Free Weaving the Strands by Barbara Hinske Page A

I’ve got a five-year lease. How do they think they can just come in here
and charge more? That’s what I want to know.”
    “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Glenn
replied. “There must be something in the fine print of our leases that allows
this. I’ve been trying to find my copy. Nancy kept all the files. I don’t know
where she put it,” he said with a hint of frustration.
    “If they’re going to do this anyway, why have a
meeting?” Gloria wondered.
    “They probably want buy-in from all of us
residents. They’re afraid they’ll have a mutiny on their hands. Unless I miss
my mark, we’re very good tenants. I’d be willing to bet that everybody here
pays their rent on time.”
    “You know they do!” Gloria responded. “I’m going
to that meeting, that’s for sure. I’ve read good things about both this new
mayor and Councilwoman Holmes. I’m sure everything will be fine. But it’s hard
not to worry.”
    “I agree. I’ll swing by your place tomorrow and we
can walk over together.”
    Over the prior few weeks, one shared meal turned
into many as Glenn and Gloria explored memories from their pasts and discussed
current events and interests, both finding the allure of genuine friendship and
compatibility irresistible. Gloria had worried about the gossipy locals
branding them a couple, a concern she shared with Glenn since he might find the
rumors hurtful as a recent widower. For his part, Glenn had never taken much
stock in people’s opinions and was only uneasy about anything disrespectful of
Gloria. In the end, the comfort they both took in their developing friendship
had carried the day, and they had quickly become a daily fixture in each
other’s lives.
    Gloria and Glenn arrived at the dining hall
twenty-five minutes before the scheduled meeting with the mayor and
Councilwoman Holmes. All the seats had been taken, and the maintenance crew was
setting up folding chairs. Glenn ushered Gloria to the last available folding
chair and took a spot along the sidelines.
    Mayor Martin and Councilwoman Holmes arrived right
on time. The mayor stepped to the podium and addressed the residents of
Fairview Terraces. “Thank you all for coming here this morning. My office has
been swamped with calls and emails, and I’m sorry I haven’t responded. We felt
it would be best to talk to everyone at once.” She scanned the anxious faces of
the residents. Decent, hardworking people who had lived up to their obligations
all of their lives and now wanted a peaceful retirement. Who could blame
them? Maggie swallowed hard and continued with her difficult message.
    “We haven’t come here to alarm you, but I can see
that you’re concerned. Nothing I’m about to tell you will happen right away.
But we have decisions to make.
    “Let me get to the point,” she continued.
“Fairview Terraces is a nonprofit corporation, organized to own and run this
facility. It subleases the real estate that your apartments are located on from
Westbury’s pension fund. The fund holds the property as the tenant on a
long-term ground lease. For years, the payments we received from Fairview
Terraces—the sum of your rental payments—have been enough to make
the payment on the ground lease.” She scanned the crowd and glanced at Tonya,
who nodded encouragingly.
    “Several months ago, the lessor increased the rent
under the ground lease and the pension fund has not been able to make the
increased payment. In response, the lessor has filed a foreclosure action
against the fund. I’ve called this meeting because the lessor will be posting
foreclosure notices on the property tomorrow. I didn’t want anyone to see them
without knowing what’s going on.” Maggie paused to let this sink in. She was
greeted with a sea of puzzled faces.
    This is as dreadful as I thought it would be, she realized. “If the lessor forecloses, your leases may be terminated and you will
be forced to move out.” This remark hit home, prompting a