Condo Chronicles

Silence Is Golden (and the Board’s Favourite Soundtrack)
A Meditation on Fear and Retaliation

There’s a peculiar hush that falls over our beloved tower at Blenvale. No, it’s not the sound of peace, harmony, or well-oiled governance. It’s the sound of fear. Thick, anxious, guilt-ridden fear. The kind of fear that makes people look at their shoes when you speak the truth, duck behind doors when injustice knocks, and nod nervously while whispering “I support you… but please don’t mention my name.” EVER. I MEAN IT, NEVER!

They send anonymous notes of support, usually folded like origami and slid under your door after dark, signed:

“A Supportive Neighbour (Please Burn This After Reading)”

This isn’t a condo anymore. It’s a hostage situation with shared hallways.

Let’s talk about the unspoken truth: This Board is not exactly admired. No, really. People talk about them in elevators, at laundry machines, during fire drills, and (poetically) while waiting for the elevators they refuse to upgrade. But here’s the rub: they won’t say it out loud.

Because the Board doesn’t just run this place.
They rule it – like an autocrat in orthopedic sandals.
And dissent? Well, dissent is met with… let’s call it “administrative misfortune.”
Suddenly, your service dog isn’t allowed.
Suddenly, you’re violating a by-law that does not exist.
Suddenly, you’re “combative,” “abusive,” “difficult.”
Suddenly, you’re the problem.

So, people choose silence.
Not because they agree. But because they know.

They’ve seen what happens to those who speak.
They’ve seen the tribunal filings, the gossip campaigns, the memos smeared with veiled threats and bureaucratic gaslighting.
They’ve seen owners ridiculed for requesting basic rights like transparency, or (God forbid) an itemized invoice.

And what does that fear do?

It creates a hall of mirrors.
Where everyone thinks they’re alone.
Where no one realizes the entire floor is thinking the same thing:

“This board is a disgrace… but please, someone else say it first.”

Let’s be honest: this is not “community living.”
This is survival under a regime of plausible deniability.

So yes, this Board is not exactly liked.
Not because they are strict. Not because they enforce the rules.
But because they weaponize them.

Because they lie.
Because they gaslight.
Because they lead with punishment and hide behind “advisors.”

And still – still – people stay quiet. Not out of respect. Out of fear.

But here’s the twist: the silence is the thing keeping them in power.
Every unspoken truth is a vote for their next term.
Every whispered complaint that stays whispered is another curtain they can set on fire without consequence.

So to the silent majority:
You’re not wrong for being scared.
But you are wrong if you think silence will save you.
Because when you don’t speak, they don’t stop.
They just get bolder.

It’s time to pick a side.
And no – “neutral” is not a side. It’s a surrender.

They win every time you choose comfort over courage.

This time, it was me. I was the one who dared to speak, who asked the questions that shall not be asked, who poked the paper tiger with a highlighter and a copy of the Condo Act. And I got the full royal treatment: retaliation, character assassination, and a starring role in one of Mildred’s affidavits. But make no mistake – next time, it could be you. All it takes is a fob request, a misplaced complaint, or a slightly too assertive eyebrow raise at the AGM. So go ahead, stay quiet… for now. But start practicing your affidavit face. You might be next in line for the crown.

👑 Long live the Kingdom of Retaliation!
(Just don’t ask how much the throne cost – that’s confidential.)

Disclaimer: This post is satire and opinion. Read full disclaimer.