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Local View: An apology over snow removal

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BY ROGER A. FIGARD

Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 05:56:49 pm CST

My name is Roger Figard and I have had the honor of serving as your City Engineer for the past 15-plus years. As you may know, up until some two weeks ago, my duties included responsibility for oversight of snow removal and street maintenance within the city of Lincoln. 

 Because of the failure to meet the expectations of the residents in responding to the snowstorm of Dec. 31 last year, those responsibilities have been transferred to someone else. It is a personal and a professional embarrassment to me that the snow removal effort for that storm was not conducted satisfactorily and that the change in management was deemed necessary.

I write by way of explanation and not of excuse, so that the residents of Lincoln hopefully will weigh the extenuating circumstances that contributed to any failures on my part when passing public judgment upon my performance.

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I was on scheduled vacation from Christmas until Jan. 2. On Dec. 26, my daughter, who suffers from serious medical problems, exhibited signs of a shunt malfunction and her doctor directed us to bring her to Chicago on New Year’s Day for further evaluation. On Dec. 30, we all traveled to Kansas City for a planned family gathering and stayed overnight.

Around 9 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, as we drove back to Lincoln, I did call the snow removal supervisor to inquire as to the weather conditions in Lincoln and the actions being taken by the staff. I requested the supervisor to contact the director and give him a status report, and I subsequently talked to the director myself as to my status and the need to transport my daughter to Chicago. Before leaving on Jan. 1, I called the snow supervisor to check on the status of the snow removal effort and followed up that call with a call to the director to update him and remind him that I was leaving for Chicago.

We drove to Chicago on Jan. 1, and, on Tuesday, my daughter was admitted to the hospital and underwent surgery on Jan. 3. She remained in a Neurosurgical Constant Care unit for 24 hours thereafter and then remained in the hospital until early the next Friday morning, when she was released.

Unfortunately, because I did not receive a call from anyone expressing a concern about the snow removal effort, I assumed that the Street Maintenance Division was aggressively and actively managing things in a satisfactory fashion. My assumption was in error, and, as the supervisor, the buck stops with me. Regrettably, the storm came at a time when I was focused on my daughter and her health.

I fully accept responsibility for a snow removal effort that did not meet the expectations of the community. I write only to apprise the public that it was not a case of indifference on my part, but, instead, one of competing family pressures that diverted my attention from the New Year’s Eve storm. As your public servant, I intend to work diligently to regain the trust and respect of the community.

Roger A. Figard is city engineer of Lincoln.


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Thank you! wrote on January 21, 2007 6:36 pm:
" You are a man of dignity to take responsibility for the actions of those who took your place during this time with your family. There are few who are willing to publicly proclaim "the buck stops here". Prayers for your family - they should be very proud to have such an honorable man! "
John wrote on January 21, 2007 6:46 pm:
" It was helpful to read Mr. Figard's "the rest of the story". I hope that his daughter is ok. "
whatever wrote on January 21, 2007 9:42 pm:
" Works for me. God's blessings on your family. Hang in there Roger. "
Matt wrote on January 21, 2007 11:26 pm:
" you'll be in my prayers Roger. "
Hmmm wrote on January 22, 2007 1:29 am:
" Thank you. I guess all those folks who just have to ignore the real problems we have, who complained so vehemently about the removal of snow...that which falls from the sky...can chill and count their blessings. It really wasn't so bad after all, right? Roger, never let them get you down. Best of luck to you. Everyone who comaplined...next time...just stay inside. Stay home. Count your blessings. Or...walk to wherever you must get to...if you can. "
Bob wrote on January 22, 2007 3:15 am:
" Hope everything goes well and my prayers are for you and your family. You fell on the sword, but those who you trusted to do the job failed you, because they did not do their jobs without direct supervision by you. Individuals like these who can not work without direct supervision are no good. They also need to go from the jobs that you trusted them to do. You need to let others try to do it right next time around, this would send a message to others that their failure to serve the public will not be tolerated in any way as the trust in government by the public has to be there. In the private sector failure by the employees like this would only get you fired, but these same people who not only failed you, but all of the people of Lincoln, are still working. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us and keep up you fine work in serving the people of Lincoln. "
Responsible wrote on January 22, 2007 7:17 am:
" After reading Mr. Figard's story, it seems he did everything possible and his superiors should be held more responsible. I'm glad he wrote his letter as there always is two sides to every story. Good luck to him and his family. "
tom b wrote on January 22, 2007 8:13 am:
" its nice to see someone be accountable...are you reading this mayor seng... "
Only human wrote on January 22, 2007 9:19 am:
" An explaination came forth and to that this man has and I beleive will hold to his promise. We have to except that there will be days we struggle with our own and if and when that happens we have to except what may come forth. Roger did his best and as a manager his employees should give him the praise he deserves for the explaination given. One only knows the consequence suffured at the time of happening. We suffured a time without the streets being up to standard, we survived for the most part even more so then our neighbors to the west. It looks to me that part of this problem lies with those under Roger and the timely response needed. "
Business Owner wrote on January 22, 2007 9:52 am:
" Sounds like the city got rid of the wrong person. Obviously the people under him are typical city employees. It's pathetic that the man can't leave for a couple of days without things falling apart. It's not like this doesn't happen every year. "
GMP wrote on January 22, 2007 10:41 am:
" You do not owe this city an apology, you took care of things the way you should have. It was the ones you trusted to do THEIR job that let the "shovel" drop so to speak. Thank you for the job you did, and I hope everything is okay with your child. "
June wrote on January 22, 2007 11:11 am:
" It does seem to me that there were a lot of extenuating circumstances for that snow storm. Mistakes were made, and they are quite understandable, and hopefully lessons learned. I do think the public overreacted, perhaps because it was the first snow of the year. Things have gotten significantly better since. "
Beth wrote on January 22, 2007 11:52 am:
" The storm caused much damage. However, it is never one person's fault (no matter how much an organization would like to find a 'fall guy'). I do, however, appreciate Roger's acceptance of responsibility and willingness to discuss with the public without pointing fingers. It is so rare for people to take responsibility for their OWN actions these days, let along the actions of those they manage or supervise - and are accountable for. Thanks, Roger, I appreciate the candor. "
???????? wrote on January 22, 2007 12:35 pm:
" Where is the chain of command? Again, a prime example of this city passing the blame onto the wrong person. It sounds like his supervisors should be taking the responsibility. "
NV wrote on January 22, 2007 1:03 pm:
" What a refreshing change! Someone steps up to the plate, but isn't it always the one who is not to blame! You have taken responsibility for something out of your control that you left in the "control" of others while you tended to your daughter. I bet for one instance you never thought you'd have to apologise for their actions? Confusing huh! I appreciate an honorable man and wish you and your family so much luck, don't worry about snow and all that concentrate on your family! Unfortunately the City of Lincoln government (and some citizens) doesn't take into account the fact that people have families and problems to deal with. I know this from personal experience! "
reality check wrote on January 22, 2007 1:31 pm:
" I'm sure those people who survived Katrina, those who have lost loved ones in the middle east, those undergoing chemotherapy and anyone else who has suffered some kind of loss or hardship in their lives would tell all of us to suck it up! We live in Nebraska..it snows here..sometimes a lot!! Roger, you were right where you needed to be. Gods Blessings "
Snow Removal a Budget Problem, Too! wrote on January 22, 2007 3:57 pm:
" It surprises me that our residents feel that the City needs to be so quick to provide services like snow removal when we do not want to pay for the cost of those services through property taxes. Our City Council made cuts to Public Works at the urging of our residents, and now we expect them to be as responsive as they were before the cuts? "
I'm Glad wrote on January 23, 2007 4:07 am:
" Roger, I'm glad you have your priorities straight. Your family comes first above everything else. You did the right thing by keeping in touch by phone. The people who let the city down were the ones who failed to apprise you of the actual situation and not you. "
Cheri wrote on January 23, 2007 7:25 am:
" Being a public servant also, I know how the buck gets passed. Someone needs to take responsibility besides you or whoever was in charge. Bless you and your family. Maybe you should look at those who were left in charge, are they capable/dependable employees? "
First wrote on January 23, 2007 10:59 am:
" Family first. Good for you for making the right decisions. It's garbage you got treated the way you did because the self-centered citizens of Lincoln couldn't get the quickie mart in 5 minutes instead of 10. Shame on us Lincoln. We added insult to injury here. I pray your daughter is has recovered. "
S. Scheidt wrote on January 23, 2007 11:53 am:
" I was very surprised after reading Mr. Figard's letter on the opinion page. He was used as a scape goat. Way to go public works director, you stepped into it again. You should be looking for another job. Just a hint nothing that involves compassion or caring. I here there is an opening at the mayors office soon. "
Bob Carter wrote on January 23, 2007 1:07 pm:
" Roger you are and always will be a class act. Lincoln would be much the worse off without you. God Bless you and your family. My best wishes and prayers for your daughter. Sincerely Bob Carter "
Dawn wrote on January 24, 2007 9:27 am:
" While I am not a Lincoln resident and no longer reside in the area, I find it atrocious that Roger Figard is no longer in charge of the snow removal/street maintenance when he was not in the city at the time, but with family at a time when ANYBODY would have been with their family. Roger's apology shows him to be a true gentleman, and I personally feel that the apology was unnecessary, as he was first of, on vacation. Who was left in charge of the snow removal? Also, Roger was in contact with his office, and the DIRECTOR, who certainly should have been able to oversee this task. Another note worthy of mentioning is: how long have those who are actually in the trucks been doing this? Aren't they capable of rising to the task and putting forth extra effort? Absolute nonsense to take this kind of action in my opinion. "

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