Saturday, May 4, 2013
YESTERDAY
The roads were swept yesterday in the most amateur of fashion. Water was not sprayed on the roads to dampen down the dust, instead billowing clouds of street dust clogged and lingered in the air. Hopefully, people who were not home during the daytime, hadn't left their windows open.
One would tend to think that cleaning the streets was the main objective, but it wasn't. The main objective was to have certain parked cars towed purportedly to allow for proper road cleaning. And what fun it was. Board members came out of the woodwork to watch the drama unfold. The City's parking by-law officer was in attendance, a special tow truck was assigned to do the hauling and who orchestrated the fiasco - none other than the Property Manager. What a glorious opportunity it was to be seen and in control.
The crowning glory, however, for our Property Manager was yet to come. The piece de resistance came late afternoon when three members including myself received WITHOUT PREJUDICE warning letters for our very abusive behaviour towards our Property Manager. I was accused of calling her an offensive name, not to her face, however, but to a member of the Board of Directors. Oh yes, apparently I also had the audacity to claim that this co-op is a very crooked place. I had actually used the word 'corrupt'. This is my reply to that letter:
To: The Board of Directors
(Co-op)
I am in receipt of your letter dated May 3, 2013 indicating that there had been an incident between myself and [Board member]. That is incorrect. I was called over by [another member] and it was she I was talking to.
I do find it very strange indeed that the Property Manager, can be abusive as she wants to be with members, but members are not permitted to air their dissatisfaction regarding [her] tactics and favouritism shown in this co-op in a democratic institution.
Three members received these almost identical letters today. Perhaps the co-op should pull itself up by its bootstraps and take note of how this co-op is being run and by whom.
Members are taking note of the conglomeration of Board members and friends partying in front of Unit [xx] - day and night - including drinking alcoholic beverages. [Property Manager] is often seen at these gatherings going in and out of Unit [xx], during work hours and at off duty hours.
A Notice of Hearing is a prelude to an eviction. I am soon going to be 67 years old. I am the intended evictee. My husband is not slated for eviction, but alas, I am his caregiver. This would be a very serious undertaking by the co-op.
KINDLY GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY.
Sincerely,
And that's the kind of day it was ...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I could shrug and say, "same old, same old."
ReplyDeleteI could express my outrage as to how other Members of the Co-op allow such behaviour by your Board and Manager to continue without repercussions.
I could ask why at your stage of life you even bother with this shit.
Then again, I know the answers to these and related questions. That's because they happen at my Co-op and likely the vast majority of housing co-ops too. And sometimes, you can't help yourself by speaking out, even if largely falls on deaf ears.
One thing tho I've learned is that Property Managers and directors, despite their illusions of self-importance, authority, total arbiters of everything at their Co-ops, and attempts at intimidation, do not like it when people actually stand up to them.
Essentially, they are bullies --- and everyone knows how you handle bullies.
That's usually when they find what shaky ground they're on. It doesn't matter all that much whether it's a one-on-one battle as it usually is. I've said many times before if you want to beat these clowns, don't expect help from other Members. Nice if you can get it, but all the efforts at gaining meaningful support are usually wasted.
Now, would it make a difference if a BOD/PM vs."problem child Member" (like you or I) became public around the Co-op if we were to prevail? Would that then make other Members willing to speak out and demand changes? Personally, I'd like to think it would. The cynic in me and my experiences here tho tell me otherwise. I do reserve the right tho to be surprised.
Way things are going around here on different fronts tells me there'll be showdowns of one kind or another. It will involve me somehow but I'm patiently biding my time and waiting for the right moment. I'm also keeping track of just how far they're digging their own graves.
I may post more on subject later.
Guess what? Remember the name of the law firm you mentioned in your comment to my Sweet & Sour blog post - Quinn Thiele Mineault? Well, the BOD have switched lawyers and are now using this law firm. They sure know how to glean information to dance the dance.
ReplyDeleteOooh, that ain't good news.
ReplyDeleteI did notice before that their website claims they represent both sides of landlord/tenant battles. Guess that means any Member at your Co-op can't use them (even in future) because it'd be conflict of interest. Not surprising in some ways as there's no money in it for them representing average Co-op Member. Hope their representation doesn't spread to other co-ops. 'Tis a pity. Thiele was known as advocate for tenants in past.