Vol. 55 No. 35 Saturday, August 29, 2020 $1.25 Uncertainty remains as Sept. 10 “Save the Post Office” rally in Co-op City draws closer BY BRANDON ORTIZ n An already tenuous situation does not appear to have any resolution in sight d as the proposed September 10 reopening t date for New York City’s public schools is in doubt. d Originally, the reopening plan for New t York City’s public schools had them re- r opening for limited in-person classes s starting in September, but the teachers o union that represent the many public - school teachers in the city are asking for s that date to be pushed back and demand- Riverbay Board Director Mary Pearson, along with other members of the community, held a “Save the Post r ing more safety precautions first. Office” rally in front of the U.S. Post Office in the Einstein Center last Saturday, Aug. 22, joining a nationwide e Michael Mulgrew, president of show of support for the US Postal Service. More than 450 rallies were planned throughout the country. t United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Among those rallying to save the postal service in Co-op City last Saturday were shareholders Nelson g whose members include roughly 75,000 Sweeting, Leon Tulton, John Gale, Migdalia Perez, Ida and Stuart Edwards, Hattie Overman and Ms. Pearson. e of New York City’s teachers, said simply Since last Saturday’s “Save the Post Office” Day of Action, several similar events have taken place in cities s’ at a press conference last week, “We and communities around the country. g (Continued on page 4) Photo by Toriea McCauseland s f Executive GM describes progress in capital improvement w r a projects in new video update BY ROZAAN BOONE to be able to enjoy some semblance of summer fun, however, again, he stresses Riverbay Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer addresses progress made the importance of everyone wearing their mask and social distancing or else the in some of the community’s major capital improvement projects, and encourages decision may have to be revisited to ensure the safety of the larger community. shareholders to be socially responsible as they navigate the community with “One piece of good news is that we were able to get the city to put an onsite COVID-19 still a threat. COVID testing facility over in the Dreiser Mall,” said Mr. Klehammer, encouraging In a new Co-op City Times Media video presentation set to air this coming week residents to take full advantage of the facility. “Only by knowing who is infected, on the Riverbay Crawler, Mr. Klehammer will inform shareholders that while tracing their contacts, we’ll be able to ensure that Co-op City doesn’t go through offices and the community centers remain closed to the public, departments are (Continued on page 4) back and fully staffed working full-time to secure the property and improve the environment at Co-op City. “But I need to have the residents of Co-op City understand that while we’re doing Welcome home, well here in New York City, the pandemic is not over,” Mr. Klehammer will convey to residents. “We get many complaints in the office of people not wearing their Mr. George Crouch! mask, and being inconsiderate to their neighbors … It’s important if we’re going to keep these numbers low, that you do your part.” Mr. Klehammer will also respond to complaints about Management’s decision to reopen the basketball courts, playgrounds and tot lots for the community’s youth MTA in major financial crisis (See story on page 5) Upcoming Labor Day Closing Shareholders are notified that in ob- servance of Labor Day, Riverbay’s offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7. On Friday, Sept., 4, some departments Family and Co-op City neighbors of Mr. George Crouch gathered in front may not be available after 2 p.m. so of his building last week to wish him a hearty welcome home as the 96- plan ahead. year old veteran returned after several months-long recovery from Although Riverbay’s offices will be COIVID-19. Photo courtesy of Post 1871 closed on Sept. 7, shareholders with main- tenance emergencies may contact the BY ROZAAN BOONE Riverbay Call Center at (718) 320-3300, and follow the prompts for emergency Family, friends and neighbors of Mr. George Crouch gave him a rousing maintenance. The Riverbay welcome back home last Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 after he was discharged from rehab Public Safety Department can following his recovery and convalescence from COVID-19. Sadly, the virus be reached at (718) 671-3050. claimed the life of his beloved wife of more than 40 years, Gail, making the You may also call 9-1-1 for emergencies. (Continued on page 2) 2 Co-op City Times / August 29, 2020 Crouch (Continued from page 1) occasion a bittersweet one for Mr. Crouch. for him to get better.” mination and purpose. “What really inspired me most in his case and caught my Capt. Dungan and other military personnel assigned to “Right now, I feel grateful that I was able to overcome awareness was what he did when he learned that his wife Jacobi embraced and surrounded Mr. Crouch conjuring their this terrible thing, but the loss of my wife … to come home had passed away,” said Commander Adeyemi Toba of the oath of “duty, honor and country” to levels normally wit- and she wasn’t here when I came in,” said Mr. Crouch. “I’m American Legion Post 1871 in Co-op City, one of the organ- nessed among soldiers on the battlefield, Mr. Crouch’s grateful for my daughters, they have been outstanding and izers of the welcome home for Mr. Crouch and a fellow vet- daughter, Kai Adwoa-Tomas, stated. God-sent. My daughter, Deborah, drove in from California, eran. “He demonstrated his love for his wife and showed Another news outlet, WTHR-Indianapolis, quoted Mr. and my other daughter, Kai, they held down the fort. I am that he was ready to love her to the end by refusing food Crouch’s other daughter, Deborah Crouch: “Capt. Dungan so thankful for them. People have to be careful, wear your and treatment so that he could die with his wife.” put it to him, ‘What are you going to do, soldier? You come mask, wash your hands and do what you are supposed to. Sgt. Crouch, 96 years old and a veteran of both World here to die?’ Dad said, ‘What do you want me to do?’ Cap- We didn’t go out anywhere and anybody who came in, we War II and the Korean War, along with his family, were tain said, ‘I want you to live’.” told them to wash their hands, I don’t know how we got the escorted by a Post 1871 motorcade from Regeis Care Cen- “He just rallied,” Capt. Dungan told WTHR. “He is a true virus.” ter following his discharge last Friday. As the fellow veter- testament to the human spirit. It can be bent and broken but Capt. Dungan said in one of his interviews that he con- ans, family and close friends greeted Mr. Crouch at the doors he pulled himself back and found a reason to claw back. I siders WWII veterans “national treasures.” Here in Co-op City, Mr. Crouch is also an esteemed member of the com- munity where he has had long-standing roots as a share- holder of more than 30 years. During that time, he himself has not only been active in a number of Co-op City organ- izations, but he made many friends here, is highly respected and serves as a mentor to several cooperators who he encour- aged to become involved in social and political matters and to dedicate their energies and talents to ensure social, eco- nomic and political justice. Virginia Stewart, current president of the Coalition of African American Churches & Community Organizations, is a long-time friend and colleague of Mr. Crouch. “Since I’ve known George, he’s been a mentor for me. He guided me along, brought me along, introduced me to many elected officials and organizations both within and outside of Co-op City and I’m so grateful to him,” said Ms. Stew- art. “He made sure I became an election monitor for the 82nd AD with the Board of Elections and then I was also elected as a Judicial Delegate to the 82nd District. In that position, we picked judges for election every year in the Mr. Crouch expresses his sincere gratitude to his friends in and out- assembly district. This was all due to his support and guid- side of Co-op City for the outpur- ance. He guided me through my social and political devel- ing of love shown to his family dur- opment; we’d go everywhere and he introduced me to every- ing his convalescence and return one. He is my champion and good friend and I am ready to home last week. “We are very help him in any way that I can.” grateful for you all,” he said. Mr. Crouch said that he is very grateful to the Co-op City community for all the support, letters, cards and expressions of the facility, Commander Toba presented Mr. Crouch with admire him so much.” of condolences that the community has sent to him and his an Honorary Membership to the American Legion Post Mr. Crouch said: “Eric has just been God-sent. I couldn’t family.