Octavia
10-02-2007, 06:04 AM
New Community defends manager
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
BY BARRY CARTER
Star-Ledger Staff
They don't know if their signs of protest will change anything, but a small group of frustrated Newark senior citizens felt they had to say something about conditions at their building.
They stood on the sidewalk, their signs taped to the fence, complaining last week about a host of problems at the high-rise owned by New Community Corp. on South Orange Avenue.
The seniors contend they have an infestation of mice and bedbugs. They say there are faulty windows in the apartments and the door in the lobby is locked when it should be open at night. More often than not, only one of two elevators work in the 18-story building, causing them to wait for it a long time.
"We're just out here with an opinion," said Gloria Harrison, vice president of the tenant association. "This was the last resort. Maybe somebody else will listen."
Residents contend that management does not internalize their concerns, meaning their issues are written on paper but nothing is done to abate them.
Not so, says Leah Dade, executive director of real estate operations. She said the building is in good condition and NCC takes care of problems as they arise.
Dade said much of the tenant complaints when she met with them were against the manager, Moubu Newkirk.
"They don't like the manager," Dade said. "It's personal."
Residents say Newkirk has no compassion for senior citizens, often treating them with disrespect, dismissing them and their concerns as if they were children.
Dade, however, defended Newkirk, saying she enforces the house rules of the building and holds tenants accountable if they are violating the lease. Dade said residents are not supposed to have family members living with them. Those who are caught, have their leases terminated. Guests are banned if they damage the property, which Dade said has been a problem at the building. She said some have roamed the halls, knocked on the residents doors late at night and broke the front door lobby several times.
"They (residents) are disgruntled because we strictly enforce the rules," Dade said. "The manager has taken a strong stance and I back her 100 percent."
Dade said NCC, based on limited resources, will work with residents to provide a safe living environment.
A crew of workers was at the building last Thursday making repairs. It was a sight for residents, who said they have never seen that many at one time. Several NCC officials were also on hand. Even the police showed up -- about five to six cop cars -- but they left once they saw residents were just protesting and not causing a commotion.
Isaac McGregor, a resident for five months, said he doesn't feel residents have a voice at the building.
"We have nobody to kick the door in and represent us," he said.
Residents said they don't know how long they'll stage their sidewalk protest.
"Martin Luther King started with just a handful," said Alma Rivera, a three-year resident. "We're going to be out here until things get done. If it's one person or two."
Barry Carter covers Newark. He can be reached at bcarter@starled ger.com or (973) 392-1827.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
BY BARRY CARTER
Star-Ledger Staff
They don't know if their signs of protest will change anything, but a small group of frustrated Newark senior citizens felt they had to say something about conditions at their building.
They stood on the sidewalk, their signs taped to the fence, complaining last week about a host of problems at the high-rise owned by New Community Corp. on South Orange Avenue.
The seniors contend they have an infestation of mice and bedbugs. They say there are faulty windows in the apartments and the door in the lobby is locked when it should be open at night. More often than not, only one of two elevators work in the 18-story building, causing them to wait for it a long time.
"We're just out here with an opinion," said Gloria Harrison, vice president of the tenant association. "This was the last resort. Maybe somebody else will listen."
Residents contend that management does not internalize their concerns, meaning their issues are written on paper but nothing is done to abate them.
Not so, says Leah Dade, executive director of real estate operations. She said the building is in good condition and NCC takes care of problems as they arise.
Dade said much of the tenant complaints when she met with them were against the manager, Moubu Newkirk.
"They don't like the manager," Dade said. "It's personal."
Residents say Newkirk has no compassion for senior citizens, often treating them with disrespect, dismissing them and their concerns as if they were children.
Dade, however, defended Newkirk, saying she enforces the house rules of the building and holds tenants accountable if they are violating the lease. Dade said residents are not supposed to have family members living with them. Those who are caught, have their leases terminated. Guests are banned if they damage the property, which Dade said has been a problem at the building. She said some have roamed the halls, knocked on the residents doors late at night and broke the front door lobby several times.
"They (residents) are disgruntled because we strictly enforce the rules," Dade said. "The manager has taken a strong stance and I back her 100 percent."
Dade said NCC, based on limited resources, will work with residents to provide a safe living environment.
A crew of workers was at the building last Thursday making repairs. It was a sight for residents, who said they have never seen that many at one time. Several NCC officials were also on hand. Even the police showed up -- about five to six cop cars -- but they left once they saw residents were just protesting and not causing a commotion.
Isaac McGregor, a resident for five months, said he doesn't feel residents have a voice at the building.
"We have nobody to kick the door in and represent us," he said.
Residents said they don't know how long they'll stage their sidewalk protest.
"Martin Luther King started with just a handful," said Alma Rivera, a three-year resident. "We're going to be out here until things get done. If it's one person or two."
Barry Carter covers Newark. He can be reached at bcarter@starled ger.com or (973) 392-1827.