March 2016
No fooling, this is the March update! Sorry it is late!
1. March book/plant/cd/dvd exchange was very successful. Thanks to all those who dropped by to say hello to the board members there, who brought things, who took things and a big thank you to the resident who stuck around to the end and took all the remainders off to the thrift store immediately after. The lobby was completely cleaned up just 10 minutes after we ended the event. Ad hoc help like that is always welcome.
2. Casino Trip is put on hold for now. We had interest but arranging affordable transportation is too time consuming at the moment. If someone wants to do that for the IPTRA, please let us know and we'll forward the names of those who signed up.
3. Rent increase – Daniel Stringer had offered to lead the charge on this but withdrew.
The IPTRA board feels they are a social and community building group so will not directly lead the challenge to the rent increase. Just like in 2014, it is felt that the challenge to the rent increase should happen separate from the IPTRA. Members of the IPTRA Board will be part of those objecting to the rent increase, the Rent Review Group will have access to our mailing list and any communication help we can provide. Funding for a lawyer, if required, will have to be raised by members of the Rent Review Group.
We are looking for someone with experience with the process to head the Rent Review Group. We've been collecting names as people talk to us about the issue but not yet managed to find someone willing to take the lead. If you are such a person, please let us know ASAP.
In the meantime please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you want to be added to the list of residents objecting at the hearing.
It is important to add your name to the list, if the rent review group is successful at getting the percentage lowered, it is only those who are listed on the challenge who will receive the lower increase. Since this email goes out to less than 20% of the apartments, please let any neighbours you talk to know the importance of signing up to the effort.
It is also important to note, not all residents received the 5% increase so not everyone is affected.
4. Special Interest Talks – the IPTRA hope to have an event almost every month of the year and interest talks were suggested. The first will be Thursday, April 21, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m in the lobby of 200, Technology at TEMBO in Tanzania, Ken Holman's recent volunteer humanitarian trip to ProjecTEMBO.org to set up a computer learning centre in Longido, Tanzania and the impact on the community it is having.
5. Two new sections on the website have been added, New Resident Tips & Hints and a Classified Ads. Links are on the IPTRA.org homepage. If you have a tip to add, please send it to tips@IPTRA.org