On Sunday, February 6th, 2000, the Federation of New York Housing Cooperatives (FNYHC) held its long running seminar and trade show at Queens College. Every aspect of the building industry from suppliers, service and professional exhibitors was represented.
The first of the morning seminars opened with such topical subjects as corporate documents to the developing saga of discrimination. After a break, the participants visited the exhibition booths and then the midmorning seminars were held. Updates on federal legislation and regulations and the first of the very popular "ask the attorney round table" were presented. After the participants received a head full of information, it was time to visit the vendors and then lunch.
FNYHC President Greg Carlson welcomed all to lunch and expressed his thanks to his fellow board members and acknowledged each of the directors: Al Volpe, Dolores Goidel, Mona Shyman, Harvey Rubin and Al Pennisi. Greg also thanked Eva Rappaport for continuing as Executive Director and keeping the momentum of the Federation going. He also thanked the exhibitors who make the show possible and the seminar panelists. In attendance was Doug Kleine, Executive Director for the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC), who spoke about the importance of belonging to a national association.
Mr. Carlson gave a short speech noting some of the highlights of the previous year, including updates on lead paint, property tax and sub metering of electric and the "Federation web site" (fnyhc.org).
The Federation President remained at the podium to present the "Charles Rappaport, Director Of The Year" award. This prestigious honor is given as a memorial to the late Charles Rappaport, long acknowledged as a cooperative leader in New York City. This year a tie resulted in two recipients. The first Cooperative director to receive the honor was John J. Grimes, President of Dorie Miller Housing Co., Inc. Mr. Carlson spoke of the great accomplishments, both financially and community wise, John has brought to his property.
The other Cooperative director to receive this honor was Pearl Margolis, President of Georgetown Mews Owners Corp. Mr. Carlson spoke about saving the sprawling, 930-unit complex from going under during the sponsor's default. Pearl took the brass ring and through her negotiating skills, scaled down the underlying mortgage, paid late fees of over $1,200,000 and caught up with the late payments to vendors. Pearl became a boiler expert and despite the recommendation to put in a new boiler, repaired the old boiler saving the cooperative over $1,000,000. And it's still running- that was seven years ago! All this and more with no maintenance increase in over 13 years. Mary Dubois of Brulene Cooperatives Apartments Inc. was given a certificate of appreciation for her many skills and know how acting as First Vice-President for the cooperative.
Assemblyman Mark Weprin, also addressed the luncheon crowd. He spoke of the need for continuing contributions to finish up the work on fairness of property taxes. "The road that Charles Rappaport paved must not be forgotten. The Federation will be driven on, in the memory of the ideals of Charlie", echoed Mr. Carlson. He then reminded the Federation's members, Board and guests, of Eva Rappaport's great efforts for the Federation.