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[Topsheila]

 After living in my strata unit for five years (30 units) last year I decided to get on the executive committee because, ever since I have lived here, the committee of five seemed to be rusted on, with the same people elected every year and agreeing  with whatever the chairman decides.  Also, since I am retired I thought I could contribute something because all the other committee members work, and two live elsewhere. 

I had had a couple of run-ins with the chairman (as have other people), mostly about noise – renovations and otherwise that I objected to, but nothing prepared me for his hostility towards me after being elected onto the EC and being nominated as secretary.  For the past year, he has been openly rude to me, not getting in the lift with me, left me off emails (such as voting on major maintenance issues) and, I believe, has told our strata manager to ignore me if I make any requests.  We also haven’t had a meeting since the 2016 AGM, almost a year ago. 

Recently, I requested by email to the committee a steam-clean of all balconies because a couple of people had mentioned it to me and I had also been thinking about it for some time, although I said it was not an urgent issue.  The chairman responded immediately that balconies were the owner’s responsibility and not common property and included instructions on how to wash tiles, to which I replied that I was referring to the overhead concrete and walls of the balconies and not the tiles.  What I didn’t know was the other committee members and strata manager had been sent reports about extensive works to the plumbing in the building, including approximately $15,000 of work on the chairman’s balcony and unit.  When I found out, I requested the reports, which the strata manager sent to me with an apology.  These reports have not yet been released to other owners. 

What is worrying me now is that we are probably going to have to have a special levy to cover the cost of these works and the works to the chairman’s unit will be hidden in there somewhere along with everything else.  

Our AGM will be in a few weeks and I feel I should bring this to the attention of other owners, along with the balcony cleaning issue.  The trouble is, the agenda will be settled without any input from me and I now feel so intimidated by the chairman I am reluctant to stand for the committee again and/or to raise any issues.  Most owners don’t even attend the AGM but give their proxies to the chairman so I feel I have very little support.  

I am not easily intimidated so am quite distressed about what has happened over the past year.  I would really appreciate some advice.

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