A.G. Gancarski
New Edition sang the song “Mr. Telephone Man (There’s Something Wrong with My Line)” about a teen romance gone south. No such songs have been written about Jacksonville’s complaint and information line, 630-CITY, yet. But if there were, they, like the New Edition song from the 80s, would be a lament.
Roberta Thomas, a regular correspondent with city officials, noted that “No one answers the phone after 10 minutes…of waiting. Tried 4 different days. Visitors to our City are NOT going to be impressed with this service if it does not ANSWER the phone to respond to questions.”
Whether visitors to Jacksonville are in fact calling 630-CITY is an open question.
Thomas also wants “the professionally-trained speaking voice with clear DICTION back on the Recorded Messages. Again, visitors hear this recording and hear the present slurred and poor diction and get a negative impression. No reflection on the girl, but she does not have a voice trained in proper diction and clarity for speaking.”
Meanwhile, a gentleman named Mark (no last name given) notes that “6 days ago, I waited 45 minutes on hold for 630 CITY to answer my call. Today, I waited 25 minutes and then hung up. What is going on there?”
A city rep, in response, said that “we are experiencing more than our normal amount of calls.” However, why they are experiencing the deluge of calls was left unstated.
