No More Pit Bull

I got a message from Daro (incidentally, on my personal email account, despite having sent them a letter from the official address, see below) informing me that animal control has removed the pit bull from the premesis. At least that's one issue resolved...

Dealing with Building Management

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I'm sure this varies from building to building, but in establishing our Tenants' Association at Rhode Island Gardens, we've noticed a good deal of reluctance, to put it mildly, on the part of the building's management to deal with us. In fact, at the first meeting we had with the building manager and the head of operations, we were told in no uncertain terms that the management company had "no obligation to deal with us as an association."

It seems odd to me that we met that sort of resistance, especially as we were proposing a number of services that would, essentially, ease the burden of building management and make the property more attractive to prospective tenants. After all, what sort of building would you rather move into: one with an active tenants' association that would support your rights and provide a welcoming environment, or one with a lethargic community where each resident was left to his own devices?

Furthermore, it's not like we're trying to get their license revoked. In fact, we're reminding them of violations to the law that might have gone unnoticed. That is, until the building inspector shows up... then they'd really be in trouble. So, in a way, we're actually helping them maintain their control of the building.

It seemed to me that the tenants' association was adding an intrinsic value to the building that would cost the management company absolutley nothing, but I guess there's a certain difference of opinion there.

Also, as a matter of practice, it seems like the management is unwilling to respond to requests from the TA's official email address (although they're perfectly happy to answer emails from my personal address, even when it's clear that they're dealing with me as chair of the TA).

In an environment where dialogue would seem to be the best option for all parties, it's really striking (although I suppose not entirely unforeseen) to be met with such stubborn and blind opposition.

Robberies with Pit Bull Reported in Building

There have been several recent reports of robberies in the building by one or more young men using a pit bull as a weapon. At least one resident also reported that these young men may be new residents of the building.

The Tenants' Association is doing its best to keep Daro aware of these issues and will post further news about this matter as it comes up. In the meantime, be careful when entering and leaving the building, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Articles of Incorporation Finished

After lots of hard work, the Board of Directors has finished the articles of incorporation for the tenant's association. We'll be getting together next week to read over them one more time and to submit them to the DCRA. The full articles, as well as our by-laws, will be posted on this blog soon.

Board of Directors Hard at Work on Articles of Incorporation

The Board of Directors of the Tenants' Association are hard at work completing the articles of incorporation, which is the legal document required for us to register as a non-profit organization with the District government.

The Articles are complete at this time, but need to be reviewed by a lawyer before being submitted. The Board hopes to complete this process by the end of next week.

Going Nowhere Fast

A familiar sight to building residents, the main elevator at Rhode Island Gardens is on the fritz again. The problem has been reported.

Bulk Item Disposal Remains a Problem

Residents of Rhode Island Gardens are often at a loss as to how to dispose of large items, leading to situations like this.

If you have a bulk item to dispose of (a couch, TV, fridge, air conditioner, mattress), call Daro's Service Hotline at (202) 667-6600 to schedule a pickup. Please don't dump things in the halls or the trash pen!

Recycling, Mostly

The three recycling bins at Rhode Island Gardens

After an unexplained hiatus, recycling has been reinstated in Rhode Island Gardens. In a meeting with representatives from the building management company, Board of Directors members Glenn Miller and Graham Dumas pointed out that the removal of recycling bins from the premises violated DC Municipal Regulations, as well as the company's own recycling plan.

Though recycling bins have been returned to the building, some problems persist. Namely, there is some question as to whether the three bins provide enough capacity to hold the recycling from the whole building between pickups. Additionally, it is unclear exactly which materials residents are to recycle, and if they are to be separated (according to the stickers on the bins) or mixed together (as per D.C. recycling guidelines). The RIGTA Board of Directors is looking in to this matter and hopes to resolve it soon.

UPDATE: Clean glass, plastic and metal containers are to be disposed of in the "Cans and Bottles" bins. Newspapers, magazines and clean paper (no food wrappers or wax paper) go in the "Paper" bin. Cardboard boxes should be flattened and placed upright next to the bins in the hall.

Welcome!

Greetings, everyone! Welcome to the brand-new blog of the Rhode Island Gardens Tenants' Association, where we cover building news and events, as well as issues of tenants' advocacy in the District of Columbia.

Residents of the building know that we're a new organization, formed at the end of 2007. Though we have yet to incorporate, we're already making big strides towards improving the living conditions for this 80-unit apartment building in Northeast Washington, D.C. Through our initiatives, the building management company has already reinstituted recycling in the building, and has made a number of repairs crucial to resident safety and security.

Many issues remain, however, and you can be sure that we'll be doing our best to resolve them in the near future.