Co-op City Times 12/30/17

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Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year 2018!

© Copyright 2017 Co-op City Times

Co-op City’s Official Newspaper Serving The World’s Largest Cooperative Community. Vol. 52 No. 52

HCR Requiring Certain Shareholders To Verify Income

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Hundreds Of Shareholders Attend Workshops On Surviving An Active Shooter Scenario workshops held in room 31 of the Bartow Community Center on December 20th, Mr. Barzelatto apologized to the gathering of more than 100 shareholders for having the serious subject presented so close to the holidays but added that there is no good time Riverbay Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto for people not to be teaches shareholders how to increase their chances of survival should they become involved aware, especially durin an active shooter scenario. Photo by Bill Stuttig ing the holiday season when many people Earlier this month, Riverbay Safety tend to let their guard down. Director Anthony Barzelatto led a Using actual footage from infaseries of three workshops for Co-op mous active shooter situations, specCity residents advising them on how ifically the attack on the shopping to increase their chances of survival mall in Nairobi, Kenya in 2013 and if they are ever caught in a location the attack on Columbine High School where an active shooter is present. in Colorado in 2001, Mr. Barzelatto At the final of the three similar pointed out (Continued on page 2) BY BILL STUTTIG

The state agency that oversees the Mitchell-Lama program has directed that Riverbay send out letters to shareholders whose income affidavit information was not verified by their state tax return. Riverbay mailed out the letters to approximately 5,000 shareholders who were identified by NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) through a computer match with their 2012 income affidavits filed with Riverbay. Failure to provide the documenta-

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tion required by the state will be assumed to indicate unreported excess income and will result in a retroactive maximum surcharge of 50 percent for the period from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, plus an administrative fee of $150, as required by state statute. The letters were mailed by Riverbay during the last week of December and will explain how to complete the necessary form. The Riverbay Finance Department thanks you in advance for your cooperation.

Bringing The Holiday Spirit

Happy New Year from the President

This New Year’s holiday my only wish is for everyone in Co-op City to have a Happy, Healthy and Safe weekend and for 2018 to be a productive year for each shareholder and the community-at-large. —Linda Berk

Co-op City neighbors gather in the lobby of Building 21 before heading out to spread some holiday spirit by Christmas caroling throughout the community on the evening of December 22nd. The community and holiday spirit was organized through the Section 4 Partnership under the leadership of Michelle Marbury, and co-sponsored by Altice/Optimum. (See page 14 for more photos)

~ ~ ~ 2017 Year In Review: January to June ~ ~ ~ In early January, Riverbay management and board directors sat down with NYC Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and other DOT executives The following is an account of the major events occurring in or affect- to discuss needed changes to the streets in and around Co-op City to ease congesing Co-op City during the first six months of 2017 as reported by the Co-op tion particularly as it relates to the ever expanding Bay Plaza shopping complex City Times. Next week’s issue will feature an account of the last half of 2017. and its effect on Co-op City. In mid-January, Riverbay made Sterling National Bank an approved lender for JANUARY: new and transferring shareholders. The new lender offered shareholders who With many in the community and the nation still financed through Riverbay’s deferred equity program a chance to refinance the reeling from the election of Donald Trump, in early loans at a much more affordable rate. Co-op City’s Department of Public Safety continued its effort to expand their January, Co-op City, under the direction of Board President Linda Berk, began organizing a bus trip to Emergency Services Unit, training two new officers as Emergency Medical Techthe Women’s March on Washington scheduled for nicians to join the existing ESU team providing around the clock emergency January 21 to protest the new administration and medical service to the community. Gunfire in Section 5 heard on the morning of January 22nd sparked commuits policies and attitudes towards women. The bus trip was preceded by a community-wide rally to nity wide concern and a call for information from the community as to exactly drum up support for the bus trip and rally. In the who and what caused the gunfire that hit no one but rattled everyone. Lance Bronstein, chief engineer for the Power Plant retired after 37 years of end, more than 250 Co-op City residents made the all-day trip, joining with millions of others who service to Co-op City in late January. Also in January, one of Co-op City’s first took part in the march and rally, not only in Wash- employees, Filberto Coreano, retired after serving the community for nearly 47 ington D.C., but in cities throughout the nation years as a Building Porter. He began his career here in April of 1970. and the world. Co-op City community leader Leah Richardson said in the days At the end of January, the Riverbay Board of Directors by a vote of 12 to 2 following, “The effects of our action have yet to be seen but regardless of what approved a three-year contract to have North American Energy Services manage happens next, nearly five million people committed themselves to fighting on. I the operations and maintenance of the Power Plant. NAES manages more than intend to keep doing the important work. I need to and expect all five million of 250 plants through the United States. these people to join me.” (Continued on page 3) BY BILL STUTTIG

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(center) began as a Filiberto Coreano Co-op City working for in April of 1970, Buildings Porter most of the frankly before built. On New community was called it a career Year’s Eve, he years of service 47 after nearly That day, he to the community.thanked and his was personally an award for honored with to the commulong-term service Executive nity by Riverbay’s Bob KlehamGeneral Manager g in the of mer. Also participatin and were Director Peter Merola presentation (HR) Inelle Director of Finance supervisor Rosalind Pierce, Buildings and Grounds called him Human Resources HR Generalist and Luna. Cooper, Senior ive Assistant Josephine more than 46 years ago the people of HR Administratbroke in with Mr. Coreano and dedicated porter for leaving Riverwill be his Peter Miranda and great, dependable though Mr. Coreano he will spend a great colleague to five decades. Even in the years to come as close of Co-op City where he lives with his wife. by Bill Stuttig Co-op City for part a t Photo remain bay, he will here in the developmen retirement years

, President Berk the tions of the community repeatedly that disagrees stating will be bringing to issues the marchers 21st, the day after the the forefront on inauguration, have al the Presidenti what Co-op City and in the much to do with likely be facing its residents will and years. to coming months Ms. Berk said Earlier this week, “I am proud of Times: the Co-op City made to supporters. ’s organizacommunity has In my the effort this disSome of the community voices are heard. up tickets to be make sure our that we let Washtions have bought interested in paropinion, it is criticalwe are concerned pensed to its members individual resithat many and ington know own for ticipating, but in policy, funding our tickets on their about changes dents are buying negatively affect March. rights that may stated that buses for the historic President Linda . a director incorrectly the community Riverbay Board Co-op City Times, ent for documented expenses organizers development under“we of edition of the the principal “As a housing present, a number to the received reimbursem In last week’s Berk, one of she continued, members had in which for the buses from 1991 to the control of HUD,” and focused on the only two Board Board resolution. In fact, for documented situations and promoters n, said that addimust stay vigilantcost this community 7 reimbursement pursuant to a 1991 March on Washingto directors. III, have received be on sale between issues that could largest NORC (Nat’s By-Laws (Article Board members income while serving as volunteer in Bartional tickets will the the corporation been narrowly interMonday evening Resdearly. We are Retirement Commuthey actually lost which is consistent with form and 8 p.m. on State law, has 31. The resolution, Regulations, and governing to receive a salary or any other y Center’s room urally Occurring Medicare that tow Communit must protect make it during the Section 11), HCR are not allowed or permitted nity) and we in addition to a volunteer idents who can’t White at 347-913is it Individuals that Security preted. remember and Social to and us as a HUD houshour can call Sharan Board should on an incorrect of compensation. The bus trip to serve on the election based under the conpolicies that impactRiverbay has histori4224 for tickets. D.C. and to be part of ment Individuals wishingnot be encouraged to seek development. n, not. Reimburse salary, wages or is ing services It should and g Washingto and position. from ed of lost the rights position has contingent participatin it is a compensat is limited to the recovery cally protected y from JASA, to the that provision more the Co-op City assumption that and By-Law place of employment. As noted, expected to attract of this communit houses of worship. on trolling resolution in the march, regular and that youth nation’s capital days director’s the the the and to for disabled, only income from than a million broadly. and I am humbled a st, costs $25 per seat. Buses Taylor was reimbursed and appear at Court It is who we are never been interpreted City that I represent January 21 case, Director Cleve t to prepare for case in which the all three Co-op In the most recentleave his place of employmen honored to know corporation.” court 5 officer will leave from to related to a pending at approximately undertook as an he was required socially responsible First Vice President . Those depositions for actions he week to his volunteer community centers and their return is ordered depositions Riverbay Board a main supporter y named as a defendant many hours a lost pera.m. that morning tely 11 p.m. is also director devotedent for income he may have director was individuall Bernie Cylich involve. Although that have . expected at approxima of Riverbay’s of the corporation sought or obtained reimbursem the community and promoter officer of the corporation While some in Riverbay’s direct Mr. Cylich said position, he never as a director and ment in the March. Douglas taught us his volunteer duties General Counsel publicly criticized March of Washingforming “Frederick Riverbay the Thursday: —Jeffrey Buss, participation in little to do with issues page 2) (Continued on has operaton because it the day-to-day City residents. directly affecting from the City dreds of Co-op n ew Co-op City received its MultifamR ive r b a y ’s That same week, part of a n a g e r, approval to be pay property m Co-op City to of New York final savProgram allowing nt, began its ily Conservation water and sewer charges, thus Property Manageme the year. its Douglas Elliman July 1, even thoughman$1.2 million a a fixed cost for community on approximately general the new service to the ing the community new executive events th Board Business meeting, r had oral BY BILL STUTTIGan account of the major At the July 13 r gave his first ager Bob Klehammeweeks last is held Bob Klehamme onsite City during the The following executive GM been regularly several meetings two affecting Co-op meetdetailing Co-op City the by Board, occurring in or attending in the first report to the beforehand, 2016 as reported an account of the department directorsimprove services up to speed six months of with Riverbay’s issue featured ings and getting immediately issues Times. Last week’s in an attempt to many ongoing the weeks on 2016. that would first half of Center was the and reduce costs. in the community under his th, Dreiser Community On July 14 the crime of Human now be coming conference on with the popular July: the fastest growsite of an all-day it always does charge. Trafficking is LauJuly began as the commun on the Greenway On July 9th, Trafficking. “Human in the world,” claimed Day Celebratio display. and and civic leadIndependence icking Policy r fireworks ing criminal enterprise nity’s religious a Anti-Traff spectacula of a host subsiding, to featuring fireworks were ren Hersch, Director for Families. ers came together together And just as thosejust beginning to heat up as bring Board voted Advocacy at Sanctuary prayer rally to were week, the Riverbay the Marion Scott the community legal fireworks During the same allocate up to $150,000 to managing agent, the police and of of y to Riverbay’s former sued Riverbay for payment horrific shootings overwhelmingly establish a Youth and Communit from the most recent in American cities to Real Estate, Inc., in the wake of after being suspended counRiverbay Fund page 3) merican men offi(Continued on fees it said it deserved 2014. Riverbay, in turn, unarmed African-Aand the killing of five police agent the job in November the former managing the previous week wake of these shootings. Leaders ein the with huntersued for revenues due to alleged mismanag to cers in Dallas attended along Bronx Riverbay court the cost the by allegedly from throughout sides were ordered ment. The two mediation. work it out through

BY BILL STUTTIGof the several buses SatTickets for one Co-op City on for the that will be leaving January 21st, urday morning, on Washington, D.C. Women’s March as more and more are selling briskly ns and elected and community organizatio on as sponsors officials are signing

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mber July to Dece in Review: 2016 Year


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