Zen of City Hall, continued

[electricland]

So it turns out that in order to get our new water service hooked up, we have to phone for a site inspection. Fair enough. The catch: you have to phone ONE guy, who is only in the office between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and who doesn't return messages about site inspections.

I phoned him at 8:17 today. He wasn't in. I feel this is cheating.

Comments

[lietya.livejournal.com]

good grief, I make jokes about places with hours like that! I should've known someone, somewhere would be doing it for real.... and yes, that's cheating. He needs to *at least* be there for his measly 1.5 hours per day.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

well, he *IS* working longer, he's just out doing site inspections most of the day.

sadly, however, this seems to be the way of city hall. And is one of the reasons snivil servants caveat: cranky, i am NOT refering to you here ;) get a bad rep.

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. Still frustrating.

I assume "snivil" was not a typo? :) I like it!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

exactly! I can think of at LEAST 3 ways to get around this, starting with "let people leave you voicemail messages and get back to them," "have someone else schedule your appointments," and "get a cellphone already." Oh, and "be in the office for half an hour at the end of the day for the people that have better things to do between 7 and 8:30 than try and get ahold of you."

What happens if the guy's hit by a bus? His name is actually printed on the form I got -- he's the ONLY person in the City of Toronto that you can talk to!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

He needs to *at least* be there for his measly 1.5 hours per day.

Damn straight! Or at least deign to call back if he ISN'T there during those hours.

[briasoleil.livejournal.com]

I would never be able to reach the guy, cause my brain doesn't kick in until much later in the day. It could just be that I'm particularly pathetic, though.

I hope you reach him tomorrow. Best of luck!

[electricland.livejournal.com]

well yes, that is my other worry. sigh.

I'll try him before my shower tomorrow. Grrrr! I will prevail!