Crop Sharing

On July 10th I informed the Property Manager that the tall, unkempt grass in a certain common area must be mowed, that Ottawa was experiencing a Level 1 drought (now Level 2) and that the fire hazard was too great.  I stated that members have not volunteered to keep this previously beautifully landscape common area mowed, so the co-op should pay to have this done.  The co-op's insurance company would deem this to be negligence on the part of the co-op should there be a fire.  The co-op has an obligation to keep the common grounds maintained as Per By-law 21, 4 ii) a) and doing so would also enhance the visual aspect of the co-op.

I asked that my email be forwarded to the Board of Directors.

The property manager responded a few days later saying that a volunteer had stepped up to mow these common areas, so therefore she would not hire someone to mow the grass. And then she proceeded to thank me for the information I provided.  

That was fifteen days ago and the long, tall grass is - well - getting taller! 

Perhaps the co-op should consider having goats graze in the common areas and in some back yards.  The goats could be shared amongst other co-ops and our volunteers could become goat herders.  It's always good to think creatively - that way our democratic right to speak up, not only gets heard, but also gets channeled into something useful.