Why People should care about Tree issues? Apart from their natural beauty, trees: Remove carbon dioxide from the air; absorb and retain air pollutants; reduce the load on storm sewers during extreme weather events; reduce energy consumption by cooling the surroundings (especially buildings and vehicles); provide food and habitat for important wildlife, including bees, bats,
Category: GovernmentsNews and views about Government issues
PSR – What We Do (The Public User)
Now we see the Public using PSR everywhere.... Everyone knows how frustrating it can be to report problems, file complaints, get service, get answers to questions, and GET RESULTS from Public Sector Organizations. For a much more satisfying experience when dealing with your Public Service Provider(s), download our App and give it a workout, or use any browser to go to our website: The
Report Illegal Dumping (Fly-Tipping) with PSR
Illegal Dumping (aka "Fly-Tipping") is an unsightly scourge; it destroys the landscape and is a health hazard. Residents want to feel proud of where they live, whether it be in an urban environment or the countryside. Illegal dumping is a bio-hazard, a danger to children and the environment, and it attracts vermin. Unfortunately, one of the frustrations is that when residents come across cases of
Water Meter Problems
So you've decided to change your old water meter to a new, more accurate type, but unfortunately, you've encountered problems. What kind of water meter problems might you encounter? Here are a few examples Incorrect meter reading. This could be the fault of the water company or, unfortunately, even your own. An accurate meter reading will insure that you are aware of
Street light out? How can we report it?
How to report a broken street light To report a street light out, Open Public Service Request app on your phone or desktop In the What section, type into the search "outage" then select Street-Light-outage Use the Where section to locate where the problem is If there is a number on the post or wire, add it in the description section Hit submit - add your email if you want (that
Customer Service & Website Branding Consistency
When adding a full-function (3rd Party) Customer Service, or 311 system, to a Customer-facing website, Service Providers insist on consistent website branding. That's why we offer the services of our highly creative Design Specialist to assemble a widget image that blends perfectly with your existing branding, including perfect color matching, and the use of vector graphics to allow unlimited
The Ups and Downs of 311 Centers
The initial euphoria and blind belief in the value of 311 Centers has finally worn off. The economy, better metrics, technology and Citizen feedback have contributed to the conclusion that many 311 Centers are not cost effective in their current form. The difficulties of creating an instant group of "experts" in all aspects of Local/County Governments have really surfaced. The result is a
Floods can damage more than just your home
Preparing for floods in the best policy We should always be prepared for rising floodwaters and never underestimate the danger. By choosing to listen to their own opinions regarding a forecast, evacuation warning or from watching a river or downpour, many have courted disaster. Sadly, when floods are swift, many people have lost their life through making such poor judgements. Things you can do
Stray Dogs – Report using PSR
Stray dogs - a sad indictment of our indifferent society. For me, one of the saddest and most frustrating things that I've witnessed is the sight of stray dogs roaming the streets and dodging traffic while attempting to cross busy roads unsupervised. Owners who are often too lazy to take their dogs out on supervised walks, will open their fronts doors and allow their dogs free rein without
Animal Welfare Issues – Report them using PSR
What causes Animal Welfare Issues? Animal welfare issues arise when the feelings and needs of animals are not given due consideration. Concern for animal welfare is often based on the belief that consideration should be given to their well-being or suffering, especially when they are under the care of humans. These concerns can include how animals are slaughtered for food, how they are used in
Road Blocks – How to report them using PSR
What contributes to Road Blocks? The main contributors to road blocks are spillages, flooding, roadworks, landslides, potholes, fallen trees, cars etc. Road Blocking: An obstruction placed across a road, especially of barricades or police cars, for halting or hindering traffic, as to facilitate the capture of a pursued car or inspection for safety violations. An obstruction on a road, as a
Winter Road Issues – Report Them Using PSR
What causes Winter Road Issues? The main culprits of winter road issues are snow and ice. "AKRON, Ohio - Nearly a week after a snow storm hit the Akron area, some streets in residential neighborhoods remained ice-covered and treacherous to travel. Neighbors living in Fairlawn Heights said they experience the problem every year and are frustrated they have to repeatedly contact the city for
Zoning Issues – Report them using PSR
When do Zoning Issues become a problem? Zoning issues become a problem when the proposed zone infringes on or close to residents' properties, or where the type of building planned for construction, or the use of the land is a cause for concern. "What is a zoning by-law? A zoning by-law controls the use of land in your community. It states exactly: how land may be used; where buildings and
Building and Planning Issues – Report them using PSR
When do Building and Planning become an issue? Building and planning issues arise when local residents feel that they are being inconvenienced by, or not fully informed about proposed changes. "Well-designed, well-planned communities attract jobs and investment. Ontario’s land use planning system gives municipalities the major role in planning decisions. The ministry identifies and protects
Drain Issues – Report them quickly and simply using PSR
What is a Drain? Drain issues occur frequently in all urban and rural environments. Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from an area. The internal drainage of most agricultural soils is good enough to prevent severe waterlogging (anaerobic conditions that harm root growth), but many soils need artificial drainage to improve production or to manage water
Culvert Issues – Report them quickly and simply using PSR
What is a Culvert? Culvert issues occur frequently in all urban and rural environments. A culvert is a structure that allows water to flow under a road, railroad, trail, or similar obstruction from one side to the other side. Typically embedded so as to be surrounded by soil, a culvert may be made from a pipe, reinforced concrete or other material. —Wikipedia Where do you go
Catastrophic Weather Issues. Report them using PSR
When do Catastrophic Weather Issues become a problem? Catastrophic weather issues naturally arise in the aftermath of catastrophic weather. Issues arise when there is flooding, loss of electricity and other amenities and when there is damage to property, water pipes, roads, trees and so on. How do we deal with these Catastrophic Weather Issues that follow? This important question
Pelham Equates Customer Service, Tax Containment
Many in the Public Service Sector still believe that providing best-in-class Customer Service always increases the costs of Service Delivery. This attitude results in attempts to offer minimal Customer Service, and trying to get away with it, by convincing elected officials that improved Customer Service will mean cuts in Services. The hope is that the electorate will swallow this argument and
Pelham Water and Wastewater Lowest Fees in Niagara Region
Congratulations to our original "launch" Customer, the Town of Pelham, Canada, for the third year in a row where water / waste-water fee increases have been kept to ZERO! In fact they are the Lowest Fees in the entire Niagara Region. For more details, please take a look at their recent Press Release on this important topic. We work with Pelham Staff, all the time, to get their feedback on
Pelham Path to Continuous Improvements in Customer Service
It's an important final step to commit to a common system for Customer Service across all Departments and all Staff. At the Town of Pelham, in the heart of the Niagara Region, they use their Seasonally published "Leisure Guides" to reinforce the message that the Town and its Staff are responsive to all Citizen Service Requests through the 24/7 convenience of the Town's web site with a view to
