Keep Out!

A few years ago I heard that the co-op had affixed 'No Trespassing' signs on the shared fences with our neighbours. There was a slight problem though; I had to trespass on their property in order to read our 'Keep Out' signs. Slight embarrassment, to say the least. Then, before my very eyes, a huge wooden sign warning trespassing violators of consequences, was erected at the entrance to our co-op. My first thought was how much money did this cost the co-op? My second thought was that it was a colossal waste of money. AND then I finally got it! The signs weren't meant to keep people out - they were meant to keep us IN. You see we're different. We pay Housing Charges, Not Rent. We are Members, Not People. We pay Member Loans, Not Last Month's Rent and we have RULES!

I'm so happy that our neighbours let us IN. I, and many of us, trespass to go to the shopping centre, we trespass to take a short cut to catch a city bus and we trespass to walk children to school. The only thing we have to do is remind our neighbours from time to time to shovel their walkways as trekking this time of year is a bit treacherous and to clean up their garbage in the summertime as it is a nuisance beneath our feet.