Life's a breeze at Anytown council
9 Feb 2006
Event 1.
Local Councillor attends charity event where local octogenarian voices the opinion that the signs for our world class Caravan Parks are not prominent enough, leading people to drive right past instead of stopping in our local area and generating more wealth for the region.
Cost of octogenarian's advice: free
Event 2.
Councillor sends email to council manager asking for a report on Caravan Park signage. This is deemed important enough to warrant action.
Cost of email and councillor's time: $50
Event 3.
Council manager orders and 'audit' of caravan park signs.
This reveals that the signs presently erected are NOT OF A CORPORATE NATURE. NOT CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT SIGNAGE POLICY.
Recommendation made in report: works division to remove existing signs. engage graphic designer to create new artwork for signs that comply with the corporate policy. have the panelbeaters at the council workshop make the signs up. have the works division install the signs.
cost of project: Approx $10,000
Event 4.
Manager of Caravan parks indicates that he does not have capacity for $10,000 in the budget for the required signs at present.
the project is referred to the accounting department where they place it on the capital works schedule pending possible approval in the next corporate planning cycle, which is five years away. there are projects that have been on that list for ten years.
cost of administrative effort: free (what else would they be doing with their time?)
Event 5.
Works division remove the Caravan Park signs, and fills holes with concrete regardless of there being no plans to replace the signs. Contractor does a sloppy job and leaves holes in the footpath.
cost of removal: $4,000
Event 6.
pedestrian trips on uneven concrete hole and seeks damages for $25,000.
cost of out-of-court settlement: $8,000
Event 7.
Caravan Parks admin officer asked to draft a letter to octogenarian (almost nine months later) thanking him for his suggestion and informing him that all tourist park signs have been removed at his behest.
Oh the joy of office politics.
BASED ON FICTIONAL EVENTS, NO RESEMBLANCE TO ANY COUNCIL OFFICER INTENDED. DON'T DOOCE ME I NEED THE MONEY
Local Councillor attends charity event where local octogenarian voices the opinion that the signs for our world class Caravan Parks are not prominent enough, leading people to drive right past instead of stopping in our local area and generating more wealth for the region.
Cost of octogenarian's advice: free
Event 2.
Councillor sends email to council manager asking for a report on Caravan Park signage. This is deemed important enough to warrant action.
Cost of email and councillor's time: $50
Event 3.
Council manager orders and 'audit' of caravan park signs.
This reveals that the signs presently erected are NOT OF A CORPORATE NATURE. NOT CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT SIGNAGE POLICY.
Recommendation made in report: works division to remove existing signs. engage graphic designer to create new artwork for signs that comply with the corporate policy. have the panelbeaters at the council workshop make the signs up. have the works division install the signs.
cost of project: Approx $10,000
Event 4.
Manager of Caravan parks indicates that he does not have capacity for $10,000 in the budget for the required signs at present.
the project is referred to the accounting department where they place it on the capital works schedule pending possible approval in the next corporate planning cycle, which is five years away. there are projects that have been on that list for ten years.
cost of administrative effort: free (what else would they be doing with their time?)
Event 5.
Works division remove the Caravan Park signs, and fills holes with concrete regardless of there being no plans to replace the signs. Contractor does a sloppy job and leaves holes in the footpath.
cost of removal: $4,000
Event 6.
pedestrian trips on uneven concrete hole and seeks damages for $25,000.
cost of out-of-court settlement: $8,000
Event 7.
Caravan Parks admin officer asked to draft a letter to octogenarian (almost nine months later) thanking him for his suggestion and informing him that all tourist park signs have been removed at his behest.
Oh the joy of office politics.
BASED ON FICTIONAL EVENTS, NO RESEMBLANCE TO ANY COUNCIL OFFICER INTENDED. DON'T DOOCE ME I NEED THE MONEY
posted by knitabulous at Thursday, February 09, 2006 |
