Various, because dealing with constituents is only part of what I do. Various, because constituents themselves are various, and so are their problems.
Let me describe the sort of incident that makes my job a
real joy.
There was a man with the dawning realization that he had not
received a bill for street improvements in a very long time. He was sure the assessment
had not reached its end, but there was no bill, and his check register gave no
hint of any payments for a very long time.
His voice was stressed, and his manner betrayed grave
concern. Visions of a tax sale haunted his waking thoughts and destroyed his
sleep.
I asked him for his address and promised to follow up.
It’s true the quality of our personnel at Salt Lake County
is superb, they’re hard working people and very consciences. But it’s also true
that when I call someone their caller ID flashes in bold blue letters, “BEN
MCADAMS.”
My calls seldom have to ring twice
A few moments later a division director and an assistant
division director were standing in front of my desk. It seems this man’s bills
had been sent to the wrong address. A few moments after that I was calling to
tell him that all penalties and interest charges had been erased.
For that man this day suddenly became Christmas, and I was
Santa Claus. (“And I’m being paid to do this?” I thought.)
That was a wonderful moment, and something like it happens
almost every day.
Then there are the calls that fall under the category of “Comic
Relief.” A few days ago an elderly woman called to complain that a game of ping
pong was being played too loudly at her senior center.
Her request?
She wasn’t interested in having me quiet the ping pong game,
or even end it. No, she wanted Ben to ask her husband why HE wasn’t ending
the “damn ping pong game.” Why wasn’t HE doing what his wife requested?
“Yes maam, I’ll bring this up with the Mayor just as soon he’s
free. “
And there you have my day, from the ridiculous to the
sublime, and every last drop of it incredibly fun.
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