Musings

I was reading the Jones County paper recently, and noticed that the County Commissioners had voted that all offices falling under the supervision of the County Commission would remain open until 5 p.m., instead of closing at 4:30 p.m. which apparently they have for some time.

The issue there was two-fold, the offices should be open until 5 p.m. to better accommodate the public. And, the employees working in those offices are being paid to work 40 hours a week, but in fact are only working 35.

I thought it was an interesting story, and it made me think of the hours our county workers work.

The Jasper County Courthouse is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of Superior Court which remains open until 5 p.m. each day. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been in the Courthouse between 4:30 and 5 p.m., and seen someone disappointed because they couldn’t purchase their automobile tag.

I’ve seen people turned away from other offices too, mind you, but I’ve seen more dejected tag seekers than anything. And, they can mail renewals in. But I just see these people taking off early from their job in another county, assuming the government office is open until 5 p.m., and getting there and finding out they’re too late.

The office used to close at lunch, and I saw people turned away then. That’s when people who are fortunate enough to work locally would run up to the Courthouse to do their business, and find it closed. I think they ended that practice years ago.

The Jones County Commission used the example of a building permit. The commissioners said a person should not have to take off work to come get a building permit.

I stumbled upon a man opening a new business recently, and he said the building inspector will not schedule an inspection after 2:30 p.m. No big deal you say? This was Friday before a four day weekend, and made the difference in the business opening. Yes, the businessman should plan better, but what’s the inspector doing from 2:30 to 4:30? I can understand stopping at 4 p.m., after all he has to have time for the inspection.

I would love to see the Jasper County Commissioners copy Jones County, and set their office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, just like Superior Court. Almost every office has at least two employees. Lunch hours can be staggered to keep the office open all nine hours a day. It would sure accommodate the public—the people who finance the offices.

Of course, the county commission has no authority over the other elected officials, so the Probate Judge, Magistrate Judge, Tax Commissioner, and others can set their own hours. Superior Court has some state rules governing their hours, and it just has been in the habit. But, maybe if the officers governed by the commission set the pace, the others would follow.
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My real pet peeve is Monticello City Hall. It closes at 4 p.m. every day. It even closes at 4 p.m. on the final day to pay utility bills without late payment.

Now, I generally take my outgoing mail to the post office late in the day. How natural for me to plan to stop by City Hall and pay my bill on my way, since it’s between my office and the Post Office. But, no, if it’s after 4 p.m. you are out of luck. Last month, I saw a gentleman standing outside with his cash in his hands, but alas they wouldn’t take his money. Of course, they charge a whopping $20 if you are late, so they have no incentive to be helpful; it benefits the city coffers when people pay late.

I suppose he went and purchased a money order and put it in the night drop, and then the personnel didn’t have to fool with the person. I think they like it that way.

It’s just that the people they don’t want to fool with are the people who pay their salaries. I’m so confused.

Sometimes it seems our world is spinning out of control. We’re all in such a hurry, always. Wouldn’t it be nice of our public servants went out of their way to be helpful?

Monticello and Jasper County are wonderful places. I love living here. We have so much potential, though, to be even better. We can offer personal service, small-town friendliness, and warm open arms to everyone. We just have to do it.

Maybe our government offices one day will see how they can set the pace, and each of us here will follow suit. Or maybe, we people and businesses will set the pace, and the governing bodies will a have no choice but to follow suit.

Let’s all work to build our community’s reputation for offering personal service—to each other and to our visitors. Let’s be the example that others want to emulate.