CCPD Annual Holiday Toy Drive

Did you know that even though it was the final Saturday of 2023, the Food/Pantry volunteers ended the year with grateful hearts distributing fresh produce to shareholders in Section 5 next to the Mosholu Montefiore Teen Center. Remember, we continue to always welcome volunteers for the Saturday produce parties in the coming new year of 2024. Sign up at coopcitycommunityfridge@ gmail.com. With grateful hearts, we wish you a very healthy New Year! See you at the fridge with open arms!

––Yolanda Ramirez Photos by Antionette Erskin

Our 2023 Toy Drive was a smashing success. This event gets bigger and better every year, thanks to shareholders’ generosity. We visited three shelters, and the expressions on faces were priceless. The Officers who organized, sorted, delivered and distributed the hundreds of gifts were P.O. Vargas, P.O. Cavigliano, P.O. Alicea and Det. Grosvenor (not pictured). Huge shout-out, once again, to Bartow Stationary, for their incredible donation of over 350 toys.

—–Lt. C. Bulat

Photos by Det. S. Grosvenor

Building 17 Association

Building 13 Visited by Santa

Building 17 is celebrating the Holidays with pictures! There was a book and gifts giveaway by Ms. Chandra Best, as Santa’s helper, Mr. Darryl Young, visited our lobby. Happy Holidays to all.

––Barbara A Johnson

Building 35 Association

Happy Holidays from Building 35. Our porters (pictured at left) are grateful for their gifts.

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah to all. May your New Year be nothing short of happiness and good health.

Thank you to all the ladies in Building 35 who assisted in decorating the lobby. You all have been tremendous in lending your decorating techniques to our lobby. To all who assisted by sitting in the lobby with the ex. board to collect donations for our porters, I appreciate you all. Remember, all live trees must be covered before throwing them out in the basement.

Looking forward to our meeting in January 2024.

––Ms. Carol Arthur

Jumbo Cooked Shrimp

Location, Location, Location – But Not Our Location

First and foremost, from my family to yours, we hope that everyone will be able to have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! With the beginning of the coming new year, we here in Co-op City will have a host of issues that must be addressed by “a community in unity.” Remember, standing together is always going to be our best way forward.

I intentionally waited until after the representatives from Mellow Tymes, LLC, made their presentation to Community Board 10’s (CB#10) Executive Board for leasing the former Chase Bank building in the Peartree Mall for a cannabis dispensary. I wanted to do that before commenting any further than I did in my December 2nd director’s viewpoint.

The presentation took place on the evening of December 18th. As you may have already learned, only CB#10 members, and those appearing in support of the proposed cannabis dispensary were allowed to be present in person, and have the ability to ask and answer questions. Those participating via WebEx could only view and hear the Executive Board meeting.

Bottom line – I am adamantly opposed to any vendor coming to the Co-op City community to sell legal or illegal cannabinoid drugs. Not from an unlicensed vehicle in the streets, not from a licensed brick & mortar building. In my opinion, a cannabis dispensary should not be allowed within 1500 feet of any Mitchell-Lama cooperative such as Rochdale Village, Starrett City/Spring Creek Towers, and, of course, our own Co-op City.

Mitchell-Lama cooperative apartments are bought by hard working families with children who want to leave the neighborhoods they’re in. Many are NYC employees who are also frst responders. Many are retirees looking for the perfect place to live out their lives, and many are those who want to give up their private homes, because apartments may be easier to live in and maintain. They are happy to become shareholders here in Co-op City because we are affordable, diverse, mid- dle-class community that currently enjoys a low crime rate, good schools, great shopping and safe surroundings. Allowing a cannabis dispensary where proposed, will no doubt attract individuals who otherwise would have no business in our community. The reality is that famous movie phrase – “build it and they will come.”

There’s no what if, just what now. I have little doubt that clients of the dispensary will fnd their way onto our campus. We invite or allow a problem in, then those who can afford to move away from the very issue they allowed to take over, do so. That leaves the rest of us dealing with the ever present hanging-out in the area.

I am uncomfortable with a cannabis dispensary potentially being granted a license to operate across the street from three residential buildings housing more than 1,100 families, a children’s tot lot park and basketball courts. I’m uncomfortable with a cannabis dispensary being behind an MTA bus stop.

I’m more uncomfortable with it being in close proximity to a church, a private school, and a shelter for homeless families. Then there’s the MCU bank with seven outdoor ATM machines. As admitted by Mellow Tymes during the presentation, in the cannabis dispensary business, “cash is still king!”

As reported on the front page of our Co-op City Times’ December 23rd issue, Community Board #10 will hold a public meeting on Thursday evening, January 4th, at 7 p.m., Bartow, Room 31. At that meeting, you may sign up for an opportunity to comment on the proposal to bring a cannabis dispensary to the Co-op City community.

I moved into Co-op City with my wife and sons in May of 1977. Eliot Engel was the NY State Assemblyman. Stephan Kaufman was the NYC Councilman. Both lived in Co-op City. NY State Senator Abraham (Abe) Bernstein, and Congressman Mario Biaggi, also represented Co-op City. Stanley Simon was the Bronx Borough President, and Stanley Friedman was the very powerful Bronx Democratic County Leader. Then-Riv- erbay Board President Charles Parness’ wife Sandra, was the Democratic Female District Leader. Back then, no one did anything in or around Co-op City if it was not in the best interest of the community – period. The aforementioned elected representatives who I just listed made sure of that.

They were protective of this community because the former residents of Co-op City knew how to articulate and demand from strength. They had no problem with rising up against any unreasonable issue. Back then, they clearly understood the power of the ballot and organized protests. Back then, they understood that Co-op City’s greatest strength was in our numbers, not in our Social Media attitudes. Refusing to vote or get involved was not an option. Back then, the community was very protective of their surroundings and the elements that they did not perceive as being in our best interest. We need to stand up for ourselves right now!

Back then, Co-op City voted in huge numbers. Our community was respected. Now our votes appear to be more sought after than respected. Co-op City residents need to prove that we cannot always be bullied into submission.

In closing, I do have an alternative location to suggest to the owners of Mellow Tymes, LLC. At the end of E. Gunhill Road, near the I-95/Hutchinson River Parkway southbound exit & entrances, there is an empty structure. The former Gunhill Diner building is arguably larger than the former Chase Bank structure on Coop City Blvd., and comes with a fairly large parking lot.

There are three advantages to applying for a license at that location. First, it’s in a location that has great access. Second, no residential structures, with the closest church and public school being a considerable number of blocks away. Last, the building is literally only 20 feet away from the Pelham Garden Motel. Location, location, location!

Thank you for reading my viewpoint, and you may reach me at: rsaunders@riverbayboard.com.