The eight individuals, including three incumbents, running for the four open seats on the North Shore Towers Board of Directors were given the opportunity to address shareholders during the “Meet the Candidates” night on Wednesday, May 27.
Towers attorney Errol Brett, who moderated the meeting, opened it by going over some election procedures. He said that shareholders would, within the next few days following the meeting, be receiving a notice of the annual meeting and a ballot/proxy from the American Arbitration Association.
To vote, Brett said residents can mail their ballots back the American Arbitration Association, place them in the ballot box located in each lobby or vote on the night of the annual meeting.
The Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17 in the Towers Cinema.
Each of the eight candidates was given five minutes to speak. They spoke in order of the way their names were pulled from the ballot box.
Following the speeches, shareholders were given the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.
Here is what the candidates had to say:
Ellis Roeder
Ellis Roeder began by discussing his “plan to raise depressed property values.”
This plan involves installing a shared car system at the Towers and using the courtesy bus to drop residents off at the LIRR station once a day. He explained that colleges, universities and private businesses are already using the car sharing service Zipcars. He said that each Zipcar “is considered to have removed 15 to 20 cars from the streets,” which cuts down on pollution and congestion.
Roeder said that the total operating costs of Zipcars, including gas, insurance and maintenance, is $50 to $250 a month. He also said they could be rented on an hourly basis.
“With these two systems up and running, we will be able to advertise that you do not have to own a car to live at NST and enjoy the best lifestyle available on Long Island,” he said.
Roeder also said that movie trailers should be aired before all movies in the Towers Cinema to show the benefits of North Shore Towers.
In detailing some of his past experiences, Roeder said that he was one of the people who turned around Long Beach in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he spent three years working with the asset recovery section of Dime Savings Bank and was able to keep it from being taken over by regulators.
Also, Roeder said that he has a letter from the president of Century 21 International that was written to him that said, in 1989, he had an office ranked in the top two percent for closed business. At that time, Century 21 had more than 7,200 offices worldwide.
“I know how to sell real estate, especially troubled real estate,” Roeder said. “With your vote of confidence and the cooperation of the Board, I will restore our property values.”
Martin Mitchell
Martin Mitchell, a full-time resident, has lived at the Towers for almost two years. He said that he also owns a home in Putnam County that he goes to for weekends during nice weather, and noted that he is also an active member of that community, serving on a committee and association.
Mitchell, who is currently the managing director of Certified Laboratories, is a food scientist who acquired a company with three locations in the United States and more than 150 employees. He said that, as a scientist and entrepreneur, everything he does is in a search for excellence and that he uses the scientific process to address problems.
“I’m a new resident, but I feel that my life and business experience can bring value to the Board,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said that he would be able to bring a new eye to the Board of Directors and ask new questions to lead to positive change.
“My business experience coupled with my many years of industry association leadership will enable me to bring a consensus, allowing us to achieve the goals of share value increases while maintaining a friendly, which is not always true here, and welcoming environment,” Mitchell said. “I’m looking to bring my skills and unique talents to a place my wife and I now call home.”
In detailing some of his other qualifications, Mitchell said he has a background in long-term planning, has proven leadership success and is an expert in maintaining and increasing stockholder equity.
Also, Mitchell said that, as a baby boomer, he understands the generations’ needs and how to attract them to North Shore Towers.
To close his speech, Mitchell promised to bring a new eye to the North Shore Towers Board of Directors governance that he would ask questions, which would lead to positive improvements.
Dianne Stromfeld
Dianne Stromfeld first thanked neighbors who supported her during her “quest to make the elections fair and democratic,” noting that the Board has guaranteed to have an automatic recount in the case of a close election.
Stromfeld is a 20-year, full-time resident of the Towers. She has had a long career in real estate that has included owning offices and a school. She has done consulting work for major real estate companies, written books and online courses, and is still involved with research, writing and teaching.
During the last 10 years, Stromfeld said that she has spoken out about allowing outside golf members. She said that although for many years it had been said it was not possible to do so, it is now being done on a trial basis, and she is willing to help the Tennis Association if they feel a similar program would be beneficial.
A former Board member and chair of the Public Relations Committee, Stromfeld highlighted accomplishments such as having a one-year free golf membership for new residents, forming clubs, reinstituting the welcome party for new residents, and creating a video to show during outside golf outings.
Stromfeld said she would like to reinstate current events discussions and is working to see if there is a way to make reverse mortgages “doable” for residents. She also said a meeting should be held with realtors Annette Kroll and Linda Rappaport to look at screening criteria and see if there is a way to make it easier for younger buyers to qualify.
Also, Stromfeld said contracts, such as management and in-house counsel, should be re-evaluated, a committee should be created to research state and federal grants, the Board should have at least four open meetings a year, and each committee should have an open meeting once a year.
John DiLavore
John DiLavore said that, in 1951, he was employed by his family’s contracting business producing women’s dresses. He started his own contracting manufacturing business about 13 years later.
From 1976 to 1978, he was a research analyst for a New York State Assemblymember, then went on to be an administrative assistant for the chair of the New York State Crime Victims Board from 1978 to 1982. From 1985 to 1988, he worked for the Suffolk County Department of Social Services.
DiLavore worked with the Association for Health of Retarded Children from 1989 to 1992, was the driver recruitment analyst for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles from 1992 to 1995 and was the director of the Red Light Camera Safety Program from 1999 to 2004.
He has a degree from Adelphi University, where he majored in management communications and social science.
“This is my home and my community, and I have many friends here,” he said. “It is for these reasons that I not only want to preserve the magnificent lifestyle that we have enjoyed here for many years but to make it an even more outstanding facility.”
DiLavore said that he thinks wind turbine and solar panels would be a cost-effective measure for North Shore Towers to take and that it could contribute to considerable fuel cost savings. About three months ago, he joined the Alternative Energy Resource Committee at the Towers. As a member he has contacted manufacturers and collected data.
DiLavore said that federal, state and city grants will be an important part of the process when looking at alternative energy sources.
Another issue that DiLavore mentioned was that of technology to prevent electrical fires in homes.
“I will seriously consider addressing any problems that anyone believes impacts…us as a community,” he said.
Phyllis Goldstein
Incumbent Phyllis Goldstein has been a resident of the Towers since 1975. She said that she has seen many changes and is proud to have been a part of some of those changes.
Goldstein was first elected to serve a two-year term in 2001. During that time, she chaired the enhancement committee, which renovated the courtyard, and chaired the committee that amended the proprietary lease to require every new resident to be a mandatory country club member.
She was elected again in 2007. During that term, Goldstein said a promise of creating a new web site to attract a diverse population was delivered on. She also noted that the web site is used by residents to obtain important information.
Also, Goldstein said new photos were taken, a slide show has been created, the Towers is on Youtube and Wikipedia, and the web site has been optimized for search engines.
Goldstein also chaired the committee to extend the length of the proprietary lease. She has also chaired the Screening Committee for the last two years and said that the interview process has been made friendlier and more relaxed.
Goldstein said that the cooperative is receiving more money because the sublet fee has been increased and sublet tenants are also required to be mandatory club members.
During her speech, Goldstein said that it takes more than one person to accomplish things and that it was a team effort. She said she is fortunate that when she has asked for help, people have come to work with her. She also said she uses a team approach in the Board room.
“This is our home, and I’ve made a difference,” she said of why she wants to serve on the Board. “I want to continue to do so, and, with your vote, I will.”
Murray Lewinter
Murray Lewinter, also an incumbent, has served on the Board for the last five years, during which time he has chaired the Political Action Committee.
“As chair, I was able to invite and bring to North Shore Towers a number of our elected public officials,” he said.
Among them have been Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Comptroller William Thompson, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Congressmembers Gary Ackerman and Anthony Weiner, Senator Frank Padavan, Assemblymembers Mark Weprin and Ann Margaret Carrozza, Councilmember David Weprin, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
“This effort of involving ourselves in the affairs of the city, state and national levels has been successful and must continue if we are to maintain our position as a group of citizens who merit and deserve the respect and attention of our elected officials,” Lewinter said.
Lewinter said that a practical reason behind this is that the Towers may need the help of these individuals at different times. He pointed out that, already, bills have been introduced and passed that have provided North Shore Towers with needed assistance.
In the future, Lewinter said that he is working on getting a senior representative of the Department of Homeland Security to come speak at the Towers. He hopes to make an announcement by the fall of this year.
Last year, Lewinter said that, along with other Board members, he helped raise awareness of the need and availability of on-site voter registration materials.
Because of his background in government and public service, Lewinter said that he knows how to make the voice of the residents heard on the issues.
“Please remember, my interests are your interests, my goals are your goals, and my actions will only be those of which you would approve and be proud,” Lewinter said.
Martin Fladell
Martin Fladell has been a full-time resident of North Shore Towers for 28 years and said that he has “a strong passion” for the Towers.
Fladell served on the Board from 2004 to 2006 and was responsible for shareholder activities and services. He was also the president of Gem Caters, which included the El Patio Beach Club and Sands Beach Club. He was responsible for managing the facilities and for the approximately 400 employees.
“My vast business experience has provided me with a wealth of knowledge that very much parallels the facilities at North Shore Towers and qualify me to being a member of your Board of Directors,” he said.
Fladell spoke about several things he tried to accomplish while a Board member. They were lifting courtyard seating restrictions, suggesting raising the amount of the flip tax and increasing golf membership by allowing family and friends to join.
Although his suggestions were defeated at the time, for reasons he said included a Board member not wanting to hurt their chances of re-election and one not wanting outside golfers to interfere with their playing time, he noted that these suggestions are all now in place.
“If elected, I promise to be fiscally responsible and diligent in being cost efficient in an effort to keep maintenance from escalating and avoiding any more assessments,” he said.
Fladell said that the image of North Shore Towers needs to be maintained by successfully competing with new communities. He also said that the beautification of the property process must be continued.
As a Board member previously, Fladell said that he was always available to listen to questions and concerns and was responsive. He promised intelligence and truth-seeking discussions during Board deliberations.
“I will be your voice on the Board,” Fladell said. “I respectfully ask for your vote.”
Bob Ricken
Incumbent Bob Ricken began by talking about some of the issues he wanted to address when he was first elected President of the Board of Directors. One of these issues was increasing transparency and keeping residents more informed. This involved writing monthly columns for the newspapers, writing a detailed review of what happened at Board meetings, discussing all letters from residents at Board meetings, and responding to e-mails within a day or two.
Ricken also spoke about his time as the former treasurer of the cooperative.
“In that position, the Board was able to increase our reserve funds and make us an economically secure cooperative in this market where other co-ops are increasing maintenance as much as 12 percent,” he said. “I give you my personal pledge that we will continue to maintain adequate reserves to address the needs of our 30-year-old facility.”
Ricken also said that issues have been handled in a more timely fashion. For instance, concerns that were dealt with this year, although they were brought up earlier, included having sponsored golf membership to assist with membership declines, requiring all rents to become mandatory club members and address garage leaks.
“I use these three examples to demonstrate that a great deal was accomplished because I believe leadership is an action word,” said Ricken, who described his leadership style as “warm, fuzzy with teeth.”
Ricken said that Board members need to understand how to collaborate and function as a team, and that contributions from owners are invaluable, and their suggestions will always be listened to. He said that hurting the image of North Shore Towers should never be tolerated.
“There is much to be done during the next few years,” Ricken said. “I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to continue to serve all of the residents of North Shore Towers.”
