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.
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Sorry you had to deal with that guy! In my position at the Zoo I often deal with rude people like that, but 98% of the time it is in person rather than over the phone. Sometimes you just have to let people think they're right, even if they're not. At least you can use this experience for the next time you come in contact with an angry person.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say that as I was reading this I was definitely getting very upset at this guy you were talking to. I cannot believe he would talk to you like that when all you were trying to do was help him. Even when you mentioned to him that the Councilman does not have authority in that area he just had to give you an attitude about it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I had the pleasure of meeting Councilman Johnson last week and he is a great guy! He's very funny.