This just came in from the mayor's office:
In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz announced a new aspect in the City’s fight against blight and other unacceptable property conditions.
Said Stortz, “The City has been aggressively trying to combat unsightly, unsafe and unhealthy conditions for the past few years. Much progress has been made, but we do have a way to go.”
Stortz continued, “With that in mind, I have instituted an email address that anyone can use to inform the City of a condition that they feel should be addressed and rectified. The address is bristolblight@ci.bristol.ct.us and can be used to inform the City of a condition that you feel is of concern.”
“All emails will be reviewed and appropriate action taken. In some cases, the conditions may not rise to the level of action on the part of the City: in other cases, we will do what is appropriate.
There will be no return email unless we need additional information. However, each email received will return to the sender an automatic message indicating we have received it and it is being reviewed,” said Stortz.
Stortz went on to say, “This will provide anonymity on the part of the complainant, and allow us to schedule our investigations in a more effective manner. This address is to be used for property condition complaints. For matters of an urgent nature, or health and safety, a direct phone call would be more appropriate.”
Stortz indicated, “If photos are attached to the email, please be sure they are an appropriate file size. If the file size is too large, the email may not go through.
Lastly, Stortz commented, “Based on the response, we may expand the concept to other areas.
Again, the address is: bristolblight@ci.bristol.ct.us, and essentially it should be used to provide information. A phone number will be included in the automated response for more urgent situations.”
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
7 comments:
Stortz went on to say, “This will provide anonymity on the part of the complainant, and allow us to schedule our investigations in a more effective manner.
This is an inaccurate statement. Sending an email does not provide anonymity. It provides an email address of the sender and in many cases the name of the person holding the email account.
There is also FOI. This email address is not exempt from an FOI request if someone were to place one. It's a City address.
Who will these emails go to?
Who will be looking into the matter, the Mayor's office?
Oh stop with the paranoia! It's about time the City allowed residents to be proactive. Good move Bill. We need to start somewhere. Abusers will be fleshed out....on both sides of the email.
Steve, Did the Mayor print a retraction on this or is it really an annonymous way to file a complaint? I want to send an address in but I don't want anyone to know it was me. I'm new in this neighborhood.
The email you send is a public record -- one that the Press has already asked to review periodically. But there is nothing to stop you from signing up for a new email address at yahoo, hotmail, gmail or whatever and providing not a shred of identifying information in the process. Then you could send in an email with little fear of anyone knowing who sent it.
how come ellen hasn't looked into the mess of my neighbor, former councilman meyers - he has tall grass in the backyard that is becoming an eyesore and a haven for mosquitos and other unhealthy conditions - oops, that's right, ellen's election sign is on al's front lawn.
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