I remember calling the Department of Licenses & Inspection and being put on hold for 15 minutes. I wasn’t happy about that. Taxpayers have a right to expect service from city agencies. We pay their salaries. We pay their benefits. We’re entitled to be treated decently.
Now, you’re reading this and saying, “Can you fix this?” I don’t know. But I’m hopeful. I’m willing to try. The managing director is supposed to be on top of this. I’ll be calling my managing director and saying, “Are we taking care of people? We just installed a monitoring system. Is it working?”
She would probably tell me about all the fires she’s putting out, and about how busy she is. I would tell her we’re being paid to serve the people. (I’m sure she’ll get the messsage.)
I have a great deal of curiosity about how thingswork, and I like to meet people. So, I’ll make the effort to visit every city office and facility. Nothing would be off limits. Even the Sanitation Convenience Centers like the one at 1600 S. 51st Street.
Places like this perform a vital service and I want to make sure people are being taken care of.
I intend to hold meetings in each councilmanic district on a regular basis. My commissioners would accompany me and concerned citizens would get a quick response to their questions. If commissioners couldn’t give an immediate answer, they’d be expected to get back with answers within a week.
I have to believe the city has honest, dedicated employees. They just have to be motivated.
The ombudsman suggestion is a good one, but I’m going to try to do everything I can to get the public better service before I spend additional taxpayer dollars.
