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Jordan Drive Stop Sign
A caller to our anonymous Sound Off line over the weekend complained that a new stop sign at the intersection of Gick Road and Jordan Drive North may not have been placed legally.
It was. There were two public hearings and an action by the City Council.
More interesting than that, however, was a brief discussion at this morning's pre-agenda meeting of the City Council. Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Ivins asked Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim if he was going to address the Sound Off at Tuesday's council meeting.
The answer, from Kim, was "No." His reasoning is that his office is very responsive to constituents who call his office with concerns. He did not see any reason for why he should have to respond to an anonymous complainant who did not even bother to take the time to call his office.
As a firm believer that anonymous comments are not an appropriate place to raise potentially-legitimate concerns, I think that Kim is taking the correct stance. Of course, if people believe the government is breaking its own rules, they should call the newspaper, but you are not guaranteed a response from the city by doing so.
It was. There were two public hearings and an action by the City Council.
More interesting than that, however, was a brief discussion at this morning's pre-agenda meeting of the City Council. Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Ivins asked Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim if he was going to address the Sound Off at Tuesday's council meeting.
The answer, from Kim, was "No." His reasoning is that his office is very responsive to constituents who call his office with concerns. He did not see any reason for why he should have to respond to an anonymous complainant who did not even bother to take the time to call his office.
As a firm believer that anonymous comments are not an appropriate place to raise potentially-legitimate concerns, I think that Kim is taking the correct stance. Of course, if people believe the government is breaking its own rules, they should call the newspaper, but you are not guaranteed a response from the city by doing so.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
4:47 PM
7 Comments:
Its pretty simple really, many people are afraid to complain against Kim or the police.
You may think all is rosy but remember you write for the paper and Kim has a vested interest in staying on your good side.
But believe me if you crossed him you would know what I'm talking about.
I totally agree. Sound off is a rediculous idea and the paper should do away with it all together. It continues to de value the newspapers legitimacy. It has become a site of people being allowed to take cheap shots without consequence.
Thank You.
hello andrew, just wanted to chime in concerning the dispacthers.
i know bowen has said they would look into taking over the dispatchers positions, but what has dave wickerham said about this? he's the key to this happening or not. bownen can say all he wants, but it is wickerham who holds the purse strings down at the county, and it is my understanding that he's reluctant to provide funding for this to actually happen.
what has yepsin or vietch have to say about this as well? do they think this is something that can happen? there also seems to be some cross-information as to who the actual people are that will be doing it. will they be the current dispatchers from the city?
George: Can you be more specific? It seems that Kim had a pretty clear response to the question: "If you have a problem, call me."
Have you tried calling the office and not got a response? Have you called and been rebuffed? If so, please let me know.
Demroc: Actually, the County Board of Supervisors, and not David Wickerham, holds the purse strings at the county.
Wickerham's comments on the subject, as well as those of Joanne Yepsen and Matthew Veitch, can be found in this story: http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/06/21/news/doc4a3d858437805674006269.txt
While Bowen has said he would need at least 10 additional dispatchers to handle increased call volume, expanding the staff is not up to him, but is up to the county's HR department.
Sounds like George is pretty simple, really! It seems he has a vested interest if Kim is gone. Could it be he is one of the old guard who did all the back door dealing on the council? Is that you Hank?
Andrew, Since demroc mentioned it, I'd like to chime in on the dispatch matter. First this is a horrendous short sighted and politically motivated idea. The idea that taxpayers are going to save $550,000 is smoke and mirrors. The county supervisors are not going to allow an additional $550,000 in expenditures without a revenue line item. So that revenue will be reflected in our county tax bill. There just going to move it from the city to county tax line, we're still paying for it. Bottom line, no savings. So what do we lose? I know both county and city systems, and you can not compare the City with the County. The City dispatchers are a critical part in the management of every Police,Fire and EMS call that occurs in Saratoga Springs. They are the hub of communications, resource management, and customer service. They receive calls, filter calls, priorities calls, direct resources, notify support agencies (DPW, NIMO, Key Holders etc. Owners Domestic Violence etc.etc.)Not only for responders, but the general public, investigators, etc. the list goes on and on. In comparison, the county dispatchers receive the information and make notification of the appropriate agency. At that point, their done. Bowen said, nothing is going to change. He right, nothing will change for the County, but for the citizens of Saratoga Springs and the emergency responders they will see a significant change...and it won't be for the greater good of the community.
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