Transportation (DOT) here in Co-op City’s Dreiser Loop auditorium. The purpose of the meeting was to make a presentation to residents about their proposed Baychester Avenue Safety Improvement Plan. While the presentation was not well attended, I do wish to thank those cooperators who were in attendance, because the questions and comments that were asked and made were clearly on point. Everyone in attendance understood the gravity of what was being explained.
The Baychester Avenue Safety Improvement Plan is being presented as the DOT’s best option to address the morning and afternoon traffic dilemma occurring during the weekdays, when the Northeast Bronx Education Park (the Ed Park) is open to staff and students. The main concern exists along Baychester Avenue (paralleling the New England Throughway), between Aldrich Street extending northerly to Donizetti Place, although the project itself will extend north to Rombouts Avenue. At the beginning of the DOT’s presentation, it was noted that the principals of the six Ed Park schools have already agreed with the proposed traffic remediation plan(s). Of course they did, because as presented, neither the administrative staff nor the teachers are being asked to modify anything.
It should be noted that when NYC/NY State wants to make significant changes to Co-op City’s quality of life, no one at the governmental level thinks to engage Management, or the Board of Directors for input. The residents and the Board are always the last ones to be consulted. Why were we not contacted at all during the planning stages of the proposal? It is time that we ask our elected representatives to insist that, going forward, representation from Co-op City should be at the table during the initial planning stages of any quality-of-life issues involving our community. At this point, it’s apparent that we’re not being consulted,
we’re being told what’s going to happen.
It should also be noted that the presenters suggested that the traffic conditions in front of the Ed Park could be blamed on poor planning when the Ed Park was built. In my opinion that’s not accurate, but I understand the assumption. Co-op City’s student population is not the primary cause of the traffic congestion problem. The busing and driving of students from outside of Co-op City to and from Ed Park is the problem.
Part of the DOT’s proposal is to:
● Extend the left hand turn only lane south of Aldrich Street.
● Install in a new concrete median along Baychester Avenue.
● Completely reconfigure the parking and traffic flow into and out of Donizetti Place (return the parking to residents after 5 p.m. – Monday to Friday)
● Eliminate one southbound lane on Baychester Avenue and provide parking along the median (what half a dozen things could go wrong? – right!)
I’m not going to include all of the salient proposals the DOT made here; however, I believe that I can make a coherent argument as to why the DOT’s proposal is wrong for Co-op City residents, especially those who reside on Baychester Avenue, north of Donizetti Place. The installation of a new ten-foot-wide planted median along Baychester Avenue may be problematic for emergency/first responding vehicles.
Why, In My Opinion, The DOT’s Redevelopment Plan is Unfavorable to Co-op City Residents
The DOT’s proposed redevelopment plan is unfavorable because I believe that the plan will result in there being a negative impact on Co-op City residents, while having little to no impact on those who attend or work in the Ed Park. Again, The Ed Park was built primarily to accommodate the student population of Co-op City, their families and
the Co-op City community at large.
The original concept in constructing the Ed Park, was to promote educational instruction for 66% of the students attending from Co-op City, with the remaining 33% of the student population coming from the surrounding neighborhoods, namely the private homeowners of the “Valley” & the Boston Secor Housing projects.
Arguably, decentralization of the NYC School system, and the creation of Community School Districts and Community School Boards changed the original concepts and visions of what the Ed Park was originally intended to be.
Having said that, the schools were always built for the Co-op City population, on what was Co-op City land (given to the NYC BOE), for the primary purpose of educating Co-op City youngsters.
To be clear, part of the masterful design concept of Co-op City is our campus’ inter-connectedness. Unless one is traveling to one of the commercial centers, garages, or from Sections 1 through 4 to Section 5, pedestrians do not have to cross streets to get around the campus – especially to the schools in the Ed Park. The same is true when walking around Section 5’s grounds.
The NYC Dept. of Education created this traffic nightmare by admitting students who live a considerable distance away from Co-op City and then having them bused here.
Before Mayoral Control of the Dept. of Education (DOE), the Ed Park was managed by an Education Park Director (manager), Steve Leib. His primary task was to manage the scheduling of the Ed Park’s multi use facilities, as well as to implement a staggered opening of the five (now six) schools. In doing so, the traffic issue was still less than desirable; however, it was not the quagmire that is in existence today.
As a concerned resident of Co-op City, much less the President of the Board, I want an approach from the DOT that demands more from the Dept. of Education, and less from Co-op City residents. The DOE should:
● Monitor the number of buses from District 75 and ensure a more rapid disembark & embarking of students.
● Limit the out of Co-op City student population to local areas (especially at the elementary & middle school grades).
● Require staggered arrival times for each of the six (6) schools occupying the Ed Park.
● Consider different times for school attendance (Early/Later) for resident/ non-resident students.
● Require School Safety & Traffic Officers to direct traffic during arrival & dismissal times.
● At Donizetti Place, remove the teacher parking lot, and make that area the school bus drop off/pick up location, allowing Co-op City shareholders with disability parking permits spaces to park.
Again, in my opinion, the current DOT Baychester Avenue Safety Improvement Plan is not in the residents of Co-op City’s best interest, and if implemented, would only serve to benefit those who are not shareholders or cooperators who live here. Therefore, I recommend that all cooperators, especially those living in the Donizetti Place area, clear your calendars to attend Community Board 10’s full Board Meeting & Hearing, which is scheduled to be held in the Bartow Center, Room 31, on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. Come out and let your voices be heard!
The Yellow Schoolhouse
You may have seen the article appearing in last week’s edition (May 3rd) of the Co-op City Times, where a tour was taken of the Yellow Schoolhouse, located on the corner of Baychester Avenue & Darrow Place. The Yellow Schoolhouse was the structure that originally provided classroom instruction for the children of our original cooperators.
Currently, there is an awning featuring the name of the former occupant’s business. In the very near future, I would like to remove that awning, and present to the Board, a resolution that would permanently name the building, and any proposed additions or extensions to it, after the woman that the building was originally intended to be named after—Gloria Wise.
The purpose of the tour was to give our elected representatives (or their representatives) the opportunity to see what the inside of the structure currently looks like. In recent talks with our NY State and City Council legislators, I am pleased to say that they have all expressed interests in helping with providing a multi-purpose structure for use as both a community center, and possibly as a skilled labor training center. Hopefully, we can obtain the funding necessary to restore and expand the Yellow Schoolhouse structure and surrounding area into something truly unique for us all!
Thank you for reading my President’s Report. I can be reached at: rsaunders@riverbayboard.com
Riverbay Directors’ Corner
Jose Mendez, Director, Procurement Department
Greetings, my name is Jose Mendez, and I am the director of the Riverbay Procurement department.
The primary role of the Procurement department is to conduct business transactions on behalf of Riverbay Corporation in compliance with the rules and regulations of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).
As the Procurement department director, I am responsible for ensuring the efficient and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services. I also oversee contract negotiations, manage vendor selections, maintain vendor relationships and monitor vendor performance. I also work closely with Management, the Riverbay Board of Directors, and various Riverbay departments to develop and implement procurement strategies, focusing on cost reduction and obtaning quality goods and services.
The Procurement department is made up of the Contracts Administration & Purchasing group and the Warehouse and Inventory group. The Procurement department’s Contracts & Purchasing group is responsible for conducting competitive bids, solicitation and bid evaluation, and the awarding of purchase orders, contracts and service agreements.
Essentially, this group assists in obtaining the necessary goods and services needed by Riverbay Corporation in a timely manner and at the best possible cost. All purchases and contracts are awarded on the basis of competitive analysis and bidding to the fullest extent possible, and transactions are awarded based on the lowest qualified bidder, as per DHCR rules.
The Warehouse/Inventory group is responsible for the administration of Riverbay’s Warehouse and Inventory Control operations, including receipt of materials purchased, stocking of materials and for filling orders to meet the operational departments’ materials and supplies requirements. The Inventory Control staff is responsible for maintaining satisfactory levels of inventory of materials and physical cycle counts to help ensure availability of materials for the operational departments. In 2021, the Warehouse and Inventory Control operations expanded to include the logistics function of distributing materials to various departments including Restoration, Maintenance, Janitorial, and Cooperator Services Operations (CSO), among other departments.
On behalf of the Riverbay Procurement department, I say thank you and we look forward to continuing to provide the corporation with procurement policies that prioritize cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
Reminders to Shareholders
Shareholders are reminded that washers and dryers are prohibited in high-rise residential units in Co-op City. The community fine for unauthorized appliances in an apartment is $150. Washers and dryers, installed by a licensed professional, are only allowed in townhouses. Window air conditioners are also prohibited in all Co-op City residential buildings, including townhouses.
Thank you for your cooperation.
2025 Co-op City Scholarship HonorsRev.
Dr. Robert A. Smith Jr.
Application Deadline: May 26, 2025
Assembly Member Michael R. Benedetto announces the kick-off of the 2025 Co-op City Scholarship, which begins May 3, 2025.
This year's scholarship, honoring the memory of long-time Co-op City shareholder, the late Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., is sponsored by New York State Assembly Member Michael R. Benedetto and United States Congressman George Latimer.
This initiative will help students who live in Co-op City achieve their dreams of attending college.
“I don't need to tell parents that the cost of attending college has become increasingly more expensive,” said Assembly Member Michael R. Benedetto, chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Education.
Qualifications for the scholarship are as follows:
* Applicants must reside in Co-op City
* Be in their senior year of high school
* Currently serving, or have served, their community in a volunteer capacity, and
* Have a C+ or better grade average.
This year, the Co-op City Scholarship Fund will award three scholarships of $1,000 each to high school students to use for school-related expenses like books or tuition.
The Co-op City Scholarship Fund has awarded approximately 50 scholarships since its inception in 2011. Applications for the scholarship are available via the QR code at right and on flyers located on community bulletin boards, via email at coopcityscholarship@gmail.com, or aapplications can be picked up at the Assembly Member Benedetto’s office located at 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 12.
The scholarship application period will end on Monday, May 26, 2025.
For more information, please contact Linda Collins at 718-320-2220 or by email at collinsl@nyassembly.gov.
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
verify
be typed. All letters must be in the
– • Letters to the Editor • –
City
office in
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.
Food Truck Nightmare
To the Editor:
For the past few days this food truck has been parked on the corner of Bartow and Co-op City Blvd. It has been an eye sore to say the least and when one is allowed many
Safety
(Continued from page 1)
the bathtub, to avoid slips and slides. Even outside the bathtub, a mat with a rubber backing can prevent slips.
Cords or clutter on the floor are another tripping hazard, especially at nighttime when you can’t see as well and are walking around in the dark. So, try to keep things off the floor that are going to cause you to trip, slip and fall. If you get up in the middle of the night, you should also have adequate lighting so you’re not fumbling around in the dark.
Light Bulbs
When changing out the light bulbs in your home you’re going to want to make sure that you have the correct size bulb and check the wattage rating on the fixture. If you put the wrong bulb in, that can lead to not only a fire, but you can also get yourself burned. The power to the fixture should also be off and if the bulb is hot let it cool down before changing it.
Appliance Safety
When using appliances, it’s important that you make sure you operate them safely. Operating them unsafely can not only lead to injuries but also start an electrical fire. According to FEMA, in 2021, an estimated 24,200 residential building electrical fires were reported in the U.S. These fires caused an estimated 295 deaths, 900 injuries and over $1.2 billion in property loss.
Major appliances, like a refrigerator, should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Small appliances should also be unplugged when they are not being used.
“Before I go to bed, I’m going to go around the house and I’m going to unplug everything, except for the bigger appliances like the microwave and refrigerator,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “But, if I’ve got a toaster, if I’ve got a coffee maker, I’m going to unplug it. People don’t realize that when you have
will follow. Help Keep our community free of these eye sores and unwanted mobile food trucks We have a whole plaza and mall if one chooses to eat.
—Vero Maldo
your appliances plugged in, even though the toaster says off, electricity is still running from the plug and going into that unit or appliance.”
One of the big culprits of electrical fires in houses and apartments today is overloaded outlets.
“We tend to want to overload things, and we try to put as much as we can into an outlet,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “Or we’ll get those surge protector bars and we’ll plug multiple things into the surge protector, and then we’ll take another surge protector and plug it into that surge protector. So now you’ve got like 16 items plugged into that outlet.”
There are also different types of extension cords. It’s important to check the wattage rating of the appliance you plan to plug into the extension cord. When buying an extension cord, Mr. Barzelatto recommends buying the heaviest gauge extension cord.
“If you plug in something, and it’s not the right extension cord, you have to realize that the amount of electricity coming from that outlet is heating up that cord.”
Shareholders are also encouraged to make sure all cords are tucked into the edge of the walls and held in place with tape, so it doesn’t become a trip hazard. Cracked or damaged cords should also be replaced.
Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 35
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 35
100 Elgar Place
Current Lease Expiration
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
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
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.
Apt.
–––––
Love, your mom, dad, brothers and grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Carlton Bonner.
Happy Birthday Chloé!
Public Safety Report
By SGT. JOSEPH VARGAS
Garage Enforcement
In the beginning of the year, Co-op City’s Department of Public Safety increased garage enforcement and inspection in response to the rise in auto-crime and violations found. Additionally, the increase in our department's manpower has allowed us to increase garage inspections and enforcement frequency, as well as expand joint enforcement collaborations with the Riverbay Parking and Leasing department.
Garage Public Safety
The number one purpose of CCPD’s patrols within the eight large garages in Co-op City, is public safety. Throughout the day, patrol units move around the garages, creating a visible deterrent to crime. Officers are trained and instructed to identify anyone in need, possible criminal mischief to vehicles and motorcycles, trespassers and homeless individuals attempting to remain in the garages. CCPD conducts vertical patrols in garage stairwells, rooftops and elevators. Co-op City’s Public Safety department also continues to respond to medical emergencies, missing persons, individuals stuck in elevators and motor vehicle accidents within the garages at record response times.
Response Against Auto-Crime
During routine patrols, officers have, in the past, found vehicles without plates. Sometimes, motor vehicle owners will move license plates from legitimate personal cars; however, those involved in other crimes are also known to remove license plates from vehicles to avoid discovery. As CCPD patrols garages more frequently, vehicles without license plates will be noticed and investigated. In the past, offi-
Public Safety Blotter
April 27 – May 3, 2025 department's
April 27, 2025
4220 Hutch River Parkway –CCPD responded to a report of a suicidal individual at the above location, where FDNY EMS requested support. The individual was then escorted to an ambulance without incident.
April 28, 2025
140 Elgar– CSO requested that a community complaint be issued to the above location for improper disposal of garbage
Asch Loop Townhouses – a cooperator reported that a group of kids passing by had kicked the bottom part of their screen door, causing damage.
April 29, 2025
100 Dreiser – an individual reported exiting her vehicle to assist her elderly mother out of the passenger side of the vehicle. At that time an unknown male suspect entered the driver seat of the running vehicle and drove off. The complainant and the mother both unsuccessfully tried to stop the suspect as he fled with the vehicle. The complainant’s mother did fall as a result of her attempting to get to the car and sustained a laceration above her eye. They were then transported for medical attention. Shortly after, the vehicle was recovered by the 47th pct.
100 Defoe – officers responded to a call from a female regarding her autistic son, who had left the apartment and was last seen running down Baychester Ave. CCPD conducted a search and located the son, who was unharmed, and reunited the two.
April 30, 2025
100 DeKruif – Officer responded to a call for an emotional disturbed and suicidal individual on a balcony. Upon arrival the complainant stated that a family memeber was distressed, refusing to come inside and may have ingested an unknown
cers have discovered unlicensed and unregistered vehicles and even vehicles reported stolen through these field investigations. Upon these findings, CCPD then contacts NYPD and other law enforcement agencies to report the stolen vehicles and participate in the seizing and recovery efforts of these vehicles. All vehicles parked in the garages must have license plates attached, or they will be investigated and/or run the risk of being towed.
Towards the end of 2024 and the beginning of the current year, an increase in vehicle thefts were noticed. Co-op City Department of Public Safety quickly responded with new strategies and increased patrol activity. Currently, due to the increased patrols, thefts have decreased. Newly recruited officers are being introduced to garage patrols, and officers of every rank participate in extra garage patrol shifts to ensure additional coverage.
Garage Parking Enforcement
Traditionally, the majority of garage parking enforcement has been conducted by the Garage department. CCPD has now increased involvement in garage parking enforcement as part of a joint effort to maintain our garage safety and order. Increased enforcement leads to additional parking spaces becoming avaliable and deters illegal storage and unauthorized parking of vehicles.
Garages are considered private property with parking spaces available for the registered vehicles of Co-op City shareholders. Specific vehicles with permissions are given a tag associated with that individual vehicle and should not be exchanged between vehicles. Vehicles within the garages without a “TagMaster” sticker will automatically initiate a preliminary investigation to ascertain where the vehicle has come from. Vehicles that are legitimately registered, but have been stored in garages without identifiable permissions are to be immediately towed and removed from Riverbay. Vehicles without plates and/or tag master or other unique permits will also be towed.
substance. CCPD Officers entered the apartment and spoke to the individual and aided them off the ledge. They were then transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
100 DeKruif – a male dressed in all black, wearing a black face mask and black gloves was seen sprinting across Dekruif Place through the portico of Building 7 onto the greenway towards the Broun Place Townhouses. CCPD assisted NYPD officers who were also already in foot pursuit. The suspect was then apprehended and found to be carrying an expandable baton concealed in a fanny pack. Additionally, NYPD officers observed the suspect discarding a silver and black knife. A search was conducted, yielding positive results, and the knife was recovered at the location.
May 01, 2025
140 Dekruif Place – a female complainant reported that an unknown male followed her to the 19th Floor. CCPD units responded and conducted a building vertical, ending with negative results.
May 02, 2025
Dreiser Mall – NYPD Arrested a male resident side of Capri Pizza in the Dreiser Mall, after being issued a Criminal court summons for public consumption of alcohol. A routine warrant check revealed that they had an active warrant. They were then arrested and CCPD also issued them two Community Complaints.
May 03, 2025
133 Dreiser Loop – CCPD responded to a call to about an intoxicated male. The individual was removed by EMS and escorted by CCPD to the hospital.
140 Bellamy Loop – A CCPD Officer, while on routine patrol, was alerted by a female with two children that an unknown male was attempting to lure them to him. A canvas of the area was conducted, ending with negative results.
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 specific directions.
For employment opportunities, please visit these following sites:
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.
Considering how responsible our convectors are for our comfort and how often they’re the cause of calamity in the community, I always felt, as a Board member, that it was my duty to figure out how they work… at least up to a point. But at the very least, I felt I should know enough to understand what makes them function in a less than ideal manner in the summertime, when they’re in their air conditioning mode, the time when they drip, leak, or flood.
Here's how the convectors work when they’re working right and how many ways they can go wrong.
But before I get too deeply into how the air in our apartments is heated or cooled and which part of the system causes which headache, I want to talk about the air itself.
COVID-19. In the beginning of the covid scare, the air itself was suspect. Indoors, outdoors, everywhere. Personally, I only worried about air in enclosed spaces. I was mostly worried about the air in the elevators, and only after months and months was that fear finally confirmed as being a rational one.
But some cooperators were worried that our convectors could contaminate their space by bringing another apartment’s air into their own. That's not how convectors work. Your air is the only air circulating within your apartment unless you've thrown open all your doors and windows.
Back to the convectors.
There are three forms of heat exchange – conduction, convection, and radiation– whether you want to heat your apartment or cool your apartment, either way, you’re dealing with heat exchange.
Let's close the blinds to eliminate radiation (sunshine) from that heat exchange list. Our convectors just deal with conduction and its namesake: convection.
Conduction requires touching. Forget to use a potholder when you grab the handle; get your tongue stuck to a frigid lamp post? Conduction.
Convection: warming your hands by a fire or feeling an ocean breeze. You’re just in the vicinity of the heated or cooled thing.
Through the wizardry of our power plant and our miles of pipes, appropriately heated or chilled water circulates through the convectors in our closed loop (meaning sealed) HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system. The newly chilled or heated air circulates naturally through the room (and more vigorously when the convector fan is on) while the always-on-the-move water travels back to the power plant to be reheated or re-chilled.
What can go wrong?
Co-op City Convectors: Part I
Underground pipes spring leaks. They’re a costly mess to repair.
In our buildings, sometimes a leak – caused by a rusty fan coil assemblage connection break – can also cause a costly mess. And then there are the feeding pipes behind our walls. Those pipes are called risers. An expansion joint is installed within each of them every few floors. Those 9000 expansion joints deal with the expanding and contracting metal pipes as they heat or cool. If one bursts, the flooding can take out an elevator.
Those two occasional and very unfortunate incidents are responsible for about 10% of our convector leaks.
Blocked condensation is the cause of the other 90% of our apartment leaks. And that never happens during the heating season.
Summer is the problem season for our aging system. Chilled water is fed into the individual units from the riser through the pipe inside the convector. The water continuously circulates back to the power plant. Coil fins are attached to the pipe running through the convector. Those fins add more surface to the heat-transferring process. Heat from the hot metal inside the convector, inside the hot humid apartment, is sucked into the pipe carrying the chilled water. The hot metal touching the cold pipe gets cold and the cold water within the pipe is warmed. That transfer of heat is conduction
The coolness we feel as the hot air passes through the convector? That transfer of heat from the air to our skin is called convection.
But, when hot air hits the cold coil, condensation drips into the drain pan that flows into a drain line. The higher the humidity and the faster the fan pulls in the hot air, the more dripping. No problem, unless the drain line clogs; a regular occurrence that
plagues way too many of our cooperators.
When we’re not praising the elegant energy-saving, money-saving HVAC system closed-loop Coop City enjoys, we’re cursing this side effect.
Searching for HVAC Solutions.
We have chronic convector problems, and so does Rochdale Village, our big sister Mitchell-Lama co-op in Queens. They started the process of finding money and candidates to replace their convectors a few years before our process began.
I met the chosen candidate, Charles Cino, at Rochdale’s 60th anniversary gala on 11/11/23, thanks to a seating plan SNAFU that separated our attorney, Jeff Buss, from the table of Riverbay Board directors. After a few minutes of convector chatting, Jeff told Charles, “Talk to Mary.”
I told Mr. Cino all about the problems we have with our convectors.
He told me about his Rochdale contract to replace all 20,000 convectors with his personally-designed units.
I suggested he offer Co-op City a couple of test units as other companies had. He said he’d install six for free. Now we’re testing out 32 of them.
To be continued.
D&A corner: The Disability and Accommodations committee members are marking their calendars and looking forward to a not-to-be-missed caregivers health and resource event two weeks from today, on Saturday, May 24, from 10 am to 2 pm, in Bartow Center, room 31.
We’re also eager to continue spreading the word about Co-op City Smart Curbs to our residents and our local officials. A tweaked PowerPoint presentation emailed upon request!
Have a good week, everybody. MPearson@RiverbayBoard.com / 718 219-2211.
Building Safety
For the safety and security of everyone in our buildings, please do not buzz in or physically open the door for anyone you don’t personally know. All guests and deliveries should only be let in by the person they are visiting. Being mindful of who we allow into the buildings helps keep our community safe.
“Co-op City is a safe place, although we are not a crime free community. CCPD and NYPD maintain communication and CCPD detectives assist with all incidents and investigations lead by the NYPD. The safety and quality of life of shareholders are our top priorities. NYPD has assisted with increased visibility throughout the campus and CCPD continues to maintain visibility, while conducting routine patrols and responding to calls for service. CCPD targets and patrols various buildings for violations, which can result in Community Complaints, criminal court summonses and/or arrests. CCPD is also constantly strategizing patrols while rebuilding the staffing levels to maintain the safety and quality of life for shareholders.”
CCPD and Management thank shareholders for their cooperation!
—Frankie Torres, CCPD Interim Chief
P.O. Box 318, Bronx, NY 10469
• Sat., Aug. 9 CLUE the Musical - Hunderton Hills Playhouse “Can You Solve The Mystery?” Hampton, NJ
• Fri., Dec. 12 GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN Brownstone Patterson, NJ
TWO PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Masks Suggested
169 Dreiser Loop (Front of H&R Block)
For More Info., Lessie Harris, 347-866-4625; maetravels73@gmail.com Join Us for a Day of Enjoyment on One of Our Upcoming Trips!
The Park @ 161st Street (Btwn. Grand Concourse & Walton Ave., Opposite Bronx Courthouse)
BY DANIELLE CRUZ
Safety Director Talks Mold
There are many different types of molds that can grow both outdoors and indoors. Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through the air. Mold begins growing indoors when those spores land on moist or wet surfaces and can only be detected by visual inspection.
In the event that a shareholder observes mold in an apartment, a call must be placed to the respective Cooperator Services Office (CSO) requesting a mold assessment. That assessment will be conducted by the Riverbay Safety Department, which oversees the corporation’s mold program throughout Co-op City.
The Co-op City Times sat down with Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto this week to discuss Riverbay’s mold program and what shareholders can do to help prevent the growth of mold in their apartments.
What causes mold to grow in an apartment, especially in the bathroom?
There are three key ingredients that are needed for mold to grow. The first is that it needs a food source. A food source could be a piece of sheetrock on the wall, a curtain, paint, wood, bedding and that's gonna create the start of it.
Second thing is you need moisture. Now, moisture could be that it’s actually wet or it could be dampness, like it's a real humid day. And then the third thing you need is some sort of darkness. So those are the three key things that you need for mold to grow.
Here at Riverbay, I will tell you that maybe 75% of our mold jobs are in the bathroom. Now why in the bathroom? Well, you do have food sources. You've got the walls themselves. You've got the ceilings. That's really where mold is going to accumulate. For moisture you've got steam from the shower, and you've got humidity.
One of the key things to try to avoid mold anywhere in the apartment, especially in the bathroom, is to have air movement.
Some of the apartments have fans on the walls that suck out the air that's in there. And some apartments don't have fans and they've just got a bathroom window. So, what we tell shareholders is that on a regular basis, they should be checking the fan to make sure it's sucking air out like it's supposed to be. To check your fan you can take a piece of toilet paper and put it up to the fan, if it stays there then you know the fan is working. If you put it up there and it falls to the ground, well, that means that the fan's not working.
So, the first thing they should do is to call maintenance because we have to
get that fan working and get that air movement in the bathroom. If you don't have the fan, leave the bathroom window open just an inch, just to get constant air flow.
Throughout the rest of the house you can also leave the windows open a little bit, just to get some air movement. During the summertime, even though we have convectors, you might want to have a little fan just to keep the air moving.
For instance, in all of our residential buildings, in all of the compactor rooms, we have an influx of mold. There is a huge food source in there. It's humid and of course it's wet because we’re constantly hosing things down. So, what we did is we put a fan, a wall fan in every unit, every one of those compactor rooms just to keep the air moving. That will prevent the mold from being able to grow there.
What else can shareholders do to prevent the growth of mold in their apartments?
Now, for the rest of the house, it is critical that shareholders do not put any of their furniture next to a convector. There should be at least a foot clearance all the way around the convector.
The curtains should not hang on top or in front of the convector. They should be hung up high. And you shouldn't put anything on top of the convector. So, no Candles, pictures, or anything else. That will promote mold growth.
Once a shareholders spots mold in their apartment what should they do?
Now, the way we handle it here at our office is that there's a two-prong approach to mold. A shareholder will call and report mold in their apartment. We send a team out to do what's called an assessment. And we follow the regulations of New York City Department of Health and New York City Department of Environmental Protection. We assess it first to determine if it is mold. If it is mold, we then make an appointment with the shareholder to conduct a remediation.
Now, the remediation is involved in such a way that we will go and wipe down the walls of the ceiling. We'll use a product called Shockwave, it's a non-harmful chemical that kills any of the mold spores that are there. We then wipe it again. Now, the problem with mold is that, for example, mold on your plaster, if it's there, it will stain it. Even though you wipe it off with Clorox
(Continued on page 13)
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.
Every Wednesday — “Hour of Power Noon Day Prayer,” 12:00 p.m. on the Conference Call Line, (712) 432-3900, Access code: 343284#
Every Wednesday — 7:00 p.m., Bible Study Online 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. Save the Date
Sunday, June 1st, 11:00 a.m. — Church Anniversary Anniversary colors: Navy blue with light blue flower/scarf for women and light blue ties for men.
Sunday, we celebrated Pastor’s birthday and it was a full day filled with God’s grace and love. Songs of praise were sung and testimonies were shared. Deacon
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, Room 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.
This week’s events: There will be no Wednesday Bible Study Classes this week. The 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Bible Study Classes will resume on May 21st.
Prayer Warriors Prayer Service on Thursday at noon is on the Church Conference Call Line, Thursday at 2 p.m., the Circle of Grace Knit and Crochet Group will meet in person at the church, in Room 51.
Friday Mid-Morning Prayer Service at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Evening prayer service are on the church Conference Call Line.
On Sunday, May 18th, the Pastor’s Aide Ministry will celebrate their 46th Anniversary at the 11 a.m. service. The guest preacher will be Rev. Reginald E. Paris, Pastor of United Christian Baptist Church, Bronx, NY. All are invited to this special occasion.
The next CCBC Food Giveaway will be distributed on Friday, May 23, from 2 p.m. until 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.
On Sunday, May 25, during the 11 a.m. service, we will honor our veterans. 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
James Tidball prayed and read John 3:1-7 from the Amplified Bible. Sister Elaine McClain enacted her witty poem entitled, “An Original.” Presentations were made and salutations were given by Junior Usher Tyron Brown and Sister Synii Mann. Father Franklyn Reid blessed us with his sermon, “Celebrating the Birthday of Our Pastor.” He reminded us we must lift our Pastor up in prayer, encourage him and actively participate in the journey with him. Father Reid prayed robustly as we gathered around Pastor during Altar Call. Rev. Vernell Cooper offered the benediction and blessed the meal prepared for the Shepards Ministry Anniversary. We dined sufficiently.
The celebration continued with guests Rev. Frank Hawkins and the Greater Central Church family, Rev. Dr. Edgar Howard, Manhattan BC, Rev. Dr. CL Washington III, Pilgrim BC, President Lee Alexander and the Pastor’s Aide League to name few along with a host of pulpit guests. The Shepherds escorted by League Marshalls sparkled in white and gold were led by President Sarita Tidball and First Vice President William Pace. Rev. Hawkins preached “More Marys and Less Marthas,” Luke 10:38-42, saying, we need more of us to pray and serve the Lord. Yes! We had church! Thank you for your fellowship.
We begin mornings with Adult Sunday School allowing us the opportunity to enhance and deepen our personal relationship with God through biblical teachings. If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to worship, explore and experience 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 mightily for you and for your speedy recovery. Our best Happy Birthday wishes to Sister Annette Myrick, Dorcas birthday shawl recipient, and everyone celebrating their special day this month. Happy Mother’s Day!
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Acts
1:14 ESV
—Lexa M. Mingo
Retirees of Dreiser Loop
Greetings, retirees and friends.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the fabulous women. We hope you enjoy your special day.
June Luncheon – Our June luncheon will be held at the Marina del Rey on Wednesday, June 18, from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The price of tickets is $110. Transportation is included on a first paid/first seated basis. Tickets are now available for purchase. Questions may be addressed to Daisy Young at 917292-7010 or Ted Byrd at 917-797-9230. Daisy will be available in Rm. 19 for the purchase and payment of tickets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1-3 p.m. Atlantic City – Wednesday, July 9, a day trip to the Tropicana Casino. Tickets are $70, with a $15 slot-play giveback. The bus will pick up at Dreiser Loop, in front of H&R Block, and will depart at 8 a.m. sharp. On our return, the bus will drop off at Einstein, Asch, and Dreiser Loop. Contact Serita for additional information at 347-564-5722.
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – Hampton, NJ, on Tuesday, September 16. Tickets are $160 and include lunch and a show “Never Too Late.” A $50 deposit is required ASAP to hold a seat. The bus will pick up on Dreiser Loop in front of H&R Block and depart promptly at 9 a.m. Contact Serita for additional information at 347-564-5722.
Scholarship Committee – Scholarship applications are available in Rm. 19. Completed applications must be submitted by May 16, 2025. The Scholarship Committee welcomes donations to the scholarship fund. Donations can be mailed to the Retirees of Dreiser Loop, 177 Dreiser Loop, Rm. 19, Bronx, NY 10475. Questions may be addressed to JoAnn at 718-710-9082.
Nominating Committee – All executive board positions will be up for election in June. Members who wish to be considered for a position on the executive board can pick up an application in Rm. 19. Completed applications must be submitted by May 19. Contact Daisy Young at 917-292-7010 for additional information.
Happy Birthday – We wish all our May celebrants an incredibly happy birthday and continued peace and happiness throughout the year.
Condolences – Please continue to keep Stuart Edwards and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to mourn the loss of his beloved wife, Ida Edward. Continue to pray for all who have recently suffered a loss. 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, June 4, at 1 p.m., in the Dreiser Center, Auditorium C. This will be our last meeting prior to our summer break.
Georgianna Rodriguez
DID YOU KNOW... There is a Lost and Found located in the Bartow Community Center’s Public Safety office. Please check there if you have recently lost keys, glasses, or other items.
Mold ––––– (Continued from page 9)
wipes or Shockwave, you still are going to have a black stain.
Co-op City Times / May 10, 2025
It doesn’t mean mold is there. The mold spores are gone, but it stained it. So, what we do is we paint the area with a mold inhibitor paint, so the mold doesn’t come back.
If the shareholders take control of their apartments using the steps that we’ve just talked about, it will lessen the amount of mold calls that we get. Now, probably out of all the mold calls that we get every year, I’m going to say that 40% of them are not mold.
People think it’s mold, but it’s just regular dirt, or it could be insects, remnants of an insect.
Now, there’s only one small caveat. When we go out to an apartment, after someone has called to report mold, to do the assessment, we will bring something called the moisture meter. We’ll put the moisture meter in the wall to determine if the wall is wet. If I put the moisture meter in the wall and my meter comes up that the wall is wet, I can’t and I will not remediate the mold. Why? Because if I clean the mold today the mold will come back because the wall is still wet.
Now, why would the wall be wet? Well, it could be those factors I talked about earlier or it could be that there’s a leak. It could be a leak behind the wall, a leak in their apartment, or it could be a leak from above. We have to fix the leak first and let it dry before we can address the mold.
Now, that’s the frustrating part for a shareholder, I know that, because sometimes it takes a little time. By the time we get in, break the wall, fix the leak and then we got to let it dry. So, it’s a process. But I can’t address the mold until the leak or whatever was causing the moisture is gone. The moment it’s gone and the wall is dry and the ceiling is dry, I’ll do the mold remediation right away. So, the quicker they can get on it, the better it is. And certainly, if there’s a leak or any moisture of any kind, they should call the maintenance department and have them fix it right away. Because eventually, if you don’t fix it, mold’s going to appear.
Typically, how long would you say it would take for your team to do both the assessment and the remediation?
We have a fantastic turnaround time. Generally, let’s say I went out and did an assessment this Monday, I could make an appointment to do the remediation the following week, or in some cases if things are a little slow, I can do it that same week. So usually, it’s no more than a two-week turnaround time. But again, it’s based upon the availability of the shareholder. You know, their availability and my availability sometimes clash, but we will accommodate as best we can. And especially if there’s people that are in the apartment that are sick in some fashion, we try to address that right away.
I have a team of two dedicated employees, they’re mold specialists. They have gone to school and become certified, just like myself. We’re all mold specialists. I am a supervisor, and they are also trained and licensed for mold assessment. Riverbay is also a registered mold assessment company. So we’ve got all of the steps in place to deal with mold in the way it’s supposed to be done.
Mr. Barzelatto also discussed additional information that shareholders should know about the Riverbay Mold Program and encouraged shareholders to call as soon as they notice mold in their apartments as it’s not only a health hazard but can keep growing if left untreated.
“If you have a little speck of mold on your wall, if you ignore it, eventually you’re going to start seeing it grow and grow and grow,” said Mr. Barzelatto. “And mold is something that you don’t want to be dealing with health wise. If somebody has a real serious immune system problem, or maybe they’re dealing with cancer or something, it’s probably not a good idea for them to be breathing in those mold spores. So, the quicker we can jump on it to get it addressed the better and we will address the mold right away.”
The Riverbay Safety department conducts mold inspections on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Shareholders who would like a mold inspection should first call CSO for a mold inspection appointment with the Safety department. Shareholders can call 718-320-3300 and select option 4 to be connected with CSO.
The Safety team will be dispatched to the apartment to first conduct an assessment. If there is mold, in some cases, the situation may be handled on the spot. If, however, it is a larger job, Safety will issue a follow-up appointment for remediation. For cases that require significant clean-up, the Safety team works with a contractor they can call in.
“Riverbay has a contract with a very good contractor who does fantastic work, but we have to pay him, so if you first give me and my team the opportunity to inspect and evaluate the job, either we can address the situation or else call in our contractor,” said Mr. Barzelatto.
On the other hand, shareholders also have the option of contacting the department of Housing Preservation Development (HPD), an arm of the NYC Department of Buildings, if mold persists or they are not satisfied with the job done by the Safety team.
“In this scenario, HPD issues a violation to Riverbay saying that the apartment reported mold,” said Mr. Barzelatto. “Because of the violation, I cannot send my team out who works for Riverbay, based upon the classification of the mold. I now have to send our contractor that we’ve hired. First, they have to go
out and do the assessment. I have to pay him to do that. Then if there is mold, I then have to send another contractor out to do the remediation and we have to pay him to do that. So, it costs Riverbay money, out of our pocket, to handle those HPD violations. Therefore, I am asking shareholders to please give me and my team the opportunity first to address the mold before calling HPD to lessen the economic impact to the corporation, and ultimately, to shareholders.”
Shareholders should also note that there is a difference between mold and mildew and that the safety department is not responsible for cleaning mildew in tubs or in the tile.
Mildew usually grows in a flat pattern and appears either powdery or fluffy. It can be easily identified as a patch of white, gray, or yellowish fungus that is lying on the surface of a moist area. Mildew usually turns black or brown over time. Mildew can grow on any organic matter such as wood, walls and wallpaper and is caused by humidity and moisture. During the winter months, when the heat goes full blast and the windows stay shut, mildew can flourish, and, as the weather warms up outside, humidity can also help the mildew process along.
Mold on the other hand is usually fuzzy or slimy in appearance. It appears as irregularly shaped spots that can have different colors. Oftentimes, surfaces that are covered in mold begin to rot. Most typical indoor air exposures to mold do not present a risk of adverse health effects. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (allergic reactions). In order to determine if mold is present, a visual inspection is necessary. On rare instances where a strong musty “odor” is detected, this may indicate the presence of mold. In order for mold to grow, the following are required – Moisture, correct temperature and a food source such as plaster, wood, etc.
“We, as the safety department, do not address mildew. Mildew means that you have to clean the area and if it’s not coming out, then restoration has to come and remove the grout and re-grout it,” Mr. Barzelatto said.
Stay Vigilant
Be mindful of your surroundings at all times.
Get Out The Vote...
On Friday, May 2, the Riverbay Board Election Committee hosted the first “Get Out and Vote” event of the election season. Shareholders gathered in Dreiser Auditorium for the “Let’s Bring Back the ‘Unity’ in CommUNITY” club day, where they met and networked with Co-op City Clubs and Organizations. Participating clubs and organizations included the African-American Association, AARP, the Coalition of African-American Churches and Organizations, American Legion, Evangelical Church of Co-op City UMC, the National Council of Negro Women, the New York Public Library, the Riverbay Fund, Toastmasters, and the Velocity Track Club. Shareholders learned more about the election process and history through a game presentation, and had the opportunity to present questions and/ or concerns to the committee. At the end of the event, three lucky raffle winners won movie tickets along with $20 gift cards.
Photos by Brandi Simpson
Hello, everyone. Happy Mother's Day to all of our mothers.
Our May 13 thru May 15, three days–two nights, Finger Lakes, New York trip is sold out! The bus will be leaving from 171 Dreiser Loop in front of the H&R Block Office at 7 a.m. sharp! Please arrive on time.
We still have seats on our one-day trip for Thursday, July 17, to Tomasello Winery and Atlantic City. The cost of this trip is $139 per person.
Our last trip of the year is a grand cruise to Canada and New England from October 10 to October 17, on the beautiful Queen Mary 2 ship. There are a few balcony rooms left. The rooms range from $3,058.00 to $3,106. The money is due now!
Please contact Judy Wright at 718-339-3370 or Hannah Brown at 718-3797962 for more information on our trips.
We are proud to announce that our AARP Peachtree Chapter & Caregivers Outreach will be hosting an Intergenerational Summer Technology Program again this year, in our Dreiser Loop office. The program will run from July 1, 2025, through August 14; Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The youth will conduct individual one-hour sessions with our seniors on how to improve your use of cell phones (Androids and iPhones), tablets and laptops, as well as how to download and use applications (apps.). Walk-ins are welcome; however, we
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 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 New Clients & Returners
New client registration and returning client re-certification for 2025 are now
Greetings, community, Happy Mother’s Day!
The NCNW, Inc. Co-op City Section is so proud to send a blessed happy birthday shout-out to our Charter Member, Centenarian Mother Olive Glasgow, who turned 101 years old on May 6, 2025. Ms. Glasgow is the sole survivor of our charter members who helped establish the Co-op City Section in 1971. The Co-op City Section of NCNW is on our road to 55 years of servicing the Co-op City Community next year, thanks to Ms. Glasgow and the other women and men who helped charter our section. Mother Glasgow is known by many for being an active participant in community service and founding member of many organizations in Co-op City and throughout the Tri-State. We love you and are so grateful for you.
NCNW joins several civil rights groups and has signed onto an affirmation in defense of Black history, texts and art, as there are attacks to the critical civic infrastructure that allows the public to understand that Black history is American history and that empowers all in the fight to protect democracy.
The affirmation kicks off the #HandsOffOurHistory/Freedom To Learn National Week of Action, culminated last Saturday, May 3, in Washington, D.C. with a demonstration in defense of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a crown jewel of the Smithsonian system and a testament to the power of accurate, accessible Black history being recognized as integral to American History. The coalition is also asking people across the country to join in the demonstration from their communities by visiting their local museums and libraries, seeking out exhibitions and collections that uplift Black Americans and sharing photos online with the hashtag #HandsOffOurHistory.
More details on the activations — online, in-person and nationwide — can be found at www.freedomtolearn.net.
Congratulations to our Section’s Madame President, Lisa Wade-Stewart, and Madame 1st Vice President, Akeisha Neely, honored on, May 3, 2025 as “Women of the Year” by the Phenomenal Women’s Empowerment Alliance at the Alhambra located in Harlem, NY!
NCNW Girl Trek will be meeting weekly at the Dreiser Loop Community Center lobby to continue focusing on healthy living by walking. The group meets at 9 a.m. and then heads out to the Greenway for their half hour walk. Look for the blue shirts, come out and join us for some fun as we walk! For more information, contact Girl Trek co-chairs Keisha Keelen, 917-697-4854, and Farah Martin, 917806-2534.
encourage you to call the office at 718-320-1946 for an appointment.
We extend condolences to Ester McKay on the loss of her husband, George. Please keep the Purnell and Damon families in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved ones. We are happy to announce that our beloved member, Joyce Rudolph, is recovering at home following a procedure. We continue to pray for all of our sick and home bound members.
Please contact France Wilson at 718-530-4096 to inform her of any member that may be homebound, sick or suffered a lost or who has experienced a joyful event. Warm wishes to all who are having a birthday, anniversary or happy occasion.
Please note our office will be closed from Tuesday, May 13, through Thursday, May 15, and reopening on Monday, May 19, at 11 a.m. Our normal office business hours are Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are located at 177 Dreiser Loop, 2nd floor, Rm. 0. We can be reached by telephone (718-320-1946) or email (aarp4997@gmail.com).
We look forward to seeing you at our next General Membership meeting on Monday, 12, at 1 p.m.
We are here to serve; not to be served.
—Deborah D. Henry
closed. Check back here for the latest information on registration and recertification dates. Thank you for your patience during the registration process.
Events
A huge shout-out to everyone who joined us for a weekend of fun at Wind Creek Casino! What a blast we had! A hearty congratulations to all our lucky winners on the bus and those who hit it big at the casino – you were a fantastic group to travel with! Your support of this trip directly fuels our initiatives to feed the community, and for that, we extend our sincere thanks.
The good times don't stop here! Take a peek at our exciting upcoming events below. We'd love to see you there: Saturday, June 28th. 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 16th.
On Saturday, August 16th, 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 was due by April 25th; second payment of $75 due by May 23; last payment of $75 due by June 20. Note: No refunds will be issued. 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
NCNW, Co-op City is partnered with the Good Health Women’s Immunizations Networks, (GHWINs) to serve as good health champions to inform our community regarding the importance of vaccination across all lifespans. This month, we participated in the 5/5/25 Campaign reminding us of the benefits of proper hand washing not only to your health but also the health of others. Visit our website for more information.
The NCNW Co-op City Youth Group meets on the second Saturday of every month, 1-3 p.m., inspired by a different workshop each month. The Youth Group caters to girls ages 9-18 years old and meets in the Dreiser Loop Center, Rm. 14. Today’s workshop is a Paint and Plant Mother’s Day Workshop. Happy Birthday To All of Our Section Sisters!
Continued prayers for our sick and shut-in members. Our next general membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact us via email to ncnwco.opcity@gmail.com.
For more information about our Section and Section’s Youth Group, please visit our website and social media platforms at www.ncnwcoopcitysection.com.
—Lisa Wade
POOCHIESPICKS CARIBBEAN PARADISE CRUISE!
AUGUST 30TH-SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2025
POOCHIESPICKS GRAND CANYON TRAIN GETAWAY! OCTOBER 14TH-21ST, 2025
Black Forum
Bronx County Chorus — “I hear America Singing”
Today, “I Hear America Singing” is being performed at First Lutheran Church of Throggs, 3075 Baisley Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. It is the theme of Bronx County Chorus’s Spring concert. Please plan to attend.
There is no charge for this upcoming spring concert being held today, May 10, at 4 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Throggs Neck. Donations are gladly accepted.
The program will take you on a trip through the USA highlighting historical events and locations. Specialty numbers and guitar accompaniment are featured.
Bronx County Chorus is directed by Miles Fellenberg and accompanied by Assistant Director, Ava Nazar. Bronx County Chorus is celebrating being the oldest not-for-profit chorus in the Bronx. The accompanists, Miles Fellenberg and Ms. Ava Nazar, have enhanced the program by incorporating the versatility of the keyboard with the grand piano. Plus, we have a talented flutist and guitar player lending their support.
The Bronx County Chorus is the oldest ecumenical chorus in the Bronx. Today’s program highlights traditional music of the U.S.A. like “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Give Me Your Tired Your Poor” poem by Emma Lazarus and even a folk music segment. Lots of great American poetry, some original, is sprinkled throughout, too.
Look for the fall press release which will give all the membership recruitment information for fall 2025. Bronx County Chorus performs two outreach concerts and one formal concert each semester. Bronx County Chorus is supported by public funds from the Bronx Council On The Arts, through the New York State Council On The Arts Decentralization Program, and members. For more information, please visit Facebook or our website, http://www. Bronxcountychorus.org/, or email bronxcountychorus@gmail.com for more information.
—Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar
Building 13 Association
Mother’s Day at Rivers Run Community Garden: Come to the garden and “Paint and Chat” on Sunday, May 11, at 3 p.m. It is a free, fun experience you can share. Located on Co-op City Blvd., near Bellamy Loop.
Save the Date: Our Section 2 Summer Fun Day will be on Saturday, June 21 (rain date June 22). All are welcome to join us. Shirts for the event are on sale so look for the flyer on your bulletin board and for information posted in Co-op City Times articles. There will be free shirts to the first 50 youths. Music and free goodies (while supplies last) and of course Name That Tune and Salsa Contest.
Summer Get Your Shirt: Adult: $20 (4x and above $22) Youth: $15. Shirts can be ordered on May 7 and May 21 in the Building 10B, 11B and 12 association rooms. By the way, get your boots on the ground, ours will be! We have our fans! Practice makes perfect!
Funding for SFD was made possible by Councilman Kevin Riley, NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Attorney Stephen B. Kaufman PC, The Co-op City Tire Co., Bob Cares Charitable Organization, McCall’s Bronxwood Funeral Home, Riverbay Corporation, CCPD, NYPD and FDNY.
Last week a notice was distributed in our buildings announcing Bronx Community Board 10’s Municipal Services Committee meeting being held in the Dreiser Auditorium. The announcement stated the City of New York wanted to unveil its Baychester Avenue (between Aldrich Street and Darrow Place) Safety Improvement Plan.
The plan presented was to make Baychester Avenue, from Aldrich to Darrow Place, one lane, add an extra cement lane by the curb for buses, and remove angle parking on Darrow Place so school buses can load and unload from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community Board 10 suggests that if you have any questions about the roadway safety improvement project slated for Baychester Avenue between Aldrich Place to Rombouts Avenue, contact the Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Bronx Borough Office at 212-748-6680 or email NYCDOT’s Holly Malone at hmalone@dot.nyc.gov.
To stay in the know of what is going on, make a note of the next Community Board meeting and attend. Currently their web site indicates the next meeting is scheduled as a Full Board & Public Hearing at 7 p.m., in Co-op City at 2049 Bartow Avenue, Rm. 31.
“A united people, striving to achieve a common good for all members of the society, will always emerge victorious.” —Samuel Nujoma, Former President of Namibia. Visit our Facebook Page at: Building 13 Association Inc.–Co-op City Email is at building13assoc@yahoo.com. Contacts: Wendell Mattison, V.P. at 917-330-1380. Thank you for supporting our team.
—Wendell Mattison
Broun Place Townhouse Association
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and nurturers. This weekend, we especially recognize mothers and all who give so much of themselves to nurture and love. Have you seen the beautiful Tulips and blossoming spring trees in this area? Compliments to our Grounds crew, especially and including Daniel, for taking such great care of our green areas.
We are having problems with CCPD regarding disability parking spaces, and eBikes. Under DOT direction, two regular spaces were cut and are now reassigned spaces to corral bikes. This is a slap in the face for cooperators who truly need the parking spaces. Yet, a couple came home and saw two parked cars, without placards, parked in the cul de sac spaces designated for disability parking. CCPD was called, they came but didn’t inspect all the disability parked cars. They went in the opposite direction so we called again and gave a more specific location but they never came back. Two parking spaces were lost plus the spaces now dedicated for bikes. Please report to CCPD, 718671-3050, or the 45th Precinct, if you see a car without a placard. Tickets will be issued to those without placards. Please write letters in support of correct policing of this area.
Income Affidavit season and Riverbay Board election season is upon us. As the deliverer of all things that need explaining and teaching, our community teacher, the Co-op City Times, is always carrying the responsibility to deliver what and how we need to fulfill our responsibility to get these two cooperator responsibilities done correctly. The income affidavit is a requirement, study the ways and means. Use the tools offered.
Regarding the annual Board election, save the corporation the expense, study the candidates and vote.
Neighbor Thea Lowe (Colombo) celebrated her birthday on April 30th and we are happy to announce a discharge date from the care facility has been set up. Her condition continues to improve. What a great birthday, a home coming. Happy birthday, Thea!
April winds emphasize the necessity of securing terrace belongings. Our umbrella took flight because it wasn’t screwed tight enough. Secure balcony items tightly.
Our Broun Place Townhouse Association accepts new members any time. The membership fees are $12 a year. Dues go to supplies and support of emergency efforts, for example, in case a neighbor or family member dies. Who is responsible to clean the Stillwell Avenue and De Reimer Avenue loc streets? Attention must be paid to this area. It is being used like a dump. 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. Read the information on our election for the Board of Directors. Call the following number on Saturdays, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., to report the 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 6 Association
Happy Saturday, neighbors. I hope when you read this, it finds you in good standing. It’s Mother’s Day weekend; time to celebrate and honor all of the women who have shaped our community.
A mother is a woman who provides a nurturing, caring, guiding presence in any child’s life whether biological or spiritual, so let’s honor them at all times.
This past week, the all-new Building 6 board provided complimentary notaries for the income affidavits and distributed fresh produce consisting of vine tomatoes, plantains and red grapes. This simple act of kindness only strengthens camaraderie between the neighbors of Building 6 and the community at-large. Thank you to Mrs. Milagros Senior, Mr. McCaster Justin Royes, Mrs. Gracie Dickerson, Ms. Adu, who graciously volunteered their time.
May is Mental Health Awareness, AAPI Heritage and Jewish American Heritage Month. Building 6 is an all-inclusive building in which neighbors of all faiths, religious beliefs, creeds, backgrounds can thrive harmoniously. There’s no CommUNITY without Unity.
Special thanks to CCPD’s own Lieutenant DeValle, Officers Amadeo Collado and Ruiz for engaging with Building 6 neighbors Sunday afternoon, noting their concerns about the recent events of violence that have been happening in Co-op City. Rest assured they are doing their best to ensure the neighbors’ safety and quality of life, but neighbors, we must do our part as well. When you see something, you say something.
Call 718-671-3050 or dial 911 if you or any of your family members are experiencing any mental health issues, dial 988. The hotline is open 24 hours-7 days a week. Mental Health wellness dictates your overall physical well-being.
Please continue to practice good laundry room etiquette. Remove your clothes out of the washer and dryer within a 15-minute window of completion; pick up after yourselves, discard used dryer sheets, empty detergent containers, placing them in the correct recycling receptacles. If everyone does a little, we all won’t have to do a lot.
As always, I pray for safety overall. God Speed.
“In true community, we will not choose our companions, for our choices are so often limited by self-serving motives. Instead, our companions will be given to us by grace.” —Parker Palmer
—Lauren K. Lassiter
Center Cut Boneless (Always Tender) Pork Chops Buy 1 pkg., Get 1 FREE
NY Strip (Reg. 19.99) $9.99lb
3LB DEALS!
•CHICKEN LEGS: $8
•CHICKEN WINGS: $15
•TURKEY WINGS SMALL: $21
•SPARE RIBS: $12
•PORK CHOPS: $15
•BEEF STEW: $30
•CHOP MEAT: $15
•PEPPER STEAK: $36
5LB DEALS!
•TRIPE HONEYCOMB: $25
•BEEF STEW: $50
•COW FEET: $20
•PORK CUTLETS: $35
•TURKEYWINGSSM.:$30
•OXTAIL: $60
•GOAT MEAT: $25
•GROUND CHUCK: $30
•GROUND SIRLOIN: $40
•CHICKEN THIGHS
SKINLESS BONELESS: $20
•PORK CHOPS BONE IN OR BONELESS: $25
Chicken Pieces
Chicken Legs
Chicken Thighs Boneless
Chicken Drum Sticks
Chicken Party Wings
Chicken Breast Boneless Chicken Cutlets
Chicken Wings Whole Chicken Thighs
Spare
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 on 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. Notary is available on Monday and Wednesday during office hours beginning May 12. Call for an appointment.
Thanks to the community and members that came out to support “Club Day” and visited the NAACP outreach table for information.
A preparatory discussion on reparations was held to request members send in a brief statement answering a couple of questions: 1. Are you in favor of lineage (foundational) reparations or reparations for all. 2. We are asking you to submit not less than 3 but not more than 10 ways you would like to see reparations distributed.
Care Without Barriers: Student led – Youth group to be held at Einstein Loop Community Center on Saturday, May 31, Rm. 36, from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
This non-profit is dedicated to education, prevention and community support, offering educational workshops, counseling resources, school outreach programs, volunteer recruitment drives and community engagement events. Support our youth. —B. Brown and A. Medina
“Calling All Men” – Our Health Committee Chair, Joyce Dixon, RN, has been successful in obtaining a facilitator to meet with the community in person. It is scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Dreiser Center, Auditorium C. This could save your life. RSVP information and flyer is in your bulletin board.
The John Lewis Act is what we need: Americans have come to rely on the promise that every citizen has the right to have their voice heard. But the U.S. House of Representatives largely erased that promise last week when, in
a 220-208 vote, it passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Don’t be fooled by its heroic-sounding name. This legislation aims to disenfranchise millions of voters, many of them people of color and women, and further concentrate power among those who are already powerful. — Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP
Watch & Listen: Our Culture, Our Stories on the NAACP+ YouTube channel.
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 T-shirt: $25. Youth T-shirt $20. Make checks payable to NAACP Co-op City Branch. Sale ends on May 15.
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 checks/money orders payable to: NAACP Co-op City. Mailing address: NAACP Co-op City, 135 Einstein Loop, Room 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: 718320-3210 or email: naacpccity2210@gmail.com.
Election Period ends at 8 p.m. (If no quorum, see Extended Voting period below)
Election Committee Public Meeting to Certify and Announce Final Count of Ballots (In-person & Live Broadcast, 7 p.m., Rm. 31, Bartow Center)
Public & Electronic posting of Official Results, 10 a.m.
Deadline to file electronic Challenges (5 p.m.)
Swearing in of Newly Elected Board Members
Candidates’ Statements appear on pages 22-29
NOTE: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED WITHIN ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE CANDIDATES AND NOT THOSE OF RIVERBAY CORPORATION.
BALLOTING
Voting will be conducted by absentee mail-in ballot or in-person ballot.
BALLOT RETURN PROCEDURE
To ensure the integrity of the election, ALL ballots must be returned DIRECTLY to the election vendor. Under no circumstance should your election ballot be mailed back or delivered to Riverbay Corporation, or enclosed with your carrying charge payment.
Absentee mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Saturday, May 31, 2025
Please follow the directions included in your ballot envelope to cast your vote.
Election Committee Notice – Ask the Candidates
There will be three official Candidates’ Forums in the 2025 Riverbay Board of Directors election. The Election Committee is accepting questions from shareholders to be asked at the forums. Questions are being solicited in the following categories: Safety & Quality of Life, Budgeting, Leadership, Future of Co-op City, and miscellaneous topics relevant to the candidates’ election as members of the Board of Directors.
Extended Voting Period (if no quorum)
Sat., May 31, 2025
Questions should be submitted to the Committee at Riverbay2025Election@riverbaycorp.com. The submission must include your name and building.
The three Candidates’ Forums will take place on: Sat., May 10, 1 p.m., Dreiser Auditorium; Wed., May 21, 7:00 p.m., Einstein, Rm. 45; and Tuesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m., Rm. 31, Bartow Center.
Extended Voting Schedule
Additional Extended Voting Period (if no quorum)
Continue election (as of 8:01 p.m.)
Friday, June 9, 2025 Election period ends at 9 p.m. or earlier if quorum is obtained
Monday, June 16, 2025 Election Committee Review and Certify Final Count of Ballots (Bartow, Rm. 31, 7 p.m.)
Tuesday, July 9, 2025 Public and Electronic Posting of Official Results, 10 a.m.
Wed., July 10, 2025 Deadline to file Electronic Challenges to Election, 5 p.m.
Wed., July 17, 2025 Swearing in of Elected Board Members, Bartow Center, Rm. 31, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 9, 2025 Continue election (as of 8:01 p.m.)
Monday, June 16, 2025 Election period ends at 8 p.m.
Monday, June 23, 2025 Election Committee Review and Certify Final Count of Ballots (Bartow, Rm. 31, 7 p.m.)
Tues., June 24, 2025 Public & Electronic Posting of Official Results, 10 a.m.
Wed., June 25, 2025 Deadline to file Electronic Challenges to Election, 5 p.m.
Wed., July 2, 2025 Swearing in of Elected Board Members, Bartow Center, Rm. 31, 7 p.m.
Kevin Lambright
Hello, my Co-op City family. I am still Kevin Lambright; that same father of 4 amazing human beings (now adults). At 63 years of age, fatherhood has humbled me greatly reminding me that life is truly what you make it.
I am currently a New York State Supreme Court Appointed Guardian and Court Evaluator. I am also by trade a Co-operative Economic Funding Consultant.
Living in Co-op City for the past almost 30 years has been a wonderful experience. With all the challenges and political rhetoric at almost every turn, I have been able to raise my family in an environment unlike the one I grew up in. So, what some may complain about and criticize, I look at as opportunities to improve upon.
For many years, I fought to point out the imperfections of our community with solutions that had gone ignored in the past. Fortunately, I never gave up. I have had the opportunity to serve on the Riverbay Board of Directors. My Board success has ignited many changes and improvements in our community.
In my time on the Board, I have uncovered and helped remedy hundreds of thousands of dollars that was bleeding this community. I did it because not only do I love this community and despise those who try to cheat and bleed us, but because my investigative skills kicked in at crucial times.
I am aware that the Riverbay Board of Directors is not a career position but an opportunity to move our community in an upward mobile direction. I want to continue to do just that. I’m asking you to help me continue our progress.
Vote Kevin Lambright, along with Bishop Angelo Rosario, Grace Solomon, Keith Logan and Darnell Lopez. We are TEAM UNITY!!!
Tanya Clark-Ingram
Hello, my name is Tanya Clark-Ingram and I am a candidate for the Riverbay Board of Directors. This community has always been an important part of my journey. I have resided in Co-op City since 1971.
My educational background is in business administration and elementary education. I am currently employed with the state of New York as a Direct Support Personnel and I have a very special love for our disabled, elderly and youth.
I have been well-known in this community for 20 years as a former board member of a local track team and, for the past 11 years, as a board member of the Velocity Track Club. In 2023, I was elected and sworn in as the vice president of the Building 12 Building Association and currently hold the position of president.
As an original shareholder for almost 55 years, I am passionate about making a difference. I have watched Co-op City grow and yes, it is an amazingly beautiful community. However, there is always room for improvement. Our aging infrastructure, such as our pipes and our convector system need additional attention. Our healthy living environment depends on a major change.
The youth of Co-op City are our future and our investment in programs and resources for them, to keep them focused and motivated, will benefit us all.
I would like Co-op City to remain an affordable living community and to see legislation to increase the SCRIE and DRIE income limits. I also would like to see a meaningful reduction in the response times to our service calls and repairs to our sidewalks.
Please vote to elect Tanya Clark-Ingram and Idalia Reyes and to reelect Anika Green-Watson, Leah Richardson and Leslie Peterson. Collectively, we are your fierce advocates for neighborhood success. Remember, we are STRONGER TOGETHER!!!!
Kevin Lambright
Tanya Clark-Ingram
Bishop Angelo Rosario
Greetings and blessings to all shareholders. My name is Bishop Angelo Rosario, and following a one-year hiatus, I am once again a candidate for the Riverbay Board of Directors. I dedicated 25 years to Riverbay Corporation, working in Buildings & Grounds, Construction, Maintenance, and Restoration. This extensive experience has provided me with comprehensive knowledge of the operations, budget, procurement, and maintenance of the largest housing cooperative in existence. I sit on the board of Bricks and Mortals and United Clergy Task Force Development Corporation. Discussing the budget of a large housing cooperative serves to keep members, stakeholders, and the broader community informed about financial planning, transparency, and collective decision-making. Here is a brief introduction for new shareholders and a reminder for existing ones.
Co-op City is home to over 50,000 residents across 15,372 apartments. Managed by the Riverbay Corporation, Co-op City operates on a substantial annual budget to maintain its infrastructure and services. For the fiscal year 2024/2025, Riverbay Corporation’s annual budget is approximately $235 million, underscoring the scale and complexity of managing such an expansive residential development.
The $235 million budget covers various operational and capital expenses essential for the upkeep and enhancement of Co-op City. These include routine maintenance, staff salaries, utility costs, and significant capital projects aimed at improving residents’ living conditions.
The primary revenue source for Co-op City is the monthly carrying charges paid by residents, which cover maintenance fees and other operational costs. Additionally, Co-op City benefits from external funding sources. Amid rising costs of supplies, services, and laborunion increases, preserving this affordable housing complex remains challenging.
Team Unity, led by Kevin Lambright, Grace Solomon, Keith Logan and myself, is committed to the fiduciary responsibility of maintaining, stabilizing, and protecting the affordability of this remarkable community. Vote for TEAM UNITY: Bishop Angelo Rosario, Kevin Lambright, Grace Solomon, Keith Logan.
Leslie Peterson
My name is Leslie Peterson and I am running for re-election to the Riverbay Board of Directors. I have always kept the community’s best interest in the forefront of every decision I’ve made, provided information to the shareholders on issues important to this community and addressed shareholders’ concerns. Along with knowing the corporation’s needs, I think it is important to know cooperators’ concerns.
Our aging infrastructure is important but so is my concern about quality service to shareholders. It is important to me that Coop City remains affordable, that we provide a center for our youth, that we encourage HCR to review outdated policies and improve service request times for residents.
Helpful in my role as a Board Director is my educational background in Business Administration and Urban Affairs along with my experience as a property manager. If we continue making good business decisions, we can maintain our quality of life and ensure affordability.
In April, I celebrated 40 years living in this community and notice the changes that have taken place. I can praise our beautiful community and still see room for improvement. Restoration scheduling times must be reduced and visibility of officers increased. CCPD recruitment should be continuous. Additionally, many changes are taking place around the perimeters of our community. We must remain actively alert to protect our standard of living.
To sustain our cooperative living, we must collaborate and share responsibilities, celebrate our differences and appreciate our similarities. Your participation in the community allows you to have a voice in decision making. It’s important that you play a part in your future.
When it is time to vote, vote to re-elect Leslie Peterson, Anika Green-Watson and Leah Richardson, and elect Idalia Reyes and Tanya Clark-Ingram. We are fierce advocates for neighborhood success. We are STRONGER TOGETHER!
Bishop Angelo Rosario
Leslie Peterson
Anika Green-Watson
Greetings, neighbors.
My name is Anika Green-Watson, and I’m honored to have served this community as a Riverbay Board Director for the past four years. I am asking for your vote as I seek reelection — because I believe our work together is not done.
When I first joined the Board four years ago, I promised to serve with integrity, objectivity, and accountability. I vowed to use my vast experience to benefit the collective and to serve independently to do what’s right for the cooperative. I believe I have delivered on my initial promises, rolling up my sleeves immediately to work collaboratively on this community’s behalf.
However, I would be remiss if I did not share what my experience on the Board has taught me — there is more to board service than having great ideas.
In my opinion, being a good director demands a mix of leadership skills, accountability, and a commitment to the cooperative’s interests. While it’s admirable to have a checklist of improvements to tackle (does anyone love leaky convectors?), I believe board service requires something deeper, and directors should be able to:
• Understand cooperative principles and work on behalf of shareholders.
• Be strategic in their thinking.
• Make decisions that support fiscal responsibility and protect our community from risks.
• Work alongside fellow Board Directors and Management.
• Regularly attend meetings, participate in committees, and show up prepared.
I still believe that the right board composition is one of the most efficient tools we have for ensuring Co-op City’s success. If reelected, I will continue my work with other members of the Board and the Management team to improve this unique place we all call home.
Vote to re-elect Anika Green-Watson, Leah Richardson, and Leslie Peterson, and to elect Tanya Clark-Ingram and Idalia Reyes. We are STRONGER TOGETHER!
Keith Logan
My name is Keith Logan. For 18 years, I've had the privilege of living and working in this vibrant community. At 43, I'm blessed with an amazing wife and three incredible kids who are the center of my universe. But beyond my family, there's one thing that's just as important to me: ensuring this community remains not only affordable but sustainable for generations to come.
My journey here began in 2007 when I started working for Riverbay as a temporary painter. Who would have thought that those humble beginnings would lay the foundation for the career I'd build? By 2015, I'd progressed to managing painting and plastering roles within Co-op, and my passion for quality work only grew stronger.
But I didn't stop there.
In 2018, I took the leap and started my own painting company. It's been an incredible ride, and I'm proud to say we've become a top-rated residential and commercial company in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. My team's dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction has earned us a reputation for delivering top-notch results.
As a professional tradesman and entrepreneur, I've gained valuable expertise that I'm eager to share with this board. If given the opportunity, I'd be honored to contribute my skills and experience to help shape the future of our community. I believe my unique blend of hands-on experience and business acumen would make me a valuable asset to this board.
I'm excited about the prospect of working together to build a brighter future for our community. I'm looking forward to your vote and to serving this community I love. Let's work together to create a sustainable, thriving neighborhood for all.
Please vote for me, Keith Logan, Kevin Lambright, Bishop Angelo Rosario, Grace Solomon and Darnell Lopez —TEAM UNITY!!
Anika Green-Watson
Keith Logan
Daryl Johnson
Based on my history, here are a few things that you will get if you vote for Daryl Johnson:
1. You will get a director that will be willing to communicate with you and our entire community.
2. You will get a director that will offer outstanding service to our entire community.
3. You will get a director that will write weekly viewpoints to keep everyone abreast about the important issues that are affecting our community..
4. You will get a director that will analyze resolutions in a proper manner.
5. You will get a director that will analyze our budget and all other matters in a proper manner.
6. You will get a director that will represent this entire community in a proper manner during our board meetings.
7. You will get a director that will not simply vote along with everyone else.
8. You will get a director that will stand up for you when things are not right here.
9. You will get a director that will offer good solutions to avoid the constant carrying charge increases here.
10. You will get a director that will always push to make positive improvements here.
Now, are you new to our community? If yes, then, I want to encourage you to please go online and verify every word within this candidate statement. So, please do a search on the ‘Co-op City Times.’ Then, please read my previous viewpoints.
Thereafter, you will know that you’re voting for a strong director that has always represented this community in a proper manner. I care about you and our entire community. So, please make sure that you vote for candidates that will work in a positive manner for you. Thank you.
Shacara C. Cudjoe
My name is Shacara C. Cudjoe — mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend and I’m running for the 2025 Co-op City Board of Directors election. I’m proud to call Co-op City my home for the past 17 years.
I’m running to be a voice for everyone because I care deeply about the future of our community! From the young adults building their futures, to the seniors who’ve laid the foundation for this community, I want all voices to be heard! Together, let’s make sure our homes stay affordable, our maintenance fees are carefully spent, and our families continue to feel supported and stay connected.
My Commitments:
• Preserving Affordable Housing: Ensuring our residents aren't priced out of their homes, while enjoying the beautiful grounds and community activities.
• Maintenance Fee Allocation: Ensure that our maintenance fees are allocated in a strategic and reasonable way and ensure contractual work is available to all qualified applicants.
• Community Awareness: Continue to promote the incredible events our community has to offer and expand the ways we connect, and stay informed.
Let’s be honest, Co-op City is more than buildings and blocks, it is a unique oasis of hard-working people and an amazing place to live within NYC! We are asked to vote a lot, so this vote truly matters. The Co-op City Board Member election has an immediate impact on the experiences we have within our community. Whether you vote or not, there will be a board of directors, so make your voice heard!
Come out and vote on May 29th, May 30th, or May 31st.
I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and do the work to continue to build the community we all live in!
Vote “Shacara C. Cudjoe” for the Co-op City Board. Let’s make our community stronger. Our voice, Our neighborhood, Our choice!
Daryl Johnson
Based on my history, here are a few things that you will get if you vote for Daryl Johnson:
1. You will get a director that will be willing to communicate with you and our entire community.
2. You will get a director that will offer outstanding service to our entire community.
3. You will get a director that will write weekly viewpoints to keep everyone abreast about the important issues that are affecting our community..
4. You will get a director that will analyze resolutions in a proper manner.
5. You will get a director that will analyze our budget and all other matters in a proper manner.
6. You will get a director that will represent this entire community in a proper manner during our board meetings.
7. You will get a director that will not simply vote along with everyone else.
8. You will get a director that will stand up for you when things are not right here.
9. You will get a director that will offer good solutions to avoid the constant carrying charge increases here.
10. You will get a director that will always push to make positive improvements here.
Now, are you new to our community? If yes, then, I want to encourage you to please go online and verify every word within this candidate statement. So, please do a search on the ‘Co-op City Times.’ Then, please read my previous viewpoints.
Thereafter, you will know that you’re voting for a strong director that has always represented this community in a proper manner. I care about you and our entire community. So, please make sure that you vote for candidates that will work in a positive manner for you. Thank you.
Daryl Johnson
Shacara C. Cudjoe
Leah Richardson
My name is Leah Richardson, and I’m proud to seek re-election to the Co-op City Board of Directors. I’ve had the honor of serving since 2017, and I remain as energized and committed today as when I first joined.
For 28 years, Co-op City has been my home—a place where I’ve raised my two children, participated in community life, and developed strong relationships with neighbors, organizations, and friends. I believe in the strength of our community, and I want to continue working to ensure it remains one of the best places to live in the Bronx.
My Mission
My goal as a Board Director is to support the continued growth and success of Co-op City by representing the voices of all residents, promoting transparency, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. I believe that residents should have meaningful input in the decisions that affect their lives, and I am committed to ensuring all shareholders are fairly represented.
Budget & Fiscal Responsibility
I will continue to advocate for a balanced, conservative budget that avoids unnecessary spending and keeps maintenance fees stable. I support increased community input, such as allowing residents to vote on budget increases that exceed a set cost-of-living threshold and polling shareholders before undertaking major new expenses.
Experience That Matters
As a current Board member with eight years of experience, I bring both institutional knowledge and fresh ideas to the table. I understand the complexities of our operations and have the education, management experience in both public and private sectors, and marketing acumen to make informed decisions. My work within the community reflect my ongoing dedication to Co-op City’s future.
Please don’t be complacent—vote for Leah Richardson and the STRONGER TOGETHER Team. I promise to listen, stay transparent, and remain a full-time advocate for you and our community.
Darnell Lopez
I am a seasoned financial professional with over 14 years of experience, announcing my candidacy for the Riverbay Corporation Board of Directors. Raised in Co-op City, I have returned to the community as a shareholder, demonstrating my enduring commitment to the area.
I am the founder of the Co-op City Basketball Classic (CCBC), a tournament that has become a staple in the community, providing youth with opportunities to engage in athletics and build camaraderie. My dedication to youth development extends beyond sports; I aim to implement programs that promote STEM education, business acumen, and athletic involvement.
With my financial expertise, I plan to bring a strategic perspective to the Board, focusing on fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth for the community. My vision includes creating partnerships with organizations that can offer resources and mentorship to young residents, preparing them for future success.
My deep roots in Co-op City and my professional background position me as a candidate who understands the community’s needs and possesses the skills to address them effectively.
My campaign emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and the empowerment of residents through education and opportunity.
As the election approaches, I encourage residents to participate in the voting process and share their ideas for the community’s future. I believe that collaborative efforts between the Board and shareholders are essential for fostering a thriving and inclusive environment in Co-op City.
For more information on my campaign and initiatives, residents are encouraged to attend upcoming community meetings and engage with campaign materials distributed throughout the neighborhood.
Vote for me, Darnell Lopez, along with Kevin Lambright, Bishop Angelo Rosario, Grace Solomon, and Keith Logan. We are TEAM UNITY!!!
Leah Richardson
Darnell Lopez
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 support 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.
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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
(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 publication 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.
(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 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.
(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 viewpoint 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
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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) 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 collective 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 13-c, 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 num-
ber 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 thirdparty, 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
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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 party shall have the right to question the 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 determination 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.
