Plowing story held inaccuracies

Thu., Feb. 7, 2008

The Spokesman-Review

In response to John Craig’s article “Plowing tough in winter time” (Valley Voice, Jan. 31) there are many inaccuracies that must be addressed.

First: We (Spokane County Road Department employees) don’t normally work on holidays, the last time I looked it’s a common practice in America today, but we were available.

Second: During the winter months when we are on round-the-clock shift work, most of the weekend is covered, again we are available.

Third: Overtime is not mandatory, that does not mean when our shift is done, we turn out our lights, disconnect the phone and do not answer the door bell. Again, we are available.

Fourth: Staffing levels do not depend on whether snowplow operators want to work, but when to work.

Fifth: We do not set work policy, management does. All it takes is a simple call, we’ll be there.

Sixth: Never, I mean never have we ever failed to respond, in numbers, to any incident or crises.

Seventh: Let’s get this straight; we worked MLK holiday with a full work force, for a very simple reason to serve the public in wintertime.

Eighth: The problem was not the Christmas Day snow but the prior weekend. We waited for a full call-out but none came.

Ninth: Nobody does better quality work than we do. Also, nobody works cheaper. So, if you are not satisfied with us get somebody else and see what kind of service you get and how much it costs.

Ed Ellenz

Spokane

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