The Trash Shit

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I have referred to this incident elsewhere in the site.

We have had problems with the city-contracted trash service. Periodically, our trash, recyclables, or lawn waste would not get picked up. Several times, we paid the city TO DO NOTHING.

The above circumstance happened again, for perhaps the 4th time. We called the trash company 3 times. The first time, my girlfriend was told that they did pick up the trash and that out can was not out there. FALSE. I put the cans out the previous evening myself. They agreed to come back and pick up the trash. FALSE. The trash company did not pick it up.

We called again. This time, they accused my girlfriend of LYING. Also false. They again agree to pick up the trash. They again failed to do so. We called a third time. Again, they failed.

At this point, I got involved. I told my girlfriend that I would go to the City, to resolve it. I told her I would probably get arrested, knowing the City... and their inappropriate responses.

I first called the City. No joy. The Billing Clerk refused to do anything about correcting my bill. A week had passed, and the trash service could not be replaced. It had been missed. A credit was warranted, as was oversight of the city's contract... by the city... in response to a complaint about the missed service.

So, I went to City Hall. I was met by the same obstruction from the Billing Clerks. I asked to speak to management. The Clerk enjoyed the process of leaving her station, to walk down a passageway, and inform the powers-that-be that a customer needed help. I heard the entire interaction, as did most everyone in the room, customers and employees alike.

The "management" began whining about having to come out and deal with a customer. "Why do I have to. I don't want to... ", etcetera. This was an indirect, cowardly insult to the customer who needed assistance. She whined until she rounded the corner, locking eyes with me, when her faced turned even more shitty than its natural state.

I waived responding to the insulting behavior. I explained why I was there. She refused to get involved, directing me to the trash company. We went around the circle a few times. She flatly refused to get involved. I asked to speak to her manager. She nodded to the Billing Clerk; an obvious, practiced movement to call the Riot Squad.

It was later confirmed to me, what I already knew at that specific moment: that this is a departmental "watercooler game". Something that can be instigated by petulant employees, illustrating their lack of customer service capacity, and then be joked about throughout the day. It is entertainment. I have seen this before, elsewhere. It is what it is, and I knew it at the moment it was going on.

I continued to stand my ground, stating my desire to speak to the next person in the chain of command; Leatherface continued to refuse my request. Eventually, the Riot Squad began "hut-hutting" it into the room, in formation... in a show of intimidation... against one man... who had threatened no one.

I turned, looked at it a moment, and then turned my back to them, disregarding their presence. At this point, and only at this point, did Seabiscuit ask for my name and contact information; presumably so that she could rectify the bill. That was my assumption. I immediately gave her the information. I then told her that, had I been in her shoes... I would have asked for the information within the first 15 seconds of the encounter, and assigned one of the Billing Clerks to correct it. I scolded her. I then left.

I walked to the exit of the building. A short little blonde male officer stepped between me and the door, activating my service-related PTSD. I almost reacted to the minimal threat. Instead, I controlled it, turned, identified the gang leader, and asked him how I could help him.

He asked about the incident. I explained it to him from start to finish. He asked about my payment history; paid on time always... in full... never a delinquency. I explained to him about the 3 other billing issues... the massive overbillings and interest-free loans since the since the city doesn't give refunds for massive overbillings.. I told him about the Billing Clerks not helping... and hanging up the telephones on people without cause. I told him that the department has employee issues, clearly, and that these employees wrongfully deployed force. I told him that he should find who runs that department, and discuss the matter. I also told him the entirety of the issue was likely recorded.... including the insulting behavior. I scolded the police for the excessive response, and told them that they should be addressing that issue with the management of the Billing Department. I also addressed the fact that, I am not a party to the city-trash company contract. I have no standing to either tell the trash company to do anything whatsoever,, nor can I sue them about the contract. Only the city can. Yes, I gave instruction on contract law to the gang leader.

When it was clear that they had run out of issues, I turned to leave. The short little blonde swung to the side like a gate and I walked past to the door. The gang leader then shouted to me that, if I were done with my business, leave. I turned to him and told him that I had been leaving. I told him he had stopped me, wanting to talk. I then asked, "Are YOU done?"

No response. So, I left.

It didn't end here.

I tried to file official complaints against the individuals involved. Ms. Lawler prevented this from happening. First, she refused to allow me in the building, insisting I pick up a complaint for from some side door. The complaint form given to me was not a complaint form, and had nothing to do with filing an official complaint against a city employee. Ms. Lawler refused to provide the names of the employees involved. Without names, filing a complaint is meaningless. This "I won't provide names" tripe, and the insinuated "he is dangerous, make him come to a side door" tripe... was propagated by Ms. Lawler. Defaming me in that fashion served to help insulate herself and the involved City Hall employees from accountability. If you can turn someone into a pariah, you can de-fang them.

Ms. Lawler finally admitted fault by issuing a $50 credit to my bill, for what amounted to be maybe a $6 dispute. Yes, when you issue payment for a dispute... that act in and of itself is acknowledgement of fault. What was the result of the fault?

The city issued money... and paid off the individual... like a hooker.

I didn't want their $50 credit. I pay for what I use. I wanted a correct bill, AND RELIABLE TRASH SERVICE. Responsive government.