Credit where due dep't
I don't think i'm too shy about criticizing Durham city staffers when i run into roadblocks trying to keep my block and my neighborhood clean and safe, and receiving the city services that we deserve. I try to refrain from naming names, though, because we're going to have to continue working with these folks to get things done. (Hello, Parks and Rec. Hello, City/County Planning Department)
That's why i wanted to take a minute to publicly thank Mr. Gray Dawson and Mr. Rick Hester of the city's Neighborhood Improvement Services Department. Following some poorly timed public complaints made on my behalf regarding the abominable state of the 1600 & 1700 Blocks of Avondale Drive, Mr. Dawson took the time to meet with me personally and walk up and down those blocks, taking notes on buildings that have been allowed to fall into serious disrepair, owned mostly by landlords that seem intent on milking as many dollars from their tenants as possible, without putting a single penny back into their properties. To be honest, there's also personal risk in walking Avondale Dr., as the lack of sidewalks and visibility, combined with the excessive speeds of many vehicles, makes it kind of dangerous. I've received followup emails (now there's a concept which a lot of city departments could take a lesson from) from Mr. Hester, detailing which property owners have now received communications from the city detailing the violations found at their houses. Keep up the good work.
Note to the city: How about putting the staff directories back on the individual department websites? I'm tired of calling Durham One-Call just to get someone's extension. Oh, and while we're at it, One-Call, at least for me, is turning more and more into a switchboard service. Or, as one of my neighbors called it recently, Durham Twelve-Call.
That's why i wanted to take a minute to publicly thank Mr. Gray Dawson and Mr. Rick Hester of the city's Neighborhood Improvement Services Department. Following some poorly timed public complaints made on my behalf regarding the abominable state of the 1600 & 1700 Blocks of Avondale Drive, Mr. Dawson took the time to meet with me personally and walk up and down those blocks, taking notes on buildings that have been allowed to fall into serious disrepair, owned mostly by landlords that seem intent on milking as many dollars from their tenants as possible, without putting a single penny back into their properties. To be honest, there's also personal risk in walking Avondale Dr., as the lack of sidewalks and visibility, combined with the excessive speeds of many vehicles, makes it kind of dangerous. I've received followup emails (now there's a concept which a lot of city departments could take a lesson from) from Mr. Hester, detailing which property owners have now received communications from the city detailing the violations found at their houses. Keep up the good work.
Note to the city: How about putting the staff directories back on the individual department websites? I'm tired of calling Durham One-Call just to get someone's extension. Oh, and while we're at it, One-Call, at least for me, is turning more and more into a switchboard service. Or, as one of my neighbors called it recently, Durham Twelve-Call.
Labels: Durham, local government
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2 Comments:
Very good. Bravo to Rick Hester and Gray Dawson.
I absolutely agree that the staff directory needs to posted on the City website. You can easily find staff directories on most municipal webpages. Trying to find someone's email addy on the Durham site is time-consuming. Just add a "Directory" link at the top of the main page (or under "Inside City Hall").
Adding the directory will help build a stronger bridge between City Hall and Durham citizens.
~John Schelp
By
Unknown, at 2:58 PM
Most of the departments used to publish staff directories on their websites. A lot of times i know the name of the person i need to speak with, but i don't keep a rolodex of every city staffer and their extension on my desk.
Now, though, i don't think a single department publishes the directory on the website, which indicates that this is a conscious policy made by someone in the administration. Using One-Call as a switchboard, instead of as a true customer service/service order initiation center is not how the service was originally sold to Durham residents, and quite frankly, it's not a good use of resources.
By
Barry, at 3:06 PM
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