Here There and Everywhere

11 Commandments for the Public Servant

This just tickles me. I love people who believe in what they are doing. These commandments are on the back of a pamphlet entitled Property Tax Exemptions for the Homeowner sent out by our Escambia County Property Appraiser, Chris Jones, CFA. I like the way he runs his office. Months ago, when we went down to apply for property exemptions and submit our paperwork, we found all his employees wearing those kind of Land’s End polo-shirts with Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office logos on them. Pretty cool. The guys who also go out and take a look at the properties also wear these shirts, which help identify them and distinguish them from others like robbers, who may be taking a look at your house for entirely different reasons.

Here are the commandments on the back of the pamphlet. I could weep for joy:

11 Commandments for the Public Servant

1. Taxpayers are the most important people in the community.
2. Taxpayers are not dependent upon you; you are dependent upon them.
3. Taxpayers are not an interruption of work; they are the purpose of your work.
4. Taxpayers do you a favor when the call or come into the office. You are not doing them a favor by waiting on them.
5. Taxpayers are part of your work; they are not outsiders.
6. Taxpayers are not cold statistics. They are flesh and blood. They are human beings with feelings and emotions just like you.
7. Taxpayers are not people to argue with, match wits with or ridicule.
8. Taxpayers are people who need your assistance and it is your job to provide professional quality service.
9. Taxpayers are deserving of the most courteous and attentive treatment that you can give them.
10. Taxpayers are the people who make it possible for your salary to be paid.
11. Taxpayers are a vital part of this government and every division thereof.

Kind of refreshing, huh?

February 3, 2011 - Posted by intlxpatr | Bureaucracy, Character, Communication, Community, Cultural, Customer Service, ExPat Life, Living Conditions, Pensacola, Work Related Issues