Metropolitan Up-Date

Attention, Metropolitan residents who want to purchase their unit!! MCA will begin the process on September 12, 2006 for current residents who would like to purchase their unit or one that is available. We will also include the Cooperative Members who would like to purchase larger units. Please contact the Cooperative Office after Sept. 12, for more information.

Are you or someone you know looking for employment? Do you want to work with the renovation of the building? Do you have recommendations of Project Managers, Construction Companies or anything that MCA may need to develop our property? The Metropolitan Cooperative Association is accepting resumes, ideas and information. Please submit your resume by mail or in person to the Management Office. You can also fax information to: (202) 832-3957.

MCA needs members and prospective members to sign up and to organize various committee. We need the help of everyone. No talent is to small.

MCA Committees
Clerical Assistance: Aid with administration duties such as light typing, filling creating graphics, creating flyers, announcements, mailings, letters, and stuffing envelopes.

Construction/ Development: Interview, architects, developers and contractors. Research materials and procedures in renovation.
Senior and Disabled Persons Liaison: Distribute information and help to seniors and persons with disabilities.

Reality: Help with issues of marketing, advertising and sales.

Building Management: Help with the operation of the building. Monitoring trash, and snow removal.

Security: Monitoring the staircases, parking area and laundry room.

Floor Captions: Two captions are needed for each floor. They will be responsible for monitoring upkeep and appearance of hall corridors of their designated areas.


Strictly Business Kymo Dockett

Managing a co-op can be a sticky situation. The board of directors wants to be friendly and helpful, but what happens when that leads residents to believe they can take advantage of the board? Some board members don’t want to appear rude or unprofessional. No one enjoys evicting people or enforcing the consequence on residents who break the rules. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to do some unpleasant things to be successful in business.

What would happen if you went to the movies and attempted to pay half prices for a film? What if you went to a store manager at Safeway and asked for free groceries? Most businesses know that staying in business requires collecting money for the goods and services they provide. The reality is: the Metropolitan needs to collect money from the tenants to stay in business.

Just like any other business, the co-op has bills to pay. Washington Gas wants its money each month. The employees at the Metropolitan want their pay checks. The vendors who provide services for this building wants their money or they will not work with us again. We pay them from the money we collect from the tenants. That is why we must continue to have a “if you don’t pay, you don’t stay” attitude.

The board understands that special cases may arise. However, too many people are coming to the board with “sob stories” about how they cannot pay their rent. I often wonder how many of these same people came to Frank Emmett with these same issues when he was managing the building.

Unfortunately, some businesses have gone under by being too nice. We refuse to suffer that fate. “Moochers” here in the Metropolitan will not be tolerated. Either pay your rent or face the consequences. The board realizes that it is not fair to tenants who faithfully pay their fees each month to have to pull the weight of those who are not. Remember, we are a co-op. Therefore, we must work together.

I don’t want to make this seem like a huge problem. Believe me, it is not. I thought it was wise to nip this issue in the bud. For the most part we have wonderful tenants who make every effort to pay their bills on time. Yet, a select few who has been a source of frustration for the board in this particular area.

If you have been paying your fees on time, please continue. We appreciate you and realize we could not be successful as a cooperative without you! If not, please be prepared to deal with the consequences. We love all of you, but we are running a business. You cannot run a business without collecting money. Thanks for your cooperation