Vol. 58 No. 4
Saturday, January 28, 2023
$1.25
NYC Schools Chancellor Hosts Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Hosts Town Hall in Co-op City Town Hall Meeting in Dreiser
BY BRANDON ORTIZ
BY BRANDON ORTIZ
New York Public Schools Chancellor David Banks hosted a town hall meeting on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 in Bartow Community Center. The event was co-sponsored by the NAACP Co-op City branch and Riverbay Corporation. The meeting gave parents an opportunity to learn about the future of NYC public schools and ask the Chancellor questions. Before the town hall meet-
U.S. Representative Alexandria Oca-
in attendance to a performance demonstrating their discipline Photo by Brandon Ortiz and school spirit. President of the NAACP Co-op City Branch, Leslie Peterson, also a member of the Riverbay Board of
monthly town hall meeting in Co-op City’s Dreiser Auditorium with new constituents on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez used the opportunity to introduce herself to new constituents in the 14th Congressional District, provide updates on certain projects and answer questions from the audience. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto opened the town hall meeting by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez answered questions briefly addressing the audience. “I am very glad City on Jan. 21, 2023. Photo by Brandon Ortiz that the Congresswoman
(Continued on page 2)
(Continued on page 4)
Completed Window Guard Form Due Feb. 15 BY ROZAAN BOONE
New Bill Addresses Space Heater Safety
By now, shareholders should have received the annual Window
ing the directions included in the mailing, and can be returned by phone, fax, mail or email as per directions included in the package. The deadline to return the completed form is Wednesday, February 15, 2023. or killed in falls from unguarded windows. It requires owners or managers of multiple dwellings (buildings with 3 or more apartments) to provide and properly install or repair approved window guards on all windows in apartments where a child(ren) 10 years or younger resides or visits, although anyone, for whatever reason, may request window guards, even if there are no young children in the apartment.
Restroom Alert Patrons of the restrooms in Riverbay’s parking garages and community centers can now use their cell phones to send a text alert to supervisors in the Riverbay Parking & Leasing department when the facilities need attention. Utilizing the Restroom Alert management system, each plaque, such as the one depicted here, has a unique “code” used to identify number listed on the plaque for text messages to be directed to, patrons can submit comments or compliments. For instance, on the plaque depicted here, the bathroom’s unique 4-digit code is “5410.” To submit a service request or compliment, patrons can send a text to “43766” which will be directed to the phones of supervisory personnel in the Parking & Leasing department, along with a message, such as, “5410 needs soap.” Similar messages can be sent for replacement of hand towels, toilet paper, to have the replacement, etc. Parking & Leasing supervisors will then send staff out to address the request. Similarly, compliments can be sent to supervisors in order to provide feedback on the quality of services being provided.
“SAFE RIVERBAY”
(Continued on page 3)
The system is currently being tested by the Parking & Leasing department in bathrooms in the three community centers and all eight garages, with the goal of eventually making the system more widely available in other areas of the department’s operation. Restroom Alert does not disclose the sender’s name or phone number so comments/compliments are completely anonymous. Once a text is sent, the system generates an automatic acknowledgement and apology to the sender. In addition, the system sends a separate text to Parking & Leasing staff and a timer is started with periodic reminders until the issue is resolved. If the condition is not resolved in a timely manner, there is an option to escalate the reminders and warnings up to supervisors. The Restroom Alert system also allows for actionable metrics that helps to hold staff accountable and provides supervisors with up-to-date data to ensure requests are handled in a timely manner. Calvin Mitchell, one of the supervisors in the Parking & Leasing department who will be working with the Restroom Alert system, said: “Our goal is to provide better services to the communty. Restroom Alert cient means of communication between residents, guests and Riverbay staff.”
Nearly a year after a malfunctioning space heater Kathy Hochul signed legislation targeting safety standards for electric heaters. The bill signed requires electric space heaters to have thermostats and automatic shut-offs. They tion body recognized and approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Twin Parks apartments last year, we worked to help impacted families recover and vowed to never forget the tragedy “As the weather gets colder once again and we crank up the heat in our homes, this legislation will help prevent future disasters and keep New Yorkers safe as we ensure higher safety standards for all electric space heaters sold in our state.” The FDNY has shared a number of tips for safe usage of space heaters: • Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or the apartment • Turn off space heaters when going to bed • If the cord is hot, turn off your space heater • Never leave a space heater unattended • Make sure your space heater has an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark, which means it’s been safely tested • Don’t plug a space heater into an extension cord, plug it directly into the socket • Don’t place your space heater on a counter or • Place your space heater at least three feet from combustibles, such as newspapers, blankets and curtains The Riverbay Safety Department urges shareholders who do not have a space heater that meets the new legislative requirements to discard/trash the old space heater by cutting the cord and properly disposing of the heater. The safety of shareholders is our top priority.