My Neighbors

Who are people in your neighborhood? Asks Mr Rogers

A classic song and we all remember him tossing one shoe from one hand to the other.

I have excellent neighbors for the most part. I have made pretty good friends with the woman who has the mirror image unit from me. she works in the library here in town.

We can't even be on the phone for less than 30 minutes and she literally lives 1 minute away.

But she and I keep each other aware of things in our building that may compromise the investment.

For example, we live next door to a former mansion turned rooming house. A little old greek guy runs it. He's like a little drill sergeant. I've spoken with him on any number of occasions and he's very nice and very respectful. I haven't ever seen anything amiss at his rooming house. But he's a tough cookie.

We recently voted to install a fence between his home and our outside parking lot. It's taken quite literally 6 months to get the permits and zoning to do this.

So yesterday I pull into the lot, there is a huge sign tacked to the tree that says:

"Mr.Fence Please stay out"

I literally laughed out loud. Then I pulled out my cell phone and called Reg on the phone an told her what's going on - she looked out her window and burst out laughing - even from up on our floor, you can read that sign large as life.

That was Saturday morning.

So Last night I came home at 11PM from my normal Sunday NIght rehearsal to find my lot full. Overfull in fact.

This is a problem.

I pay to park in that lot. It's money that is part of my maintenance costs. It's not cheap. So when I pull in there at 11PM, I should have a spot waiting for me correct?

Well there are several issues here. One, I have requested that we number the spots and assign one, got voted down. Then we decided to make sure that those people who have garage space aren't parking in the lot too. Then we towed "inactive" cars out of the lot. so we have done a lot of work to free up as many spaces for use by residents.

We were all issued Parking permits to be displayed form the rear view mirror. A towing company will come through and check at night and silently tow away the violators.

They haven't been around in awhile.

10 people were parked in the lot that did not have parking permits last night! I "created" a spot near the dumpsters and went upstairs. This morning I called the Management Company and included both the sign and parking situation.

We are working very hard in this building to make this a safe and lovely place to live. We have just finished the re-furbishing of our pool and lobby. It looks stunning now. They have updated the directories and lighting fixtures. Updated the surveillance systems.

I still maintain that if we really want to mae this a fair and pleasant place to live, we need to make the parking situation better. Right now we have narrow spots - I mean narrow. People are not careful and it starts to look and feel a lot like bumper cars out there.

If we numbered and assigned the spots - 1 per unit - that would require us to have 88 spots in the lot. We have 70 at this time. Indoor garages hold another 40 slots. That means for 88 apartments, everyone can have one slot. If there is a second vehicle it should be on a first come first serve and it should cost. Our indoor garage is 30 per month and you get an assigned spot. We have a rule that says if if you have indoor space you have to forfeit your outdoor space.

So what is the problem? these people who are using the lot and are not registered occupants of the building. I saw one woman walk in from the outdoor lot with her boyfriend last night and she pays for an indoor spot. In looking at his car? No permit.

The next owners meeting is in May and I already have a list. So does Reg -- her's includes hoarding, keeping the hourly rental shopping carts in the garage overnight and just how DID they multiply from 2 to 4 overnight? Renters, sublet's etc.

I just want to protect my investment. I also think I want make sure that this is happy and safe place to live.