Co-op City Times 04-12-25

“Chag Pesach kasher vesame’ach.” Have a kosher and joyous Passover.

Riverbay Finance Department to Hold Income Affidavit Help Sessions

BY DANIELLE CRUZ

The annual income affidavit filing period for Co-op City shareholders has officially begun and shareholders are reminded that the filing deadline for the 2024 Income Affidavit is Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

This year, shareholders will have two options to file their 2024 Income Affidavits. Shareholders can either fill out the traditional paper form, which is mailed out to all cooperators required to file, or fill out an electronic form which is available now on the Riverbay website at https://www.coopcity.com/income-affidavit

The Riverbay Finance department will also be hosting three Income Affidavit Help Sessions to assist shareholders with completing the paper version of the 2024 Income Affidavit.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, April 15, in the Dreiser Center, Auditorium C, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The second session will be on Thursday, April 17, in the Bartow Center, Room 31, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The third and final session will be held on Tuesday, April 22, in the Einstein Center, Room 45, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2025 Riverbay Board Election Packages Available for Pick-up

Election Information Session to be held Monday, April 21

By ROZAAN BOONE

Co-op City shareholders of record as of April 1, 2025 interested in running for one of five seats expiring on the Riverbay Board of Directors can pick up an election package starting today, Saturday, April 12, from Public Safety headquarters in the Bartow Center.

From Monday-Friday during regular business hours, election packages are available from the Riverbay Legal department, also located in the Bartow Center, and after hours from Public Safety.

The 2025 Election Committee, co-chaired by Board Directors Monique Coleman and Leah Graham, invites potential candidates to attend an Election Information Session which will be held on Monday, April 21, in Room 31 of the Bartow Center from 7-9 p.m. At the session, shareholders considering a run in the 2025 Riverbay Board election will learn more about the responsibilities of a Riverbay Board director, candidate eligibility and the election application process.

Included in each election package are:

• Statement of Intent to seek election to the Riverbay Board

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Shareholders interested in attending one of the help sessions should bring their 2024 Income Affidavit form, along with a photo ID, the 2024 Tax Returns for everyone required to sign the affidavit,

2025 Riverbay Board Election Rules & Schedule Approved

Annual Shareholders Meeting Set for Wednesday, May 28

By ROZAAN BOONE

The Riverbay Board of Directors passed Emergency Resolution 25-14 on Wednesday, April 9, approving the 2025 Board election rules and schedule, the Election Committee co-chairs appointed by the president of the Corporation, and setting the date of the annual shareholders meeting for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 7 p.m., in the Dreiser Auditorium.

Emergency Resolution 25-14 states

that “the annual shareholders meeting and election of directors of the Riverbay Corporation is hereby scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, and shall be conducted in accordance with the general rules and schedule hereby adopted and annexed hereto; and

“Be it further resolved,that subject to the Riverbay Corporation By-laws

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Join the 2025 Riverbay Board Election Committee

• Acknowledgement of receipt of the 2025 Election Rules

• Notice regarding prohibited campaign contributions

• Acknowledgement of qualifications to be a candidate

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Delivery of Income Affidavit Forms

The Post Office informed Riverbay Management this week that the Income Affidavit packages would be delivered to Co-op City households on Friday, April 10, 2025.

We sincerely apologize for the delay and thank shareholders who called to let us know they had not yet received their Income Affidavit packages. If you do not receive your package by the middle of next week, please let us know so we can follow up with the local post office.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

—Riverbay Finance Department

Reparations Public Hearing

The 2025 Riverbay Board of Directors’ election is going to be unique this year, because the Department of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) is requiring in-person voting by all shareholders. The election theme will be comm-U-N-I-T-Y, because “unity” is a key part of cooperative living and we’re not just neighbors; we’re a community.

The 2025 Election Committee needs shareholder-volunteers to serve! If you are passionate about our community and want to make a difference, please consider joining this year’s Election Committee. Your involvement will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth and successful election process.

“The Election Committee co-chairs are seeking dedicated, community-focused shareholders to join the 2025 Election Committee,” said 2025 Election Committee co-chairs Monique Coleman and Leah Graham. “With our in-person election this year, we need team members to assist with communications, voter education, engagement, and more. If you’re passionate about our community, we encourage you to participate and help us achieve a quorum swiftly!”

To join the Election Committee, email Riverbay2025Election@riverbaycorp.com and come to an information session on Monday, April 21, at 7 p.m., where you can learn more. This meeting will be held in-person at Bartow Center, Rm. 31. Together, we can achieve great things!

––Monique Coleman & Leah Graham Co-Chairs, 2025 Election Committee

On Thursday, April 10, the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies (NYSCCRR) held its fifth public hearing at the Dreiser Community Center. Shareholders attending the hearing were able to sign up and share personal testimonies with the commission about the harm and impact of slavery and structural discrimination. The key theme for this hearing was to explore the harm of the Great Migration and post-Reconstruction in the Bronx. NYSCCRR was established in 2023 with the aim of examining reparations, addressing the long-term impact of slavery on African American New Yorkers, and developing policy recommendations that promote just and equity.

Photos by Tamira King

Packages ––– (Continued from page 1)

• Notice to prospective candidates regarding questions

• Authorization for background check

• Certification from Finance department that maintenance is current

The deadline to return the executed election package to enter this year’s Board election is Monday, April 21, 2025, no later than 10 p.m. Completed election packages can be dropped off in the Legal department. They can also be emailed to the Election Committee at Riverbay2025Election@riverbaycorp. com or turned in at the Election Information Session on Monday, April 21.

“Want to make a difference? The Election Committee invites all shareholders to embrace your community! Whether you’re ready to run for a seat on the Board or lend your time and talents to the Election Committee, this is your coop, and your support matters,” stated Director Graham.

“The 2025 Election Committee encourages shareholders to attend the Information Session being held next Monday, April 21, to learn more about the responsibilities of being a Board Director and the work of the Election Committee during this annual process in our community,” said Director Coleman. “Come with your questions so you can become an engaged and informed shareholder as we work together to make a positive difference in our community and further the work of the corporation.”

In addition to the 2025 Election Committee co-chairs, attendees at the April 21st Information Session will also be counseled by Riverbay General Counsel Jeff Buss.

The annual Riverbay Board election period typically begins in late March-early April, and the annual meeting of shareholders is held in May, according to the Riverbay Corporation Bylaws, to elect one-third of the 15-member Board of Directors to serve three-year terms.

Once a prospective candidate is vetted by the Election Committee and deemed to be eligible, they earn a spot on the ballot and are able to participate in the election.

According to Election Rule B, “Rules for Eligibility of Candidates,” candidates for the Board of Directors must be:

1. A resident shareholder as indicated on the candidate’s stock certificate, occupancy agreement, and the current Occupants Annual Income Affidavit of Family Income. In addition, candidates must continue to reside in Co-op City for the duration of their term of office in order to serve as a Board director.

2. No more than one resident shareholder of a single unit may be a candidate for the Board and no more than one resident shareholder from a single unit may concurrently serve as a Board director.

3. No candidate may be indebted to Riverbay Corporation on the date candidates are certified or on the date votes are counted.

In addition, all candidates must remain current throughout the election period for unpaid carrying charges or other debts to Riverbay until the candidate

is sworn in, if elected.

A candidate shall not be indebted to Riverbay for purposes of this rule if their monthly carrying charges and maintenance are fully paid by the 10th day of the month in which it is due, or if they are current on a payment plan issued in the ordinary course of business on terms available to all shareholders.

At the close of business one day prior to the certification of candidates, and on the 10th day of each month thereafter during the Election, Riverbay’s Finance director will provide a written list to the chairs of the Election Committee of all candidates’ indebtedness to Riverbay, if any.

If a candidate is indebted to Riverbay on any of those days, the Election chairpersons shall provide written notice of the indebtedness to the candidate. If the candidate fails to cure said indebtedness within three (3) business days of receiving notice of their indebtedness from the Election chairpersons, the candidate will be disqualified.

4. Prospective candidates may, after signing the required authorizations for background checks and upon verification that they are current on their indebtedness to Riverbay, be certified as candidates for election to the Board if they:

• Are shareholders of record

• Maintain their primary residence at Riverbay

• Do not hold a political party position or public office subject to the New York State Election Law

• Have not been convicted of a crime against the Corporation

• Have not been removed from the Corporation’s Board of Directors, or from employment with the Corporation for cause;

• Are not subject to an outstanding federal tax lien for which a payment plan has not been negotiated and accepted; and

• Are otherwise in compliance with the requirements and qualifications of the Corporation’s by-laws, governing documents, their occupancy agreement, and not party to any pending hold-over proceeding.

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Dreiser Auditorium. In-person voting for five directors of the Riverbay Corporation will commence at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, and continue on Thursday, May 29, Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31, 2025.

(See pages 17-20 for the 2025 Election Rules.)

CO - OP CITY TIMES

2ND FRONT PAGE

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

Next CB #10 Meeting

The next full Board meeting and public hearing of Bronx Community Board #10 will take place on Thursday, April 17, beginning at 7 p.m., at Jeanne Jugan Residence, 2999 Schurz Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465. To request access or other accommodations, please contact CB#10 at 718-892-1161 or bx10@cb.nyc.gov at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Gospel Concert

Come out and enjoy a time of worship and praise. The office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson will be hosting their annual Gospel Concert on Saturday, May 3, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring special performances by Pastor Lindsey Williams with “Divine Connection” and Pastor Eric and Brittney Bias. For more information or to RSVP, contact Larcenia Walton at 718-5903354 or lwalton@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

Easter Tea Party

Celebrate Easter with a parade, Easter egg hunt, music, games and a movie, on Saturday, April 19, in Room 31 at the Bartow Center, starting at 12 p.m.

Movie time: 2 p.m., “Alice in Wonderland.”

This event is sponsored by Riverbay Community Relations department. Fore information, email community@riverbaycorp.com.

Co-op City Annual Community Fair

Calling all vendors! The Co-op City Community Fair is on Saturday, June 14, 140 Benchley Place (Greenway). For more information and to reserve your spot, email community@riverbaycorp.com.

Next Fruits & Vegetables Distribution

The next fruits and vegetables distribution will take place in Section 5 on Friday, April 25, 1-4 p.m. Come early and bring your shopping bags and cart. For more information, email community@riverbaycorp.com.

Scan QR code to read the Co-op City Times online at issuu.com/cctimes

New Court Filing Suggests Congestion Pricing Will Continue

By BRANDON ORTIZ

With a deadline to pause the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) looming later this month, a new court filing released last Friday suggested a different timeline that extends into the summer and early fall.

In a letter to Judge Lewis Liman dated April 4, representatives from both the MTA and the federal government presented a case management schedule to the United States District Court for both lawsuits related to the continuation of congestion pricing. This extended timeline “will allow the Court to resolve any disputes regarding the sufficiency of the administrative record and the need for additional discovery in advance of the briefing on dispositive motions,” as stipulated in the letter.

There are key dates on the adjusted timeline according to the letter, starting with April 18, when the MTA must finalize any amendments to their complaints. May 27 will be the final day for the Federal Defendants’ answers to the complaints in addition to the Production of the Administrative Record. Next, if either party feels the administrative record is incomplete, they must file a formal request by June 24. Should either party file a formal request, the process would then extend to July 29.

Thirty days after the administrative record is finalized, the Federal Defendants can file their motion for a summary judgment. Ultimately, the proceedings for a summary judgment will wrap up two months after the initial fil-

ing by the Federal Defendants. On the shortest timeline, the presented schedule could be completed sometime in September, or alternatively about a month later in October. Regardless, the timeline presented far exceeds the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) most recent deadline of April 20 for New York to turn off the congestion pricing tolling cameras.

On March 20, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced an extension of 30 days for New York to comply with federal orders to terminate the CBDTP.

Despite the letter to Judge Liman outlining the proposed schedule, representatives from both the MTA and USDOT remain committed to their respective stances. US attorney Dominika Tarczynska told the NY Post on April 9 that the April deadline was still in effect. “The Department of Transportation maintains the position that New York City should stop charging tolls by April 20. The secretary, however, is still evaluating what the (DOT’s) options are if New York City does not comply, and there has been no final decision as to what, if anything, will occur on April 20,” Tarczynska said.

Meanwhile, MTA’s legal representation maintained that the tolling cameras will remain operational. “We don’t intend to turn it off until there’s

DOT to Discuss Baychester Ave. Safety Improvement Plan

The Municipal Services Committee of Community Board #10 will meet on Wednesday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium when the New York City Department of Transportation will present their Baychester Avenue Safety Improvement Plan (between Darrow Pl. & Aldrich Pl.)

CB #10 Municipal Services Committee and members of the public will be able to comment and ask questions although, due to time constraints, everyone may not have an opportunity to speak. Information will be given at the meeting on who to contact with additional questions. Everyone is invited to attend the April 30th meeting in Co-op City. Questions may be directed to CB#10 at (718) 892-1161 or email bx10@ cb.nyc.gov.

an order from your honor that we need to do so,” Roberta Kaplan, a lawyer for the MTA, said on April 9. During an MTA Board meeting last month, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber underscored that since the onset of congestion pricing there have been 2.8 million fewer cars in the Congestion Relief Zone. The MTA projects to generate around $450 million in revenue this year from congestion pricing.

NYCPS Chancellor Releases Report in Response to Community Feedback

By BRANDON ORTIZ

New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos released a report on April 3 in response to the community feedback she received on her one-month citywide Listening Tour.

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos’ report highlighted several key initiatives NYCPS is undertaking to address the concerns of parents and students. There are three key commitments the Chancellor outlined in her report: ensuring safety and promoting wellness, strengthening comprehensive teacher support, and fostering genuine and impactful family and community engagement. The report goes on to detail how NYCPS is currently handling each of the Chancellor’s commitments and steps for improvement.

Beginning with the commitment to ensure safety and promote wellness, parents and students said that NYCPS was succeeding in several facets. Specifically, the report discussed the ongoing work supportive social workers and school counselors do for students and parents to feel heard, as well as the improved sense of security the Safer Access door locking program has provided. Other positive areas of note included the impact that community partnerships have for students, the resources that community schools provide and the ongoing efforts to empower and elevate student voices.

On the flipside, parents and students felt there were ways that NYCPS could improve in their commitment to ensure safety and promote wellness. Students raised concerns that they needed more support to handle mental health issues as well as more anti-bullying and anti-vaping initiatives to combat the proliferation of vaping and drug use in schools. Students also expressed a desire for more

extracurricular opportunities and improved safety when traveling to school. Two other areas of improvement that community members suggested was improving the speed with which schools handle facility repairs that can be disruptive to learning and improving the support system in place for immigrant students.

Transitioning to the second commitment, strengthening comprehensive teacher support, the community felt that teachers do a solid job of creating a safe space for learning and that NYCPS offers a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers.

As for areas of improvement related to teacher support, community feedback pointed to adjusting the schedules of teachers so that they can spend more time learning how to integrate NYC Reads and NYC Solves, which are programs designed to improve reading comprehension and math skills, respectively. The report also underscored the need for “better understanding of the impact of disability on a learner’s needs, particularly those with autism,” in addition to delivering “job-embedded coaching, model classrooms, peer-to-peer mentoring, and master class opportunities” for teachers.

NYCPS’ third commitment, fostering genuine and impactful family and community engagement, had a few efforts the community felt were currently working. Many brought up the “valuable contributions” that parent coordinators have, as well as the input parents can provide as a member of their child’s school leadership team. Both parents and students also appreciated the recent upgrades to online high school admissions tools.

To improve community engagement efforts, parents

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Rules ––– (Continued from page 1)

and the aforementioned general rules promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Riverbay Corporation, the Election Committee appointed by the President of the Corporation is hereby approved by the Board of Directors and charged with the duty and responsibility of supervising the 2025 election of Directors; and

“Be it further resolved, that the eligibility of shareholders to vote shall be determined in accordance with the general rules and regulations annexed hereto; and

“Be it further resolved, that the President and Secretary of the Corporation shall issue proper notice of the annual meeting and election in accordance with the Riverbay Corporation By-laws by publication in the Co-op City Times.”

Directors who voted to approve Emergency Resolution 25-14 are co-chairs of the 2025 Election Committee, Directors Monique Coleman and Leah Graham, as well as Directors Michelle Marbury, Mary Pearson, Board President Rod Saunders, Directors Jacqueline Smith, Anika Green-Watson and Lynette Wright.

Directors Bernard Cylich, Kevin Lambright and Andrea Leslie voted no and Directors Daryl Johnson and Dr. Kyshawn White were absent for the vote. Director Leah Richardson was recorded absent for the meeting.

The Riverbay Board of Directors is the policy-making body of the Riverbay Corporation, and any shareholder of record who meets criteria outlined in the annual Riverbay Board of Directors’ Election Rules & Regulations has a right to run for and be elected to the Riverbay Board of Directors, to elect directors and to participate in the annual shareholders meeting.

On Monday, April 21, the 2025 co-chair of the Election Committee, Director Coleman and Graham, will host an election information session from 7-9 p.m. in Room 31 of the Bartow Center. Shareholders interested in running for the Board of Directors as well as those who would like to volunteer on the Election Committee are invited to attend. The topics of discussion at the April 21st Election Information Session include an overview of the Board of Directors, responsibilities of Board Directors, and the election application process and candidate eligibility. In addition, the 2025 Election Committee requirements and schedule will be covered for those who wish to serve on the committee.

In a notice posted in the Co-op City Times on Saturday, April 5, Election co-chairs Graham and Coleman emphasized that the 2025 election theme is “Unity,” a key part of cooperative living because Co-op City shareholders are not just neighbors, they comprise a community. As part of its outreach, the Election Committee seeks dedicated, community-focused shareholders to join the committee.

“With our in-person election this year, we need team members to assist with communications, voter education, engagement, and more. If you’re passionate about our community, we encourage you to participate and help us achieve a quorum swiftly,” Election Committee co-chairs Graham and Coleman wrote.

Shareholders interested in joining the 2025 Election Committee should contact the committee by sending an email to Riverbay2025Election@riverbaycorp.com

According to the new Mitchell-Lama Reform Law’s interpretation of the Public Housing Finance Law 13-c, voting must be done in-person, unless the shareholder of record is casting an absentee mail-in ballot. In-person voting can be by paper ballot or electronically as long as the voting machine is overseen by an independent election company. “At-home” remote voting is no longer permitted, according to the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR).

(See pages 17-20 for the 2025 Election Rules.)

Emergency Reading - Resolution #25-14

Adoption of Rules & Schedule for 2025 Board Election

SUBMITTED BY: Leah Graham SECONDED BY: Monique Coleman

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: April 9th, 2025

WHEREAS, the Riverbay Corporation By-Laws, Article II, Section 1, requires the annual shareholders meeting to take place in the month of May on a date to be set by the Board of Directors;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the annual shareholders meeting and election of directors of the Riverbay Corporation is hereby scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, and shall be conducted in accordance with the general rules and schedule hereby adopted and annexed hereto; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that subject to the Riverbay Corporation By-laws and the aforementioned general rules promulgated by the Board of

Riverbay Directors’ Corner

Inelle Cooper, Director, Human Resourses Department

My name is Inelle Cooper and I am the director of Human Resources for Riverbay Corporation.

Human Resources (HR) is a critical component of any successful organization. Some of the activities of Human Resources include, but are not limited to, seeking to identify and hire the most qualified talent, provide training, as needed, to develop our human capital, and support employee retention, engagement and overall productivity. One might say that HR serves as the connection between the organization’s management team and its employees in creating a positive flow of open communication, which is an important factor in developing and supporting a positive organizational culture that supports teamwork and allows people to reach their fullest potential. In tandem, building and maintaining a productive workforce that strives for continuous improvement and mutual accountability, is how we drive organizational success through employee engagement while managing change in the workplace. This ultimately benefits the community Riverbay serves.

Riverbay Corporation’s workforce is comprised of workers covered under six (6) different Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). In a highly unionized environment, Human Resources represents the organization’s best interests in negotiations with unions and ensures the interpretation and implementation of CBAs. HR facilitates positive collaboration and cooperation between unions and management to encourage cohesion toward accomplishing shared goals.

My team and I endeavor to build high performing teams that deliver exceptional service to the community.

Deepest Sympathy

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague, Steyvon Baker, assistant director of the Riverbay Restorations department. Steyvon was an important part of the Riverbay team and will be greatly missed by those who had the privilege of working with him.

Funeral will be held today, Saturday, April 12, at Unity Funeral Home, 2352 Frederick Douglass Blvd., New York, NY where the funeral processional will depart promptly at 9 a.m. for Hoboken Cemetery in North Bergen, NJ. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Service will be held at Master Lodge 99, 454 West 155 Street, New York, NY, followed by Repass at 2 p.m. at the same location. Please keep Steyvon’s family, friends and loved ones in your prayers during this difficult time.

Directors of the Riverbay Corporation, the Election Committee appointed by the President of the Corporation is hereby approved by the Board of Directors and charged with the duty and responsibility of supervising the 2025 election of Directors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the eligibility of shareholders to vote shall be determined in accordance with the general rules and regulations annexed hereto; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President and Secretary of the Corporation shall issue proper notice of the annual meeting and election in accordance with the Riverbay Corporation By-laws by publication in the Coop City Times.

YES: Coleman, Graham, Marbury, Pearson, Peterson, Saunders, Smith, Watson, Wright

NO: Cylich, Lambright, Leslie

ABSENT FOR VOTE: Johnson, White

ABSENT: Richardson PASSED

Coming Events!

African-American Association

Today, April 12 – Wholistic Health & Wellness Fair; Saturday, 3 p.m. on Zoom. Meeting ID: 841 3081 8479, Passcode: 920061

May 3 – Open Mic/Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. 15.

May 17 – 12th Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee, 1 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm 4.

May 18 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., on Zoom.

June 7 – Visit our table at the Co-op City Fair, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

June 8 – Pre-Juneteenth Celebration, 3 p.m., AAACC Elections, Dreiser Center, Rm. 15.

August 17 – Marcus Garvey Drum Circle Celebration, Section 1 Greenway or Dreiser Center, Rm. 15 (in case of rain).

September 6 – Visit us at the Co-op City Fair, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

September 13 – Open Mic Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. 15.

September 21 – General Meeting, Sunday, 3 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. 15.

October 11 – Open Mic Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

October 19 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. 15

November 16 – General Meeting, 3 p.m. on Zoom

December 6 – Open Mic Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. 15

December 20 – Pre-Kwanzaa Event, 3 p.m., Bartow Center, Rm. 31 AAACC Membership

$25/year for single membership and $35/year for family/ household membership. Zelle your payment using our email address. Email: aaaccpower@ gmail.com. Call: 646-883-9095. The African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. AAACC Programs

Belly Dance Classes – Contact Xonia Wilson at 646-301-9438

Evening Line Dance Classes – Contact Cynthia Dixon at 917-903-7073

Co-op City Baptist Church “Gospel Line Dancers” – Contact Joyce Smith, 718-320-0714

––Michelle Marbury

Building 25 Association

Greetings, Building 25 cooperators, and welcome to cooperators who recently moved into Building 25. Best wishes and happy birthday to those cooperators celebrating their birthday in April. We wish our Jewish neighbors and friends a bright and festive Passover.

Sick and Shut-ins: We wish you better health and brighter days. Condolences: Our heartfelt sympathies to cooperators who have recently lost a loved one.

Reminders

The 2024 Income Tax filing is due by April 15, 2025. The 2024 Income Affidavit filing deadline is April 30. Shareholders can file either electronically or on paper. It is advisable to understand each option before filing.

Installation of natural gas detectors in Building 25 occurred on 4/5 and 4/6/2025. We recommend that shareholders who were not available on those dates contact our Safety department at 718-320-3300, ext. 3388, to reschedule.

Thank You: To everyone who voted during the NYC Council Participatory Budgeting Vote Week that ended on April 7.

Our next building association general meeting will be on April 15 at 7:30 p.m., in the meeting room under the portico. We hope you will attend this meet-

ing. If you are unable to attend the meetings, you may use the association’s email bldg25association@gmail.com, or the suggestion box, in our laundry room to communicate with the association’s board. The yearly building association’s dues are $5 per family.

We wish everyone a good week.

—Evelyn Herbert

Adler Place Townhouse Association

Adler Place shareholders, the Co-op City Times is one of the many mediums that will be used to pass on information to you. Flyers have become limited; one will be posted in each of the bulletin boards, and email will be used for communication.

Our meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is on April 15, at 7 p.m., in Rm. 31 at the Bartow Avenue Community Center. Please try to attend some of these meetings.

—K. Graham

– • Letters to the Editor • –

The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be signed by the writers and include their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the authors. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times office in Room 21, Bartow Community Center, by 3 p.m. every Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters are solely the writer’s and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.

Standards of Living

To the Editor:

At the last Open Board meeting, I don’t think I was clear about my opinion about this community I truly love no longer being safe.

When I moved here with my wife in 2010, we weren’t looking for Co-op City to be perfect. But we did feel that Co-op City was unlike any other community in the United States.

That being said, we shouldn’t compare our special oasis to any other community.

Now, we’ve had numerous calls of verified shots fired over a span of a year, a young girl raped, shots going through two shareholders windows on two separate occasions, homeless people sleeping in our buildings, on our mall benches and, in my opinion, some with mental problems, a young man shot in the arm, gang activity,

To the Editor:

cars being vandalized, people being robbed and I could go on and on. I’m not trying to frighten you but on second thought maybe you should be!

Now, the stats say we’re a low crime community… what do you think?

I refuse to equate Co-op City standards with any other community. We are unique and shouldn’t lower our expectations as they relate to stats. My expectations remain high from the first day we moved here and I’ll continue to do my part in maintaining a level of quality of life anyone would be proud to call Co-op City home.

In my opinion, the problems we’re having is a direct result of our politicians and not CCPD or NYPD. I personally thanked the new Commander Anderson Ortiz of the 45th Precinct for giving our community more NYPD patrols.

—Junius Williams

Volunteering for a Needed Cause

I am a three-year resident of Co-op City. I am excited to be a shareholder in the largest co-op in the U.S. However, I am now concerned regarding the safety of the older ones and those with physical challenges in our community.

My unit faces the quad next to education park on Baychester Ave. During school dismissal, I have observed outrageous behavior from numerous students. They overtake the playgrounds and encourage each other to "Fight. Fight." This is not innocent play; I've observed one student get hit multiple times by a group. The male students, in particular, mimic urinating on the one who was hit while on the floor.

These acts demonstrate a measure of indifference towards manners, neighborly conduct, and safety to themselves, each other, and to the older and physically challenged members of our community. Most of these folks go shopping and doctors’ appointments during school time and try to be back home before school dismissal to avoid any encounter with the students. Many of them use a walker or

shopping cart to maintain their balance while walking.

When the students decide to race off, the frail and elderly are forced to stop in their tracks for fear they might get knocked down.

Our community has CCPD and they are visible, but they are not always where they are needed, at the time they are needed. So what can be done?

As a retired DOE employee, I remember how engaged the school safety guards were. The DOE is not going to place school safety guards inside our community but what if there were Co-op City School Safety officers (or some similar kind of service) where they served only in that capacity. They could be within our grounds during dismissal to redirect students away from the playgrounds and direct them home. Now miracles aren't going to happen overnight, but what have we got to lose?

I am volunteering my time and experience to make this happen and invite Board members and Riverbay Corp. to sit with me to discuss how we can make this happen.

—Ileana Caraballo

Convector Leaks Continue to Cause Financial Strain

To the Editor:

The convector leaks chronically occurring throughout Riverbay have caused financial and emotional trauma to the Corporation and its shareholders. The fact of the matter is the shareholders are the Riverbay Corporation.

Currently, there is a pilot program to assess a sensor in the living room to detect leaks. It is being tested only in the living room leaving the other rooms in the apartment vulnerable to undetected leaks. I believethis is an incomplete solution to a devasting problem that has escaped a viable solution. In addition, the return on investment for this device, under review in the pilot program, is extraordinarily expensive taking generations to achieve a practical ROI, in my opinion. Moreover, the sensor can fail and, in fact, to my knowledge, it has in at least one of the pilot program apartments already.

During the last Open Board Meeting in Dreiser Loop, a Board director suggested that a parallel Pilot Program be

implemented to evaluate a less expensive alternative. Not only is it far less expensive, it provides coverage of all the rooms in each apartment making it, in my opinion, a more comprehensive solution. This approach would place an inexpensive sensor under each convector in each apartment. If a leak is detected, a notification is sent. This notification can go to a central location and then subsequently the Maintenance dept. and the shareholder would be notified. Redundancy is a good thing in all circumstances. It was late and near the end of the meeting. It felt like the suggestion was being dismissed or sidelined at best. To his credit, the one person who was listening was the Executive General Manager who asked if Management was to be responsible for reviewing and implementing the alternate pilot. I believe the significantly less costly alternative suggested provides a comprehensive solution and should be assessed earnestly.

—Ron Campbell

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 34

Article SIXTH of your Occupancy Agreement provides, in part, that your lease automatically renews for an additional three (3) year period. You need to do nothing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) year period. If you will be moving out at the end of your lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Sales Support Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to lease expiration.

Building 34

120 Elgar Place

Current Lease Expiration Date: July 31, 2025

New 3-Year Expiration Date: July 31, 2028

Co-op City Times

Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. (718) 320-3300, ext. 3375 cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Danielle Cruz Managing Editor

Brandi Simpson Junior Associate Editor

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

John Crow New Media Producer

Sheldon Green

Multi-Media Advertising Manager

Brandon Ortiz Media Assistant

P.M. Campbell Media Assistant

Send Us Your Letters: The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be signed by the writer and include their address and phone number, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the author.

Writers will be limited to one letter per topic. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be submitted to the Co-op City Times by 3 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Email cctimes@riverbaycorp.com or mail to 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 21, Bronx, NY 10475. Views and opinions expressed in letters and Directors’ Viewpoint are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.

Advertisements and classified advertisements in the Co-op City Times do not necessarily reflect an endorsement from Riverbay Corp. of goods and services, but present greater options to cooperators of products and services available.

The Riverbay Corporation does not assume any responsibility nor is it a party to any contract or agreement between the cooperator and the vendor. All matter published herein is copyrighted by the Co-op City Times Permission for reprints of advertising or editorial contents produced by the Co-op City Times must be obtained in writing from Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475.

CCTimes Non-Delivery Number

If the Co-op City Times is not delivered: Call 407-666-8317 on Saturdays only, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Public Safety Report

Is Subletting Allowed in Co-op City?

By SGT. JOSEPH VARGAS

Co-op City Department of Public Safety: (718) 671-3050

Tips/Concerns/Comments: info@ccpd.us

Follow on X: @CCPDnyc

then tenant

A sublease is when a tenant who is in a leasing agreement with a landlord enters another “sub” lease agreement with a third party; surrendering a portion or all of the apartment to the third party who will then pay the tenant rent. The tenant or leaser becomes a sublessor and the third party becomes the sublessee. Conventionally, the agreement is between three individuals. The landlord, the tenant, and the third party. In a sublease agreement, the tenant or sublessor will still be responsible for the total rent to the landlord.

Such an agreement is against Co-op City rules and regulations, however. Traditionally, a sublease agreement cannot commence without request by the landlord for rented property; in a Cooperative, all residents must adhere to the Cooperative Agreement.

It is the New York State Consolidated Laws’ Real Property Law (RPP 266-b) that stipulates that tenants renting an apartment must submit a written request to the landlords or owners of the unit in order to sublet the apartment. Co-ops, however, are designed as corporations, where an individual buying “shares” into the cooperative allows them access to a unit or apartment within the cooperative.

Public Safety Blotter

March 30, 2025 – April 05, 2025

March 30, 2025

100 Darrow Place – A cooperator reported observing through their camera, an unknown individual removing multiple packages from the lobby area and exiting the rear of the building.

2049 Bartow Avenue – A Dollar Tree employee reported observing a male suspect remove items from the store shelves and leaving the store without paying. CCPD canvassed the area and apprehended the suspect at the front of Bartow Mall and placed him under arrest. The suspect was processed and charged with petit larceny.

March 31, 2025

140 Benchley Place – A cooperator reported leaving their clothes unattended in the laundry room dryers and upon their return they observed that an unknown individual had removed their clothes without permission and left the area.

April 01, 2025

2049 Bartow Avenue – CCPD assisted lost prevention officers

from the Bay Plaza shopping center and apprehended a suspect who had removed multiple items from a store without paying. The suspect was then escorted back and handed over to NYPD.

April 03, 2025

100 Dreiser Loop – A pharmacy manager reported that their employee had left a bicycle in the lobby while making a delivery and upon their return, they observed that an unknown individual had removed the bicycle without their permission.

April 04, 2025

120 DeKruif Place – A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package had been removed from the lobby area by an unknown individual without their permission.

920 Baychester Avenue –While on routine patrol, CCPD’s Detective Squad observed a parked vehicle sitting on milk crates with all four wheels removed and the passenger side window shattered. Both the owner of the vehicle and NYPD were notified.

Visit us at: www.ccpd.us

Buying the shares and becoming a member of the Cooperative means consenting and adhering to a covenant agreement within the Cooperative. These rules and conditions are formulated by selected, often voted forward, Riverbay Corporation’s Occupancy Agreement is a cooperative covenant “lease” agreement which every “member” or shareholder signs and enters into when claiming an apartment as a strictly private dwelling by the member and family. The 10th covenant agreement declares that a cooperator is “not to sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, encumber or create any charge upon this Agreement, nor sublet any portion of the leased premises or use premises for any business, commercial or professional purposes. The agreement further states that there should be no boarding or permanent guests outside of the immediate family. By entering in the covenant, cooperators give civil authority to Co-op City Public Safety Department (CCPD), which serves as the law enforcement and custodial arm of Riverbay, to enforce the “no subletting” rule. While subletting is not considered criminal, it is, in fact, considered a civil violation when it is prohibited by the management of rented property, and CCPD may issue Community Complaints which may lead to civil penalties of up to $125 for the first offense. Each violation is doubled thereafter.

Other challenges may and often arise from unauthorized subleasing in Coop City. Often, unapproved alterations, additions and “improvements” may be made to the apartment in order to accommodate subletting tenants, incurring additional civil fines. Violation of move-in, move-out permits or lack of permit and noise complaints. Often, unforeseeable conditions with subletting renters may lead to an arrest or criminal c-summons by either CCPD or NYPD which would result in an additional $350 “Anti-Social” civil fine against the cooperator even if arrest or criminal charges against the subleasing tenant is through no direct involvement of the cooperator.

Finally, once boarding or residence is given to a person for more than 30 days in a premises, the New York State squatters rights makes it a challenge to remove any subleasing tenants from a cooperator’s apartment. In other words, after receiving fines and charges from Community Complaints, it may prove challenging to remove the unauthorized resident in the apartment, causing additional fees to continue as the eviction process begins.

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties. Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for instructions.

There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back.

For employment opportunities, please visit the following sites:

www.Indeed.com https://indeedhi.re/

www.Glassdoor.com https://bit.ly/3SgI9Go

www.ZipRecruiter.com https://bit.ly/3Se8bdw

Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply at any 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.

The NYC Department of Transportation is planning to install 20 e-scooter corrals throughout Co-op City. So, get ready to see some changes when travelling throughout our community.

The E-Scooter Program Needs to Go

In June 2020, the City Council legalized the use of e-bikes and e-scooters. But, the main focus was on e-scooters. So, in August 2021, three companies—Bird, Lime, and Veo—hit the Bronx hard with 3,000 e-scooters. Here were the plans for this program: “1. Intended for point-to-point transportation, 2. Increased mobility, 3. Additional transportation option, 4. Convenient for trips that are too far to walk, but too short for the subway or a car, and 5. Connections to transit.”

Previously, some politicians may have thought that these plans were good for NYC. However, lots of e-bikes started to show up. But, after use, these e-bikes were dumped onto our sidewalks. Thereafter, a lot of negative reports emerged about these e-bikes. For instance, a published report states that from 2020 – 2023, there were 2,254 collisions and 2,172 injuries from these e-bikes just in NYC. Moreover, can you believe that there were 22 deaths involving e-bikes within that same time period?

In many cases, some riders were extremely reckless. So, they didn’t have a problem displaying horrible attitudes to folks that they believed were in their way. Furthermore, in lots of cases, they completely disregarded the law concerning riding a vehicle on sidewalks.

But, were the horrors associated with these vehicles confined to the streets of NYC? No. The riders had to bring these e-bikes to their home or to another location to recharge the lithium-ion battery on these vehicles. And, that’s when they experienced some of the worst nightmares ever. In fact, a published report states that the lithium-ion batteries within these vehicles caused 730 fires since 2019. And, these fires were so powerful and horrific that 30 people died and 500 people were injured.

In one of the worst fires ever, the FDNY received a call at 10:41 a.m. on March 5, 2023. This call was about a fire in a building on 181st Street and the Grand Concourse. The FDNY then stated that they arrived on the scene in less than 4 minutes. Then, eventually, 50 units and over 200 members were on the scene of this fire. But, the fire spread from that building to a laundromat. Ultimately, they determined that the cause of that fire was a lithium battery from an e-bike. In Co-op City, some riders have littered our streets and other areas with these vehicles. So, unfortunately,

these vehicles have caused a lot of problems here. Regardless, can you believe that the NYC DOT wants to install 20 e-scooter corrals throughout our community?

According to their plans, they want to install 14 e-scooter corrals throughout sections 1-4. Then, they want to install 6 e-scooter stations throughout section 5. So, is it possible that we will lose some spaces on our streets? Yes!

In Queens, two council members drafted legislation to prevent e-scooters from “operating on certain streets.” Therefore, we need to have similar legislation drafted for our community.

Bay Plaza Mall – Youths Acting Out

An incredibly wild incident occurred at the Bay Plaza Mall on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Televised and online videos showed hundreds of youths running throughout this mall during the afternoon hours. Some of those videos even showed youths throwing chairs in the food court area on the third floor. NYPD officers then arrived on the scene and restored order within this mall.

Bottom line: On August 4, 2023, thousands of young adults went to Union Square around 3 p.m. Thereafter, an incredibly violent riot broke out. Youths then began fighting and throwing objects at other each other. NYPD officers then showed up. Thereafter, some people started violently attacking these officers.

This situation became so bad that the officers had to arrest 65 people. But, can you believe that 30 of those arrested were juveniles? Terrible! Therefore, I want to encourage all parents to please have a discussion about these matters with their family members. Despite what anyone says, please teach them to show respect and kindness to each other, law enforcement officers, and everyone that they encounter. Also, please teach them to never get involved in these types of matters. Thank you. Unexpected Situations

Please consider going online to get an application for the R. U. O. K. program. Why? According to the website for our Public Safety department, coopcity. com/ccpd/, this program

Corrals

“provides a daily check-up phone call and emergency assistance when needed.”

Everyone needs to understand that some cooperators have died in their apartment. And, then, their body may have remained in their apartment for an extended period of time. So, please consider signing up for this program as soon as possible—especially if you don’t have someone to check up on you. The phone number for Public Safety is 718-671-3050. We care about you.

Close

We will not allow our community to go down. So, let’s teach our family members to show respect and kindness towards everyone. God is good. Thank you.

Contact Information

Please send a letter to: Board Director Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Currently, here is my ONLY email account: djohnson@riverbayboard.com.

I will never ask for or accept money from anyone. Therefore, please do not respond to any message with my name on it that requests money, money transfers, gift cards, personal information, or anything from you. And, please do not ever send money or anything to anyone because you saw my name on a false message. Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. And, please hang up your phone immediately if someone calls you and says that they’re Daryl Johnson or is associated with me and asks you for money or anything else.

Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Building 10 Association

Greetings, fellow cooperators.

New Cooperators – Welcome, all new cooperators. We look forward to seeing you at the next general membership meeting.

Building 10 Association Dues – The collection of building association dues for 2025 has begun. Building association dues are $10 per apartment. You can bring your dues to the building association meeting or give them to any executive board member. Please note, the money collected is used for association-related expenses, i.e. flyers, meeting and party supplies and refreshments, etc. See the bulletin board in the lobby for additional collection dates.

Section 2 Summer Fun Day – Save the date: Section 2 Summer Fun Day will be held on Saturday, June 21. Rain date: Sunday, June 22. More details to follow.

Tip of the Week – All shareholders should fill out and submit the Co-op City Emergency Alert System Phone Tree Update Form. This form will allow Riverbay to contact all shareholders in the event of an emergency or to disseminate notifications and alerts on matters that affect our community and/or shareholders. You can be alerted via phone, text and/or email. You can pick up and submit this form to your CSO office.

If You See Something, Say Something – For emergencies, call Co-op City Public Safety at 718-671-3050 and NYPD at 911. For non-emergencies, call 311. You can also contact CCPD at their anonymous tips hotline: 718-879-6311.

Suicide Prevention – If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or in emotional distress, the number to call for help is 988; you can call or text. Someone is available 24 hours a day.

Questions, Comments and Suggestions – You can contact the Building 10 Association via email at Building10Assoc@gmail.com or drop a note in the suggestion box in the laundry room. We are also on Facebook, “Building 10 ABC Association.” Like our page and get notified of all the happenings in and around Building 10.

We would like to wish all who are born this month an incredibly happy birthday. Celebrating an anniversary this month? Happy anniversary!

To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery. To all who have lost a loved one recently, we offer our deepest condolences.

“Do your best everyday!” Have a great week.

––Jewel Crawford-Duncan

Building 6 Assocaition

Happy Saturday, neighbors. I hope when you read this, it finds you in good standing. This afternoon, from 2-4 p.m., Building 6 shareholders will be distributing Easter baskets for children ages 2-10 and candy bags for the youth in the front lobby. Light desserts and refreshments will be served. Children must be present to receive Easter goodies.

This past week, the Social Committee distributed fresh nectarines and red grapes to over 37 apartments. Weather permitting, fresh produce will be distributed every first and third weekend of the month, providing a cushion during these inflationary times. Laundry etiquette is important. Neighbors, please keep up the great work of keeping the laundry room clean, placing used dryer sheets and detergent containers in the correct recycling containers, and being courteous by removing your clothes out of the washing machines and dryers within a 15-minute window. Never place soiled laundry into the carts.

Here in Building 6, neighborly unity is what we aim for. As the saying goes, if you see something, say something; call 718-671-3050 or dial 911. Thank you to Officers Ruiz and Amadeo for always making sure Building 6 residents feel safe. A simple “hello, how are you?” and “are you okay?” goes a long way, fostering mutual respect and camaraderie between Co-op City shareholders and CCPD. If you or anyone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please dial 988, which is open 24/7. Did you know that mental health dictates your overall health in general? So, sprinkle kindness in whatever you do because we never know what a person is silently dealing with. Let’s keep placing the unity back into the community. As always, I pray for safety overall. God Speed.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

Mark Twain

—Lauren K. Lassiter

Toastmasters of Co-op City

Greetings, neighbors and friends of the Co-op City Toastmasters Club. Are you satisfied with how you speak in public and maybe you know someone who is looking for help with public speaking or their leadership skills? Look no further. That is the Toastmaster mission, we just add having fun! Communication is not an option, dear friends. Regardless of where you come from or where you are headed, we all need to be able to communicate and do it effectively and with confidence in order to level up in our lives, society and communities. Therefore, as busy as you are, we invite you to come out and join us when we next meet to learn and have fun. Bring a neighbor. Enjoy light refreshments and we promise the atmosphere is polite, non-judgmental and focused. All meetings are

held in the Dreiser Center, 177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 5 (otherwise noted). Please mark your calendar with these dates. Please plan to attend.

CCTM meets on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

April 17 – Focus: Officers Stand Up

May 1 – Focus: Embrace Change

May 15 – Focus: Positive Thinking BAS (advanced) meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m., the next meetings are on May 13 and June 10. Special guest speakers are invited, and the focus is “We Rise.” All guests are invited to fully participate.

Find us on all forms of social media. You may also call us at 917-2992429, 347-922-2377 and 347-7490623. Please leave a message.

––L. Jaysura

Building 19 Association

Greetings, Building 19 members.

Last Saturday, we had our Game Night, and we had a great time. Our neighbors and children came down and enjoyed an evening of board games, card games, chess, party games, and dominoes. We gave out prizes. We had new members who partook in the event. Engagement and togetherness with our neighbors builds a strong community and well-being, individually and collectively. The attendance of our neighbors made it truly special, and we are honored to have had you join us. It was a pleasure to see everyone who came. We not only hope that you had a wonderful time, but we hope to see you at our next game night, TBD. We are “Cooperators Doing Something.”

We have posted information on the Frances Williams Scholarship Fund. If you are a member in good standing and have a child graduating from high school and going to college, the graduating student can apply for a one-time $500 scholarship. The information is on the flyer. We have a firm deadline of April 25, when all applications have to be in to be considered.

Our building collection continues with dues being $10. We will also have a collection sit-down which will be posted. Our next building association general meeting will be held on May 9, at 7 p.m. We will have a guest speaker which we have not named yet. We look forward to seeing you. If you are not able to attend the meeting, please email us with your concerns to bldg19assoc@gmail. com or you can submit a request through our suggestion box located in the lobby of the building.

We wish all of our cooperators who are ill the best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Our deepest condolences to all who have recently lost a loved one. Wishing all April birthdays a very happy and enjoyable birthday.

Thank you for all your support.

We are Shareholders First – We Matter!!

—Sonia

Feliciano

Building 29 Association

On Wednesday, March 12, our association held its monthly meeting. As I was away, this is a shortened recap of the meeting. Featured were Interim Chief Frank Torres and two representatives from the CCPD, who not only gave out some very useful pamphlets, but also answered many questions. There is still a shortage of officers, but the numbers are slowly being built up. We thank CCPD for their time and the valuable information they shared.

The Association 29 Book Club held its Zoom meeting and discussed Jodi Picault's “Wish You Were Here.” It was, overall, a very enjoyable book, but did strike some spirited discussion on certain issues. The next book to be read will be “The House of Reckoning” by John Saul. All are welcome. Please continue to come to meetings, and bring a neighbor, too! Also, think of ideas and activities you would like to see happen in our association. Do stay well and safe in these difficult times.

––Katharine Wood

Building 33 Association

Good day, shareholders, The Building 33 Association would like you to know that we will soon host a Flea Market, Bake Sale, Bingo Night, and Sip & Paint in the building association room. Please keep an eye out for the dates in the Co-op City Times. We are trying to raise money for the building association, so the items you donate to us will be used for that purpose. Could you start getting your clothes and other items together to give us? Everything you donate will be appreciated.

Marc Seldin, a longtime Co-op City Section 3 resident and music teacher/ band director, would like to start a volunteer community concert band for residents of all skill levels. If you can play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, the band would be playing various styles of music and may perform for our community and local nursing homes. He can be emailed at MarcSeldinMusic@gmail.com or complete the attached at https://forms.gle/eXLUpWkxPzQFesoh6. I do not know Mr. Seldin, but this sounds interesting. If you are a minor, you and your parent should contact and meet Mr. Seldin if you want to join his band.

We would also like our building and neighborhood to be clean. If you, your children, your guest, or anyone else drops litter in the building—whether in the lobby, laundry room, compactor room, or anywhere else, they should pick it up. I will check if other building presidents can announce this in their buildings, too. We should all want this and it is possible and can be easily maintained as well. Co-op City used to be like this when I moved here in 1973 and it could be like this again. We should strive to keep our neighborhood pristine and free of litter, restoring cleanliness to our shared spaces. It is easy people. With a little effort, it can be done. We can do it!

To all the shareholders in the building experiencing difficulty in your life, we are thinking about you and praying for you. Best regards and walk good.

––Andrea D. Mayo

Broun Place Townhouse Association

This week went by very fast, did it not? We hope it was good for you. Some of our neighbors have started preparing for spring. Have you? It is that time of year. Remember if anything is put on the terrace, make sure it will not fly away in the wind. We are still having cold and rainy days, keep hats and warm accessories nearby.

Hopefully, this year’s deep snow has been put to rest untill next October. Our Cherry Blossom trees and Magnolias are in bloom and the buds are coming out in our patio gardens. Photos will be appearing that hopefully will be published.

There are all kinds of meetings and organization activities announced so read carefully and participate. Please make sure you read the column on Director Mike Ambo, head of the Riverbay Grounds department. It truly gives a complete explanation of what he does and what the department is about.

Broun Place has gotten new natural gas detectors. Installation began three weeks ago. What we did not get was the flyer announcing the day and times they were coming! Fortunately, we were home.

Neighbor Thea Lowe (Colombo) remains in a local rehabilitation facility as she recovers from a bad injury from a fall. Currently, she is receiving physical therapy daily. She appreciated the phone calls. April winds emphasize the necessity of securing terrace belongings. We see some activity at locations that have been closed a long time and hopefully fresh new business is coming. Congratulations to them. We wish them success and hope residents will patronize them.

Our Broun Place Townhouse Association accepts new members any time. The membership fees are twelve dollars a year. Dues go to supplies and support of emergency efforts, for example, in case of a neighbor or family member’s death.

Vehicles parked in Broun Place cul de sac are required to have “Disability Placards” to park in the no parking zone. Please report to our CCPD, 718-671-3050, or the 45th Precinct, if you notice a car without a sign. Do not forget, “if you see something, say something!” Drivers of vehicles covered by disability placards, be considerate of others and do not take up two spaces.

Please donate your gently used items using the recycling bins at the front and rear of the garage buildings. Do not leave clothes and miscellaneous items near the dumpster pad sidewalk.

The Police Athletic League and City Harvest are receiving a donation from Broun Place Townhouse Association in lieu of our usual donation to CCPD’s collection. The drought is not over. There are ways to economize your use of water. For example, match the amount of water to the size of your load of clothes.

On Saturdays, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., you can call the following number to report non-delivery of the Co-op City Times, 1-407-666-8317. We urge you to read your Co-op City Times

—Eva Kindaichi Lazaar

Building 27 Association

Hello, neighbors, we have had some unusually windy days recently. Spring is here and we look forward to some better weather, hopefully. Please wear your mask, if needed.

NAACP Co-op City Brunch – Aaron Carnegie, president of our Building 27 Association, is chair of the Criminal Justice Committee for this NAACP branch. A crime prevention presentation will be given on scams and the two speakers will be P.O. Fraterrigo from the 45th Pct. and Vanessa Moses, bank manager for Amalgamated Bank. The meeting location will be 135 Einstein, Rm. 36, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., on April 22.

Income Affidavits – Co-op City Income Affidavits became available April 1, at midnight, and the deadline to submit your income affidavit is April 30. The good news is paper affidavits forms will also be mailed to all shareholders. You will have a choice. This is the age of technology. Speaking of help, assistance will be offered by Councilman Riley at his Co-op City office on April 22 and April 29 at 135 Einstein, Rm. 44. You must RSVP. You also can call 718-684-5509.

Gas Detector – If you have repairs in your apartment, Riverbay will also seize the opportunity to in-

stall a natural gas detector in your apartment too. Committees – The Building 27 Association is in need of a treasurer and entertainment members. If you are interested, please contact Aaron Carnegie, president of the Building 27 Association, at 917-561-7121. Parking Enforcement – Please be mindful as it is important to obey the parking rules of Co-op City. Be mindful of parking and double parking in the building circles, which can prevent CCPD, NYPD, FDNY and emergency services from reaching those in need of immediate assistance. Remind your family, friends and neighbors as well.

Happy birthday to all celebrating this month. To those in bereavement, you have our sympathy. We wish all the best of health and safety. Contact Lydia Rondon at 718-583-3040 and she will gladly acknowledge your birthday by sending you a card, as she is excellent in sharing good will. Also notify her of any illness, or if a neighbor has passed away or transferred to a nursing home.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be change until it is faced.” –James Baldwin

––H. Overman

Building 8 Association

Building 8 Association elections will begin on April 26 in the association room from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The following positions are needed: president of the association, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Please attend and become part of the shareholders who handle quality of life concerns in our building and community. May 3 will be our Building 8 Association election day. Voting will start at 7:10 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m.

Also invited is Ms. Diane Cooper, RN and director of Caregivers Mentorship Empowerment, Inc., who will educate caregivers about resources and changes in our healthcare system, from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. See the bulletin board in the lobby for more details.

––Azalea McDavid

Building 21 Association

Greetings, Building 21, and fellow shareholders.

A Reminder: This is your community. We must stay informed and engaged!

Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m. sharp. It will be virtual on Zoom.

Your building association is where you can start to be engaged in your community.

As a reminder, there are rules we must follow. Safety is important to us. Please report any suspicious activities around our building to Public Safety!

If you are receiving furniture and discarding large amounts of items, please contact CSO to get a permit for the elevators.

Natural gas detectors have been installed in our

building. If yours has not been installed, please contact Maintenance ASAP to schedule your install. We need floor captains on every floor. Please volunteer to be a floor captain on your floor. You can do so by emailing your building and apartment directly to the building association email listed below.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. You can place dues and or suggestions in our lockbox located in the laundry room (next to the television). Our yearly dues are $10.

Our regular monthly meeting is every fourth Thursday of each month. You may contact us at our email us at 21association@gmail.com Stay safe and well. We hope to see you soon. Kevin Lambright

NAACP

The NAACP marches to defend democracy and combat racism and discrimination in communities across the country. Located in the Einstein Community Center, Rm. 36, we meet the fourth Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. The NAACP Co-op City Branch Office hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Mondays & Wednesdays.

The New York Times: “The NAACP has joined a major lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order that requires voters to show proof of citizenship in order to cast a ballot in federal elections. The order has inspired a wave of litigation, with a throng of Democrats independently filing their own challenge, and other groups including the League of Women Voters and the Hispanic Federation banding together to challenge the order.”

NAACP April General Meeting: Join us on April 27 when we welcome Shekera Algarin, Esq. who will discuss the importance of “Knowing Your Rights.” We will also discuss the 22nd constitutional amendment and question, “Can a President run for a 3rd term?” There is talk of loopholes in the law. We will discuss some of those possibilities. The meeting is open to all.

Crime Prevention Scams: The Criminal Justice Chair Aaron Carnegie will be hosting a series of workshops that will be facilitated by the 45th Precinct; Amalgamated Bank and CCPD on April 22, at 6-8 p.m. Bring a neighbor and save your seat. RSVP by phone or email.

Civic Engagement Workshop: The Civic Engagement Chair Felix Omozusi will be hosting a workshop, “Understanding How the POLICE Enforc-

es the LAW,” facilitated the 45th Precinct Community Affairs on April 29 at 7 p.m. Bring a neighbor and save your seat RSVP by phone or email.

“Calling All Men:” Our Health Committee Chair Joyce Dixon, RN, has been successful in obtaining a facilitator to meet with the community in person. The time and location are being finalized. Save the date: June 7, for an important announcement, that could save your life. Keep your radar up the flyer is coming soon.

To purchase your NAACP Co-op City Branch T-Shirt, place your order now! Visit the office or send your money to the office. Adult cost, $25.00, and Youth, $20.00. Make checks payable to NAACP Coop City Branch.

The NAACP issued the Black Consumer Advisory to inform and caution Black consumers about where you spend your money. Support Black-owned businesses. We must protect all groups to have equal access for opportunities across the country.

Follow us on Facebook: “Co-op City NAACP” Looking to make an even greater impact? Become a champion for change and join us to keep advancing Annual membership: Adult, $30; Youth, $10; Silver Life, $750. Make ck/mo. payable to NAACP Co-op City. Mailing address: NAACP Co-op City, 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 36, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 To become a member online, go to www.naacp.org membership, select Co-op City (2210) and join. To leave a message, call the office phone at 718-320-3210, or email naacpccity2210@gmail.com.

—Brenda Brown

AARP Chapter 4997

We would like to thank all who joined us on our March 27 trip to AC. There are just a few seats left on our three-day and two-night Wine and Dine Finger Lake Trip. The trip will be from May 13 to May 15. A double occupancy room is $599 per person and a single room is $799 per person. All money for this trip must be paid immediately.

Please come join us on July 17 for a one-day trip to thebeautiful Tomasello Winery and Atlantic City; $139 per person. Our final trip of the year will be on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship to Canada and New England, from October 10 to October 17. Balcony rooms are $3,058 and $3,106. The final payment for this trip is May 5. Please contact Judith Wright at 718-379-3370 or Hannah Brown at 718-379-7962 for additional information. We are looking forward to seeing you on our trips.

The MTA is phasing them out by the end of this year. We will have to use the OMNY card, which is a contactless payment system. Many of you should have received your OMNY card in the mail. You will notice "RF" on your card, which stands for Reduced Fare. You can activate and load money on your OMNY card at the MTA Buses that come to our community on the 30th of every month, now through December 2025, except for August when the bus will be here on August 29. The bus stops at Einstein Loop, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Dreiser Loop, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. You can also call 511 for the

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exact bus locations.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new members and thank the members who renewed their 2025 Chapter membership. Please note you must be a member of the National AARP to join our local AARP Chapter. You can see or contact Ms. Stella Baker, 718-379-2088, if you have questions about your membership status or to join our chapter. We encourage all to join our AARP Chapter.

We extend congratulations to all of our members who are celebrating a happy occasion. We offer support to our sick and shut-ins and sincere condolences to anyone who has suffered a loss. Please contact Mrs. Frances Wilson, our Good and Welfare chair, at 718-530-4096, to inform her of any member that maybe experiencing an event in their life.

Please note that our office is located at 177 Dreiser Loop, second floor, Rm. 0. We are open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The office phone number is 718-320-1946. Our email address is AARP4997@ gmail.com.

Please come out and join us at our next General Membership meeting on Monday, April 14, at 1 p.m., in the Dreiser Loop Auditorium, second floor. There will be fellowship, refreshments, door prizes, raffles and a lot of useful information shared.

We are here to serve. Not to be served.

––Deborah

D. Henry

National Council of Negro Women

NCNW Co-op City Section – Our official GirlTrek walking season, sponsored by our Health Committee, will resume today, Saturday, April 12. Come join us for our weekly Sisterhood Saturday Walks at 9 a.m. on the greenway. We will be walking together for a shared mission of health, unity and Black girl power. For further information, contact Farah Martin at 917-806-2534 or Keisha Keelen at 917-697-4854.

For those of you who are looking at your financial futures, you may be interested in our “Homebuyer Workshop” on Zoom today, Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., presented by our Economic Empowerment and Professional Development Committee. Our featured speakers will be Janice James, a New York realtor, and Teikesha Hubert, a New Jersey realtor. Meeting ID: 864 7347 1770; Passcode: HOMEBUYING. For more information, contact chair, Aneka Mathieson, or assistant chair, Candacie Daniels, at ncnwcoopcityeepd@gmail.com

Next month, on Saturday, May 17, all of the New York State sections of the National Council of Negro Women will be celebrating our 51st Annual Bethune/ Height Recognition Program. The theme this year is “Speak Truth to Power; Silence Is Not an Option.” Our keynote speaker will be our National President & CEO Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley. The location will be Leonard’s Palazzo, 555 Northern Blvd., Great Neck, New York, starting at 12 p.m. Tickets are available now at $150. At this program each year, all 18 of the NCNW sections from New York State gather to honor outstanding women in our communities, welcome new Life Members, Legacy Life Members and Achievers, all to raise funds for the maintenance of our national headquarters that is located at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. This program is presented by sections all over the United States is named after our Founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and our National President for forty years, Dr. Dorothy I. Height. For more information, email ncnwnysbhrp2022@gmail.com

Please continue to keep our sisters, Gladys Pryer and Lori Melton, high on the prayer list. Also, please continue to pray for our members who are in a nursing home, rehab center, or housebound.

NCNW National – The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) strongly opposes any attempt to censor, distort, or dismantle the telling of America’s full and inclusive history. Efforts to withhold funding from the Smithsonian complex, especially the National Museum of African American History and Culture, threaten not only a vital educational resource but also the very integrity of our national narrative. NCNW calls on policymakers, educators, and citizens across the country to reject false narratives that seek to divide us. We must support institutions that honor our collective past and protect our shared future. Our founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, believed deeply in the transformative power of education and the necessity of truth.

—Joyce Howard

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KIDS Storytime

TEEN CCPCounseling (Virtual) 1-2PM TEEN ArtClub 3-4:30PM KIDS LegoLounge 3:30-4:30PM

TEEN BINGO 3-4PM 3-4:30PM

KIDS StoryTime 11-11:45AM

KIDS OpenPlay ‘n’Craft 11-11:45AM

KIDS LegoLounge 3:30-4:30PM 12-1PM TEEN CCPCounseling 1-2PM

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KIDS LegoLounge 3:30-4:30PM KIDS Storytime TEEN ArtClub 3 -4:30PM 7

ADULT ChairYoga KIDS MudKitchen 11:15-12:15PM KIDS HappyHands 11:15-12PM

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KIDS Bingo 3:30-4:15PM KIDS ColoringClub 3-5PM TEEN Lounge 3-5PM KIDS MudKitchen ADULT1-2PMPainting

(Virtual) TEEN Sewing 2-4PM (Virtual) ADULT Tech OfficeHr. 1-2PM

ADULT Tech OfficeHr. 1-2PM ADULT Painting 1-2PM Patio Re-opening Party 11:15-12PM KIDS HappyHands

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TEEN CCPCounseling (Virtual) 1-2PM TEEN ArtClub 3-4:30PM TwinCities

KIDS LegoLounge 3:30-4:30PM 2 3

KIDS Paint+Snack 3:30-4:30PM Connectwithus: @baychesternypl nypl.org/events 11:15-12:15PM 3-5PM KIDS ColoringClub

ADULT Tech OfficeHr. 1-2PM ADULT ChessClass 1 2-2PM ADULT ChessClass ADULT ChessClass ADULT ChessClass 12-2PM

TEEN ArtClub TEEN ArtClub 3-4:30PM TEEN/TWEEN Lounge 3-5PM TEEN Lounge 3-5PM TEEN Lounge 3-5PM 3-5PM

TEEN CCPCounseling 1-2PM TEEN Adulting101 4-5PM

ARTCLUB 3-4M FRIDAYSATURDAY 12 KIDS ColoringClub

TEEN‘n’Tween VideoGames 3-5PM (Virtual)

KIDS SchoolAged SnackandStories 3:30-4:30PM

ChairYoga 12-1PM KIDS StoryTime 11-11:45AM TEEN CCPCounseling 1-2PM

4-6PM KIDS ColoringClub 3-5PM

ADULT Bingo 12-1PM KIDS Afternoon Movie:Super MarioBros. 2-3:30PM

By P.M. CAMPBELL

Co-op City Creatives: Clarence Walsh

Clarence Walsh, 78, has lived in Co-op City for over 30 years. The Section 5 resident has been writing poetry on humanity, spirituality, and nature for more than two decades. He retired from his career as a technician 19 years ago, and now has the time to focus on his writing. He published A Journey of the Mind in 2022 and Reflection of Thoughts in 2024.

“It fills a void in my life—being retired for so long. It fills that void and makes me feel worthwhile in the moment. It gives me peace and contentment.”

One morning before work, he found a column in a newspaper looking for amateur poets. He decided to submit despite lacking experience in the genre. With the help of his daughter and son, he

was named “Poet of the Year” for his poem titled, “Beauty creation.”

“What is beauty?

“It’s god’s creation “Beauty is diversity, it's the spectrum visualization of each being.”

Mr. Walsh is proud to be a self-taught poet. He points out that—because of British colonialism in Jamaica—he was not

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taught Caribbean literature in school. His work can be compared to Linton Kwesi Johnson because it affirms the wisdom of average people in their own voices. The narrator in poems like “Back to Mi Root,” written in Jamaican Patois, is an authoritative source on his island.

“Now mi look back and water drop out a mi

“eye When mi se the now guys

“Them nou have nou pride for the beautiful island of sun shine.

“Yo never know the value of the vessel til the batty drop out

“When mi open mi eye and se the wide open blue sea

“Mi have retrospect of when mi was a pinckney a dive with mi friends dem

“Wi use to climb the people mango tree and kick ball in a di open field.”

Though Mr. Walsh has traveled the world in search of beauty, he has a deep connection for his home. His best work comes to him while looking out of his 24th floor window, or while sleeping in his bed. Some poems in his recent books are decades old, and today he is working on a novel which has been on the shelf for 18 years. He encourages new writers to be bold.

“If you have a thought and feel like doing it, don't be scared,” he says. “It's hard to get the courage but if you put your first foot out, you’ll find that it wasn't that hard.”

Building 17 Association

We hope everyone is enjoying the spring season so far! Here are a few brief announcements and reminders we'd like to share this week.

The Building 17 Association is pleased to welcome special guest, Interim Public Safety Chief Frankie Torres, to our next association meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. We encourage all Building 17 cooperators to attend, as we’ll be discussing important topics related to building concerns and the overall public safety of Co-op City. Light refreshments will be served for all attendees. We’d also like to remind cooperators about proper laundry room etiquette. Please be mindful of returning on time to retrieve your clothes from the washer and dryer to avoid the inconvenience to others. We also kindly ask that you not sort dirty laundry in the carts, as this can pose a health risk to our fellow residents.

Additionally, for the safety of everyone in the building, please do not buzz in anyone you do not personally know.

Remember: Today is the beginning of a better tomorrow.Stay alert and be safe!

Amanda Delerme

REMINDER –

Carrying Charge Boxes

Shareholders are reminded that the carrying charge deposit boxes located in the community centers open on the morning of the first business day of the month and close at midnight on the 10th of the month, which is the last day to pay your carrying charges before a late fee is accessed. If the 10th of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the carrying charge boxes remain open through the next business day.

Riverbay Management

Hello, April! “April showers bring May flowers.” As the weather shifts and our days grow longer, Building 26 is blooming with energy and fresh momentum. We are excited to share all the great things happening in our community!

At last month’s general meeting on Tuesday, March 25, we were joined by special guests, janitorial supervisors Mr. Parrot and Nichelle. Shareholders had the opportunity to express their concerns, as well as their appreciation, for the team’s noticeable hard work. Both supervisors welcomed all feedback, so if you see an issue, let’s address it together—do not ignore the problem, bring solutions.

Building 26 Association

19, but we will be back on May 3 with something special. Bring a friend and stop by—we love seeing your happy faces!

This past week, we proudly served over 65 families during our latest Yummy and Healthy food distribution. We offered a beautiful selection of produce, including onions, potatoes, lemons, grapes, scallions, bread and chicken. We also shared a simple tropical fruit salad recipe and tasty samples, plus a surprise visit from the Spring Bunny, who handed out treat bags to all. These moments of joy and connection with our neighbors are priceless.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible team of volunteers. These events would not be possible without you. As a gentle reminder, let’s always show kindness to our volunteers and be considerate of our fellow neighbors. Sharing is caring, and mutual respect makes everything better.

Note: There will be no food distribution on April

Building 13 Association

Building 13 wishes a happy Passover and Palm Sunday to all.

Passover begins April 12 at sundown and ends at nightfall on April 20. Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday and one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. It celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. To our community, “Chag Pesach Sameach!”

Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, falls on April 13. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and marks the start of Holy Week, which is greatly important for Christians. Happy Easter Sunday on April 20.

Building Collection: Our vice president, Wendell Mattison, has set the following dates for the collection of dues and the purchase of Summer Fun Day shirts. We will be collecting beginning Monday, April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteers will be contacted. If you would like to assist our VP Wendell, please contact him at the number below. During this time, you can purchase your shirt. Shirts will not be on sale the day of the event. Please check the notice that will be posted in the bulletin board.

Save the Date: Our Section 2 Summer Fun Day will be on Saturday, June 21. (Bldgs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Cooper Place and Debs Place Townhouses). Shirts for the event will be going on sale in April, so look for the flyer on your bulletin board and in Co-op City Times articles. There will be free shirts for the first 50 youth, along with music, free goodies and of course “name that tune.” By the way, get your boots on the ground, as ours will be! We have our fans! Funding for SFD was made possible by Councilman Kevin Riley, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Attorney Stephen B. Kaufman PC, Co-op City Tire Co., Bob Cares Charitable Organization, McCall’s Bronxwood Funeral Home, Riverbay Corporation, CCPD, NYPD and FDNY.

Consideration Corner

• Please refrain from letting your dog relieve itself under the portico.

• Please remember to have your dog on a leash at all times when in public spaces and outdoors, as it is the law.

• Please scoop the poop when walking your dog.

“Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family. It is the advancement of man, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth.” –Menachem Begin Visit our Facebook Page at: Building 13 Association Inc.–Co-op City or e-mail us at building13assoc@yahoo.com. Contacts: Leslie Peterson, president, at 718320-1370; or Wendell Mattison, V.P., at 917-330-1380. Thank you for supporting our team.

––Leslie Peterson

We also need your support for our upcoming “Take Back the Night” event—an international movement and event that raises awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence. In light of a recent incident near Bellamy, we want to come together as a community to promote safety, healing, and solidarity. Join us on Thursday, from 6-8 p.m., at the kids’ park area between Buildings 26 and 27. There will be music, a self-defense demonstration, raffles, giveaways, and more. All are welcome. Bring

the kids and be part of this empowering evening.

As always, we welcome your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Do you have a guest speaker you would like to hear from at a future general meeting? A seminar you would love us to host, such as succession rights? Let us know!

We’re also happy to offer notary services—just send us an email to schedule.

Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, and stay connected.

—Tanya Cruz-Cooke

Youth Summit & Resource Fair

The NYPD Community Affairs Bronx Section, in collaboration with Aim High Empowerment Institute and Riverbay Corporation, hosted a Youth Summit & Resource Fair on April 2, in the Dreiser Community Center. At the fair, Bronx students were able to connect with and explore different career paths and educational opportunities and get an inside look at various NYPD departments.

Photos by Tamira King

Wow! Wow! Wow! We are so proud to say that our first Flea Market took place last Sunday, April 6. A great time was had!

The plates of food were a hit! We had jerk chicken, BBQ chicken and cabbage, made by none other than our treasurer, Brenda Brown. There was mac and cheese made by the one-and-only Nadine, and Arroz con gandules (rice and peas) made by one of our greatest supporters, Rosie!!! Our talented newly elected DJ Pope was in the house, rocking the tunes on the one and two’s. She had people in a mood. Thank you, ladies. Co-op City, no one’s like us! They not like us!

Building 28 Association

Her niece was selling awesome handmade jewelry, while she was shopping, busting a move and singing her heart out. We had an absolute blast and this has left shareholders begging for another Flea

Maria Martinez was multitasking like a pro.

Section 5 Association

Section 5 Association Bake Sale – April 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the rear of Building 33. For information, call 929-398-5454. Come one, come all to your Section 5 Fundraiser and partake in cakes, cookies, chocolates, pies, cupcakes, donuts and much more.

MetroCard and OMNY Van – The van was at Einstein on March 31. MTA workers were there to keep the lines orderly and moving.

NAACP Co-op City Branch – Aaron Carnegie, chair of the Criminal Justice Committee of the Coop City NAACP Branch, will host a presentation on crime prevention and scams. This event will be held on April 22 at 135 Einstein Center, Rm. 36, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. There will be two speakers: a P.O. from the 45th Precinct Crime Prevention Unit and Vanessa Moses, bank manager for Amalgamated Bank. This should be quite interesting and helpful.

Income Affidavit – The forms are on the Riverbay website. This is a NORC community and many are not computer savvy. However, the good news is all shareholders will also receive the paper affidavit form. So, at this time, we will have a choice. But this is the age of technology and computers are here to stay. By the way, Councilman Kevin Riley’s team is here to help with doing annual income affidavits online. There are only two dates to assist with online affidavits: April 22 and April 29. You must make an appointment at www. bit.ly/AffidavitAssist25. If you have questions, comments or concerns, contact the office at 718-684-5509.

Free Notary (two dates only): April 21 and April 28, RSVP at www.bit.ly/cccNotary. For questions, call 718-684-5509. This is for the paper form income affidavits.

Building Safety – Fliers are posted asking shareholders to not buzz in anyone they do not know personally.

Enhanced NYS ID – As of May 7, every air traveler 18 and older will need a Real ID or a Real ID compliant document, such as a Enhanced License or a US Passport, to fly within the US. The JASA Bartow (OAC) Older Adults Center will be providing trips to the DMV and assisting with the scheduling process to upgrade your State ID. Call 929-399-1371.

Scams – Be wary of scam calls claiming to be from the bank, and please do not answer the phone. If you are concerned, go to the bank in-person to check on your account.

SCRIE/DRIE – If you know someone who needs help with SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption), DRIE (Disability Rent increase Exemption), or other assistance, they can call JASA Bartow at 718-320-2066 during business hours, Monday–Friday, 9-5 p.m. No walk-ins are allowed at the JASA Bartow Center.

Happy birthday to those celebrating this month. If you know of a neighbor who is sick or in the hospital, please contact Section5association10@gmail.com To those in bereavement, you have our deepest sympathy.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be change until it is faced.” –James Baldwin H. Overman

Keep coming to us with ideas or to ask about volunteering and/or donations. Reach out to us at Building28association@gmail.com or call us at 929-322-4999.

Market. Our vision is to create a community that comes together, laughs together, and has a great time.

Again, the Building 28 Innovators wants to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone. Blessings to our shut-ins. Please remember to check your bulletin boards for all the uplifting events happening in our community.

Reminder: On April 15, taxes are due!

Dues are still being collected for 2025.

“To be different is a gift, to be ordinary is common” —Walter Mercado — Idalia Reyes

Emergency Food Pantry: 920 Baychester Ave., Bldg. 1A (opposite basketball court). The pantry is open on Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m., for grocery distribution. Guests are eligible to pick up food once a month. All guests must present a pantry card, at least four to six clean shopping bags with handles and a shopping cart to receive food. We will not place food in black bags because they pose a safety hazard. Section 5 guests should visit the Co-op City United Methodist Church at 2350 Palmer Avenue to pick up groceries. This distribution site is open Thursdays from 11 a.m.1 p.m. The groceries are supplied by and distributed by Black Forum. Religious affiliation is not required. For the safety of our staff and other guests, mask wearing is required when picking up food.

Our priority at Black Forum Emergency Food Pantry is to provide a safe and respectful environment for everyone accessing our services. To ensure the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and all guests, we have established guidelines for appropriate conduct. While we are committed to serving our community, we reserve the right

Black Forum

to refuse service to anyone who engages in disruptive or aggressive behavior. We will also cease service if an individual poses a risk to the safety of our staff or other guests. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone.

New Client Registration & Re-Certification for Returners: Registration and recertification to join the pantry is currently closed. We will post here future registration and recertification dates.

Upcoming Trips: Black Forum is happy to announce an exciting season of events in 2025!

Saturday, April 26: Join us for a trip to the Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA. Pick-up times: 920 Baychester Ave., 8:45 a.m.; Asch Loop (sidewalk near 2049 Baychester Avenue), 9:10 a.m.; 135 Einstein Loop (outside Community Center), 9:30 a.m. Please be early. Also, remember your assigned seat to ensure a quick departure. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Saturday, June 28: Get ready for a day of fun at Caesars Atlantic City Casino, NJ. The trip fee is $65.

Casino Slot Play is $10. Payments are due by May 16. Saturday, August 16: Join us for a visually stunning show at Sight & Sound – Noah! Then, enjoy lunch at the award-winning Shady Maple Smorgasbord, the largest buffet in the U.S. Cost is $225. First payment to hold a seat $75 due by April 25; second payment of $75 due by May 23; last payment of $75 due by June 20.

Note: No refunds will be issued. Bus pick-up locations: 920 Baychester, Asch Loop, and Einstein Community Center. For trip information only, please call 917-209-5334 or 929-464-5520. All proceeds go to the Black Forum to support Co-op City through our Emergency Food Pantry.

Contact Us: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com.

—D. Illis

Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds

Come and Visit Us – We are a multi-ethnic and bilingual, Bible-centered congregation with spirit-filled worship. Services are held in-person at 2350 Palmer Avenue across from Building 30. Parking is available. You can also participate with us via Zoom (904 4685745) or Facebook Live (UMC Coop City).

Pastor, Rev. Sara Girón-Ortiz

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV

The entry of Jesus and His disciples into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, also known as Passion Week. This is a time for Christians to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and an opportunity to reflect on what His life, death, and resurrection mean to us personally. It is also a time to focus on Jesus’ teachings and strive to live a life that reflects His example. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to remember the message of the cross—a message of God’s sacrificial love for humanity and His power to overcome death.

Throughout the week, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, let us take some time to view the narrative through the eyes of Jesus. As a man, He experienced chaos, pain, rejection, shame, fear, betrayal, and the most agonizing death possible. As God, Jesus knew how the story would end. He understood the immense pain that lay ahead, but He still chose to walk this path. He continues to show up for us today, in our brokenness and amidst the chaos, that surrounds us.

The verse above reminds us that if Jesus had not willingly and submissively endured unjust suffering, while remaining completely innocent, we would still be lost in our sin. Also, throughout His journey to the cross, Jesus chose not to retaliate against unfair accusations, abusive insults, and physical attacks. Instead, He trusted His Father, knowing that justice would be executed at the perfect time. His selfless actions serve as an example for how we should live as Christians when we are mistreated.

So, during this Holy Week and beyond, let us trust God and remember with gratitude that He is in control and hope is not lost.

Come and Receive a Blessing: All are Welcome! Theme for 2025: “God’s Love in Action with Joy and Thanksgiving”

Tuesday: Prayer Meeting in the Einstein Center, Rm. 43, at 1 p.m. (new)

Thursdays: Pantry 11a.m.

Upcoming Events – Save The Dates

Sunday, April 13: Palm Sunday-Marching Palms, 10:45 a.m.

Bilingual Service, 11:15 a.m.

Thursday, April 17: Maundy Thursday Bilingual Service, 6 p.m.

Prayer Meeting, 11 a.m. (Cancelled)

Friday, April 18: Good Friday Bilingual Service, 12 p.m.

Resurrection Sunday Brunch at 10 a.m., Bilingual Service at 12:15 p.m.

Saturday, May 3: Flea Market, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Come Join us for a day of shopping, eating, and fun. Interested vendors, contact Pauline Taylor at 718320-1552 or Jackie Dove at 361-249-7073.

––Grace Abadia

2025 Riverbay Board Election Rules and Regulations

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO THE RIVERBAY CORPORATION’S 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION (Adopted April 9th, 2025)

A. GENERAL RULES

1. The Annual Shareholders Meeting of the Riverbay Corporation shall be held on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Dreiser Center Auditorium. At said meeting, the following order of business shall be observed:

• Proof of Notice of Meeting.

• Reports of President and Executive Manager.

• The election of at least five (5) resident shareholders to serve on the Board of Directors of the Riverbay Corporation for a three (3) year term, and as many as may be needed to fill any vacancies for the balance of any unexpired term created by said vacancy transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

2. In-person voting for the election of Directors of the Riverbay Corporation shall commence at 7:00 p.m. on said day and continue on Thursday, May 29th; Friday, May 30th; and Saturday, May 31st, 2025.

3. If a quorum is not obtained as of 8:00 p.m. on May 31st, 2025, the Annual meeting shall be continued for such additional period of time as the Board shall determine, for purposes of obtaining a quorum and collecting and counting ballots, (hereafter referred to as “Election Day”).

4. The election shall be supervised by an Election Committee of the Board of Directors of the Riverbay Corporation (hereinafter, the “Election Committee” or “Committee”). The Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. The Election Committee Co-Chairs for the 2025 Election are Monique Coleman and Leah Graham.

(a) The Co-Chairs of the Committee, (hereinafter the “Chairpersons”), shall be members of the Board selected and appointed by the President of the Board (the “President”), and approved by the Board.

(b) No member of the Committee shall be a candidate for election to the Board of Directors, or a member of a candidate’s family or household. All members of the Committee shall be resident shareholders.

(c) The Committee shall be assisted by Riverbay’s General Counsel.

(d) No member of the Committee or their immediate family shall in any way engage in any campaigning either for or against a candidate or slate of candidates. Committee members shall, to the extent possible, refrain from publicly commenting upon any issue in the campaign and shall not engage in any activity that may create the appearance of partiality.

(e) A member of the Committee who violates the provisions of Paragraph A (4) (d) or whose family member violates the provisions of Paragraph A (4) (d) shall immediately be removed from the Committee.

(f) Nothing contained herein shall be construed as limiting a member of the Committee or a member of his/her immediate family from voting.

(g) The Committee shall be allowed to conduct various “get out the vote” activities provided said activities are conducted in a manner which does not sup-

port any particular candidate for election.

5. There will be one vote per occupied unit by residents who were shareholders of record on April 1, 2025. Quorum shall be determined based upon one share per occupied unit and not based upon a percentage of dwelling units.

6. Voting shall be in-person or by absentee mail in ballots in accordance with Private Housing Finance Law 13-c, as interpreted by NYS Homes and Community Renewal Housing Management Memo # 2023-B-11, dated September 24, 2023.

7. Casting a vote via an electronic voting machine located at the housing company’s designated polling site where it is overseen by the election company is allowed. Remote voting through an election company’s on-line voting system is not permitted. In the event that on-site electronic voting machines are employed, the system must preserve a paper or electronic record of each ballot which may be audited in the case of a contested election result.

8. The deposit of a duly-completed absentee ballot in a secure on-site dropbox accessible only by an independent election company is allowed and shall constitute “in-person” voting.

9. Building wide mailing of absentee ballots shall occur on May 15th, 2025, to all shareholders of record.

10. The building-wide mailing shall be made by an independent, third party election company. The mailing shall include a notice advising shareholders of the date of the election, how eligible shareholders may vote, the name of all candidates, a brief biography of each candidate, if provided, a photograph of each candidate, the URL address of an official election web page created and maintained by the independent election company containing information approved by the Election Committee regarding the election and the candidates, and an absentee ballot.

11. Absentee ballots shall be sealed within two envelopes. The outer envelope shall include the shareholder’s signature and name to allow the election company to validate the votes and certify the election results. The absentee ballot itself is not to be signed by the shareholder entitled to vote. Absentee ballots may be mailed to the independent election company prior to the date set for the election, but must be postmarked no later than May 29, 2025, in order to be counted. Ballots without a post mark, or post marked after May 29, 2025, will not be counted.

12. All voting must be conducted using secret ballots. Shareholders’ ballots, and how they voted, must be kept confidential by the election company and may not be accessible by other shareholders, including board members.

B. RULES FOR ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES

1. A candidate must be a resident shareholder as indicated on the candidate’s stock certificate, occupancy agreement and the current Occupants Annual Affidavit of Family Income. Candidates must continue to reside in Co-op City for the entire term of office in order to serve as a Director.

2. No more than one resident shareholder of a single unit may be a candidate for the Board; and no more than one resident shareholder from a single unit may concurrently serve as a Director.

3. No candidate may be indebted to Riverbay on the date candidates are certified or on the date votes are counted. In addition, all candidates must remain current throughout the election period for unpaid carrying charges or other debts to Riverbay until the candidate is sworn in if elected. A candidate shall not be indebted to Riverbay for purposes of this rule if their monthly carrying charges and maintenance are fully paid by the 10th day of the month in which it is due, or if they are current on a payment plan issued in the ordinary course of business on terms available to all shareholders. At the close of business one day prior to the certification of candidates, and on the 10th day of each month thereafter during the Election, Riverbay’s Finance Director will provide a written list to the Chairpersons of the Election Committee of all candidates’ indebtedness to Riverbay, if any. If a candidate is indebted to Riverbay on any of those days the Chairpersons shall provide written notice of the indebtedness to the candidate. If the candidate fails to cure said indebtedness within three (3) business days of receiving notice of their indebtedness from the Chairpersons, the candidate will be disqualified.

4. Prospective candidates may, after signing the required authorizations for background checks and upon verification that they are current on their indebtedness to Riverbay, be certified as candidates for election to the Board if they:

• are shareholders of record;

• maintain their primary residence at Riverbay,

• do not hold a political party position or public office subject to the New York State Election Law,

• have not been convicted of a crime against the Corporation, or of a violent felony, or be a convicted sex offender,

• have not been removed from the Corporation’s Board of Directors, or from employment with the Corporation for cause;

• are not subject to an outstanding federal tax lien for which a payment plan has not been negotiated and accepted; and

• are otherwise in compliance with the requirements and qualifications of the Corporation’s by-laws, governing documents and their occupancy agreement, and not party to any pending hold-over proceeding.

(a) Prospective candidates shall sign and complete a Statement of Intent in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A, and submit the executed Statement of Intent to the Election Committee by email, addressed to Riverbay2025Election@ riverbaycorp.com, on or before 10:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025. In the event that the prospective candidate lacks access to email, the prospective candidate shall return the completed Statement of Intent to the Legal Department during normal business hours, or to the Public Safety Department outside of normal business hours, attention Riverbay 2025 Election

Committee. On the following business day, the financial status of the prospective candidate will be checked, and a background check shall be initiated.

(b) In addition to the Statement of Intent, prospective candidates must also execute and return with the Statement a document acknowledging the candidate’s receipt of these Rules, the candidate’s agreement to abide by these Rules, and an authorization to perform a confidential background check of the candidate by the Riverbay Legal Department.

C. CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

1. The Committee will verify a prospective candidate’s eligibility as valid or reject them as invalid by 12:00 noon on Friday, April 25, 2025. Notice of the Committee’s certification will be provided to each candidate by the close of business on April 25th, 2025, and published in the Co-op City Times on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

2. The Committee shall hold a briefing on the Rules for all candidates or their designees on Monday, April 28th, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. in Room 31 of the Bartow Administrative Building, at 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.

3. A random drawing will be made at the April 28th meeting to determine the order of placement of candidate statements and free campaign ads in each of the three election issues of the Co-op City Times and the order of speakers at the candidates’ forum. The drawing will also determine the relative position of each candidate’s name on a ballot, but candidate names on the ballot will automatically rotate. The name of each candidate on the ballot must correspond to the name of the candidate as it appears on his/her occupancy agreement and signature card, or the name by which each candidate is commonly known.

D. CAMPAIGNING STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

1. Except as provided in Rule E (3), no audio and/or video equipment, other than personal electronic devices, may be used at Election Forums, outdoors in Co-op City, or in building lobbies, elevators, or common areas, by candidates or by those campaigning for candidates in connection with the election.

2. The posting of all campaign signs, literature and other material (posters, gummed stickers, etc.) in Co-op City is prohibited except on personal property, or within a shareholder’s premises, with the owner’s permission. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, lobbies, elevators, bulletin boards, laundry rooms, walls, doors, garages, vehicles, commercial stores located on Riverbay property, and common areas. Candidates and their supporters are prohibited from posting campaign material on New York City property if said posting violates any City, State or Federal law.

(a) Residents, employees, candidates and their supporters may remove any improperly posted non-electronic campaign material, as a service to Co-op City, and the Committee will cause a notice to this effect to be published in the Co-op City Times

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(b) Candidates shall, if requested by the Committee, remove or modify any electronic campaign material or data posted to any website, Facebook page, X (Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or similar electronic forum, under the Candidate’s control, if the Committee, in its opinion believes that said material is false, defamatory, deceptive, or constitutes a personal attack on another candidate. Examples of a personal attack include, but are not limited to, comments upon a candidate’s physical appearance, disability, religious beliefs, gender, race, mental state, mental capacity, or false assertions of criminal acts.

(c) In addition, Candidates shall, if requested by the Committee, disassociate themselves from, and request that any third-party or third-party website, Facebook page, X (Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or similar electronic forum, cease and desist from the publication of any emails, materials or posting relating to the election or any candidate for election, if the Committee, in its opinion, believes that said material is false, defamatory, deceptive or constitutes a personal attack on a candidate.

(d) Candidates shall not (i) use social media or email anonymously or under an assumed name, (ii) engage in personal attacks on fellow candidates or shareholders, or (iii) make defamatory statements. Any such conduct shall be a violation of these rules and the candidate may be subject to sanction by the Committee.

(e) Candidates and/or their supporters, shall not use robo-calling or similar systems to contact shareholders for campaigning or election related purposes.

3. Except for the material prepared and published by Riverbay as described herein, all campaign material used, posted, transmitted or distributed by or for a candidate must include the name, address, or post office box of the person or organization who issued such email or campaign material, and in the case of an organization, the name of the chairperson or treasurer.

4. Campaign literature may be slipped under apartment doors between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and campaign handouts are permitted.

5. The unauthorized use of the Riverbay logo in any form is prohibited for use in or on campaign materials, including electronic forms such as social media and e-mail.

6. No member of the Election Committee, the Board, or any of Riverbay’s employees, management staff, or contractors, can participate in, or receive any prize(s) or award approved by the Board during the election period for the purpose of increasing shareholder participation in the election.

7. Riverbay shall not be liable for any defamatory statements made by any candidate, or by any person or entity in the course of the election campaign, nor shall Riverbay be required to insure, defend or indemnify any such candidate or conduct. Candidates agree to indemnify Riverbay for any and all costs and expense incurred by Riverbay, including attorney’s fees, incurred by Riverbay in the defense of any defamation claim arising out of any statement or publica-

tion of any kind made by said candidate, or by any person or entity acting on their behalf, during the election.

8. It is inappropriate for any person or entity doing business, or soliciting business with Riverbay, including present or prospective managing agents, contractors, vendors, professionals, unions, their employees, commercial tenants, or persons having a direct or indirect interest in such companies, to make campaign contributions or pay campaign expenses, whether in cash or in-kind, of persons running for the Board. Directors of a corporation act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the corporation and are required to place the corporation’s interest above their personal interests. Accepting campaign contributions from parties who contract with the corporation creates an appearance of a conflict of interest and, in most circumstances, an actual conflict as well. Any candidate who knowingly accepts campaign contributions or payment of campaign expenses, direct or indirect, in cash or in-kind from any person or entity doing business or soliciting business from Riverbay, including but not limited to the managing agent, or any vendor, union, commercial tenant, professional or contractor, their employees, or persons having a direct or indirect interest in such companies, will be disqualified.

9. No campaigning by any candidate or prospective candidate, or any person or committee acting on behalf of a candidate or prospective candidate, shall begin until April 29th, 2025, the day after prospective candidates have been certified as eligible candidates for election. This includes, but is not limited to the distribution of campaign materials, the publication of campaign related articles, letters, viewpoints or ads in the Co-op City Times or on any social media platform, canvassing, or public meetings. Any candidate engaged in campaigning activities prior to certification will be subject to sanction by the election committee, including the possibility of disqualification.

E. USE OF CO-OP CITY FACILITIES FOR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

1. There shall be three official candidates’ forums conducted in person, if possible, and virtually. One forum shall take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium. The second forum shall take place on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Einstein Auditorium. The third forum shall take place on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 31 at Bartow.

(a) The Committee shall televise the forums over Riverbay’s public access channel and re-broadcast them on the web throughout the election period. The transmission by Riverbay of any statement made by any person at the forum shall not be an endorsement of any such comment or statement by Riverbay and Riverbay shall not be responsible for, nor shall it indemnify, any person or candidate who makes any false or defamatory statement.

the candidate provides the Chairperson with the reason for non-participation, the Chairpersons may announce the reason the candidate cannot participate to the audience.

(c) The Committee shall establish rules and procedures for the civil conduct of all forums, including the establishment of time limits for questions and answers, the limiting of participation, the editing of statements, and the muting, either visual or auditory, or both, of individuals, including candidates, who, in the opinion of the Chairperson, are disruptive to the orderly conduct of the virtual forum or who engage in personal or malicious attacks, or who make defamatory statements.

2. The use of any outdoor space owned by Riverbay for campaign rallies or organized campaign activities related to the 2025 Board election is prohibited.

3. No candidate or organization may use the facilities or public meeting areas, community rooms, lobbies, hallways, mail rooms, building association rooms, or similar areas of the Riverbay Corporation for campaign rallies or activities, except as provided herein.

4. Building Associations may actively promote voter participation in the election in a manner which does not endorse or oppose a particular candidate, or slate of candidates. Building Association rooms, which are property of the Corporation, shall not be used for meetings to support or oppose any candidate.

5. At no cost, Riverbay will publish pictures of each candidate and up to three (3) different narrative statements or articles by each candidate in successive print and electronic issues of the Co-op City Times beginning with the Saturday, May 10th, 2025, issue. The Editor shall set the deadlines and technical standards for these submissions. The Editor shall attend the Candidate Orientation meeting on April 28th, 2025, to distribute the rules and procedures governing publication of candidate articles and advertisements. All candidates’ articles will be reviewed by the Committee prior to publication. The Committee reserves the right to delete any material which in its exclusive opinion contains libelous statements, personal attacks, or material misstatement of fact.

(a) In conjunction with the statements described herein, Riverbay will also publish at no charge a ¼-page campaign ad by each candidate in successive print and electronic issues of the Co-op City Times beginning with the Saturday, May 10th, 2025, issue. The same ad will be used in each of the issues and will appear opposite each candidate’s article for that week. The Editor shall set the deadlines and technical standards for these submissions. All ad copy will be reviewed by the Committee prior to publication. The Committee reserves the right not to publish, or to delete any material, which in its opinion constitutes a libelous statement, personal attack, or material misstatement of fact.

point only. It shall not be deemed to be “political” for a non-candidate Board member to describe the activities and achievements of the Board as a whole, including the activities of any incumbent candidates. In the event Board members wish to publish a joint Viewpoint, they may do so, but only if the Viewpoint has been unanimously approved by the full Board, excluding any Board members who are candidates.

(c) Management shall not endorse any candidate or slate of candidates. However, information of a non-political nature, for example, relating to the operation, management, finances, budget, maintenance of the property, or to an emergency may be published by Management during this period of time.

(d) In the event that an article appears in a print or electronic publication other than the Riverbay sponsored publication, which is currently titled the “Co-op City Times,” in which the actions of the Board as a whole, or of an individual Board member are challenged, the Board, or the individual Board member who is challenged, shall have the right to respond in the Co-op City Times to such challenge, without regard to whether the Board member is a candidate in the election and without regard to the political nature of the comment. Any such response shall be limited to the subject matter of the challenge.

(e) Similarly, a candidate who is not a Board member may respond to a challenge directed at the conduct or action(s) of that individual candidate.

6. Campaign ads other than those provided by Riverbay may be placed in the Co-op City Times, subject to Paragraph D (3), but must be paid in full at least 48 hours before the normal deadline of an issue. The Committee will review all paid campaign ads prior to publication and reserves the right to reject any copy which, in its sole judgment, contains libelous statements, personal attacks or a material misstatement of fact.

7. (a) The election of directors to the Board is a right of residents of Co-op City. Employees living in Co-op City are encouraged to exercise their rights as residents of the community during the election within the scope of this policy. All Riverbay employees are reminded that as employees they have a duty of loyalty to Riverbay and should not engage in any activity that raises the appearance of impropriety. Participation in the electoral process must not interfere with employees’ work duties. All employees shall refrain from engaging in any activity that may be construed as an attempt to abuse their positions as employees to influence the outcome of the election. Examples of acts that may be an abuse of an employee position include soliciting donations for candidate(s), distributing campaign material for or against particular candidate(s), or engaging in any other activity that may be viewed as an abuse of position.

(b) All certified candidates will be invited to participate in the forums in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Committee. If a candidate cannot participate in the forum, and

(b) Starting on the day candidates are certified and continuing during the period of the campaign, board members who are not running for election shall be free to write Viewpoints of a “non-political” nature, except that a board member may endorse candidates in one view-

(b) Candidates who encourage, accept, or knowingly benefit from such prohibited participation are subject to disqualification by the Committee.

(c) This policy does not affect employees’ right to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of col-

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lective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, or their right to refrain from any or all such activities.

F. BALLOTING AND CERTIFICATION

1. Voting will be in person or by absentee, mail-in ballots, in accordance with Private Housing Finance Law 13c, as interpreted by NYS HCR Housing Management Memorandum 2023-B-11, revised as of September 24, 2023. The form and content of the ballot shall be approved by the Election Committee.

2. In accordance with Riverbay’s by-laws, only one vote per occupied residential unit, cast by a resident shareholder of record residing in said unit, shall be counted.

3. All ballots must be cast by an eligible, residential shareholder of record, and verified by such means as the Election Committee determines to be reasonable, in its sole discretion.

4. Any eligible, resident shareholder of record residing in an occupied unit may vote, but only one ballot may be cast by a unit, regardless of the number of shareholders of record residing within said unit.

5. Mailing, tabulation, collection, processing, initial counting and preservation of election ballots shall be conducted by an independent, third-party company, selected by the Board pursuant to a written contract, duly approved in accordance with all corporate and regulatory requirements. The name and address of any such independent third-party, shall be published in the Co-op City Times

6. One ballot will be mailed by the independent third-party on or about Thursday, May 15th, 2025 to each residential unit occupied by one or more eligible residential shareholders of record at the address set forth for said shareholder(s) of record on Riverbay’s books and records as of April 1, 2025.

7. In the event that more than one ballot is received from a single unit, only the earliest dated ballot, shall be counted. All other ballots received from said unit shall be disregarded, but preserved until five (5) days after the period to challenge the election has passed.

8. Unless the voting period is extended or modified by the Board of Directors and/or the Election Committee, any mail-in ballot must be postmarked no later than May 31st, 2025, and received on or before 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 9th, 2025.

9. In the event that the voting period is extended or modified by the Election Committee for purposes of obtaining a quorum, the Election Committee may count any valid ballot postmarked or cast by a shareholder eligible to vote during the modified period.

10. All ballots received, including disqualified ballots, shall be preserved until the time to challenge the election has lapsed.

11. The initial count, as recorded by the third-party independent company, shall be provided to the Election Committee no later than 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025. The initial count shall set forth the total number of ballots cast, the total number of votes received by each candidate, the total number of votes cast for each candidate by

building, the number of votes disqualified and the basis therefore, and the total number of ballots required for a quorum.

12. The Election Committee shall, in an open, public meeting to be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, certify the final count of the election ballots. The meeting shall also be broadcast on Riverbay’s public access channel.

13. Upon completion of the count, the Committee shall certify to the Board that a quorum has been obtained, the total number of votes cast, the total number of votes disqualified, the total number of votes cast for each candidate, and the names of the candidates who have been elected, as follows:

(a) The five candidates who have received the highest number of votes will be certified to the Board as having been elected to full three-year terms.

(b) The candidate receiving the sixth highest vote shall be certified as having been elected to a vacant Board seat, if any, which will have the longest unexpired term.

(c) The Committee shall continue the certification of candidates by certifying the candidate with the next highest vote for each vacancy by the longest unexpired terms, if necessary, until all vacant seats on the Board are filled.

14. Unless an extended schedule is in effect, the Election Committee shall cause the official Certification of the Election to be publicly posted by 10:00 a.m. on June 12th, 2025 or if the Certification has not yet been completed, as soon thereafter as possible after the conclusion of the Election Certification Meeting. Posting may be by electronic means.

15. If a quorum is not reached, the Committee may recommend that the voting period be extended during which time shareholders eligible to vote in the election who received a ballot but did not cast a vote, shall be allowed to cast their ballot.

16. If a quorum is not reached at the end of the extended voting period, the Board may, in its discretion, either extend the voting period for an additional extended voting period, schedule a new election, or cancel the election. The fact that a director may be a candidate for re-election shall not disqualify any such director from voting on any such resolution. Until such time as a quorum is obtained and a valid election conducted, existing Directors shall continue to hold their office.

G. DISQUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES FOR MISCONDUCT

1. The Committee may recommend the disqualification of a candidate for violation of these rules, or impose an administrative charge, not to exceed $300.00 per violation, on any candidate that it determines has violated, caused or knowingly permitted others to violate these Rules. The Committee may do so on its own initiative, or upon the complaint of another candidate or resident. However, the Committee is under no obligation to initiate a proceeding under this Section, or Section H, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, believes it to be appropriate.

2. No candidate may be disqualified for election to the Board unless the Committee has provided the candidate

with notice of its intention to consider the candidate’s disqualification for election, and conducted a hearing in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section H below.

3. The Committee may impose an administrative charge, without conducting a formal hearing in accordance with Section H, if the Committee has provided the candidate with prior, written notice that it may impose such a fee, the reason the Committee is considering imposing a fee, and an opportunity for the candidate to appear before the Committee to contest the imposition of an administrative fee.

4. Notification of the Election Committee’s decision to impose an administrative fee will be delivered both electronically and personally to the candidate at the email address and street address provided by the candidate to the Election Committee.

5. Upon delivery of the notification of a fine, the candidate is indebted to Riverbay and payment is due on the third business day following personal delivery of the notice. Failure to pay shall render the candidate ineligible for election.

6. Any candidate may object to a determination of the Committee to impose an administrative charge, and may, within three (3) days of delivery of said determination to the candidate, request a review of such determination by the Board. The Board, in its discretion, may affirm, modify, or reverse the determination, or decline, with written explanation, to review the Committee’s determination. A request for a review shall not stay a candidate’s obligation to make payment of any administrative charge levied by the Committee.

H. CHALLENGES TO VOTING RESULTS

1. Any aggrieved resident or aggrieved candidate may challenge the certification of a candidate for election, or the results of the election, or the election of any one candidate, based upon election irregularities or the failure of a candidate to meet required qualifications, by notifying the Chairperson of the challenge, by an email addressed to Riverbay2025Election@riverbaycorp. com.

2. The challenge must be in writing. Such written challenge must specifically set forth the reason and the factual basis for the challenge. Any challenge by the Committee shall be on written electronic notice to the candidate, or candidates impacted by the challenge, delivered to the candidate(s) by email and personally at the addresses provided by the Candidate when they are certified.

3. A written challenge by a candidate or shareholder eligible to vote in the election must be delivered electronically to Riverbay2025Election@riverbaycorp.com no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13th, 2025. The written challenge shall state the factual or legal basis for the challenge. Failure to file a timely electronic challenge by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, shall preclude consideration of the challenge by the Committee. In the event a quorum was not obtained by the May 31st, 2025, close of the Election Period, the time to file an objection to the Election shall be extended until one (1) business day after the Election has been certified, to 5:00

p.m. on said day.

4. Should the Committee find the challenge to be without merit, it may dispense with a hearing and reject the challenge in writing.

5. If, after reviewing the challenge, the Committee determines that the challenge sets forth substantial questions concerning the certification of any candidate or candidates, or the results of the election, the Committee may hold a formal hearing, virtually or in-person at the discretion of the Committee, to review the challenge.

6. All hearings under this Section H shall be scheduled upon prior notice to the challenger and to the candidate(s) whose qualifications, certifications, or election are being challenged.

7. The hearing shall commence no later than five (5) business days after the Committee’s receipt of the challenge. The Chairperson may request that a member of the Committee recuse him/ herself from the hearing if such committee member has a conflict of interest.

8. Upon notice of a formal hearing by the Committee, the challenger or candidate whose certification is being challenged may submit electronic affidavits to the Chairperson, setting forth the charges and facts upon which the challenge is based. Such affidavits and supporting documents shall also be delivered by the challenging party, to the opposing party’s e-mail address, at least one day before the scheduled hearing.

9. At the hearing, either party may present live, or virtual testimony supporting the challenge, subject to cross-examination.

10. The proceedings shall be recorded; however, any person or party requesting a copy or transcript of any such recording shall be responsible for the costs of producing said recording or transcript.

11. No witness will be allowed to present testimony except under oath as administered by the Chairpersons. No witness will be called on behalf of a challenger, unless the challenger has submitted an affidavit from the witness prior to such testimony providing the sum and substance of the witness’ testimony and served said affidavit upon the Committee and the opposing party in the manner set forth above. The challenger(s) shall also be required to appear at such hearing and may be subject to examination by the Committee or the challenged candidate(s).

12. At any hearing, General Counsel to Riverbay, or an attorney designated by General Counsel, shall advise the Committee. Any candidate or resident participant shall be entitled to be represented at the hearing by counsel of his or her own choice at his or her own expense.

13. At such hearing, the Chairpersons shall be the presiding officer and shall make any ruling with respect to the procedure to be followed, or the testimony or evidence to be introduced. The Committee need not follow formal evidentiary rules applicable to the Courts of this State. In the event a member of the Committee present shall dispute any such procedural or evidentiary ruling by the Chairpersons, the Chairpersons may be overruled by a majority vote of those members present. After testimony by a witness for either party, the opposing

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witness.

14. At the conclusion of such hearing, the Committee may uphold or void the election results, disqualify the candidate for a violation of these Rules, apply other sanctions as set forth in Paragraph G (1) of these Rules, or dismiss the charges brought. To void any election result, or to disqualify a candidate, such violation must be deemed to be material by the Committee in light of the number of votes cast for the candidate and the number cast in the election.

15. If a candidate who is disqualified received one of the highest vote counts, the disqualified candidate shall be ineligible to take office. The candidate who received the next highest count will be certified to the Board in their place. (If more than one candidate is disqualified,

the next candidate or candidates with the highest vote will be certified.)

16. The decision of the Committee shall be addressed to the Board, shall be in writing, shall state the basis for its recommendation, and shall constitute the Committee’s final certification of the election results, or the qualification of a candidate.

17. The Board, by majority vote, shall determine whether to confirm or reject the Committee’s determination. The Board shall make such determination within ten (10) days of the date of any written recommendation of the Committee. The Board’s failure to determine the issue within ten (10) days shall, except for good cause shown, be deemed an acceptance of the Committee’s recommendation.

18. Any candidate or resident aggrieved by the Board’s final determina-

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and proof of insurance. A notary will be available at each session.

Completed 2024 Income Affidavit paper forms can be deposited into the carrying charge boxes in the community centers or delivered to the Riverbay Finance department at 2049 Bartow Avenue. The form can also be scanned along with supporting documents, including proof of homeowner’s insurance, can be emailed to RiverbayFinance@riverbaycorp.com.

Paper income affidavits can also be submitted by mail to the following address: Riverbay Corporation, Finance Department, Attention: 2024 Income Affidavit, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475.

All paper income affidavits must be notarized. JASA also offers notary services on Wednesdays and Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All insurance documentation must also be submitted along with your annual Income Affidavit by no later than April 30, 2025, to avoid a $150 Community Complaint fine.

Shareholders opting to file their 2024 Income Affidavit electronically can familiarize themselves with the process by watching an instructional “How To” video on the Riverbay website at https://www.coopcity.com/income-affidavit. After watching the “How To” video, shareholders will need to then register to receive an electronic version of the 2024 Income Affidavit form.

To register, shareholders will need to have their T-code ready. The T-code is your account number found at the upper right-hand corner of your monthly carrying charge statement. Shareholders will be required to identify their building

Chancellor ––– (Continued from page 3)

felt that “schools should communicate with families in multiple ways and follow up to ensure everyone receives the message,” as explained in the report. In a similar vein of better communication, parents felt that NYCPS could assign a staff member to help parents access and navigate information such as SNAP, financial aid and medical support. Parents also reported wanting more opportunities to visit their child’s classroom, engage with teachers and attend school events.

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos discussed the importance of her listening tour and connecting with the community. “Across the boroughs, consistent themes emerged. Students, families, and educators want to feel safe, seen, heard, and valued in school. They want us—school leaders, superintendent teams, and central staff members— to deliver a better school experience. We are committed to making that a reality,” Aviles-Ramos said on April 3.

Looking ahead, the Chancellor’s report detailed what the next steps will be to address concerns raised by parents and students. Below is a quick rundown on those future efforts, according to the report:

Ensuring Safety and Promoting Wellness

• This spring, NYCPS will launch anti-bullying and anti-vaping campaigns. The anti-bullying campaign “is designed to increase public awareness and encourage collective action, uniting school communities in building an environment where every student is valued and treated with dignity and respect.” The anti-vaping campaign will “empower students with real solutions, real opportunities, and real voices—a chance for students to be involved in championing a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their peers.”

• NYCPS will invest in school-based mental health clinics, with a plan to open 20 new clinics this year.

• NYCPS will partner with the NYPD, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, local businesses, community-based organizations and houses of worship “to ensure safe passage and create safe school communities.”

• By this summer, NYCPS expects to expand the Safer Access Program to all schools.

• Individuals can track current school HVAC-related repairs using a new online tool, schools.nyc.gov/Ventilation.

tion shall have the right to seek judicial review of the Board’s determination, provided that any such Court challenge is commenced within ten (10) days of the Board’s decision, or within ten (10) days of the Board’s failure to render a decision.

19. The Committee may call for a recount of all ballots cast, if it is determined by the Committee that such an action is warranted. Such recount of the ballots must be completed, and the result certified by the Committee to the Board, within four days of the date the Committee determines such recount is necessary. The results of this recount, upon certification by the Committee, will constitute the final election results.

20. The Committee may call for a new election if the Committee has determined that material irregularities cast doubt on the election results, or

in the event the number of votes cast did not constitute the legally required quorum. Such a new election must take place in accordance with these rules on a date within thirty (30) days after the final decision on the challenge and such election held among the previously qualified candidates.

21. By participating in the election process, candidates, prospective candidates, shareholders, and their respective agents, representatives or supporters, agree to fully comply with and be bound by these election Rules.

Rod Saunders, President of Riverbay

Corporation

Date: April 9, 2025

and apartment. The system will cross check account numbers with building and apartment numbers and inaccuracies will be flagged for the shareholder to correct before being allowed to move forward with the process.

Once the shareholder has registered, they will then receive an email from DocuSign to verify their ID. This step replaces the notary requirement needed to file the paper income affidavit. Shareholders will be required to go through a “knowledge based” ID verification process to securely verify their identity prior to accessing the Income Affidavit digital form.

Shareholders looking for help with filing their income affidavits electronically can sign up for help sessions being offered by Councilman Kevin Riley. These sessions will be held on April 22 and April 29 at his Co-op City office at 135 Einstein Loop East, Rm. 44. For more information and to RSVP visit www.bit. ly/AffidavitAssist25. A Frequently Asked Questions guide is also available at www.coopcity.com/ income-affidavit.

For any additional questions/concerns about filing the 2024 Income Affidavit shareholders can call 718-320-3300.

Questions about the electronic filing process can be sent to incomeaffidavit@riverbaycorp.com and questions about the paper filing process can be sent to RiverbayFinance@riverbaycorp.com. Any questions regarding the insurance documentation should be addressed to the Risk Management department at 718320-3300, Ext. 3388.

Strengthening Comprehensive Teacher Supports

• To help educators with implementing NYC Reads and NYC Solves into their teaching, schools will “receive funding to offer flexibility and time during the workday for teachers to engage in professional learning and job-embedded support.” NYCPS is also providing guidance for teachers to assist students who may require additional attention.

• NYCPS plans to work with “external partners to develop customized classroom resources,” while also expanding their “autism training offerings.”

• NYCPS will provide “an additional year of in-school coaching and support for NYC Reads educators.”

Fostering Genuine and Impactful Family and Community Empowerment

• NYCPS will continue to offer translation and interpretation services for multilingual families and “provide annual training and best practices to school staff on how and when to offer language assistance services.” For more information on the language assistant services that NYCPS offers, visit schools.nyc.gov/hello.

• For students experiencing homelessness, NYCPS has hired an additional 100 staff members to provide assistance “with enrollment, transportation, immunizations, and other critical resources.”

• NYCPS will look to “expand the use of free, secure New York City Public Schools’ digital tools like the Grades, Attendance, and Messaging application (GAMA), which allows teachers and school leaders to provide up-to-date information to families about their children.”

For students looking to get more involved, NYCPS encourages those individuals to consider serving on the Borough Student Advisory Council or on the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council. More general information on how students can get involved is available online at schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/ students.

Parents have avenues to get involved in their child’s school as well. From the parent coordinator roles to the Parent Association (PA) and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), there are ways for parents to have their voices heard. More information on how families can be involved can be found online at schools.nyc. gov/get-involved/families.

Affidavit

BBB Tip: Buying a wedding dress, prom dress, or other special occasion dress

Shopping for the perfect dress is crucial to a wedding or prom. But like many purchases with a big price tag – and high stakes – a lot can go wrong. Buying a wedding dress or prom dress can come with unexpected expenses, delayed orders, surprise policies, and unwanted stress before a big event. How Can You Ensure That Dress Shopping Goes Smoothly?

Start shopping early: Experts recommend buying a wedding dress six to nine months before the big day. You don't need as much time for prom or another special occasion, but experts recommend starting a few months ahead. Delivery and alterations can take time, and spring is a busy season for seamstresses. The more time you have, the more you can compare shops and the less rushed and stressed you'll feel.

Be clear about your budget: Be upfront so your salesperson shows you dresses in your price range. You don't want to fall in love with a dress only to discover it's over your budget.

Research and try different styles: Browse online or in magazines for inspiration on what styles suit your body type. Once in the store, you'll be able to narrow down your options.

Test out the dress: Walk, sit, stand, and dance in the dress to test for comfort. You want to make sure that you'll be comfortable in the dress for extended hours. Also consider bringing a pair of shoes to try on with the dress to make sure the height and length are to your desired taste.

Factor in alterations: Dress alterations can be costly, so double-check policies in advance. Some dress shops offer alterations for a flat fee or cap expenses at a certain amount.

Don't pay 100% upfront when buying a wedding dress: Most salons ask for a deposit of about 50% of the dress price for expensive gowns. You should not be pressured into paying the entire cost of a wedding dress upfront. A deposit will generally be less of an issue for a prom dress.

Check the cancellation policy: Always check a store's policy for your specific order. Each contract is different, and custom orders may have a strict cancellation policy.

Be clear about your schedule: Brides have complained to BBB that their dresses arrived too late for alterations. Be very clear about schedules and leave extra time to resolve any issues.

Take your dress home: Promptly pick up your dress after your alterations are finished. You can't control what happens at the store where you found a prom dress or wedding dress - it might even go out of business - so the safest place for your dress is at your home (or the place you will be dressing

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on the big day).

Want to rent? Do your homework: Renting a dress is an increasingly popular option for proms and other special events. Be sure to start early because popular styles and sizes will sell out. Also, check BBB.org before committing to a specific company.

Check BBB: Research dress shops on BBB.org before making a purchase.

What Should You Look For When Buying A Gown Online?

Some online sellers offer gowns that look like designer dresses for a fraction of the price. Buyers expect these dresses to be low-cost replicas, but BBB often hears that the dresses that arrive need to be more fitting and constructed from better quality materials. If you've decided to buy a wedding dress or prom dress online, keep the following tips in mind:

Beware of counterfeit gowns: Authorized retailers are the only stores allowed to sell designer gowns. Anyone else claiming to carry them is likely selling counterfeits. Many dress designers do not sell their gowns online at all. Shopping for a deal? Be realistic: As much as a budget-conscious bride or party-goer may want to find a $5,000 dress for $350, it will probably not happen. Many designers don't allow their dresses to be discounted below a certain margin. An in-person sample sale, not online, may be a bride's best bet for finding a discounted gown.

Double-check delivery promises: Your dress must arrive on time, so be sure the seller clearly states its typical delivery times.

Understand the return policy: Review the guarantee, return, and refund policies before purchasing. Know if you can return your dress (and how much it will cost) if you are not happy with it. Make sure you can contact the company where you find the prom dress or wedding dress in case of problems. A website without contact information is a big red flag when shopping online. Be wary of overseas sellers: Buying wedding dresses or prom dresses from an international seller may seem like a good deal. However, U.S. and Canadian laws and consumer protections will be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce.

Read BBB tips for shopping online: Although a wedding or prom dress may be an extra special purchase, much of the general advice for shopping online applies here, too.

For More Information

Check out BBB's wedding resource page for more tips!

Visit BBB's consumer HQ for more consumer tips and resources.

Church of the New Vision

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Church of the New Vision and Pastors Kenneth and Deborah Hodge welcome you to worship with us at 115 Einstein Loop North, Bronx, NY 10475. Church phone: 718671-8746 and Pastor’s phone: 914-5225039.

Our scripture verse for 2025 is: (2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV) “Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savior of his knowledge by us in every place ”

Sunday service is at 11 a.m. All are welcomed. Masks are required.

Daily Noon Day Prayer Line is from 12-12:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. The Wednesday Night Bible Study and Prayer resumed on February 12. The Conference Line Number is 646-7699900; Access Code: 3099388#. Please mute your phone.

Worship Service Message: “Consider Him Who Paid It All”

Service Scripture: (Hebrews 12:1-4 NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

Save The Dates

The Women’s Self-Care Event has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 26,

from 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of Christian fellowship and a light lunch. This event is open to all women, take time to refresh spiritually, mentally and physically. To RSVP and for more information, please contact Sis. Loretta Scott at 718-671-2623.

Pastors Kenneth and Deborah Hodge are inviting you to worship with us on: April 13 – Palm Sunday Service at 11 a.m.

April 18 – Good Friday Service at 6:30 p.m.

April 30 – Resurrection Sunday Service at 9:30 a.m.

May 31 – Meet & Greet Luncheon for the Celebrity Beyond Cruise traveler’s only, 1 p.m.

June 8 – Senior, Family and Friends Sunday Service, 11 a.m. All invited. Each one, bring one.

June 28 – Youth Graduation Dinner Celebration

August 9 – Family & Friends Picnic at Glenn Island Park. Information to follow.

August 12 – NOAH at theSight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA. Lunch Buffet at Miller’s. Adults, $230; Youth, $175 (age 3-12). Non-refundable deposit of $50 per person due now; second payment due by April 30. Final payment due by July 6. Contacts: Loretta Scott at 718-671-2623, or Sadie James, 917-6674229.

We continue to pray for speedy recovery for the sick and shut-in. Condolences to families who lost loved ones. Good health and wellness for all. Please mail contributions, tithes and offerings to: Church of New Vision, P.O. Box 75-3037, Einstein Station, Bronx, New York 10475.

––Brenda Brown

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Greetings, retirees and friends.

We hope everyone is doing well. To those who observe, we wish you a happy and meaningful Passover.

Dreamgirls at the White Plains Performing Arts Center (Sold Out) –Thursday, May 1, 2 p.m. show. The bus will pick up in front of H&R Block at 12:30 p.m. Contact Serita for additional information at 347-564-5722.

Tropicana Casino Atlantic City Overnight (Canceled) – This two-day/ one-night trip, from Wednesday, May 28 to Thursday, May 29, has been canceled. Refunds will be given to those who paid for this trip. You will be notified when the refund checks are ready.

Save the Date for Future Trips – Future trips are being planned for July 9 and September 16, so hold these dates.

June Luncheon – Our June luncheon to be held at the Marina del Rey on Wednesday, June 18. The price for tickets is $110. Tickets are now available for purchase. Questions may be addressed to Daisy Young at 917-292-7010 or Ted Byrd at 917-797-9230.

Scholarship Committee – Scholarship applications are now available in Rm. 19. Applicants must be high school seniors scheduled to graduate in June 2025. Applicants must be the child, grandchild, great-grandchild, or greatgreat grandchild of a RODL member whose membership is in good standing (membership paid up for the past two years). Completed applications must be submitted by May 16. Questions may be addressed to JoAnn at 718-710-9082.

Happy Birthday – We wish all our April celebrants an incredibly happy birthday and continued peace and happiness throughout the year.

Condolences – Please continue to keep those who have recently suffered a loss in your thoughts and prayers.

Good and Welfare – We are sending our best wishes to those who are ill and/or shut-in. You are in our healing thoughts and prayers. Please notify Lorraine Parker at 718-671-6403 of any member illnesses or deaths.

Membership Committee – Annual membership dues are $25. Personal checks payable to the “Retirees of Dreiser Loop” can be mailed to: Retirees of Dreiser Loop, 177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 19, Bronx, NY 10475. Questions may be addressed to Mary at 718-655-9170.

General Meeting – Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 5, at 1 p.m., in the Dreiser Center, Auditorium C. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.

––Georgianna Rodriguez

Goose Island Seniors

Sight and Sound “Noah’s Ark” – This Tues., April 15. Price: $225. Lunch at Golden Corral. Call: 646-579-1701.

Live Casino – In Philadelphia, PA; Thurs., April 24. Price: $70. No bonus, no food coupon. Celebrating Ione Foote’s birthday on bus. Waitlist only. Balance due. Bus pick-up: Einstein Loop at 7:45 a.m. and Dreiser Loop at 8:15 a.m.

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse “Swing” – In Hampton, NJ; Thurs., May 1. Price: $180; includes luncheon and show. Balance due. Bus pick-up: Einstein Loop at 8:15 a.m. and Dreiser Loop at 8:45 a.m.

Goose Island Seniors Indoor Picnic Party – Fri., May 16, at 1 p.m. in our club, Rm. 39. Members only. Covered dish. Bring something or $20 at door. Members with birthday in May enter for free.

Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA; Sat., May 31. Price: $65; bonus $25 slot play. Call: 646-579-1701.

Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA; Tues., June 10. Price: $70; bonus $25 slot play. Balance due: Wed., May 21.

Resorts Casino – Atlantic City, NJ; Tues., July 15. Price: $70; bonus $10 slot play. Balance due: Wed., June 25.

Nordic Lodge Seafood Feast and Foxwoods Tanger Outlets – Charlestown, RI; Sat., Aug. 2. Price: $225. Call: 646-579-1701.

Myrtle Beach Show Trip – Mon., Aug. 25–Aug. 30. Call: 646-579-1701.

Holiday Hills Senior Day Picnic – In Prospect, CT; Tues., Aug. 19. Price: $150; $50 deposit to hold seat on bus. Balance due: Wed., July 2.

Portrait of Aretha Franklin Show – Resort World Monticello, NY; Wed., Sept. 10. Price: $150; $50 deposit to hold seat on bus. Bonus: $25 slot play. Private buffet lunch in casino. Balance due: Wed., Aug. 20.

Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA; Thurs., Oct. 9. Price: $70 bonus; $25 slot play. Balance due: Wed., Sept. 10.

Foxwoods Casino and Tanger Outlet – Thurs., Nov. 6, in Mashantucket, CT. No bonus and no meal voucher. Price: $70. Balance due: Wed., Oct. 15.

Notary with Yvonne Menefee – cancelled until further notice.

Bingo – Mon., Wed., and Fri., from 1 p. m.-3:30 p. m. Members only. Admission: $5 for three cards; $0.25 each additional card; 12 games and jackpot. Refreshments. Game day – Tues. and Thurs., between 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Dominoes, movies, socializing and more. Members only. Refreshments.

To All Members: Happy birthday to our members who celebrate their birthday in the month of April: Niles Flanders, Guinette Romaine, Octavio Cruz, Dolores Wynn, Isilda Modeste, Alfonso Gonzalez, Ione Foote and Valerie Francis-Williams. The birthday cake celebration will be on Wed., April 16, during bingo half-time, 2:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

Sick and Shut-in – Mary Roach, Iraida (Greta) Feliciano, and Yvonne Menefee recuperating. Mary Pilla, our former president, sends her love to everyone. Call her at 718-753-1816.

Our club is at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39, Bronx NY 10475, the Section 5 Community Center. Phone: 718-379-9613. Stephen cell: 347-847-1941. Our email address is goose.island@optonline.net. Cash App: $StephenCarlSr. Good health to all.

––Stephen Roberts Sr.

Garage Reminders:

• Follow Speed Limit - 5MPH

• Observe One-Way and Do Not Enter Signs

• Park Centered Within Lines/Not Angled or Taking Two Spots

• Watch For Pedestrians - Turn Corners Slowly

• Avoid Walking Down the Middle of Ramps or Lanes

• Be Mindful of Your Surroundings at All Times.

Co-op City NORC Program Invites You for These In-Person & Virtual Activities

Bartow OAC April Shopping Trips – Trader Joe’s 4/16; Wegmans (Harrison, NY), 4/22; Stew Leonard’s, 4/23; Whole Foods (Yonkers), 4/24; Costco, 4/25; Walmart (Bergen, NJ), 4/29. All trips are $6, except for with the Walmart/Wegmans, which are $12.

Free Tax Preparation for Seniors 60 & Up – in the JASA NORC office, 2049 Bartow Ave. Income Limit: up to $60,000. Monday’s only from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 718-320-2066 for an appointment.

Common Pantry is scheduled for Tues., April 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

BARTOW CENTER CLOSED

NORC Visual Arts Painting Class (Only), 10:30 a.m.12 p.m., Rm. 31, every Mon. until May 5

Walk w/Odessa, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure, 12-1 p.m. (1st & 3rd Tues.)

Health & Wellness w/Ann 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Smart/phone & Tablet Class w/ Julesa, 1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. NORC Office Only: New Zumba class in the JASA NORC Office every Tues., at 11 a.m., until June 10

Dinner Hour: 3-4:30 p.m.

Stay Well Exercise w/Odessa 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Line Dancing w/Cynthia, Wed. & Fri., 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. (NORC) Office ONLY

Dinner Hour: 3-4:30 p.m.

Arthritis Exercise w/Damion, 10-11:15 a.m.

Visual Arts w/Laura (Zoom) 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Knitting/Crocheting w/Lynne & Betty, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Card Games w/Frankie, 1-2 p.m.

Dinner Hour: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Massage Therapy, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Manicure, 10:30 a.m-12 p.m.

Line Dance with Cynthia 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Drama Club w/Dazee, 2-4:30 p.m., JASA NORC office NORC Office Only: Bereavement Hour w/Chaplain Gladys Baez, every Friday, 1 p.m. Call 718-320-2066. For seniors 60+ only Dinner Hour: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Intergenerational Arts & Crafts w/Denise, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Salsa with Rasheem 10 a.m.-11 a.m., will meet in Dreiser, 2nd floor.

Word Games

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Bingo on Saturdays

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., in the back of JASA NORC of fice.

Dreiser OAC – Spirit of New York “White Party” Cruise on Wed., July 16. Tickets are $140 and can be made in three installments in Rm. 7 only. P/u’s are available at all three centers.

Caringkind: The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving Rep. will be in the Bartow main office every third Monday of the month, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., for Alzheimer & Dementia Consultation/Health Care Proxy & Power of Attorney Consultation and other services. Please call 646-744-2921 for an appointment.

Technology Class – Thurs., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dial in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 862 5043 9695,

Mindful Mornings Tai Chi, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

Line Dance w/Sassy 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Movies w/ Dennis: “Nickel Boys,”1-3 p.m.

Cross County Mall, 10-2 p.m. Spanish, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 35

Credit Repair and Score Workshop, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bridge to Care Arthritis Exercise w/Damion 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45

Technology Lab w/Steve 1-2 p.m.

Hair Care 4 U (appt. only), 9-11 a.m.

Stretch & Tone w/Ola 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Bodies in Motion w/Ola 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Tech with KJ, 1-2 p.m.

Board Games, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Visual Arts, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Salsa Dance w/George 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Lunch & Learn: Life Insurance, 12-1 p.m.

Chit & Chat, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Fit for Life Exercise w/Gail 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Louis Armstrong Museum, 11 a.m-2 p.m.

Coloring for Calmness, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Su Casa Art w/ Tijay, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Chess Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Blood Pressure Screening, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Health & Wellness 2.0: Finding Purpose in Retirement, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Let’s Get It On Zumba 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Walmart (Monroe, NY), 9-4 p.m.

Passcode: 896989.

Steel Drum Classes – Wed., 1-3 p.m., NORC office.

Line Dance w/Bartow Swingers – Wed. & Fri., 12-1 p.m., Dreiser Loop, Aud. A.

Notary JASA NORC Office – Weds. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 718-320-2066 for an appointment.

Notary Dreiser OAC – Weds., 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Rm. 7. Call 718-320-1345 for an appointment.

Please call Einstein OAC for: Hair Styling, 1st & 3rd Wed. of the month, 9-11 a.m. Braids, haircuts, shape-up, twist, ponytails, curls and more.

Weekend Recap Discussion, 9-10 a.m.

Stay Well Exercise w/ Denise, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 2

Leisure TV, 11-12 p.m.

Yoga Class w/ Adira, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Rm. 2

Nutrition Presentation w/ Amelia, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Meeting ID: 816 1164 3463 - Passcode: dreiser23

Leisure TV, 2-4 p.m.

Current Events,10-11 a.m., Rm. 7 Art w/Gerry, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 6 Leisure Games w/Clara 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Zumba w/Ola, 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Aud. A Tai Chi w/Jimmy, 2-3 p.m., Aud. A Computer & Tablet class w/ Ralph (Virtual), 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Mindful Meditation, 9-10 a.m. Blood Pressure Check w/ Liu Nursing Students, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Arthritis Exercise w/Damion, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Bead & Jewelry w/ Brenda 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Technology Class w/ Steve, 1:152:15 p.m. Drama Club, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Rm.4

Walmart (N. Bergen), 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sewing Class w/Joy, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Rm. 2 Manicure Services, 10-11:30 a.m. (twice a month)

Cardio Exercise w/Gail 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Body in Motion w/Ola 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Aud. A Leisure TV, 2-4 p.m.

Sewing Class w/Joy

9 a.m.-11 a.m., Rm. 2

Alert & Alive w/Cathy & Essie 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Rm. 4

Knitting & Crocheting w/Loretta 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Line Dance w/Sassy 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Bingo, 1 p.m.-2:50 p.m., Rm. 2

Menu fee for lunch is $2 & $5 for guests. All meals served w/margarine and fresh milk. Menu subject to change without notice.

For information, please call: (718) 320-2066. Schedule subject to change without notice.

Payments for trips can be made where noted, Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and 2-4 p.m. only. Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, the NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation. Must be 60 or older to become a JASA participant.

LUNCH & DINNER MENUS

Alternate Kosher Meals are available

Menu Fee for lunch is $2 & $5 for guest. All meals served with margarine & fresh milk. Menu subject to change without notice.

LUNCH: KOSHER: Breaded Vegatble Cutlet, Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Italian Blend Vegtables; NON KOSHER: Passover

KOSHER: Meatballs w/ Mashed Potato, Steamed Zucchini, Banana; NON-KOSHER: Passover NO DINNER SERVED

LUNCH: KOSHER: Morocaan Salmon, Roasted Potatoes & Vegtables; NONKOSHER: Passover

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

LUNCH: KOSHER: Beef Meatloaf Baked, Brown Rice, Sauteed String Beans; NONKOSHER: Passover

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Lemon Filet of Sole, Potatoe Steamed Cabbage, Apple; NON-KOSHER: Passover,

LUNCH: KOSHER: Baked Fish, Baked Sweet Potato, Vegtable Mix; NONKOSHER: Passover

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: NON-KOSHER:

KOSHER: Tuna Fish Salad, Orange; NON KOSHER: Passover

LUNCH: KOSHER: Roasted Chicken Legs, Challah Bread. Spiked Mixed Vegtables; NON-KOSHER: Passover

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: NON-KOSHER:

KOSHER: Apricot Chicken w/ Potato Latkes, Steamed Yellow Squash, Peaches (10 GRAB & GO); NON-KOSHER: Passover

Saturday: Lunch served at 12:30 p.m. until finished: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Eggplant Parmesan w/ Potatoes & Steamed Carrots, Kiwi NON-KOSHER: Passover

Newsong Church

Easter at Newsong

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die’.” John 11:25 (NIV)

Join us at Newsong this Easter to experience and celebrate Jesus.

Good Friday Service: “Journey with Jesus,” April 18, 7 p.m. Join us as we reflect and pray through Jesus’ final hours as He leads us to the cross where He paid it all for us. *Parents, please note this program contains some intense and graphic images. We will have some small crafts and snacks to help keep your children entertained, should you decide to bring them. For more information, please give us a call.

Easter Eggstravaganza: April 19, from 12-3 p.m. Join our Kidsong Team for fun games, music, hotdogs, popcorn, and lots of candy! Every child will receive an Easter Basket!

Easter Sunday Celebration: April 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The resurrection of Jesus gives us hope that what is dead in our lives can come to life again! No matter where you are in life, we’d love you to join us, but you don’t have to wait until Easter to give us a visit!

About Us

Newsong Church is a life-giving church right here in Co-op City! We believe that every person can know god, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference in this world! No matter what you’ve been through or where you come from, you are welcome here. Join us for Sunday worship and see why God’s family is no ordinary family. Check us out we are located at 135 Einstein Loop!

Sunday Worship Experience: Every Sunday at 11a.m. Our Sunday worship experience starts with celebration. We make music to please God and to build others up. Colossians 3:16 says, “Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” We sing to bring glory and honor to God and celebrate who He is and what He’s doing in our church!

Newsong Deaf Church, Rm.35: Our deaf worship experience is in ASL so that our deaf and hearing impaired can worship and fellowship in their own language!

Kidsong, Rm. 49: We have created a place where children can have fun and learn about Jesus on their own level!

Against The Flow: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m., in Rm. 42. ATF is Newsong’s student ministry. Today’s middle and high school students will lead the next generation of the church and change the world. At ATF, our goal is to graduate students into a lifetime of following Jesus.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s a God in heaven who loves you and has a purpose and plan for your life! Do you live outside of Section 5? Remember, a church alive is worth the drive! Come and find hope. Come and find healing. Come and find freedom.

Contact Us

Mailing Address: 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 42; Phone: 917-342-2559

Email: CentralTeam@newsongchurchnyc.org

Prayer Request Line: Text “Prayer” to 877-899-7323

Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org

Social Media: Facebook/IG/X: @newsongchurchbx;

YouTube: Newsong Church NYC

—Pastor Mike Tolone

Redeemed Seventh Day Church

On March 29, Redeemed Seventh Day Church celebrated their annual Women’s Day with the theme, “Women of Peace, Kindness and Compassion.”

All the women were arrayed in different shades of purple, a color associated with royalty. We are all women of the household of faith. The day began with Sabbath School done by Sister Ruth Anderson with the theme “A Virtuous Woman.” We were blessed during the Divine Hour Service with our three speakers, Sister Miriam Mullings, Sister Joan Cuthbert and Sister Donnette Darling.

The women were also treated to a special lunch prepared by the men of the church. During our evening service, hosted by Sister Flowers, certificates of appreciation were handed out to the women of our church community to commemorate our service. We also took the time to honor Sister Herling Morgan from the Victory Seventh Day Adventist Church. Sister Morgan has been a pillar of faith and kindness in the community. Her children and grandchildren paid special tribute to her for the impact she made in their lives. Sister Herling Morgan was presented with a gift from Redeemed Church as a token of appreciation for all she has done and all she continues to do. We give God thanks for Sister Morgan and all the mothers in Israel.

Join us June 7, for our annual Men’s Day! Services can be watched from our YouTube channel, “Redeemed Seventh Day Church,” aka @RedeemedSDA7.

—Ruth Anderson

Circle of Christ Church Iglesia Circulo de Cristo

Faith that Overcomes Fear

People we regularly associate with will lead us into paths of blessings or destruction. It is important to choose friends carefully.

(1 Corinthians 15:33) “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”

Closeness with some people endangers our closeness with God. Good and bad habits are developed through relationships.

(Psalm 1:1) “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

Israel was on the edge of the Promised Land all they had to do was walk in. They gave in to fear and died in the desert.

(Numbers 13:27) “They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it flows with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and large.’ Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can do it.’ But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We cannot attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land. They said, ‘the land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.’”

When we internalize God’s principles we prosper in all areas. We must choose whom we will serve. God promises victory.

(Psalm 1:3) “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers.”

Schedule (147 Dreiser Loop)

First Sunday of the month, Bilingual Communion Service at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday: Spanish Service at 9 a.m., & English Service at 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday: Prayer, 10:00 a.m., & Bible Study, 12 p.m.

Wednesday: Nonperishable food distribution, 12-2 p.m.

Thursday: Prayer/Bible Study, 6:30-8 p.m. Friday: Spanish Bible Study, 12 p.m., & Youth Service, 6:30-9 p.m.

Saturday: Women’s Fellowship, second Saturday, 12-3 p.m. Young Adults, third Saturday, 12-3 p.m. Men’s Fellowship, fourth Saturday, 12-3 p.m. Blessings in Christ, ––Pastor Luis F. Ramos Jr.

Iglesia Cristiana

Apocalipsis 22:17: “Y el que oye, diga: ‘Ven.’ Y el que tenga sed, venga; y el que desee, tome del agua de la vida gratuitamente.”

Te extendemos una invitación para que vengas a Jesús. Es un llamado de Jesucristo para que las personas tengan una relación personal con Él. Es una invitación abierta a todos, independientemente de su posición en la vida.

¿Cuál es la invitación a venir a Jesús?

• Jesús invita a la gente a venir a él y encontrar descanso.

• Jesús invita a las personas a aprender de él y a llevar sobre ellos su yugo.

• Jesús invita a las personas a recibirlo como su salvador y convertirse en hijos de Dios.

Sería la mejor decisión que haya tomado. Estamos aquí para ayudarlo con esa invitación. Por favor únete a nosotros. Somos una congregación pequeña,

Community Protestant Church

Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Owens and the Community Protestant Church family welcome you to worship with us. We are located at 2053 Asch Loop, Bronx, NY 10475. You may contact us by phone: 718-862-9172, fax: 718-671-4416, or email: Administration@thecpcchurch.org.

Worship Schedule

In-person Sunday Morning Worship at 11a.m.; Adult Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

Every Wednesday: “Hour of Power Noon Day Prayer” at 12 p.m. on the conference call line 712-432-3900; Access code: 343284#.

Every Wednesday: 7 p.m. Online Bible Study via Zoom. Log in on Zoom. com or dial One Tap Mobile 646-931-3860 or 929-205-6099. Meeting ID: 813 089 803 39.

Holy Week – Save The Date

Sunday, April 13: Palm Sunday

Thursday, April 17: Maundy Thursday service, at 6 p.m.

Friday, April 1: Good Friday service, at 12 p.m.

Sunday April 20: Resurrection Sunday

Holy Week – The seven days leading up to Resurrection Sunday. It begins with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday when the crowds laid palm branches in His path and cried “Hosanna!” Witness the sacrament and receive your palm after morning worship. Following, we will commemorate the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday in conjunction with the preacher for the evening, Rev. Dr. Sheldon Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family. We honor the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday and the Seven Last Words with worship leader, Rev. Audrey Jones and sermonists Rev. Quinton E. Ervin, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church; Rev. Dr. Thomas Johnson, Canaan Baptist Church, and Bishop Mary Freeman-Coaxum. Holy Week concludes with Resurrection Sunday, a monumental time honoring His resurrection, signifying His victory over death, offering hope for eternal life and the forgiveness of sins. Amen! Share in the blessings with us as we will surely have a hallelujah good time! We begin mornings with Adult Sunday School, which gives us the opportunity to enhance and deepen our personal relationship with God through biblical teachings. Come experience and explore all the new possibilities at Community Protestant, a church of love and understanding.

We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all who are in a season of mourning. To our sick and shut-in members, please know that we are praying for you and for your speedy recovery. We extend the best happy birthday wishes to Dorcas Ministry prayer shawl recipient, Sister Sheryl Ellis Emanuel, and everyone celebrating their special day. Happy anniversary to Trustee Everett and Sister Carolyn Lemon who marked 64 years of marriage on March 25th!

“Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:25

—Lexa M. Mingo

The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle

177 Dreiser Loop, second floor, Rm. 2

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The congregation and clergy of St. Thomas invite you to worship with us. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. During the last week of His ministry, Jesus fulfilled messianic prophecies. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which took place on the Sunday before the crucifixion, was the dramatic way in which Jesus proclaimed his messiahship. The people, recognizing this, shouted “Hosanna!” A shout of praise, and plea for deliverance. Let us greet Jesus with praise, and a desire for deliverance from the ways of this world as he establishes his kingdom in our hearts.

Palm Sunday - April 13, 2025

● 11 a.m. Communion Service with blessing and distribution of palms.

● Fellowship with light refreshments following the service.

Bible Lessons:

● Revelation 19:1-7,11-13,16

● Matthew 21:1-11

Prayer: O LORD Christ, before whom in Thy one earthly triumph the children of the Hebrews did cast their votive palms. Grant unto Thy faithful servants that in Thine own good time we too may bear the palm of victory, and may be found worthy to stand in Thy holy Presence; Thou who dwellest ever in the unity of the Father and the Holy Spirit throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

—Rev. Dorian Miceli

Marcos 16:15

pero nuestra hospitalidad y amor superan nuestro tamaño. Somos la única iglesia hispana en la comunidad de la Sección 5 y nuestras puertas están abiertas para recibir a aquellos que buscan una iglesia basada en la Biblia. Nuestra iglesia está en 135 Einstein Loop Community Center, segundo piso, salón #33.

Lunes: Estudios Bíblicos Español/telefónico, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; Código: 696248)

Martes/Viernes: Estudios Bíblicos Zoom, 8 p.m. (ID 3447367643; Código: 3jEJ2W)

Jueves: Estudios Bíblicos telefónico: Ingles/7 p.m. y en Español/9 p.m. (564888-5521; Código: 696248)

Domingos: Culto de Adoración, 11:30 a.m.

La Santa Cena es el 1er Domingo del mes.

Que Dios le bendiga y recuerda que Cristo te ama.

Revelation 22:17: “And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

We extend an invitation for you to come to Jesus. It is a call from Jesus Christ for people to have a personal relationship with Him. It is an invitation that is open to everyone, regardless of their station in life.

What is the invitation to come to Jesus?

• Jesus invites people to come to him and find rest.

• Jesus invites people to learn from him and take his yoke upon them.

• Jesus invites people to receive him as their savior and become children of God. It would be the best decision you ever made. We are here to help you through that invitation. Please come join us. We are a small congregation, but our hospitality and love surpass our size. We are the only Hispanic church in the Section 5 community and our doors are open to receive those who are looking for a Bible-based church. Our church is at 135 Einstein Loop Community Center, second floor, Rm. 33.

Services Offered

Monday: Spanish Bible Studies/phone, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; Code: 696248)

Tuesday / Friday: Zoom Bible Studies, 8 p.m. (ID 3447367643; Code: 3jEJ2W)

Thursday: Telephone Bible Studies: English/7 p.m. and Spanish/9 p.m. (564888-5521; Code: 696248)

Sundays: Worship Service: 11:30 a.m.

Holy Communion is the 1st Sunday of the month God bless you and remember, Jesus loves you —Blanca Santana

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

St. Joseph’s is located at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level, Co-op City, Bronx, NY 10475. Email: stjosephsepc@aol.com. Church phone number: 718-3200844. Priest-in-charge: Fr. Simeon Johnson, cell phone: 917-227-4303.

In-person worship service for the Sunday of the Passion will be conducted by Father Simeon Johnson at the church on Sunday, April 13, at 9 a.m. as well as via teleconference.

Please do not forget to tune in for the usual teleconference weekday prayers at 12 p.m. To participate by teleconference, dial 1-425-436-6344; Access Code: 509-898, followed by the # sign.

Pledge Cards for 2025 are still available. Please collect, complete and return yours to the church as soon as possible. We know that you want to help your church, so it is on these cards that you tell us about your areas of interest and expertise. Upcoming Events and Fundraising Activities

April 13: The Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday service at 9 a.m.

April 17: Maundy Thursday service and washing of feet at 6 p.m.

April 18: Good Friday service at 12 p.m.

April 20: The Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday (Hat Sunday)

May 24: St. Joseph’s Day. Potluck, karaoke and raffle drawing. Please note the change in date due to a conflict of interest. Raffle tickets are $5 for a book of six tickets. Tickets are available from Valrie, 347-200-5850 and some members of St. Joseph’s.

June 28: Winery Trip to Pindar Vineyards in Long Island, sit-down luncheon at the Cooperage Inn and discount shopping at the Tanger Outlets; $160 per person; $50 to hold your seat. The balance of $110 is due by June 15, after which there will be no refunds. For more information, please contact Sheila Russell at 718-320-0844 or 718-320-2654.

Condolences: Our thoughts and prayers go out to all our bereaved members, families and friends who have recently lost loved ones. Please remember to keep them in your prayers.

Sick and Shut-in: We extend our well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. If possible, please visit them, call them on the phone or send them a card.

Birthday Greetings: Best wishes and blessings to everyone celebrating a birthday this month.

We are collecting food (cans and dry goods) for the pantry at Grace Episcopal Church, West Farms. If you can, please contribute for those in need. Grace and Peace!

—Merville Chambers

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear lobby of 27B .The synagogue would appreciate donations to keep our shul open. If you would like to help, go to www.Gofundme.com/Traditional-Synagogue-of-Co-op-City to donate, or mail to the Traditional Synagogue.

The synagogue has services on Saturday morning, starting at 10 a.m. After service, we serve a hot/cold kiddush meal. Entrance to our synagogue for Saturday services is on the side door of Building 27B.

General Information

The Traditional Synagogue located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear lobby of 27B. It is on the ground floor and is handicap accessible, no steps. Phone: 718-379-6920. Office hours are Thursday and Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Please call the office before you attempt to come over. If no one is in the office, please leave a message. The synagogue has a Facebook page, “Traditional Synagogue.”

The synagogue needs donations. Whatever amount you can donate, big or small, would help. The synagogue needs men to help make a minyan. There are a lot of Jewish men who live in Co-op City who do not come to services. Please come by 10 a.m. so we can take out the Torah.

The Traditional Synagogue is the only synagogue in Co-op City.

Sabbath ends on Saturday, April 12, at 8:24 p.m.

Candle lighting for Friday, April 18, at 7:18 p.m.

Good and Welfare: The congregation welcomes donations in honor or memory of a loved one. Any amount is greatly appreciated. For information about the congregation and its services please call 646-285-1206.

To All Members: Happy birthday to Martin Linder and all other members who will be celebrating their birthday in April. Please send me your name and I will add it to the list.

Fun and Games: After services and Kiddush, members play games. Your support for the Traditional Synagogue is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends peace and good health.

—Bruce Gitelson

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us for Worship Service tomorrow at 8 a.m., in-person only, and at 11 a.m., in-person and on Zoom. Sunday School classes for all ages will be held at 9:30 a.m. We are located at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 50 (lower level), Bronx, NY 10475. Telephone: 718-320-3774. Email: ccbc135@optimum.net or coopcitybc@gmail. com. Website: www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org. Masks are optional.

The 11 a.m. service is also available on Zoom at https://us04web.zoom. us/j/9623430102 or Zoom Telephone Conference Line: 646-568-7788; Meeting ID: 962 343 0102#; Password: 788175#. You can also go to YouTube, search for “Co-op City Baptist Church” and watch us there.

The church’s free conference call line dial in number is 857-357-0254; Access Code is 660065#.

Rev. Williams asks everyone who calls into the Sunday Worship service to use Zoom through your computer or dial-in using the Zoom information shown above.

The Gospel Line Dance Class will meet today, Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Einstein Community Center, Rm. 35. There is no fee for this class. Come pray, dance and worship the Lord. Everyone is welcome! Due to this being Holy Week, all of the church’s events, Bible Study classes and prayer services are cancelled. They will resume the week of April 21.

The next CCBC Food Giveaway will be distributed on Friday, April 25, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., in front of the Einstein Community Center. Please remember to bring your own bag and perhaps a cart. Some products can be heavy. Everyone is welcome.

Our combined Men’s and Women’s Day service will be celebrated on Sunday, April 27, during the 11 a.m. service. The guest preacher will be Bishop Mary Freeman-Coaxum, Pastor of Emmanuel Church for All People, New York, NY. The theme is “Men and Women Trusting God to Direct Thy Paths,” (Proverbs 3:5-6) The colors are white with a touch of royal blue. Everyone is invited.

The church has a free app available on your app store by putting in “Co Op CBC.” This app is open to all.

“GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

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.

—Marilyn

C. Williams