6
Co-op City Times / $SULO
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, QRW WR WKLUG SDUWLHV $OO OHWWHUV PXVW EH VLJQHG E\ WKH ZULWHUV DQG LQFOXGH WKHLU DGGUHVVHV DQG SKRQH QXPEHUV ZKLFK ZLOO EH NHSW FRQ¿ GHQWLDO VR WKDW WKH HGLWRU FDQ verify the authenticity of the authors. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times RI¿ FH LQ 5RRP %DUWRZ &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU E\ S P HYHU\ 0RQGD\ WR EH FRQVLGHUHG IRU SXEOLFDWLRQ in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters are solely the writer’s and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times RU 5LYHUED\ &RUS
– • Letters to the Editor • –
Getting Ahead of the Game
Time To Wake Up, Co-op
7R WKH (GLWRU 7KH 0HWUR 1RUWK VWDWLRQ LV FRPLQJ DQG &R RS &LW\ should get ahead of the game. Is it smart to move the handball/basketball courts to another area and build a garage over there? We could capitalize on outsiders coming in to take the train and alleviate the need for more parking spaces for residents of Section 5. What do you think? ²$QGUHD ' 0D\R
7R WKH (GLWRU , DP ZULWLQJ WKLV WR EULQJ DZDUHQHVV WR D VXEMHFW WKDW , EH OLHYH QR RQH LV WDONLQJ DERXW ,Q DERXW \HDUV IURP QRZ by law, Co-op City will have to convert from gas to elecWULF RSHUDWLRQV 1HZ <RUN 6WDWH DQG 1HZ <RUN &LW\ SDVVHG D VHW RI ODZV WKDW UHTXLUH DOO EXLOGLQJV WR EH JUHHQ E\ DQG 0LWFKHOO /DPDV RI ZKLFK &R RS &LW\ LV RQH KDYH XQ WLO WR FRQYHUW 6RPH RI \RX PLJKW WKLQN LV D ORQJ time away. Well, the conversion doesn’t happen overnight. The change is very expensive. It will cost over an estimated 0 WR FKDQJH RYHU IURP JDV WR HOHFWULF 7KDW PHDQV QR more power plant. That means we, the residents, will have to buy electric stoves. If we are unable to receive any grants, 5LYHUED\ ZLOO EH IRUFHG WR UDLVH FDUU\ FKDUJHV DQ HVWLPDWHG $378 per apartment, per month to meet the cost, from my estimation. If that is done, Co-op City will, according to some, no longer be affordable housing. This possible increase in carrying charges has nothing WR GR ZLWK WKH LQFUHDVHV VRPH FXUUHQW %RDUG PHPEHUV DUH discussing right now. As of writing this, I am unaware of D SODQ E\ WKH %RDUG WR DGGUHVV WKLV VLWXDWLRQ RWKHU WKDQ JR ing through with the law and converting everything over to electric. 6R , KDYH D SODQ , DP SOHDGLQJ ZLWK WKH %RDUG PHPEHUV to submit a resolution to hire a lobbyist to try and persuade RXU HOHFWHG RI¿ FLDOV IRU DQ H[FHSWLRQ IRU &R RS &LW\ VR ZH GR not have to change to electric power. If they cannot be persuaded, then I believe we need to vote them out and replace WKHP ,W ZDV WKHP DIWHU DOO ZKR YRWHG IRU WKLV ODZ LQ WKH ¿ UVW place and didn’t take Co-op City into account. Just like the EDQNV LQ , EHOLHYH ZH DUH WRR ELJ WR EH DOORZHG WR IDLO ²$DURQ &DUQHJLH
Convector Maintenance For All
7R WKH (GLWRU 6HFWLRQ KDG D YHU\ ZHOO DWWHQGHG RSHQ 5LYHUED\ %RDUG PHHWLQJ ODVW ZHHN 7KDQN \RX WR WKH %RDUG IRU KROGLQJ WKH meeting in the Section. 2QH LVVXH WKDW ZDV EURXJKW XS PDQ\ WLPHV E\ WKH FRRS erators was the convector leak problem. Perhaps this temporary solution was mentioned after I OHIW , ZDV WKHUH IURP S P DQG WKDW LV IDPLO LDUL]H WKH VHQLRUV WKDW WKH\ FDQ FDOO &62 RU 0DLQWHQDQFH WR KDYH VRPHRQH FRPH WR WKHLU DSDUWPHQW DQG À XVK RXW WKHLU convector. It is very hard – if not impossible – for most seniors to remove that heavy cover and also get down on their knees to do convector maintenance! I know this information is periodically printed in this paper, but it needs to be more widely publicized (and anyone reading this should tell their elderly neighbors). I actually think this should be done automatically for all apartments, and pans provided for each convector) on an DQQXDO EDVLV (YHQ LI RXWVLGH TXDOL¿ HG KHOS ZHUH KLUHG RQ a temporary basis, I believe it would still be much cheaper than all the repairs from the damage. Some are saying that the convectors will be obsolete by ,I <RX +DYHQ¶W $Q\WKLQJ 1LFH 7R 6D\ :KHWKHU WKDW LV WUXH RU QRW LQ P\ RSLQLRQ WKLV UH sponse is a cop out. We need solutions now. 7R WKH (GLWRU ².DWKDULQH :RRG In the extensive coverage in the Co-op City Times of the (LQVWHLQ 2SHQ %RDUG PHHWLQJ OLNH D SRVWHU FKLOG IRU PLVLQ formation, I’m quoted as stating our most expensive rent is In-Kind Service ³:KDW" OLNH ´ ± IDU EHORZ WKH DYHUDJH %URQ[ DQG 0DQ KDWWDQ UHQWV RI DQG UHVSHFWLYHO\ 7R WKH (GLWRU , PLVVSRNH , ZDVQ¶W ZURQJ E\ PXFK WKRXJK , MXVW ZDVQ¶W , DWWHQGHG WKH 0DUFK QG 2SHQ %RDUG PHHWLQJ DQG ZDV up to speed. I was off by two bucks for our three-bedroom, DPD]HG DW WKH WXUQRXW 7KH %RDUG GLG D FRPPHQGDEOH MRE KRVW six-room apartments’ before-the-increase averages. ,QFKHV EHORZ P\ TXRWH RQH FDQ ¿ QG WKH QHZ KLJKHU ³DS ing the meeting, especially the Gallery Session. proximate monthly carrying charges” for our various sized At that meeting, I took the opportunity to discuss In-kind DSDUWPHQWV 7KHVH QHZ PDLQWHQDQFH ¿ JXUHV ZHUH LQFOXGHG LQ Service to Co-op City approved organizations. As a former ODVW ZHHN¶V LVVXH RI WKH Co-op City Times IRU WKH ¿ UVW %RDUG PHPEHU , UHFDOO WKDW VHYHUDO PRQWKV DJR DQ DG KRF FRP WLPH VLQFH PLWWHH ZDV IRUPHG FRPSRVHG RI %RDUG PHPEHUV DQG 0DQ And the term “average?” The term used in housing is “meagement, and charged with the responsibility to recommend to dian.” The arithmetic middle cost of housing. Half pay more, WKH %RDUG LQFUHDVHG UDWHV IRU &R RS &LW\ UHQWDO URRPV $W WKH half pay less. That way millionaires’ mansions or tents pitched -XQH %RDUG PHHWLQJ WKH DG KRF FRPPLWWHH PDGH WKH in relatives’ backyards can’t skew an area’s average cost of UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV WKH %RDUG DFFHSWHG WKHP DQG SDVVHG 5HV housing. ROXWLRQ , WKRXJKW WKH LQFUHDVHG UDWHV ZHUH H[WUHPHO\ %XW ORRN DW WKH ODVW &HQVXV KRXVLQJ ¿ QGLQJV Estimates are KLJK DQG YRWHG WR DEVWDLQ , EHOLHYH WKDW VRPH %RDUG PHPEHUV not comparable to other geographic levels due to methodolYRWHG ³<HV´ EHFDXVH 0DQDJHPHQW WROG XV WKDW WKH\ FRXOG QRW ogy differences that may exist between different data sources. proceed with renting community rooms until the matter of in- 5HDOO\" (YHU\ERG\¶V MXVW JXHVVLQJ DQ\ZD\" Still, we can try to be careful, get up to speed, stay increased room rental rates was resolved. During this discussion, formed of issues affecting the circumstances of our homes it was also stated that the In-kind Service rates for approved and our surrounding area. Start on our coopcity.com website community organizations would increase as well. However, or at issuu.com/cctimes WR ¿ QG GHFDGHV RI LQIRUPDWLRQ EHIRUH the In-kind Service rates were never increased and remain at spreading misinformation and partial truths and before belly 7KH QHZ URRP UDWHV DUH QRZ LQ HIIHFW aching in a public forum. 8QOHVV WKH VPDOOHU URRPV DUH XVHG WKH DQQXDO LV LQ We can all do better, including us, cooperators. There could VXI¿ FLHQW WR SUHVHQW PRUH WKDQ RQH HYHQW 0\ RUJDQL]DWLRQV be more clarity and more transparency on everyone’s part but SUHVHQW IRXU )5(( FRPPXQLW\ HYHQWV HYHU\ \HDU LQFOXGLQJ WKH WKUHH SLOODUV RI &R RS &LW\ ± %RDUG 0DQDJHPHQW DQG WKH .ZDQ]DD &HOHEUDWLRQ %ODFN +LVWRU\ 0RQWK )LOP )HVWLYDO cooperators – applying more coordination, cooperation, and Wholistic Health and Wellness Fair and the Co-op City Spell- common sense – working together toward the common good LQJ %HH :H ZRXOG OLNH WR FRQWLQXH WKLV WUHQG ZLWKRXW KDYLQJ – can keep our beloved community on the right track for decades to come. to expend monies for events that are free to the community. , DSSUHFLDWH WKH 2SHQ %RDUG PHHWLQJ EHLQJ EURXJKW WR (LQ , DSSHDO WR WKH DG KRF FRPPLWWHH DQG WKH %RDUG WR GR WKH stein. Decision makers, please keep rotating, broadcasting, ULJKW WKLQJ DQG DSSURYH HLWKHU RI WKH IROORZLQJ 7KDW videotaping, listening, and informing. To paraphrase a wise be the In-kind Service amount for each event, or that the an- woman at another recent meeting, “[We] may not be happy nual allocation be raised to $3,000. with all the answers, but [our] concerns have been addressed.” Kindly share your views on this matter. ±±0DU\ 3HDUVRQ ²)UDQFLQH 5HYD -RQHV See page 11 for more letters
Co-op City Times &R RS &LW\¶V RI¿ FLDO QHZVSDSHU VHUYLQJ WKH ZRUOG¶V ODUJHVW FRRSHUDWLYH FRPPXQLW\ H[W FFWLPHV#ULYHUED\FRUS FRP
5R]DDQ %RRQH (GLWRU LQ &KLHI
-HQQLIHU 3LRYDQHWWL 2SHUDWLRQV 0DQDJHU
5DOSK +HQULTXH] 3URGXFWLRQ 0DQDJHU
-RKQ &URZ 1HZ 0HGLD 3URGXFHU 7KH Co-op City Times ZHOFRPHV LV VXH RULHQWHG OHWWHUV WR WKH HGLWRU WR EH FRQVLGHUHG IRU SXEOLFDWLRQ $OO OHWWHUV LQ SURVH QRW SRHWU\ PXVW EH DGGUHVVHG WR WKH HGLWRU QRW WR WKLUG SDUWLHV $OO OHWWHUV PXVW EH VLJQHG E\ WKH ZULWHU DQG LQFOXGH WKHLU DGGUHVV DQG SKRQH QXPEHU ZKLFK ZLOO EH NHSW FRQ¿ GHQWLDO VR WKDW WKH HGLWRU FDQ YHULI\ WKH DXWKHQWLFLW\ RI WKH DXWKRU :ULWHUV ZLOO EH OLPLWHG WR RQH OHWWHU SHU WRSLF $QRQ\PRXV RU XQVLJQHG OHW WHUV ZLOO QRW EH DFFHSWHG IRU SXEOLFDWLRQ /HWWHUV FDQQRW H[FHHG ZRUGV ,GHDOO\ WKH\ VKRXOG EH W\SHG $OO OHWWHUV PXVW EH VXEPLWWHG WR WKH Co-op City Times E\ S P 0RQGD\ WR EH FRQVLGHUHG IRU SXE OLFDWLRQ LQ WKDW ZHHN¶V HGLWLRQ (PDLO FF WLPHV#ULYHUED\FRUS FRP RU PDLO WR %DUWRZ $YH 5RRP %URQ[ 1< 9LHZV DQG RSLQLRQV H[SUHVVHG LQ OHW WHUV DQG 'LUHFWRUV¶ 9LHZSRLQW DUH VROHO\ WKH ZULWHU¶V DQG QRW QHFHVVDULO\ VKDUHG E\ WKH Co-op City Times RU 5LYHUED\ &RUS $GYHUWLVHPHQWV DQG FODVVL¿ HG DGYHU WLVHPHQWV LQ WKH Co-op City Times GR QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHÀ HFW DQ HQGRUVHPHQW IURP 5LYHUED\ &RUS RI JRRGV DQG VHUYLFHV EXW SUHVHQW JUHDWHU RSWLRQV WR FRRSHUD WRUV RI SURGXFWV DQG VHUYLFHV DYDLODEOH 7KH 5LYHUED\ &RUSRUDWLRQ GRHV QRW DVVXPH DQ\ UHVSRQVLELOLW\ QRU LV LW D SDUW\ WR DQ\ FRQWUDFW RU DJUHHPHQW EH WZHHQ WKH FRRSHUDWRU DQG WKH YHQGRU $OO PDWWHU SXEOLVKHG KHUHLQ LV FRS\ ULJKWHG E\ WKH Co-op City Times 3HUPLV VLRQ IRU UHSULQWV RI DGYHUWLVLQJ RU HGL WRULDO FRQWHQWV SURGXFHG E\ WKH Co-op City Times PXVW EH REWDLQHG LQ ZULWLQJ IURP 5LYHUED\ &RUSRUDWLRQ %DU WRZ $YH %URQ[ 1HZ <RUN
LETTERS TO 7+( (',725 We welcome letters to the editor, only from Co-op City shareholders, at FFWLPHV#ULYHUED\FRUS FRP. Letters should address issues of interest to the Co-op City community. Comments should be fact-based and responsible. Letters should not personally attack others and must be written in a respectful manner. 2QO\ VLJQHG OHWWHUV ZLOO EH FRQVLG HUHG IRU SXEOLFDWLRQ 7KH Co-op City Times GRHV QRW SXEOLVK DQRQ\PRXV PDWHULDO Submissions must include the writer’s address and phone number – which ZLOO EH NHSW FRQ¿ GHQWLDO ± VR DXWKHQWLF ity and residency of the writer can be YHUL¿ HG Thank you for your cooperation.