To The Reader’s Forum:

Recently I have had two incidents to positively interact with Chautauqua County employees at the “street level.”

On one occasion I needed to register a collectible type of automobile. The Department of Motor Vehicles clerk in Mayville was helpful above and beyond the call of duty. Known to me only as “Dale” voluntarily, without any prompting from me, went to search the available registration license plates for a number that would match the year of manufacture of my vehicle. This was very considerate and likely saved me from applying for special plates that would have cost me at least an additional $50 fee.

On another occasion, I approached a county highway crew that was operating a huge Gradall ditching maching and several 10-wheeler dump trucks. They were very understanding of my property concerns and cooperated fully with my requests. One individual went so far as to point out that they worked for me, not the reverse. Upon receiving this information I was pleased and instructed them to “take a break” from their hard-working efforts. However, it wasn’t time for their scheduled break and they continued to work despite the Boss’s (my?) suggestion.

Over many years of residency in Chautauqua County I have observed the behavior or many Chautauqua County employees. Typically, in the distant past, contact with county employees was unpleasant and sometimes confrontational.

There seems to have been a cultural change over the years within this environment, very much for the better. I have had positive experiences with other county offices in the near past, in particular at Mayville, Dunkirk and Jamestown DMV locations.

In these days of hearing many complaints about government workers and society members in general, it is encouraging and uplifting to interact positively with people. Keep up the good work, all you Chautauqua County personnel. It is appreciated.

David G. Hall

Sinclairville