Day 10, No Working Toilet

On Day 7, when maint. man saw me using the public restroom in the bldg., he locked it up. So I've been resorting to using public places. I just can't stand to see his face, I can't stand the idea of him being in my apt., and that's putting the fact that I am afraid of him as secondary. I'm just soooooooooooo furious, filled with fury at what I've been thru here, I can't stand to see management's faces.

So, I told the owner in Georgia my problem. She called me today and said I have no choice but to use the people that are already on staff, regardless of what I claim I've been thru. She said, she will have a female present, (the useless on sight manager) while he takes a look at the toilet.

It's been one month and the new owner has not begun any investigations into the thefts, sexual harrassment and death threats. She said to me today, "well, nobody else has turned in a formal complaint"

E-These are sick and elderly people, not activists. It doesn't lessen what I've been thru.

new owner-Well, I would need all the documentation of what has happened there. (that's 2.5 years worth of notes)

E-"The police don't write written reports, despite my requests"

O-Without documentation I can't help u

E-I know one other person who might speak to you, but so many of my files have been stolen, and much has been put in storage.

O-Well, if you can get them to call me, then maybe I can do something.

(So, I'm supposed to waste another year or more of my life, while maybe somebody does something to make me more safe?)

She said that she understands that I'd like to put in for an out of state transfer. This is true, I know which states they own property, but not yet which cities. She said that some of the wait lists are long, but I have no choice to at least get on the lists. In the meantime, I'm going to have to work like hell, to get out of where I am, while waiting for formal public housing to come thru.

So, this maint. man who I dread is coming into my apt. on weds. ( and I insist on not being in there alone with him), to "look" at the toilet. Yet, if I'm not there at all, he will steal something else from me, or vandalize something else.

I doubt that he'll replace it, even though I know I need a new one, as I got 2 opinions.

For those of you who are new readers of my blog, I recommend a famous true essay from the late 80's on life in U.S. public housing called:

"There are No Children Here" by Alex Kotlowitz

1/3/96 "so called food stamp appt."/the local community center

I went into the Hampden Family Center for a 2:30 appt. What a waste of time that was. I was told by the volunteer yesterday that I could come in at 2:30 for a woman to interview me for food stamps. When I do come in, there is a different woman working. She asks me if I have certain things with me. I tell her that I only have one pay stub. She says I have to have more documentation than that. She asks me to wait until 3 for the formal appt. So, she then meets with me for about 1/2 hour, telling me I need this, this and this. She finally asks me if I have my utility bill?! I tell her no because my rent includes utilities.

She then says: "Aren't you here for energy assistance?!"

E-"No"

"Then what are you here for?"

E-"Food stamps!"

"We don't do that here!"

"Your volunteer told me that you do!"

"Who told you that?" (I would here this question many, many times over the next dozen years! I now keep impeccable records, so I know "who did tell me that!")

I told her I don't remember the name of the volunteer. So as this doesn't become a wasted trip, I decide to wait around for the director re: the possibility of volunteering for the center. I'm told the director is busy right now. So, I just sit and wait for her to free up.

The director seems really burned out, but asks me if I'd like to sign up for a computer class. The sign up sheet states a date that passed 2 weeks ago!  I asked her about it and she said that it is the wrong sign up sheet. She points me to another sign up sheet, which says:

"Tues, Weds, or Thurs?"

I ask: "What are the corresponding dates?"

"I don't know" she says. "It's doesn't matter anyway. You don't have to sign up. Just pop in anytime tomorrow!"

"You are coming in the a.m., aren't you?" she continued.

E-"Oh, I thought you just said to come in anytime"

"You better come in the a.m."

(I'd never choose a.m., but do it when I have to. Fibromyalgia people and a.m. rarely get along)

Supposedly, at 10 a.m. Frank will be there to train me.