Pharoah's Journal

RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVES - "Officially discharged"

For five years my neighbour and myself  have fought for our block within a negligent housing association. We have secured maintainence upgrades and pride amongst the workers. There is a late sense of restitude and goodwill amongst the -once- terrified residents. This is a story of violence...

I can only scratch the surface of the changes this place has seen. But this has been achieved without the association's involvement or interest. The fact is; they're too busy promoting 'resident involvement' - which leaves them precious little time for 'involving residents'.  It's a fact.

We attended many meetings to promote our cause and try to inspire pride - to overcome the neglect suffered by the many residents here - when druglords ran this place. We initiated and created  'Resident Representatives' and we turned this place around.  We had a distinguished working system.

In the making we suffered years of pompass rejection and regular

 dismissals from  the people in power - those who delighted in our publications when  our articles 'thanked'  the association for their help and support. (They promised much help - and gave many excuses)   

 These were the people from the 'resident involvement' team - which involved noone other than social climbers, who  turned up regularly for our photo-shoots, then snubbed us for bringing genuine concerns to the table. They criticised our "conduct" and exploited the error factor. 

The crunch came when -in despair- we defied the 'Involvement Officer' to match what we had done - alone. The response came with a written warning suggesting our long-term presence was now disrupting their meetings, and causing "confusion".  When issued with an ultimatum - we knew that losing respect was inevitable.   

That was it ...our protest was not met on any level - they maintained a class attitude and snubbed our appeal as  typically "offensive".  They now dismissed us from our respective duties. It was -obviously- a great day at the association with five years bothersome activity brought to a close!

Our neighbours and fellow residents are shocked with the news. Nobody can -or will- reply to further recruitment appeals in the post - unless they content themselves "representing" on behalf of the landlords - only. The officiate has made this clear with her new 'terms and conditions'.

I know about successive newcomers to the block, who'll have no real security or assurance when confronted with the issues of  living within an unpoliced area. They'll need advice on anti-social behaviour, maintenance and living -harmoniously- within a comunial block.

INCLUDING 'PHAROAH',  PEOPLE WILL BE PEOPLE.