By Giselle Loeper

Doug is a cheerful, pleasant man, the manager of my apartment building Ocean Villa.

When I decided to move to Victoria, my son in Ottawa arranged a conference call with my other son in Victoria, with me in Windsor, and with Doug. I immediately liked Doug's voice as he gave me all the information I needed about the apartment Chuck had picked out for me. My pharmacist down the street had a Fax machine and took care of all the paperwork which went back and forth.

When I arrived, Doug welcomed me and showed me my new place, which he had freshly painted and carpeted. He also presented me with some plants for my balcony and promised some plumbing improvements. This man was living up to the voice on the phone! All the tenants in the building love him, and he takes excellent care of us. Everything in the building sparkles. When my kitchen light burned out I called him, and it was fixed within five minutes.

At Christmastime he decorates the lobby, making it into a fairyland. This has changed me from a bah humbug person into a sentimental grandmother. If any of us gets home late, we have no fear as the exterior and lobby lights are all on, welcoming us back. Thank you, Doug. With you in charge we feel safe.

I had taken this apartment without having seen it, making a decision based on our telephone conversation. I know now that my first impression of this person was the right one!