Anne Stevens: For city of Merced, if it’s broken don’t fix it

I would like to thank the city manager’s office for not bothering to return the call I placed to their office last week with a question and concern about our city. Feels lovely to know someone cares.

I also would like to thank the city of Merced for the flyer that came with our water bill in June; we now have to have a permit for a house alarm, no fee and there is a fine of $250 a day for not having this permit that costs nothing. Please tell me how any of this is logical. Yes, I read the brochure, but I fail to see how a permit will help to alleviate the $370,000 spent on false alarms. I love the definition of what is not a false alarm, too. If someone manages to set off our alarm, hightails it and leaves no evidence, we are subject to a fine.

Oh, and the link they refer you to in the brochure? Broken. Good job, people.

This story was originally published June 20, 2016 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Anne Stevens: For city of Merced, if it’s broken don’t fix it."