Still upstairs

As most readers of this paper may remember, last July I wrote an As I See It column about my problems in getting a downstairs apartment at Grand Marais Apartments. This is a 16-unit complex; four downstairs one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units, of which eight are upstairs. We are managed by NETA, a management company based in Fargo that was hired by the local Grand Marais Apartments board. NETA refuses to budge on their new rule of only two or more people in a two-bedroom unit. Health is not a consideration.

Several agencies were very helpful in trying to get authorization for me to move from an upstairs two-bedroom apartment to a downstairs two-bedroom apartment, because there are no one-bedroom apartments available for the foreseeable future.

The last assistance came from Minnesota Legal Aid. They told me that after receiving communication from NETA’s attorney, their office did not have the time or staff to help me fight this decision of having to remain upstairs. They gave me two places I could try and contact on my own, but I have now given up. If all the help I had didn’t work, I certainly won’t be able to do any better.

The only people who can apparently help is the local GMA Board and the only board member that talked to me said she doesn’t necessarily agree with NETA’s decision about not moving me downstairs but there is nothing she/they can do. I suggested firing NETA, because after all, “You hired them.” She acted as if I had said the dumbest thing ever and refused to continue the conversation, which I have to admit was in a public place.

We now have three empty two-bedroom apartments; one downstairs that has been unoccupied since July, and two upstairs. It seems dual tenancies are scarce in Cook County!

Sincerely, Sherrie
Lindskog, still upstairs in #8
Grand Marais