MR. BIG

From 11-4, Mr. Big and his minions are meeting to decide theirs and our fat. They have invaded our common room, the only place large enough for them that is free. Naturally, we are not invited. The previous Mr. Big (lets call them old and new Big) gambled millions of dollars of corporate money on some fancy condos at the ferry terminal. It may have worked out had the economy not fallen into a black hole. As it turned out, the condos have not sold as expected and the corporation in debt 42 million. I suspect in some big business that’s a drop in the bucket. Here it is tragic, and especially since the sole goal of the corporation is to provide subsidized housing for senior citizens. The condos were not built for us, but to earn a profit. Big mistake.

As you can imagine, when anyone loses 42 million their tenure is short lived. The county had to assume the debt and everything is tight as a hornet trying to get through the eye of a needle (camel would be a major exaggeration). So a new Mr. Big is here fighting with the county board of directors who want them to move downtown into a smaller, but less expensive building. No one wants to leave here.

Years before the old Mr. Big, and back to a few Mr. Bigs of the past, they purchased a downtown building that has more stipulations as to who can rent than Carter has pills (never really knew how many pills Carter has). It must be rented to only government agencies or non-profits. They have been trying to rent the unrented remaining space for 2-3 years with no success. Who knows when (maybe 10-14 years ago) these buildings went up, they build a new and larger office next to our “Home Sweet Home.” They love that building, and why not! It faces the inlet, has free parking and space for them all. PROBLEM: They own more money on it than the one downtown. So the bigger powers than Mr. Big want them to move downtown and sell the one they are in. PROBLEM: No buyers or renters for either building are forth coming AND no one wants to leave the beautiful spot by the bay. Me either.

They were ordered to move by March 30. That failed. Then it was April 30, that also has failed. May 31 was the next absolute board deadline decision. Now it is July 1. They can’t even evict themselves, but if we were told to be out the Sherriff would be on our door putting our things in the street.

The residents are pretty safe. The Feds are protecting us and we all know how helpful that is. Should I be afraid, very afraid? We are assured none of this affects our homes. I’ve heard that just before everything falls apart. They forget we have been through all this stuff before.

The meeting has just got under way and Chas is at my door to see if I want to get a listen in by sitting in a nearby room. Of course I do. Be back in a few hours.

Well never went. Four hours to sit through 10 minutes of information is silly. We will find out in time. Employees will be unhappy about something and will whine to someone around here. Either that or someone will simply start a rumor that all will believe and past on as truth with their own twists and turns added. You have to love the gossip line. Beats any soap opera, plus its like a stage performance and I like live theater.