W.A. Stmad
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 889-2963

Mayor Daley
5th Floor
121 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60602

Dear Mayor Daley,

On September21, 2000 I called 311 to request a special pickup of material that was left in my garage from the Great Chicago Flood of 1997. The reason it was still in my garage was the day of the special flood pickup the garbage truck was full. The garbage men were suppose to come back to pick up the rest but never did. So, before I put any of this material out I called 311 to request a special pickup.

The following day, which is a regular pickup for my block, I just happened to drive past my alley and noticed the garbage truck loading waste. I passed behind my garage and noted nothing was taken. I caught up to the garbage truck and asked one of the men why the garbage was not removed from the apron of my garage. They told me they were told not to remove it.

I then backed up to my garage to unload some groceries. A car pulled up behind me and a man got out. He flashed a badge. I requested to see it, again. He said, "I'm an inspector." My question to him was, "Do you work for Streets and Sanitation?" He said, "Yes." I then pointed out to him Streets and Sanitation does not employ any inspectors. At that point my cell phone rang. He wanted to know who I was talking with. I told him "That was none of his concern." He then went to the car and pulled out a camera and took a picture of the material in front ofmy garage. When I asked him his name, he refused to give it to me. His license plate is F313360. I will find out his name later. He then drove off. The garbage truck had circled the block and the material was removed.

Shortly afterwards I called 311 and talked with a lady named Urian. She set up a conference call to the 29th Ward Streets and Sanitation Office on Grand Ave. Mr. Johnson was not available because he was out in the field, the secretary said, but when Urian started to ask a question as to why a "coordinator" was involved, Mr. Johnson was all of a sudden there.

When Johnson picked up the phone he was not aware that I was online. When Urian questioned him, his comment was that he was aware of the problem and then said, "That guys a trouble maker." At that point I said hello to Johnson. I wish I could have seen his face!

Now I have a few problems with the above and they are as follows:

1. I received via mail a brochure from the Department of Streets and Sanitation that clearly states:

Notice that last sentence, "...or any other week during the year." I called 311 simply to make sure Streets and Sanitation was aware of the pickup. Yes, I do have a reference number but I was also told that you call simply look it up via the address.

2. The material was suppose to be picked up, in 1997, when we were told by Streets and Sanitation that they would be back to get the rest. I recall waiting for them several hours. They never showed!

3. I consider the so called inspector in violation, for refusing to give his name. After all, how do I know this is not some guy impersonating an inspector.

4. From my understanding, and please correct me if l am wrong, Streets and Sanitation does not employ any inspectors. Therefore, this guy who IS walking around with a badge that says inspector on it, can potentially be a con artist. I'm sure you read the papers and have noted that there are all kinds of cons going on.

5. The commentary by Johnson was most inappropriate and unprofessional. What does he think - anybody who's view of things is different then his is a trouble maker? What do trouble makers do? How many other people does Johnson say this too? Someone, like me, might even construe that this is libelous, slanderous and perhaps on the boarder line of deformation of character.

6. Other people who put out trash in an amount equal to or greater than what I put out do not get "inspectors" making visits to their door, leads one to believe that I have been singled out of the general population for special handling - read into that harassment.

Now I'm sure you're not aware of all this, until now. You need to talk to Carothers and Johnson and tell them to keep their thugs on a leash. Any further pejorative commentary by city employees shall be met with legal recourse!

Most Sincerely,

W. A. Stmad