City needs a new electrical inspector

I find it interesting that Mayor Rooney is touting the new bond rating of the City of Rolling Meadows (March 4 Daily Herald) which will allow the city to borrow funds for two new fire stations.

I think the city should bring its staff up to date before spending on new projects.

For example, it has recently come to my attention that the city has been without the important position of an electrical inspector for the past several years. There is no one fully trained and capable to perform these duties since the former electrical inspector retired. This is a safety issue that has been ignored due to budget constraints.

How long are we going to have this very important position unfilled? The city stresses the need for building permits to insure that work is performed safely and properly. Residents are fined for performing work without a permit, yet the electrical portion is being inspected by the plumbing, building and sign Inspectors, none of whom hold an electrical license.

The assistant director is licensed but rarely does field inspections. I am sure there are other positions in the city which have been eliminated due to these times, but I think the electrical inspector is too important a position to forget.

Grace Reiland

Rolling Meadows