Humans were never my preferred species.
I have always found it easier to love dogs.
Cats too.
Even mice, though they frighten me.
When I used to say this to my dear friend Victor, he would laugh and tell me I was joking.
But I never was.
I wish I had been.
I wish I had not been reminded of just how low some people can go on the very day I buried one of my closest friends.
🕊️ Victor
Victor believed in people. He believed in community.
He knew everyone by name. He saw good in people. Even when they didn’t deserve it.
On the morning of his funeral, after I laid my sweet friend to rest, I held a peaceful Celebration of Life in the lobby he loved so much.
Friends gathered. Stories were shared. People laughed. People cried. Victor would have loved it.
⚖️ The Board’s Priority List
While many of us were mourning the loss of a friend, our Board had other priorities.
Not memories.
Not condolences.
Not compassion.
Not community.
Instead:
✅ Liability Exposure
✅ Insurance Implications
✅ Enforcement Assistance
✅ Injunctive Relief
✅ Chargebacks
✅ Legal Consequences
📉 The Lowest Point
I have spent years fighting this Board. I have watched them waste owners’ money. I have watched them treat residents unfairly. I have watched them attack disabled residents.
But even by those standards, this was something different.
This was the lowest point.
At the exact moment residents were preparing to bury a friend, the Board’s response was a catalogue of threats.
For me, that was the moment this Board reached rock bottom.
👥 Dear Bluevale
And now a message to the residents.
These are the people who represent you. These are the voices speaking in your name. These are the individuals entrusted with defining the culture of your community.
Read their letter. Read every word.
Then ask yourself whether this is the kind of leadership you wish to be associated with.
The funeral started at 10 AM. Their letter was sent at 8.42 AM. Less than 30 minutes before we were getting in the car to leave.
Hmmm, liability they say, personal injury, slips, they say… How come this does not apply to Cathy Mandic, who, is not a contractor of the corporation, yet does gardening every day. She is 75+ could she not slip and fall while gardening. In fact more likely, for her to slip while doing physical activities in the common elements than our guests while sipping a coke. Oh, wait a minute……..Katika is Pamela Baker’s bestie……….
And how about Wendy Vaughn who instead of using the gym, runs the hallways of the condominium in violation of our condo rules that clearly state that common elements are to be used strictly for ingress and egress.
Oh, wait a minute, she is a board member……….Next time I see her running in the hallways, I will record it and share it with you, dear friends.
Insurance, they say. Oh, how very interesting……How about Pamela Baker’s Christmas gathering. the lobby has a capacity of no more than 40 people. Yet, I remember the Christmas gathering when I met Victor there were significantly more than 40 people. Well………next time I will make sure to call the fire department myself. Not to be mean, just to keep everyone safe………
And the closing speaks for itself.
There is an old saying:
You are the company you keep.
These are your representatives.
This is your crowd.
Not mine.
Victor deserved better.
