The State Worker

Chronicling civil-service life for California state workers

April 18, 2011
P.O.V.: Government shouldn't 'farm out' inspections

Point of View blog posts publish thoughtful, provocative e-mails sent to The State Worker.

State employee George Baldini sent an e-mail last week in response to Poll: Will state hire more school inspectors?

With the author's permission, we're publishing the unedited e-mail here. He speaks for himself, not his union or employer:

Hello Jon,

I couldn't find were to comment on this article/poll so I would like to provide you with my comments directly.

I am an engineer for the State. I started my career as a mechanical inspector and worked my way to the design office. Based on my 20 yrs experience in design, construction and inspection, I've come to believe in the adage "you get what you inspect, not what you expect".

Experience and qualified inspectors are vital to the construction process and it is important that they have a sense of ownership of the project.

Based on my experience, I don't believe farming out inspection work is in the State's best interest or is it in our best interest to have school districts and or hospitals hire third parties to perform this critical work. We need to have this skill and service in house. That doesn't mean that we can't hire contract employees to help us with this task, I believe this is a cost effective way to provide good inspection services during peak demand, but these inspectors answer to the engineers and designers who have their stamp on drawings and specifications and who supervise their work. If inspectors work for school districts and hospitals, they answer to them and their interests.

George

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About The State Worker

Jon Ortiz The Author

Jon Ortiz launched The State Worker blog and a companion column in 2008 to cover state government from the perspective of California government employees. Every day he filters the news through a single question: "What does this mean for state workers?" Join Ortiz for updates and debate on state pay, benefits, pensions, contracts and jobs. Contact him at (916) 321-1043 and at jortiz@sacbee.com.

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