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Frozen Indians :(

Urban Native Homes Inc. go about like the KMHC building is flawless and nothing goes wrong at this place.  News Flash!  When the Polar Vortex hit southern Ontario the KMHC staff wasn’t prepared for what happened next. For many days there was no heat in the upper floor units, mostly the elders and those with physical disabilities are located on these floors. Fortunate for me and my neighbors we’re located in the lower level and have our own heating system. During the no heat situation the following Monday KMHC office was closed due to the frigid cold weather.  It’s a poor excuse, all staff have vehicles if they were paid by the hour I’m sure they would show up regardless of weather conditions.  I applaud Luke Johns his job title may be the building cleaner but this young man actually cares about the tenants. During the emergency I met him in the hallway and he asked if my heating system is working.
A few days ago we had the annual unit inspection, mine was scheduled for 10.30 am. Here I am looking at the clock and it’s going on 11 am so I called the office to find out what’s the hold up.  HOW Lynda Jones answered and explained due to the boiler being repaired there will be a delay but didn’t say how long.  I finally got fed up waiting so I called the office again @ 11 45 am. I told HOW Lynda Jones I have better things to do then sit around waiting for a mundane unit inspection plus in consideration the staff should inform tenants of any delays and perhaps reschedule for another time. :P  All of sudden Lynda announced the inspection guy is available and he’ll be right over.  Needless to say I was not in a good mood when Darryl and HOW ‘probie’ Christine showed up but I kept my cool.  When the inspection was over Darryl the head maintenance guy complimented me on how well I keep my unit.  :)
In the past UNH’s staff have been known to enter units without proper notice so I like to be present whenever they do an inspection.
It’s time for UNH’s Director to get off her butt and find a competent superintendent for KMHC, the maintenance crew are doing double duties and it’s not fair to them…unless she’s paying them double wages.  :P

A tenant meeting is scheduled in a few days….Stay tuned.  ;)

Tk

Comments

Tony King said…
Many unhappy tenants during the no heat situation, I had a chat with a fellow tenant who's unit is above the boiler room. He told me he warned the office the boiler is making a lot of noise and it sounds like it's going to break down any time soon. Did the office staff listen to his concerns Nope! In the end UNH's had to hire a contractor to install a new boiler in the building.
Tony King said…
Here we are near the end of the month and the boiler contractors are still working on the heating system. I pity the UNH's accounts payable dept. They have to cough up with the $$$ for parts and labor to replace the boiler I heard the Director is good at stiffing contractors. The Polar Vortex is suppose to be returning this week let's hope there are no frozen Indians in the upper floors of the building that need to be thawed. :)

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