I don't know where to begin in describing tonight's community meeting in OM to discuss the Verona sale. I got the impression from the meeting that there was a lot of shock and surprise at the anger expressed at the meeting.
I actually thought there was a lot less anger than there was going to be. I was not thrilled by the ad hominem comments that went on about various people and officials. And to be honest I thought these were going to come from every single speaker.
I thought the speakers were more diverse than expected. And OK, Compass Guy is going to say that there were only 5 people under the age of 70 who spoke. Whatever. I was glad though that there were people representing some of the PTAs, some newer residents, and especially, people who live in multi-family housing. It's easy for older folks and those of us with older kids to come out; not so much these others and honestly I place greater weight on what they had to say. I was happy to attend a community meeting in my village and actually not know every single person who spoke. That's a positive for the long-term civic health of OM.
Short-term, though, there are some major problems. I wrote about 2100 words yesterday where I covered why these problems exist.
So now what?
I'm sure my colleagues on the village board will confab Wednesday. Right now, I think anything could happen coming out of the meeting. As I told people leaving the meeting, if the Housing Commission has an escape clause to get out of the Verona sale, I wouldn't be surprised if it executed it.
What was revealed to me was the depth of the societal problems in my community. A woman talking about being threatened in the foyer of her condominium. A Verona resident staying until 9:20 with two kids under 4 just to tell everyone, "Close the Verona down". Residents distinguishing that while students who take advantage of free and reduced meals are by and large good kids and have good families, that there are resource tolls upon the educational system that makes it hard to bridge the achievement gap. Lots of cries for help. And not a lot of us had ideas on how to help.
And whatever happens at Verona, those things won't go away. That's the reality. So one day in Columbia I watched these great architects talk about their breathtaking projects and their expertise that they'll bring to the Inner Arbor. The next, a woman is complaining about no mold remediation in her apartment. Good heavens.
The immediate next steps are going to be important in how to find solutions to these problems. I know the village board asked for signups to form board committees in the hopes of revising the Master Plan, while a group of citizens is hoping to bring change to the village from the outside.
That's all wonderful. But why do I get this feeling that unless we address these serious issues that people without much of a dog in the Verona fight came out to talk about, that all of the chest puffing about Verona won't mean a thing? That's my thought as I power down for the evening, in more ways than one.
I find that perhaps some clarification on 2 points in my post are warranted.
1. The anger level of last night's meeting. On a scale of 1 to 10, I consider last night a 9. I had anticipated a 10+. That I write that it took over 90 minutes for the first random shouting from the crowd to start, shouldn't be taken as a point of pride.
2. I certainly didn't mention the possibility of the HCHC walking away from the Verona sale as a good thing. To be honest, I'm not sure if they can. And if they could, I restate my belief that I think local ownership is better than what's there now.
Posted by: Marshmallow Man | November 20, 2013 at 05:23 AM
Here's my thoughts from that meeting. I was one of those young folks who didn't speak. I had a toddler at home with a friend and I had to leave at 8:30. I'm a young(ish) parent and new resident. I thought some of the comments were harsh.
1) The Verona being owned by a quasi-public entity is better than the Verona being owned by a private slum lord. But in order to exercise the benefit of the quasi-public entity's ownership we HAVE to pressure them to do right by us. Not to get out and leave it to another slumlord.
2) We should welcome the HC but demand they put a plan in legally binding writing that will produce a real solution. That plan should include:
A- Replacing the management company immediately. Not in a year. Get a good management company in there to start January 1, 2014. Whoever manages their other properties maybe?
B- Actual, likely expensive, repairs to the physical plant. Re-roofing, plumbing overhaul, replacing kitchens with modern, high-end kitchens, replacing windows with up-to-date, efficient windows, etc. These renovations should more than repair Verona -- they should update it to modern style, with stainless steel appliances and marble countertops in the kitchens, for instance.
C- Actual, definitely expensive, improvements to Verona to raise the quality of life for all residents (market and otherwise). They are owed that much, and we want some luxury features. They mentioned a gym and a pool. If that wasn't smoke and mirrors, they need to prove it. Break ground in the spring of 2014. And again, this will be in some kind of legally binding document.
D- Moderate security improvements at Verona. Cameras, a gate, a night gate attendant -- to the limit that the crazy Columbia rules allow they to have. These will also make it feel more upscale. You know you can park your lotus there, because they have a guard at the gate at night.
E- Last but not least, commit to keeping the subsidized units proportion at 20% or lower indefinitely.
If they can do that, then they're BETTER than a private landlord.
Their current plan is as bad if not worse than a private landlord. Exterior paint and landscaping, keeping the current management... They can do better, but at this point, they have to put it in writing that they will. We won't take empty words.
Posted by: Jon | November 20, 2013 at 06:16 AM
Jon, I love everything you wrote. These would all be terrific improvements.
Posted by: Marshmallow Man | November 20, 2013 at 06:30 AM
So how do we get them to do it? What can I do?
The standing-room-only meeting at the Other Barn sent them a message, but I'm afraid the message was "Get out!"
:(
Leader, please lead me!
Posted by: Jon | November 20, 2013 at 06:45 AM
Jon has some excellent concrete ideas on how the Verona could be an asset to the community. I'd like to see some other things tied into the deal- commitments from the County for extra funding - above the extra funding currently provided- for community schools who have x number of FRM students. A commitment to support innovative after school programs that are academically enriching at those schools- perhaps through Recreation and Parks. A commitment to encourage the DOE and County PTA to figure out a way to equalize the community based funding so that every ES has the same opportunities for its students. It's difficult because the County has minimum control over education… but there are probably ways to do it that I haven't though of. mcat
Posted by: Mary Catherine Cochran | November 20, 2013 at 10:34 AM