Alex Casamassima
Computer Programmer Systems Analyst by day...
Current Work
My current "Emblaze" clients for web development, online campaigns, content management, and business services:
Latest
The Wrong Kind of Busy
Being self-employed means that being "busy" is a good thing, and truthfully it remains so - as I religiously track all my work and charge accordingly.But, There is a significant gap between the right kind of busy and the wrong kind of busy. Where if being busy is delivering value to others, the wrong kind of busy is failing to deliver ongoing value for yourself!The right kind of busy should ensure that the work you do can be repackaged and re-sold in an on-going manner. This is work that pays dividends, which offers a "rental" or "reproduceable" value without adding workload to yourself.My goal this year is to shift a significant part of my current workload to the right kind of busy.To mostly everyone this makes obvious sense, but when you have been in the grind for years of self-employdom you develop a tunnel vision where you simply do whatever it takes to be busy at all costs forgetting, which kind, you are engulfed in until you step back and write about it.
... Computer Programmer Systems Analyst by night
Residential Deserts
Recently I made a presentation to the mayor and the city councilors regarding profit-incentivized developer-led re-zoning of our city.Instead of focusing on a "15-minute city" where walkability for everything in your life presents an impossible problem to solve, my intention is to provide an inverse perspective and frame the issue on the core problem itself - where single-zone deserts are the reason for the other ails most citizens/planners have to overcome. As increased car infrastructure becomes the focus of the community to accommodate their needs.If the city takes the lead on prospective zoning within existing deserts, developers may be incentivized to redevelop neighborhoods toward planned land use to reap bureaucratic benefits, or demand developers who reinforce desertification to make communal concessions improving access (walking, biking, or driving) as a prerequisite.I created a presentation to illustrate my point, relevant to my own experience. Feel free to review it, share it, and talk about it:
My Business Website is coming 2023!
I'm currently focused on client websites first, then, my team and I will aim to deliver a pretty robust website for IT services.I'm always looking to add members to my team, contact me if you are interested.
introducing FujiSo I gots me a kitty
KofC Basketball Free ThrowThis year I'm chairing a council activity with four area elementary schools the Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw competition. Targeting January 21 we hope that we find a winner to represent at regional, provincial and international levels of the competition!
4800 Highway 7 Condo Board ElectionThanks to everyone who voted me into a three-year position on our condo board. I intend to represent our small community of approximately 500 residents as best I could!
Vote Alex!
I believe I can provide some diverse governance to managing our property, where I am technical enough to understand the legal framework of condo law and the industrial nature of managing building services. My philosophy is that "if you pay for something for your home, you should be able to use that something for your home"My hope is that my added perspective on the Board will improve the neighbourly relationship between residents, owners, management, and the board alike. I want to push against the board becoming too focused on policing residents and conduct (a distraction and unnecessary role of the board) and work toward connecting better with each other!
About Me @ 4800 Hwy 7
I'm both an owner and a resident!
I'm someone who (tries) to use all the amenities - and have been quite acknowledging of issues surrounding them.
I'm someone who admins a Facebook Group where I connect with other residents on building matters.
I have many professional relationships with relevant experts relevant to building services (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, hardware) and great access to relevant condo administrative experts (other condo board members, condo lawyers, accountants, and engineers).
I have developed many positive relationships here in our community. It's through this dialog I feel I can best represent the interest of owners and residents alike.
How to Vote
Vote Online - Unit Owners can Click the "Vote Now" link in your email from management. If you haven't received this email, contact management!
Vote at the AGM - Register and attend the Annual General Meeting for the Condominium. Every unit holder gets a vote!
Assign a Proxy - If you are a renter (or prefer a renter vote in your interest) assign a proxy, review your AGM package, or ask management for more information.
== **AGM MEETING IS: OCTOBER 26 2022 6:00 PM ** This is your last chance to vote!==
My Platform
Empower management to manage: allowing management to use their discretion on residential matters and rules. The management is already aware that I have near zero tolerance for inaction - however - I rather facilitate action than be the arbitrator for their actions.
Hold management accountable by tracking "unfinished business" in monthly meetings. The trade-off for trusting management to do their job is that the board should review if they are doing their job!
Improve Communication between board and residents I will propose at least one town hall meeting and one social event to improve communication between owners, residents, and the board. The simple act of communicating reasoning for administrative decisions goes a long way for some.
Be a voice for the lower floors! I myself reside on the lower floors of our connected buildings where most units are! I believe that I can address issues that affect lower floors at the board meetings and resolve to have maintenance distributed equally to all owners - instead of the current literal top-down administration.
Reduce reliance on "I know a guy" contracts which offer less expertise and more expense. My hope is I can make a pie chart of all expenses, so we can better understand what our maintenance fee comprises.
Provide proper oversight for the final phase of Tarion-insured assets particularly the children's play area even if it requires us to repurpose it. I have been well-versed in the shortcomings of the developer since registration - and - it would be helpful that the board has at least one member that has no prior relationship with the developer when it comes to negotiating a settlement for these assets.
Click to fill up the form below: