THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602280178
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
On Feb. 15, many other citizens and I arrived at 8 a.m. at the city treasurer's office to acquire a 1996 city sticker. I found the line already wrapped around the inside walls and spilling out the door and onto the sidewalks.
After an hour in line, I asked a policeman patrolling the halls if he could approximate the time to reach my destination, based on the last few days' activity. The officer said it would be about a two-hour wait, but if I was back before 5 p.m., I would be waited on.
I manage an establishment and had to open at 10 a.m., so I decided to return after getting off at 4 p.m. I returned about 4:15 p.m. and approached the still extremely long line. I was stopped by another officer, who said he was standing behind the last person who would be served. I asked why I was told that I would be helped if I returned by 5 p.m. His response was, ``Ron told me to stop the line here, and that's what I am doing. You'll have to talk to someone else!''
I feel that I was lied to, and the sad truth is that neither of these officers is at fault. City Treasurer Ronald H. Williams and his staff apparently cut hours on a public office with no public announcement. I realize that the office worked long hours during this week, but believe me, if they can't handle that, there are hundreds of people in this town who will be more than willing to have their jobs.
I do believe that Mr. Williams is more than aware that not every citizen can pay their taxes in the first part of December, so close to Christmas, and need to wait until the first of the year to do so. I feel that he should have his office better staffed for this.
The bottom line is that I was lied to and cheated out of the time the city has allotted to serve me as a taxpaying citizen.
Ann Turner
Holland Road
Suffolk by CNB