For Your Enlightenment

The other day we received a newsletter of sorts. It brandished the name of our old propagandized newsletter and it was signed by The Editor. No one knows who The Editor is, but our Office Co-ordinator has written the newsletters over the past year or so, referring to herself in the third person, praising her accomplishments and saying how hard she works. The newsletter says that we should not 'harass' the Office Co-ordinator; that if we are not satisfied with the goings-on in the co-op, that we should drop a note at the office so that the Board could 'consider the matter and reply'.

Now this sounds all very nice and cozy, but the problem is that the Office Co-ordinator rarely, if ever, takes member's concerns to the Board. The co-op's voice mail is always full. The Office Co-ordinator said that this was caused by a new telephone system. This 'problem' in fact has been going on for two years! Last summer she disappeared for two months. Members didn't know where to turn, so I wrote a blog entitled 'Ten Tips for Survival' to help guide members. The question asked most often amongst members in our co-op is, 'Is she in today?'

The newsletter states that we'll have yet another 'expert' to contend with - a person who's going to 'spend a few hours every two-four weeks to ensure the books are in order.' A third party may be called upon to do unit inspections. This in itself is an improvement as our Office Co-ordinator did 5-minute walk throughs at the best of times and has been renting out 'As Is' units which are in deplorable states of disrepair.

This newsletter paints a very rosy picture of just how this Office Co-ordinator and the Board have turned things around in this co-op. On the ground level, however, we see the stark reality. Units are being rented out to pretty well anyone who will take them, the place is unkempt, groups of drug dealers hanging out at night, people swearing at length at their children. It looks and feels like a ghetto.

The newsletter praises the consistency with which the Office Co-ordinator abides by our Operating Agreement. The only thing consistent is her lack of consistency in managing this co-op. 'Transparency' is also high on the list of accomplishments. It is a veil so thin that it can make the unbelievable - believable - to the credit of the Office Co-ordinator, of course.

The Office Co-ordinator is going on vacation again, not on Monday, but on Tuesday. Monday might be her letter writing day. If so, who will receive her parting shots?