Make government-public interactions less adversarial

As residents interact with local government, they walk away from the experience either exasperated or satisfied. Unfortunately, middle ground is in short supply.

Over the last several years much has improved. Take, for instance, the sign hoorah at the Murray Law Firm. Jim Paneck, chief building inspector in Protective Inspection, admitted to an error in the boundary determination of the Special Business District. After nearly 27 years of experience visiting that city office, I can assure you this is not the norm. Jim, thank you for being a stand-up guy.

Protective Inspection is an office that has daily contact with many people throughout the community. Issuing building permits, inspecting rental properties and administering the minimum property standards code often put inspectors and staff at odds with “their customers.” They are akin to police officers. We brag easily about being an acquaintance of a law enforcement official but bristle when that interaction is professional.

So too goes the relationship with building inspectors. It is good to be able to visit along the street, but things change when you walk into their office seeking a permit. Although adversarial in nature, the business of permit application does not have to exist in that manner. It should be a constructive process between two parties with common goals. The construction of safe and secure structures is a goal on which we all agree. The path to that end, however, tends to be a bit bumpy.

Experience and chatter among construction professionals indicates a much-improved environment in Protective Inspection. Paneck’s calm and fair demeanor sets a tone that many in public service would do well to emulate. Heavy-handed leadership has no place in public service.

The Fire Marshal’s Office should study under Paneck’s tutelage. The recent University of Missouri Greek community sprinkler debate represents opportunities for learning, improvement and attitude adjustment in the Fire Marshal’s Office. A safer community fails to be the result when elitist and exclusionary attitudes are the norm of public officials.

Another bright spot in city administration, however, is the Water and Light Department. Gone are the days of “it’s our way or the highway.”

In a recent experience this summer, Butch O’Neal of PAR Construction contacted my college fraternity about cutting up our new parking lot to bury overhead power lines. Again, safety, especially in Greektown, is a common goal. The city had been asked when the parking lot was under construction to bury the power lines. Budgets, predetermined schedules and policy guidelines often disallow such flexibility. O’Neal’s courteous conduct saved much heartache and gave the city an opportunity to cooperate. Incensed that the city was instructing its subcontractor to wantonly cut up our new parking lot, a meeting with David Sorrell, a city engineer, was promptly scheduled. Sorrell’s attitude of how can we deal with this in the least intrusive manner doused flames that were ready to intensify.

Following his lead, the city’s subcontractors, Justin Cook of Cook Concrete Construction and utility inspector Mike Martin left a new parking lot in much better condition than a simple slice down the middle to the house.

Working together takes more effort than “on high directives.” The investment of time, and, in some cases, financial resources yields a better project and certainly gains a higher level of customer satisfaction. Let’s use these examples of “how to” and “how not to” deal with potentially divisive issues that are on the horizon. The future appearance and development of the southern portion of the Special Business District, along with a discussion of design standards for the entire area, will require immense patience. Let’s walk and talk cautiously. We all live and work here. It’s our community, not yours or mine.