Free Weaving the Strands by Barbara Hinske Page B

collective gasp from
the audience. The residents turned to their neighbors in disbelief. Hands shot
up all over the room.
    Maggie motioned for quiet, which quickly ensued in
a room full of people who were by nature courteous and polite. “We believe that
the ground lease provision regarding the increase is ambiguous. We’ve been in
contact with the lessor and the pension fund is prepared to file suit if
necessary. The foreclosure won’t go forward during the pendency of the suit.
We’re also looking at ways to raise the money, both for the arrearage and on an
ongoing basis if the increase is valid.”
    “Won’t you look to us for the extra money?”
someone in the back asked. “Aren’t we the only ones with a vested interest in
this place?”
    At this point, Tonya Holmes rose and approached
the podium. “Not necessarily,” she stated. “A rent increase is one possible solution,
sure. And it will probably be part of the solution.”
    “How can you do that?” an elderly gentleman
interrupted, gesticulating with his cane before leaning on it again for
support. “We’ve got leases. You can’t just start charging us more rent.”
    “Your leases contain a clause that allows the
pension fund to pass on increases in the ground lease,” Tonya replied. “But we
assure you that this is a last resort. And we’d raise rents as little as possible.
We’re going to fight the lessor on this increase.”
    “We came out here today so that you’d hear the
facts instead of just rumors,” Maggie reiterated. “And our very last resort
will be to exercise our rights to raise your rent. You have my word on that.”
    Glenn raised his hand. “If you’re not successful
in defeating this increase and you don’t want to raise our rents, where else
could the funds come from?”
    “That’s a very good question,” Tonya responded.
“We’re exploring options. We could charge fees to the vendors that supply goods
and services to Fairview. We could hold a fundraiser.” Tonya smiled at Maggie.
“Our mayor is good at that.”
    Another hand shot up, and a diminutive woman
stood. “You won’t see me if I don’t stand,” she joked. “I’d like to suggest
that we lease out our recreation room for events and parties. We’ve got a
really nice facility and we don’t use it very much. I’ve thought that for
years. We could raise some money that way.”
    “That’s a terrific idea,” Tonya stated.
    “Any other ideas come to mind?” Maggie asked.
    Gloria chimed in. “We could open a small gift
shop. We have the space, and we’ve got residents who turn out gorgeous arts and
crafts.”
    “And maybe once a month we could hold a bake
sale,” added the woman on her right. “We could advertise it around town. Hold
it on Saturday mornings.”
    “We could hold a farmers market on our front
lawn,” called out a man standing in the back. “Charge a fee to each vendor.”
    “That’d be a lot of fun,” agreed two women
simultaneously.
    Maggie and Tonya exchanged a relieved glance. These
people were resourceful.
    “I’m inspired by your can-do spirit. I want to
encourage you to keep thinking of ideas to generate income.” Maggie’s eyes
swept the audience. “Most of all, I don’t want anyone losing sleep over this.
We’ve got a long way to go. You had to be informed. For now, the attorneys and
Councilman Frank Haynes are working with the lessor to get this issue resolved.
Fairview Terraces is in his district, and I know he’s very devoted to you. I’ve
seen him working late into the night at Town Hall. His business experience
makes him uniquely qualified to tackle this issue.” She noted with satisfaction
the nods of approval from the crowd.
    “If you have any additional questions after all
this sinks in,” she concluded, “you know where to find me. Councilmembers
Holmes and Haynes and I are available to you at any time. And keep generating
those inspiring suggestions!”

Chapter 15
    Maggie reluctantly logged off