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NST042013

BY MAGGIE HAYES Mort Gitter, longtime board member and Towers resident, knows what it takes to make North Shore Towers run smoothly and efficiently. “I’ve held every position in the corporation, I’ve chaired every committee,” he said. “What I’ve tried to do it put realities first, rather than engaging in wishful thinking.” Gitter is currently the board’s treasurer, and he said that it’s been his most challenging role yet. “This position controls the lifeblood of the organization; money is the engine that drives the facility,” he said. As treasurer, Gitter focuses on business decisions, such as keeping maintenance charges reasonable but still finding ways to acquire additional funding for operating needs or capital improvements. “We always need to raise money so we can continue as a luxury facility,” he said. In his five years as treasurer and chief financial officer, Gittersaid the board has really been able to solidify the Towers’ financial position, which has been a “major achievement.” He also was instrumental in recently successfully refinancing the co-op’s mortgage. Gitter stresses that running any facility is simply not a “one-man band.” “Our team at NST has done a very good job,” he said. The lawyer, who received credentials from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and New York University Law School, has, with a short interruption been a board member since the late 1990s. In addition to continuously working on the NST Board with management and other board members, he still manages to do extensive pro bono legal and other volunteer public service work both here and in Israel. For the future, Gitter is hoping that the team will expand, and existing and new shareholders will step up and take the leadership reins. He believes that new blood on the board can only benefit life at NST and that it will bring forth new ideas. “There are a lot of very talented individuals who live here and their participation is essential for our future as a vibrant luxury community. Gitter noted that “if we stand still we go backwards.” “This is a superb place to live,” he said. “There’s no place else like it. We have to do our best to keep it that way and it will require a lot of effort to do so” 6 North Shore Towers Courier n April 2013 Meet Your Board Member: MORT GITTER Helping the Towers run smoothly Board member Mort Gitter Be prepared in case of fire It is very important that everybody be well equipped and prepared if a fire were to ever break out in your home. Follow these helpful tips and always be mindful of your surroundings to prevent any accidents. Note the top FDNY Fire Safety Tips: Never use an extension cord with large current appliances such as a space heater, air conditioner or refrigerator. Extension cords can cause home fires by overheating due to overloading the outlet; they should be used for temporary use only. Never smoke while lying down, especially if drowsy. Completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding. Smokers are seven times more likely than nonsmokers to have a fire in their home. Smokers are also advised to use deep, non-tip ashtrays, as well as check between, on or under upholstery and cushions for cigarette butts before going to bed or leaving the home. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and wear short or tight-fitting sleeves. Long, loose sleeves are more likely to catch fire, and exposed skin could burn. Also, unattended cooking accounts for 33 percent of home fires. Cook at low to medium temperature settings, and always have potholders or oven mitts on hand. Installing and maintaining a smoke alarm will reduce your chances of dying in a fire in half. Install alarms on every floor and in bedrooms for extra protection. Seventy percent of fire fatalities occur in homes with an inoperable smoke alarm or no smoke alarm present. Plan and practice a fire escape plan. Do not attempt to fight the fire yourself. Get out and close the door, then call 9-1-1 from a safe location. In the instance of a fire, you may have as little as three minutes to get out safely. Store matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children. Provide close continuous supervision of children. Toddlers may begin playing with matches or utility lighters if they can get a hold of them. Never leave burning candles unattended. Half of the people affected by candle fires in the home were younger than 20 years of age. All tips are courtesy of the FDNY website, www.nyc.gov/html/fdny


NST042013
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