I am airing this topic for all to join in here and to hear some other viewpoints on this subject. I have recently been accused of using the 'I' word and have been reminded that there is a board in place besides, 'I'. Let me just say that I have not seen or heard of anyone else on this board making the phone calls to Sharman and or interfacing with her staff during this past year. So, yes, I use the 'I' word. What do you expect me to say?
When you have people on a board that cannnot respond to emails and you've heard of no one doing anything, you start to believe that you are the only one that gives a damn. Do you blame me? If you've been in these shoes before you probably know what I'm talking about. It's a thankless position and you take a lot of heat. I know that and I accept it. But, if you want to start telling me about using the 'I' word then you better start backing it up with action on your part. Don't begin telling me what to do and then point your finger at me. You have no idea what's been happening during this past year.
Now, let's begin talking about a change that 'I' would like to see happen. You see, the past board has let the management company run things. You ask, 'Isn't that what they are paid for'? Sort of. They contract for services and are to work 'with' the board. Simple, right? But, when a board sits on their hands and does nothing then the management company has to take over, sort of speak. Maybe I'm giving them too much credit? More on this further down this post.
In my year of having been president of this board I have calmly sat back and watched how things were being done. Everything was going along just fine I thought. That was until I started to realize that a lot of things were not being done and a lot of things were ignored or just not paid any attention. I wish I had logged a listing of all of this to post right here as I'd like to do it but I'll have to go from memory, and I won't be able to remember them all at this one time either. I really dread having to post any of this here. I just know all the excuses I will hear back.
We have had GPI or Greenacres Property Management, Inc. for the last four years. I cannot say how the prior board members have conducted business with this company through Sharman Killian, our assigned property manager. But, I can tell you my experience this past year. I am going to try not to go into too much detail here if I can keep from it but I know you want to hear more. I feel the residents have been kept in the dark as there hasn't been any newsletter for the past what, two years now? So, anyone reading here might get some insight into what's been going on as this website will be a log of my activities as they occur. Then, you the resident can have some say so on the subject(s). That is, if you care and I know they only ones that care are the few that are posting here.
Let's get down to business. I have went out and attained a quote from another company that offers to do business with us for half or more of what our current costs are. Okay, read that again, please. LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT OUR CURRENT COSTS ARE. There has been one other quote attained also for a similiar cost. Now, the question begs, why is there a question, right? You would think the intelligent decision would be to make the switch. Is this intelligent though? Why would you question the decision further? Okay, the natural questions come to mind; how long have these other companys been in business? Will they be here today and gone tommorrow? How many other communites do they manage? Enough already, right?
I, uh oh, the 'I' word again....I will speak for the company that I got a quote from. The business has been around for 16 years. They manage several communities, exact amount I don't know at this time but I feel it doesn't matter. Why, because the current management is handling nine communities including ours. Can it be any worse with another company? Sure, I guess it can but you don't know until you try. So, you are afraid to try? But, you'd rather pay $16,000 a year or $135 a quarter in these hard times and get what you pay for currently or would rather take a chance to get better for half of our current cost? I'm talking a $50 a quarter decrease in your current dues here. Could you use $200 extra in your pocket each year? I could.
Current plans call for a meeting between the board and one of these companys next week. I would like to hope that the other board members will have their fears slayed and we can begin anew and start to concentrate on the community more in the coming years ahead. I am not willing to allow a property management company to dictate to me, the board or the residents anything that doesn't take in consideration of the residents.
Here is some idea of what I'm talking about. The last two meetings the board has requested bids for pressure cleaning the front entranceway sidewalks. Nothing has been heard back from the management company on this twice requested item. The first meeting and request was back in March. So, I assume it has been forgotten about.
Here's another scenario. A year or so back a resident called to complain about the irrigation system being on during restricted days and times. There was some heated discussion that ensued. Not long after we were fined and had to pay a $150. What went wrong here? A prior resident was president then but we still had GPI managing, or should I say here, not managing.
If you were to read through our contract you would see page after page of items that were contracted for. I can tell you that we have not been getting what we have been paying for. You ask me, did I ask why or ask for them? I ask you, why do I have to ask for any of these things that we have contracted for? If the property management company was doing their part 100% there would be no question and we wouldn't be here now discussing this.
I'm writing this post here in public view hoping that other residents who've witnessed any of what I'm saying can attest to the facts for me. Be they at a meeting or whatever.
It was suggested to sit down and try to give GPI another chance to get things right. And, also to renegotiate the cost. My response is, do you really think they can match two current quotes we've gotten or even come close and cutting thier bill from $16,000 to $8,000 or less? Besides, would you be willing to put up with 'trying' to get GPI to follow their contract? I've myself and the board has tried enough. If you ask me, this year is worthy of posting a negative comment at the Better Business Bureau about this company. I am not at all willing at this time to want to give them a chance to do any of the above. I say it's time for a change. In short, that's all I have to say for now. Do you agree or disagree to a change? I need your input here. Am I wrong for wanting a change? What would you do?
I am not a sit down guy. I am not afraid to post here and will speak my mind so all will know what's going on. I'm open to all comments, good and bad. Don't be afraid to speak up. I will listen. I may not agree but we can discuss things to hopefully come to understanding on both of our parts. That's all I ask. Then, when a decision is to be made, hopefully myself and the rest of the board will base that decision on what's felt is right at that time. Don't just sit there and complain to yourself or your spouse or speak negative comments to your neighbors. Join in and be a part of the solution.
