WCOM NEWS

8-27-04

Miramar changes phone procedures at new City Hall

MIRAMAR--Miramar staffers are busy moving into the new City Hall, but their telephone numbers aren't making the trip.

While some of the numbers have been changed, others will no longer be public. So residents who need to contact the city's landscape inspector or a senior planner will no longer have direct access as they have in the past.

A call to the old number will result in a prerecorded message that simply says the new number is not published.

"We are trying to consolidate the phone numbers to increase the likelihood of reaching a live body," City Manager Robert Payton said. "The message should be telling them to go to the main number."

Some residents say they have never had much luck getting staffers on the phone at the office, so they use others methods such as cell phones and e-mail.

"Instead of calling, I e-mail," said Susan Grimstead, who has lived in Miramar for 19 years. "I find they take care of things better that way. It's right there in front of them, and I can e-mail at midnight if I want to. And I always get a response."

The city wanted to keep the telephone numbers residents are used to, Payton said, but the phone company said it was impossible.

The Miramar City Hall number, 954-602-3000, will remain the same, he said.

"All the old numbers will be forwarded for the first six months," he said. "And the new phone numbers will be listed in the city's newsletter in the next few days."

Residents can also call 954-602-4357 for assistance with community services, public works or code enforcement issues.

(source) Sun Sentinel (Lori Sykes) 8-27-04