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.
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.
posted by The Green Man at
10:18 AM
17 Comments:
Having decisions made on my behalf by a Committee of whiners and complainers in not my idea of a dream come true. People are so "well-informed" on the gossip they hear that they make all types of assumptions about the GC being mismanaged etc., They are aware of the gardening problems. It will be resolved. Let Management manage, and Residents reside! I'm in favour of the current Dictatorship! You guys want all the shoppers running around your Community? If not...then best bring on the security bands! Don't compare Meadows and Ranches to GC. They have nowhere near the facilities we enjoy. Hard fact of life in Dubai is that there is inflation. Prices do go up. If 20% increase is required to cover...then so be it! Let the audited spendings be shown before we start a revolution castings allegations against the Management!I certainly don't want to see quality compromised because the budget no longer fits. Committees in theory are really great, but experience has shown them to be highly inefficient. One meeting to discuss when the next meeting should be held to discuss the Agenda for the next one etc.. Blah! Blah! blah! You can keep it thanks!
By
Ostrich guy, at 11:42 AM
OK, we'll keep it thanks
By
Better Off, at 4:28 PM
Unlike ostrich guy I agree with most of the comments on yesterday's post, and think a Residents' Committee/Association is necessary. We live in the Terrace Apartments and our own Residents' Association and website were formed earlier this year. Our committee (especially the chairman)worked very hard to represent us and slowly things got done. Not sure what is happening with the committee at present, but I think one association for ALL GC residents would be great.
As far as the proposed changes to security are concerned...at least those of you on the other side of the lake have some! The Terrace Apartments don't have ANY security yet, or any landscaping for that matter - but of course we pay the same maintenance fees as everyone else!! Yes, I know that UP are aware of the problems and they will be resolved at some stage, but maybe with a Residents' Association things could get done quicker than snail's pace.
So, Green Man, I say yes to your suggestions and would like to be part of a Residents' Association.
By
Anonymous, at 4:37 PM
Let's hear more about the residents association. we are more than in favour of such a practical idea. An attempt was made by the residents of the Garden Apartments, however, it appears as though they didn't all quite turn out in their numbers for the second meeting.
By
Anonymous, at 8:05 PM
I have my doubts about establishing an effective residents association without UP's support although the idea does seem to be quite popular judging by the (mostly) enthusiastic posts here.
By
The Green Man, at 8:23 PM
ostrich guy, if you are looking for a clean sand patch in which to shove your head for today you will need to search far and wide for a patch that isn't contaminated by the crap left behind by the moronic dog owners who either let their poches out on their own or even worse accompanied by their maids. Are these the people we will have on our residents commitee? If so we are in deeper s^*# than we thought.
By
Anonymous, at 9:36 PM
Concerned to hear that security clamped down on delivery of the flyers...
Would suggest that for issue (2) you link directly with the Wrist Band Distribution centre. With security running a 4WDx7x24 operation cost cutting will become an issue and flyer delivery could be seen as additional income.
Seriosly, why not put the "boys" on bikes, give a little training then a route to follow.....
Careful of those back allies though...no lights down there anymore.....
By
Ucancjebelalifromhere, at 11:38 PM
I'm really beginning to like this 'chat garden'. Please keep 'em coming.
By
Anonymous, at 11:59 PM
Ostrich guy, how long have you been employed by UP? Do you get a good housing package, with annual increment?
By
Anonymous, at 12:02 AM
ostrich guy, do you work for UP or do you rent? I don't think others would mind an increase if we were getting 'quality' as you mentioned, but the quality is failing here, and why should we pay for substandard maintance, how can you justify an increase for that?? And what Residents Committee have you ever been on, or involved with, to say that they are 'highly inefficient'? Almost all condo communities, aging communities, and others in the west have resident associations that function perfectly well, for the people, by the people. Get with the times! It is an elected body with established agendas, and the purpose is to support the community, hold people accountable, make decisions in the best interest of the community, open to all, ,,, Go put your head back in the sand.........
By
Anonymous, at 8:01 AM
I have a cost saving idea that the GC can implement and use it to lower our monthly maintance fee - lower the temp in the pool!! The pools are all freezing! It is a waste of money to keep them chilled to the point of hypothermia. I hope that was positive input to the other positive ideas that I see passing around. And count us in on GC Committee. It can have pre set agendas printed and distributed before the meeting and if UP had any interest in the residents then of course they would be all for such a committee to help the community.
By
Anonymous, at 8:08 AM
I have a cost saving idea that the GC can implement and use it to lower our monthly maintance fee - lower the temp in the pool!! The pools are all freezing! It is a waste of money to keep them chilled to the point of hypothermia. I hope that was positive input to the other positive ideas that I see passing around. And count us in on GC Committee. It can have pre set agendas printed and distributed before the meeting and if UP had any interest in the residents then of course they would be all for such a committee to help the community.
By
Anonymous, at 8:08 AM
Who put all the unsightly vending machines around the community? I would say leave them in the shopping mall, unless of course the money collected from them , or the rent UP collects from the company, go back into the community beautification scheme, instead of UP's pocket.
By
Anonymous, at 8:13 AM
No, I don't work for GC. I expected that would be the response I got though! I am an owner. I don't believe in conspiracy theories either...or suffer from paranoia that everyone is trying to rip me off. I trust people until proven otherwise - there has been no concrete evidence that Management have been willfully negligent. The Management are not plumbers! They did not break the water pipe on purpose. Why don't you take on a bit of responsibilty and water your own little area as a Community contribution until the problem is resolved? Are you truly plant lovers or not? Do you have any idea what the cost of wages, security, cooling, maintenance, refuse collection etc are? NO! You just see a dead plant and want a Dh 1000 refund. It's not all about the gardens. Everything has an explanation, whether you choose to believe it or not goes down to whether you have faith in human kind. What have the Management got to gain by ripping us of? They're all on salaries.The accounts will be audited. We need to keep the whole big picture in perspective. Come up with some credible and undisputed evidence that we're being ripped off and I'll be right there with you all. Until then let Management do their job.
By
ostrich guy, at 9:55 AM
ucancjebelalifromhere your comment concerns me for 2 reasons. Firstly by calling the security guards "boys", I wonder how good your powers of observation really are. Those are MEN! They have families and responsibilies. My feeling is you think them a little below you? Secondly, could you please provide the evidence to justify your claim they'll now be driving a 4x4....or is that just another classic case of jumping to conclusion. Probably know the type of 4x4 by the end of today and the colour tomorrow if we listen to all the gossip!
By
ostrich guy, at 10:05 AM
Did anyone see what was going on over at the Pool area near to the main gate, last evening. I heard that somebody from one of the villas overlooking the pool area was firing shots from an air gun into the swimming pool where some ladies were swimming. Apparently the police were called and took away the gun and the suspect to Jebel Ali Police Station. I also heard that this was not the first time that this has happened???
By
Anonymous, at 4:19 PM
Hi Ostrich guy, you seem to be taking this website very personally as if it was directed against you. In most first world countries in complexes like there there is a residents committe, it's a healthy thing to have - who better to know what is needed than by the people that live here. This is not going to be a witch hunt, we all are singing the same tune, we love our homes, but maybe you are happy to give away Dhs12000 (maybe soon to be Dhs14400) a year without any questions, I certainly am not. We work far to hard for our money, not to have a constructive say in how it will be spent. And at this stage I do not believe it is being spent wisely. Working together the residents and managenment can make a huge difference, especially if they know what is bugging us and what we feel is lacking. This will make their jobs a lot easier, instead of getting 20 phone calls a day about the same thing, we will speak as one, leaving them more time to get on and rectify the problems. Green man I am more than happy to serve on the committee.
By
here to stay, at 9:05 PM
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