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Co-op City Times / December 6, 2014
Letters to the Editor
Resident shareholders, not “participants”
To the Editor: The people at the November 19 Open Board meeting were not "participants" - they were resident shareholders. The only disruptive and inappropriate behavior that I witnessed came from Director Leslie Peterson herself. She needs to learn decorum because in my opinion, she did not act like a lady at the meeting. She should be more concerned about the inappropriate behavior on the part of Marion Scott Real Estate. Next time, check
yourself Ms. Peterson, when you want the "participants" of this community to vote for you in the next election. For the past fifteen years, I believe the Old Guard (former Board majority), had a fabulous time with Marion Scott Realty in charge. Every election time, they spun tall tales of how they and Marion Scott Realty "rebuilt" Co-op City. They portrayed themselves as the saviors of our community. Marion Scott Realty has, what evidently is a pattern of questionable and unethical conduct, no matter
what property they managed. In my opinion, the former Board majority knew this but they excused it. Bill Gordon and Leslie Peterson find fault with our Board president, Cleve Taylor, but have nothing to say about the business practices of Marion Scott management. They must have low standards if they are happy with our current managing agent. Please do the "participants" of Co-op City a big favor, do no run for re-election. —Carlos Hernandez
Director responds to Mr. Hernandez
Riverbay Board members and the shareholders who attended the emergency meeting had a right to know what was going on in the community. Many came to hear information, but could not because of the tenor of the meeting. This is evidenced by the e-mails and questions many are still asking. If the only disruptive and inappropri-
ate behavior that Mr. Hernandez witnessed came from me, then he is clearly biased. I care about Riverbay and wanted to know what the ramifications of our actions could mean for Co-op City based on the Assistant Commissioner’s letter. Clearly, there are procedures that we did not follow, and that was my question. An investigation is ongoing and I
voted for it to continue. With that being said, to Mr. Hernandez I quote from Dodinsky: “When faced with senseless drama, spiteful criticisms and misguided opinions, walking away is the best way to stand up for yourself. To respond with anger is an endorsement of their attitude.” —Leslie Peterson
To the Editor: In response to a letter published in last week’s paper, I agree that Akai Gurley’s death was “unnecessary and totally unacceptable, and that he was not involved in any criminal activity at the time of his death; that his activity, at the time he was shot, was “innocent.” Innocent people die in traffic accidents, hospital errors, etc., but drivers and medical doctors are not incarcerated for their mistakes. I disagree that race played a factor in this shooting. The writer says that he rejects the “justification or excuse for yet another police killing of an unarmed African-American man.” Since this appears to have been an accidental killing, it would seem that race was not
Generally speaking
will go to a grand jury, which will determine if criminal charges are warranted. If a grand jury finds “no probable cause”’ to indict the officer, we need to wonder if we’ll have more rioting and bloodshed in the streets. That would only add to the tragedy. One bit of misinformation needs to be corrected, the New York State Penal Laws do not “plainly state that the only time a police officer can use deadly physical force is when his life or someone else’s life is in danger.” Any officer can use deadly force if he or she is threatened with death or serious physical injury. That’s not the case here, but readers should understand this important concept. —David Hammer
a factor in this shooting. Generally speaking, before we can comment on a shooting intelligently, we should wait for the investigation to be completed. The writer is free to reject any evidence or argument, but the fact that the staircase where the shooting occurred had been unlit for an extended period, I believe almost certainly played a large part in this accident. Had the staircase been properly lit, the officer might have felt it unnecessary to unholster his weapon and carry it at his side. It is easy for a “highly trained police officer” (as the letter stated) to accidently discharge a round. It happens more often than civilians would suspect. In spite of others’ argument, the case
Co-op City Branch NAACP responds to hate mail
To the Editor: Both the Daily News and Bronx 12 News recently reported about the hate mail that were sent both to this branch and the community daycare center. This
issue has been forwarded both to the New York City Police Department Hate Crime Unit, and the NAACP New York State Conference. Let me be clear, ignorance won't
deter us from being the voice for Civil Rights. I challenge the ignorant to attend our meeting and be educated on Civil Rights. —Jerome L. Rice
Carrying charge drop boxes
The carrying charge drop boxes in the three community centers open on the first business day of the month at approximately 9 a.m. and remain open through the 10th of the month, or if the 10th falls on a weekend or a holiday, the following business day. After that, they are locked and shareholders must come to the Riverbay Bookkeeping window in the Bartow Center to pay their carrying charge.
Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 18
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 18
Current Lease Expiration Date
New 3 yr. Expiration Date
100 Alcott Place
Feb. 28, 2015
Feb. 28, 2017
Co-op City Times
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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 handsigned 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. 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 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 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 Corporation 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, New York 10475.
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