I knew it I had to go out and get a job---any job---when I couldn’t qualify for CEDA utility assistance.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the program---and frankly I wasn’t until recently----CEDA administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program pays a month’s worth of utility bills for individuals.
The trick is to qualify for the program.
One of my former co-workers told me about CEDC in a recent conversation. She applied and they paid her utility bills so she thought I should give it a shot.
The big difference in our lives is that she has a child and that I don’t.
You would think that this wouldn’t make a difference but according to “the guidelines” because I have no children my unemployment means that I make way too much money.
Yes, you read that correctly.
My unemployment---which has since ended by the way----that piddly $654 bi-weekly check meant that I made too much money.
Are you fucking kidding me?
A single person who makes a touch over $13,500 can’t qualify for almost any type of assistance.
That’s when I felt like a Detroit auto worker from the 80’s.
The funny thing is that for those of us who lived through that time, mistakenly thought that if we kept out of trouble and worked hard we wouldn’t be caught in a changing economy.
We weren’t like our some of our parents and grandparents, we went to college. We learned how to play the game.
Apparently that wasn’t (and isn’t) the case.
So to quote the film---Hi ho, Hi ho, it’s off to work I go.
Poof! I’m a server.
Talk about reinventing yourself.
Since I’ve started training and actually picking up shifts as a server (waitress) I wanted to take a few moments to let you all in on a few secrets:
Those Hyde Parkers/U of C people aren’t so bad after all. In fact, quite a few have helped a sister stack her paper.
If you come in with a group, run me ragged and then insist on splitting the check 15 different ways I won’t like you. And yes, I expect an additional tip on top of the 18% gratuity that’s added onto the check for large groups. Motherfuckers.
I so love the people who serve me at my regular watering holes. I always prided myself on being a good patron but now I truly understand their pain.
Speaking of pain, my feet feel like they don’t belong to me.
You have no idea how extremely tired I am. But I will build a bridge and get over myself.
Things will get better I’ll revisit this and write about my serving life in a few weeks. While I rarely wrote about my past employers, it might be a little different with this one.
But as you can assume, slinging drinks and food on the south side is a blog within itself. There are so many stories just begging to be told.
I’m just not sure if I’m the one to tell them at this point.
I won’t tell you where I work but if you find me and ask me if I’m the Woodlawn Wonder, I won’t lie to you.
Naturally, you’ll leave a big fat tip, right?
Speaking of people who have a story to tell and live on the south side, let me reintroduce you to the lovely Erin of Puffthechuff.wordpress.com.
She and a group of my west Woodlawn dwelling neighbors met out for drinks a few months ago and while we haven’t seen each other since, we continue to cyber stalk each other.
Her blog is quite funny and the tale of how she met her husband (Portly Jew indeed) is a modern Chicago love story.
BTW, she wants a baby and just turned 26. These are just a few facinating things you'll find out about Erin via her blog.
26? Isn't she still a damn baby herself?
She's a ballsy, stand up broad and despite the fact I barely know her I like the cut of her gib.
Sit down and stay awhile at her blog. I’m sure she’d like to see you.
Just don’t continuously ask to borrow things.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to bed to catch up on my sleep.
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
West Side meets East Side
Right before Christmas I had the pleasure of meeting a few of my neighbors who live in the western part of Woodlawn.
They found me via this blog and after a few e-mails back and forth we decided to meet.
The young woman who had initially contacted me also said that a few of her neighbors were going to tag along for kicks.
“No worries.” I said but strongly suspected that they wanted to make sure I wasn’t a freak show. Perhaps they thought there was greater safety in numbers.
Or maybe they were all curious to see the woman behind the curtain.
Either way we finally set a date and time to meet at one of my regular watering holes.
I met three ladies and one gentleman who seemed to be a bit taken aback yet utterly fascinated with the environment around them. So much so, that I wasn’t sure at the beginning they were listening to me after we made our introductions.
Silly me---I should of given them a head’s up to the type of place where we were meeting.
I tend to forget that not everybody may be used to a place that sells $20 martinis.
The crowd this type of place tends to attract is a bit “different” than the crowd you may get at your local corner bar.
While it makes for great people watching, to the uninitiated I can see how it can be a bit intimidating.
I personally could give a flying fig but it is interesting to know that at the end of the day the person sitting next to you could be your friendly neighborhood billionaire.
Well not exactly my friendly neighborhood billionaire but your get my sentiment.
Nonetheless, my neighbors all happened to be white and three out of the four graduated from either the University of Chicago undergrad or Law School.
Talking with them, their concerns about Woodlawn seemed to echo most of the themes that I’ve written about in the past. But because they live west of me and in the 20th ward, they had additional issues that don’t figure into my day-to-day living.
Since I have the school across the street as a neighbor, the amount of apartment buildings has been severely reduced in my neck of the woods.
My west Woodlawn living neighbors aren’t so lucky.
In their opinion, some nearby apartment buildings are poorly managed and seem to be havens for crime and quality of life issues in their immediate neighborhood.
I was told of blatant drug dealing & usage, shootings, and a near riot last summer.
You know I’m schlepping over there during the summer to enjoy cocktails on the porch and watch the crack heads and civil unrest.
It’ll remind me of Uptown back in the day.
Aside from our commonalities, my neighbors wove a fascinating tale of what it’s like to be white in Woodlawn.
While I write about the few white people that I know who live on the south side, the stories have more of a humorous slant.
And what’s not funny about a fish out of water tale?
Urban ills aside, my neighbors like their community and seem fully committed to remaining long-term residents. Yet what I found interesting is not the reactions they received from black people but the reactions that they receive from other white people.
The University of Chicago Law School grad works at a large downtown firm and routinely gets questions on why she lives on the south side.
After all she graduated law school and has a good job, why on earth would she choose to stay in Woodlawn?
While no one said it, I’m sure that quite a few of their families were (and are) a tad concerned when they decided to put down roots south of the University of Chicago.
And I’m sure the recent high profile shooting scant blocks from their home didn’t help perceptions either.
But my west Woodlawn dwelling neighbors seem to take it all in stride.
They remain active in their community, attend public meetings, strive to improve the quality of their community and continue to keep their fingers crossed for a dog park.
Next time we meet they can pick the bar.
They found me via this blog and after a few e-mails back and forth we decided to meet.
The young woman who had initially contacted me also said that a few of her neighbors were going to tag along for kicks.
“No worries.” I said but strongly suspected that they wanted to make sure I wasn’t a freak show. Perhaps they thought there was greater safety in numbers.
Or maybe they were all curious to see the woman behind the curtain.
Either way we finally set a date and time to meet at one of my regular watering holes.
I met three ladies and one gentleman who seemed to be a bit taken aback yet utterly fascinated with the environment around them. So much so, that I wasn’t sure at the beginning they were listening to me after we made our introductions.
Silly me---I should of given them a head’s up to the type of place where we were meeting.
I tend to forget that not everybody may be used to a place that sells $20 martinis.
The crowd this type of place tends to attract is a bit “different” than the crowd you may get at your local corner bar.
While it makes for great people watching, to the uninitiated I can see how it can be a bit intimidating.
I personally could give a flying fig but it is interesting to know that at the end of the day the person sitting next to you could be your friendly neighborhood billionaire.
Well not exactly my friendly neighborhood billionaire but your get my sentiment.
Nonetheless, my neighbors all happened to be white and three out of the four graduated from either the University of Chicago undergrad or Law School.
Talking with them, their concerns about Woodlawn seemed to echo most of the themes that I’ve written about in the past. But because they live west of me and in the 20th ward, they had additional issues that don’t figure into my day-to-day living.
Since I have the school across the street as a neighbor, the amount of apartment buildings has been severely reduced in my neck of the woods.
My west Woodlawn living neighbors aren’t so lucky.
In their opinion, some nearby apartment buildings are poorly managed and seem to be havens for crime and quality of life issues in their immediate neighborhood.
I was told of blatant drug dealing & usage, shootings, and a near riot last summer.
You know I’m schlepping over there during the summer to enjoy cocktails on the porch and watch the crack heads and civil unrest.
It’ll remind me of Uptown back in the day.
Aside from our commonalities, my neighbors wove a fascinating tale of what it’s like to be white in Woodlawn.
While I write about the few white people that I know who live on the south side, the stories have more of a humorous slant.
And what’s not funny about a fish out of water tale?
Urban ills aside, my neighbors like their community and seem fully committed to remaining long-term residents. Yet what I found interesting is not the reactions they received from black people but the reactions that they receive from other white people.
The University of Chicago Law School grad works at a large downtown firm and routinely gets questions on why she lives on the south side.
After all she graduated law school and has a good job, why on earth would she choose to stay in Woodlawn?
While no one said it, I’m sure that quite a few of their families were (and are) a tad concerned when they decided to put down roots south of the University of Chicago.
And I’m sure the recent high profile shooting scant blocks from their home didn’t help perceptions either.
But my west Woodlawn dwelling neighbors seem to take it all in stride.
They remain active in their community, attend public meetings, strive to improve the quality of their community and continue to keep their fingers crossed for a dog park.
Next time we meet they can pick the bar.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Young Mr. Whitefolks' Delivery Dilemma
I saw Young Mr. Whitefolks recently and he was a little confused about why it was so difficult to order a meal to his home.
“I looked up restaurants that Grub Hub said deliver to my neighborhood but when I call to place an order they tell me that they don’t deliver to my address.”
“Does that surprise you?” I asked.
“Yes---if the restaurants don’t want to deliver to my neighborhood they should just say so.”
God, I just love this kid.
He further stated, “Why don’t they just say that they won’t deliver to 35th & King?”
Welcome to being black, dearest. Rather I should say, welcome to living with blacks, baby. You’re one of us now.
“It’s so frustrating. I only want food.”
At this point all I could do is give him a look of sympathy. He truly didn’t (and doesn't) know the totality of moving into a black neighborhood.
He didn’t know that in order to subsist, you have to go out and get the things you need. The luxury of having things brought to you other than the mail, UPS & Peapod is a rare occurrence.
But that wasn’t all Young Mr. Whitefolks had to say.
He also noticed that when he went to fast food restaurants that on more than one occasion he couldn’t order food that was printed on the menu boards.
“Dearest why would you expect to be able to order items that are advertised for sale?” I asked.
He looked at me like I was nuts.
Now I’m sure this isn’t a south side thing or a black thing but rather a bad service and not watching the stock thing. If your tastes tend to run towards fruit and yogurt parfaits and salads rather than burgers and fries you’re kinda out of luck.
You’ll either have to wait for your food or just be told that the restaurant doesn’t have what you want.
Apparently Young Mr. Whitefolks is used to being able to order whatever he wants off of the menu.
What a precious pumpkin.
In both cases, I strongly suggested that he put pen to paper and let the powers that be know about the lack of services in his neighborhood and to carbon copy everyone he could think of from his Alderman to Oprah.
He waved me off.
Not only did I tell him that the squeaky wheel gets the grease but he and his immediate neighbors will continue to be ignored and their hard earned money disrespected until they advocate for change.
Or in other words, attitudes won’t change until you demand that they change.
Companies also tend to think that if one person is concerned enough to put pen to paper, that a great many people may carry the same sentiment as well.
He was then amazed that other people were amazed at how livable his neighborhood was.
When cab drivers would reluctantly take him home from his late night job they were shocked to find a wide, green tree lined street instead of some languishing ghetto.
The drivers were concerned about his safety if they dropped him off on the south side. Apparently his statements of “I live in this neighborhood” did nothing to assuage their fears.
Go figure.
I told YMWF that some people’s perceptions of the south side may never change. You just have to look at them like they’ve lost their minds when they speak such foolishness.
It’s not our fault that they haven’t received the memo about the hotness of the south side.
“I looked up restaurants that Grub Hub said deliver to my neighborhood but when I call to place an order they tell me that they don’t deliver to my address.”
“Does that surprise you?” I asked.
“Yes---if the restaurants don’t want to deliver to my neighborhood they should just say so.”
God, I just love this kid.
He further stated, “Why don’t they just say that they won’t deliver to 35th & King?”
Welcome to being black, dearest. Rather I should say, welcome to living with blacks, baby. You’re one of us now.
“It’s so frustrating. I only want food.”
At this point all I could do is give him a look of sympathy. He truly didn’t (and doesn't) know the totality of moving into a black neighborhood.
He didn’t know that in order to subsist, you have to go out and get the things you need. The luxury of having things brought to you other than the mail, UPS & Peapod is a rare occurrence.
But that wasn’t all Young Mr. Whitefolks had to say.
He also noticed that when he went to fast food restaurants that on more than one occasion he couldn’t order food that was printed on the menu boards.
“Dearest why would you expect to be able to order items that are advertised for sale?” I asked.
He looked at me like I was nuts.
Now I’m sure this isn’t a south side thing or a black thing but rather a bad service and not watching the stock thing. If your tastes tend to run towards fruit and yogurt parfaits and salads rather than burgers and fries you’re kinda out of luck.
You’ll either have to wait for your food or just be told that the restaurant doesn’t have what you want.
Apparently Young Mr. Whitefolks is used to being able to order whatever he wants off of the menu.
What a precious pumpkin.
In both cases, I strongly suggested that he put pen to paper and let the powers that be know about the lack of services in his neighborhood and to carbon copy everyone he could think of from his Alderman to Oprah.
He waved me off.
Not only did I tell him that the squeaky wheel gets the grease but he and his immediate neighbors will continue to be ignored and their hard earned money disrespected until they advocate for change.
Or in other words, attitudes won’t change until you demand that they change.
Companies also tend to think that if one person is concerned enough to put pen to paper, that a great many people may carry the same sentiment as well.
He was then amazed that other people were amazed at how livable his neighborhood was.
When cab drivers would reluctantly take him home from his late night job they were shocked to find a wide, green tree lined street instead of some languishing ghetto.
The drivers were concerned about his safety if they dropped him off on the south side. Apparently his statements of “I live in this neighborhood” did nothing to assuage their fears.
Go figure.
I told YMWF that some people’s perceptions of the south side may never change. You just have to look at them like they’ve lost their minds when they speak such foolishness.
It’s not our fault that they haven’t received the memo about the hotness of the south side.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Cinnamon Says...
I wrote a thank you note to Cinnamon from Gaper's Block for the unexpected write up on Friday (4/28). This was her reply:
You're welcome and your writing is news-worthy. I haven't read every post but I came a cross your blog when looking for information about how to handle deadbeat developers. A couple of friends were the first ones to buy a condo in a courtyard development and have had nothing but problems. I thought a few quick searches might find some articles or links where they could get more information about how to handle their situation and your site was at the top of the list. I passed it on to them and realized that there are likely to be many people with similar issues. The real estate market seems to be given safe distance from local journalists and I don't think the industry deserves it.
At our last condo we found out three years* in that the "new plumbing" that had been installed was not installed per city code even though a city inspector approved the installation and it was causing recurring problems when it would rain.
Keep writing, keep exposing, and good luck getting resolution in Woodlawn.
*One correction---the plumbing problem was discovered after 1 1/2 years after buying, not three.
With encouragement like this how can the quest stop now? Bob Goulet in full effect, yo!
If you haven't noticed, Gaper's Block has now been added to the list of Chicago links on the left hand side of the blog.
You're welcome and your writing is news-worthy. I haven't read every post but I came a cross your blog when looking for information about how to handle deadbeat developers. A couple of friends were the first ones to buy a condo in a courtyard development and have had nothing but problems. I thought a few quick searches might find some articles or links where they could get more information about how to handle their situation and your site was at the top of the list. I passed it on to them and realized that there are likely to be many people with similar issues. The real estate market seems to be given safe distance from local journalists and I don't think the industry deserves it.
At our last condo we found out three years* in that the "new plumbing" that had been installed was not installed per city code even though a city inspector approved the installation and it was causing recurring problems when it would rain.
Keep writing, keep exposing, and good luck getting resolution in Woodlawn.
*One correction---the plumbing problem was discovered after 1 1/2 years after buying, not three.
With encouragement like this how can the quest stop now? Bob Goulet in full effect, yo!
If you haven't noticed, Gaper's Block has now been added to the list of Chicago links on the left hand side of the blog.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Across The Street
I received this e-mail today regarding the plans for the parkway across the street:
Dear Woody,
Just got some more information regarding the project on the south end of our
campus near your condo complex. Here's the latest:
1. When/if it snows the sidewalk (1500 block of East XXXX Street) will be
cleaned off by XXXX staff.
2. During the warmer months, the grass will be mowed and kept clean by our lawn
service.
3. XXXX got a bid from our cement contractor on replacing the sidewalk
on the 1500 block of XXXX Street and 1400 block of East XXXX Street.
4. XXXX summitted a grant proposal to the Southeast Chicago Commission
during the week of Feb. 21, 2006. This money will be used to offset the cost of
landscaping and new sidewalks.
XXXX has contacted ALderman Hairston's office to see if we can take
advantage of the 50/50 Sidewalk Program. Two letters and two phone calls have
gone unanswered thus far.
We are excited about the possibilities of further enhancing our campus and
helping the neighborhood to improve as well. We certainly understand and
appreciate your concerns and we hope we can work together to keep XXXX Street
looking beautiful. We need your help. We will do our best to mow, plow, and
clean up trash, but we also hope you can help us keep the area clean. If we
work together in this project we will all enjoy the benefits.
Thanks for your on going support and help. We have been a part of this
neighborhood for over 106 years, and we hope to continue a good relationship
with our neighbors. Taking pride and advancing the Woodlawn neighborhood is
important to us all.
Now if that isn't love, I don't know what is.
Dear Woody,
Just got some more information regarding the project on the south end of our
campus near your condo complex. Here's the latest:
1. When/if it snows the sidewalk (1500 block of East XXXX Street) will be
cleaned off by XXXX staff.
2. During the warmer months, the grass will be mowed and kept clean by our lawn
service.
3. XXXX got a bid from our cement contractor on replacing the sidewalk
on the 1500 block of XXXX Street and 1400 block of East XXXX Street.
4. XXXX summitted a grant proposal to the Southeast Chicago Commission
during the week of Feb. 21, 2006. This money will be used to offset the cost of
landscaping and new sidewalks.
XXXX has contacted ALderman Hairston's office to see if we can take
advantage of the 50/50 Sidewalk Program. Two letters and two phone calls have
gone unanswered thus far.
We are excited about the possibilities of further enhancing our campus and
helping the neighborhood to improve as well. We certainly understand and
appreciate your concerns and we hope we can work together to keep XXXX Street
looking beautiful. We need your help. We will do our best to mow, plow, and
clean up trash, but we also hope you can help us keep the area clean. If we
work together in this project we will all enjoy the benefits.
Thanks for your on going support and help. We have been a part of this
neighborhood for over 106 years, and we hope to continue a good relationship
with our neighbors. Taking pride and advancing the Woodlawn neighborhood is
important to us all.
Now if that isn't love, I don't know what is.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Communication
While you may not know it by this blog, I tend to procrastinate.
A great deal quite frankly.
One of my pet projects that was pushed to the back of the closet was the virtual bulletin board/chat room I've been working on for the association.
Weighing the fact that we had bigger fish to fry last year, it seemed like a small sacrifice.
Nonetheless, as an association we need a better way to communicate with each other and to turn our piles of paper into a manageable paperless system.
I feel like Dr. Frankenstein waiting to breathe life into his creation. I really hope it not only works but manages to make everyone's life easier.
In the 21st century it's all about accessibility.
Not only would it serve as a repository for important documents such as monthly meeting minutes, financials and the like but it could also serve as a virtual meeting room. Imagine having a monthly meeting with all of your neighbors in the comfort of your jammies.
Hopefully the online chat feature will be our new best friend.
Plus every time someone wanted to see minutes from the last three meetings or the financials from last June, we can simply point them to the group and let them get nuts.
Then of course, a computer and internet access would also be helpful. Most people seem to have some type of internet access either at home or at work so that shouldn't be a problem.
Now while it's all about accessibility---it's about selective accessibility. After all we don't want everyone to see our business. I believe I've got everything on lock but want to test this out five ways to Sunday before an announcement is made that the association is on the information superhighway.
A great deal quite frankly.
One of my pet projects that was pushed to the back of the closet was the virtual bulletin board/chat room I've been working on for the association.
Weighing the fact that we had bigger fish to fry last year, it seemed like a small sacrifice.
Nonetheless, as an association we need a better way to communicate with each other and to turn our piles of paper into a manageable paperless system.
I feel like Dr. Frankenstein waiting to breathe life into his creation. I really hope it not only works but manages to make everyone's life easier.
In the 21st century it's all about accessibility.
Not only would it serve as a repository for important documents such as monthly meeting minutes, financials and the like but it could also serve as a virtual meeting room. Imagine having a monthly meeting with all of your neighbors in the comfort of your jammies.
Hopefully the online chat feature will be our new best friend.
Plus every time someone wanted to see minutes from the last three meetings or the financials from last June, we can simply point them to the group and let them get nuts.
Then of course, a computer and internet access would also be helpful. Most people seem to have some type of internet access either at home or at work so that shouldn't be a problem.
Now while it's all about accessibility---it's about selective accessibility. After all we don't want everyone to see our business. I believe I've got everything on lock but want to test this out five ways to Sunday before an announcement is made that the association is on the information superhighway.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Counting The Ways
As I stated in the Corrosive post, Caustic is a royal pain in the ass.
How, you ask?
Let me give you one of two examples of this person’s typical behavior.
Our association is located across the street from a prominent all boys Catholic high school. Around two years ago, this institution started work on what is now their brand spanking new field house. Unbeknownst to us, the school had petitioned the Department of Streets and Sanitation to officially take possession of the street.
The school’s plan was to close the street, turn it into green area and fence it in with the rest of their campus.
Unfortunately for those of us who live on the south side of the school’s property line, that street was the most direct route to the Metra platform
By the time any of us found out what was going on---our official notices and letters were going to the wrong address---it was too late to do anything about the process.
Sidebar: This incident was the catalyst for me becoming much more active within my association and my neighborhood. When I started tracking down why official mail was going to the wrong address, I started unearthing that our condo association’s paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office was out of date and had lapsed. It’s somewhat ironic that the school across the street prompted me into greater building and civic awareness.
Nonetheless, I sprang into action informing my neighbors of what was about to happen and also contacted the principal. This street was important for our commute to the Metra station. Without it, anyone who lived south of the school would have to take one of two other paths that not only are out of the way but both are along busy streets.
One of the routes is on a street that has no sidewalk on one side and a broken and crumbling one on the other. Additionally, both paths can be extremely dark and desolate and night.
Not an attractive alternative.
The school was sympathetic to our plight and arranged a kind of Q & A with the Principal and his staff as well as our alderman.
While the meeting itself wasn’t too well attended by my neighbors, a few did show up and questions were posed and answered.
We all got a quick education in how the City of Chicago works, what an alderman can and cannot approve and that the Streets and San is pretty much autonomous. In short, the school and their construction company did everything by the book.
Trust me, I went back and checked when the community letters were sent.
They hired a top notch law firm who literally told me when and where the letters were sent simply by me mentioning the name of the construction project.
The Principal was committed to finding a workable solution, but insurance rates and having their property fenced in ultimately made the decision for him.
He and his staff promised to notify us of any type of community altering actions in the future.
Do you think that their carving out time for a meeting, stepping us through the process giving us the name of their law firm to check on the details would be enough?
No, not for my neighbor Caustic.
Caustic ranted and raved about how unfair it was while offering no viable solutions to the problem. As I found out later, this is something that would be a mainstay of Caustic’s negotiation process.
If you can call being a “my way or the highway” philosophy a negation process.
Honestly, much of what Caustic said is fuzzy as it didn’t make sense with the set of definitives that were being presented at the time.
Construction wasn’t going to stop at this stage of the game because our association didn’t handle its business. It was a hard lesson to learn.
Also a few less minutes of sleep in the morning because I have to get out the door earlier, but nonetheless good came out of the experience.
I (and the collective) learned that if you don’t handle your business in the City of Chicago, your business will handle you. End of story.
I was just so personally embarrassed by Caustic’s escalating tone and behavior I just wanted to die.
Once Caustic was finished, I gave my best “I’m sorry” look to the Principal and his staff.
Thank God our alderman stepped in and executed a Caustic block and somehow defused a potential shouting match.
I mean if the Principal wanted to spend his spare time being berated by an angry homeowner, he’d sit on the property tax appeal board.
How, you ask?
Let me give you one of two examples of this person’s typical behavior.
Our association is located across the street from a prominent all boys Catholic high school. Around two years ago, this institution started work on what is now their brand spanking new field house. Unbeknownst to us, the school had petitioned the Department of Streets and Sanitation to officially take possession of the street.
The school’s plan was to close the street, turn it into green area and fence it in with the rest of their campus.
Unfortunately for those of us who live on the south side of the school’s property line, that street was the most direct route to the Metra platform
By the time any of us found out what was going on---our official notices and letters were going to the wrong address---it was too late to do anything about the process.
Sidebar: This incident was the catalyst for me becoming much more active within my association and my neighborhood. When I started tracking down why official mail was going to the wrong address, I started unearthing that our condo association’s paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office was out of date and had lapsed. It’s somewhat ironic that the school across the street prompted me into greater building and civic awareness.
Nonetheless, I sprang into action informing my neighbors of what was about to happen and also contacted the principal. This street was important for our commute to the Metra station. Without it, anyone who lived south of the school would have to take one of two other paths that not only are out of the way but both are along busy streets.
One of the routes is on a street that has no sidewalk on one side and a broken and crumbling one on the other. Additionally, both paths can be extremely dark and desolate and night.
Not an attractive alternative.
The school was sympathetic to our plight and arranged a kind of Q & A with the Principal and his staff as well as our alderman.
While the meeting itself wasn’t too well attended by my neighbors, a few did show up and questions were posed and answered.
We all got a quick education in how the City of Chicago works, what an alderman can and cannot approve and that the Streets and San is pretty much autonomous. In short, the school and their construction company did everything by the book.
Trust me, I went back and checked when the community letters were sent.
They hired a top notch law firm who literally told me when and where the letters were sent simply by me mentioning the name of the construction project.
The Principal was committed to finding a workable solution, but insurance rates and having their property fenced in ultimately made the decision for him.
He and his staff promised to notify us of any type of community altering actions in the future.
Do you think that their carving out time for a meeting, stepping us through the process giving us the name of their law firm to check on the details would be enough?
No, not for my neighbor Caustic.
Caustic ranted and raved about how unfair it was while offering no viable solutions to the problem. As I found out later, this is something that would be a mainstay of Caustic’s negotiation process.
If you can call being a “my way or the highway” philosophy a negation process.
Honestly, much of what Caustic said is fuzzy as it didn’t make sense with the set of definitives that were being presented at the time.
Construction wasn’t going to stop at this stage of the game because our association didn’t handle its business. It was a hard lesson to learn.
Also a few less minutes of sleep in the morning because I have to get out the door earlier, but nonetheless good came out of the experience.
I (and the collective) learned that if you don’t handle your business in the City of Chicago, your business will handle you. End of story.
I was just so personally embarrassed by Caustic’s escalating tone and behavior I just wanted to die.
Once Caustic was finished, I gave my best “I’m sorry” look to the Principal and his staff.
Thank God our alderman stepped in and executed a Caustic block and somehow defused a potential shouting match.
I mean if the Principal wanted to spend his spare time being berated by an angry homeowner, he’d sit on the property tax appeal board.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Cliff Notes, Part II
Now that I’ve been through the basics of what you should be looking for in terms of paperwork, let’s move on to more advanced methods of developer justice 101.
1. Start Writing Letters
The bar to your left has links to most local, state and federal government officials. Let them hear about your extreme displeasure with your developer. I’m sure that he or she is attempting to build or develop other properties in your ward, without your alderman’s say so it ain’t gonna happen. An unhappy alderman is one headache that a developer doesn’t want. Plus with an election cycle quickly approaching I’m confident that your alderman will listen to your concerns.
If you don’t know who your alderman is, find out---and quick. Be nice to him or her and their staff. You do not want to piss them off.
Hopefully at some point all of this effort will blossom into a full blown “damn the torpedoes” campaign to get the laws changed to protect the consumer as far as condominiums are concerned.
2. Be Nosy
The Federal Bankruptcy Clerk’s Office is a treasure trove of information. See if your developer has filed before. It’s public record you know---free and open to all who can pass through the metal detectors and have a picture ID. Be care of the reporters and camera people at the George Ryan Trial. They can be a bit testy.
Click on the link to the left for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Choose the “chancery” drop down and the “defendant” option to see if your developer has ever been in foreclosure. Choose the “civil” drop down and the “defendant” option to see if your developer has been party to any lawsuits.
Enter the legal name of your condo association in the “civil” and “defendant” options to see if you guys are parties to any lawsuits. That’s how I found out that we had open litigation against our association.
Check the incorporation status of your developer’s business by going to the Secretary of State’s website link on the left.
Go to the city and pull all of the open violations (if any) for all of the addresses in your association.
3. Ask Uncomfortable Questions
Do you have your developer’s license?
Did you file a copy of the property report with the city?
(If I understood you correctly) Why did we have to file our own articles of incorporation with the state?
We would like to see the accounting and the assessments that you as the developer paid into our bank account.
4. Be An Even Bigger Pain In The Ass
File a fraud complaint with the Department of Consumer Services. Include as much paperwork to support your case as needed. More than likely the city will tell you that there is nothing that they can do. The laws concerning fraud with respect to condominiums has not yet been addressed and therefore isn’t on the books. But---and this is a big but---in the informal hearing your developer may be cocky enough and stupid enough to incriminate his or herself. Did I mention that the informal hearings are tape recorded?
Best of all you can get a copy of that tape and use it in any future civil litigation. Priceless, huh?
Happy hunting my new condo owning friend, I hope it all comes out in the wash. Don’t forget to apply for the refuse rebate from the city. It sounds like you kids are gonna need the cash.
1. Start Writing Letters
The bar to your left has links to most local, state and federal government officials. Let them hear about your extreme displeasure with your developer. I’m sure that he or she is attempting to build or develop other properties in your ward, without your alderman’s say so it ain’t gonna happen. An unhappy alderman is one headache that a developer doesn’t want. Plus with an election cycle quickly approaching I’m confident that your alderman will listen to your concerns.
If you don’t know who your alderman is, find out---and quick. Be nice to him or her and their staff. You do not want to piss them off.
Hopefully at some point all of this effort will blossom into a full blown “damn the torpedoes” campaign to get the laws changed to protect the consumer as far as condominiums are concerned.
2. Be Nosy
The Federal Bankruptcy Clerk’s Office is a treasure trove of information. See if your developer has filed before. It’s public record you know---free and open to all who can pass through the metal detectors and have a picture ID. Be care of the reporters and camera people at the George Ryan Trial. They can be a bit testy.
Click on the link to the left for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Choose the “chancery” drop down and the “defendant” option to see if your developer has ever been in foreclosure. Choose the “civil” drop down and the “defendant” option to see if your developer has been party to any lawsuits.
Enter the legal name of your condo association in the “civil” and “defendant” options to see if you guys are parties to any lawsuits. That’s how I found out that we had open litigation against our association.
Check the incorporation status of your developer’s business by going to the Secretary of State’s website link on the left.
Go to the city and pull all of the open violations (if any) for all of the addresses in your association.
3. Ask Uncomfortable Questions
Do you have your developer’s license?
Did you file a copy of the property report with the city?
(If I understood you correctly) Why did we have to file our own articles of incorporation with the state?
We would like to see the accounting and the assessments that you as the developer paid into our bank account.
4. Be An Even Bigger Pain In The Ass
File a fraud complaint with the Department of Consumer Services. Include as much paperwork to support your case as needed. More than likely the city will tell you that there is nothing that they can do. The laws concerning fraud with respect to condominiums has not yet been addressed and therefore isn’t on the books. But---and this is a big but---in the informal hearing your developer may be cocky enough and stupid enough to incriminate his or herself. Did I mention that the informal hearings are tape recorded?
Best of all you can get a copy of that tape and use it in any future civil litigation. Priceless, huh?
Happy hunting my new condo owning friend, I hope it all comes out in the wash. Don’t forget to apply for the refuse rebate from the city. It sounds like you kids are gonna need the cash.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Back To Work Checklist
Now that the flurry of holiday activities have come and gone, I realize that I still have some outstanding business to wrap up from 2005.
I never got my initial fraud complaint to Representative Bobby Rush, State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie and State Senator Kwame Raoul. Their offices are located on the south side and it’s difficult for me to get the mountain of material that I’ve amassed to them during regular business hours. Sometime this month, I’ll take a day or two off and play mailperson and finish what I started.
I also am thisclose to finishing a do-it-yourself website for the association. Since we still have a cadre of non-resident owners, it makes sense that they should be able to access old meeting minutes and financial records. Hopefully we’ll be able to hold virtual meetings at this website so we won’t have to worry about finding a physical spot to meet each month. I also think it’s important to have a virtual repository for important information and documents in the event of a fire.
The great thing about the website is that the information can be seen only by invited members who complete the registration. While I pitched this to the board last year and received approval, I have yet to bring it up to the current board. Then of course we have yet to have a meeting in 2006. I don’t anticipate anyone having a problem with open communication among a pre-approved membership.
We also need to make sure that we file our non-profit annual report with the state as well as prepare to file taxes.
Lastly, I think we need to prepare some kind of comprehensive report for 2005; a document highlighting the significant progress in the management of the association.
It never hurts to do a post mortem on what ideas work.
I never got my initial fraud complaint to Representative Bobby Rush, State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie and State Senator Kwame Raoul. Their offices are located on the south side and it’s difficult for me to get the mountain of material that I’ve amassed to them during regular business hours. Sometime this month, I’ll take a day or two off and play mailperson and finish what I started.
I also am thisclose to finishing a do-it-yourself website for the association. Since we still have a cadre of non-resident owners, it makes sense that they should be able to access old meeting minutes and financial records. Hopefully we’ll be able to hold virtual meetings at this website so we won’t have to worry about finding a physical spot to meet each month. I also think it’s important to have a virtual repository for important information and documents in the event of a fire.
The great thing about the website is that the information can be seen only by invited members who complete the registration. While I pitched this to the board last year and received approval, I have yet to bring it up to the current board. Then of course we have yet to have a meeting in 2006. I don’t anticipate anyone having a problem with open communication among a pre-approved membership.
We also need to make sure that we file our non-profit annual report with the state as well as prepare to file taxes.
Lastly, I think we need to prepare some kind of comprehensive report for 2005; a document highlighting the significant progress in the management of the association.
It never hurts to do a post mortem on what ideas work.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Fan Mail
I'm not in the habit of posting letters that I receive, but this week has been a tad bit unusual in that respect. This little ditty came in yesterday:
Wow, what a fantastic job you are doing. I came across your blog while looking for some info; I was hoping to buy a new condo in the city. I read through the whole archive and I'm amazed at all the things I never even thought about asking or finding out. If it's any consolation from your horrible developer problems, you've helped at least one person to think critically and maybe look a little deeper into any condo development they may be interested in purchasing into. I wish you the best of luck with that developer and your association issues.
While I don't need a pat on the back to do what I'm doing, it's nice to get the love.
Wow, what a fantastic job you are doing. I came across your blog while looking for some info; I was hoping to buy a new condo in the city. I read through the whole archive and I'm amazed at all the things I never even thought about asking or finding out. If it's any consolation from your horrible developer problems, you've helped at least one person to think critically and maybe look a little deeper into any condo development they may be interested in purchasing into. I wish you the best of luck with that developer and your association issues.
While I don't need a pat on the back to do what I'm doing, it's nice to get the love.
Friday, November 18, 2005
The Enola Gay
The letter below is my response to my developer's letter to the Attorney General's office:
November 18, 2005
Ms. Dolores Rodman
Citizen’s Advocate
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
RE: File No. XXXX
Ms. Rodman:
I appreciate the prompt response by your office and Mr. XXXX about my concerns.
While I find tenor of his response troubling, I would like to continue to offer solid documentable evidence that Mr. XXXX violated key procedural and safety regulations in the development of the XXXX Condominium Association.
Appendix I of our Declarations and Bylaws titled "Building Code Violations Citations (10 year period)” states that "all violations will be corrected." As evidenced by the open code violations from the city submitted with my initial complaint that is not the case. Closer inspections of those code violations cite multiple issues with the rear wooden porches.
From what I understand, rehabbed condominium conversions---and I use the term rehabbed conversion due to way the XXXX was marketed via the MLS listings---must adhere to many statutes with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. One of which is a certificate of occupancy issued by the city. It seems a huge coincidence that the XXXX was never issued one prior to the turnover of our association or in the subsequent two years that Mr. XXXX served as our board president.
While I cannot directly state why Mr. XXXX did not follow up and complete the certificate of occupancy process; it does seem odd that a combination of open violations, the non-filing of the property report with the city and the lack of a certificate of occupancy loom in the background.
While the delivery of the property report may be in contention, what can be proven is that it wasn't submitted to the city. A letter dated August 29th, 2005 from the city's Department of Consumer Services states that "our records indicate no property report on the address indicated above." Those addressed were 1501, 1503, 1507 and 1509 East XXXX Street and 6509 and 6511 South XXXX. If Mr. Knight has proof to the contrary, the City of Chicago and I would be extremely interested in viewing a copy.
The filing of a property report would have eventually triggered an inspection by the city. I surmise a city inspection would have in turn triggered a much closer look at the conversion of the buildings. Something that may have led to questions and more extensive and costly renovations for the project than Mr. XXXX and his partners may not have had budgeted for.
Mr. XXXX contends that I was given the Property Report dated February 2001. While I cannot prove when the documentation was given or received I can confidently state that had I seen the property report prior to closing, there is no way I would of ever purchased a unit in the XXXX.
Nonetheless, I can provide documents that support my contention of Mr. XXXX’s gross mismanagement at best or attempting to do an end run around the law at worst.
Per the electrical report from XXXX, which was included with my complaint, states within the third paragraph of his cover letter that “the grounding system for the entire condominium association, according to my equipment, is nonexistent.”
Mr. XXXX in his response confirms, “the electrical work consisted of replacing fixtures, outlets, switches, exterior lighting and wiring the HVAC in each unit.”
Moreover, my realtor XXXX, stated that she is willing to sign an affidavit that she saw portions of my unit torn down to the studs.
The bottom line is that since the rehabilitation construction in my unit exceeded a 40% threshold as set forth in the Chicago Electrical Code rules, Mr. XXXX or his vendors should have ensured that all BX conduits were removed and that the electrical system met or exceeded the current electrical code.
Every time I plug my iron in and the lights flicker, I’m reminded that those standards weren’t met.
As to Mr. XXXX’s assertions that the board “chose” to replace the existing wooden rear porches is nothing short of ludicrous. We didn’t choose to replace the porches at this point they are a health and safety issue---we have to replace the porches. Attached is a strongly worded letter from our Porch Vender the Porch People advising against the use of the porches for any reason and their general assessment of their poor condition.
This letter came about as they prepared for the temporary stabilization of our three rear porches and realized that their condition is so bad that they couldn’t even start the process. In fact to underscore the poor condition of our porches the Porch People’s Senior Filed Superintendent and the Master Carpenter could literally snap off planks of wood in their hands. Once the planks tore away from the porch, they literally crumbled to dust in their hands. Porches do not become that fragile and in that dangerous of a condition over the course of four years.
Our porches are imminently hazardous. Please do not believe that as a condo board we have taken this decision lightly.
To underscore that point, I’m sending along a copy of the roof and porches cost analysis report that the board prepared to lay out the multiple proposals we received regarding the possibility of replacement vs. repair. Of the proposals brought before the board you can see that The Porch People’s estimate (included previously) beat the other estimates not only in price but also in the scope of work. If the board had gone with another vendor, we would have been responsible for hiring an architect and structural engineer at a far greater cost than what The Porch People specified in their all-inclusive price.
Such a decision would have been poorly thought out and a waste of association money. Furthermore, if we had not done our due diligence with respect to an appropriate, licensed and cost effective porch vendor, I highly doubt that any financial institution would have given us a loan to start the work.
I would also like to correct a misstatement in my initial complaint. I stated that company Mr. XXXX owned a management company that managed a rental building at 79th & Colfax. I meant to state that the building was located at 75th & Colfax. That small misstatement notwithstanding, the paperwork still shows that Mr. XXXX not only mismanaged the building at 75th and Colfax but also blatantly ignored his fiduciary duties as our registered agent and condominium board president. While I’m sorry to hear that Mr. XXXX’s mother was ill, that is no defense against repeated attempts by the city to not only contact him as the head of III CD Management.
Forgetful employees or not, the buck stops with Mr. XXXX. It was his responsibility to make sure that he took care of hot water in 75th and Colfax building but to pay any appropriate fines. I find it the very height of arrogance to suggest that we as an association shell out money to pay for a lawyer to correct a problem that was his in the first place.
All of the paperwork from the city’s case was included in the first group of materials that I submitted with my complaint.
The question about what may or may not be legal electrical will be solved soon enough when Com Ed comes out to take a look at some components of the building’s electrical system. While I’m aware that our furnaces are gas operated, they are powered with electricity. If the power they draw upon is from an un-metered line I doubt that ComEd would have little problem tracing the account history of electrical service to the three buildings that comprise the XXXX Condominium Association.
The onus doesn’t lie with ComEd to make sure that they had the initial billing information correct but with Mr. XXXX and his partners. Moreover, Mr. XXXX was president of the association for two years. If he knew that the line was un-metered, why didn’t he make a concentrated effort to resolve this situation within that time frame?
As all of the evidence clearly illustrates, Mr. XXXX did not have the interests of the XXXX Condominium Association as a priority as a developer or board president. An evident conflict of interests seemingly prevented him from exercising sound judgment.
Even my past financial shortcomings aren’t enough to distract anyone from that glaring fact.
I brought up Mr. XXXX’s pending court cases, bankruptcies and the judgment against III CD Management not out of spite but rather to illustrate that prescribed laws and regulations have little effect on the way he conducts business. Lawsuits and fines seemingly mean nothing to a person that has put my neighbors and me in harm’s way financially and literally. The fact that Mr. XXXX truly believes that I have “used my position for self serving acts and personal gain” is grasping at straws.
If by self serving acts Mr. XXXX means the unit owners taking on both the indoor and outdoor maintenance to save money and if by personal gain he means having an accurate accounting of all monies received and spent—then each and every board member is guilty as charged.
I stand by my original conclusions and urge both the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago to not only tighten the loopholes that allow condominium purchasers to be easily taken advantage of but to also hold Mr. XXXX financially accountable for his shoddy development of the XXXX Condominium Association.
Sincerely,
XXXX
Cc: City of Chicago, Consumer Services Division
Senator Richard Durbin
Senator Barack Obama
Congressman Bobby Rush
State Representative Kwame Raoul
State Senator Barbara Flynn Currie
Alderman Leslie A. Hairston
November 18, 2005
Ms. Dolores Rodman
Citizen’s Advocate
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
RE: File No. XXXX
Ms. Rodman:
I appreciate the prompt response by your office and Mr. XXXX about my concerns.
While I find tenor of his response troubling, I would like to continue to offer solid documentable evidence that Mr. XXXX violated key procedural and safety regulations in the development of the XXXX Condominium Association.
Appendix I of our Declarations and Bylaws titled "Building Code Violations Citations (10 year period)” states that "all violations will be corrected." As evidenced by the open code violations from the city submitted with my initial complaint that is not the case. Closer inspections of those code violations cite multiple issues with the rear wooden porches.
From what I understand, rehabbed condominium conversions---and I use the term rehabbed conversion due to way the XXXX was marketed via the MLS listings---must adhere to many statutes with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. One of which is a certificate of occupancy issued by the city. It seems a huge coincidence that the XXXX was never issued one prior to the turnover of our association or in the subsequent two years that Mr. XXXX served as our board president.
While I cannot directly state why Mr. XXXX did not follow up and complete the certificate of occupancy process; it does seem odd that a combination of open violations, the non-filing of the property report with the city and the lack of a certificate of occupancy loom in the background.
While the delivery of the property report may be in contention, what can be proven is that it wasn't submitted to the city. A letter dated August 29th, 2005 from the city's Department of Consumer Services states that "our records indicate no property report on the address indicated above." Those addressed were 1501, 1503, 1507 and 1509 East XXXX Street and 6509 and 6511 South XXXX. If Mr. Knight has proof to the contrary, the City of Chicago and I would be extremely interested in viewing a copy.
The filing of a property report would have eventually triggered an inspection by the city. I surmise a city inspection would have in turn triggered a much closer look at the conversion of the buildings. Something that may have led to questions and more extensive and costly renovations for the project than Mr. XXXX and his partners may not have had budgeted for.
Mr. XXXX contends that I was given the Property Report dated February 2001. While I cannot prove when the documentation was given or received I can confidently state that had I seen the property report prior to closing, there is no way I would of ever purchased a unit in the XXXX.
Nonetheless, I can provide documents that support my contention of Mr. XXXX’s gross mismanagement at best or attempting to do an end run around the law at worst.
Per the electrical report from XXXX, which was included with my complaint, states within the third paragraph of his cover letter that “the grounding system for the entire condominium association, according to my equipment, is nonexistent.”
Mr. XXXX in his response confirms, “the electrical work consisted of replacing fixtures, outlets, switches, exterior lighting and wiring the HVAC in each unit.”
Moreover, my realtor XXXX, stated that she is willing to sign an affidavit that she saw portions of my unit torn down to the studs.
The bottom line is that since the rehabilitation construction in my unit exceeded a 40% threshold as set forth in the Chicago Electrical Code rules, Mr. XXXX or his vendors should have ensured that all BX conduits were removed and that the electrical system met or exceeded the current electrical code.
Every time I plug my iron in and the lights flicker, I’m reminded that those standards weren’t met.
As to Mr. XXXX’s assertions that the board “chose” to replace the existing wooden rear porches is nothing short of ludicrous. We didn’t choose to replace the porches at this point they are a health and safety issue---we have to replace the porches. Attached is a strongly worded letter from our Porch Vender the Porch People advising against the use of the porches for any reason and their general assessment of their poor condition.
This letter came about as they prepared for the temporary stabilization of our three rear porches and realized that their condition is so bad that they couldn’t even start the process. In fact to underscore the poor condition of our porches the Porch People’s Senior Filed Superintendent and the Master Carpenter could literally snap off planks of wood in their hands. Once the planks tore away from the porch, they literally crumbled to dust in their hands. Porches do not become that fragile and in that dangerous of a condition over the course of four years.
Our porches are imminently hazardous. Please do not believe that as a condo board we have taken this decision lightly.
To underscore that point, I’m sending along a copy of the roof and porches cost analysis report that the board prepared to lay out the multiple proposals we received regarding the possibility of replacement vs. repair. Of the proposals brought before the board you can see that The Porch People’s estimate (included previously) beat the other estimates not only in price but also in the scope of work. If the board had gone with another vendor, we would have been responsible for hiring an architect and structural engineer at a far greater cost than what The Porch People specified in their all-inclusive price.
Such a decision would have been poorly thought out and a waste of association money. Furthermore, if we had not done our due diligence with respect to an appropriate, licensed and cost effective porch vendor, I highly doubt that any financial institution would have given us a loan to start the work.
I would also like to correct a misstatement in my initial complaint. I stated that company Mr. XXXX owned a management company that managed a rental building at 79th & Colfax. I meant to state that the building was located at 75th & Colfax. That small misstatement notwithstanding, the paperwork still shows that Mr. XXXX not only mismanaged the building at 75th and Colfax but also blatantly ignored his fiduciary duties as our registered agent and condominium board president. While I’m sorry to hear that Mr. XXXX’s mother was ill, that is no defense against repeated attempts by the city to not only contact him as the head of III CD Management.
Forgetful employees or not, the buck stops with Mr. XXXX. It was his responsibility to make sure that he took care of hot water in 75th and Colfax building but to pay any appropriate fines. I find it the very height of arrogance to suggest that we as an association shell out money to pay for a lawyer to correct a problem that was his in the first place.
All of the paperwork from the city’s case was included in the first group of materials that I submitted with my complaint.
The question about what may or may not be legal electrical will be solved soon enough when Com Ed comes out to take a look at some components of the building’s electrical system. While I’m aware that our furnaces are gas operated, they are powered with electricity. If the power they draw upon is from an un-metered line I doubt that ComEd would have little problem tracing the account history of electrical service to the three buildings that comprise the XXXX Condominium Association.
The onus doesn’t lie with ComEd to make sure that they had the initial billing information correct but with Mr. XXXX and his partners. Moreover, Mr. XXXX was president of the association for two years. If he knew that the line was un-metered, why didn’t he make a concentrated effort to resolve this situation within that time frame?
As all of the evidence clearly illustrates, Mr. XXXX did not have the interests of the XXXX Condominium Association as a priority as a developer or board president. An evident conflict of interests seemingly prevented him from exercising sound judgment.
Even my past financial shortcomings aren’t enough to distract anyone from that glaring fact.
I brought up Mr. XXXX’s pending court cases, bankruptcies and the judgment against III CD Management not out of spite but rather to illustrate that prescribed laws and regulations have little effect on the way he conducts business. Lawsuits and fines seemingly mean nothing to a person that has put my neighbors and me in harm’s way financially and literally. The fact that Mr. XXXX truly believes that I have “used my position for self serving acts and personal gain” is grasping at straws.
If by self serving acts Mr. XXXX means the unit owners taking on both the indoor and outdoor maintenance to save money and if by personal gain he means having an accurate accounting of all monies received and spent—then each and every board member is guilty as charged.
I stand by my original conclusions and urge both the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago to not only tighten the loopholes that allow condominium purchasers to be easily taken advantage of but to also hold Mr. XXXX financially accountable for his shoddy development of the XXXX Condominium Association.
Sincerely,
XXXX
Cc: City of Chicago, Consumer Services Division
Senator Richard Durbin
Senator Barack Obama
Congressman Bobby Rush
State Representative Kwame Raoul
State Senator Barbara Flynn Currie
Alderman Leslie A. Hairston
Monday, November 14, 2005
I Mean, Really
If my good name and character are going to be assailed, I'd at least appreciate a higher level of writing.
You know what would make it even better---If my developer's response letter were drafted by one of his employees’ or one of his lawyers. I would strongly suggest that he either get his money back or hire a cadre of HR people---'cause he's hiring individuals who can't write.
Geeze Louise.
You know what would make it even better---If my developer's response letter were drafted by one of his employees’ or one of his lawyers. I would strongly suggest that he either get his money back or hire a cadre of HR people---'cause he's hiring individuals who can't write.
Geeze Louise.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Don’t Take It Personally
Leave it to me to stir up a hornet’s nest.
My communication about the cracks that have developed in our maintenance schedule was not received with open arms by everyone. Some people took it very personally; others simply thought the overall tone of the message was a bit too harsh.
I can only respond by saying, “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
Before I get my rant on, let me say this---I know at times I ain’t exactly no prize pig in the poke. In short, I know I can be a pain in the ass. I’m not perfect nor am I in the running to be Ms. South Side Condo Savior 2005. Nonetheless, I feel strongly not only about the sanctity of my home, but its appearance and business practices.
I simply don’t understand anyone who doesn’t feel the same.
It mystifies me why you wouldn’t want to take pride where you live. Why you wouldn’t want to make sure that as a condo association that everything is not only running in working order but in the best shape it could possibly be? I figure that all of us have to take most of the crap that the world dishes out eight hours a day, five days a week; we need a haven to recharge and relax. Why would you not want to put a little work into the crib?
Obviously not everyone shares my sentiment.
There are several things that bug me with this whole association maintenance thing:
Not everyone helps.
All of the unit owners benefit from the work of a few. I’m pretty sure that’s chapping a few people’s hides.
Some people, who do help, do so reluctantly and piss & moan about it the whole time.
Some of my neighbors are under the impression that I like to spend my personal time taking care of association maintenance. This is about as far from the truth as you could get. Just because I like to garden doesn’t mean I like doing it for everybody. Nonetheless, I know that if I want a nice looking outside, time has to be devoted to maintenance. Quid pro quo. Just ‘cause I don’t heavily sigh and roll my eyes about it does not mean that I like to spend my time towards the cause.
Not everyone has the same level of quality control.
Hallways not cleaned properly, dirt and cobwebs still in corners, grass clippings all over the sidewalk and lawn, perimeters not edges or clipped---in short half assed work.
Who’s the lucky individual who gets to hear about all of this? Until last week it was me.
But the biggest issue that just friggin pisses me off to no end is that everyone would feel the need to come to me at one point or another with the wailing and the gnashing of the teeth but didn’t have the stones to confront each other.
What, I ask you, is that all about?
So obviously, I’m left to be the bad guy (girl) and crack the whip.
When you think about it, it’s an ingenious strategy. It’s as if our developer put a curse on all of us; letting pettiness break the bonds of solidarity so we can’t reach our common goal of holding him responsible for his actions.
Unfortunately it may have not won me any allies in the upcoming pissing match that we call condo board elections. While I plan on running again, that doesn’t mean that I’ll get elected.
If I don’t get re-elected, I’ll have to follow my own advice and not take it personally.
My communication about the cracks that have developed in our maintenance schedule was not received with open arms by everyone. Some people took it very personally; others simply thought the overall tone of the message was a bit too harsh.
I can only respond by saying, “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
Before I get my rant on, let me say this---I know at times I ain’t exactly no prize pig in the poke. In short, I know I can be a pain in the ass. I’m not perfect nor am I in the running to be Ms. South Side Condo Savior 2005. Nonetheless, I feel strongly not only about the sanctity of my home, but its appearance and business practices.
I simply don’t understand anyone who doesn’t feel the same.
It mystifies me why you wouldn’t want to take pride where you live. Why you wouldn’t want to make sure that as a condo association that everything is not only running in working order but in the best shape it could possibly be? I figure that all of us have to take most of the crap that the world dishes out eight hours a day, five days a week; we need a haven to recharge and relax. Why would you not want to put a little work into the crib?
Obviously not everyone shares my sentiment.
There are several things that bug me with this whole association maintenance thing:
Not everyone helps.
All of the unit owners benefit from the work of a few. I’m pretty sure that’s chapping a few people’s hides.
Some people, who do help, do so reluctantly and piss & moan about it the whole time.
Some of my neighbors are under the impression that I like to spend my personal time taking care of association maintenance. This is about as far from the truth as you could get. Just because I like to garden doesn’t mean I like doing it for everybody. Nonetheless, I know that if I want a nice looking outside, time has to be devoted to maintenance. Quid pro quo. Just ‘cause I don’t heavily sigh and roll my eyes about it does not mean that I like to spend my time towards the cause.
Not everyone has the same level of quality control.
Hallways not cleaned properly, dirt and cobwebs still in corners, grass clippings all over the sidewalk and lawn, perimeters not edges or clipped---in short half assed work.
Who’s the lucky individual who gets to hear about all of this? Until last week it was me.
But the biggest issue that just friggin pisses me off to no end is that everyone would feel the need to come to me at one point or another with the wailing and the gnashing of the teeth but didn’t have the stones to confront each other.
What, I ask you, is that all about?
So obviously, I’m left to be the bad guy (girl) and crack the whip.
When you think about it, it’s an ingenious strategy. It’s as if our developer put a curse on all of us; letting pettiness break the bonds of solidarity so we can’t reach our common goal of holding him responsible for his actions.
Unfortunately it may have not won me any allies in the upcoming pissing match that we call condo board elections. While I plan on running again, that doesn’t mean that I’ll get elected.
If I don’t get re-elected, I’ll have to follow my own advice and not take it personally.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
The E-Mail
Here is the unedited original post I sent to my fellow board members about the utility budget bills I wrote about earlier.
"With winter coming and hurricane damage to the oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico, utility experts are predicting a sharp rise in electric and natural gas prices. In some cases people are saying that natural gas prices will jump as high as 71%. Obviously both our electric and gas bills may significantly increase but there may be a way to combat this upcoming fiscal crisis.
I investigated the possibility of the association going on the budget plan for both ComEd and People's Energy so at least we'll know how much our bills will be and there will be no surprises. If we went on the budget plan our electric bill would be $149.00 and our gas bill would be $451.00.
It may not be in our best interests to go on the plan for gas until another month has passed or our bill starts approaching the $451.00 mark. Nonetheless, we may be able to see some savings by going on budget for electric sooner rather than later.
Thoughts?"
Let that roll around in your heads for a while. If you're a registered Blogspot member you can post your comments. If you're not a registered Blogspot member you can e-mail me from my profile page. Was I clear? Did I get my point across? Or did my Mother and the State of Illinois waste money sending me to college?
"With winter coming and hurricane damage to the oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico, utility experts are predicting a sharp rise in electric and natural gas prices. In some cases people are saying that natural gas prices will jump as high as 71%. Obviously both our electric and gas bills may significantly increase but there may be a way to combat this upcoming fiscal crisis.
I investigated the possibility of the association going on the budget plan for both ComEd and People's Energy so at least we'll know how much our bills will be and there will be no surprises. If we went on the budget plan our electric bill would be $149.00 and our gas bill would be $451.00.
It may not be in our best interests to go on the plan for gas until another month has passed or our bill starts approaching the $451.00 mark. Nonetheless, we may be able to see some savings by going on budget for electric sooner rather than later.
Thoughts?"
Let that roll around in your heads for a while. If you're a registered Blogspot member you can post your comments. If you're not a registered Blogspot member you can e-mail me from my profile page. Was I clear? Did I get my point across? Or did my Mother and the State of Illinois waste money sending me to college?
Monday, September 26, 2005
Talk To Me
I've turned on the e-mail feature within my profile section so you will be able to send me any burning questions you may have.
Keep it clean, respectful and blog relavant and you'll receive a prompt reply.
Keep it clean, respectful and blog relavant and you'll receive a prompt reply.
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