Can you say bureaucracy?

Do realize that the property owner of this building had to have permission to replace a broken window?

No kidding. 

The window was broken during a wind storm and it was prohibitive to replace the broken window as one single pane of glass like the original. (The original window was the same as the window on the right side of the picture shown here, the new windows are on the left side of the same photograph.) So, pictures were taken, reports were filed in triplicate, signs were posted letting the citizens know that a window needed to be replaced, legal notices were served with the appropriate agencies with more reports filed in triplicate.  The committee was notified in writing that someone wanted to replace a broken window.  First class postage was affixed to the committee reports and mailed to the appropriate members of the committee assigned to protect the integrity of the 'hisoric district'.

The meeting time was set.  The committee took their seats towering above the citizens.  It was now time for the decision of the committee.  "Could the building owner replace a large broken window with two smaller windows?"   After some discussion, questions were asked of the clerk by the committee members (the owner of the building was not present, I believe he had more important things to attend to, therefore the clerk answered the questions that would have been addressed to the owner). The questions of the clerk were answered.  The decision was made.  Yes, you may replace your broken window.

This goes on all too often.  What a waste of time, money and human resources!

I have a couple ideas to end this insanity.  Force members of City Council to attend all committee meetings, Council then might appreciate the bureaucracy they are creating. Secondly, it is obvious everybody on City Council has way too much time on their hands when they have nothing better to do than create this kind of bureaucracy, so let's reduce council to six members from the current eight, thus eliminating some of their dangerous free time. (That would also save over $10,000 a year, take those savings and on an annual basis reward our most productive and effective employees with a bonus.)

Your comments are appreciated!