Government Efficiency --- A True Oxymoron

I pre-ordered the children's birth certificates today and drove about 50 minutes to the downtown area to pick them up. Since it took 30 minutes on the phone to place the order I knew I was in for quite a treat! I guess a simple web site where the orders could be placed would be way too easy.

Here's what I saw.....I walked in and there were 3 windows. Window # 3 had a line of about 15 people in it. There was also an almost full room of people sitting. No one was at Window #2 and 1 person was waiting to speak to someone (anyone) at Window #1. If you don't phone ahead, you fill out an application and get in line. They process at Window #3 (yes, a little backwards....again it's a government run agency) and you wait while they print off the certificate and certify it for pick up at Window #2. Window #1 is for corrections but seemed to be used more for an Info Window since there really wasn't one. In a sign on the wall they warn you it could be a rather lengthy wait and encourage you to go to the park next door while you're waiting. Keep in mind, I knew ahead of time to call and have it processed. However, I still had to wait in the line for Window #3. One person was servicing all applicants while 4 others were sitting at desks. I'm guessing these are the people who process the certificates. No one was available to assist those who phoned ahead in a separate line. I waited for about 20 minutes and it took literally 3 minutes to hand me the certificates and receipt the money. I know, you're wondering where I'm going with this.....it's my blog so I'm going to create Kimberly's Government. I would insist all birth/death certificates were pre-ordered either by phone or online (yes, I would actually have an online order taker and not rely on the very slow phone taker from my experience). Anyone who didn't pre-order would have their own very long line. All pre-orders would bump to the front. Therefore, it would be so encouraged to pre-order and explained fully to everyone. Rather than process the certificates while the room was full, it would be a mostly empty room. The processors would fill all orders (perhaps even after hours if you require 24 hours notice) and the day would be spent filling the orders as people showed up. Okay, I'm done changing the government. If they were actually spending time and money wisely we'd have nothing to make fun of anymore.

Bottom Line.....I have the children's birth certificates in my hand, David is the father and all information is complete and accurate. This in itself more than exceeds my expectations of a government facility.