A little over a year ago a new company took over the Gateway Terrace Apartments property and almost immediately an axiom ‘uniform’ entered the lexicon of the community.

With new owners there were changes to be expected and they started, it seems, the first day. Rules are rules and in many ways are good to have and live by but the rules being instituted seemed a little strange.

For years we had a competition of who could make the best Christmas displays and the property looked like a winter wonderland, even if it was 80 degrees outside. I took many pictures of the different displays and still have them. The first rule that affected all us was “No Holiday Decorations outside of the resident’s apartments including the doors and windows”. All was okay inside the apartment. As a Jew, raised in a Catholic neighborhood, I always looked forward to the Christmas holidays. At Gateway every December there was a large Cross and a Menorah in front of the house that spread a good feeling.

I could go on about the rules that were being invoked but two really hit me with the first being no plants, flowers, allowed on the walkways. Having lived in South Florida for a total of more than 50 years I am aware of hurricanes and all the destruction that could be caused with flying objects so I knew to take the plants in when warnings and watches were announced. I, also, knew the importance of having a clear way for medics when they had to take a patient from their apartment on a gurney. In no way did any of my pots interfere with that if it needed to be done. Okay I didn’t like it but I could live with it and brought the plants into my apartment.

The past two weeks another rule was being enforced and it was as if a hurricane hit. Without rhyme or reason beautiful plants and bushes, like varied colored Hibiscus or Frangipani trees, the latter just starting to bloom and send out their beautiful fragrance, along with stunning white and purple Bougainvillea plants, Roses in bloom and others were being torn out of the ground and just thrown away.

Ironically this happened the week leading up to Earth Day.

Yes the new company is making many improvements in our apartments but it seems as if they want the outside to look ‘uniform’ with those apartments having screen doors being told they must come down, just one of the many changes to take place.

We have no idea when or what will replace the many plants being taken out whether it will be uniform bushes or concrete but these little gardens, plants that residents brightened up their life and corner of the world has also taken away from their individuality. Being an optimist I am thinking they will come up with something spectacular to replace the spectacle that Mother Nature provided us with.

I will start my 19th year living here on June 1st and it is one of the best breaks I ever had in my life. We don’t have much say as to what the owners do but I hope they won’t put up a wall blocking off Karen Bay or make us all wear uniforms! Okay so those are rumors but where does ‘being uniform’ stop?

Hey this is Florida and I will not give up my shorts and short sleeved shirts nor will I wear pants in temperatures of 95 degrees!