Sound Politics: Do Seattle City Workers have too much time on their hands?

February 13, 2006

Do Seattle City Workers have too much time on their hands?

"City turns off Muzak for a taste of Seattle"

Hoping to promote the city's musical heritage and make those waits more tolerable, Seattle today debuted OnHold, a program that plays a rotation of tunes by local musicians during the 56 seconds the average caller must kill while trying to reach a real live person at the Seattle Public Utilities Call Center.

Sounds nice, but it looks they invested a great deal of staff time on the program. Is there really that much spare capacity hanging around in city government?

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at February 13, 2006 08:25 AM | Email This

Comments

1. Muzak pays performance royalties to BMI and ASCAP, some of which actually trickle down to the artists and composers.

Let's see how the City of Seattle handles the compensation of those artists and composers.

Posted by: Hank Bradley on February 13, 2006 08:35 AM

2. How many people work for the city of Seattle?...

about 1/2

Posted by: tacoma phlash on February 13, 2006 09:05 AM

3. Howsyoudoin'

Yo Phlash

The over / under on getting work done buy city workers is 45% on any given day.

Forgetaboutit

Posted by: Joey bag of doughnuts on February 13, 2006 09:19 AM

4. That much spare capacity? But of course, there is no financial incentive for anyone to be expedient about anything in government.

Posted by: Jeff B. on February 13, 2006 10:16 AM

5. Where can my band, the RightWingNutz audition for this gig?

;'}

Posted by: alphabet soup on February 13, 2006 12:10 PM

6. Is this funded by the one half of one percent that is required to be spent on art, or from grants for art?

If so, interesting application. If not, what a pile of crap.

I guess we could also ask if the old hold system needed replacement.

Posted by: Grog on February 13, 2006 12:28 PM

7. Wow. In their press piece, at the bototm, they actually asked for suggestions on what folks would like to listen to while on hold. Wonder what they would do with a suggestion of Kate Smith performing, with clarity and no frills, the Star Spangled Banner?

Posted by: katomar on February 13, 2006 12:34 PM

8. I bet they didn't even think of having to pay the ASCAP and BMI licensing fees themselves.

Posted by: dave on February 13, 2006 01:08 PM

9. What songs to play while on hold with Public Utilities?

How about:

"Burning of the Midnight Lamp" - J. Hendrix

"Rape Me" - Nirvana

"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" - Death Cab

"When the Lights Go Out"

Posted by: Palouse on February 13, 2006 01:24 PM

10. Hmmm.....originally the posting said DOES -- showcasing Stefan's amazing grasp of the English language.

Here sits Stefan...eager to demean our teachers, put down our schools...and he can't even write a proper sentence.

Magically, however, it disappeared -- replaced with correct grammar. Stefan...care to admit your mistake...you can always blame on it your public education?

Or do you have a "mole" who has to check and correct all your errors?

What are you hiding Stefan?

Posted by: LovinUSA on February 14, 2006 04:44 PM

11. LovinUSA (I doubt it) - get a life....

Posted by: alphabet soup on February 15, 2006 01:24 PM

12. Muzak never did their on hold program: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/259305_music13.html

Posted by: Karen on March 1, 2006 08:57 AM