When it comes to driving I’m definitely in the defensive school of thought. I’ve never praised myself as being awesome, I’ve had my “what the fuck was that!?!” moments, (encyclopedia, silence – I kill you) but they don’t happen often (apparently just on freeway on-ramps when someone is watching). Whatever. That’s a different time and different blog. I think I have mentioned workin for the man and how this often bothers my sense of “there’s too much goddamn bureaucracy” and “there’s a law saying what??”, but in these times of jobs being what they are. . . until I actually have another, I’m stuck with the man and my brain continues its slow dissent into that place where the blondes from high school dwell. So there I was doin the usual stuff and things you know, real big stuff. . . when an email came with the official Driver Safety Program attached for my review and (best part) comment. Oh, oh yes. Typically just the upper management talking heads get this privilege, but as I am on the commission, as well as “liked and respected” by both the head of RM and the commission itself. . . it was also given to me. My old job as DUI chic doesn’t hurt, but still. I am younger than the next closest member by a solid 5 years, that’s like 12 in government years.
I’ve already read the draft a couple times and there’s some good shit in there. I’ve also been to several meetings that went absolutely nowhere because Dept A and Dept C have their priorities so far up their personal agenda’s ass, they’ve lost sight of the big picture. So needless to say there are some pissed off people around the table and well, my name shows up a lot as a stirrer of the pot. I’m gonna take the duel pass approach to this task. The first will be with the “what would I really do if I were in charge and it was my company and my money approach”. The second will be the “what would I want the people playing with my money to do”. Because essentially, that’s what it boils down to, unsafe drivers on government time cost us money. Oh, did I fail to mention this encompasses a large branch of local law enforcement??? Yeah. . . those are the guys that need some reigning in. Anyhow, every little thing that happens to the vehicles usually gets fixed, by the garage, with budget money, regardless of fault. We are self insured. We will do the go after their insurance company thing for big stuff, but what does that mean? (in case you aren’t playing along??) We the people, the happy citizens of our county pay for the damages. Dude in dept A scratches the side of the car, fixed. Chic in Dept C dents a rear quarter panel, fixed. And so on and so on. They don’t replace radio antennae or stuff like that but, is it really necessary to pay for a dent to be pulled? Should we have to fix every dink or dent? I am exaggerating, but not that much really. The afore mentioned law enforcement peeps incur a lot of cosmetic damage. Not always chasing suspects or pulling people over, some of it is just shitty driving. But they can’t be seen in a damaged car. And they aren’t the only ones. There are a bunch of other departments that are picky too. Hhhhmmm This does pose an interesting issue of safety. It will be interesting to see my would be revisions vs the talking headits.
So I have a fun task for a few weeks and some exciting pot stirring ahead. . . There are meetings about these things you know, being one of the few with no power to gain and no agenda other than wait, safety it will be fun to be the odd man out and what could be more fun??? I Knew that stuff would get a little spicier. This isn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it’s a start. Now if could only find that cayenne pepper. . .
