Vot 13 No.
n
48 pages
Saturoay, Febl'Wl,ry 23, 1980
15œnts
• st f eus n ear1n St t 5 ercent re t incre se By Peter Grad Th.e first of 16,000 letters from the Division of Housing officially notifying residents of the date of a public hearing to consider a 56 percent rent hike were received in the mails yesterday. Th.e mailings include an eight page document outlining the Division's proposal that carrying charges be hiked $28 per room. Division officials say the increased rents would "fill the gap" in Riverbay's current operating budget Commenting last night on the Housing Division action, Riverbay President Charles Parness said if such was intended as a "scare tactic," it "will not succeed." He added that any proposal stipulating huge rent increases "will not be acceptable." This action, in effect, means the agency is proposing the imposition of an "economic rent," that amount which is necessary to meet all operating expenses. The hearing would q,e the first step towards the eventual imposition of a rent increase. The Housing Finance Agency (HF A)
Parness on Rent Hike Hearings All residents will soon be receiving a State notice of an informational rent hearing quoting a figure of over $80 per room per month. If this is intended as a scare tactic by the State, it will not succeed. We have made it clear to the State of New York that a huge rent increase will not be acceptable. We will not pay their proposed rent increase of aver 50o/c. However, it should be noted that negotiations with the State agencies are continuing. Your Board of Directors will advise everyone of whatever action is to be taken. -Charles K. Parness requested that the Housing Division call such a meeting since the HFA and Riverbay were unable to reach an agreement upon a negotiated rent increase in recent months. The HF A last November set forth a plan whereby cooperators would pay up to 80 percent in increases over a five year period. The agency recommended a first
year increase of 25 percent, less than half of what this week's Housing Division notification specifies. Riverbay President Charles Parness rejected .the HF A's 80 percent proposal outright. "Although Riverbay officials now acknowledge that. chances for a maximum rent hike of 12 (Omtinœd on page 3)
er fines for nuisances ordered Sti ,,., &y::n-tèw Board of Directors' resolution .
By Peter Grad The Board of Directors voted this week to increase fines against cooperators who violate community rules. Effective immediately, cooperators found defacing proper-: ty, throwing objects from windows or committing other illegal· acts will, in addition to facing possible criminal charges, be fined $25 for a first offense and double that amount for a second violation. Tenants with three infractions will face eviction and will be required to appear before
Steiner announces stricter enforcement of towing rules Riverbay General Manager George Steiner announced this week that beginning Monday, :Ma:rch 3, a vigorous towing program will be instituted against all vehicles found on Co-op City property. The new program is a result of what Steiner termed "an appreciable increase" in illegal parking and driving on the grounds throughoutthe community. "Residents, contractors, visí(Omtinued on page 6)
a joint Board-Council Security committee. Th.e measure, introduced by Security Committee member Harry Bell, also stipulates $10 penalties for such infractions as bike riding in prohibited areas, smoking in elevators, causing a disturbance to neighbors, loitering in hallways or lobbies, leaving refuse by incinerators and hanging objects over terraces. Higher fines will be imposed on repeaters. Although Board members unanimously agreed upon the need to take action against such "anti-social" acts, especially against vandals responsible for a recent drama,tk;. rise in building graffiti, m~~bers voiced concern over how equitably summonses have been dispensed in the past. Stu Berman stated that he frequently observed unauthorized trucks and cars standing on sidewalks and pathways but rarely saw them ticketed. Only certain maintenance crews are allowed in those areas. "I've checked with our security about this situation and they say nothing can be done about such illegal vehicles," Berman said. "Meanwhile, kids riding bikes or playing ball on the grass get
fined. I have little confidence that penalties are being applied equitably." Joel Dannenberg agreed that children seem to be getting a raw deal when it comes to dispensing summons. He said that children complain they are frequently treated unfairly by security. He told of one group of teenagers who were given summons for standing under a building portico. After they left, according to the teens, senior citizens (O>ntmued on page 2)
Brotherhood Week, celebrated by community and crvrc groups throughout the city, is not just for "brethers'íos Jennifer Reiner (ieft) and Crystal Milier can tell you. The two 9-year olds, next-door neighbors and schoolmates in P.S. 160, are best of friends and ~xemplifythat spirit which makes Ço-op City the one large "family" that it is. Observance of Brotherhood Week was also made by the National Council of Negro Women which lost Sunday issued awards to community leaders ond heard from distinguished medio ond political figures. See story poge 14. Peter Grod
Plans for bus route changes are suspended indefinitely By Ira Rich The proposed reorganization of all Bronx bus routes, originally scheduled to go into effect at the end of March, has been postponed indefinitely, according to reliable sources in the Transit Authority. Transit officials have indicated that all routes will continue to operate as they are presently constituted. No reasons were given for this complete turnabout in policy by the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit. Operating Authority (MABSTOA). In a statement issued Wednesday, Community Board 10 District Manager Richard Litman said that no official notice of MAB5TOA's action had been received by anyone connected with
Board approves revisions of corporation by-laws By Peter Grad The first revision of Riverbay Corporation bylaws since Co-op City came into existence was approved by the Board of Directors this week. The new bylaws, over a year in· the making, contain mainly minortecmúcal changes though there are some notable differences over the old regulations. Riverbay Attorney Matthew Lifflander worked with bylaws committee members Joel Dannenberg, Sanford Blair, Paul
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Weintraub and Richard Petty in compiling the 21 page document. The regulations cover shareholder meetings, Board of Directors functions, elections and certificates of stock. Although there were only minor differences among some Board members over provisions in the new document, it was what was omitted that caused the only controversy. O>œcil not reoogmzed The issue of :recognition of the (Oøinœd on page 3)
the local planning board. Litman said that after ayear of extensive public hearings and committee meetings on the route reorganízation the Board was quite surprised by what he termed "this abrupt change of policy by transit officials." "Phe net impact on Community Planning District 10 will be the retention of existing patterns· of service. Co-op City will not get its (Omtinued on page 6)
Section 5 halls opening day of Einstein Post Office Monday is a red letter day for Section 5. After many years of hard work on the part of local residents, Board members and Riverbay management, a U.S. Postal Sta. tíon will be opening at 127 Einstein Loop in Shopping Center 3. The Station, which will begin operation at 9 a.m. on Monday morning, will sell stamps, stamped envelopes and Postal Money Orders, and will accept first class mail, parcels, and registered and certified articles. Certain types, of deliveries for Co-op City residents will still have to be picked up at the Co-op City Post Office on Tillotson A venue. The Station will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m, to 5 p.m. Th.e community has been invited ·to attend the official ribbon (O>ntinued on page 6)