This morning, I woke up with a sense of irritation after realizing that no one had cleared the snow from the complex overnight. Six inches piled up, and it seems like everyone just waited until the storm stopped before doing anything. This pattern of procrastination signals a few things to me.
First, it’s obvious yet again that we don’t have a full-time property manager. Even though I’ve mentioned this before, it bears repeating. Second, I’m told the property manager was nowhere to be found, though his girlfriend was present; I suppose that’s considered an acceptable substitute in their book.
The bigger issue is with Goldberg Realty Associates in Caldwell, New Jersey; the folks who own and run this property. Their disregard for both legal requirements and tenant welfare is glaring to me. According to the Uniform Housing Code, a complex the size of Newtonian Gardens Apartments in Newton NJ is supposed to employ at least one full-time property manager for round-the-clock coverage, especially to handle emergencies and inclement weather. During such conditions, management should be actively salting, sanding, and shoveling, not waiting for everything to blow over before making a half-hearted attempt.
It reminds me of when Richie (the thief) and Alice (his mother) managed this place over twenty years ago when I first moved in; it seems we’re back to those same bad habits.
While talking to another tenant about the state of the complex, I suggested he document the conditions with his smartphone and file a maintenance request. Unfortunately, most tenants here seem unwilling to act or stand up for themselves. It’s frustrating, but maybe people get the outcomes they’re willing to accept.
After talking with my neighbor, I decided to meditate on the situation. During my meditation, I visualized a stackable washer and dryer engulfed in flames; oddly enough, it felt like a symbol appropriate for the outcome I desired to manifest. My affirmation was simple: “I have been well protected from the greed, incompetence, and prejudice of Goldberg Realty Associates.”
I barely finished the affirmation in my head before slipping into a vision where I heard myself telling someone: “You can do this. You have the power to do this.”
The atmosphere felt like a negotiation in progress. My tone with whoever I was talking to was commanding yet professional. “I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
Although the images were vague and gray, I emerged from the meditation with a familiar surge of energy and a sense that something was about to change. That feeling is good enough for me; I believe that things will work out.