SECTION BUILDING 29C 4240 HUTCH. RIVER PKWY E.

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, – • Letter to the Editor • –

It’s been my hope that shareholders would read the Co-op City Times and respond in writing to issues of concern. Social media may be an arena for some, others like the tra write a letter or send an email to the Co-op City Times.

A shareholder expressed a position that we should thank those who open doors and push buttons with their feet. I quality of shareholders who reside here. I agree with the a person can afford the upfront costs to purchase shares in our corporation, there may be other concerns that are not Board elections, make noise at unreasonable hours, house unregistered dogs, bring in friends and family to hang out on the malls, hallways, stairwells, smoke cigarettes and weed in front of the building and in stairwells, make a mess and walk away, do not read our community newspaper. Those quality of life and incur expenses to Management’s budget.

Why are Board elections important? Co-op City is a a 401K, you own shares in companies. If the companies elect competent leadership, we will lose money and incur additional expenses.

The extension of Board elections costs us money. I know speak up. When we do, Co-op City will once again be a

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fordable housing for low- income New Yorkers, especially seniors and the disabled. 4. To upgrade the affordable housing infrastructure to for all residents in affordable housing. 5. To simplify and speed up the processes for New York housing. new lines of support that could help with infrastructure upgrades like transitioning from natural gas dependency to greener energy.

A unique highlight of the Housing Our Neighbors plan will be the expansion of a pilot program created by the May experiencing homelessness.

The plan also attempts to maximize the impact of the ments to increase enrollment and helping current enrollees Neighbors plan states. than half of New Yorkers spend more than 30% of their in household income to double in order for New Yorkers to afford. Mayor Adams said during his announcement on Tuesday. been impacted by the housing crisis in our city, and today York City’s history.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Housing

Co-op City Times

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LETTERS TO

We welcome letters to the editor only from Co-op City shareholders at .

Letters should address issues of interest to the Co-op City community. Comments should be fact-based and responsible. Letters should not personally attack others and must be written in a respectful manner.

Only signed letters will be considered for publication. The Co-op City Times does not publish anonymous material.

Submissions must include the writer’s address and phone number – which will

Thank you for your cooperation.

Co-op City Times / June 18, 2022 7 Public Safety takes action against persons caught throwing objects out of windows

BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

As we enter into Fourth of July season, we will begin a series of articles regarding Zero Tolerance of illegal fireworks in Co-op City and throughout New York City. Throwing objects out of the windows of Co-op City apartments is a violation of the lease and is illegal. Public Safety takes complaints of this nature very seriously. Throwing objects out of a window creates a substantial risk of serious injury or death. Persons caught throwing objects out of the windows of Co-op City buildings are subject to penalties. Fireworks thrown from windows or terraces are extremely hazardous and enforcement is stepped up this time of the year. Co-op City has several construction projects, which require scaffolding. Scaffolding, also known as sidewalk sheds, create an additional risk as it pertains to objects thrown out the window. It is illegal to throw anything on top of construction scaffolding as it creates a fire hazard. There have been incidents of lit cigarettes igniting rubbish thrown on the top of scaffolding. Shareholders are criminally or financially liable for damage or injuries caused by throwing items on top of construction scaffolding.

Any person identified throwing an object out of a window is subject to arrest Public for Reckless Endangerment. Reckless Endangerment occurs when a person engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury Safety Report to another person. If there is an injury, the person that threw the object out of the window can be charged with Assault. Reckless Endangerment and Assault are serious charges with severe penalties. As in all cases where a Co-op City is illegal. Public Safety takes complaints of this nature resident is arrested for actions within the confines of Co-op City, a Community very seriously. Throwing objects out of a window cre- Complaint is also issued. The Community Complaint carries a monetary fine ates a substantial risk of serious injury or death. Persons and is attached to the monthly carrying charges. Repeated violations may result caught throwing objects out of the windows of Co-op in eviction. City buildings are subject to penalties. Fireworks thrown Public Safety can take action against the shareholder of the apartment when from windows or terraces are extremely hazardous and en- an object is observed being thrown from the window of their apartment. Even if forcement is stepped up this time of the year. the specific person throwing the object out of the window cannot be identified, Co-op City has several construction projects, which require Public Safety can still take action. Throwing objects out of windows is a lease violation therefore the tenant of record can receive a Community Complaint when their apartment is identified as the location an object came from. The shareholder is responsible for the actions of all family members and guests. Therefore, a Community Complaint can be issued without the need to identify the specific offender. The Co-op City Community Complaint offers our department an extra level of enforcement in eliminating this very dangerous activity. Repeated violations result in escalating fines and can result in eviction. It is important that parents instruct children and teens that throwing objects out the windows is a serious matter. Parents need to make certain that young children and toddlers do not have access to open windows. This creates a very dangerous situation for which the parent will be held responsible. Be certain that window guards are installed in any apartment where children under 10 years of age live or visit. Call Riverbay Corporation at (718) 320-3300 if you would like to have window guards installed. Smaller items can still fit out windows with window guards in place, so young children should not be left unsupervised near windows that are even open just a little bit. This is another situation where the Public Safety Department asks for the help of the public in identifying violators. Try to pinpoint the exact apartment and notify the Department of Public Safety if you observe objects coming from a window. Use a specific colored curtain or shade as a landmark. The responding Public Safety Officer can use a floor plan map and identify the exact apartment. Public Safety will not reveal your information to the violator. Even if you cannot specifically identify the exact apartment, it is still a good idea to call Public Safety for informational purposes. Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. Fireworks on the ground are also a violation of the law and a violation of your Occupancy Agreement. New York City has seen a recent surge of complaints of illegal fireworks throughout the five boroughs. It is illegal to use or purchase fireworks within the five boroughs of New York City even though it is legal in other counties in upstate New York. From a safety point of view, this is a wise

Public Safety Blotter

June 5 – June 11, 2022

June 05 100 Asch Loop

A non-resident let an unknown person use her cellphone and the suspect walked off without returning the cellphone.

2099 Asch Loop

A witness advised CCPD of a suspect pulling door handles of vehicles. The perpetrator gained entry to a white BMW. The suspect was apprehended by CCPD; and the owner of the BMW was notified. The owner identified his stolen property and opted to press charges. The suspect was placed under arrest and was found to have an outstanding warrant.

June 06 120 Benchley Place

CCPD responded to a call of a barking dog. Investigation discovered that the dog was unauthorized. A Community Complaint was issued for Harboring a Dog.

June 07 100 Casals Place

A cooperator reported unknown individuals outside of his apartment arguing and hearing a loud bang with the individuals leaving the area. The cooperator then observed a dent to his apartment door.

Co-op City Blvd.

CCPD responded to a call of a black Acura sedan driving away from a parked black Acura MDX. Upon investigation, CCPD observed all four tires and rims were removed from the Acura MDX. The owner, who is a cooperator, was notified. CCPD is investigating.

99 Earhart Lane

Upon returning to her parked vehicle in Garage 8, a cooperator observed her vehicle was hit by another unknown vehicle, pushing her vehicle into the wall and causing various damage. The Garage Department and the NYPD were notified.

June 08 140 Donizetti Place

A cooperator returned to her parked vehicle and observed her catalytic converter was removed by an unknown person.

100 DeKruif Place

CCPD and FDNY responded to a gas leak/odor. A forced entry was necessary as there was a strong gas odor emanating from the apartment. The source of the gas leak was revealed and corrected.

100 Alcott Place

A cooperator opened her apartment door and observed that an unknown individual splashed water on her door and placed burn marks on the stairwell “A” sign, hallway walls and hallway mirror.

June 09 100 Casals Place

CCPD responded to a call of a group loitering. Upon arrival, a male cooperator was observed loitering and tried to push past CCPD, but was detained. The suspect’s parent was issued a Community Complaint for the suspect loitering.

2061 Bartow Avenue

A CCPD officer and Supervisor heard what appeared to be one shot fired near Asch Loop and Adler Place behind the Bartow Mall. They immediately responded to the location. Ballistic evidence was recovered near the Food Universe Supermarket. NYPD Evidence Collection Team, NYPD Detectives, and CCPD were present at the scene. There were no injuries or property damage. Investigation has identified several persons of interest.

June 11

CCPD responded to a call for a smoke condition. FDNY present on scene noticed an odor of smoke coming between the 23rd and 25th floor compactor rooms on the “B” side. FDNY flooded the “B” line compactor with water causing flooding in the basement. Maintenance and porters were present on scene for a cleanup.

Blotter Bonus: Shareholders and friends are reminded to check and lock your car doors. Some advanced fobs lock it for you automatically as you walk away but most do not. CCPD arrested an individual who stole items after gaining access from an unlocked car door. This arrest was a great joint effort of community and CCPD. But the best crime fighter is crime prevention. So, if you want to protect what is yours…then lock them doors!

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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,

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 – Daryl Johnson

Young People - Stay Away From Gun Violence

Six of the worst mass shootings in the U.S. were caused by people that were 21 or younger. So, let’s see what went on with these mass shootings. Then, let’s see if we can help our young ones to not get involved with gun violence.

Young Adults – Extreme Violence

On April 20, 1999, two twelfth-grade students, ages 17 and 18, tried to use several bombs to blow up Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado. But, the bombs wouldn’t detonate. So, the two young men fatally shot 13 people and wounded 21 other people.

Additionally, they shot three people that were try people that were murdered included twelve students and one teacher. Ten of those students were murdered in the school’s library. Then, while in the library, the two shooters committed suicide.

Authorities have said that these two students previously made plans for this massacre a year before. Regardless, this massacre has been described as one the deadliest high school shootings in the history of the U.S.

On December 14, 2012, in Newtown Connecticut, a 20-year-old man killed his 52-year-old mother by shooting four bullets into her head. Then, he took each, and drove to Sandy Hook Elementary School. Arriving at the school shortly after 9:35 a.m., he shot and murdered 20 children (ages 6 and 7) and six school employees. Then, this extremely violent young man shot himself in the head after law en stated that a young victim responded to her mother and said: "Mommy, I'm okay, but all my friends are dead."

On May 18, 2018, a 17-year-old student at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas fatally shot eight students and two teachers. Additionally, he shot and get this gunman to surrender peacefully. But, this guy had guns in his hands. So, he threatened to shoot the arguing with them.

Jail? No! They found that this gunman is currently

On February 14, 2018, in Parkland, Florida, a 19-year-old gunman shot 17 people fatally, and wounded 17 other people. This deadly mass shooting occurred when the gunman went back to his former school, Stoneman Douglas High School. Then, he started shooting students and school employees as a gun as he attempted to shoot out some hurricane-re building. Meanwhile, an armed school resource of shooting was going on. Next, the gunman then escaped by blending in with other students as he made his way out of the school. He then went to a mall to get a soda. About an hour later, they arrested him at another location.

On May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, NY, an 18-year-old man went to a supermarket and shot 10 Black folks fatally and wounded 3 other people. This shooter and a helmet to livestream this monstrous shooting. A published report later stated that this gunman made racial slurs as he was shooting people. Then, on the gun at a white person in this same store. Lastly, this gunman then pointed a gun at himself. Thereafter, him to drop his gun and surrender.

On May 17, 2022, an 18-year-old man bought two 24, 2022, he shot his grandmother in the face and stole her vehicle. Next, he drove to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and crashed the vehicle. He then started shooting at two people that saw the crash. So, they called the police. about some of the things that went on in that school. Nevertheless, the indisputable facts are that he shot 19 students and two teachers fatally and wounded 17 the gunman.

Helping Our Young Ones

Here are the ages of these young men that committed these horrible mass shootings: Columbine - 18 and 17; Sandy Hook – 20, Houston – 17, Parkland – 19, Buffalo – 18, and Uvalde – 18. So, looking at these numbers, we have to ask ourselves if we can start much earlier and develop good family attachments to our children.

Can we show them that we love and care about them? Can we help them to develop good and proper spiritual values? Can we take time out of our schedules to read and study good material with them? Can we teach them about having good friendships? Can we turn off electronic devices so that they can see how a family is supposed to behave and treat one another? Can we administer discipline in a proper manner?

Think, never leave a gun or a weapon out at home Also, like it or not, make sure that there is nothing illegal in their room. Let’s do our job and be good parents.

Close

We must help our children to become good and responsible adults.

Thanks.

Contact Information

Please do not send a letter to me at this time. However, you can send an email to me at: djohnson @riverbayboard.com

Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Perkins!

On Sunday, May 22, Co-op City shareholder, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Perkins, an Associate Minister at Convent Baptist Church in Harlem, N.Y., was among several other women of distinction who were honored at the Phenomenal Women of 2022 Awards Celebration sponsored by Change a Life Ministries and Bishop Peggy Smalls (left in photo) for their outstanding service. In addition to Rev. Dr. Perkins, other honorees included Pastor Carol Landrum of Greater Love Refuge Ministries; Pastor Cynthia Sibblies of Ebenezer United Pentecostal Church; Bishop Millie Saldana of Church of God Divine; Tamika Cloverdale, Esq., Legal Aid Society of Westchester; Pamela Damon, Executive Director of Not on My Watch; Sherry Lynn Lilly, Founder/ Director of Inspire Bermuda; and Apostle Kim Brewer, Founder/Pastor of Hope Fellowship Christian Center.

BOARD ELECTION EXTENDED! Return your ballot for the Riverbay Board of Directors Election by mail or electronically by Friday, June 24, 2022.

Co-op City Times / June 18, 2022 Where Are Masks Still Required?

Making Sense of the Latest Changes to Covid-19 Restrictions

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Covid-19-related restrictions have been eased back slowly in various facets of everyday life as the city tries to revive its economy and adapt to the ever-changing virus.

Keeping track of each update can be a bit tricky, but below is a quick rundown of where masks are required.

Where masks are still required:

• NYC Public Transportation (MTA buses, subways, subway stations, Metro-North trains and the LIRR). • LaGuardia and JFK Airports • NYC Ferry • Port Authority Midtown Bus Terminal • George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal • World Trade Center Oculus Transportation Hub • Broadway (policy may be revisited and changed website). • Riverbay Premises. Riverbay still requires all individuals to wear face coverings in all common areas of residential buildings, garages and community centers. Violators of this rule are subject to a #21-04.

Where masks are optional:

• DOE Schools • Pre-schools and early learning childcare centers • Restaurants • Entertainment Venues • Planes (pertaining to domestic travel, as mask mandates for international destinations vary). • Gyms mask requirement for the city’s youngest students at the end of last week. Children between ages 2-4 in early learning childcare centers have the option of wearing a mask, but are no longer required to. During his announcement, the Mayor also emphasized that individuals should wear masks in indoor settings.

“We still strongly recommend that New Yorkers of all ages continue to wear masks indoors and we will continue to make masks available for any child or school staff member who wishes to continue wearing them,” the Mayor said in making the announcement. for the youngest demographic of children between six months and 5 years old is expected soon. On Thursday, the FDA expanded their Emergency Use to include children as young as six months old. The CDC is expected to sign off and update their recommendations over the weekend, meaning parents could see vaccines available for their youngest children very soon. last Friday when the agency reported that it was into the U.S. show a negative Covid-19 test.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has now shifted to a new phase, due to the widespread uptake of highly effective Covid-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the accrual of high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level in the United States. Each of these measures has contributed to lower risk of severe disease and death across the United States. As a result, this requirement which was needed at an earlier stage in the pandemic may be withdrawn. CDC continues to the U.S. get tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) and not travel if they are sick,” the CDC stated last Friday.

Travelers going abroad might want to consult the CDC’s updated Travel Health Notice system, which the agency announced earlier this month and source online at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

The system is designed to help individuals understand the potential Covid-19 risk of an international destination. In the updated system, Level 4 notices are for the most extreme cases where a country is dealing with “rapidly escalating case trajectory or extremely high case counts, emergence of a new variant of concern, or healthcare infrastructure collapse,” the agency said earlier this month. The other three levels in the updated system are determined by observing that respective country’s 28-day case count.

9 Juneteenth Luncheon

BY P.M CAMPBELL

Last Tuesday, a Juneteenth Luncheon was held at the Dreiser Community Center auditorium. Organized by Tremaine O’Garro from Assembly with Riverbay, it was an afternoon of food, music, to the auditorium full of seniors from every section of Co-op City, as they enjoyed djembe drum and dance performances from the Okra Dance Company. Prominent community leaders such as Speaker of the New York Assembly Carl Heastie, and State Senator Jamaal T Bailey honored the ancestors who came before the two of them.

Talking about his own experiences as a New Yorker, Mayor Eric Adams encouraged those in attendance to think critically about topics like gun violence, homelessness and education. “This June nineteenth, let’s sign our Emancipation Proclamation: that we will not be enslaved mentally, that we’re not allowing our children to be enslaved to the plantations of guns. That we’re not gonna allow our families to be enslaved to the plantations of believing we have to live on the street… of believing our seniors must be locked in their home because they’re afraid to walk the street… [we deserve a] school system to prepare our children for the future. We’re not gonna be enslaved [from the] emancipation of believing we cannot live in an affordable city.”

He ended by encouraging the seniors to claim their identities as New Yorkers, and to acknowledge that the city “belongs to us”.

Thanking Riverbay and Assembly member Benedetto, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson dis to her position. She mentioned however, that she will not be the last, as she “stand[s] on the shoulders of those who have come before”. She urged those listening not to think of Juneteenth as a day off, but rather one of remembrance, because “if you don’t know where you come from, you don’t know where you’re going.”

Reverend Deborah Jenkins said that “Juneteenth is a recognition of the enslaved ancestors of Black Americans”, and after prayer she discussed historical education, the colors of the day and the struggle for reparations. Once the guests were done speaking, shareholders had the opportunity to take pictures, dance and socialize. Assemblyman Benedetto thanked those in attendance and closed out the event. Photos by P.M. Campbell and Alfred Lynch

Rivers Run Community Garden

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 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.

Event Dates (All are welcome):

June 19th – Father’s Day Paint and Rejoice Event – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

July 23rd – Bomba – 2:00 p.m.

Membership requirements: $20 per year fee and 20 hours of work. There is a teer work requirement are moved up on the waiting list. Volunteers are welcome.

If you’d like to reach out to us, please email us at Rivers_run@yahoo.com.

––Gail Sharbaan Building 25 Association

cial date is June 19, the Juneteenth holiday will be celebrated this year on June 20.

We would like to salute all the 2022 graduating children of Building 25. You can submit your child’s name(s) through our general email address, building25ca@ gmail.com, so that they too may be honored in our Co-op City Times article.

We continue to encourage neighbors to attend their building meetings to get to know your neighbors and get information.

We wish all neighbors born in June a happy birthday. For those of you who are under the weather, we hope you get better soon. We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic and other illnesses.

Our next virtual building association meeting will be held on June 21 at 7:30 p.m. Lookout for detailed login or call-in information notices posted near elevators as we get closer to the meeting date. Remember, residents of Building 25 can always address any comments or concerns by logging onto our building email address at building25ca@gmail.com. If anyone has problems accessing the building email address, please let us know.

In honor of this year’s Juneteenth celebration, we will close with the following: “Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.” –Coretta Scott King

––Wanda Bailey

Building 9 Association

Greetings, Building 9 family and friends. We remain thankful, grateful and blessed as we navigate these uncertain times.

The summer season is upon us. Please enjoy the warm weather. Be safe and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Thank you to Assemblyman Michael Benedetto for sponsoring and organizing the Co-op City Juneteenth Commemoration Luncheon on June 14 in the Dreiser Auditorium. At the time of this writing, Linda Collins, Linda Holley, Barbara Cloud, Daisy McCoy, Evelyn Mavins, Shirley McCann, Pamela Bryan, Ellen Wilkins, Shirley Johnson, Janet Yarrell, Gwen Anderson, Scarlett Parker, Mimi Hilliard and Bernadine Sherman.

Please do not permit your children to run, play with laundry carts, get inside laundry carts, climb on machine ledges or jump on laundry room tables. Please see the complete list of rules posted in the laundry room. Please remove clothing from the laundry machines in a timely manner. Waiting to use a completed- cycle machine is an inconvenience to your neighbors.

Section 2 Summer Family Fun Day Pop-up Picnic is scheduled for June 25 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Please reserve a table, bring your own tablecloths, decorations and food (or you can purchase from the food truck). Table reservations can be made by email, contact Anika at: Cooper.townhouses@gmail.com. There who line up for them.

The Building 9A elevator modernization project is almost complete.

The Garage 2 repairs seem to be coming to an end in the coming weeks. No recent sightings of “Ricky Raccoon” in Garage 2.

Please continue to monitor the lobby bulletin boards for events and other information.

“Live by choice, not by chance; be motivated, not manipulated; be useful, not used; make changes, not excuses; indulge your self-esteem, not self-pity; listen to your inner voice, not to the random opinions of those who do not have your best interests at heart.” – Unknown

––Linda Collins

Now Live! Riverbay’s new Website Address: www.coopcity.com