Fwd: Fw: Tonight's East River Co-op Election

[Lauren Forsch]

Hi All,

I know there are mixed feelings about the playroom getting involved in coop politics. However, the playroom is currently under scrutiny from the board and there are certain boardmembers who would like to limit playroom membership only to ER cooperators and, as Lee mentions below, stop parties at the playroom. As this directly effects our group I would like to send the letter below to our members. Is anyone opposed? If so please write in or call me directly by noon today.   (917) 627-8572

Best,
Lauren

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Lee <nyc...@erols.com>
To: Lauren Kay Forsch <lauren...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, April 8, 2013 6:49 AM
Subject: Tonight's East River Co-op Election

                                                                                                 April 8, 2013

Dear Neighbor:

My name is Lee Berman and I am seeking your vote for Board of Director of East River Housing at tonight’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. 

Over the last three years on the board I have consistently fought to impress upon my fellow board members the need to take seriously our fiduciary responsibility to the corporation and our shareholders.  For example, in 2012, when board members were denied monthly financial statements for seven months straight, fellow board member Jim Keenan and I were the only board members who demanded their production.  Jim and I understand that the seriousness of our role as a Board of Director demands that we not act as a rubberstamp and that our fiduciary obligations are to make certain that we know where your money is being spent.  

East River must find additional cost savings so that our long-term financial picture is strengthened.  For years I’ve been asking to see our invoices for outside contractors (such as the plumbing and electrical contractors, which cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars per year) in order to insure that we are not overpaying.  Unfortunately, I have been rebuffed by both the board and management.

            Jim Keenan and I are constantly looking for ways to increase security, safety, quality of maintenance, as well as to save money and keep our expenses and carrying charges low.  In addition, I am opposed to selling off any commercial space or auctioning parking spots to the highest bidder (as others have suggested).  This idea is imprudent and shortsighted.

            Six months after Hurricane Sandy we still don’t have an emergency plan in place.  Neither the board nor management found any deficiencies in their response to Hurricane Sandy.  Most others did.

            Shareholders deserve meaningful, substantive and timely communication from the board on all matters - there is a lot more to be learned about than just the savings from our new boiler.

            Improving amenities will increase the value of our property as well as improve our quality of life.  I am in favor of modernizing and renovating the community room and converting underutilized ground floor spaces to better serve all residents.  I am opposed to the position of some of the incumbent candidates who are in favor of curtailing the amazing benefits that the playroom bestow upon our youngest residents, as well as their desire to prohibit using the playroom for birthday party rentals.

If you believe as I do, then filling out the enclosed proxy will allow me to cast your vote in my favor, as well as for three other candidates whom I believe will help make positive change: Mary Jo Burke, Doug Morse and Jonathan Reifer.  If you have already given someone a proxy or sent one in to the Co-op, you are still able to sign this one, as only the most recently signed proxy will count. Feel free to call me to pick up the completed proxy, slip it under my door, email me, or if you wish, you can personally hand it to me at the election Monday night, April 8, 2013.

I thank you for your support, as well as taking the time to read this, and look forward to being able to share your concerns about our community, and with your help, continue to improve it. 

 Lee Berman

LeeBe...@gmail.com

 

GENERAL PROXY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that I (we)

 

(your name)_____________________, residing at (your address)_________________

Apartment No.____________________, Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, being the holder(s) of shares of the common stock of East River Housing Corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint Lee Berman, residing at 577 Grand Street, Apt. F604, as my (our) proxy to attend the meeting of shareholders of said Corporation to be held on April 8, 2013, or any continuation or adjournment hereof, with full power to vote and act for me (us) and in my (our) name, place and stead, in the same manner, to the same extent, and with the same effect that I (we) might were I (we) personally present thereat, giving to said proxy full power of substitution and revocation.  Any proxy or proxies heretofore given by me (us) to any person or persons whatsoever are hereby revoked.

 

Dated:  New York, New York

 

April_____, 2013

 

                                                                                    __________________________

                                                                                    Shareholder Signature

                                                                                    Please sign exactly as your name(s)

                                                                                    appear(s) on the stock certificate

   

PLEASE DROP OFF THE SIGNED PROXY UNDER MY DOOR (577 GRAND ST. F604) PRIOR TO 6:00 P.M. MONDAY, APRIL 8, OR CALL ME AT 646-325-5131 TO ARRANGE FOR ME TO PICK IT UP. 

 

--
Lauren 4sh
lkfo...@gmail.com

(917) 627 8572
www.laurenforsch.blogspot.com

Ev: www.evan4sh.com • eva...@yahoo.com • (917) 545 1642

EZ: www.ezekiel4sh.blogspot.com • ezFo...@gmail.com
Em: emFo...@gmail.com

[Brian Crowley]

I don't think we should. But I highly encourage us all to email our ER friends directly about the playroom stances of the candidates. 

Aside from not wanting to directly politicize the playroom, I am very concerned about the consequences to the playroom should Lee and his slate lose. It could easily make our management of th room harder. 

Best,

Brian

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[Hadassah Max]

For more reasons than I have time to go into right now, and although I wish Lee all the best this evening, I would not send this out.

Curious though re: wanting to stop parties in the playroom. What's the story here?

H

[Johanna Berke]

I have no objection as long as we make it clear why we're sending it to them. 

Johanna

--

[Johanna Berke]

Hmmmm, that's a good point. Maybe sending to our friends is a better way to go. 

Johanna

[Lauren Forsch]

From Lee, when I asked him about it

• "Party rental was originally brought up by Ellen Gentilviso ("it takes money away from community room rentals"….."it prevents people from using the room!")."

FYI, from another source: The ER board sent a letter to the Hillman board saying that if Hillman did not have a playroom there would be no reason to reciprocate membership to Hillman members.

Perhaps we could send a more vague note saying that we urge people to ask candidates their position on the playroom before casting their vote? I think not alerting our members that they can be affected by the election is a mistake.

[Brian Crowley]

I would be ok with this:

[Johanna Berke]

Good idea, yes. Fine by me. 

Johanna

[Heather Hubbs]

I also agree this is a good idea. Members should have the facts before voting

Sent from my iPhone