As any apartment owner knows, annual meetings can be contentious, overheated -- sometimes they even get physical. But with a little advance planning, they can be non-violent. Here's how. Read more »

Every year around this time, I feel like I’m back at sleep away camp with color war about to break out, and leaders of the Blue Team and the Orange Team rallying their troops to victory. Then I blink and realize I’m in my apartment, and it’s not teams, but slates, that are exhorting fellow residents to vote their way to bring peace and unity to the building. Will it work? Read more »

The usual excuses don’t cut it. You have to work late. You got tickets to the Mets. You have a headache. Nothing ever changes. I’m a cynic, but if we all took that attitude Obama wouldn’t be President, and what happens in your building will have a more immediate impact on your pocketbook than anything he does. Here’s why you should go: Read more »

Ever wonder why lots of shareholders don’t always come away from elections in High Rise Society with a warm comfy feeling? Here’s an example – a resolution proposed a while back by a board member of a co-op that would effectively change from the U.S. to the Russian system without giving you a say. Huh? Read more »

This is New York, not Kabul. You only get to vote once. I’m sure none of my neighbors would think of pulling the lever twice on any real voting machine, but that doesn’t stop some of them from making up their own rules when it comes to elections at home. Read more »