River View Towers is a Community – Not Gossip Girl

by Brittny K.

River View Towers cooperators were recently “gifted” with a cryptic document in our mailboxes that demanded transparency, accountability and open communication from the Co-op Board.  Many shareholders are somewhat oblivious to the inner workings of the Board, yet we experience the effects of their decisions; so the letter could have been a catalyst for us to wake up and get more involved with management and the Board. Unfortunately, the message to motivate was eclipsed by petty personal gossip about our neighbors.

I’ve only been a resident of RVT for a little over seven years, but in that short timeframe, my fellow co-operators and I have undergone three office management turnovers, a massive capital improvements headache project, a rotating door of maintenance staff, and roughly 2500 new security guards.  And I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a special shout out to my steady maintenance increases.   As is evident by the state of our country, change and uncertainty are inevitable; so in times like this, we typically look to strong leadership to hold us down.  The Board is RVT’s leadership, but their governance seems to be weakened by constant conflict, shrouds of secrecy, antiquated solutions and lack of communication.

While I am not familiar with all nine members of the Board (their names and positions are posted in the management office, mail area, laundry room, and west side elevator lobby), I recognize and appreciate the major responsibility they voluntarily assume as the decision makers / liaisons of a 385 unit building.  Up until a few months ago, there were monthly except July and August open board meetings where shareholders were invited, in the top half, to express building concerns with the Co-op Board.  The meetings were then closed to the masses, and minutes were later publicly disseminated via management for shareholders to review.  As shareholders, the very least we should do is skim these notes to have a basic understanding of some of the building issues the Board has to grapple with.  Surely that would mitigate some of the “shock and awe” we express when the building is burdened with another hardship.  RVT had the first open meeting since May 2025 on October 20, 2025.

Mitchell-Lama is a withering housing program in New York; however, we, who live in Mitchell-Lama should be its most vocal advocates for more funding and visibility.  The current political climate very much favors private real estate, funding cutbacks for the poor and working class, and eminent domain from entities like Columbia University.  A field report outlining several building violations was recently posted in the laundry room — and it was more alarming than anything I’ve seen this spooky season.  Management and the Co-op Board have major problems to solve, and the solution cannot lie in repeatedly surcharging shareholders; or exposing the personal business of our neighbors.

The call for transparency does not mean publicly shaming people for their personal choices.  Those matters should be handled privately amongst the necessary parties involved, management, and/or the Board.  Since shareholders cannot and should not be privy to all of the building’s operations, shareholders should be able to trust that the Board is working in the best interests of RVT.  Instead it seems that some members are using their status to enact individual retaliatory attacks.  Others, possibly frustrated by chaos and their workload, make careless decisions that feel inconsiderate of their fellow co-operators.

There is a disconnect between RVT shareholders and the Board; and both sides need to take action to bridge the gap.  Governing thousands of shareholders, while tremendously stressful, is a necessary and impactful  responsibility that must be taken seriously.  Also, shareholders should not take the Board’s presence for granted, only acknowledging them when something goes awry. Perhaps this relationship could be improved if the Board was a little less elusive about their processes and timelines, then shareholders wouldn’t feel left in the dark until a major meltdown.  Shareholders also need to get more involved.  There are regular board elections.  The same people run and we get the same results because new people don’t join.  Part of that apprehension stems from the noticeable drama in the current administration.  But, mostly, co-operators have lives, and being a board member is very demanding and time consuming.  However, it’s also a valuable educational experience that’s worth exploring.  

If joining the co-op board is not a match for you, you still have responsibilities as a shareholder to maintain Riverview Towers as an “affordable” home ownership option under the Mitchell-Lama program.  Take time to review the bylaws to understand basic house rules and your rights as a co-operator.  Keep an eye out for – and alert the board about potential city building grants (free money) to put toward RVT.  Write your local elected officials about protecting RVT and Mitchell-Lamas.  Your voice matters—join in, attend meetings, and be part of the decisions that affect our building’s future.