Crooked Fences by C J Heigelmann

Author:C J Heigelmann [Heigelmann, C J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780999489888
Publisher: Common Folk Press
Published: 2020-01-02T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

HEARTS AND MINDS

The next day, I woke up groggy with my head pounding. I hadn’t gotten much sleep and had a splitting headache, but I took a shower and got dressed for work anyway. I opened the office early and made a pot of coffee while I unwrapped a jumbo honey bun and took a bite.

After giving the weekly report, I placed two more chairs inside the office so everyone would have a place to sit. Time was flying by and an hour later, I was ready to host my first staff meeting with Sherika, William, and Eugene sitting around my desk.

“Good morning everybody. I’ve called this meeting for a few reasons, but the main one is that I need help. All of you have worked here for many years and know the challenges that we face every day. I know I’m the newbie here, but now that I’ve gotten my feet wet, my eyes are open to the fact that my particular style of management hasn’t been practical here. I had a short-sighted outlook and was doing more harm than good. But I don’t want that to be the case, and the residents living here don’t deserve that. The gunfire which took place here this weekend helped to open my eyes. I’m asking you all for your help and I’m swallowing my bullshit pride, shutting my mouth, and opening my ears.

“We have a responsibility to the residents living here, who also are the same taxpayers who subsidize this community. I have some ideas of my own, but I want to know your thoughts first. What can we do to turn this place around and make it a safer and a more decent place to live?”

They looked surprised and I understood why. My change from a headstrong tyrant to a humble manager was a shock for all of them. They looked at each other and Sherika spoke first.

“First of all, I’m glad to see you have changed your attitude. The approach you’ve been using was not effective at all. I understand residents must follow the community guidelines, but most of them don’t even know what those guidelines are. You’ve charged a lot of fees for violations, but haven’t stated those violations clearly beforehand. At Shady Meadows, managers come and go frequently and because of that, there has never been any consistency in enforcing rules and regulations,” she said.

“Agreed. What do you suggest I do?” I asked.

“Rescind all the fees immediately. Print updated copies of all the community rules and distribute them to the residents. Then have a community meeting to explain those rules. Make sure the residents understand the guidelines and that you’re serious about enforcing them. A scheduled monthly community meeting would also be a good idea. Give everyone a fresh start. I believe that will go a long way.”

It made perfect sense to me.

“Let’s do that. Will you take care of printing the updated copies of the community guidelines? The rest of us will deliver them today.

“Yes, I can do that,” she replied and began taking notes, as did I.

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