Name:   Lifer - Subject:   Public servants Date:   1/10/2017 10:09:28 AM

I light of recent posts on the subject of government employees I am relating my experiences of the last few days. I've never had any interaction with the Alex City public works departments until last week. Now I have dealt with representatives of the water, gas and street departments and of the 6 gentleman I dealt with 5 were very courteous, professional and timely in response to the problems. I had contact with them while helping my mother in law with problems at a rental house. The first contact was with a "supervisor"  with the water department who was extremely rude and made several false statement in our very short conversation leaving the renter with the impression she was going to have to pay an exorbitant water bill because a line broke and ran all night. It ran all night because the shut off valve was broken and 3 different people tried to shut it off but couldn't turn it. He went on a diatribe about it being the customers responsibility to install a shut off on their side of the meter.  A debatable position but fodder for another thread. He informed her if she had called the police department they would have contacted them to come shut it off. Nobody knew this, including me. His response to the question about a credit for leaks he very rudely told her they didn't give him a credit if his water leaked so why would they give her one. A phone call to the office quickly proved that to be false as they were more than happy to adjust her bill when it comes. We were both shocked by his attitude and rudeness. But he turned out to be the exception,  not the rule. A different person  came to turn it back on who was the polar opposite.

As it turned out there was a small leak at one of the gas valves in the house. It is an old house heated by space heaters and we were putting an extra heater in with the bitter cold coming. At the first smell of gas the gas department was called and responded in minutes. I made the repairs and called them back and again they were there in very short order, checked all repairs,  and re-set all pilot lights. Very professional and courteous.

Three of the four city employees who had been to the house were exceptional examples of what one would want in a civil servant. There happens to be an issue at that house that has existed for an extended period involving a small retaining wall, drainage, erosion and utilities. It has gotten to the point that it has to be addressed due to liabilities. Having had so much contact with the public works I decided to call the street department and see if we could resolve the issue. A representative came out, we discussed options and responsibilities of each party. He left to return to the office and check on a couple of details and discuss it with others. In a very short time he called back with a plan that we feel was acceptable without question.

Kudos to all except the water department "supervisor" who should be ashamed for treating anyone the way he treated the tenant. I am big boy and can handle myself and know how life works but that young lady was visibly upset thinking she was going to be responsible for that water bill. Shame on him