Seven of the eight candidates who are running for this year’s four Board seats that are up for re-election addressed shareholders and answered their questions during “Meet the Candidates” night on Wednesday, May 28.
The candidates spoke in the order their names had been pulled out of the ballot box earlier in the month, and each was given five minutes to deliver a speech. This is what the candidates had to say:
Claire Levitan
Levitan, an eight year resident of the Towers, has served on the board of another co-op. She said that due to “frequent and escalating litigation” at North Shore Towers, there should be an annual review of bylaws that includes the input of residents to improve the board election process. She also said that “a code of conduct as previously approved should be enacted by the bylaws along with a conflict of interest policy for board members and employees of North Shore Towers.”
In order to avoid the cost and time demands by being involved with litigation, Levitan spoke about putting into place a form of mediation. She also said that the in-house channel should be used better for communication between the Board and shareholders and spoke about having a town hall-like meeting with a moderator, ombudsman and shareholders in attendance.
At the conclusion of her speech, Levitan said that she would always use “intensive research before making important board decisions, aiming for appropriate decisions based on that research.” She also said as a Board member she would spend funds wisely, work to maintain and preserve the co-op’s reserve funds, give full disclosure about her opinions and would work to “make North Shore Towers an even better and more exciting place to live.”
Alan Gardner
Gardner has served on the Towers’ Board of Directors for the last four years, including being the First Vice President for the last year. He has been the Chair of the House & Grounds Committee for about two years and previously chaired the Country Club Committee and Legal Committee and has been a member of the Screening Committee.
“I am seeking re-election both on my own record of accomplishment and on the Board’s record as well,” he said.
A 12-year resident, Gardner said he was a member of special committees that were involved in the renewal of the Greenthal Management contract and that investigated and recommended the new drug store owner. Other accomplishments included landscaping upgrades, adding accessories to the lobbies, hosting a “successful” welcome party for new residents, the new barbeque in place for resident use and being involved with a subcommittee that recommended rules to address complaints about the behavior of employees of residents.
He said that the Board has also worked on fire safety improvements and energy saving methods. He also supported the maintenance increases and assessment, which he said have added to the growth of reserve funds.
“I play an active, informed, and I believe, influential role in board deliberations,” Gardner said. “Throughout all of this, I’ve established a five-year record of unquestioned integrity.”
Dianne Stromfeld
In giving her professional background, Stromfeld, who has been full-time resident for 17 years, said that she has worked in the real estate profession for more than 40 years. She has owned real estate offices, started a successful real estate school, written text books and how-to books, traveled to deliver lectures and has been elected the President of the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island and Century 21 Brokers Council. She also said that she is still actively engaged in real estate education.
If elected to the Board, Stromfeld said that she wants to form a research committee to find different sets of bylaws that have been received by shareholders and examine “whether changes were duly approved.” She said that voting rules and regulations need to be researched and updated; money should not be used for marketing expenses that enable real estate brokers to get commissions; and there should be open-bidding for all contracts. She would form a committee to research the job description of the in-house council and the amount paid and research the definition of “alteration” as it pertains to the alteration management fee.
Stromfeld also said that she would advocate for a minimum of four open board meetings in addition to the open budget meeting each year. She also said she would continue to start new clubs and would like to work with the Country Club to provide more activities for general members.
Marty Fladell
Fladell has been a full-time resident of the Towers for the last 26 years. When formerly on the Board of Directors, he was responsible for special activities and resident services. He is a former member of the Country Club Committee and the Flip Tax Committee that was responsible for successfully passing the transfer fee. Currently, Fladell is the conductor of the North Shore Towers Orchestra.
He began his professional career as a caterer and went on to manage two beach clubs where 400 people were employed.
“My vast business experience has provided me with a wealth of knowledge that very much parallels the facilities of North Shore Towers and qualifies me to be a member of your Board of Directors,” he said.
Fladell pledged to be fiscally responsible, diligent and cost effective while trying to keep maintenance from escalating and trying to avoid assessments. He said that in order for the Towers to maintain its reputation as a first-class facility, it must be able to successfully compete. He said they must continue with their beautification project and need to keep facilities in top condition.
As a former director, Fladell said he was always available to listen to the concerns and suggestions of residents and was always responsive to them. He promised “intelligence and truth-seeking conversations during board meetings.”
Marvin Rosenberg
Rosenberg has been serving on the Board of Directors for the last four years. He spent three years serving as the chair of the Screening Committee. Rosenberg said that he authored the election protocol that has been adopted and estimates that he has contributed to all major board decisions while a director.
During his speech Rosenberg spoke about what he views as a major problem for the Towers.
“An important problem our co-op faces in the next five years is given little or no notoriety and that is the lack of professionally marketing our name, our amenities and our splendid location,” he said.
Rosenberg said that issues are not being addressed for lack of intentions or intelligence but rather professionalism. He described it as a “dubious distinction” when Mayor Michael Bloomberg visited the Towers and called it the best kept secret in New York City. He said that experts are relied on to guide the Board and that one is needed in this situation to tell the Towers how to market itself and publicize its advantages.
“Our message must be disseminated to a diverse segment of the buying public,” he said.
Rosenberg concluded by saying, “If you want to continue innovation, imagination and integrity on this Board, I need your vote and I’ll answer the challenge.”
Herbert Cooper
Cooper currently sits on the Board and is the Chair of the Capital Improvements Committee. He has a degree in engineering and did his post-graduate work in business administration, law and accounting. Before founding his own company, which is still in operation today, he worked for other major corporations in the field of defense electronics.
Cooper said that, with the efforts of the Capital Improvements Committee, Board and management, many life saving upgrades have been implemented. This includes smoke detectors in the electronic emergency controls, additional sprinklers in the arcades, the establishment of a smoke detector inspection system, installing battery-operated emergency lighting in stairwells and implementing fire stopping in equipment rooms. For energy conservation, motion detectors have been installed in compact rooms and LED lights and fluorescent lighting are being used.
Possible future expenditures that Cooper said the co-op will need to address are possibly replacing power generators, heating and air conditioning equipment and fire safety devices. He said there is also a study to determine if it is more economical for the Towers to provide its own electricity or buy it from Con-Ed. They are also looking at ways to be “more green.”
Cooper said that he will make decisions more transparent, minimize costs and improve relations between the Board and shareholders.
Lloyd Kaufman
Editor’s Note: Kaufman was not present during “Meet the Candidates.” Following the meeting, Towers counsel Errol Brett said that this was because of a trip that had been booked in advance. The below information is based on Kaufman’s candidate flyer displayed in the lobbies of all three buildings.
Kaufman is an Executive Board Member of the North Shore Towers Camera Club. He holds a Ph.D. from New School and honorary doctorates from State University of New York and LIU.
At NYU, Kaufman is a professor of psychology and neural science, the Co-director of the Neuromagnetism Laboratory and an adjunct professor of physiology and biophysics at the NYU Medical School. He was a professor at Yeshiva University, an engineer with Sperry Rand/Sperry Research Center and is the author of several books. Kaufman has served as a board member of the National Research Council, The Lighthouse and Project Literacy.
If elected to the North Shore Towers Board of Directors, Kaufman’s goals include freezing or slowing down increases in maintenance fees, publishing and enforcing a code of conduct for shareholders’ employees, trying to reduce the co-op’s tax bill, more effectively using the in-house channel and negotiating with Time Warner/Verizon “to forestall cable rate increase.” Kaufman also supports appointing an ombudsman. He would also “reconsider the allocation of fees charged shareholders by management when capital improvements are made.”
Morton Gitter
Incumbent Gitter said that he has been serving the co-op “in a number of capacities” for most of the last 12 years. This includes having been a Board president, vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. He also said that he has chaired virtually all of the committees at North Shore Towers.
Gitter said that he believes he “can continue to make a significant contribution to the betterment of our community.” He said that board decisions must be based on “sound realities,” independent evaluations and what is in the best interests of the cooperative.
“I intend to champion some of the fundamental principles, which I believe are important for all Board members to follow in the proper discharge of their fiduciary responsibilities to you, the shareholders,” he said.
While he was President and Treasurer of the Board, Gitter said that some of their accomplishments included creating “a blueprint to restore financial health,” having competitive bidding on all major contracts and beginning a program of “significant” capital improvements.
“I’m proud we accomplished so much with the backing of a united community,” Gitter said.
A former attorney, Gitter said he now provides pro-bono services through various organizations and also takes part in several volunteer opportunities.
Following the speeches by the candidates, shareholders were given the opportunity to ask questions of them. Issues brought up included the ongoing litigation between Stromfeld and the corporation that is a result of last year’s elections, a willingness to enter into negotiations for a three-year contract with Golf Pro Bob Guido, the frequency of board meetings, the code of conduct resolution, changing or remaining with the same board president, downgrading Country Club memberships, mailing a copy of the bylaws to all shareholders, feelings on having a recount in the case of another close election and sending contracts out for bidding.
The Annual Shareholder’s Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Towers Cinema.
