Elders are the civil servants who are closest to the people. The interviewed elders are open – the residents not only thank them, but sometimes they say the meanest thing, they are not shy to express their unfulfilled expectations and vent their grievances… The interviewees reveal to “Gimtajam…” that in their work practice they have seen the most diverse incidents, heard the most diverse and strange complaints , so there were everything in their working routine – funny, sad, and even shocking situations. So, this is the topic of our issue this time.
Thanked in rows
Marius Datkūnas
Acting as the elder of Juodupe ward.
Almost every year there is a paradoxical situation regarding the cutting of grass in a cemetery. Some residents complain that the municipality does this too rarely, while others are angry as to why we cut that grass so often – while cutting it, the workers splash monuments and gravestones. Although it seems that maybe in other districts no one tries so hard – one worker cuts the grass, and the other, following behind, sweeps it from the grave site with a broom, there are still dissatisfied people. So, some want cemetery maintenance, and others don’t, but we have to ensure it, regardless of everything.
Working in the ward will not be monotonous – there will not be a day that goes by without receiving calls from people. In winter, you may be called to the town hall and told to collect the snow that has accumulated after cleaning the road, and in summer, after the rain, you will be scolded for not paying attention to the fact that the rain has washed stones into the yard of a person living on the hillside.
Temporary workers – a separate section of curiosities. It happens that the recipient of the allowance comes to explain why he does not receive the allowance, after all, he has worked for it. It turns out that when he had to work for the allowance, he didn’t even show up because… he was drunk, and apparently, when he didn’t drink alcohol, the calendar got mixed up not with days, but months.
Of course, it happens, and we get good words from the residents, those who notice our work and say thank you. One woman has even created a long quad for us. Everyone is lined up there, from the old man to the farm workers. Unfortunately, I cannot quote those lines, because she did not leave the manuscript to us.
Most of the time, the one who complains is to blame
Jūratė Šinkūnienė
The elder of Obeliyas ward.
I sometimes think that a thick book can be written from such situations. Once I had to visit residents who do not specifically mow the lawns in their homes. Their argument is stunning. They say: “We like to drink nettle tea and eat spicy salads.” They also added that they will complain to us – the municipality – that by telling them to cut the grass, we are promoting climate change. In such cases, the most important thing is to discuss. Do not go to extremes, but within reason. After long discussions, I managed to find a compromise, and the residents mowed the wooded lawns. Rules are there for us to follow, but punishing doesn’t accomplish anything.
Also one of the memorable events – I received a letter from a long-distance driver. He said that every day when he passes by, he notices a dead stork in the nest. Asked to pick it up and clean the nest. The man taught that it is very painful to see such a sight, and no storks will nest in such a nest next year. So, the council, encouraged by the resident, undertook this task, and now the storks are successfully raising their young in that nest.
And from the strangest complaints, one of the most memorable is probably “the neighbor’s dog barks at the hedgehog, we couldn’t sleep all night”. The old lady will not ask the hedgehog out of the yard, and she will not solve the neighbor’s quarrels, but in such cases it is important to listen to both sides. What I notice from practice is that the one who complains is the most guilty. And conflicts between neighbors can flare up because of a fallen branch, although the roots of disputes are deeper than you think and this is only the “top” of a mature conflict.
About cock crowing and threatening to shoot
Aquile Šaltenė
Elder of Kriaunai ward.
In the first year of my work as an elder, I received a complaint that in the early mornings in the village a rooster crows and cows moo. How did I react to this? No way. In my opinion, we should be happy that such sounds of animals are still heard in the village.
Some residents imagine that an elder can represent an official or a judge, maybe even a bailiff. For example, they ask for help in “extorting” the land rent from the farmer. But we will not “go” through other people’s pockets.
It has also happened that you try with all your heart to help a person solve his problem, and he thanks you instead of “thank you” with swear words.
One resident, who came to the old town, threatened to shoot. Sometimes we don’t know how to manage the environment, it would be better not to do it at all, because we only spoil everything. Of course, he didn’t have any rifle with him – these are just angry words. At that time I felt insecure, but I did not call the police.
However, it happens that we get a good word from people for the work done, it motivates us to try even harder.
Thank everyone
Lina Zolubienė
The elder of the Kamaji ward
Perhaps the most memorable situation happened when an elderly person wandered into the old town – completely lost, because after getting off the Kaunas bus, he left his purse with money and documents. I was wondering how to help him. I called the Rokiškis bus park and got the bus driver’s contacts. I contacted the driver, he found the handbag and transferred it to the Anykščiai bus. The items left behind have successfully returned to their owner.
And anyway, when I usually get a call from indignant residents, I try to thank each of them – thank you for your comments. You are our eyes and ears. People’s needs come first for us. Most of the time, the resident’s angry tone disappears and we can calmly talk about their sensitive issues.
“Bringing Back to Life”
Dalia Januliene
Elder of Rokiškis rural ward.
There was a time when I congratulated residents of the ward who had an honorable anniversary with handmade postcards. This was done because the council had no money and wanted to honor the people. I really remembered when the daughter of one of the congratulators called and said: “You brought my mother back to life.” She wanted to say that she was very happy with the attention shown by the ward.
And the situation that I had to regret is also related to my postcards. We accidentally left out the information and the greeting card was received by a dead person. Because of this, I even apologized to the relatives of the deceased several times.
There have been all kinds of incidents at work, but what was bad – I’m not emphasizing it – I manage to erase it from my memory. Life is too short for negativity.
2024-07-09 14:09:16