It’s heartening to note that the town is asking residents to participate in a community survey on their level of satisfaction with services and programs.
According to the press release, it’s all about commitment to customer service. Back in the golden days of plain speaking, unsatisfactory customer service meant that potential buyers would simply decline to purchase items on offer. Somehow we don’t think that applies here, although it would certainly be an exciting concept for those who don’t agree with how their non-disposable income is spent. Customer (formerly known as taxpayer), “Hmm, I really don’t think I want another ice pad. I’ll just withhold this quarter’s payment until they build a theatre.”
In his book The Joy of Freedom: An Economist’s Odyssey, American author David R. Henderson wrote, “Calling taxpayers customers of the IRS is like calling chickens customers of the egg farmer.” Let’s face it, buying stuff is voluntary, paying taxes is not, even though it’s a necessary component of our society.
Euphemistic corporate speak is everywhere these days and, to be fair to politicians, decent customer service has now become a rarity in big corporations, which use technology to hide from frustrated consumers. Just try contacting a human being at Rogers or Bell. Town staff, on the other hand, actually answer their own phones and even have the courtesy to ask us whether we like how they spend our money. Maybe they could start a telecommunications company on the side.
Seriously though, folks, if you want to make your feelings known, and are not selected to participate in the telephone survey, you can pick up a copy at the town office, the leisure centre or the museum, or you can go to townofws.com and complete the survey online.
Da Classic Scoop, on the northeast corner of Hwy. 48 and Stouffville Rd., will likely have to be demolished or moved for road widening. The attractive clapboard building, which houses a funky diner, is a popular local spot for lunch and brunch, not to mention delicious ice cream when the mercury starts to climb again.
What’s more, over the years the owners and staff have donated thousands of dollars in tips to Markham Stouffville Hospital. With so much change going on around us, let’s hope it’s possible to move Da Classic Scoop and retain one of the town’s best known and loved landmarks.
More editorials from this month's
Whitchurch-Stouffville Living:
