Career Highlight of the Week

I am a property manager for condominium associations and planned unit developments. Now that we've got that boring preface out of the way and if you're still awake, allow me to share the funniest conversation I had this week with a homeowner who lives in a patio home community. I'll call it "Centenarian Commons" because most of the residents seem to be about 75 and over even though it is not a retirement community. Please also allow me to preface this story by saying that I admire and respect our older citizens and enjoy working with older people more than any other segment of the population. I also think that if you are a human being able to reach 90 that everything should be totally complimentary and free because good lord, no matter what, you've earned it.

So, I got a LOUD voice mail from "Mrs. K." that went something like this:

"Yes, Michele, this is Mrs. K from 403 Centenarian Drive. You know they took this tree down a year ago, but now the roots are growing back again into my flower bed and into the yard next to me. This needs to be taken care of right away because it's killing my flowers and they can't even mow the grass over them. Please call me right away and let me know what is going to be done about this."

So the thing is, even though the management company handles all other exterior maintenance issues, we do not handle the landscaping at this particular property. The landscaping chairperson on the Board has opted to deal with the landscaping company directly. As a result, I called the landscaping chairperson and relayed the message. The chairperson said she would ask the landscaper to address the problem and then said insistently, "But I'm NOT calling Mrs. K." To which I replied, "That's ok, I'll call her back and let her know that I gave you the message and that it will be handled by the landscaper shortly."

Proceeded to call Mrs. K...

Mrs. K: Hello?

M1L: Hi Mrs. K, this is Michele from [the management company].

Mrs. K: Who?

M1L: Michele from [the management company]. You called about the tree roots? I just wanted to let you know that we don't handle the landscaping issues for your property, but I called [landscaping chairperson] and told her about the problem with the roots and she is going to have the landscaper address it as soon as possible.

Mrs. K: I can't understand a word you're saying. You're talking way too fast and you're going to have to speak up.

M1L: OK...can - you - hear - me - now?

Mrs. K: Yes.

M1L: (Very LOUDLY and SLOWLY) I just wanted to let you know that I got your message regarding the tree roots. I called [landscaping chairperson] and reported it to her.

Mrs. K: Oh okay, so you're saying I'm allowed to drive?


Not exactly. ~M1L