Page 41 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“Do you have oversight still?”
“Sure.But it’s the same old story.We have limited resources.We still have all the major renovations on our plate.I was initially opposed.I thought it was more efficient to centralize it, but reluctantly, I’ve become a supporter of it.The project managers should have that kind of autonomy.And this building stock is old.It helps to have a contractor who’s familiar with each building and its idiosyncrasies.”
I ask him how he exercises oversight.He explains that he checks the repair complaint system and often talks to the property managers, who must submit a report of authorized repairs and status.I ask a few more questions, but nothing in his responses strikes me as suspicious.I ask him if he’d be willing to sign my history book about the first Infrastructure Department, and he does.We chat for a few minutes about our passion for making miniatures.I ask him if I can include this interest in his profile, and he seems pleased.He agrees to my taking a photo of his bodega scene.He stands and groans.
“Age.I’m getting stiff,” he says.He escorts me to Deputy Commissioner Galliano’s office, murmuring to me that I should be sure to ask Pommer about playgrounds.
As I take the seat offered in Deputy Commissioner Galliano’s office, I take a quick look around.A happy family photo is on his desk, and the young woman in the picture is Ophelia.I checked out her Spotify page.Galliano has sandy brown hair, smiling brown eyes, and a similar body build to Ward.I can see a family resemblance between him and Ophelia.He comes across as personable and charming—he’s nicknamed Gallant Galliano for a reason—and if Ophelia is anything like him, that will help her when she has to entertain a crowd.
Deputy Commissioner Galliano also seems passionate about working in government.His shelf is filled with public service awards.He’s the one mainly in charge of licensing and permitting.I ask him about how that works and then fight to keep my eyes open while he delves deep into the intricacies of permitting.Definitely no story material here.
“Why did you decide to work in city government?”I ask.
“I wanted to give back to this country.My parents were political refugees, and I came to this city when I was twelve.And although it was hard, it meant I could live without fear that my mom or dad was going to disappear overnight.My dad got a job in construction.He’d complain about bosses cutting corners.I wanted to work in this department to make sure construction sites are safe.”
This all sounds legitimate.And not like someone who is going to take bribes for shoddy repair work.I’ve already confirmed that his father was a construction worker, so that checks out.
“Why did you decide to be a reporter?”he asks.
“I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and my mom always said I ask a lot of questions,” I say.“And covering a story is like solving a mystery or putting together a complicated puzzle.It’s fun.Plus, I’m not one for staying in an office.”
“Yes.”Deputy Commissioner Galliano smiles.“That’s one of my favorite parts of this job—that I’m out and about, checking on buildings and construction sites.”
“Do you check in on repairs?”
“If we get complaints.”He explains how it’s handled at the building level.
“Are there complaints about this being handled that way?”
“All systems have their wrinkles to iron out,” he says.
“So there are some complaints?”
“Yes,” he says.
“Complaints about the system or about repairs?”I ask.
“Both,” he says.
“What happens next?”
“We address them.”
We discuss a few more aspects of his job, I ask him to sign the book, and then he drops me off at Deputy Commissioner Pommer’s office.
Pommer’s desk is covered in architectural drawings.Pommer himself is tall and thin, with an angular face.He’s in his mid-forties and seems fit.
“I know the rats are a problem,” Deputy Commissioner Pommer says into the phone as he waves me to the seat in front of him.“I’ve talked to Sanitation, and they’re rolling out the new garbage cans, but obviously we also need to do something about the current population living in your building.”It sounds like someone is screaming at him on the other end.“No, of course it’s not acceptable to have a rat in your bathroom.We’ll arrange for the exterminator first thing.”
The person on the other end yells loud enough for me to hear:“It’s obviously dead now.The super killed it.”
“You don’t want the exterminator?”asks Deputy Commissioner Pommer in a dry voice.
The person says something.
“Yes, it probably has friends,” Pommer says.“But you know, it’s best to call your super about this.They’re the ones who arrange for the exterminator.But I will let them know as well.”
Screeching erupts from the handset.
