ESSCA Update & The Grey List
Well, folks, the last ESSCA meeting was a snoozer. Except, of course for the great new people I met (you know who you are), and the fact that the entire board was re-elected in the span of 20 seconds. They called for any additional nominations (which never came), and then counted the ‘yeas’ and ‘nays’. They failed, of course, to call for abstentions, which I was going to be a part of. What the hell kind of organization are they running? Oh, yeah… I forgot. A crackerjack one. Can anyone score me a copy of the by-laws? As a member in good standing (READ: I paid my $10), I think I deserve to get a copy. As of late though, I seem to be out of the loop…
The “Grey” List
I can’t really call it a Black List, so we’ll settle for the warm, soft grey of a Counting Crows song to describe my listserv status. I seem to have angered the listserv gods, as I no longer receive any email from the ESSCA listserv. Perhaps they thought it would keep me from having material with which to poke fun at ESSCA.
Luckily, many of you alert readers continue to send me the emails (thank you), and we had some good, juicy exchanges last week. Observe one particular entertaining conversation and follow-up comments (names withheld to protect the psychotic):
Commenter #1: MCDOT was supposed to present plans to improve sidewalks and calm traffic on Sligo Avenue during last Monday’s ESSCA meeting. Because of a personal emergency, that did not happen… There will be no further public meetings concerning this project. MCDOT is ready to commence construction and wants to ensure that residents and users get a chance to ask questions and make comments. If you have questions or comments, please contact…
Commenter #2: While I am appreciative of your initiative on this project, you do not represent ESSCA (and are not even a member) and I would appreciate it if you would stop confusing the issue but making declarations about our presentations and guests and follow-up. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO SLIGO AVE, contrary to [NAME DELETED]‘s previous post.
Commenter #1: Thanks for the correction, [NAME DELETED]. I am just reporting what I was told earlier today. Not trying to make decisions or confuse the issue. You’re the decider. I would never want anyone to think that I represent ESSCA.
Commenter #2: How about canning the passive aggressive snarkiness? Your pretense at innocence is wearing thin.
Commenter #1: It is this kind of treatment – from an ESSCA Board member, no less – that is to blame for my proud non-membership in ESSCA.
Let me repeat that: “Proud non-membership in ESSCA.” In the words of a fallen governor, that’s bleepin’ golden! You just can’t make shit like that up. The more I talk to people, the more I find out how many people *really* don’t like ESSCA. And there’s a lot of you out there.
It’s a shame that we’ll be off for the summer. ESSCA provides such material for ridicule. And while I will continue to be a member of ESSCA, I have been presented with some alternatives that may provide more steam for a better agenda. More on that soon.
In the meantime, I’ll flash my snazzy, professional-looking ESSCA membership card for meeting admission. I’ll antagonize them to allow renters full voting and membership rights. I will ridicule them when they do stupid shit and praise them when they do good stuff. And I anticipate much more of the former, given recent history. As long as they continue to act like a Vaudeville side show, they leave me no choice.
Keep those emails coming!
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Nearly six hundred years after Johannes Gutenberg that’s the best membership card they can print?
Not so much printed as it is rubber stamped and written on. We even have the technology to make fake passports and driver’s licenses at home. I know they don’t have much of a budget, but how about some level of credibility?
Even better — when I joined ESSCA it took 4 months for them to get my “card” to me. The person who processes checks was away for the winter in Florida. And ESSCA is closed for the summer. So this means they issue cards (and that board member is present) five months a year, split between fall and spring??? What a vital, active organization. (Or maybe it’s a half-Florida-based community organization?)
We’re having similar conversation about renters rights in SOECA. Actually, not exactly a conversation as the great majority seems to be anti. One lovely comment (paraphrased) from the last meeting: “We don’t care about the same issues. We don’t care what happens in their hallways, we should they care what happens in our streets?” Was that from the same anti PL person who said it would just bring more “domestics” to work here? Can’t remember. Boy our meetings are fun.
Do they print the newsletters using a mimeograph?
Maybe they’re taking lessons from the condo board at Del Boca Vista during the Winter months.
And I wish they used mimeograph. At least the room would smell nostalgic.
But then you’d feel like you had a quiz you were unprepared for.
They don’t allow renters to join? This just gets better and better. Because, you know, there are no renters who live on Sligo Ave. who might be affected by the ongoing discussions with MCDOT…
I’ve been corrected in that ESSCA allows renters to join, but I haven’t received word on whether or not renters can actually vote. Still waiting on a copy of the by-laws.
Wait until you try to pull off the coup and replace those officers. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do what a Cleveland Park association did and declare an “emergency” and suspend elections. Check it out at Marc Fisher’s blog: http://tinyurl.com/qnfucq
Holy shit! He even invokes the Soviet Union! The Nomenklatura! This is messed up, dude. I would anticipate that happening should we ever actually try to stage a coup during the elections. They would FREAK OUT. Bob Colvin, the nice guy that he is, would have absolutely no idea of what to do with his free time.
Absolutely amazing and worthy of its own blog post. Thanks, Mike.
Thought you’d like it.