Sign Company Ignores Safety, Promotes Breaking the Law

This morning there was a meeting held with utility company representatives & the President of Signs-Up Ltd. The meeting was to discuss the placement of signs for the new addressing project being undertaken by the 911 Commission. The contract they were awarded was in the amount of $122,788.41. At the start of the meeting, the president of Signs-Up Ltd. made a comment about the need to be flexible, bend the rules or do what was necessary because plans called for 100 signs per day to be placed. He stated that the new mapping was being plotted by Missouri One Call System (also known as 'Dig-Rite') but would not be ready until next week. As a member of the Board of Directors on MO One Call System, I asked/commented if it was MOCS that was causing the "delay" in starting the project and was told that nothing could be started until the mapping was completely finished but was not MOCS that directly caused the problems.

Some background: MOC was established by the MO State Legislature; our rules, guidelines and operations are conducted under laws passed by the state government. MOCS has not and will not disobey or break any laws. The first & most important task of MOC is to assure safety; safety for the public, citizens, contractors & excavators. The second important mission of MOCS is to assure that the public does not experience any interruption in receiving their utilities.

After the meeting I spoke with Mr. Harron about some of my concerns and things mentioned in this meeting. He told me there was only one person @ MOCS to take calls and that it was not fair for utilities or his company to be forced to wait on MOCS to fill 100 orders (signs) per day. It should be noted that MOCS handles an average of 2500 CALLS PER DAY! Last month over 32,000 calls came through our call center; in November almost 43,000 calls were received. While there is one person responsible for 'mapping' other personnel are available to assist if needed.

MOCS mapping of Saline County is over 50% completed and we are following the exact order that the signs will be placed. It is being done by township (1-Grand Pass, 2-Miami, 3-Cambridge and so on). In addition, our current addressing system is still in place and will remain in our computer system. The new address map will simply 'overlay' on top of the old one. This is done so if either a current address or a new address is phoned in, MOCS will be able to specify the exact location. When this was mentioned to Mr. Harron, I was told that was wrong, that did not know what I was talking about and nothing could be done until mapping was completed.

For about every sign that will be placed, there will need to be a "locate request" made to MOCS. Upon receiving the request MOCS contacts all utilities or companies with underground facilities about the planned project/location; these companies then are required to mark the location or complete (or contact the excavator to say their underground facilities are clear of the site). This process is required to be completed ( with in two working days of receipt of the request not counting the day the request is made).

Since 1/2 the county has already been 're-mapped' why can't the locate requests begin immediately? If both the old & new maps can be used, why were we told that the delay was because of MOCS? Why were we told the mapping was being done by only one person?

After the meeting I asked Mr. Harron if he was in effect telling the underground facility owners to ignore or disobey a state law. He said yes. Upon leaving the meeting, I noticed my hat had been left behind; when I walked back into the room Mr. Harron was talking about me (in language that is not suitable for this newspaper)and made a point of saying (loud enough so I could hear)'what the hell is he worried about, it's not his money.' I told Mr. Harron that as a taxpayer it is my money and even if it was not, I expect any company to follow the law. He said that would not be possible. I told him that MOCS would not break the law and he should do what he thought best. FYI: The fine for violations of this law are $10,000.00 PER DAY/PER INCIDENT with a maximum fine of $500,000.00.

This is not meant to be a critic of the 911 Commission but rather with the company that was contracted to do the sign work. This blog is meant to provide information for the taxpayers of Saline County and the manner their tax dollars are being spent and the law being ignored. If a violation is to occur, would the sign company be libel or would the county and/or 911 Commission be held jointly liable. Every contract for a public project that I have read has a clause that states all state & federal laws will be followed. I don't know if that is the case in this situation but even if it is not written, the law should be followed.

I personally find it disconcerting that a person would say these things in public or to react so rudely in private conversation. I also find it unprofessional to lie, cuss and act as arrogant as was witnessed this morning.

I also believe it is (at the very least) unethical to encourage, suggest or tell citizens or businesses to break the law.

To use taxpayer's money in this manner and to conduct business in this fashion should be an insult to every citizen of Saline County.