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First Legislative Appreciation Brunch held in Co-op City © Copyright 2016 Co-op City Times
Vol. 51 No. 9
BY LAURETTA J. JAYSURA
On Saturday, February 20, the Riverbay Board’s Legislative Committee, under the chairmanship of Board Director Rod Saunders, held the very first legislative Appreciation Brunch in Auditorium B of the Dreiser Center in Co-op City. The event, which was by invitation only, was an impressive affair that sent a signal of unity and cooperation between elected and local political leaders and the Co-op City community. Auditorium B, a 40+ year old meeting space in Co-op City, was transformed last Saturday into a beautifully redecorated space with soft, flowing red, white
L-R: Councilman Andy King, Board President Cleve Taylor (back), First Vice President Linda Berk, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Riverbay General Manager Noel Ellison and Assemblyman Mike Benedetto
and blue swags that covered the walls, ceiling, tables and chairs which were festooned with colorful bows and flowers thus creating an uplifting ambiance. The
Saturday, February 27, 2016
An impressive affair
Honoring the children – (L–R): Female District Leader and Co-op City resident Shirley Saunders, Congressman Eliot Engel, Director Berk, Councilman King, Director Saunders and Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson
space gleamed and brought smiles to the faces of all as they entered. The program began with the beautiful acapella voice of Ms. Jackie Berkeley Walker, who sang the National Anthem, then led the audience in singing the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing. Director Saunders, who served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies, led the audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance,” and then greeted the attendees, proclaiming, “everyone here is special,” before formally acknowledging the honorees, guests, and the members the Riverbay Legislative Committee. In addition, he expressed gratitude to Riverbay Board Liaison Sharan White; Riverbay Director of Community Affairs, Michelle Sajous, and their team of volunteers for the Herculean job they had done in transforming the meeting space.
Co-op City featured in New York Times article
ousness, in a city Affordability and where it can be But unlike many other open space are scarce hard to come by, is Mitchell-Lama buildings seductive, residents in today’s New York City neighborhoods. that went private along the say.” There is one place that In addition to still offers both quali- way, allowing owners to sell t h e w i d e - o p e n ties in a home these units for as much as they green spaces that make Co-op City days – and according to the New York Times, could fetch, Co-op City has so different than that place is Co-op stayed affordable. And that, the rest of New York, the Times City. In its Feb. 24 real some residents say, is more article points out the second feature estate section, the Times critical now than ever. of Co-op City’s describes just what resattraction for resiidents who live here in dents – the reasonable cost of living. Co-op City love about their community. “Co-op City’s primary perk, though, “Instead of a dense cluster of highmay have more to do with its financial rises, as the complex can appear from a fast-moving car, Co-op City is mostly structure than its open spaces: Buyers open space. Wide lawns are lined with can purchase its apartments for far less evergreens. Bike paths loop past benches. than the market rate,” the article says. Long-time Riverbay Board Director And on a recent morning, a trio of geese Bernard Cylich, a 40-plus-year resistopped traffic on Benchley Place. dent, was an electrician who worked on “Those swaths of grass are regulated, with picnics allowed only on special (Continued on page 2) occasions. But still, so much spaci-
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Co-op City is one of the most diverse communities in New York City. Reflecting that diversity, approximately one hundred and twenty-five people attended the brunch, dedicated to “honoring our elected officials,” who over the years, have been of help to this great community. The guest list included building association presidents, representatives of the many social, political, veterans, religious, educational and other organizations of Co-op City, as well as former Board directors. Among current Riverbay Board directors who attended the elegant affair were the Board’s Assistant Treasurer Helen Atkins, First Vice President Linda Berk, Treasurer Bernie Cylich, Director William “Bill” Gordon, Secretary Francine Reva Jones, Directors Daryl Johnson, Andrea Leslie and Leslie Petersen, Board President Cleve Taylor and Director Junius Williams. (Continued on page 4)
Director Rod Saunders gives opening remarks. Photos by Lauretta Jaysura
Eligible Co-op City shareholders to share $1.2M in 2015/2016 STAR tax credits
BY JIM ROBERTS
BY ROZAAN BOONE
Eligible Co-op City shareholders who applied for the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) Property Tax Exemption for tax year 2015/2016 before the March 15, 2016 deadline will share $1,173,367 in credits as
reflected on their March 1, 2016 carrying charge statements. The 2015/2016 STAR tax credit has been received by the Riverbay Corporation from New York City and is based (Continued on page 2)
Riverbay GM honored by Bronx Chamber of Commerce The Bronx Chamber of Commerce recognized Riverbay general manager Noel Ellison as part of its Black History Month celebration held on Wednesday at Tosca Marquee, Bronx, NY Ellison was one of six individuals selec-ted by the Chamber for the honor this year because of their achievements in business, their steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others and serving their respective communities. In photo at left, Mr. Ellison accepts his award which was presented by Co-op City resident Kathy Blount. Mr. Ellison extends his gratitude to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and congratulates his fellow honorees.