We Know What's Best - GODDAMMIT!

Notice from Office:

OUR CONTRACTOR, _____, HAS COMMENCED WATER HEATER REPLACEMENTS AND HAS ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES WITH MEMBERS INDICATING THEY WERE NOT AWARE THIS WAS OCCURRING AND QUESTIONING THE REASONING BEHIND THE BOARD'S DECISION TO IMPLEMENT SAME.

INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER OF PROPOSAL WHICH WAS FULLY AND CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY YOUR BOARD IN MAKING THIS DECISION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE CO-OP AND MEMBERS.

The housing co-operative has never had anything to do with members' water heaters since the inception of this co-op. The contract is between the members and Enbridge Gas and now Direct Energy. If one were to encounter water leakage, or rusty water from their tank, they'd call Enbridge or Direct Energy and have their water heater replaced - for free. No records have ever been kept by the co-op with regards to the replacement of these water heaters.

Dozens of water heaters have been changed in this co-op, some as recently as last month. Ours was changed two years ago and then the unit sat empty for over a year. The competitor company which has garnered the contract with our co-op has vouched that they will return members' current hot water tanks to Direct Energy. Really? How environmentally friendly is it to remove a water heater with the same EnerGuide rating as the one this company is installing and what is really happening with the tanks they're removing?

The co-op has not provided a detailed schedule to the members for water heater replacement and seeing that the co-op has also provided keys to these contractors, they can enter units willy-nilly. Some members have large dogs and this poses a danger to the contractors. Conversely, with the doors left wide open to allow for passage of these water heaters, family pets will be let loose. Members have not been consulted about the bulk removal of our water heaters, nor have they been shown any respect or consideration as to the process involved.

This sudden 'caring' on the part of the co-op management for its members' well-being is rather suspicious. For the most part correspondence with the office is rarely acknowledged, work order repairs in units are non-existent, if you are locked out, or have a flood in your basement, you are on your own. So why now? Is the co-op getting a kickback from the company, or a tax credit of some kind? The co-op is forcing members to sign up with a contractor not of their choice and any benefit accruing from same will not go to the members.

We have said 'NO' to having our hot water heater replaced and BRAVO to other members who are also speaking up.