2025 Riverbay Board of Directors Election Extended to Sept. 30. H H H 375 Ballots Still Needed for Quorum H H H
Vol. 60 No. 35
September 6, 2025
$1.25
Read us online: issuu.com/cctimes • Follow us on social media: IG/X/Threads @coopcitytimes • @coopcitytimes.bsky.social
Quorum is 375 Ballots Short Third Extended Voting Period Ends Sept. 30
By ROZAAN BOONE
A second round of ballots was delivered to Co-op City shareholders last week as more than 600 additional ballots were still needed to validate the 2025 Riverbay Board of Directors election. As of press time yesterday, the gap had narrowed to 375 ballots now needed to obtain this year’s quorum of 5,041 by Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, the third extended voting deadline in the election. Riverbay’s independent election vendor, YesElections, informed the Election Committee last week that replacement ballots were mailed to more than 11,000 households that had not yet been recorded by YesElections as having voted by mail, by depositing a ballot in an election drop box, or in-person. Each green ballot envelope contains an election ballot, a “Secret Ballot Envelope,” and a postage-paid, pre-addressed ballot return envelope imprinted
2025 Community Career Expo Riverbay Corporation will be hosting a Community Career Expo on Friday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium. For this first-of-its-kind event, nine Riverbay departments will present some of the career opportunities available within the corporation. A limited number of kiosks will also be available for any participants who wish to access the Career Page or apply for open positions. Interested participants are encouraged to stop by to explore a variety of job opportunities and learn more about the qualifications needed for these positions. Additional details will be published in the Co-op City Times in the coming weeks. Registration is required. To register, please email careerevents@riverbaycorp. com.
City Doubles Funding for CUNY Social Work Fellows Program By BRANDON ORTIZ
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced on September 3 that the city has doubled their funding for the CUNY Social Work Fellows Program. Designed to reduce the barriers for entry into the social work field and bolster the existing pipeline of behavioral health specialists through scholarships, the CUNY Social Work Fellows Program was initially introduced in 2024 as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. In the FY2026 budget, that funding is doubled from one million dollars to two million dollars. Behavioral health specialists are in high demand across the United States and locally in New York City. “In the City, the severe workforce shortage of behavioral health professionals is contributing to these gaps in access,” said City Council in a press release announcing the increased funding. “It has led to widespread vacant positions, high burnout rates, and a stagnant pipeline for mental health workers – all while the need for mental healthcare is growing.” Currently the CUNY Social Work Fellows Program is supporting 95 students pursuing their Master of Social Work degrees (Continued on page 8)
with a unique barcode that corresponds to the residential unit to which the ballot was mailed. Shareholders of record as of April 1, 2025 are voting for up to five candidates from among the 11 certified to run in this year’s Riverbay Board election. There is also an option for those who wish to vote only for quorum purposes, instead of candidates. Shareholders are cautioned to read their ballot carefully and to follow the instructions to ensure their votes are counted. Voting for five or less than five candidates is allowed, however voting for more than five invalidates the ballot. Voting for both candidates and for quorum only also disqualifies the ballot. Once the ballot has been completed, either for candidates or for quorum purposes, it must first be placed into the “Secret Ballot Envelope,” which protects the confidentiality of the shareholder’s votes (Continued on page 2)
Message from the 2025 Election Committee The following message to shareholders is from the co-chairs of the 2025 Election Committee, Board Director Monique Coleman and Board Director Leah Graham. Election co-chair Monique Coleman: “Second Ballot, Second Chances: Make Your Vote Count” “Voting gives us the power of self-determination. It allows each of us to choose our preferred candidates and shape the future of our community. We have that right here in Co-op City. “Gerrymandering, where politicians redraw districts to choose their voters instead of the other way around has damaged democracies elsewhere. Recently in Texas, lawmakers left town, came back, were forced to sign an agreement to return for vote and one lawmaker even Monique Coleman Leah Graham slept in the state house rather than sign an agreement to leave under police supervision. “Here in Co-op City, no one will make you leave town or sleep in Bartow to vote. Never forget: the power truly rests with us, the shareholders. “If you’re unsure who to support, you can still participate by casting a quorum-only vote. If you do know who you’re voting for, you may select up to five candidates. (Continued on page 5)
Hot Water Shutdown High temperature hot water is expected to be shut down from Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 9 a.m. to Thursday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m., for Power Plant personnel to repair and/or clamp the leaks on the underground piping between Building 4 and Defoe Place. The following areas may be affected: Zone 1: Buildings 1-7, 15-20; Adler Place, DeFoe Place; Shopping Centers 1 & 2; PS 180 and attached schools Stay tuned to the Phone Tree for updates from Riverbay. This will be a 30-hour shutdown due to the extensive work required. Please allow some time for the water to reach its full temperature once service is restored. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. ––Power Plant