riverbay Crawler, channel 591 (Optimum) and channel 12 (MATV). The official results will also be in next Saturday’s Co-op City Times, June 12, 2021.
The deadline for electronic challenges to be filed against the election results is 5 p.m. on Friday, June 11.
The top five elected Board members will be sworn in on Wednesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. in room 31 of the Bartow Center, and begin serving their three-year terms. At that time, the Board will also elect its 20212022 officers.
This year’s quorum was not realized at the conclusion of the original voting period on Friday, May 21. The election was, therefore, extended by two weeks to Friday, June 4.
The election committee worked diligently during this period to encourage shareholders who received an election ballot but did not vote by the May 21 deadline to do so. In addition to notices in the Co-op Times and postings around the community, there were also daily Robocalls to remind eligible shareholders to vote, and an additional voting incentive.
This year, shareholders voted to fill five open seats on the Riverbay Board as the terms of Riverbay Board President Linda Berk, and Directors Daryl Johnson, Kevin Lambright, Leslie Peterson and Leah Richardson, are expiring. Ms. Berk did not seek reelection. Although 12 candidates were initially certified, one has since withdrawn from the race. The eleven remaining candidates are: Monique Coleman, Sheila Richburg, Leah Richardson, Akeisha Neely, Isabel Fletcher, Regina Hamilton, Kevin Lambright, Daryl Johnson, Anika Green-Watson, Aminah Lucio and Leslie Peterson.
In addition to Directors Jones and Marbury, the 2021 Election Committee is made up of shareholders John Gale, Denise Gerrald, Sandy Krasnove, Marita Taylor and Joyce Wilson.
Assistance
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of shareholders have reported to the Riverbay Finance department that they have been able to successfully submit an application to the program. Whether the applications will be processed remains to be seen, however, shareholders who qualify are advised to submit an application to avoid delays in processing their application and before funds are depleted, should HCR determine Mitchell-Lama co-op owners are also eligible.
“I am very happy to see that the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program is finally open for applications,” said Peter Merola, Riverbay Director of Finance. “For the past year, many of our shareholders have suffered great hardship, and this program will enable them to cover any arrears that are owed. While our New York State supervising agency has not given us any guidance as to Co-op City shareholder’s eligibility (since it is a co-op and not a rental), I still encourage all shareholders who were affected by the pandemic to apply for assistance.”
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following criteria: • Household gross income must be at or below80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 80% AMI. According to data at the OTDA website, derived from HUD, income limits for low-income and middle-income families in the Bronx earning at 80% of the Area Median Income, are: for households of 1: $66,850; households of 2 people: $76,400; 3 people: $85,950; 4 people: $95,450; 5 people: $103,100. (See chart at ERAP website, https://otda.ny.gov/ERAP for more). • On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020. • The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.
There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program, according to the ERAP criteria.
For the first 30 days of the ERAP program, priority is being given to: 1. Households with income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) that also include a household member who: o Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or o Is a veteran; or o Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or o Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or o Resides in a mobile home; or o Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, such as Co-op City (You may check your zip code at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ doh/covid/covid-19-data-neighborhoods.page, or at the link provided at the ERAP website); or o Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units. 2. Households with income at or below 50 percent AMI. 3. Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI that also include a household member who: o Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or o Is a veteran; or o Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or o Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or o Resides in a mobile home; or o Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (Check your ZIP Code); or o Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units. 4. Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI.
After the first 30 days of the program, applications for all eligible households will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available.
Those who qualify for the ERAP program may receive up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020, and up to three months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30% or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent.
Payments are made directly to the landlord/property owner on behalf of the applicant, and the applicant will be notified of the amount paid to their landlord/ property manager. There is also a portal on the site for landlords/property owners to complete their portion of the application on behalf of applicants from their respective properties.
To complete the application, applicants need to provide personal identification for all members of their households; Social Security numbers (although a lawful immigration status is not required for qualification); proof of rental amount (in Co-op City homeowners’ case, this will be their monthly maintenance charges), a signed lease or landlord/property owner attestation that the applicant does indeed live at the address; proof of residency and occupancy; proof of income to document income eligibility, such as documents showing monthly income OR documents showing yearly income for the year 2020, such as a W-2 or filed income tax return. Applicants are also asked to attest whether on or after March 13, 2020, a household member received unemployment benefits or a loss in household income occurred, if the household experienced significant costs or direct or indirect financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When prompted for the landlord address, Co-op City homeowners should use NDolma@RiverbayCorp.com.
On the other hand, landlords/property owners have to provide a completed W-9 tax form, executed lease for the applicant, documentation of rent due and banking information to receive direct payments once the application is processed.
The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has set up a call center for those with questions about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. It is available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1-844-NY1-RENT or 1-844691-7378. For the hearing impaired, TTY phone number: 1-833-843-8829.
Passport
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• An Excelsior COVID-19 PCR Test Pass is valid for 72 hours. • An Excelsior COVID-19 Antigen Test Pass is valid for six hours from the time of test. • The Excelsior Pass can be printed for those who may not own smartphones.
The duration that an Excelsior Vaccination Pass is valid can potentially change to reflect the latest federal and state health guidance, according to the official state press release.
Notably, individuals still have the option of using other forms of proof, such as a CDC card or physical laboratory test results, directly at a business or venue.
New York is the first state in the U.S. to adopt this digital form of proof and already has over 1,000,000 users, according to Governor Cuomo, who announced the milestone last week.
The pass was introduced originally in March but has seen a surge of new users in recent weeks. New York State officially lifted its indoor capacity restrictions and adopted the latest CDC mask and social distancing guidelines on May 19.
“After a long and incredibly difficult year, New Yorkers are finally returning to normal life and getting back to work amid rising vaccination rates, and the first-in-the-nation Excelsior Pass is a key part of that restoration of normalcy,” Governor Cuomo said during the press conference announcing 1,000,000 Excelsior Pass users. “The fact that we’ve so quickly achieved a milestone — more than 1 million passes issued — speaks to New Yorkers’ desire to resume many of the activities they’ve given up over the past year and is good news for bringing our economy back and building a stronger state for the future. New Yorkers are ready for the new normal, and the Excelsior Pass will help them get there until we can defeat this terrible pandemic for good.”
Individuals interested in getting their Excelsior Pass can go online to epass. ny.gov. Additional information on the Excelsior Pass and how it works can be found online at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass.
Various sport venues across New York currently use the Excelsior Pass, such as Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, to name a few. Beginning this fall, numerous SUNY schools and even some private institutions such as Syracuse University will adopt the excelsior pass for their students and future on-campus events.
With your support, I can become the
Building 10 Association
Greetings, fellow cooperators.
New Cooperators – Welcome, all new cooperators.
Summer Fun Day – Co-op City’s Section 2 Summer Fun Committee presents: A Good Ole Summer Tyme “Pop Up Picnic with a Twist! * Save the Date: Saturday, June 26. Time: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (Rain date: June 27). This should be a well enjoyed and remembered family-fun-filled day! * Prize – Best decorated table! First 20 reserved and decorated tables wins voucher for: Cousin’s Maine Lobster which will be onsite day of event. (Cousin’s Maine Lobster free only to voucher winners). * Feel free to bring your own food & beverages or purchase meals from Cousin’s. Contest, games, prizes & Icee cart.
Music provided by DJ Sid Nice – Plus, the multi-talented and internationally known “One Man Band – Crowd Pleaser,” Juan Ortega.
For info. and table reservations, email: Cooper.townhouses@gmail.com.
It’s gonna be “a family affair” not to be missed nor forgotten.” So, don’t wait, reserve your table now!
NYC Primary Election – The NYC Primary Election will be held on June 22. You can vote early from June 12 - June 20. Find your polling place at: findmypollsite.vote.nyc. Or you can vote on June 22. Find your polling place at: findmypollsite.vote.nyc.
If you See Something, Say Something – For emergencies, call Co-op City Public Safety at 718-671-3050 and NYPD at 911. For non-emergencies, call 311.
Questions, Comments and Suggestions – You can contact the Building 10 Association via email at Building10Assoc@gmail.com. We are also on Facebook, Building 10 “ABC” Association. Like our page and get notified of all the happenings in and around Building 10.
We would like to wish all June “babies” an incredibly happy birthday.
To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery.
To all who have lost a loved one recently, we give our deepest condolences.
Have a great week.
––Jewel Crawford-Duncan
EYE DOCTORS
BECAUSE YOUR EYES DESERVETHE BEST! Under the Direction of Dr. Gary Fishman and Dr. Simon Wu
u EYE EMERGENCIES!Get seen and treated by an
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COMPLETE EYE EXAM
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