If Roberts is “atrocious” what word describes Wesselman Parks Restrooms
Could we all pause briefly to put the Mayor’s description of the “atrocious”, SMG management, in perspective? (Some of us still want to believe that words have meaning.)
Mr. Kiefer, if nothing other than delaying the inevitable, would you please lead a discussion in the civic understanding of “atrocious”? Our reporters aren’t interested in that word in the story. “Legal”, yes, they are all over that. “Atrocious” not so much.
For someone to read the Mayor’s memo, listen to your appeal for a delay, and then hear the few comments you had on the topic. Some of us may be scratching our heads wondering, what was the point.
At the very least, can you provide the business entities that deal with the County an idea of how you would define, “atrocious”?
Example:
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Let’s bring back into memory those images that Mr. Rector pointed out on TV to us. The shots of the restrooms, the fountains and the mechanical room.
Got those images fresh in your memory? OK.
Now, walk with me out of Robert’s parking lot, to the public park next door. If you’ve ever spent any quality time at Wessleman’s playing softball, volleyball or using the batting cages, you might need a drink or a restroom break.
Let me pause for a second. Because anyone that has been in that scenario knows exactly where I’m going with this discussion.
But back to our walk. Go into that Wessleman’s public restroom and take a good 360 degree mental image.
Now, do a comparative evaluation of the condition of that bathroom, against the average Robert’s bathroom.
Here’s the question. If we are, as a community, to describe that Robert’s experience as “atrocious”. What is the proper definition to describe the Wessleman’s park experience? (Yes, I’m stumped for a word, too.)
Anyway, lets get the heck out of that bathroom.
Now, stand outside the bathroom and take a good look at the water fountain. Comparative evaluation again, assuming Robert’s is the definition of “atrocious”, what is Wessleman’s?
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Now, don’t get me wrong here. I can fully understand, how a group of individuals, sitting in the corporate boardroom at Vectren headquarters, can come unanimously to a decision that broken water fountains are “atrocious”. Be that as it may. In any real way, was that discussion placed in perspective, of governmental budget capabilities? I just watched the County discuss capping their desired highly educated temporary help, at 12 – 14 dollars an hour with no benefits. “Atrocious”, depends on the context.
You see, the cognitive dissonance that we all feel about this situation needs to be put into perspective and the ongoing moral hazard avoided. Yes, I think there is risk of moral hazard because nobody is explaining how a contractor in decent standing one day can turn “atrocious” spectacle, overnight.
If the County is trying to save money where it can, when it can – i.e. not flushing the taxpayers money down the drain. Then a fountain or toilet that doesn’t work periodically is not an unexpected event, is it? (I rest comfortably at night confident that my utility bills leave plenty of cash to keep the Vectren water fountains and bathrooms fully functioning.)
So in addition to “atrocious”, I’m asking you to define acceptable public sector, “service levels”.
Example:
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Let’s say I’m in a service business, thinking about contracting with two Counties.
One County is known for level headed, consistent, service level expectations.
The other County has recently publicly labeled temporary appliance outages, “atrocious”, that resulted in a less experienced competitor brought in and a significant public display. While it raises exasperation, nothing changes.
Now do you think my proposals to those two Counties will be priced the same?
One County might lead me to significant legal expenses in defining precisely what the minute details in the expectations will contractually oblige me to meet. One County might put the public goodwill of my business name at significantly higher risk. One County might lead reasonable people to estimate basic labor and maintenance levels closer to what others might label, overkill – to avoid potential problems like this.
We don’t want this episode leading to higher contract services for the County and City, do we Mr. Kiefer?
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If Mayor Weinzapfel feels competition is necessary – so be it.
But all this talk of competition and standards of service begs at least one question. How much extra are we paying for this new hotel, if it’s designs must handle a strict zero tolerance for bathroom and fountain outages or if maintenance rooms are not allowed the slightest tolerance for dual purpose storage capacity?
Dan Effinger
Evansville, IN
