On Columbus Day afternoon a notice was placed in mailboxes on my street in Silver Creek informing residents that the following day sewers were to be relined. I know that this has been planned for some time and was something that needed to be done to comply with state and federal regulations. However, why was notice given only 18 hours in advance of the event?

The disruption to the daily routine of residents was hardly minor. For an eight-hour period we were asked to make minimal use of our toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, sinks and showers and bath tubs. It might have been nice to have given a little more warning to residents who were planning to wash on Tuesday or “heaven forbid” preparing for a colonoscopy on Wednesday.

Finally, the notice told us that if we failed to follow the instructions we could damage the sewer relining and cause backups into our lines. I had visions of sherriff’s deputies pounding on our door if we flushed the toilet once too often.

The notices handed out on Columbus Day reminded me of an incident four or five years ago when we received a notice that the Silver Creek Water and Sewer Department would be shutting off our water so that waterline repairs could be made on our street. It was nice of the village to warn us of the shut off. Unfortunately, the notice was received at least thirty minutes after the water had been shut off.

In spite of the holiday I called both the contractor and the Silver Creek Water and Sewer Department. A gentleman, who was pleasant answered my call at the village and said he would tell the department head in the morning which I noted would be a little late in the game.

My call to the contractor was returned by a gentleman who was also pleasant and explained that a one-day notice was standard operating procedure for his company in this situation. I noted that one day didn’t seem sufficient to me and that it seemed poor standard operating procedure on his company’s part. The gentleman, said that he has been in the business for 30 years and that my call was perhaps only the 20th complaining about a short notice being given. For some reason I doubt I was only the 20th caller, but not wishing to confront him for stretching the truth, I replied that people don’t always complain about things they could and should complain about in the same way a lot of people don’t bother to vote.

Anyway, the sewer has been relined and it wasn’t the end of the world. But why can’t the village of Silver Creek require that contractors, in non-emergency situations, give residents sufficient warning of service cut offs. I know that there are bids and contracts involved in these things but there are things like goodwill and a contractor who considers residents might find them more cooperative.

The experience leaves me wondering exactly whom is serving whom. In theory governments are formed to serve, protect and provide services to citizens. I can’t help but wonder if the relationship between governed and government has changed. More and more it seems that the relationship is now one of master and servant. I worked for a federal agency for ten years so I know that attitude is one that exists in the minds of some public officials and employees.

It has been said that we get the government we deserve. Too often citizens fail to make use of the most powerful tool we have to ensure ourselves responsive government. Too many of us don’t vote. Some throw up their hands and say that voting never changes anything because all politicians are crooks.

Of course, not all politicians are crooks but the truly crooked ones and the incompetent ones survive in office because too many citizens are disengaged from the political process and stay home on election day. However, there is proof that where citizens are engaged in the political process and vote, change can and does occur.

So, the next time you don’t feel that you are being well served by politicians and government let them know. If they don’t respond or brush you off then remember to vote.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com