Well-Wishers Celebrate Noel Ellison’s Retirement

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Several community organizations will be holding a March for Police Reform today, Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. to call on the US Senate to pass the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”

Among the sponsoring groups are the Coalition to Save Affordable Housing. African-American Association, Retirees of Dreiser Loop, Spanish-American Community Club, Section 5 Association, Section 4 Partnership, AARP, NCNW, Buildings 7, 20, 24 and 27. These community groups will be joined by representatives from the New York State Chaplain Task Force and the Bronx-based Building Community Together, Inc.

Those who wish to participate should assemble in the Bartow Mall at 11 a.m.

Assemblyman Mike Benedetto will host his next Co-op City Lobby Visits on:

• Thurs., Feb. 16 – 140 Casals Pl. (Bldg. 14)

• Thurs., March 2 – 600 Baychester Ave. (Bldg. 16B)

Lobby visits run from 5:15 p.m. -7 p.m.

These visits allow shareholders to interact with the assemblyman in a one-on-one setting and discuss a wide range of topics.

NYC Test & Treat Corps’ Mobile Test to Treat unit is available daily on a rotating schedule at the three shopping centers, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. as follows next week:

Mon., Tues.: 135 Einstein Loop

Wed./Thurs.: 2049 Bartow Ave.

Fri./Sat./Sun.: 177 Dreiser Loop.

Locations are approximate depending on parking availability.

The mobile van offers PCR, Rapid, Flu and RSV testing.

Anyone who tests positive at the van can speak with an onsite clinician, and, if eligible, receive free Paxlovid anti-viral medication.

Appointments not required. Bring ID and insurance card, if available. Insurance is not necessary; service is open to everyone.

forces. They have been unable to live up to this agreement to date and we ensured that they have been on notice of that. The good news is that Amtrak acknowledges these problems, and in part due to that strong agreement we negotiated with them, they’re working collaboratively with us on a recovery schedule. The main feature of that recovery schedule is a long-term outage as much as eight months that they will give us starting in March so we can catch up on work,” Torres-Springer went on to say.

Following Torres-Springer’s remarks, Project Executive for the Metro-North Penn Station Access Plan Tom McGuinness discussed the overall progress of the project and the MTA’s current efforts to implement a recovery schedule with Amtrak.

“The MTA sent notice to Amtrak pointing out that to date, they have not met tion to support the project and has offered opportunities to the project that may mitigate past delays. Based on this, we have been working closely with Amtrak and the design builder to develop a scheduled recovery plan and have already implemented a number of actions. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but if we’re successful and Amtrak provides the access and support that is needed, the project team believes the delays experienced to date can be mitigated to bring the project back to the original schedule for completion in 2027,” McGuinness said.

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber then weighed in on the current status of the project and compared the situation to the East Side Access Project.

“This is the dynamic that got East Side Access into the hole…We couldn’t get the time to work on the track – couldn’t get the support…Amtrak is our partner and in fairness they have been trying to improve,” Lieber said.

Access Plan, contributing $500 million to the project. The project will expand Amtrak’s existing Hell Gate Line from two to four tracks in the Bronx and Westchester. The upgrades will also allow New Haven Line trains, which previously ended at Grand Central Terminal, to instead go through the East and South Bronx directly to Penn Station.

In December, Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Charles Schumer and other elected Penn Station Access Plan.

Overall, the plan aims to improve commuting times into and out of the city for residents of the Bronx, Westchester and Connecticut, as well as reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Four stations will be built in the Bronx: Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Co-op City and Morris Park; and each one will be ADA compliant.

Logistically, the new stops will serve as an extension of the Metro-North’s New Haven line and ultimately link with Amtrak’s Hell Gate line that connects directly to Penn Station.

For example, a commute from Co-op City to Penn Station would typically take 25 minutes, according to the MTA. Additionally, commuters traveling from Co-op City to Stamford, Ct. would typically take 110 minutes. When the project is completed, that time will be cut down to just 37 minutes, also according to the MTA.

The MTA expects to complete the Penn Station Access Plan in its entirety by October of 2027.

The annual Fire Safety Notice mailed along with the 2023 Window Guard side, their residential unit. The Riverbay Safety department urges shareholdto the back of apartment doors.

Additionally, the Safety department encourages shareholders to report to CSO if their apartment door does not self-close and latch. If the stairway door on To reach CSO or Maintenance, call Riverbay at (718) 320-3300, and follow the prompts.

P.O. Box 318, Bronx, NY 10469

• Saturday, March 18, 2023

• Sat., May 20, 2023

• Wed., Aug. 23, 2023

Join Us for a Day or More of Fun on Our Upcoming Trips! Lunch Included.

Dutch Apple eatre, Lancaster, PA

SISTER ACT & Bird-In-Hand Farmer’s Market

MOSES Sight & Sound eatre, Ronk, PA

HOLIDAY HILL (Senior Day) Prospect, CT

• urs., September 28, 2023 Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, NJ THE SPINNERS (LIVE)

• Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Philadelphia, PA

SPIRIT OF PHILADELPHIA BINGO CRUISE & A VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES MINT

• Wednesday, December 6, 2023 New York, NY

SPIRIT OF NY CHRISTMAS PARTY CRUISE

• COMING SOON: ESSEX STEAM DINNER TRAIN

TWO PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

177 Dreiser Loop (Front of H&R Block) e Park @ 161st Street (Bet. Grand Concourse & Walton Ave.,

For Information, Please Call Lessie Harris @ 347-866-4625

It is with much sadness we announce the passing of former Community Board #10 District Manager Kenneth Kearns. He was 65 years old.

A past Co-op City shareholder who lived in Building 2, Mr. Kearns served as District Manager of Community Board #10 from April 2006 – Sept. 2016. In that capacity, he managed operations of the community board and provided leadership to the staff; managed the provisions of ombudsman activities and chaired the Board’s monthly District Service Cabinet meetings, among many other duties.

Mr. Kearns also worked as an Analyst/Manager at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from Dec. 1993 – March 2006. During his tenure, he developed and implemented an outreach and customer service program for a major water conservation initiative known as the NYC Toilet

Mr. Kearns implemented policy initiatives to disseminate information about the general public. He also served as a supervisor in the Correspondence Unit at DEP’s Bureau of Customer Services where, among other duties, he oversaw respondence upgrades.

In addition, during his career in government services, Mr. Kearns worked Andrew Stein, then-Manhattan Borough President, and later, President of the New York City Council.

Since January of 2018, Mr. Kearns has been a Grievance Representative with the Organization of Staff Analysts (OSA).

Mr. Kenneth Kearns was laid to rest on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

On page 2 of the Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 issue of the Co-op City Times, tion at the townhall meeting held on Jan. 21 in Co-op City by Congresswoman Daisy Windley. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience caused.

Greetings and welcome to our new neighbors. This is Black History Month. We stand on the shoulders of all who have paved the way for us. Continue the march for equality and justice.

Our next building meeting will be this month. Flyers will be posted in the lobby. If you see something, say something. Call 911 or contact CCPD, 718-6713050. Our best wishes to everyone celebrating a special event this month. Thoughts and prayers to all who are sick and shut-in.

—Sonja Maxwell

This is Black History Month and we have another death by law enforcement of a young black man, Tyre Nichols. When is this going to stop? We pray for Pick up your Co-op City Times for all our community information plus Black history events this month.

Update on our Association Room – We will have a meeting this month. Check the bulletin board for more information.

Dog Owners: Keep up the good work curbing your dogs. Do not throw food off your terraces, or you will get a community complaint.

Laundry Room Etiquette: Please remove your clothes from the washers and dryers; others are waiting. Do not put dirty clothes on the folding table or in baskets. Fabric softener sheets should be picked up and put in the waste basket help your clothes dry faster. Be a good neighbor.

Compactor Rooms: If you know who is not following the instructions for to CSO.

Happy birthday to all this month. Our prayers to all who lost loved ones. Please check on the sick and shut-ins. If you see something, say something. My blessing to all.

––Betty Leak

On behalf of the members of the Building 13 Association, we would like to wish General Manager Noel Ellison a happy retirement. We wish him good health and prosperity as he enters this next phase of life.

Our next Association meeting will be held on Monday, February 6, virtually at 7:00 p.m. Please check your bulletin board located in the lobby of the building for updated information and community events. We will be doing a bit of sprucing up for the spring, and when we are completed, will resume having our meetings in-person.

Our main entrance door continues to be problematic from time to time. We will again let Joshua Blake know about the problem we are experiencing. We will also let the Grounds department and the Janitorial director know that since the wooden post and chain was removed and no hedges were placed around the grassy areas, new pathways are being created as people just walk across the grass. There is no impediment to deter them from walking across the grass. We worked so hard to place bushes there and now with there being nothing, it is again convenient to get to the bus or to cross the street going to the market.

We have also been informed that the cylinder removal of the main entrance doors will not be removed. In the event there is a problem with the door, please do not hesitate to contact the Call Center and report the condition.

Notices were placed in the buildings reminding all shareholders of the importance of disposing of their garbage properly in the compactor rooms and in the basement. Fines will be imposed for the offenders.

Note: Optimum/Altice is currently replacing the wire cord covers in our public space. Shareholders are complaining about the holes being left in the walls when the moldings are being removed and reinstalled. If there are unsatisfactory information shortly regarding this situation.

Scholarship: Do not miss the chance for your child to apply for a $5,000 scholarship. The deadline for high school seniors to apply for an Albert Shanker and be accepted in a full-time, matriculated, degree-granting program at an accredited college or university. We believe that education is the gateway to a productive life. This opportunity will instill a greater sense of belonging — and motivation — for your child to make it through their higher education. The deadline to apply for a $5,000 scholarship is Tuesday, Feb. 28. Encourage your graduating students to apply!

Visit our Facebook page at: Building 13 Association Inc.–Co-op City

Our website is http://www.bldg13assoc.com, or email us at building13assoc@ yahoo.com. Contacts: Leslie Peterson, president, at 718-320-1370; or Wendell Mattison, V.P., at 917-330-1380. Thank you for supporting our team.

––Leslie Peterson

Good day, neighbors.

I am happy to report that Chief Riley of the Co-op City Public Safety Department has agreed to attend our next building meeting on Thursday, February 23, at 6:30 p.m. Chief Riley would like to know in advance the questions you may have for him so he is well-prepared and, if necessary, the proper employee can accompany him. Please contact me at admayo14033@gmail.com with your questions or concerns. If you are new to the building, we would love to meet you. These meetings are for everyone. Come on down and get to know your neighbors! Get a chance to talk to Chief Riley!

never utilize their services. She announced she can help you with Medicare, Immigration, Veteran Administration, and a myriad of other issues. Ms. Ocap.m. Call 718-662-5970 to see if she can help you. Call her!

On behalf of the Building 33 Association, our hearts go out to families going strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Also remember, change can only happen if we are all on the same page. Take care and walk good.

––Andrea D. Mayo

We all have our busy schedules going to and from doing our daily chores and there must be frustration with our door always breaking down where the used to using your key fob, however, we must try to adjust ourselves to what is to come. We have heard that the standard key will eventually be eliminated. Once that happens, we will have no other choice but to use the key fob. In order to try to minimize our door not working, it is imperative that we either use the standard key or the key fob to open the door. If the key fob is used, let the electronic mechanism do its job. Try not to pull or push on the door, forcing the door to open faster. Doing so throws off the short-range transmitter that is used to send a coded signal to a receiver unit in the device.

Wishing all neighbors born in February a happy birthday. For those of you who are under the weather, we hope you get better soon.

Our next building association meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. Look out for detailed information notices posted near elevators as we get closer to the meeting date. Remember, residents of Building 25 can always address any comments or concerns by emailing our building email address at building25ca@gmail.com If anyone has problems accessing the building email address, please let us know.

We will close with the following: “Patience is not simply the ability to wait, it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” –Joyce

––Wanda Bailey

Meyer

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, verify the authenticity of the authors. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times 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

I recently saw a listing in CC Times of garage infractions and costs and I believe if these violations were enforced, we would be living maintenance-free.

It’s amazing how many cars are parked illegally, no plates, expired plates, failure to expose license plates, and I can go on forever but it’s never enforced. Take a look what’s going on and make a call. We have a kiddie park behind my townment. I say call these directors here and make your complaint.

many believe have no place in our history. helped shape not only America, but the world. These contributions can’t be limited to a one-month celebration but must be acknowledged 365 days a year.

others and develop a wider audience that learns about the role of as world changers.

something beautiful, and recognizes men and women who contributed in impactful ways to enrich our history and lives. Studywe were taught in school which is severely limited, focused on ures who nevertheless accomplished incredible things. Studying how each of us can contribute in making society better, igniting a passion to learn about the history and cultures of others which leads to recognition of shared experiences that enrich our lives.

voter rights and voter suppression, criminal justice reform, health critical topics.

in a letter to the editor was the lengthy time buildings or sections spend under scaffolding while exterior repairs proceed and terraces are rendered unusable, building entrances darkened temporarily, etc. –– temporary adjustments to conform-to-code restorations and repairs. These are done on a rotating calendar and have to be kept. We should think of these temporary inconve- cooperators, are responsible for paying.

As a shareholder, we own the share value of our apartment. lic Safety Department, we have regular garbage pick-up and recycling, a weekly newspaper and the opportunity to participate

“Let’s not derail the program.”

We are glad for our system because further for that system, we cannot just pass on our apartments to anyone. Succession rights must be adhered to and we are glad for that because I know the have the ability to sell their apartment on the open market, they should consider purchasing a private co-op at market rate which I ell-Lama community.

To summarize, the items mentioned as disadvantages in last not having either of these.

Thank you, Public Safety, for the article addressing the unregistered dog crisis in our community. We all complain about the dogs, how many of us actually report what we see and hear to Public Safety to respond? I believe too few, and that is the reason this situation is now a crisis. Our inaction has caused a proliferation of unauthorized dogs. large breed dogs – this is too common now. Pick up the phone and report barking and suspected unregistered dogs to be a great deterrent to rid our community of unauthorized dogs. It can also lead to possible evictions – if you can’t follow the rules, then you should be evicted for being a nuisance in our community.

I noticed the article in the Co-op Times on the visit ing at a Town Hall meeting in Co-op. Of course, none of the politicians want to discuss the abject failure of public education in our nation. A private corporation that performs badly goes bankrupt. Public schools that about how public schools are failing minority students can recite a knowledge of American history! Theory.’ In my opinion, young children are being sexing subjected to immorality.

I believe the public schools today can’t be reformed. I think better alternatives are home-schooling children, or private schools with better approaches to education. many functional illiterates. This, in my opinion, leads to a greater crime rate.

We should demand our state legislators defund public schools.

The Parking and Leasing department generates revenue for our corporation and I believe it is imperative to working order to continue to be a revenue stream. The garage 8 exit gate has been out of order for seven consecutive days. I personally called last week Sunday mid-afternoon to inform the supervisor the exit gate was up, the garage is unsecure and we are losing income as a result. I was informed, no one was available to reset the gate and because it would just stop working at some point, a decision was made that the best course of action was to leave the gate in the up position.

We rely on sound decisions to manage our community departments. I would like to know how much did we lose in uncollected revenue this week because the exit gate at garage 8 is out of order. I believe an audit should be conducted to account for tickets obtained and revenue collected, and this information should be reported to the community. During the week, the entrance gate was out of order as well and we do not have attendants.

We cannot operate this community on the honor system. If folks obtained a ticket to enter and see the gate up upon exit, unfortunately, too many people will take the opportunity not to pay – that is the reality. The message here is simply, any department that is a revenue

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We welcome letters to the editor only from Co-op City shareholders at Letters should address issues of interest to the Co-op City community. Comments should be fact-based and responsible. Letters should not personally attack others and must be written in a respectful manner.

Co-op City Times repair is a priority.

Submissions must include the writer’s address and phone number – which ity and residency of the writer can be Thank you for your cooperation.