Co-op City Times 12/25/2021 by Co-op City Times

Vol. 56 No. 52

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Year in Review – Part 1 January-June, 2021

CDC Details Clinical Preference For Certain Vaccine In Latest Update

BY ROZAAN BOONE

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

The CDC is now recommending that individuals receive an mRNA vaccine and booster instead of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or booster. This new update means Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients should seek either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna booster shot, according to the CDC. vaccines and boosters are mRNA vaccines and are Johnson & Johnson vaccine. signed off on the update last week after the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed new data suggesting that a rare side effect of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which caused a blood clot disorder called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), affects a wider range (Continued on page 12)

Mayor Warns New Yorkers To Brace For Omicron Wave BY BRANDON ORTIZ

During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio detailed the challenging weeks ahead as New York City navigates through the Omicron variant. while the Omicron variant continues to spread across positivity rate was 3% and its seven-day average (Continued on page 2)

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(The following is an account of the major events oc-

months of 2021 as reported by the Co-op City Times.

would be charged an Welcome to the new year, 2021! administrative fee. Co-op City’s Chief Joseph Riley informed residents, especially those who utilize street parking, about increased incidents of auto parts thefts throughout the city, especially rims and tires on Honda and Acura vehicles. To avoid being targeted, the Chief advised residents to park in well-lit and well-traveled areas, to lock their vehicle’s doors and to consider investing in a set of wheel locks if garage parking was not an option. Vol. 56 No. 1

Saturday, January 2, 2021

New Yo rke rs wa r ne d a bou t C OV I D - 1 9 v a c c i n a t i o n s c a m s

BY ROZAAN BOONE

half of 2021.)

)

JANUARY News coverage at the beginning of this new year began with New Yorkers being warned by law enforcement, consumer advocates, health and local governaccess to vaccines. They reported that the vaccine will not be available to the general public for several more months to come and when it does become more widely available, it will be free of cost for New Yorkers with health insurance coverage. It was not known at that time if those without health insurance

Dreiser Testing Center Reopens BY BRANDON ORTIZ

this week and is currently offering Rapid Testing. The testing site will be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday but will be closed on New Year’s Eve. The testing site Dreiser Loop.

Holiday Closings & CCTimes Early Deadline/ Delivery Notice for Next Week

This week, law enforcement, consumer advocates, health and local government officials warned New Yorkers to be aware of scammers offering early access to COVID-19 vaccines, noting that the vaccine will not be available to the general public for several more months to come and when it does become more widely available it will be free of cost for New Yorkers with health insurance coverage while those without may – or may not – have to pay an administrative fee; that is yet to be determined. The Food & Drug Administration has so far authorized two vaccines for emergency use – the Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine for individuals 16 years and older, and the Moderna vaccine for individuals 18 and older. According to the New York State Department of Health, and consistent with federal guidelines, the first New Yorkers to be vaccinated will be high-risk hospital workers, i.e., emergency room workers, ICU staff and Pulmonary Department staff; nursing home residents and staff, followed by long-term and congregate care residents and staff; EMS workers, all other health care workers and hospital staff, coroners and medical examiners. Once healthcare and certain essential workers have been vaccinated, the general public will be next in line starting with those most at risk, such as those 65 and older, and those with underlying conditions. However, New York has not yet issued a firm timeline for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to the general public. New York State Attorney General Letitia James said: “We must remain vigilant about potential scams and ensure New Yorkers know the latest information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, there is no government-authorized vaccine

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Message from CCPD’s Chief Riley

Co-op City continues to experience incidents of street activity related to the theft of auto parts, especially tires and rims from vehicles. Thieves coming into our community, as well as the rest of New York City, continue to target Honda and Acura vehicles. If you park on the street, please park in well-traveled and lighted areas and remember to lock your vehicle, keeping items of interest out of sight. If you can, use garage parking. You may consider investing in a set of wheel locks, particularly if you have one of the aforementioned vehicle types. CCPD has had success in apprehending persons who prey on our community. Recently, a shareholder looking out her window in Section 5 called us as she saw suspicious activity involving parked vehicles. When we arrived, while searching (Continued on page 5)

(Continued on page 2)

• 2020 Year in Review, Part 2

continues this week on pages 3 and 4

MTA looks to stay afloat for 2021

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

The latest COVID relief package passed this week by Congress looks to be the lifeline the MTA desperately needs. Facing a budget deficit that could potentially mean drastic service cuts and layoffs, the MTA made its situation abundantly clear to Congress when it asked for $12 billion in emergency funding earlier this year. “We cannot cut our way out of this crisis – we are facing a blow to our ridership greater than that experienced during the Great Depression,” MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye said to the press back in November. Certain versions of the potential 2021 MTA financial budget were proposing service cuts by 40% in addition to massive layoffs. The MTA’s own

(Continued on page 6)

$600 or $2000? What is the latest?

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

President Trump officially signed the approximately $900 billion COVID economic relief bill on Sunday which will provide much needed aid for the country. With the President’s signature, the government will avoid a partial shutdown and millions of Americans will finally receive necessary economic support. As the economic relief legislation currently stands, $600 checks can be expected for many individuals. Below is a quick recap of how much individuals and couples can expect to receive: * Individuals who had a 2019 adjusted gross income of up to $75,000 will receive a $600 stimulus check. * Individuals who filed as head of their household in 2019 and had a (Continued on page 5

Above is a sample of the Annual Window Guard Notice which has been posted in the lobby of all residential buildings. The notice will be mailed to each Co-op City household in January 2021. The mailing will also include the fire safety plan. The Annual Window Guard form must be completed and returned following the accompanying directions. The deadline is February 15, 2021. For further information, you may contact your respective CSO, (718) 320-3300, select Option 3.

billion Covid economic relief bill on Sunday, Dec. 27, avoiding a partial government shutdown. In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New Yorkers can begin using sick leave paid sick leave for workers at medium and large businesses and paid or unpaid leave for those at small (Continued on page 3)

Community Fridge Arrives in Co-op City Section 5 (See page 12 for pictures)

Reduced Fare MetroCard Online Photo by Philip McCoy-Campbell

(See page 6 for story)

Mobile COVID Test/Vaccine Van at Bartow Mall

Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve). Because of the holiday-shortened work week, articles, letters and directors’ viewpoints submitted for publication in December 27. Material received after this time will not be included in the issue of the newspaper. Co-op City Times Co-op City Times is delivered to the newspaper bins in building lobbies and community centers and to each townhouse door. The newspaper can also be read online at http://issuu.com/cctimes. We wish our readers Happy Holidays! Be safe in your celebrations. Wear a mask and observe social distancing.

Residents lined up in Bartow Mall last week for the NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation’s Test & Trace Corps’ Mobile COVID Testing/Vaccine Unit. You may visit http://bit.ly/HH_testsites to find additional dates and locations for the Mobile Testing/Vaccine vans, and to pre-register. This is a free service; proof of insurance is not required. Appointments are not necessary; walk-ups are welcome. Photo by John Crow

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Omicron –––––––––––––––

(Continued from page 1)

increase with the daily citywide Covid-19 positivity rate sitting above 11.1% and the seven-day average jumping to 9.1% as of this week. according to Department of Health data. However, the Bronx is still considered a high transmission area by CDC standards. The 10475 area code, which includes both Co-op City and Edenwald, has a seven-day average below current

Dr. Wolstein and staff wish you and your families a happy, healthy holiday! Podiatrist – Foot Specialist

the surge in cases and hospitalizations would be temporary because of the presence of vaccines. “It’s going to be a very challenging few weeks, but the good news is based on what our health care leadership understands at this moment, we are talking about a matter of weeks. We’re going to see a really fast upsurge in cases. We’re

• Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery

during a press conference on Monday. “So far, thank God, based on everything we’ve seen so far, the cases are more mild than what we’ve experienced previously. But again, a lot of research we’re still waiting for, a lot of evidence

• ALL conditions of the foot treated

very transmissible. It moves fast. We have to move faster. That’s why we’re focusing even more on vaccination. And we do know that vaccination helps surge cases for a few weeks. Then we think we’re going to see it start to trail to create a more complete understanding of its transmissibility, its resistance to vaccination and its severity relative to the Delta variant. Current CDC analysis is predicting a nationwide surge in Covid-19 cases with the earliest estimated peak coming as soon as January or as late as April of 2022. In response to the case surge, the city now has 112 Covid-19 testing sites too, according to Mayor de Blasio. Co-op City residents looking for a testing site locally should be aware that the Dreiser Mall testing site reopened this week and is currently offering Rapid Testing. The site will be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through FriDreiser Loop. Individuals looking for sites that are offering vaccines or booster shots can go online to vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 Additionally, individuals can text their ZIP code to 438829 and get back a list of vaccine sites near them.

• Evening and Saturday appointments • Most health insurance plans accepted Now Accepting:

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718.671.7226

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Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Co-op City Times 2nd COMBING

Find out what’s going on in Co-op City here...

Holiday Parking Transient parking will be available in the garages, except those closed to construction, at a reduced rate of $9 during the following times: Christmas Eve – Dec. 24, 12 p.m. - Dec. 25, 6 a.m. Christmas Day – Dec. 25, 12 p.m. - Dec. 26, 6 a.m. New Year’s Eve – Dec. 31, 12 p.m. - Jan. 1, 6 a.m. Vehicles exiting after 6 a.m. will be subject to overtime cherges. Cash payments accepted at Pay Stations. Credit and Debit cards accepted at Pay Stations and garage exits.

Masks are Mandatory in Common Areas of Co-op City Face masks must be properly worn when in common areas of residential buildings in Co-op City. Common areas include elevators, laundry rooms, stairways, hallways, lobbies, community centers and garages. In addition, shareholders and their visitors must observe social distancing. No more than four (4) people per elevator ride or in a laundry room simultaneously. On Jan. 27, 2021, the Riverbay Board approved Resolution 2104 for the issuance of a $50 comnot adhere to the policy aimed at protecting public health of not only residents, but our workers. will offer masks to anyone who does not have one. Those who refuse a mask or are non-compliant up their mask to cover both their mouth and nose will be issued a $50 Community Complaint. Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the Dreiser Mall testing site, located at 105 Dreiser Loop, reopened this week and is offering Rapid Testing. The site will be open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, but will be closed on New Year’s Eve. Let’s work together to safeguard each other. Be responsible – wear a mask and observe social distancing.

Year In Review ––––– New York City Transit reported that beginning Jan. 19, 2021, fare collections will resume on all Access-A-Ride services. Meanwhile, passage of a Covid-19 relief package by the US Congress in early January resulted in some $4 billion in relief for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), desperately trying to

Front Page

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with their Democratic colleagues in passing the measure. Trump is the only US President to be impeached twice during his presidency. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city’s plan to dramatically increase ca-

new directive are children under 2 and any person eligible for a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York State and New York City Human Rights law. The NYS Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) ad-

tions. At that point, there were approximately 125 vaccination sites open across the policy was implemented on Feb. 16, erational cost increases due to the ongothe city and an additional 35 opening in 2021 in Co-op City. the coming days. The goal, the Mayor New York City’s preliminary 2022 said, was to have budget revealed that the city spent $5.9 250 vaccination billion in unexpected costs due to the sites operational federal government was exby the end of pected to avert service cuts and de Blasio was hopeful that federal asJanuary. planned layoffs at the agency. sistance would mitigate some of those Also in January, the MTA At the same losses. The Mayor said the city expected time, Governor launched OMNY, a contactto lose $10.5 billion in potential revenue Andrew Cuomo less payment option at all subwith $1.5 billion of that total lost since expanded vacway stations and buses in New November 2020. cine eligibility to York City. City officials announced that bepriority group 1B By late January, MTA ofginning Feb. 2, 2021, Ranked Choice The first snowstorm of 2021 which consisted of those age 75 fare hikes which would have and older, along amounted to a 2-4% increase, Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, with frontline esin addition to the potential Borough President and City Council. sential workers elimination of time-based who could not passes and single ride tickets. signed to give voters more say in decidphysically disNew York State Departtance and had ment of Transportation’s suring the winner of an election is a canBruckner-Hutchinson River Parkway frequent in-person contact with others. didate with a majority of votes. The new Mobility Improvements includes a proPriority Groups 1A and B amounted to voting system was approved in 2019 by posed ramp connecting Section 5 to the approximately 4 million people who 73.5% of New Yorkers. northbound Hutchinson River Parkway were then eligible to schedule a vacFEBRUARY – unwelcome news to Section 5 resicine appointment. Eligible New Yorkers Kaiser Health News reported that dents already dealing with overcrowded were encouraged to use the “Am I data from vaccine distribution sites Eligible” app to see vaccine providers across the country were indicating a idents attended a virtual DOT presentaand schedule appointments. disparity in the demographics receivtion to the Municipal Services Committee By late January, Mayor de Blasio aning vaccines. Between white Americans of Community Board 10 and expressed nounced that seniors 65 and older would their displeasure to state DOT represenbe eligible for free transportation to their and Latino Americans, white Americans vaccine appointments through Accesswere being vaccinated more than Black proposed plan. Following the virtual preA-Ride, Curb, ambulette services, or and Latino Americans. Analyzing stasentation, the meeting was shown on the transportation offered at Senior Center tistics from 23 states that had begun Riverbay Crawler for those who could not programs. vaccine distribution, Kaiser found, on tune in to the Jan. 13 virtual presentation. As the nation began experiencing average, that white Americans were beResidents were also given an opportunity an upswing in the number of Covid ing vaccinated at more than double the submit comments until February 2, 2021. cases, Riverbay rate of Black Americans. Management reHere in New York City, the next President of the United States on minded shareholders Vaccine mega site opens in Co-op a vaccine location in Co-op City Power Outage City’s Dreiser auditorium Jan. 6 despite an insurrection by a large to wear a mask when Washington Heights, a crowd of pro-Trump supporters who in common areas, obpredominantly Black and stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disserve social distancLatino neighborhood in ing and to practice northern Manhattan, rePresident Trump eventually released safe habits to avoid corded administering vaca video condemning the attack on the infection. Those who cines to mainly white New Capitol, calls for his removal increased became aware of a Transformer fire causes multifor his role in inciting the violence and Covid-related pos- building blackout in Section 1 of distributions, some who igniting the riots with his false claims itive case or death came from other parts of that the 2020 Presidential election was on their floor or in New York State outside of their building were the city. At a pop-up vacof Jan. 6. Approximately 6 hours later, asked to contact the cine clinic in Co-op City joint legislative sessions resumed and Riverbay Call Center in late January, the first so staff could be disbatch of people to be vactions from six Republican Senators and patched to properly cinated came from Long 121 Republican Congress members. The disinfect the common areas of the buildIsland. While they showed up with apchallenges were defeated by a 93-6 vote ing. By late January, the Bronx had bepointments in hand, Co-op City resiin the Senate and 303-121 in the House. come a hot spot for the virus with a posdents were unable to secure appointJoseph Biden, the 46th President of itivity rate of over 10%, the highest of ments at the facilitating agency’s webthe United States; and Kamala Harris, site or by calling the number provided portance of everyone doing their part to keep themselves and fellow cooperators able late the previous day. Furthermore, in on Jan. 20, 2021. safe, on Jan. 27, 2021 the Riverbay Board Co-op City residents were told through On Jan. 13, the U.S. House of approved issuance of a $50 community social media, local community organiRepresentatives voted 232-197 to impeach Donald Trump for a second time to wear a face mask or appropriate face in’s would be treated but this was not during his four-year tenure. He was covering while in common areas of resthe case and many Co-op City residents, charged with “incitement of insurrecidential buildings, community centers (Continued on page 4) tion” on Jan. 6. Ten Republicans joined and garages. The only exemption to this Vol. 56 No. 6

Saturday, February 6, 2021

SCRIE and DRIE available for Co-op City residents

future carrying charge increases. According to the official website of the city of Board Director Claudia Sampson, who was inNew York, the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemp- volved in bringing this vital service to Co-op City, tion (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption previously told the Co-op City Times: “The NYC (DRIE) are a part of the NYC Rent Freeze Program, Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Cit“an exemption against future rent increases for eligible izen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and disabled persons living in rent-controlled, rent-sta- the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Probilized, Mitchell-Lama and other eligible apartments,” gram, helps eligible shareholders, in our case, stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent.” which includes Co-op City. Senior shareholders and those with disabilities Currently, only 143 shareholders in Co-op City are taking advantage of DRIE, and only 1,148 senior can apply for SCRIE/DRIE if they: shareholders are active in the SCRIE program. Both * Are head of household and at least 62 years old programs will help protect eligible shareholders from (Continued on page 2) BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

B B B w a r n s a g a i n s t p o s t i n g v a c c i n e c a rd t o s oc i al m e di a

BY ROZAAN BOONE

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that no matter how excited you may be about taking the COVID-19 vaccine, it is advised that you curb your enthusiasm to share the good news by posting a selfie displaying your vaccine card on social media. The vaccine card includes your full name, date of birth and even the location where you received the shot. And, depending on the privacy setting on your social media accounts, you may be divulging this information to the general public thereby opening yourself up to being the victim The COVID-19 vaccine card includes idenof identity theft. tifying information and should not be disAccording to the BBB, scammers in the UK played for public consumption. The BBB have been using this information to steal people’s warns against posting it to your social me(Continued on page 2)

dia accounts.

BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

The first snowstorm of the year, a nor’easter, covered New York City last Monday, February 1, 2021, leaving some areas of the Bronx with an accumulation of over 18 inches of snow. According to the National Weather Service, the storm was the biggest blizzard to hit the city in half a decade, and the first of the year. It left Riverbay staff to clean up the aftermath. Riverbay General Manager Noel Ellison told the Co-op City Times earlier this week: “Continuous snowstorms like the one we had on Monday are the most difficult to deal with because after we plow an area, the snow returns moments later. This causes additional wear and tear on our workers and their equipment.” Amid the nor’easter, staff across various Riverbay departments worked hard to keep snow levels (Continued on page 5)

On the job ... Riverbay employee Calvin Mitchell of the Parking, Leasing & Storage department, clears the bus stop area near Debs Place on Wednesday after this week’s Nor’easter dumped as much as 18 inches of snow in the Bronx, N.Y. Noticing a senior shareholder gingerly navigating her way across the street with her shopping cart, Mr. Mitchell parked his snow removal machine, and escorted the shareholder safely to the other side before resuming his duties.

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Inequity in initial roll-out of COVID vaccine distribution

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

New York City is not the only place dealing with vaccine distribution inequity, according to recent reports and analysis of the emerging data. In fact, according to reports from non-profit Kaiser Health News, the numbers at vaccine distribution sites across the entire country have indicated a disparity in the demographics that are receiving vaccines. Between white Americans and people of color, namely Black and Latino Americans, white Americans are being vaccinated more than Black and Latino Americans are. To be more specific, Kaiser Health News analyzed data from 23 states that have begun vaccine distribution and found on average that white Americans are being vaccinated more than double the rate at which Black Americans currently are. Unfortunately, New York City’s vaccine rollout has faced a similar disparity. CNN reported last week that a vaccine distribution site in Washington Heights, a (Continued on page 3)

Ranked Choice Voting began in New York City Feb. 2

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

New York City officially implemented a ranked choice voting system for its local elections beginning February 2. More specifically, a ranked choice voting system will now be used for primary and special elections of the following New York City municipal offices: • Mayor • Public Advocate • Comptroller • Borough President • City Council Ranked choice voting is a system designed to give voters more of a voice in deciding their elected public officials in addition to ensuring the winner of an election is a candidate with a majority of the votes. Essentially, in this new system, voters will rank up to as many as five candidates per ballot. Then the voter will list one through five, with one being the candidate the voter likes the most followed by the next four candidates in order of preference. For instance, if a ballot has 10 candidates, the voter can now choose up to five of them and rank them in order of their preference as opposed to voting for only one person. Once the votes are tallied, if one choice gets over 50% of the vote, meaning that the majority of voters chose them as their number one pick, that candidate will then be the winner. If there is no clear number one choice with a majority of the votes, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated, and the process would start again until one person holds the majority. Notably, if a voter’s number one choice is the one that is eliminated first, the vote will then automatically apply to their second choice, which means the vote is not lost because the voter’s favorite candidate didn’t win, instead it’s re-distributed. This new change to the voting system comes after 73.5% of New Yorkers voted for ranked choice voting in 2019. Individuals interested in learning more about ranked choice voting or curious about what a new ballot would look like can visit online at vote.nyc/page/ranked-choice-voting or call 1866-868-3692.

Photos and caption by John Alexander

Vol. 56 No. 10

Saturday, March 6, 2021

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President’s Message

BY ROZAAN BOONE

Following several weeks of negotiations and advocacy by Riverbay Management and Board, and local elected officials, Co-op City was chosen as one of the mega vaccine sites in the city to help get vaccines into the arms of residents of one of the hardest hit boroughs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dreiser vaccination site is run by the NYC Department of Health. Vaccines are being provided by a city contractor, Affiliated Physicians. In addition, Co-op City is the first NYC community to get the city’s Home Bound program which began here on Thursday, March 4. The citywide Homebound program will begin on March 15; the city plans on releasing registration information next week. Co-op City Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer said: “This is truly a blessing for the community. It will prevent hospitalizations and Dreiser Auditorium is transformed into a vacdeaths. We are grateful that we cination site run by the NYC Department of have elected officials who are Health. strong advocates for Co-op City and worked with us to get a vaccine site established here.”

(Continued on page 5)

See pages 3, 4 and 5 for R.U.O.K., Phone Tree and Emergency Services forms

Root cause of outages still under investigation

A transformer fire in Building 8 last Friday morning caused a multi-building blackout in Section 1, and though power was restored later that evening, there were several additional disruptions Sunday into Monday before the system was stabilized. The fire caused all power to be lost in Buildings 1-7, Defoe Townhouses, part of Debs Townhouses, Dreiser Mall and Garage 1. Crews from the Power Plant responded immediately and worked through the day until power began to be restored around 11:00 p.m. that evening. While emergency work was being completed, Management, together with the Red Cross and the City’s Emergency Management Office brought supplies of bottled water and snacks to the community which were available in rooms that were opened in Buildings 9, 10 & 11 and Bartow Center. Power strips were deployed for residents to charge their cell phones and other devices. “Co-op City has two Buildings in Section 1 were left in the dark main feeders to the build- due to the transformer fire in Building 8. Photo by Ralph Henriquez ings, an A and a C feeder. The transformer that caught fire was on the A feeder. We restored power on Friday night by rerouting electricity from the Power Plant to the affected buildings on the C feeder because we did not know at the time what caused the outage, but were concerned there had been a fault in the A feeder,” said Coop City Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer. Before the power could be restored, Power Plant (Continued on page 4)

Linda Berk President

This past week was one of the most consequential weeks in Co-op City. As most people were gearing up for a relaxing weekend, our community was hit with an eight building, one townhouse cluster and one shopping center power outage. To make matters worse, the shopping center, Dreiser Mall, houses the entire development’s Call Center. I was literally wrapping up a meeting with directors of the various departments that service the community, from Maintenance, Restoration, IT, and the Call Center, to discuss how we can tweak our system for zero tolerance for some issues. As we ended the meeting, phones started going off! Fire in the transformer in Building 8. Call Center down unable to respond to calls. Electricity out in one building after the other. Maintenance and Restoration unable to provide service in the offices and the trade shops were shutting down. Clearly, this was the beginning of a major issue. From the very first emergency call received at approximately 10 a.m., the management team I was with began an onslaught of quick decisive actions. (Continued on page 2)

Riverbay Board approves 2021 Election Rules & Schedule

Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held virtually Mon., May 3, 7:30 p.m.

BY ROZAAN BOONE

At the Wednesday, March 3, 2021 meeting of the Riverbay Board of Directors, the 2021 Election Rules and Schedule were approved by the board, setting the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Monday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. This year, for the first time in the history of the Riverbay Corporation, the meeting will be conducted virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic and CDC and local health and government guidelines which have not yet been lifted to allow large gatherings of people. In addition, the traditional petition period will also not be held this year as social distancing protocols remain in effect (Continued on page 8)

Is a third stimulus check a certainty? If so, who gets one?

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

The US House of Representatives officially passed its $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill over the weekend and now the legislation currently awaits Senate approval and ultimately President Biden’s signature. Personal stimulus checks were included in the bill but the details surrounding who will qualify this time to receive one might be different than when the previous two checks were sent out. In an effort to gather Senate support, various media outlets reported this week that President Biden agreed to narrow the eligibility requirements for this round of stimulus checks. Under this new revision, individuals earning under $80,000 in adjusted gross income would receive a $1,400 check. Couples who file jointly and earn under $160,000 in adjusted gross income would receive $2,800 plus $1,400 for each additional child they have. Notably, this round of stimulus checks does pay out additional money for each dependent claimed on an individual’s taxes unlike in previous rounds, which means adult dependents, for example, college students, would receive a check as well this time around. “Staying unified as we complete this process to pass the American Rescue Plan won’t just make a difference in our fight against COVID-19 and our efforts to rebuild the economy, it will also show the American people we’re capable of coming together for what matters most to them,” President Biden said on Wednesday at the House Democratic Caucus Virtual Issues Conference. (Continued on page 4)

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Year In Review –––––

(Continued from page 3)

face covering over a disposable mask was recommended in addition to a face covering with two or three layers of material. The DOH noted that wearing two disposable masks does not improve security from potential virus droplets in the air and is not recommended. Taking another step towards full recovery, the

a majority of them seniors, were forced to stand out in the freezing cold as they waited for hours to be vaccinated. covered New York City on Feb. 1, 2021, leaving some areas of the Bronx with more than 18 inches of accumulated snow. The National Weather Service described the storm as the biggest blizzard to hit the city in 50 years. Starting on Feb. 5, the Riverbay Janitorial depart-

tional two hours, operating from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. Cleaning crews continued to disinfect train cars and stations during the daily pause in service to sanitize surfaces on which the COVID-19 virus could potentially spread.

Friday of each month between the hours of 5:30-10 a.m. for deep cleaning and sanitizing of the facilities. In the days between, the areas are maintained by workers. Shareholders were informed that some may be

one who tests positive for the virus or lives with antine safely within their homes. The program is also open to seniors who live alone – whether they are COVID-exposed already or vulnerable to Covid based on their age. MARCH The US House of Representatives passed its $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill and the legislation was

Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), components of 2021, only 143 Co-op City shareholders were taking advantage of DRIE, and only 1,148 senior shareholders were active in the SCRIE program. The Co-op City Times reported in early February times on public transportation and at all airports

ify to receive one may be different this time around than when the previous two checks were distributed

to properly wear face coverings at all times, covering both their mouth and nose. Gov. Cuomo announced the return of limited indoor dining on Feb. 10, allowing restaurants to serve up to 25% of their seating capacity and take out and deliveries. The statewide curfew however remained at 10 p.m. In addition, Gov. Cuomo announced limited return of attendance at arenas and stadiums for sporting events with a max capacity of 10,000 people, starting Feb. 23. NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza informed parents of public middle school students that the city was planning on reopening schools on Feb. 25 for blended or hybrid learning. The Schools Chancellor warned The first snowstorm of 2021 that not all schools would reopen immediately at full capacity and those that cannot right away will continue to work towards that goal. Those who opt-in for blended Vol. 56 No. 6

ity to ensure Senate approval of the bill. While NYC middle school students joined elementary school students in returning to in-person remained the last student population still operating

Saturday, February 6, 2021

SCRIE and DRIE available for Co-op City residents

future carrying charge increases. According to the official website of the city of Board Director Claudia Sampson, who was inNew York, the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemp- volved in bringing this vital service to Co-op City, tion (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption previously told the Co-op City Times: “The NYC (DRIE) are a part of the NYC Rent Freeze Program, Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Cit“an exemption against future rent increases for eligible izen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and disabled persons living in rent-controlled, rent-sta- the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Probilized, Mitchell-Lama and other eligible apartments,” gram, helps eligible shareholders, in our case, stay which includes Co-op City. in affordable housing by freezing their rent.” Currently, only 143 shareholders in Co-op City Senior shareholders and those with disabilities are taking advantage of DRIE, and only 1,148 senior can apply for SCRIE/DRIE if they: shareholders are active in the SCRIE program. Both * Are head of household and at least 62 years old programs will help protect eligible shareholders from (Continued on page 2) BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

B B B w a r n s a g a i n s t p o s t i n g v a c c i n e c a rd t o s oc i al m e di a

BY ROZAAN BOONE

dia accounts.

BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

to random Covid testing.

$1.25

Inequity in initial roll-out of COVID vaccine distribution

staff to schedule appointments for eligible residents and staff members, and also to man an exclusive hotline for Co-op City appointments. guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. These guidelines provided parameters for how and when a fully vaccinated individual can visit with other people who are fully vaccinated and with people who vidual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks afJohnson vaccine, they must wait for the same twoweek window to be considered fully vaccinated. a major page in its road to recovery. The legislation local governments across the US, but more specifceived a total of $14.5 billion to help offset pandemresume improving its infrastructure and, more speThe Riverbay Board voted to hold the annual election of directors in 2021 after the election was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. Shareholders were advised of their right to run for and be elected to the Riverbay Board of Directors if they meet eligibility criteria, and of their right to elect directors and to participate in the annual shareholders election. By

porters that even though he hoped to have a decision soon, reopening

Instead of collecting signatures this year, prospective

different set of problems in terms of safety precautions.

of Intent to avoid face-to-face contact with neigh-

caused a multi-building blackout in Section 1, and though power was restored later that evening, there were several additional disruptions over the next two days before the system was stabilized. The

sixth place winner in the 2019 Board election, was

Buildings 1-7, Defoe Townhouses, part of Debs Townhouses, Dreiser

bents all entered the 2021 race. APRIL

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Ranked Choice Voting began in New York City Feb. 2 BY BRANDON ORTIZ

diately and worked through the day until power began to be restored around 11:00 p.m. that evening. While emergency

Board and now had to run to remain on the Board.

keep their children in remote learning were told they

Photos and caption by John Alexander

tial executive orders following his inauguration in January was to extend the federal student loan forgiveness program, which initially began as a part dent loan payments, interest accruement and collection payments on defaulted federal student loans until September 30, 2021. The city expanded its vaccination program to homebound seniors and the home aides who care tirement communities across the city run by ei-

turned into vaccination clinics, thereby reducing the distance homebound seniors have to travel to be professionals would be dispatched to the homes of the homebound to vaccinate seniors and their health care aides. of snow on the ground in Co-op City. issued updates to its mask guidance, which built off of then CDC guideline changes to mask wearing for US travelers, both domestically and internationally. The DOH advised New Yorkers to consider wearing

following new CDC guidance on distancing among feet to three.

plies of bottled water and snacks to rooms opened in

Riverbay power grid, while Building 8 – where the

idents to charge their cell phones and other devices.

porary generators as work was being completed to return these remaining buildings to the Riverbay grid with full redundancy.

teams had to clean water and debris from Building ings to ensure it had not been damaged by any elecover to the C feeder (the other feeder in the building) and then individually reenergize the substation

one of the mega vaccine sites in the city to help get residents of one of the hardest hit boroughs during the COVID-19 pandemic vaccinated. The Dreiser vaccination site was run by the NYC Department of Health, and vaccines were administered by a

21, shareholders were asked by the 2021 Election

Co-op City Times eligible for the Covid vaccine. were cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) gave parents the option to sign their child up for an exam in 2021 if they wished to do so. This month, (Continued on page 5)

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Year In Review –––––

(Continued from page 4)

the NYC Dept. of Education also announced the Summer Rising program for city public school stulearning gaps. New York State Dept. of Health relaxed some travel restrictions of the Covid-19 travel advisory this month. Whereas New Yorkers were required to quarantine following their arrival back in state, the NYSDOH no longer required fully vaccinated, asymptomatic travelers entering the state from domestic or international travel to quarantine or be required to take a Covid diagnostic test. However, any traveler who developed symptoms during the 14day period from when they arrive must self-isolate immediately and contact their healthcare provider or local health department to determine if further testing was needed. Ballots for the 2021 Riverbay Board election were mailed on April 26. Ballots could be returned electronically or mailed to the independent election contractor by the deadline, 8:59 p.m. on May 21 or postmarked by May 21, 2021. Riverbay Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer reassured the Riverbay Board of Directors that an IT data breach that occurred at Douglas Elliman Property Management, managers of Co-op City, did not affect Co-op City shareholders since Riverbay Corp. has its own independent IT system which is not linked to the Douglas Elliman system. MAY With the voting period in the Board election about to begin on May 3, the Election Committee announced a $200 voting incentive to 12 randomly selected shareholders. Inspections for a HUD-mandated Property Needs Assessment, required every 10 years for HUD-insured loans such as Co-op City’s mortgage with Wells Fargo, began on May 5. Inspectors from Dominion Due Diligence Group conducted prop-

erty-wide inspections inside apartments, requiring access to at least 10% of each apartment-type in Co-op City (chevron, triple-core, tower and bedroom size). They also inspected common areas of buildings, mechanical rooms, roofs, grounds, commercial spaces and garages. Congressman Jamaal Bowman reported that his request for more than $300 billion in federal funding from the House Appropriations Committee for FY22, included $500,000 for Co-op City to be used to “begin the restoration and revitalization process for a currently The first snowstorm of 2021 polluted, unused strip of waterfront land …” A real-world CDC study on the effectiveness of the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines found the two vaccines to be 90% effective against preventing COVID-19 infections. Meanwhile, following Gov. Cuomo’s announcement that indoor capacity limit of certain venues in the state would be increased, NYC began allowing restaurants and indoor dining venues; hair salons, barber shops and other personal care venues to have Vol. 56 No. 6

2023. Riverbay requested 10% increase in all parking rates, 25% increase in basement storage rates, and 40% increase in hall closet rental rates. The comment period began on May 8 and ended on May 18, 2021. HCR approved the increases in late May and they were implemented on July 1, 2021. On Thursday, May 13, Gov. Cuomo held a press conference in Co-op City to announce the Metro-North Penn Station Access Project, temporarily on pause due to the pandemic, was now back on course and would lead to construction of four new Metro-North stations in the East Bronx – including a station in Co-op City. Executive Board members of Community Board #10 met on May 11th to once again discuss a variance proposal regarding 801 Co-op City Blvd. where developers are seeking a special permit from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals to reduce street parking. The Community Board and shareholders in attendance were unable to get clear answers from the developer’s representative to their questions. A public hearing where Co-op City residents would be able to comment was scheduled for May 20, and at that time, CB #10 voted against supporting the developer’s application. On another community-related matter, CB #10’s District Manager Matthew Cruz invited Co-op City shareholders to a virtual May 27th meeting with the Department of Design and Construction on the building of an animal shelter in Bay Plaza. At the meeting, CB #10 voted unanimously to support the project.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

SCRIE and DRIE available for Co-op City residents

future carrying charge increases. According to the official website of the city of Board Director Claudia Sampson, who was inNew York, the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemp- volved in bringing this vital service to Co-op City, tion (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption previously told the Co-op City Times: “The NYC (DRIE) are a part of the NYC Rent Freeze Program, Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Cit“an exemption against future rent increases for eligible izen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and disabled persons living in rent-controlled, rent-sta- the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Probilized, Mitchell-Lama and other eligible apartments,” gram, helps eligible shareholders, in our case, stay which includes Co-op City. in affordable housing by freezing their rent.” Currently, only 143 shareholders in Co-op City Senior shareholders and those with disabilities are taking advantage of DRIE, and only 1,148 senior can apply for SCRIE/DRIE if they: shareholders are active in the SCRIE program. Both * Are head of household and at least 62 years old programs will help protect eligible shareholders from (Continued on page 2) BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

B B B w a r n s a g a i n s t p o s t i n g v a c c i n e c a rd t o s oc i al m e di a

BY ROZAAN BOONE

dia accounts.

BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

$1.25

Inequity in initial roll-out of COVID vaccine distribution

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Ranked Choice Voting began in New York City Feb. 2

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Photos and caption by John Alexander

pand to 50% capacity as of May 15. This marked 2020 that many indoor venues in the city were cleared to accommodate at least 50% occupancy. In mid-May, the Co-op City Times reported that in accordance with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) regulations, all Co-op City shareholders may submit comments on the proposed increases in fees and rates included in the corporation’s two-year budget for FY 2021-2022 and 2022-

(Continued on page 6)

–––––

(Continued from page 5)

Shareholders were also invited by the Bronx Borough Director of the Department of City Planning to express their opinions on the building of a Metro-North project in Co-op City by participating in the Bronx Metro-North Study (BMNS) open house to help guide the development The 2021 Election Committee voted to extend the Board election to June 4 to secure a quorum. In addition to the 12 randomly selected $200 voting incentive winners, the committee also announced that the association of the building with the highest voter participation in the election would win a $500 prize. JUNE As Primary elections in NYC were scheduled for June 22 and early voting to run from June 12-20, shareholders were introduced to the candidates running for the Vol. 56 No. 6

The 2021 Riverbay Board Election Committee certiwon re-election – Leslie Peterson, Daryl Johnson, Kevin Lambright and Leah Richardson. One new Director, Anika Green-Watson, was also elected. Broun Place Townhouse Association won the $500 prize for the highest voter turnout. The new directors were sworn in on June 16, 2021 and began serving their 3-year terms.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

SCRIE and DRIE available for Co-op City residents

B B B w a r n s a g a i n s t p o s t i n g v a c c i n e c a rd t o s oc i al m e di a

BY ROZAAN BOONE

$1.25

Inequity in initial roll-out of COVID vaccine distribution BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Ranked Choice Voting began in New York City Feb. 2 BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Co-op City Times

for the 2021-2022 year were elected: President – Bernard Cylich, First Vice President – Sonia Feliciano, Second Vice President – Michelle Marbury, Treasurer – Claudia Sampson, Assistant Treasurer – Kevin Lambright, Secretary – Leah Richardson, Assistant Secretary – Francine Reva Jones, Audit Committee Chair – Andrea Leslie, and Cooperator Appeals Committee Chair – Leah Richardson. Director Jones later stepped down from the position of Assistant Secretary, and she was replaced by Director Mary Pearson. The Board gave a farewell tribute to outgoing President Linda Berk who asked the Board to con-

Borough President, City Comptroller, City The first snowstorm of 2021 Council representative (12th District) and State Assembly Member (82nd District). In June, Riverbay Management encouraged shareholders who met eligibility for the New York State Rental Assistance Program to apply even though the program The MTA accepted comments until was only open to those who pay “rent,” July 3rd on the environmental impact of including Mitchell-Lama rentals. Management had reached the Metro-North Penn Station Access Project. out to the state HCR for guidance since shareholders pay Health officials expressed concerns about the new “carrying charges: and not “rent” but as the agency conducted a review of the program’s guidelines, and some mandates were being lifted throughout the country. shareholders reported to the Riverbay Finance department Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was announced (Continued on page 2)

BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

Co-op City Times

Photos and caption by John Alexander

who met eligibility were advised to also go ahead and apply.

after polls closed on June 22, 2021.

Co-op City Times Applying for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard is more convenient than ever since seniors and disabled individuals now have the option to complete their application entirely online. plication this week as it tries to spread the word about the new way riders can apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Commuters interested in applying for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard can go online to access the free application at . Seniors 65 years old and older as well as people with qualifying disabilities are eligible for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard. “Customer convenience and social equity are two key factors towards bringing riders back,” Craig Cipriano, New York City Transit Interim President, said in an MTA press release. “This online application makes it easier for seniors and customers with disabilities to pay for public transit. The early feedback has been People interested in applying for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard previously had to visit the MTA Customer Service Center in lower Manhattan or apply through the mail. Both mailing and in-person options still exist and individuals interested in learning more about the application options available can go to to learn more. The link also features step by step directions that individuals can follow to complete their application. Reduced fares are half the price of current bus or subways fares, which means with a Reduced-Fare MetroCard the fare for a local bus or the subway would cost $1.35. Reduced-Fare MetroCards can be used at any time for local buses or the subway and for express bus or commuter rail options during non rush-hours.

We Welcome Your Photos! If you have attended a community event, we’d love to publish your pictures! To ensure that your images print at a high quality, please adhere to the following guidelines for submitting photos: • Your digital camera or cell phone camera should be set to the highest possible resolution. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. sure all images submitted are clear and brightly lit. • Email photos to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com as attachments, not enclosed within the body of the email.

Co-op City Times

Co-op City Times is

Co-op City Times Co-op City Times

Co-op City Times Times

Co-op City

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 ity and residency of the writer can be Thank you for your cooperation.

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

CCPD offers Fire Safety tips for Co-op City Residents Public Safety Report

BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

The Winter Holiday season presents a number of hazards which can result in an increase in fires. Cold temperatures during the winter months results in the increased use of space heaters. Christmas trees placed near space heaters cause natural Christmas trees to dry out quicker. Check your water level daily. Add in a faulty set of holiday lights and you may have a pending disaster. Illegally parked vehicles blocking the cul-de-sacs and fire hydrants add to the hazards by not permitting emergency responders immediate access to the fire with the needed resources. Public safety will be paying increased attention to parking violations impacting community safety during this holiday season. Additional enforcement will be conducted. In the media, we heard of two teens climbing down a pipe to escape a fourthfloor apartment fire. The cause of this fire appears to have been electric bicycles charging within the apartment. Charging of electronics or other items containing

Public Safety Blotter

December 12 - December 18, 2021 12/12 – Rear of 2099 Asch Loop While conducting a security check of Garage 5, patrol officers discovered a delivery vehicle belonging to JASA had been vandalized. The investigation is continuing. 12/13 – 100 Einstein Loop CCPD responded to a 90-yearold resident that appeared to be in medical distress. The apartment door was forced open. The male did refuse transport to the hospital when asked by the Fire Department Medical Personnel that were present. 12/13 – 100 Benchley Place Shareholder called 911 to report a fire within his apartment. The Fire Department responded. The fire was confined to one room. No injuries were reported. 12/14 – 100 Einstein Loop Public Safety officers discovered a 97-year-old female on the floor of her apartment unable to get to her feet. She was removed to the hospital by FDNY ambulance for further evaluation. 12/14 – 100 Dekruif Place While Investigating a loitering complaint in the stairwell of Building 8, CCPD officers came in contact with a 13-year-old female who had previously been reported by her parents as missing. The child was reunited with her parents. 12/14 – 920 Co-op City Blvd. A resident reported that a package identified as delivered was in fact taken without her permission or authority form the hallway in front of her apartment. 12/15/21– 900 Baychester Ave. While on a routine building check, a CCPD officer was approached by a complainant who reported an unknown person walked up to him and threatened the complainant with an object that may have been a firearm. Additional CCPD units were requested and under the supervision of the platoon commander, a tactical search of Building 2A was conducted. A male meeting the suspect’s description was located in the 11th floor hallway. Investigation failed to provide justification for the suspect being in the building. No firearm was recovered during a subsequent search of the suspect and the building. The suspect was arrested

for criminal trespass. 12/16 – 140 Dekruif Place While on a building inspection, a CCPD officer discovered several empty, opened Amazon packages. The designated intended recipients were notified. 12/17 – 120 Elgar Place A fire was reported on the scaffolding. No injuries were sustained and no significant damage was observed. 12/17 – 141 Dreiser Loop (Mall 1) A retail establishment employee reports that a male demanded free food. When he was refused, he became verbally abusive and made reference to possessing a weapon. The suspect then exited and entered a second location, became abusive but paid for his food. This investigation is ongoing. 12/18 – 120 Aldrich Street Public Safety officers on a routine building inspection discovered an abandoned empty box with packaging strewn about. The shareholder who was listed as the addressee was contacted and reported that they never received the delivery. 12/18 – Co-op City Blvd and Peartree Ave. CCPD patrol officers discovered an unoccupied vehicle abandoned in the middle of the street. The vehicle had indications it had struck multiple parked vehicles in the immediate area. A search of the area for victims or persons in need of aid was conducted with negative results. NYPD was notified for documentation of the vehicle accident. The vehicle was removed to an authorized tow location. 12/18/21 – 100 Elgar Place Shareholder reports she received a delivery notification of a package. When she went to her door, the package was not present and had in fact been removed by an unauthorized person. The investigation is continuing. 12/18/21– 100 Einstein Loop CCPD officers responded to a call of a found 2-year-old at about midnight wandering the hall. NYPD was requested. A canvass of surrounding apartments revealed the identity of the child. The child was returned to her mother by the NYPD after it was determined that the child escaped the apartment while under the supervision of a caretaker.

lithium-ion batteries should always be well supervised. The batteries inside of electric scooters and bicycles are extremely dangerous and should not be brought into Co-op City apartments. While we are thinking about fire safety, it is also a good time to review fire safety with your family. The Public Safety Department would like to provide these fire safety tips. It is always good to have a plan and make certain all members of the family are familiar with it. Every family should have a plan in place for when they are at home. When traveling, make an alternate plan for your temporary accommodations. Also make certain that children away at school have a plan in place for their living quarters. Be sure your college student has working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in their college dormitory or apartment. The buildings in Co-op City are extremely fire resistant. This means that a fire will not travel from one apartment to another. Unless the fire is in your apartment or if directed to leave by emergency personnel, in most cases it is safest to stay within your apartment. We stress again, the safest place for you and your family is inside of your apartment with the door closed and with wet towels at the base of the door if there is smoke in the hallway. Opening doors permits oxygen to fuel fire and make conditions worse. Our Fire Department’s response is outstanding and statistically remaining in the apartment without opening doors or windows reduces the spread of fire, keeps people safe and out of the way of our fire professionals. Hallways and stairwells become very dangerous very quickly as they become wet and occasionally fill with smoke, especially if someone on the floor leaves a door open. Your risk of injury increases while firefighting operations are taking place. Fire Department personnel and first responders have additional training to help them navigate these hazardous situations. By entering this hostile environment, you increase your risk of being injured. It is important to shelter in place, unless directed by the Fire Department or other emergency personnel. If the fire is in your apartment, leave your apartment, close the door behind you but do not lock it. Take your keys if you can safely reach them. Never go back in the apartment for anything unless deemed safe by emergency personnel. Call 911 and Public Safety (718) 671-3050 from a safe location. Go to an established meeting place so that you know all family members have gotten out of the home safely. Always feel a door before you open it. If the door feels hot, do not open it. Keep the door closed and call 911 and Public Safety (718) 671-3050. Place wet towels at the bottom, side and top of the door to keep smoke from entering. Do not use the elevator during a fire emergency. Only utilize the stairs and only travel down the stairs to a location below the fire. This should only be done if instructed by emergency personnel. If it becomes necessary to travel through smoke filled areas stay close to the ground where there is less smoke. Place a wet towel over your nose and mouth. Provide wet towels for all family members. If clothing should catch fire, do not run and fan the flames. Instead, “Stop Drop and Roll”. This serves to effectively smother any flames. Children need to be taught to stay away from fire and to not play with matches. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Avoid using unattended (Continued on page 23)

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@ .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.

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021 Director’s Viewpoint –

Mary Pearson, Assistant Secretary

Just in Time for Christmas This time of year usually comes pre-packaged with all the cheer and good will we need, all provided gratis because – ‘Tis the Season. But this year, the season needs a little help. And last Saturday got an extra heap of it from people whose motto is Neighbors Helping Neighbors. That’s when the Section 5 takewhat-you-need, leave-what-you-can “Community Fridge” had its ribbon cutting ceremony. our Co-op City cooperators who are still struggling through the never-ending coronavirus pandemic and for our neighbors from surrounding areas – a Mott Haven Fridge has found its home at Einstein Loop. It didn’t spring up overnight, of course. No. It takes a village. Several of them, in fact. Perhaps you’ve seen the ads for the Community Fridge placed in the Co-op City Times over the past many months listing sponsors and calling for volunteers. (The ad made its color debut in the July 31 issue and appeared quite a bit since then. I know this how? By checking issuu.com/cctimes, of course.) Brought to Co-op City by the Riverbay Corporation and City Council District 12 Councilmember Kevin Riley, our community refrigerator and pantry is Mott Haven Fridge’s third installation in the borough. It now joins more than a dozen other community refrigerators throughout the Bronx, but this one’s our baby. Community partners will stock it, volunteers will maintain it, and it will be funded by the Bronx Community Foundation. We, the cooperators, fall under the community partners heading being called on to help stock the Fridge. We’re encouraged to “shop a little and donate some” on an ongoing basis. But please note: only grocery items and single-serving prepared foods labeled with the date and allergy restrictions are accepted. No produce, please. Produce comes from another source. of the public and our local groceries and eateries) would be the main community partner charged with stocking the community refrigerator – the Mott Haven Fridge organization. Mott Haven Fridge was co-founded just last year by two sixth-grade teachers. One of them, Dan Lauderer, now former educator and full-time administrator of

the community refrigerator network organization, taps into the bounty of Hunts Point – the produce capital of the entire city. Utilizing a team of neighborhood volunteers, it’s claimed that a one-dollar donation can “rescue and deliver 21 pounds of produce.” Though individual donations help sustain the endeavor, much of the Fridge’s funding comes from the Bronx Community Foundation. Founded by two Bronx brothers in 2016, Bronx Community Foundation’s sole purpose is to deliver resources to the borough. The organization engages

Community Relations Michelle Sajous, Community Board 10 District Manager Matthew Cruz, and District 12 City Councilman Kevin Riley. CM Riley’s Chief-of-Staff Simone Jones, Section 5’s personal helpful-in-all-things angel, also participated by working like the devil to stock the Fridge

collaborate to “identify priority issues” and “undertake quick wins.” Food security is top on the fledgling foundation’s list of eight areas of need. Guiding that process – starting in January – will be none other than the then former New York City Schools Chancellor Dr. Misha Porter as the foundation’s “inaugural president.” And the volunteers enlisted to maintain Co-op City’s community refrigerator? They would, mostly, be a team of young people from the MMCC Section Five Teen Center, under the watchful eye of director Willy Finch. The teenagers’ labor of love, along with the experience they will gain and the community service hours they will accrue from managing the main-

its pre-preliminary planning stage back in June. So, on Saturday she showed up bright and early and was instantly put to work receiving shipment, coordinating volunteers, and sorting and grouping the produce. And as for the guest of honor itself? The rules of the 24/7 Fridge are simple. After you’ve taken what you need 1.) close the door, 2.) trash any spoiled food, and 3.) treat the refrigerator with love. We witnessed lots of that initial love last Saturday, but as it says on the refrigerator-stocking organization’s site page: Without your support, “neighbors helping neighbors” is just an empty catchphrase. Happy Holidays! Year after year after year, the Beatles’ John Lennon sings: And so it is Christmas, and what have we done. We’ve done quite a lot, actually, Co-op City. We’ve kept each other alive, healthy, and well-fed throughout these past truly awful, many, many months. Let’s keep up the good work.

to their young resumes. (MMCC) teen center at 141 Einstein Loop had rity in the neighborhood long before taking on this new project. Former MMCC Teen Center director, Co-op City’s own Shonte´ Armstrong – having since been promoted Assistant Director of Youth Services for MMCC Boys and Girls Club and Beacons projects – provided these magic words at last Saturday’s ribbon cutting event: It’s here to use, not abuse. Other magic words, in addition to those from Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Lauderer, were provided by emcee and tireless Riverbay Director of

Building 2 Association Merry Christmas and happy Kwanzaa, neighbors! Last Saturday, the Building 2 staff were presented with their gifts from your generous holiday collection donations (see photo). They extended their sincere thanks to all who donated. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in showing them your appreciation for their excellent work throughout 2021. You made their holidays brighter. Happy birthday to all the December birthday celebrants. We extend our best wishes to you in another year forward. New neighbors, welcome to your new home. Our prayers and get-well wishes go out to those who are recuperating from an illness. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to those who have suffered a loss. Please wear a face mask everyone, when you are in indoor spaces, riding in the elevators and when you are in the laundry room, especially now that we are dealing with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. Please observe the mask mandates that are currently in effect for New York State. Let us all do our part to keep ourselves, our family members, young children and the elderly safe and healthy. The date and time of our next general membership meeting will be announced after the holidays. When we reconvene, it will be time to nominate candidates for the election of new board members for the Building 2 Association for 2022. Please stay safe and stay well until we can meet again. The Building 2 Association wishes you simple moments, sweet joys, and a happy heart as you celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year! Happy Holidays! ––Georgianna Rodriguez

And nearly-first-on-the-scene volunteer extraordinaire? The would be Riverbay Board Director Anika Green-Watson. As Cooper Place Townhouse president, Director

the holidays as thoroughly as we can. A very merry Christmas and a gut yontiff (happy holiday) to us all, every one. I can be reached by voice or text at 718-219-2211 or by email at mpearson@riverbayboard.com.

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Building 27 Association

NAACP

Happy holidays to all and wishing you peace, love, and happiness. Hello neighbors, we trust all is well. We are experiencing virus after virus; it is proven that we all need to take the vaccines and booster shots. In the midst of it all we pray that all families will remain safe and healthy. We can still be thankful and grateful and enjoy the holiday season. Our children are back in couraging them. Because variants are on the rise, people please take the vaccine and booster shots. We pray for hearts to change and when fear and anxiety are removed, all will work out for the best Holiday Collection And Lobby Decorations – The association thanks all cooperators who participated joyfully in all three A, B, and C buildings. Many thanks to our cooperators who gave so generously, and to those who still want to contribute, the phone number of the president of the association is listed via the bulletin board. We want our porters to know we thank them and appreciate their hard work in keeping our buildings clean, particularly during these trying times. God please keep them and their families safe and healthy. Community Board 10 – Information was provided about CAMBA, a non-

Mission Statement: Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Congratulations! We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hazel Dukes, President of the NYS Conference was presented with the Key to the City of New York by Mayor Bill de Blasio on December 15, for her long standing service and achievements to a quality public education system for New York City’s children. Special thanks to Tahmina Akter, NYC Care Program Coordinator at BronxWorks, Inc.

enhance their quality of life. We hope there will be more workforce development Happy birthday to those celebrating this month. Condolences to our Co-op City families who lost a loved one. Let us continue to pray for one another. Please contact Lydia Rondon at 718-583-3040 to share information of someone ill, deceased, or in a nursing home. Let us continue to stay prayerful; a smile is always welcome. Being kind, thoughtful and thankful makes life just a little easier. There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed. –Woodrow Wilson. ––Hattie Overman

Broun Place Townhouse Association Season’s greetings and good health to our friends and neighbors as we celebrate Christmas day and the holiday season. Broun Place has been truly beauCatch up on our newspaper. It is on top of the news most pertinent to you. This past week for example, we had many letters to the editor and Riverbay Board Resolutions. Belated birthday greetings to Novella Thomas’s mother, Ellen A. Burton, as she turned one hundred years of age. Let us shout with the holiday spirit and sing for joy right here. We also join those celebrating Kwanzaa 2021 which begins December 26. Did you know if you text your zip code (10475) to 438829, you can identify vaccine locations closest to you? You can also call 1-800-232-0233 for the same and hunger, so please let us use them. Please appreciate our home community by using street garbage bins. Keep all our grounds clean. And to recognize that work we have taken the annual holiday collection. A generous gift has been given to Mr. Walker with sincere appreciation. All gift givers are listed. It is your choice to give it directly or be part of our collection, but I hope yours is part of the gift. Contact Kevin Riley, Jamaal Bowman, Jamaal Bailey and Michael Benedetto about maintaining the corner around the exit into Section 5 from the Hutchinson River Parkway North exit, and the area under the I-95 overpass. These are not garbage dump sites. Regarding masks protecting against Covid-19, it is a mandate, so cover your nose and wear it when you are out and about. Tucking it under your chin or wearing it on your wrist does not work. Please be aware that discarding masks in the streets and gutters is just littering. Please stop. They need to be disposed of in pedestrian cans. Section Four leader, Marlene Smith, appreciates your support. She reports she is getting better slowly. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she recovers from surgery. Many kinds of vaccines are required in childhood. They protect from Pneumonia, Measles, Whooping Cough and Polio. We do not know their recipe but we know vaccines; they protect us all. The collected data shows the Covid vaccine protects, too. Evidence shows it is the people who do not take the vaccine who are the ones suffering and needing hospitalization. Your personal freedom is not at stake, but your health is. Grandparents, encourage boosters and believe and trust in science. We must stop mixing politics and good sense. Check vaccine availability using earlier stated information and at: nyc.gov/ seniors, register with the Riverbay “RUOK” Emergency contact programs. This is critical for those living alone or with a chronic ailment. Your information is Happy holiday and submit your tidings to me. Keep dancing and better days are ahead! Wakanda forever! ––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

Celebrate responsibly. Arrive alive. Don’t drink and drive.

assistance, disaster assistance, emergency needs, temporary housing, food assistance, legal assistance, stress counseling, health insurance through the Marketplace, ERS and Homebase rent arrears assistance. NAACP New York State Conference 1st Quarterly Meeting will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022. Location or Zoom to be determined. The 53rd NAACP Image Awards are on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. on BET. To follow NAACP’s Statements & Trending Topics, go to: NAACP.org. During this holiday season, remember we are all in this together, so continue to wear a mask, wash hands, social distance, be careful and stay safe. We Need You In The Fight: Each and every NAACP member makes a difference to the complex, ongoing work of advancing racial equality. Join this multigenerational network of activists dismantling structural racism by using your power to take action on the most pressing issues of our time. Become a member or gift a membership. Adult memberships are $30 and youth memberships are $10. Make check/money order payable to: NAACP Co-op City #2210 and mail to: N.A.A.C.P Co-op City Einstein Station, P.O. Box 75-3111, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. contribution in any amount, we thank you in advance for helping the NAACP advocate for a more just and equal America. ––Brenda Brown

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021 Director’s Viewpoint –

Daryl Johnson

Upgrades For Our Community A lot of cooperators have made complaints about their cable bills and our garages. So, now, get ready to see some possible options for your cable service and some upgrades for our garages. New Cable Services in Co-op City? Years ago, some cooperators used to think that Riverbay did not want other cable companies here. So, outrageous allegations were made that Riverbay was blocking other cable companies from doing business here. However, viewpoints were published in the Co-op City Times that clearly proved that Riverbay was not and could not prevent other cable companies from doing business here. Furthermore, Mayor de Blasio sued Verizon back contract with the city. The lawsuit alleged that Verizon was supposed to have their FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) system throughout NYC by 2014. However, their FiOS system didn’t reach “tens of thousands” of potential customers. Also, the city alleged that Verizon refused to offer their service to lots of other potential customers. Now, based on this lawsuit, do you think Co-op City could have been a part of the “tens of thousands” of potential customers that could not get the FiOS system? Absolutely! Look, the city’s contract with Verizon allowed them to wire up our buildings along with thousands of other buildings so that people could sign up for their FiOS system. So, legally, there was no way that we could have stopped Verizon from doing business here. Moreover, the city also alleged that they tried for two contract. However, allegedly, an agreement could not be reached between the two sides. So, that’s when the city decided to sue Verizon. Now, let’s fast forward to what’s happening now. A lot of people are now using streaming devices to get thousands of paid and free channels. So, they’ve stopped using cable services. So, the overall need for cable services has decreased. On the other hand, several companies know the demographics of Co-op City. Therefore, with 15,372 apartments, they know that they can make some money here. So, Verizon picked up their phone and called our management. And, now, they want to wire up our build-

ings in 2022. Additionally, as mentioned last week, a group of former Verizon employees called our management and said that they want to wire up our buildings. for cable service here. Garage Upgrades A while ago, a cooperator bought a new car and parked it in one of our garages. Shortly, thereafter, the car was gone. In another case, another cooperator bought a new car and parked it into our garage at another location. Then, at some point, a thief stole all four tires off of the car. And, just a few weeks ago, a thief went into one of our garages with a power saw. Then, the thief went underneath a vehicle and cut off the catalytic converter from the exhaust pipes. Therefore, we must install security devices throughthe license plates of all vehicles. Next, we’re going to install call boxes with a camera. These call boxes will allow cooperators to call our police force, CCPD, by just pressing a button. Is a creep following or harassing someone? Is another type of crime being committed? location with these call boxes. Down the road, we’re going to have cameras throughout our garages. So, good surveillance work can be done if someone makes a choice to violate our rules or commit a criminal act in our garages. Thereafter, enforcement action will take place against anyone violating our rules or committing a crime. No nonsense! will respond to a scene if someone decides to do repair work on a vehicle? Absolutely! So, please do not try to do repair on your vehicle while you’re in our garages. Additionally, don’t be surprised if other cooperators call the police on you if they see that you’re doing some type of repair work on a vehicle. Drive High, Get a DUI NYS police will be cracking down on impaired and reckless driving during this holiday season. Their enforcement actions will be part of a national

Building 30A&B Association We wish everyone a happy holiday and a happy New Year. We wish to thank all the cooperators for their contribution to the maintenance staff. The building staff extends their most sincere thanks to everyone who contributed. We all must wear our masks in the building, please. Lobby Doors: Please use the handicap button to open the doors, and report any malfunctions to maintenance. Laundry Room Etiquette: Please do not leave unattended washing machines and dryers for long periods of time, as it is not fair to the other shareholders waiting to use the machines. ––Linda Werner

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campaign: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. According to the state police’s website, this initiative will run from December 17 through New Year’s Day. So, expect to see police checkpoints and more troopers on the roads. And, some of these troopers will be in throughout NYS arrested 2,067 people for impaired driving during the holiday season. And, overall, law Today, a lot of people will be throwing Christmas parties. And, without a care in the world, a lot of people will be drinking and driving. Thereafter, everyone can expect to see a lot of statistics that involve arrests, So, we need to be responsible and ask ourselves a question: How would I feel if I were arrested for driving person’s life? Horrible? Absolutely! So, please do not drink and drive a vehicle. Applebee’s – Closed The Bay Plaza Applebee’s is closed because they lost their lease. Close I hope that everyone will have a wonderful time during this holiday season. Thank you. 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. 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.

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Building 9 Association Spider-man Climbs Beyond The safety of shareholders remains at the heart of all our

BY PHILLIP McCOY

Continuing Marvel’s tradition Spider-man: No Way Home swings into theaters with a $587 million debut. That is hardly a surprising most viewed movie trailer within twenty-four hours with 355.5 million views.

erosity.

Spider-man sets up a future that Marvel fans have been waiting for. This is a non-spoiler -

mittee will be appointed.

––Linda Collins

African-American Association Here is a brief history of Kwanzaa and the meaning of each principle* The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matun-

Spider-man 2 and The Amazing Spider-man 2 Karenga Unity: Umoja (oo–MO–jah)

Self-determination: Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–LEE–yah)

Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima (oo–GEE–mah) To build and mainlems and to solve them together. Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa (oo–JAH–mah) To build and maintain our Purpose: Nia (nee–YAH)

Spider-man

No Way Home

Creativity: Kuumba (koo–OOM–bah) inherited it. Faith: Imani (ee–MAH–nee)

honoring the web-head.

Join the African-American Association of Co-op City. Avengers: Endgame Spider-man: No Way Home is even better than Endgame Upcoming AAACC Events Sun., Jan. 16, 2022, 3 p.m. – Sat., Feb. 5, 2022 – Sat., March 19, 2022 – Sat., April 19, 2022 The African-American Association sponsors the following programs for your participation: Belly Dance Classes with Xonia Wilson Evening Line Dance Classes w/Cynthia Dixon Salsa Class with Keith Witherspoon – Yoga and Pilates Classes with Meena Sharpe-Hicks ––Michelle Marbury

* Source: History.com

Spider-man: No Way Home

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Community Fridge Comes to Co-op City!

Saturday, December 18, was the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Community Fridge in Section 5. A collaboration between Mott Haven Fridge and Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, to combat food insecurity in Co-op City, their motto is “Take what you need, leave what you can.” Cutting the ribbon at 135 Einstein Loop, Council Member Kevin C. Riley officially opened the fridge to public use, thanking everyone who had a hand in bringing it to Section 5. Following words from the leaders of Mott Haven Fridge, MMCC, and Community Board member Matt Cruz, there was a food distribution providing fresh produce to those who attended. Please feel free to stop by the fridge and either help yourself to resources or provide them for someone else. Cutting the ribbon above, (L-R) Willy Finch, Director of the MMCC Section Five Teen Center; Dan Zauderer, co-founder of Mott Haven Fridge; Riverbay Director of Community Relations Michele Sajous; District 12 City Councilman Kevin Riley; Community Board 10 District Manager Matthew Cruz; and MMCC Boys and Girls Club Director Shonte Armstrong.

Photos by Phillip McCoy, Yolanda Ramirez and Mary Pearson

CDC ––––––––––––––––

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of demographics than what was previously understood. From the estimated 17 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients, 54 cases of TTS have been recorded and nine deaths, according to CDC data. Ultimately, ACIP and the CDC felt that the health risk, while extremely rare, was enough to update their recommendations and detail a clinical preference for mRNA vaccines over the J&J vaccine. CDC guidance still maintains that “receiving any vaccine is better than being unvaccinated” and “individuals who are unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine will continue to have access to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.” ACIP members and the CDC want the American public to rest assured that the new update is not a cause for panic but rather an indication that the vaccine surveillance system in place is working effectively.

vaccinated and boosted,” Dr. Walensky said. Notably, J&J vaccine recipients who have already received their vaccine booster do not need to get revaccinated with an mRNA vaccine. “If you have had a booster dose of any Covid-19 vaccine, you do not need to be revaccinated with an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine,” Kristen Nordlund, a CDC spokeswoman, told Bloomberg News this week.

our vaccine safety surveillance system,” ACIP member, Dr. Matthew Daley, said during last week’s meeting. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky echoed ACIP’s sentiments and highlighted the continued need for vaccinations and booster doses in a statement

the Omicron variant” and increase Omicron neutralizing antibody levels approximately 25-fold. New Yorkers looking for sites that are offering vaccines or booster shots can go online to vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 Additionally, individuals can text their ZIP code to 438829 and get back a list of vaccine sites near them.

“We have made important strides in the year since the COVID-19 vaccination program started. More than 200 million Americans have completed their primary vaccine series, providing protection against COVID-19, preventing millions of cases and hospitalizations, and saving over a million lives. Today’s updated recinformation to the American public. I continue to encourage all Americans to get

their vaccine’s effectiveness against the Omicron variant. The early data showed that a booster dose of the Moderna vaccine “increased Omicron neutralizing antibody levels approximately 37-fold.”

We are shareholders, not tenants! Become involved in your building association!

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021 Director’s Viewpoint –

Leslie Peterson

Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year…Stay safe Currently, we have a mobile van that is stationed at Dreiser Loop, Bartow Mall and Einstein Loop on various dates, posted in the lobby. Currently negotiations are taking place to bring the COVID-19 testing site back to the Dreiser location. For the record, it was a city contract, city decision to leave and thankfully they recognized the need to return especially after several conversations and uptick in testing throughout the city. MTA Reduced Fare Online: seniors and people with qualifying disabilities can apply for a Reduced Fare MetroCard online. Until now, customers could only apply by mail or in person. This is the latest effort to bring MTA services online and eliminate barriers to accessing transit service. To apply, visit reducedfare.mta.info and make sure to click the “interested in OMNY” box at the end to stay up-to-date of the OMNY rollout. For more info on the program and to apply, visit: https://new.mta. info/fares/reduced-fare. City Retirees: Judge Orders City to Delay Retiree Health Care Switch Until April 1. Retired city employees will be able to opt out of their newly-privatized health insurance until June 30, the judge ruled after the writing of last week’s article submission. A New York state judge on Tuesday, Dec. 14, ordered that a proposed cost-cutting change in city government retirees’ health insurance be delayed until at least April 1, 2022. Retired city workers will have until June 30, 2022 to opt out of the plan. The ruling also listed several steps the city must take to provide more public information about the plan before the judge will allow it to move forward. In September, the NYC Organization of Public Service implementation. On October 22, Judge Lyle Frank of the New York Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction against the plan, which prohibited the city

from moving ahead with the switch. In a three-page order issued at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday (14th), Judge Frank laid out a series of conditions that the city must comply with before implementthat retirees must be allowed to opt out of the plan until at least June 30, 2022—three months after the plan is scheduled to go into effect. In addition to mandating that retirees be able to opt out until the end of June 2022, Frank also ordered the city to take steps to make sure that retirees are fully informed about what treatments and procedures are included in the new plan, and which doctors will and will not be participating. Judge Frank ordered that the city send retirees a letter correcting the errors in its initial plan by January 7, 2022. The letter “must contain information on how a retiree can obtain a corrected Enrollment Guide free corrected Enrollment Plan may be seen,” Judge Frank’s ruling also addressed another of the retirees’ main concerns: that many of their doctors have not heard of the plan, and thus don’t know whether or not they will accept it. Dozens of retirees have submitdoctors will not be participating in the plan, or have not heard of it at all. Judge Frank ruled that from January 7, 2022, until the plan becomes active, the city must submit biweekly reports detailing its efforts to contact providers and inform them about the plan, and a schedule for how and when it will contact additional providers. Note: The city had mailed retirees a guide to the plan that contained numerous errors–and then refused to mail out a correction, citing a “global paper supply shortage.” Take precaution during this holiday season. Can-

followed by New Year’s and Christmas Eve. More were left unattended or abandoned. Roughly 25% of Please remember to extinguish candles before leaving the room, extinguish candles when they burn within two inches of the holder and never leave burning candles unattended. If you are one with a live tree, as many still do prefer, trical cords and plugs, cause almost half of all Christmas select the freshest-looking tree available. Keep the water level above the cut and check the water level daily. (Initially, a fresh tree may soak up a gallon of water per day.) Plain tap water is best! Place the tree away (at least three feet) from heat sources. Try to position the tree near an electrical outlet to minimize use of extension cords. Do not use electric lights on metallic trees. (Use or non-combustible materials. Finally, unplug the tree lights when out of the room and before going to sleep. Please make sure to dispose of all wrapping paper appropriately and upon removing a live tree, please secure it in a bag to prevent the pines from dropping and leaving a trail. “When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to standalone and be counted.” –Eleanor Roosevelt I am pleased to be of service to the community. I can be reached by e-mail at lpeterson@riverbayboard.com.

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment

Building 21 Association

We are leaving 2021 to enter a new year. Please take a deep breath, exhale, and let your fears, worries, hurts and pains go. There were things you were able to control, some things of which you had no control, and things this year may have taught you. Your neighbor is not the person that lives next door to you. Your neighbor is the person who may live on your block, borough, state, or even another country. We all have something to give, a donation, a phone call, a meal, a warm coat and gloves, toys, a listening ear, encouraging words and prayers. Trauma and tragedy are universal experiences that impact us all, some more than others. People do care about each other. Caring is a natural human response being demonstrated by healthcare and essential workers and family care-

Happy holiday season! Hello 21’ers we hope you like the Christmas decorations in each wing of our beloved Building 21. Each section is adorned with huge candy canes and holiday wreaths. Big thanks to Kevin Lambright and Theron Marbury for coming together to give everyone who enters our building, A, B or C, some holiday cheer. Please be informed of the following dates; 21 Association General Session Gathering: Fourth Thursday of every month. Next month’s meeting will be on Thurs., January 27 via Zoom. Start time 7 p.m. Holiday Decorations will be left up to enjoy through Thursday, January 6 (The Epiphany/Little Christmas). Decorations come down Friday, January 7. Holiday Gift collections for porters, etc. are the responsibility of each floor individually and should be handled by the Floor Captains. If you have questions regarding Building 21 Association, you have three ways of gaining information. Email: 21association@gmail.com; call: 347-5041821; or attend the monthly general meetings via Zoom video conference. Everyone from all buildings plan to come and join us at Building 21. Bring a friend. “Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, equals a force for good.” See you around the neighborhood! ––Michelle Marbury

to treasure. Human touch, hugs, and embrace are a power of healing. Your eyes are the window of your soul. Eyes that brought a sense of peace and assurance that say “you are not alone.” Change is a constant. Change brings out creativity. Change can take you to a level you did not know you could achieve. Let us enter 2022 with a sense of hope! I hope that we will soon arrive at the new normal. Hope can differ depending on the person doing the talking. When people speak about hope in a spiritual context, it might mean believing that good things will happen with faith in a higher power. They might direct their hopes outward in prayer. For others, it might mean always looking on the bright side and seeing challenges as opportunities. In other words, always hoping for the best. Having hope is essential to the very act of being a human being. Having hope links your past and present to the future, “planning and motivation and determination” to get what one hopes for. To have hope is to want an outcome that makes your life better somehow; it can help make a present challenging situation more bearable and eventually improve our lives because envisioning a better future motivates you to take steps to make it happen. Whether we think about it or not, hope is a part of everyone’s life. It’s an

The Coalition To Save Affordable Housing

Caregivers Outreach Mentorship and Empowerment wants to wish you all a safe and pleasant merry Christmas, feliz Navidad, and happy Kwanzaa. Please feel free to contact us with your questions and concerns: Info@comeoutreach.org, or 718-379-3159. ––Diane Cooper

Caring It is the end of the year, a busy time for most people, compounded by the stress of the holidays and the 22nd month of the pandemic. Masking, testing and vaccinations are our norm. Being on guard all the time is tiring and most of us are ready to celebrate with friends and family. With Delta raging and Omicron rising and the next Greek letter waiting in the wings, it is no time to let down our guard. We must make it through the current surge. But how? We can do what we have always done, like making lists of our year in review and lists of resolutions for the future. But we can also stop and pause. Each of us is essential to our families and many of us are also essential to our employers. As such, we give, give and give. We shop for others, we cook for others, we clean for others, we care for others and we work for others. We carry a heavy load. We are accountable to many, but we sometimes forget about number one— ourselves. The one thing that you can do this season while you are giving to others is to remember to give to yourself. Self-care is the right thing to do, not a radical act.

Building 19 Association

have been through. Be grateful for your blessings, but more importantly take a moment to clear your head and to take care of you. Maybe it is time for a spa day

our futures and is part of the self-narrative about our lives we all have running inside our minds. We are strong. We are proud that we can be together, even

Hello, Building 19 family. Merry Christmas and happy Kwanzaa! May the holiday be a joyous and safe one for you and your families. I want to thank everyone who attended our last virtual committee meeting for this year on Tuesday, December 7. Part of the meeting included a post-Thanksgiving day raffle drawing that the Association held. All apartments that are enrolled as members of the Building Association were automatically entered into the raffle and two winners were randomly picked during the live broadcast of the virtual committee meeting via Zoom. Congratulations to our two members Leon Tulton (right) present- John Davis and Maria Wright on each winning a ing Member John Davis with $25 Visa gift card. I also want to express my appreciation to the a $25 Visa gift card. cooperators who generously donated to the annual holiday collection for the porters who help to keep our building in good shape. They work so hard for us and the yearly collection is a labor of love and our way of saying thank you for all that they do. This week the Association presented the collected money to the porters. On behalf of the workers and the Association, I want to say thank my fellow cooperators for your kind act. Please mark in your calendar the dates of the first two meetings in the new year next month. The first is the virtual committee meeting on Tuesday, January 4 at 7:30 p.m. The second is the virtual general meeting on Friday, January 28 at 7 p.m. During the general meeting, the Association will be holding the election for its executive board. In order to conduct the election, the Association needs a quorum of 12. So please make sure to attend this important meeting. Please be on the lookout for the Zoom login information that will be shared via the fliers in the lobby and by email. On behalf of the executive board, I want to wish you and your family a merry Christmas today and happy Kwanzaa and happy New Year next week. ––Leon Tulton

Protect yourself and others from the COVID-19 and Flu viruses. Speak to your doctor and get vaccinated!

schedule your annual wellness exam, get a haircut, get a manicure or you can join a gym. The point is: take a moment to do you and only you! Remember you are essential to many. The Coalition to Save Affordable Housing wishes you all a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. On a somber note: it is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved and long-standing Coalition supporter, Sister Lucille O’Neal. Her Homegoing Service was not only beautiful but also well attended on Friday, December 17. There were several Coalition members who attended the moving affection and appreciation for Mrs. O’Neal’s service to her community as well as a sympathy card to the family. ––Claudia A Sampson

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Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021 Director’s Viewpoint –

Monique Coleman

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Building 13 Association

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Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

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Building 25 Association Merry Christmas To All We wish all neighbors born in December a happy birthday, and for those of you who are under the weather, we hope you get better soon. We are taking a holiday break from our building meetings. Our next virtual building association meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. So 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. Closing with the following: “What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.” –Agnes M. Pahro ––Wanda Bailey

Building 35 Association Have a safe holiday. Here we are at the end of another year 2021, and so much has happened in our lives and the world. Pandemic 2020 is still upon us. NY indoor mask mandate is in effect until January 15, 2022. On behalf of Building 35 we would like to thank all our building porters (pictured) for doing an excellent job in keeping our building clean. I would like to thank my village for assisting me with the holiday collection. Thank you to: Mr. and Mrs. Perez, Ms. Mason, Ms. Benjamin, Ms. Corbin and Mr. Daughtery. To all cooperators, continue being safe during this holiday season and have a happy New Year 2022. Reminder: Wrap all trees before disposal. Take all boxes downstairs to the basement. The building association can now be reached through Facebook: “building 35 tower of power” and email: building35association@gmail.com. ––Carol Arthur

“Christmas Future” Open Door Ministries is collaborating with Circle of Christ Church and joining them in worship. Please go to circleofchristchurch.com for a schedule of services. and we are waiting for others to come to pass. Jesus said that heaven and earth will fade away, but God’s word will never disappear. Isaiah says,“The grass withers, the birth of Jesus. Luke 1:26 “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin, Mary, engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, Congratulations, favored lady! The Lord is with you!” God favored Mary to be the mother of Jesus. The angel said that she was blessed among women. Mary was taken aback by this prophecy and obviously did not underwhat God is up to. (Luke 1:26 cont.) “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Don’t be frightened, Mary, the angel told her, for God has decided to wonderfully bless you! Very soon now, you will become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you are to name him ‘Jesus.’ He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God.” miraculous means. 2. Mary would have a son. 3. Mary’s son would be great. 4. Her son (Luke 1:26 cont.) “And the Lord God shall give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he shall reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom shall never end!” (Luke 1:26 cont.) “Mary asked, But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin. He replied, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of God shall overshadow you; so, the baby born to you will be utterly holy—the Son of God. For every promise from God shall surely come true.” Mary said, I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true. And then the angel disappeared.” Contact Open Door Ministries by phone/text: 917-334-4407. Blessings in Christ. ––Pastor Luis Ramos

FALSE: BREAKTHROUGH CASES MEAN THE VACCINES DON’T WORK.

TRUE:

The data overwhelmingly show that vaccines work and they protect people from hospitalization and death. Cases of breakthrough infections do occur and are expected with any vaccine. No vaccine is 100% effective at preventing infection.

COVID-19 VACCINES SAVE LIVES. GET VACCINATED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT NYC.GOV/COVIDVACCINE.

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021 Director’s Viewpoint –

Francine Reva Jones

Improvements I Hope to See in 2022 There have been many enhancements in Co-op City over the past However, there are many more improvements that

Election Committee

Director Monique Coleman

Pre-Kwanzaa Highlights

1. UMOJA 2. KUJICHAGULIA

3. UJIMA

4. UJAMAA Closing

5. NIA

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

6. KUUMBA

7. IMANI

Newsong Church The King Has Come

Sunday Worship Experience

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

Newsong Deaf Church

Fundraising Cake Sale – Kidsong

Against The Flow

––M. Chambers

About Us If you witness anyone tagging or spraying

135 Einstein Loop

––Pastor Mike Tolone

a photo and send it to Public Safety.

Line Dance w/Ellie 135 Einstein Loop Sr. Ctr., Room 45 (In-person) 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Health & Wellness Support Grp., 10-11 a.m.,135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 49 (Virtual)

Health & Wellness Support Group, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 49 (In-person)

Bereavement w/Dorine 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387. Zoom Smartphone & Tablet Class 2:00-3:00 p.m. Dial in #: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 889-6644-6693 Passcode: Bartow

Thurs., Dec. 30

Tues., Dec. 28

Arthritis Exercise Class w/Damion, 135 Einstein Loop Sr. Ctr., Rm. 45 (In-person, 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

Tai Chi for Arthritis w/Pofina Veresyuk 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 135 Einstein Loop Sr. Ctr., Rm. 45

Fri., Dec. 31

Einstein

Room 49 unless otherwise noted

Wed., Dec. 29

Mon., Dec. 27

Bartow

Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Arts with Laura 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (via Zoom and Phone)

Arts with Laura, 10 a.m.12 p.m. via Zoom and phone. Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387. Health & Wellness w/Ann 135 Einstein Loop Senior Center, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 49 Bodies in Motion w/Ola 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Meeting ID: 815 1570 9421 Passcode: Einstein 929-205-6099 Line Dance w/Cynthia 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 45, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Arthritis Exercise Class w/ Damion, every Thurs., 11:00 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 986 0021 6442, Passcode: 573762

JASA CLOSED NEW YEAR’S EVE

Dreiser

Room 7 unless otherwise noted

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

Kosher Chair Yoga w/Charles Tyler 10-11 a.m. Zoom (Virtual only for now) Dial-in: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 995 6534 1173 Passcode: 855423

Baked Breaded Flounder, Wild Rice, Moroccan Vegetables Whole wheat bread, Fresh fruit and Juice

Zumba w/Ola, 1-2 p.m. Meeting ID: 992 3169 6108, Passcode: 503637; Dial-in: Chicken Marsala 1-929-205-6099; Virtual & in-person Orzo Computer Learning Zoom Meeting w/ Normandy Blend Ralph, 6 p.m. Dial-in: 929-205-6609, Vegetables Meeting ID: 936 8132 9040, Passcode: Whole wheat 259554 bread Blood Pressure 1st & 3rd Tues. Fresh fruit 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Rm. 2 and Juice Digital Photography Class (In-Person) 177 Dreiser Loop, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Weight Mgt. Support Group w/ Gigi, 2nd Wed. of the month 1-2 p.m. Conference call: 929299-1045, Passcode: 1386 Bingo, 1 p.m., Rm. 2 (in-person) or join Zoom, Meeting ID: 828 4139 6474, Passcode: 194662 Dial-in number: 1-929-205-6099 Line Dancing w/Ellie 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Dreiser Loop Senior Center, Rm. 2 Wear your mask and maintain social distance during class

JASA CLOSED NEW YEAR’S EVE

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.

Please call 718-320-2066 for an appointment. on Friday, December 31, a.m.; Thurs., 10 - 11 a.m. New Year’s Eve. Happy holiday! for JASA Co-op City senior program, with CDL. Please drop off resume in the JASA

JASA CLOSED NEW YEAR’S EVE

Pepper Steak Brown Rice Oriental Blend Vegetables Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit and Juice

Non-Kosher BBQ Pork Chops Brown Rice Steamed Broccoli

Curried Chicken Legs Baked Red Potato Wedges Normandy Blend

Curried Vegetables Chickpea and Quinoa Stir Fry Carrots

Veggie Burger Baked Sweet Chicken Fajitas Potato Cilantro Lime California Blend Rice Vegetables Spinach and Basil Whole wheat Pesto bread, Fresh fruit Steamed Spinach and Juice

JASA CLOSED NEW YEAR’S EVE

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

– Dreiser Center

to amoncrieffe@jasa.org or pogando@jasa.org.

virtual or in-person.

are allowed.

– 11 in Einstein Senior Center temporarily, located at 135 a.m.-12 p.m.; third Thurs. of every month. Dial-in a seat for both centers. For Einstein Center, call Sandra

– Starting Tues., Dec.

Are you inter- for eight weeks from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. For registraested in any of the wide range of topics to do with smartphones, computers, and smart devices? Thurs. at dcardenas@jasa.org. Lunch for the Dreiser Senior Center will be in Rm. 2. Please call Paola at 718-320Ave. Every Wed. from 11 a.m. -12 p.m. Please consubject to change).

to teach technology

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Retirees of Dreiser Loop Merry Christmas and happy Kwanzaa, Retirees! The holiday luncheon at the Marina del Rey on Thursday, December 16 was wonderful. Everyone had an enjoyable time eating, dancing and chatting. Two scholarship applicants were presented with scholarship awards and December birthdays were celebrated. The RODL extend their thanks to Councilman Kevin C. Riley; Vanessa Gibson, Councilwoman and Borough Presidentelect of The Bronx; NYS Senator Jamaal Bailey; Jason Laidley, Chief of Staff; and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto for their guest appearances at the event. Dorothy Chambers-Byrd, the president of the RODL, thanks everyone who supported Above: Vanessa Gibson this affair. She especially offers her thanks to the Entertainment Committee, Daisy YoungAnderson, Beverly Waller, and Jay McKenzie for all the work they did to organize this successful holiday lunacheon. Double thanks to Jay McKenzie who also served as the master of ceremony for this event. Thank you to all the RODL members for your support throughout the year. Membership – New members are always welcome to join the Retirees of Dreiser Loop. The 2022 annual dues, January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, will be $25. If you would like to become a member or pay your 2022 dues, please contact Joann at (718) 710-9082 or Eleanor at (646) 234-2498. Sick and Shut In – To those who are sick and shut-in, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you brighter days ahead. Condolences – Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences are extended to those who have lost loved ones. General Meetings – Beginning January 2022, all general meetings will be will be emailed to members.

Happy birthday to all the December retiree birthday celebrants. Best wishes to you on your special day and throughout the year. The RODL wish everyone and their loved ones a merry Christmas, a happy Kwanzaa, and a happy and healthy New Year! ––Georgianna Rodriguez

Goose Island Seniors

AARP Chapter #4997

I would like to wish all the members and friends of the Senior Citizens Social Club of Goose Island a blessed and merry Christmas. Someone took the wrong walker when leaving the party on December 10, please call 718-379-9613 or 347-847-1941 to switch it back. Wind Creek Casino – Tuesday, January 18 in Bethlehem, PA. Price $45, bonus $30 slot play. For reservation, you must pay $45. All passengers must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination. Buses will make their usual three stops leaving Einstein

From the Desk of President Mickens: Merry Christmas and happy Kwanzaa to all. We have had a very interesting year and it is coming to an end. We started out awaiting a vaccine and reducing our restrictions to become more “normal”. We are ending this year after enjoying the best vaccine possible, reducing our restrictions and enjoying more freedom than before 2020. Seeing less hospitalizations and

required on the bus and at the casino. Call 718-379-9613 or text 347-847-1941. 2022 50th Anniversary Trip to Villa Roma Coffee, luncheon, line-dancing, Doo-Wop show, bingo and day of fun, all for $92.

backwards to more Covid-19 restrictions, hospitalizations and deaths. This makes no sense and is counterproductive to our lifestyle. Friends and family, wake up and follow the science not the politics! On December 10, we held our last General Membership meeting for

Francese all served with chef's choice starch and vegetables. A $40 deposit, your choice of entree and your bus seat selection is required when signing up for the trip. Must show proof of vaccination. For reservations, call 718-379-9613 or text 347-8471941. Make checks to Goose Island Seniors. Bingo Admission $5 for three cards, 12 games and jackpot. Extra cards are $0.25 each, for up to three cards. Refreshments. Proof of vaccination and mask required. Temperature taken at entrance. There is no bingo Friday, December 31 and no Sunday bingo this month. Dues for 2022 – Members cannot join in any club room activities in January until dues for 2022 are paid. Become a member for $20/yr. To all members – Happy birthday to all members who celebrate their birthday in the month Hines, Jose Lopez, Brenda Brown, Adelle Lawrence, Ellen A. Burton (100 years old), Louise (Cookie) Hernandez, Gwen Anderson, Mary (Pat) Randolph, Bobbi Chin, Barbara Owens, Gladys Baez, Ada Snyder (deceased), Dorothy Freeman and Sheila L. Linder. Sick and Shut-in – Sarah Arteaga, Liz Pelaez and Grace Stubbs, we are praying for you. George Vazquez, Vivian’s husband, is in a nursing home. Please say a prayer for them. Ella Thorne misses everyone and is waiting anxiously to return to bingo. Edna Trujillo, get well soon, we miss you. Mary Pilla, former Goose Island president, misses everyone and sends her love to all. Call (718) 753-1816. It was good seeing Yolanda Jones, she is feeling a little better. Our Club is at the Section 5 Center, 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39, Bronx, NY, 10475. Our phone number is (718) 379-9613. We are open. You may call (mornings) Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Evenings) Tue. and Thu. 1 p.m. -6 p.m., and Mon., Wed. and Fri. 6 p.m.-8 p.m., or call/text Stephen, (347) 847-1941. Our email address is goose.island@optonline.net. ––Stephen Roberts, Sr.

January 2022 but that is not possible as of this date. Work between Riverbay Corporation and AARP Chapter #4997 is on-going and moving forward but we will not be ready for our January meeting. Due to the new restrictions put in place by Riverbay Corporation, a general meeting would be impossible! have a guest speaker from The Alzheimer’s Association. This will answer many questions and give much useful advice. Log-in information, date and time will be posted later. We are still preparing for our post-holiday celebration in February 2022. Chapter #4997 is going forward with Executive Board Elections in the early part of 2022, and we do need more candidates to step up and volunteer for the positions that they feel comfortable holding. New members and old members are encouraged to place their name on the roster so that we can have new ideas and thoughts. This is the only way an organization can prosper and grow. We strive to prosper and grow to be more effective for our members and families. All positions are available. Broadway shows, Radio City Music Hall, restaurants and some planned functions are being cancelled due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and the Delta and Omicron variants. If you have any tickets to events, please contact the sponsor beforehand to see if the event is still taking place. Our dedicated 718-320-2088; nominating committee, Ms. Polite 718-320-4278; trips, Ms. Wright 718-379-3370 or Ms. Brown 718-379-7962; and good and welfare, Mrs. Wilson 718-671-5493. Mrs. Wilson advises that our members and families are continuing to improve from the ailments and sadness that they had been experiencing. Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanzaa. Be safe. Be healthy. ––Ann Purnell

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

Co-op City Baptist Church

The synagogue will be serving a hot Kiddush meal after Sabbath morning services. Saturday morning services will start at 10 a.m. The requirement for wearing a mask and social distancing will be strictly enforced during all synagogue services. General Information: The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the

vices, we always have a Kiddush. The synagogue has a Facebook The synagogue needs donations. Whatever amount you can donate, big or come by 10 a.m., so we can take out the Torah. Sabbath ends on Saturday, December 25 at 5:26 p.m. Candle lighting for Friday, December 31 at 4:18 p.m. Good and Welfare having Simchas. If you are ill, wishing you good health. If you asked the Rabbi to To All members: be celebrating their birthday in December. Please send me your names and I will add them to the list. Fun and Games:

using the Free Conference Call.com line shown above. Please note all bible study classes and prayer services have been suspended for the holidays and will resume the second week of January. Hills of South Dakota on August 12, 2022, for 11 days and 10 nights and they

––Bruce Gitelson

Church of the New Vision Advent, we give thanks to God the Father for His abundant mercy towards us as

“God will strengthen us as we travel through this storm. God is our refuge and 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

ry Christmas. Our verse of focus this year is us as the Body of Christ remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the

Association of Building 14 Cooperators

Welcome back. Services can do things without being asked. I count them as a blessing. thanks all who attended and Come join us at our New Year’s Eve Night Service on Friday, December 31, at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, December 19 Worship Service Theme: “The Greatest Christmas

Amen. ––Brenda Brown

The deadline for submitting club articles is Mondays at 5 p.m.

. ––Josie Ferguson

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

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Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

Public Safety

–––––––––

(Continued from page 7)

can easily be knocked over by children or pets. Safer battery operated L.E.D. simulated candles are an excellent alternative. Even electric lights should be on or upholstery. New York State Police issued 12,975 moving violation summonses during are focused on unsafe driving behaviors during the holiday season. The special

last year; 1,041 collisions vs 757 last year, including at least one fatal collision vs. three fatal events last year, during the same holiday period. Vehicle accidents eted distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices. New York State, including New York City have cracked down on drunk driving enforcement all year long. Drivers must be responsible and drive sober the road. Zero tolerance with strict enforcement saves lives and makes the roads safer for everyone. We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season. No one’s holiday memories should be marred by a needless tragedy. If you plan to drink as part of your plans, please do not drive. Having a plan to designate a sober driver or arrange a ride home could save a life. The State Police supplemented regular patrols statewide during this crack-

talking or texting on handheld devices. These unmarked vehicles blend in with lighting is activated. Acting State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “I commend our Troopers and our local law enforcement partners for the work they do each day to keep our roads safe. State Police will continue to be highly visible throughout the holiday season, looking out for reckless and aggressive drivers. We urge drivers to do their part by making the right choices when they get behind the wheel - drive sober, follow posted speed limits and put away your smart phones.” While we are speaking about driving and cars, always be sure to safeguard your auto. Always take your keys out of the car and lock the door. This rule applies no matter how safe you think an area might be or how short of a period you are leaving the vehicle unattended. This includes when you are fueling your vehicle, anywhere your travels may take you. Not securing your vehicle and keys can lead to theft of items from your vehicle or theft of the entire vehicle. Keys left in running vehicles are a major contributing factor in vehicles being stolen in Co-op City and the surrounding community, especially at fueling stations. Keep your vehicle locked and the ignition off, and keys or your fob out of the car when you are not in the vehicle. With the escalating cost of replacing vehicles these days, take the extra precaution to safeguard your hard-earned property. You may think it cannot happen to you, until it does. Take this easy step to keep your vehicle safe. Even though holiday gift season is concluding, online purchases have become a part of normal life. I hope that all your holiday gifts have arrived on time and in the condition you expected. Please continue to be mindful of your neighbor’s the amount of time your package spends in the hallway. Also, consider having packages shipped to available package lockers. Delivery options requiring a signature are also a good option. Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 911 and the www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. A recent New York State mandate requires that people wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, unless the venue checks vaccination status. This mandate is in effect until at least January 22, 2022 at which time it will be reassessed. The goal of this mandate is to decrease the rising spread of Covid-19, including the Delta and Omicron variants. All indoor public areas of Co-op City fall into that category. It is therefore necessary that all people wear masks in the Co-op City hallways, lobbies, laundry rooms, elevators and commercial establishments. Wearing a mask is for your safety and the safety of your neighbors ing your face are other strategies to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other illnesses. Please follow the latest information provided by the CDC and the New York City Department of Health for the latest information and recommendations on health and safety, including vaccinations, during the Covid-19 pandemic. carrying charges. Non-compliant shareholders who fail or refuse to properly

Pentecostal Tabernacle The Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to join our worship service. All services are held online until further notice. Call-in number: 720-740-9746, Access code: 8876631. Sunday morning services start at 11 a.m. Wednesday Prayer and fasting services are from 11 a.m. -12: 30 p.m. Bible study and prayer meetings will also be held Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday Prayer and Bible study starts at 7:30 p.m. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Focus: “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33) The promises of God are given by His grace. Peter explained that the outcome of God’s grace working in our lives is the giving of great and precious promises. “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (II Peter 1:1-4) At a glance, we may credit these promises to God’s power, but a closer examination of scripture reveals that all scriptural promises are ultimately the result of God’s grace. Apart from his grace, we would not receive any promises from God. It should not be a strange thing for one who has experienced the grace of God to ask for more. Although there are several means of obtaining more grace, one way is through seeking a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ from the study of his word. Grace allowed us to enjoy God’s unmerited favor, gave us a gift that we did not deserve. This is the true love of God that supersedes the love of human as John 3:16 stated: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” His love towards us is so strong that He was willing to give up his life for us. 1st Corinthians 13:4 says, “charity suffers long, and is kind, charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, it not puffed up.” It is important that we try to love one another just as God loves us, love is not easily provoked and thinketh no evil. Our phone number is 717-324-0334. ––Rev. Sibblies

wear masks or face coverings are subject to a $50 Community Complaint violareceived approval from the New York State DHCR (Division of Homes and Community Renewal). Cooperators should never confront other cooperators who are not wearing a mask. Mask wearing is a very sensitive issue to many residents. All age groups have a valid concern over their neighbors taking every possible precaution to reduce transmission of Covid-19. We must all be especially mindful that Co-op City has a substantial senior community that is particularly susceptible to the virus. Even those that may not be required to wear a mask must remain sensitive to the perception and level of concern this presents to other cooperators. Public Safety frequently responds to complaints and concerns from cooperators on both sides of the mask-wearing conundrum. Please wear a mask when entering or remaining in any indoor public space.

If You See Something, Say Something!

Working Together To Keep Co-op City Safe! • Report any unusual or suspicious persons or activity to CCPD. • Do not allow strangers access to your building by holding the door. • Be aware of work being done in your building and when contractors are allowed to be on the premises. • Never leave your car or apartment door unlocked. • Do not leave packages or electronics in your car where they are visible. • Remember: You can make anonymous calls to CCPD.

Emergency: 718-671-3050 or 9-1-1 • Non-Emergency: 718-320-3330 www.ccpd.us • @CCPDnyc

Co-op City Times / December 25, 2021

MEAT • SEAFOOD • DELI • GROCERY

WEEKLY DEALS Hormel Deli Ham .........................$5.99lb. Genoa Salami ................................$6.99lb. BelGioioso Provolone ...................$6.99lb. Land O’Lakes American Cheese...$4.99lb. McCadam Muenster Cheese .........$5.99lb.

Same Day Service • Pick-up or Delivery 7-Days a Week • Curbside Available USDA Choice Rib Steaks .......$19.99lb. Filet Mignon Custom Cut Free...$24.99lb. Tomahawk Steak (Angus).......$19.99lb. USDA Choice Skirt Steak.......$19.99lb. Prime London Broil................$7.99lb. Ground Beef Family Pack (5 Lbs. or More)...........................$3.99lb. Sterling Silver Fresh Hamburgers.............................$7.99lb. Certified Angus Whole Tailless Shells of Beef Custom Cut Free..............$9.99lb.

Choice Flank Steak...$15.99lb. Choice Marinated Big G Steak................$12.99lb. Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops.................$3.99lb. Italian Sausage............$5.99lb. Italian Style Chicken Sausage.. .........Buy One, Get One FREE Spare Ribs Small.........$3.99lb. Whole Chickens.............3/$20 Our Famous Chicken Cutlet Special (4.5 Lbs. Net).........$25

45 Years of Serving the Highest Quality Foods! 1LB JUMBO COOKED 21-25 SHRIMP FREE with $150+ purchase

SEAFOOD

Sabrett All Beef Franks 5 Lb. Pkg.............................$25

JUMBO SHRIMP ON ICE

(16-20 CT.)..............................$9.99lb COOKED (26-30 CT.)

Same-Day Service Pick-up or Delivery 7-days a week Curbside Available

EZ PEEL SHRIMP

(3 lb. Bag).................................$9.99lb

CLEAN SHRIMP

Medium Shrimp (51-60 ct.)...$8.99lb Large Shrimp (31-40 ct.).........$9.99lb Jumbo Shrimp (21-25 ct.)....$12.99lb Jumbo Shrimp (16-20 ct.).......$14.99lb Super Jumbo (under 15)..........$16.99lb

BONELESS FISH PORTIONS CLOSING 5 P.M. NEW YEAR’S EVE. COOKED SHRIMP Medium (61-70 ct.).................$9.99lb CLOSED NEW YEAR’S DAY. Salmon Fish Fillet (8 oz.)...$15.99lb Large (31-40 ct.)...................$11.99lb Swai Fillet (8 oz.)...$9.99lb SHELL FISH Jumbo (21-25 ct.).................$12.99lb Red Snapper Fillet (10-12 oz.)...$18.99lb Fresh Clams...$9.99 dozen Extra Jumbo (16-20 ct.).......$14.99lb Fillet of Sole (8 oz.)...$6.99lb Tilapia Fillets (5-7 oz.)...$6.99lb Unicorn Fillet (10-12 oz.)...$12.99lb

SALTED BONELESS FILLET Pollack...$6.99lb Cod Fillet...$10.99lb Super Jumbo Bacalao...$12.99lb

CARIBBEAN RED SNAPPER (1-2 lbs.)...$12.99lb

Stuffed Clams...$8.99 (9-pack) Cooked Clams (Small) ...$4.99 (pack) Mussels (Frozen)...$3.99lb Green Shell Mussels...$14.99 2lb box Scallops Jumbo (Dry)...$19.99lb Bay Scallops (30-40 ct)....$9.99lb Conch Meat....$29.99lb Beer Battered Shrimp (2 1/2 lb.)....$29.99 box Panko Breaded Shrimp (3 lb)....$24.99 box Coconut Breaded Shrimp (2 1/2 lb.)....$24.99 box

BABY LOBSTER TAILS

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S

1 oz. Avg. ..................................$2.99 each 2 oz. Avg. ..................................$4.99 each

BRAZIL LOBSTER TAILS

3 oz. Avg. ..................................$9.99 each 4 oz. Avg. ...............................$14.99 each 5 oz. Avg. ...............................$18.99 each 6 oz. Avg. ...............................$22.99 each 7 oz. Avg. ...............................$25.99 each 8 oz. Avg. ...............................$29.99 each 10-12 oz. Avg. .......................$39.99 each KING CRAB (Jumbo Raw) $59.99lb SNOW CRAB (Clusters).... $29.99lb IMITATION CRAB (2 1/2 lb) $12ea. CALAMARI (T+T) (2 1/2 lb) $24.99ea. CALAMARI (Tubes) (2 1/2 lb) $24.99ea. ANCHOVIES (Tubes) (28 oz.) $15.99 ea.