December 2021 (Volume 16, Issue 12)

Hi Paddocks Press fan,

Graham’s final message for 2021
 
As we approach the end of 2021, I pause to share some of my news and stories with you. In doing this, I reflect not only the past year but on the whole twenty month period during which the Covid-19 epidemic has been a feature of our lives.

My initial reaction to lockdown was frustration as I adjusted to a host of new restrictions. My main concern was for my business as the work that kept my employees busy dried up. But the drastic action that I took has worked out for the best. The lawyers I retrenched are now in practice for their own account and delivering the same type of services to managing agents and other participants in community schemes. I don’t compete with them—we work together, and the result is a wider spread of services to the community scheme market.

I have dealt with the vexed issue of my ‘retirement’. I have not retired, because I enjoy the work I do, but I now only do work that I find challenging and interesting. I have time to work with Prof. Cornie van der Merwe, and I refer instructions I do not want to handle to appropriate attorneys. I can continue to write books and articles, keep the free Paddocks website up for the public good and operate the Paddocks Club subscription site.

The curfew, travel restrictions and the fact that so many people had to work from home meant that we all spent much more time in our homes. We had more opportunities to interact with our neighbours and to annoy them. My next-door neighbour invited all those in our immediate area to join a WhatsApp group. We now communicate regularly. We tell one another about anything likely to cause a disturbance, report owl sightings, advertise lost and found pets and anything else of general interest. Just before the advent of the Omicron variant, we met outdoors to eat and drink wine, many of us meeting in person for the first time. There is no doubt that lockdown has increased the sense of community in our area.

I hope that you also have positive stories to tell! May you, your family and your friends have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

My best wishes to you all,

Graham

Please note that Paddocks will be closing for the Festive Season on 15 December 2021 and will be reopening on 10 January 2022. During this time, eBook sales will continue as normal, but please note that only credit card purchases done directly through the website will be processed. Should you need to EFT for an eBook order, we will send your invoice during the week of the 10th - 15th January 2022. In addition, all paperback books ordered in this time will only be packaged and couriered during the week of the 10th - 15th January 2022. Paddocks Club forums will continue to be monitored and questions answered during the period that offices are closed.

In this month's edition:

• Payment of sectional title trustees - By Graham Paddock
• Removing a director serving on the board of your HOA - By Ané de Klerk