Carl,
The apartments in my building are condominiums, which means that now, they
are individually owned. The building is governed by a board selected by the
owners. Since almost no one wants to serve on the board because it is rather
thankless work requiring decision making to which someone or other will have
an objection, the board becomes rather dictatorial. The board hires a
management company to run the building. The management company employs the
personnel. There has been mention, by the board, of purchasing a generator,
but it hasn't been put on an agenda yet. The original builder didn't include
a generator because his building was shoddy and his motive was quick profit,
not the welfare of the purchasers of his apartments. The people who own the
apartments are paying apartment maintenance, plus utilities, plus many of
them are paying mortgage payments. The maintenance varies from apartment to
apartment, depending on its size. When I purchased my apartment in 2006, I
think the monthly maintenance was $349. Now it is just under $600. So you
can see why people might be hesitant to add to their monthly expenses by
paying for a generator. But given the fact that cooking, light, the
elevator, and the functioning of the heating system depend on electricity, a
generator is a necessity. Building residents range in age from infants to
the elderly. I am the only person I know who has kept my phone service
separate from cable tv and internet. That is why my phone worked during
Hurricane Sandy. Everyone else depended on cell phones. Some of those didn't
work because something went wrong with some of the cell towers. People who
drove cars could charge their phones in their cars. I don't have that
option. Right now it is snowing, very cold, and windy, I hear a fire siren
in the distance. Otherwise, it is absolutely silent. No cars going by on the
main street in front of my building. It's filled with snow.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2016 11:12 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: in my thoughts
If good wishes could keep you warm, Miriam, you'd be breaking a sweat about
now. I hope you will have telephone contact, no matter what else goes down.
Does New York State have any official emergency teams that provide emergency
help to disabled and elderly folk?
You mentioned something that I consider criminal. For a building such as
yours, to not have backup power is unconscionable. I suppose that the
owners of that building figure that they are doing their public service by
simply collecting their money each month. And what happens when the Media
urges everyone to stay home? Does this mean those people who care for your
building?
It always fried my fritters to hear the radio jocks telling us not to go
out. First of all, they got to work somehow. Secondly, back when I was
paid an hours wage for an hours work, to miss time meant a short paycheck.
And God only knew that it was short enough already.
I recall back in ancient times, wading knee deep in snow, walking the five
miles from my house to the old drapery factory. One time I, along with
another fellow, gave a boost to a driver stuck in a snow drift. After some
real straining we got him running down the middle of the street. He never
looked back nor offered us a ride. And they say that Seattle residents are
thoughtful!
That day I arrived at work two hours late. My boss and about ten employees
were there. Usually there were around 150 employees. I worked through
lunch and an hour after normal hours, to make up the two hours I would have
been docked. And then I walked a good part of the way back home.
These days when the weather is nasty, we just pick up the phone and
reschedule our appointments. No one needing our services will have their
lives threatened if we don't show up for a few days.
So, be safe and do let us know how you are surviving.
Carl Jarvis
On 1/22/16, Abby Vincent <aevincent@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Miriam,
From what I hear on the news, the big storm should arrive where you
are in a few hours. Hope you have lots of blankets and a solar or
battery powered radio. I just stocked up for the big rains we're
supposed to get. So far, it's just been ordinary rain.
Abby
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Miriam ;
Vieni
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 7:06 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: in my thoughts
Thank you. Just hope for me that with the high winds and heavy snow,
my electricity doesn't go out because this would be worse than Sandy
when it wasn't so cold. I would have no heat, light, or stove. There
was some talk of my building buying a generator, but it hasn't happened.
Miriam
________________________________
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of joe harcz ;
Comcast
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 8:55 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] in my thoughts
All,
For those on the east coast I offer all I can for the severe
northeaster about to hit you.
I can offer nothing but my best wishes and truest love.
It isn't much but it is all one human being has in her or his
possession to offer.
So, hold on, hunker down, hold each other tight, and wrap warm.
And most of all know that you are not abandoned in thoughts, which
some might even call prayers.
Know I hold you allin my mind and heart.
Peace and Forebearance,
Joe
