Monday, January 30, 2012
Landfill Fire
When I arrived at the district office today at 8, the first thing I did was listen to the messages. Someone called our office around 4:30 this morning. I really hope he didn't think we would be there at that time. Anyways, he wanted to know why the Salt River Landfill was not put out by know. I looked up the information and called him. I told him that according to all the information I had, the firefighters got the fire under control and are letting it burn out naturally. He told me that the Councilman needed to request a federal injunction to have the fire put out. I told him that the landfill is not in Phoenix, so the Councilman does not have authority in that area. Secondly, I told him he should call the Maricopa County Air Quality Control department, but he kept interrupting me. It is very frustrating when I am trying to give people information that will help them but they refuse it and talk over me. That was not even the worst of it. Soon he got rude. He told me "You don't know anything." I said if you are going to talk to me like that I will terminate this phone call. Then he asked me if my feelings were hurt in a very sarcastic way. I said no, my feelings were not hurt, but I do not need your attitude when I am trying to help you. Then he got crazy. He said "I'm talking to you like your father." I said, you're not my father so do not talk to me like that. He finally just asked to pass the request for the landfill to the Councilman. Oh, what a great way to start the day.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
All Firefighters do is wash their trucks and exercise
A new pay and benefits study of city employees was recently released (http://phoenix.gov/employment/2011totalcompstudy.html). It indicates that with benefits, city employees make slightly more than the same position in the private sector. Well, not everybody was satisfied with this.
Today I received a call from a from a very flabbergasted constituent. I pick up the phone and he immediately starts babbling nonsense that went on for about 20 minutes. What is really interesting is that I provided answers to most of what he asked, but he just dismissed them, as if he was trying to stump me with these questions. First, he asked where all these jobs are that were in the study, indicating that he's applied for positions many times but has never been hired. So I told him all available city positions are available on Phoenix.gov. He didn't respond to that, but when on to his next idea. He said that firefighters make 1/2 million dollar pensions and all they do is wash their trucks and exercise. I'm serious. Apparently he doesn't realize that most firefighters are also EMT's. Next, he told me that all city employees should be laid off for a year and then try to get a job again. This is the kind of calls I deal with. I told him that if he has ideas he should present them at formal council meetings. He said what is the point, it won't be do any good. Of course it won't do any good, it is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever heard. Lastly, he pretty much demanded why the pay study was not published. I told him to go to Phoenix.gov and the whole 333 page report is available. As usual, he chose to ignore my answer. So, three questions, three answers, and he chose not to acknowledge any of them. Anyway, I need to talk to the Fire Chief and tell them to get to work.
Today I received a call from a from a very flabbergasted constituent. I pick up the phone and he immediately starts babbling nonsense that went on for about 20 minutes. What is really interesting is that I provided answers to most of what he asked, but he just dismissed them, as if he was trying to stump me with these questions. First, he asked where all these jobs are that were in the study, indicating that he's applied for positions many times but has never been hired. So I told him all available city positions are available on Phoenix.gov. He didn't respond to that, but when on to his next idea. He said that firefighters make 1/2 million dollar pensions and all they do is wash their trucks and exercise. I'm serious. Apparently he doesn't realize that most firefighters are also EMT's. Next, he told me that all city employees should be laid off for a year and then try to get a job again. This is the kind of calls I deal with. I told him that if he has ideas he should present them at formal council meetings. He said what is the point, it won't be do any good. Of course it won't do any good, it is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever heard. Lastly, he pretty much demanded why the pay study was not published. I told him to go to Phoenix.gov and the whole 333 page report is available. As usual, he chose to ignore my answer. So, three questions, three answers, and he chose not to acknowledge any of them. Anyway, I need to talk to the Fire Chief and tell them to get to work.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Redistricting
This week I found out that next year at least 110,000 residents will be moved to a different district. The city is starting a redistricting process this month based on new census data, which shows Phoenix added 121,900 residents since 2000. Districts have to be roughly the same size ( 180,00 people) to make sure each resident's vote carries the same weight. District 4 in Central Phoenix is going to be gaining the most residents and District 7 in South Phoenix and Laveen is losing the most. I think the most interesting part is that the U.S. Department of Justice has to approve the redistricting proposal to make sure it maintains the current strength of minority voting blocks. Public hearings start 1/31 and the D.O.J. should review it in the summer, so the new districts will start 1/2013. If you are interested here are dates and the meeting places, http://phoenix.gov/citygovernment/redistricting/pubmeetings/index.html
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
People and last names
How old were you when you started saying your last name when you spoke to someone on the phone? I think I was about 13. I think that is common sense. You will not believe how many people call and leave messages and e-mails without leaving a last name. I do not know what they are thinking (or not thinking). That says something about the education level of the Phoenix area, when adults (not kids) do not know that you should leave a last name on the phone. Sometimes I fell like I am an elementary school teacher with these people. It is not so much that I am frustrated that they don't leave a last name, but that they don't know they should leave a last name. For example, "Adam" called yesterday and didn't leave a last name, why should he, there is only one Adam in Phoenix.
Monday, January 16, 2012
A little intro to my internship
Hello everyone! This post is too introduce you to what my internship is like and the experiences I deal with.
I work in the District 8 office of the Phoenix City Council, with councilman Michael Johnson. Our district encompasses downtown Phoenix, and west to 48th St and east to 19th Ave. Here is our map ( http://phoenix.gov/district8/d8map.html), so if you live in the district please feel free to call with any problems or questions. The daily experiences include talking on the phone to constituents who call for everything from water problems, housing difficulties, potholes, basically anything that the government can help with. I should note that the district itself does not help with these problems, however we take the information and offer advice, as well as contact the appropriate department (water, housing, street transportation) to actually work on the situation. The experience is not dull though! People sometimes have attitudes, and sometimes they talk pretty much nonstop for 30 plus minutes ( I'll share some of these experiences in later blogs). I get to see the mayor (Gordon, now Stanton) on a consistent basis, which is exciting. I have also learned some inside stuff about how to get problems fixed fast (I'll share that as well). Overall, this is a very varied and exciting internship so be prepared for some of the things I encounter. Nice to meet everyone and I'll talk to you later.
I work in the District 8 office of the Phoenix City Council, with councilman Michael Johnson. Our district encompasses downtown Phoenix, and west to 48th St and east to 19th Ave. Here is our map ( http://phoenix.gov/district8/d8map.html), so if you live in the district please feel free to call with any problems or questions. The daily experiences include talking on the phone to constituents who call for everything from water problems, housing difficulties, potholes, basically anything that the government can help with. I should note that the district itself does not help with these problems, however we take the information and offer advice, as well as contact the appropriate department (water, housing, street transportation) to actually work on the situation. The experience is not dull though! People sometimes have attitudes, and sometimes they talk pretty much nonstop for 30 plus minutes ( I'll share some of these experiences in later blogs). I get to see the mayor (Gordon, now Stanton) on a consistent basis, which is exciting. I have also learned some inside stuff about how to get problems fixed fast (I'll share that as well). Overall, this is a very varied and exciting internship so be prepared for some of the things I encounter. Nice to meet everyone and I'll talk to you later.
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