16 North Shore Towers Courier n December 2016 Photos by Stephen Vrattos Thank You for Not Smoking NST celebrates historic vote BY STEPHEN VRATTOS “We are the biggest complex in the country that’s gone smoke-free!” Thus proclaimed Smoke-Free NST Co- Chair Phyllis Goldstein to the assembled crowd Wednesday night, November 16, in the VIP Room. The party was held to thank the many volunteers, who helped in the historic vote to change the proprietary lease of North Shore Towers, making the co-op an entirely smokefree environment. Chairpersons Goldstein and fellow Board Member Bob Ricken knew they had a hard uphill battle ahead of them when they decided to try to make a healthier environment for the residents of North Shore Towers last spring. In order for any amendment to the proprietary lease to be valid, a quorum was required, which meant a minimum of a 67% voter turnout, an onerous job even before one considers that the turnout for the annual Board of Directors is far below that percentage. Anything less than a two-thirds vote would be invalidated. Goldstein and Ricken knew it would take a proverbial army to accomplish the Herculean task they put before themselves. So they set about recruiting one. The process began in June, with the pair placing sign-up sheets for volunteers in each of the three building lobbies. Six Captains were chosen, two residents of each building. One would be responsible for the lowrise apartments (floors 0–17) for their building; the other, the high-rise dwellings (floors 18- 33 & penthouse). Additional volunteers for each building helped their respective Captains canvas their assigned floors, going door-to-door to ensure people voted. Some Captains had a particularly tough “row to hoe,” as volunteer turnout for some assigned areas were very low, leaving certain Captains solely responsible for several floors. How anyone voted was nobody’s business, but the particular voter and the arbitration company handling the counting of the votes. The Smoke- Free NST workforce was only concerned with getting people TO vote. The case for the amendment was made by Ricken, Goldstein and members of the local chapter of the Smoke-Free NYC Coalition at the August 1 Town Hall meeting. Informative flyers, explaining the facts about the dangers of secondhand smoke in an apartment dwelling, were distributed and subsequent word-ofmouth by residents concerned with creating a healthier NST for everyone aided in spreading the message. “When a resident told me we couldn’t do it, ‘I can do what I want in my own apartment,’” Ricken recalled, “I wrote them a paper outlining all the restrictions that can be imposed legally in one’s apartment.” The prolific Board Member included 25 items, from not being allowed to sell your apartment or make repairs or renovations without Board approval to the banning of barbecues and TV aerials on terraces. The hard work paid off. According to NST Legal Counsel Errol Brett, the amendment to proprietary lease “BY LAW” now applies to the individual lease of every resident’s apartment. North Shore Towers and her residents should be proud of succeeding in such a massive undertaking. With the victory, the co-op has made history, not only in New York City, but also the entire United States. Other large complexes do not even bother trying to tackle the job. But with NST as a beacon, showing how it can be done, perhaps more will follow. The historic moment will be further heralded at a press conference in Towers on the Green on December 19 at 11 a.m. It is only fitting that those who made it happen be duly thanked. The party was a great success; Country Club Manager Mary Anne, Alison and their staff, Dennis, Reina and their VIP Room crew did a tremendous job! Kudos to all! Smoke-Free NST Co-Chair Bob Ricken and Building #3 low-rise Captain Judy Paris Board Member Fred Chernow (left) and Board President Mario Carmiciano and his wife, Louise Chocolate cigarettes enjoyed by (l. to r.) Phyllis Goldstein, Linda Rappaport and Louise Carmiciano NST General Manager Glen Kotowski (left) and Comptroller Robert Serikstad flank VIP Room host Dennis Pariti who put on a great party with his staff (l. to r.) Phil Konigsberg of NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City with Mimi Radin, Beverly Bord and Barbara Protass
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