I want to explain the new garbage bag cost issue very clearly so there is NO confusion.
You do not have to buy garbage bags from me, the building, or anyone else. You will not be billed for garbage bags. They are provided to you as part of your rent and utility payments.
I have told you of their high cost for only one reason. So you do not waste them, for example, putting them out in the alley when they are only half full.
I am also sharing my experiences with you regarding the program since you are obviously residents of Seattle and need to know how your government is working (or not working) for you.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Garbage Bag Distribution
I have just learned for a variety of silly reasons that I cannot distribute the garbage and recycling bags to tenants by putting them on your doorknobs.
I have to hand them out individually to tenants.
This program gets dumber and dumber as the days go on.
I have plenty of both the green and clear recycling bags in my office on the second floor. Please stop by during my normal office hours during the day or when I am in the office in the evening and I'll give you some. If you need bags also please email me at watermarkeapartments@gmail.com and I can make special arrangements to get them to you.
I have been speaking to property managers all over Seattle and the outrage over this program is wide and deep. If you are angry and confused over the Clear Alleys program PLEASE call and email the Mayor and the City Council. They created this nonsense and only they have the power to recind it. I'm only coping with the mess they created. I'm only the messenger, okay?
I have to hand them out individually to tenants.
This program gets dumber and dumber as the days go on.
I have plenty of both the green and clear recycling bags in my office on the second floor. Please stop by during my normal office hours during the day or when I am in the office in the evening and I'll give you some. If you need bags also please email me at watermarkeapartments@gmail.com and I can make special arrangements to get them to you.
I have been speaking to property managers all over Seattle and the outrage over this program is wide and deep. If you are angry and confused over the Clear Alleys program PLEASE call and email the Mayor and the City Council. They created this nonsense and only they have the power to recind it. I'm only coping with the mess they created. I'm only the messenger, okay?
Letter in Lobby from Me
I put a "Welcome Letter" in the lobby on the long wooden table. Pick one up please.
It contains a written work order you need to fill out and submit to me if you need any work done on your apartment plus some other valuable information about the Watermarke.
It contains a written work order you need to fill out and submit to me if you need any work done on your apartment plus some other valuable information about the Watermarke.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
More on Garbage Pickup and Recycling
I just got off the phone with a nice guy from Cleanscapes who runs the Mayor's new Clear Alley's program. He gave me lots of information about the new program which literally is as dumb as it sounds.
EACH ONE OF THOSE GREEN GARBAGE BAGS I HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING COSTS $3.50.
Let me repeat that.
Each one of those green plastic bags you have been putting your garbage into costs $3.50.
Not each roll.
Each bag. EACH BAG!
The "Starter Kit" that was given to me when the program was dropped on building managers was "free" or to put it more accurately we were not billed at the time for them.
Well, guess what just arrived in the mail?
I am outraged by not just the silliness of this program but its incredible expense. Nevertheless what choice do I (or we) have. Garbage is garbage.
So here are some more useful specifics for all of you:
1. I will be distributing clear plastic bags for recycling purposes over the next week or so or whenever they arrive by mail. Each one of these bags only costs $2.00 each!
2. The clear recycling bags will be used for newspapers, cans, bottles, glass, plastic, and everything else but paper. They go into the alley right next to the green bags.
3. Cardboard is picked up for FREE. Just flatten your boxes and stack the piles neatly where the garbage pickup is in the alley. This includes your pizza boxes.
4. Our recycling dumpster that is still in the alley is about to be removed so put out whatever you can now because it is going to disappear without notice---just like our other dumpster did.
This by far is the most inane of all the ideas Mayor Nichols has been promoting over the last few years. The reason for this boondoggle is that the mayor wants our alleys to be free of dumpsters because homeless people have been using them as places to sleep, do drug deals, urinate and defecate, and otherwise convert them into shelters of some kind.
How about eliminating the homeless people instead of the dumpsters? Why not do more so human beings do not need to sleep and defecate in alleyways?
As a frontline administrator of this program I can tell no one thought much about this except the fact that selling garbage bags for $3.50 each is very profitable.
Only I'm the one paying the bill for them. I'm not laughing.
EACH ONE OF THOSE GREEN GARBAGE BAGS I HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING COSTS $3.50.
Let me repeat that.
Each one of those green plastic bags you have been putting your garbage into costs $3.50.
Not each roll.
Each bag. EACH BAG!
The "Starter Kit" that was given to me when the program was dropped on building managers was "free" or to put it more accurately we were not billed at the time for them.
Well, guess what just arrived in the mail?
I am outraged by not just the silliness of this program but its incredible expense. Nevertheless what choice do I (or we) have. Garbage is garbage.
So here are some more useful specifics for all of you:
1. I will be distributing clear plastic bags for recycling purposes over the next week or so or whenever they arrive by mail. Each one of these bags only costs $2.00 each!
2. The clear recycling bags will be used for newspapers, cans, bottles, glass, plastic, and everything else but paper. They go into the alley right next to the green bags.
3. Cardboard is picked up for FREE. Just flatten your boxes and stack the piles neatly where the garbage pickup is in the alley. This includes your pizza boxes.
4. Our recycling dumpster that is still in the alley is about to be removed so put out whatever you can now because it is going to disappear without notice---just like our other dumpster did.
This by far is the most inane of all the ideas Mayor Nichols has been promoting over the last few years. The reason for this boondoggle is that the mayor wants our alleys to be free of dumpsters because homeless people have been using them as places to sleep, do drug deals, urinate and defecate, and otherwise convert them into shelters of some kind.
How about eliminating the homeless people instead of the dumpsters? Why not do more so human beings do not need to sleep and defecate in alleyways?
As a frontline administrator of this program I can tell no one thought much about this except the fact that selling garbage bags for $3.50 each is very profitable.
Only I'm the one paying the bill for them. I'm not laughing.
Manager's Welcome Letter
Over the next day I will be distributing a "Manager's Welcome Letter" to all residents of the Watermarke Apartments.
This letter has three purposes:
First, I want to give you an idea of who is managing your building and my philosophy when it comes to building management. The bottom line here is that tenants are customers and you need to listen to their needs in order to be successful in this business.
Second, to give you information on procedures for getting things done, such as fixing problems, reporting concerns, and the like. A copy of a work order will be provided for your use. If you have a problem I want it fixed fast and this information will go a long way towards that goal.
And third, I want to invite you to a "Meet the Manager" night where we can all get together, meet each other, and have some fun. It is important for me to meet you but also for residents to meet each other.
So look for this letter and RSVP me on the "Meet the Manager" night. While I have met many of you over the last few weeks I would prefer a more social setting than one involving lease resignings or concerns over hot water.
This letter has three purposes:
First, I want to give you an idea of who is managing your building and my philosophy when it comes to building management. The bottom line here is that tenants are customers and you need to listen to their needs in order to be successful in this business.
Second, to give you information on procedures for getting things done, such as fixing problems, reporting concerns, and the like. A copy of a work order will be provided for your use. If you have a problem I want it fixed fast and this information will go a long way towards that goal.
And third, I want to invite you to a "Meet the Manager" night where we can all get together, meet each other, and have some fun. It is important for me to meet you but also for residents to meet each other.
So look for this letter and RSVP me on the "Meet the Manager" night. While I have met many of you over the last few weeks I would prefer a more social setting than one involving lease resignings or concerns over hot water.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Parking Now Available at the Watermarke
I picked up all the parking lot information today.
If you are a tenant at the Watermarke Apartments and want to park your car with us here are the details.
The parking lot is behind the old Musician's Union building in the alley between 3rd and 4th Avenue. To reach the lot which is just forty yards from our front door, just exit the building from the main entrance on Cedar Street, turn right, and cross the street and enter the alley in front of you. The spots are immediately on the right and numbered on the ground.
These are obviously uncovered but also available for use 24/7.
Republic Parking manages the lot.
These are tandem spots which means one car parks in front of the other. These spots can cause problems for some people and I will admit are best suited for people who know each other like roommates, friends, etc. But I have used them before in the past at other buildings and know they can easily work once the procedures between parties have been worked out.
The spots rent in pairs for $250 or $125 each. If you need just one spot I can hook you up with a partner in the building so you can make arrangements.
The location of this parking lot is perfect so I'm confident we can make it work.
If you are a tenant at the Watermarke Apartments and want to park your car with us here are the details.
The parking lot is behind the old Musician's Union building in the alley between 3rd and 4th Avenue. To reach the lot which is just forty yards from our front door, just exit the building from the main entrance on Cedar Street, turn right, and cross the street and enter the alley in front of you. The spots are immediately on the right and numbered on the ground.
These are obviously uncovered but also available for use 24/7.
Republic Parking manages the lot.
These are tandem spots which means one car parks in front of the other. These spots can cause problems for some people and I will admit are best suited for people who know each other like roommates, friends, etc. But I have used them before in the past at other buildings and know they can easily work once the procedures between parties have been worked out.
The spots rent in pairs for $250 or $125 each. If you need just one spot I can hook you up with a partner in the building so you can make arrangements.
The location of this parking lot is perfect so I'm confident we can make it work.
Hot Water Issue Resolved Quickly
As many of you know and need no reminder we lost our hot water about 7:00AM this morning. I got about thirty calls on the subject, some not so nice.
I completely understand your frustration.
The hot water service was restored promptly by 9:30AM. I want to thank our super efficient repair guy John who was right on the ball this morning and did a great job.
The issue was a minor spring in a boiler value that needed adjustment. Nothing more.
I am meeting with building officials to make sure this never happens again. I don't like to take cold showers when I need to go to work either.
I completely understand your frustration.
The hot water service was restored promptly by 9:30AM. I want to thank our super efficient repair guy John who was right on the ball this morning and did a great job.
The issue was a minor spring in a boiler value that needed adjustment. Nothing more.
I am meeting with building officials to make sure this never happens again. I don't like to take cold showers when I need to go to work either.
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