Well, the pool heaters have been down for several weeks.
You see, about two months ago the new Board President proposed a new installation based on the specs provided by the engineer who had recently done a million dollar HVAC job for us. I stood up and asked (1) whether he had any pool experience, and (2) whether the heater company that he recommended had built any pool heaters in the past. Due to my careful observation of Rumpole of the Bailey, I knew that I should never ask questions unless I knew the answers—and I did know the answers – and they were “No” and “No.” The room went quiet while people thought about the implications.
I immediately mounted my high horse, named Self-Righteous, and demanded that no contract be let until we heard from some experienced pool companies. I pointed out that it would be irresponsible for the Board to take action without looking at alternatives, and a motion was made that passed 6-3. We would look for alternatives.
The process has taken about seven weeks during which time the heaters have continued to dysfunction, and the weather has cooled resulting in water that is ‘cool’ according to me, ‘cold’ according to a some, but 'ass-freezing' according to the vast majority of owners, most of whom have left their sense of humor up North.
At a meeting on Thursday, a few fingers were pointed at me, so I mounted my other high horse, Sanctimonious, and pointed out that I was interested only in the long term good of our condominium, and the others on the Board should try to keep that in mind, and resist their impulse to join the noisy mob. We had obtained several proposals on the table, we were ready to vote. The original proposal from the HVAC engineer was passed, 7-1 one Board member being absent.
Last night I received an email, from an owner, not on the Board, but very skinny, and thus more susceptible than most of us to the cold, who, apparently having had his crayons confiscated, writes in CAPITAL letters:
“NOW ITS TIME TO CONSIDER ALL THE SOUTHPOINT OWNERS WHO WILL SUFFER FROM A SEVEN WEEK DELAY OF THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW POOL HEATERS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED THE SEASONAL OWNERS EXPECT TO USE A HEATED POOL REMEMBER THEY PAY THERE MAINTENANCE ALL YEAR LONG BECAUSE OF THE IGNORENCE OF ONE BOARD MEMBER NOT KNOWING A LICK ABOUT ANYTHING I’LL TELL THE SEASONAL OWNERS TO THANK HIM PERSONAL.” (SIC for all errors-- this is cut & paste.)
Even Maria, who needs to get in the pool for her special knee exercises has refrained from blaming me. (Diamond-like earrings will do wonders.)
.m
