We've moved !!

The Getting Greener blog has proved to be quite popular with some of the GC residents and after only a few days it has outgrown it's humble beginnings as a simple post-and-comment blog. Davie Robertson has put together a far more comprehensive site which contains all of the elements needed to build a true community portal. Access it at:

http://gc.davie.com

The Getting Greener blog is closing and I will move the more interesting comments to an Archive folder on the new web site. Thanks to Davie for providing the site and I look forward to seeing all my new friends there.

The Green Man

Meeting on Tuesday !!!

Hello Greenies, sorry I've been quiet, been slaving over a hot desk.

I see lots and lots of comments on the original post, its really good to see so many of us exchanging views. I guess I should try and organise this site a bit better but right now I have more important news:

There will be a meeting on Tuesday evening at 19:00 hrs in Townhouse 502.

The resident who is kindly holding the meeting has asked that if you intend to be present can you please e-mail him first so that he knows what kind of numbers to expect. His e-mail address is mailto:robertg@emirates.net.ae

.... TGM

Residents Association - pointless without UP

Lots of people seem to want a Residents' Association. Am I the only one who thinks that would be a pointless exercise unless UP sanctioned and supported one? I am not really interested in a RA unless UP invites one to be formed, officially recognises it and provides representation at management level.

Credit where it is due

Some of our posters are under the mistaken impression that I published the flyer. I have to state for the record that I am not a member of the GCRAC nor did I have anything to do with writing the flyer - that distinction belongs to Kat and her group of concerned residents.

The flyer was the catalyst that pushed me to start this blog. Well done Kat, you got a lot of people's attention, including, it seems, our landlord.

UP's Response

Looks like the GCRAC's newsletter got a reaction from UP despite Security's worst efforts at gagging. Today's letter from Property Manager Lyn Soppelsa seems reasonable and fair in the points it makes however Ms Soppelsa's statement that she would not normally respond to anonymous mail has me baffled. What was it about this instance that caused her to respond?

Oh yes, almost forgot. Does anyone know who are the independent auditors?

Hello everybody!

My goodness! What a great response and I only sent e-mails to one third of those on the UP mailing list. (Hotmail would not allow any more than that in one day)

One or two people commented by e-mail about anonymity. You are, of course, right. Anonymous posts and newsletters do have some negative connotations. On the flip side, remaining anonymous while topics are discussed hurts no-one provided a level of decorum is maintained and it does not really detract from the value of the opinions expressed if they are sincere in the first place. I chose to remain anonymous to begin with to avoid hate mail and spam directly to my home inbox, that's all. It's happened before.

Thanks to all who took the time to e-mail or post. Some interesting comments already. I totally agree with the anonymous poster who reminded us that there are a lot of good things about living here and that this blog ought to reflect that too. Equally, residents have previously had no public channel to vent their feelings or frustrations and it is only to be expected that these will be posted. Hopefully your comments will help people see things from different perspectives.

Oh dear, that sounds pompous. It wasn't meant to be.

On the original topic - if anyone from the GCRAC wants to get in touch with a view to expanding the reach and content of the newsletter, please e-mail me.

GCRAC - who are they?

Since moving in here I've been mulling over the feasibility of communal represention. Something so commonplace in the West as to be taken for granted in any self-respecting neighborhood is conspicuous by its absence here. But inevitably the questions arose: Is it really necessary in the first place? What would be the benefits and pitfalls? What would its charter be? How would it be elected? Would UP accept an elected committee as the voice of all residents? How much "power" could it and should it wield? As is all too often the case, apathy reigned supreme, my interest waned and my notoriously microscopic attention span was diverted to another pressing subject.

Imagine then my surprise and delight at receiving a flyer (Issue 01 - October 2005) from the impressively-named "Green Community Residents Action Committee". This missive urges me to FIGHT BACK by refusing to fill in UP's security questionnaire. Quite who and what I am supposed to be fighting back against is a little vague but it seems that this display of communal disobedience is somehow intended to force UP's hand with regard to the impending increase in the service charge. Before commenting further I have to ask: "Just who are the GCRAC?" I'd love to congratulate this mysterious and clandestine committee for taking the initiative and trying to make themselves heard but really, what is the point of ranting and raving if no-one knows who you are or how to contact you to offer support.

Why not contact other residents through this blog? - I'll bet you would be surprised at the number of supporters you find.

Does anyone else have something to say about the Green Community - good or bad, inflammatory or placating - its all welcome here! Go on , say something!!!