N.C. Official Sics License Police On Computer Scientist For Too Good a Complaint 705
snsh writes "When a computer scientist in North Carolina petitioned the state for a new traffic signal in his neighborhood, a transportation official replied with a complaint about what 'appears to be engineering-level work' done by someone who is not licensed as a professional engineer." Kevin Lacy, chief traffic engineer for the state DOT, and the one who filed a complaint with the N.C. Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, protested that in trying to have Computer Scientist David Cox investigated for his detailed complaint about a traffic intersection while not licensed as a professional engineer, "I'm not trying to hush him up."
Re:Did I miss something... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:I'm sorry, that's it. (Score:2, Interesting)
Thats just NC. The level of lazy around here would shock you.
These are 'good ol boys' you need to talk to them in a certain way. If you come off as a smart ass 'city slicker' they will shut you down FAST and ignore you. Also a quick google maps thru the neighborhood it seems like a nice place. Trust me they see these dudes as a bunch of rich whiny bitches (think 400k+ houses on 1 acre lots). I am not saying that is what they are but the blue collar dudes that work in NCDOT see it that way.
At this point a suing is probably in order. They went about it as if the NCDOT had no say in it probably came off as bullies. I have seen many neighborhoods like that here in NC. They seem genuinely shocked when acting like a jerk gets people acting the same way.
Also looking thru the google maps they are probably right and a couple of lights are needed.
The *RIGHT* way at being shut down like this in NC is to grab your local NC senate critter and get them to have it put in. Small donation of 2k would and it would be done by the end of the month. That is the way it works. It shouldnt be that way but it is.
Re:Sorry (Score:5, Interesting)
While his response was absurd (Score:4, Interesting)
I do understand it.
Disclaimer: I am currently employed by a Government entity. I worked in the privet sector for 22 year prior to that.
I have not, nor have I ever seen any government official 'retaliate'. And yes, I would call them on it.
Yes, it was probably a dick move.
However, I have seen many times where educated, smart peple try to force what are evffectivly engineered decsion down a cities throat without actually have engineering experience. They fail to take into account many extremely important details, and they speak well enough that the general public thinks they are right. Instead of learnign WHY something is being done the way it is, they just dig their heals in and make absurd arguments. And by absurd I mean provably wrong, But they don't look at the numbers, or try to understand the impact on the myriad of things under the street.
It's sad. Now I am not saying they should have a say, but they need to be rational about it.
Now, if the Computer scientist was trying to push the document and an engineered solution, then yes, he is in the wrong.
You do not want non licensed Engineers doing engineering work. Bad things will come of it.
I wish there was a PE equivalent for Computer programming in my state. well, in all states, really.