Co-opcracy

A committee of our Members of Parliament have concluded that the Conservative Government is in contempt for not producing documents requested by the Opposition. This finding could lead to a vote of non confidence later this week.

Housing co-operatives are governed by the same principles as our Parliament, with a Board of Directors elected by the Members. The current jargon used by our Office Co-ordinator (in rare updates) are the terms 'transparency' and 'accountability'. We are being told that our co-op excels in these areas. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Our Office Co-ordinator has apparently been on vacation since around the 10th of March, due back tomorrow - Wednesday (leaving again early Thursday afternoon because she doesn't work on Fridays). I know this because I read a note taped on the door of the office building. Members did not receive individual notification that she was on vacation. The note indicated that if problems were to arise, members could get in touch with two Board members. This in itself could result in very unpleasant circumstances, such as being told where to go.

The co-op is extremely trashy looking - tires piled up outside units, trailers filled with junk in member's driveways, cars doubled or tripled parked on grass - the list is endless. This place has become 'tough' with a gang-like atmosphere. But that's alright with the Board of Directors, because they're filling units. I never thought that I'd ever say this, but I am embarrassed to live here.

Members complain to each other about their request for repairs being ignored, not being able to get in touch with the Office Co-ordinator, not receiving updates from the Office and having no where to turn to.

This is what we live with - a perverted twist of 'Democracy' spelled with a capital 'C'.

Japan

We are one world - interconnected with one another. We hold our breath hoping that Japan is not going to face a nuclear disaster, in addition to the devastating earthquake and Tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan.

Betwixt and Between

The Conundrum

On this wet, blustery and snowy weekend, I'd love to hunker down in a place we could call 'home'. Home is where you feel comfortable, where you know every nook and cranny and allow the walls to envelope and embrace you. A fireplace would be nice, as well as a gorgeous view of the ocean, or a lake. Add to that a project and I'd be all set.

I tried that this weekend, minus the fireplace and the ocean and so far, my quilting project hasn't been going so well. But the thing that kept nagging me was the co-op. The darn co-op! What would it be like to not be affected by where I live?

I'd rather not be reminded of All Members Meetings, or be beholden to the co-op in any way. On the other hand to protect ourselves, it is necessary to attend at least some of these meetings to keep abreast of what is transpiring in the co-op.

Spring will soon be upon us. People we haven't seen all winter will be coming out of hibernation. One upside of gossip in the co-op is that it can be our source of news. On the other hand, it can exacerbate anxiety with the resultant effect of keeping one inside their unit.

Should We Stay, or Should We Go?

We're so used to co-op living - that is all that we've known since living in rent-geared-to-income housing. We feel closely connected to where we live - grassroots so to speak. It would feel strange paying rent to a landlord, but in a way, that is what the co-op has become. We do have unit upgrades, which I'm sure is a tad better than in city run non-profit housing and we're not infested to my knowledge with cockroaches and other vermin. There used to be a comfort zone living in a co-op - a certain 'ownership'. That feeling of belonging is no more. Should we apply to city run non-profit housing? We are contemplating just that. That would be a sad commentary on co-op living.