The notice from the City arrived in the mail last weekend. No matter on what day or at what hour the City employee named therein is called, the telephone number is always on voicemail. When I’ve been able to call from a touch-tone, not a rotary, telephone, I’ve been able to punch “O” in accordance with the voicemail instructions. This action results in a 40-minute hold and then a cut-off. During the hold, the annoying music loops over and over again, interrupted only by the message that “all our agents are busy.”

The answers sought are simple ones. Why, when one action before a citizen board was scheduled a month ago, was there a big red-orange sign posted on the property (although briefly and without written notice to most of those who should receive it)? Why, when this action was placed on the agenda again, this time with written notice, was there no big bright sign, as there was the first time? Why is there a big bright sign on another property on the same agenda for the same date as the first matter? What is the difference in procedure as between the two agenda items? Why was the postponed agenda item treated differently the first time as to notice from the way it’s being treated this time?

All apart from the fact that it’s pretty obvious that no answers will be obtained before the agenda items are decided, whether or not there’s compliance and consistency as to notice, public servants who seem always to have their voicemail on do a disservice to anybody who falls into one or more of these classes: has a rotary-dial telephone, has no telephone at work, may call on breaks but not receive return calls during work hours, has no answering machine, has no voicemail, or has no cell-phone. Some people, by the very nature of their jobs, are out in the field all the time, but their voicemail usually says at what hours they may be reached directly and during what hours they return calls. Now leaving rant zone to resume regular activities.