gallagher papers 10
frank...@hotmail.com
March 9 2004
From:Frank Gallagher CST
Hi Bruce
I have been off sick a few days.Mom and I did some talking. During the
discussion I mentioned the talk that you and I had on Monday March 1
2004.She said that I should just quit work.....that it was affecting my
health. She said that I am getting like I was a year and a half
ago.(You remember back in 2002 when I was off work for about 2 1/2
months and then totalled my car and another persons when I tried to
return to work. Nobody was hurt.I had fallen asleep at the wheel.I was
under Doctors' care at the time for a sleeping disorder. I was
diagnosed at the time as suffering from sleep apnea. He prescribed a
machine that was to force me to breath while I slept.Anyway......it
didn't work because it doesn't work until you get to sleep.Somehow I
did manage to return to work 2 or three months later. )
I told her that she has to be kidding about me quitting..I love my
job.But even if I have to quit before I am 65 (61 now) I am trying
to....... at the very least pass on some of the knowledge and
experience that I have gained over the last 40 years. If I don't
...then what was the sense of all my hard work and dedication to the
job?
She mentioned that I should look at some of the things that I am
writing and how it is frustrating me .How I had fully recovered from my
illness last December. How.... just recently I have been off work a
couple of days here and a couple of days there.
The final diagnoses of my illness was Depression. I have been taking
Paxil for quite awhile now and I recall telling my Doctor a few weeks
ago(February 4 2004 he told me today) during a visit for a prescription
renewal..... how well I feel and how he can write my case down as a
success.
I said "If you remember mom...it was back in December that I gave that
exercise at work.It was the feeling of being useful at work that was
making me feel better" to which she responded " it was because that I
was feeling better that I ....as always.. applied extra time to my
work."She mentioned that I have been working on weekends and after
hours again like I always had before I got sick.I told her" It was not
work because I enjoy it. "She mentioned that I was always drawing
plans at home, here I again said ..."that wasn't work. I was learning
to use Softdesk (Autocad) and it is fun."That is important you know.You
learn more when you enjoy what you are doing. More gets
accomplished.-TOPOS is not fun. Do you have any idea how depressing it
can be to experienced competent people who know the difference.
Apparently not.I have been diagnosed as suffering from Depression by my
Doctor. I do not think that you consider the other persons side or
opinion.
That was clearly demonstrated when you verbally responded to my writing
to you dated February 29 2004.You said to me."Surely you knew..... that
would make me mad."
I responded with "Of course I knew ...The problem was that you didn't
know how mad I was.
See the difference.
Picture This
Jim and I test some products and we know their capabilities within
minutes. We put the crap in one box and the good stuff in the other
box.Then we ask the Suits to have a look at the stuff. .Have a few
meetings and then decide what we need. All the time Jim and I are
laughing and poking each other as we quip "betcha they pick the one
with the fancy new plumbob dangling from it with the aero-dynamic
compass attachment."Ha..Ha..Ha..Stop it Jim I gotta go to the
washroom."Oh Oh Jim... two of them are checking out that new technology
by Swift. The one with a two hundred meter tape that works like a
tongue.You just aim it and it shoots out and licks the evidence that
you want to tie in. It identifys the object by taste and the beauty of
this one is that their can be no error in the reading because the
instrument man just taps a button which key punches the tape at the
exact precise reading and numbers the shot. "That is wonderful" says
Jim "but what about the direction."Oh Jim ...Jim...Jim.....What do you
think that new compass attachment is for ?""Ha Ha Ha.... and I guess
that plumb line is actually the transmission line says Jim with tears
in his eyes."Jim.. sometimes I am a lttle concerned about you. That is
the extension of the key punch.The only trick to this is getting it to
dangle in just the right way but it is easy when you get the hang of
it"
We must enjoy the moment because sadly we both know that the actual
decision will be something worse.
Back to me learning Autocad.
If I had not done that I would not know how good it was now. In
fact.... I was just telling mom ....how I had mentioned to you on
Monday ..Bruce ...when I was asking if you knew anything about why I
did not get a new laptop during the 2K update. Eveybody else who had a
computer got a new one. I remember asking if you knew why I lost all my
program licenses. I told you.. because of that I am using a pirated
copy of Softdesk (Autocad).Which you confirmed that you knew.
Finding someone who cares is the hard part....but don't worry.You know
me.I can be very determined.
Man... am I ever getting dumb .I told you on Monday that I was using a
pirated copy of Softdesk (Autocad).Then I wrote about it above and it
wasn't until just now as I was reading it over that it sunk in. I am
using a pirated copy of Softdesk (Autocad) I obviously can't continue
to use it. I have been using this since 2002 I believe. I think I may
have gone past the trial or learning period.I will remove it as soon as
possible but I am quite concerned because of the circumstances.I am
thinking that maybe we should have another look around for my license
.Maybe it wasn,t lost. .Boy that would be a relief.
At this time I must say it is far superior to anything that I have
tried. The Topos program that the office is proposing that we use is
not compatible with an up to date survey Party Chief. I personally will
not be using it .I mentioned that... two or three years ago when the
Department was buying the Leicas and I turned down the offer of one
because it was not compatible to my method of surveying. It was a time
waster but quite compatible with the Departments field staff with the
exception of Jim and I .We passed Surveys 101 along time ago. said
that the field staff who are actually doing the work should be
dictating the equipment that we need. Of course I don,t mean that the
101ers should have an opinion. That would be like asking your kids how
to do your job. I told you then as did Jim that the HP data collectors
were the way to go. I would go as far as to say that the office should
be using Softdesk (Autocad).
This program is quite compatible with the HP data collectors .It has
been proven by me over and over again. I am always looking for the
easiest and smoothest procedure to get data from the field to a
finished survey plan and this is it. It has been available for years.
The possibilities are endless with Softdesk (Autocad) We don,t need
anymore programs developed and that includes TOPOS and its Graphics .
Gord has mentioned that things would process much better if I were
using his program instead of Softdesk (autocad).His and Reggies
programs won't even accept the description field of my co-ordinate
files .Reggie mentioned that he has to remove this data before he can
use it .This has caused problems. It also defeats the purpose of the
description field which is to place a symbol in the drawing.
I will ask Gord to write a little something for us to this end.
I am thinking that he and Reggie should switch to Softdesk (Autocad)
Bruce...You agreed with me when I said that the HP data collector was
by far the way to go. You also agreed that the TDS Ranger which is a
bigger brother looks good.
You did say however that you didn,t feel that the Party Chiefs need
laptops.
I do and I don,t agree with you.
Firstly,at this point the crews that are working in conventional mode
do not need them. They simply are not ready for them. Nor do they
deserve them.
They must be trained as quickly as possible in the radial method of
surveying .
Eventually they may ask for them.Then they are ready.Those who show the
interest in Softdesk (Autocad) will someday be looking for an office
job.They will be prepared.This is an educational tool which will help
them to communicate with the Cad guys.We will all eventually be of
sound and one mind.Laptops provide the opportunity to learn at home.New
ideas will emerge.The instrument people will learn.As we all become
familiar with the same equipment and programs the interchange of staff
is simpler.The field proceedures will change.I believe as I have said
before that three man crews are the way of the future.It is now for
me.The Party Chief will eventually start the point plan with
Autocad.Get a print made and mark it up with the required data.He is
already familiar with the file which will save the time of someone else
starting all over to get familiar.
The fact is the transfer of information from one person to another is
seldom complete and allows for misinterpretation as in that circle of
Kindergarten kids I have written before .By the Party Chief plotting
the point plan there can be no misinterpretation of his notes.Any
omissions will be discovered on the spot and corrected.Any errors can
be caught on the job and corrected along with the inclusion of more
evidence if the data is not supporting the intent of the Registered
Plan.
Did you know at DHO the Party Chief was a management position and if
anyone had cause to disagree with information in my notes ..they must
discuss it with me.That way the Supervisor could be brought up to date
about various Laws and the evidence that I had supporting them.I don't
ever recall changing my notes to do as requested by a Supervisor.The
few who attempted to force me to do it a way I knew to be wrong
retracted their order when I said that I would be obliged to note this
directive in my report.
Let me demonstrate when I go back in the field.I will need a junior
party chief like Mike for example who can get the next job in motion.He
can look for evidence .Draw some notes etc. and in general get prepared
to be an up and running calculating Party Chief
who can bring the plan to finalization.Somebody will be replacing me or
Jim I suppose when I leave.I write about this elsewhere.
TOPos is DOWNright
ridiculous.......Softdesk(Autocad) is Top
Cost should not be the problem .Provide the proper tools
for the job and they will pay for themselves.
Did you know that age increases as to length of wait
It does not vary as to the speed one waits.
Why wait for that which has experienced the age of wait.
TOPOS is OUTdated before it starts.Softdesk(Autocad) is
INtuitive
( My version 14
)buy them used maybe
The HPs are still the way to
go for several reasons.
· On the spot calculations
· Simple to use
· The job gets calc'd as you go.(No 101ing)
· That means that the finished product is not far away from the last
data gathered in the field.
· On the spot determination.. is more evidence needed ?
· Less tie are required.
I suggested the new Ranger to you.Maybe we can
get a demonstration.
Jim and I should see it .The others are still on their 101 course.
If all goes well as I suspect it should...Let Jim and I get familiar
with them for a couple of weeks.Then let us work together for a couple
of weeks to develop a plan of action.Then turn us loose on the other
crews.I believe that Jim and I can bring field staff to date and then
into the future.
As usual I am looking
for a promotion.
A new position could be created .Call it FOM........ Field Operations
Manager
Maybe you could trade my party chief position for the FOM and take a
few bucks out of petty cash for my raise.
I could be here long enough to get things working and long enough to
pass on to Jim what ever it is that I have not as yet.
When Jim takes over... the field operations will be ready for the
future. His efforts and abilities have too long gone unrewarded.
WIN .......WIN
It provides a reward and goal to that special person who shows tireless
energy to the benefit of the Department.
Back to the problem
The realization that somethings I have written about recently and the
lack of your response to them are possibly the cause of my illness.In
fact I mentioned something along that line to you on Monday but I guess
I haven't been listening to me.I seem to have that way with people but
I didn't realize the seriousness of the situation until now.
I am now thinking that it is imperative to revisit my writings and also
recall the events of last Monday.I am thinking that I must get it all
out on the table for the good of my health.
As I write ....mom is telling me to stop and get some rest but I
actually think that I am starting to feel a little better now .
So....wish me luck.
Monday morning March 1 2004 I delivered to you a letter dated February
29 2004 to your office on the 4th floor.You set it aside as I asked
directions to Wallys' office.I followed the direction of your thumb to
Azminas' desk who informed me that Wally was out so she provided me
with an envelope to which I stuffed a copy of the letter that I had
addressed to you.She lent me the confidential stamp which I applied to
the envelope......wrote Wally on it in pencil and then left.
I went back downstairs and was talking to Pat when you appeared to tell
me that we need to talk.1:00 pm..Your office.I came to your office a
minute or two later to say that I would not be meeting with you at 1:00
pm.Any further communications should be in writing."I am not going to
get it "you responded as I returned to my desk.
Some time passed and then you were there behind me.You said that I
should come with you .That we were going to have a meeting with
Ken...the union representative and some of the supervisors.That we were
going to sit down and hash this out.I thought for a moment and then
said "I don't think so"My experience is that I am not the best of
talkers.....and words seem to be taken out of context.I said to you
that I needed something in writing from you.You explained to me that I
do not understand the structural set up and that I just do not
understand how things are done.You said how mad you were and surely I
must have known that you would be mad at me.Of course I knew .....the
problem was that you did not know how mad I was.Now you were trying to
direct me as to the way I should have dealt with the situation.It
seemed to me that engaging the enemy under terms set by them would be
futile. I mentioned something about you wanting me to use marshmallows
for ammo and that I should do things this way and that.I think that you
were saying,....just trust me .....come on to the meeting......it will
be fun.Been there.Done that.It wasn't fun.
You said why didn't I just come and talk to him about it or the
Supervisors.Ya gotta love it.I have tried talking for years but
accomplished nothing.
To wit (please note my extra effort to make sure the "o" was
there after the T)
I draw your attention to my writing February 29 2004 about half way
down the page ..
On Friday 13 2004 I handed you and Bruce Brouwer my paper titled
Exercise # 2(January 20 2004)You told me to get out of here....that I
had wasted your time yesterday and was wasting your time now.
Do you remember talking to me in the board room quite a while back
saying that some position fell through upstairs.I said that was ok and
that I would rather be surveying.I mentioned that I would like to teach
the fellows a little something before I go.You said that we recieved a
great Review by the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors .I said "that
was interesting...maybe we should have a look at what they are doing.I
also have knowledge to write as to why the position fell through
upstairs but as I said .,,,I was not interested in it.
When you first mentioned this position I was willing to listen but I
asked if you would be happy in that position ?Then I corrected myself
and said what am I saying.That was the wrong words to find out the
answer I was looking for.What I wanted to know is ..do you think a
person with my survey background would be happy looking after records.I
even had the thought that this could be a move designed for my
premature retirement.I was quite sure that I did not want the position
but I did not want to close any doors.You mentioned that an OLS
upstairs was running the show and that you would arrange a meeting.I
....not caring about the job and as I told you I would much rather do
something more up my alley.Calculating and drawing preliminary Legal
plans which is what I have been doing for more than two years now.I
have seen people transferred from one department to another and then
next I hear that they have been let go.That was easily seen coming...I
was told.I remember having the interview with the OLS.He walked by my
desk a couple of times.That was it.
Actually what happened was... I decided to let it be known that there
was a position on the 4th floor that I might have a chance at.It wasn't
long before people I did not know were passing my desk and checking me
out.One fellow was introduced to me to whom I said Oh,you were the
Party Chief on this job that I am retracing.He said where?I said it is
over here on my desk as we walked towards it.I said that he messed
things up a bit by turning an angle to establish a line for the west
limit of a Registered Plan.He walked away before I could finish.I was
going to say how naughty he had been.He had broken a major rule in
surveying.Imagine turning an angle from a property line and producing
it about 150 meters to find some bars where the limits of our trunk
sewer easement intersects his produced line and calls them
off.......The story is a little vague at the moment but the fact is
that he never went to the SIB at the bend in the limit for the
Registered Plan.It possibly was not there at the time though and if not
he should have reestablished the bend from the nearest
best evidence available which was there just 30 meters away.Turning an
angle and producing 200 meters is not acceptable in my world of
surveying.
I know...I know...Not the best way to make friends.I just love this
work and have dedicated my life to it.When I get the chance to actually
meet the person who has demonstrated poor survey practice ...I can not
stand by and let it continue.This of course caused him to go to daddy
or was it big brother.He is not the only one with friends
however,because one day as I approached him from behind and the fellow
he was talking to (my friend) saw me coming and says to him.....so you
fixed it so Frank won't get the job eh ?He said yes and continued on to
say how he did it.
Making friends with ignorant people is not my pleasure.I did not know
that he was ignorant until he displayed his disinterest to learn.
Maybe he just did not want to learn from me.I am thinking that life is
one big on going lesson.You never know what you may get out of one
brief meeting.I hope that this particular error is his only
misunderstanding of surveying.I think that it is good that they got him
out of the field...not able to learn and all.This was a major offense
of Survey Law.I hope he has a better understanding of the job that he
is doing now.
There are people in this business who will not keep up with new
technology or maybe they just don't understand the new technology.I am
referring to the radial method of surveying which is not new to Jim and
I nor Surveyors in the private sector.After all it has been out for
more than 20 years.Change is needed as I have mentioned before.There
unfortunately is lots of room for improvement and I know of nobody
better to get the job done than I.
First as I mentioned before that recognizing the problem is the first
step to the cure.I have done that.I also suggest that I can correct the
situation before I leave ..if given the chance.
I suggest that there is nobody on staff that can do this job or we
would not be where we are today.Perhaps there just isn't anybody who
cares or I have heard someone say that what concerns me is not
necessarily a priority.I believe it was you Bruce.
I know I am distanced as a Party Chief as to the duties of and what
might be a priority to the Manager of Property Surveys.
But it seems to me that you should care somewhat about the capabilities
of your staff.It seems to me that you should know a little more about
the different practices being used by the Department that concludes
with differing results.I am thinking that the Manager of Property
Surveys who may not have made it his priority to find out what is going
on in his Department should thank the person who used a huge amount of
his own time to do the job for you.At this time I would even like to
mention how thorough and convincing he is.You even ackowledged that as
I mentioned it previously in reference to March 12 2004 as you
retreated down the hall as I was saying the Party Chiefs ..right the
Party Chiefs need teaching.I had thought that in particular I was
referring to the job on my desk and how the general attitude around
here is that a road does not have to be 66' as shown on the Registered
Plan.
That is terribly wrong.The general attitude is that it should be
considered to be 66' until proven beyond doubt that it isn't.
The difference is the approach that is taken to do the survey.
There is always the hard way and the easy way.
Once I was told a story by a Supervisor of mine at DHO who went on to
become a Plan Examiner under the supervision of The Director of
Titles.The story teller coincidentally had the innitials B S.
He told me that the crews left there equipment at the motel where they
were staying when they went home for the weekend.Once a motel burned
down along with the field notes for three months of work..His response
was that all the field crews should head to the nearest registry office
or other place where they could photocopy their notes.
He was still wondering why his brilliant idea was not accepted.
I did not have the heart to tell him then.I would tell him now though.
If this had been accepted as policy it would in effect burn up the
three months of time lost due to the fire in very short time.Imagine
when you apply the wasted time to go to a copier x the number of crews
every Friday.The Directive would say that Friday afternoons the crews
should allow sufficient time to get the notes copied and return them to
to the motel before heading on home.Friday afternoon starts very soon
after 12 noon doesn't it?
In doing street line work we take the attitutude that all the evidence
down the streetlines at the lot corners could be evidence to the where
abouts of the street/street intersections and the Beginning and Ends of
curves.This of course is possible and probably more likely than another
motel fire that will burn three months of field notes.
However it does not justify the waste of time to gather all this
evidence just in case it may be needed.Multiply this waste of time x
the number of crews the City employs.
The best evidence is the nearest evidence available to the Lost Corner
that you are trying to replace.
I am suggesting that if the fellows understood the mission they would
know when to say "Mission completed... SIR"
That event would occur tenfold with one crew.Multiply this gain x the
number of crews the City employs.( it may not be 10fold but the savings
will be tremendous)
Now put that with the savings involved when the crews are supplied with
useful equipment and the even more savings involved if I show them how
they should be used.
I know that I have ruffled some feathers along the way.You give me a
name and I will tell you at least one occasion that we had a run in.I
am of the belief that most people want to learn.I can not just stand
there saying and doing nothing when I know something is not right.I
think that people know and accept and appreciate my frankness.How else
can you be when your name is Frank ?The other day March 1 2004 you told
me that some supervisor appreciated the jobs I turned in.All calculated
and accompanied with a preliminary sketch.You at one time told me if a
certain draftsman had his way he would ask for all Party Chiefs to turn
their jobs in as I do.You have mentioned that the Party Chiefs are
working at different levels and just aren't ready.I know this too.In
fact many of them would not try my exercise # 1 including one
supervisor.I showed you the little test and asked if you would care to
participate.You declined saying that you haven't done much of this for
quite awhile but you had some time to listen to what I had to say and
noticed the different results that were coming in.I mentioned in
writing that there were results differing up to 0.05 meters.(Actually
one of the returns was amiss by over 0.20 meters.) That was disgusting
and I was sure that it had to be a joke. Unfortunately my follow up
proved my worse fears. I have since had a talk with him when I gave him
my writing explaining how I determined the solution and suggested how
to look into finding out where he strayed.You saw some of the returns
and saw one Supervisors' return in particular whose response differed
from my answer.You said at the time."Isn't this interesting". That
persons response was exactly as I knew it would be. I told him when I
handed it to him that we had discussed this away back at amalgamation
time.He didn't remember.I mentioned it again when he turned in his
response.I have written how I derived at my answer and handed each
respondent a copy of the results along with my reasoning to reach my
conclusion.
That little exercise told me a lot. There is a lotta learnin ta do.
I have been retracing Metro plans for 35 years now and can say that
they mostly have given me a laugh after I get over the frustration.
I have seen street lines bend at every monument that was found. Where
bends would be expected they were ignored. I have heard from private
surveyors that I should not bother wasting my time looking for bars at
street intersections because they will be Metros' and they will be
wrong. I had already discovered this for myself. I mentioned this one
time in the office and almost started a war. One Metro guy yelled hey
Rube and other Metro fellows were there. I was not up to an argument
then so somebody put the finger on the Metro Plans that were contracted
out I went with it. It is very hard to pick up one of their plans where
they get 66' for the streets that intersect a Metro road..
It is my pleasure now to suggest where the majority of staffs ideas
come from and first and foremost add another member to your side.
This man was at one time the Manager of Metro Surveys. He is working
here in the office right now but I am not sure for who. I asked him for
a little help once.I asked if there was a document or anything listing
the types of monuments that were used relating to date and perhaps what
the accepted practice was of the surveyors at the time to record what
they found .One example I showed him was a Registered Plan of
Subdivision dated 1938 ...I believe... indicating a square symbol with
"IB" beside it.The legend on the plan states that a symbol so noted
means that the surveyor planted a 1" square iron bar 4' long(commonly
known as an SIB today) In 1955 the City of Toronto survey field notes
indicate finding an IB orig .In 1976 I think or later a Metro L Plan
indicates finding SIB at this location. That is what the Registered
Plan called for by legend...However recently 2003 I found an IB there
which was buried 0.2 meters BGL. which agrees with the Citys' noted
house ties.I am thinking that this is the monument found by the City in
1955 ...being buried and old looking.
By the way......this Metro plan once again displays their ignorance or
arrogance if you note that they were unable to get the 86' Registered
Plan dimension across the road.
The City was able to do it in 1955.
I had no trouble doing it today.
I wonder then... why the Metro L-Plan can not get 86' and does not
properly identify the monument?
I don't wonder long of course because this is a Metro L-Plan.
Chess
Have you ever played chess? What moves can the Pawn make.? One ahead
except for its first move which is two ahead,and then one to the side
to take out an opponent... I believe. What about the
Castle(Rook)?Straight ahead as far as it can go.The Bishop? Far as it
can on the diagonal. The King ?Any direction one step at a time.
And finally the Queen ?
Anyway it wants and as far as it wants.
Sounds a lot like Metro to me.
Well as I was saying.....I asked this man... (Oh heck....lets refer to
him as Ross B)....for this information which may be helpful with my
decision for this City job.He said "Good question" and then was on the
phone to the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors where he was told
that there is nothing like that but it was a good idea that something
like that be available.I think that it was a terrific idea personally.
Ross B who is the retired Metro Manager of Surveys hired back on
contract receives quite an excellent salary from the City I am told.He
was asked by the Association to go ahead and provide them with one.. He
gathered this data and put it in presentation form and sent it off to
the Association.I had asked him who would pay for it ? The city of
course. Quite awhile later I asked him if it was finished and asked if
I could see it. The Association had it but not me.
Me Me Me.......that is all I ever care about.
Why did he not give me a copy when he was finished ?
Why did he not give me a copy when I asked for it ?
Wasn't it me who asked for it in the performance of my job who is quite
greatful to the City and Tax Payers who pay my salary?
Wasn't Ross B a City employee who was asked by me a City employee for
information that would help me make a decision regarding City
property... required to help if he could. I know he helps a girl who
comes to him quite often and he was quite co-operative at first and
certainly thought that I had some very good questions.
Oh Oh
I am thinking that there is something wrong here.
Has Ross B developed a me thing ?
I am thinking that maybe no ...would be the answer to that.
I am thinking that maybe he has had the me thing for quite awhile now.
I am wondering why he is here wasting Tax Payers money under the
pretext... I suppose that he is doing it for the City but only the
Association has it now.
I suppose if the matter was brought to his attention he would say that
he wanted to run it by the Association first before he let it loose.
I suppose that this will be a gift to the City that will remain to
remind the City that Ross B was here.
I suggest that the mess of Metro L-PLans out there throughout the City
(I am sorry..I meant the mass of Metro L-Plans out there throughout the
City will be his Legacy.)
I am thinking that whatever Ross B is doing here could be done by
someone else.
If he actually is needed here why is he not training someone to do his
job then.
Back to the Me thing again. That is what I have been saying about me.
I am asking to train the Party Chiefs to understand the job as well as
I.
No I am not looking for me to replace Ross B.
It seems to me that there is at least one Supervisor who has developed
with him.
I am thinking that this Supervisor could be readily Identified if you
were to ask the question
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RADIAL METHOD OF
SURVEYING ?
Not too long ago we had an incident with someone from J.D.Barnes
Ontario Land Surveyors."You will remember the J.D.Barnes incident no
doubt" Somebody called and Dan Quinlan looked after it.The caller said
he was measuring up to two meters difference between our monuments and
the plan dimensions.These dimensions he marked on a print of a plan
which actually had been contracted out to Bill Bennett OLS by Metro.Dan
asked me to grab my Sharp pocket computer and come with him.We went
through his field notes and everything looked Ok...although I was
concerned that there were no check measurements.
The next day a meeting was held at the long field table.There was you
Bruce ,Ross,Ron,Dan and me.I wasn,t invited to attend.I just happened
to be there and since I had been involved with the checking I just sat
in and listened.There was a lot of fancy talk,some laughter and I tried
to get my 2 cents in but was outvoiced.I am not quite sure now if the
laughter came before or after I spoke.I was saying something like
...shouldn't we at least get their field notes.I wasn,t being heard or
just barely being acknowledged that I was there.I was quite aware that
I was not supposed to be there and when I sat quiet and listened ...I
did realize that this table was for professionals....Talkers that
is.The decision was to call the Barnes' fellow and tell him to either
move the bars to where they should be or use them as witness monuments.
But ...but..that's it ? Shouldn't we at the very least... get their
notes ?Then the huddle was over and I believe that I was supposed to be
impressed as to how important people go about making important
decisions. They daparted as quickly as they came. With me left there
standing shorter than I was when I arrived at the table. My failure to
understand the decision took me back to Bennett's field notes and I
was able to come up with one scenario when applied that fit the
dimensions that Barnes had measured If this was the case the bars were
20' into private property.I showed this to Dan with the request to
leave and visit the site. Surely we should at least visit the site. So
I left 20 minutes early of my regular time to check the site. If I
hadn't been given permission I would have gone to the site after work
anyway. My inspection revealed that the fences were Ok which I checked
by pacing the house tie from across the road to the streetline then
paced to centerline and then to the subject property line which was
fenced OK.I located a monument and made note of the # on it.
I found this quite interesting. Didn,t you?
It wasn't our bar.Yet you impressive people at the big table gave
instructions to move them. Very interesting. What is the law about
that?
It scares me to think about what decisions you guys have made behind
closed doors.
I know that I have been discussed there because I sure am disgusted.
I know that..right now... you are thinking that all future meetings
should be held behind closed doors.
I think that you... along with the others at the big table... should
only meet for a game of cards behind closed doors... on a lunch break
maybe.
I am hoping to show you the benefits of a writing rapor.
Well Bruce ....It is my duty to tell you that any friendship we had
back at U.M.E. ceased not too long after our reunion at the Ellesmere
Yard. As I reread the letter I handed you on Monday I ask you to read
the part by Dan Quinlan immediately following your words that made me
so proud that day.
I believe these words can take us back to the beginning of the problem.
Let us say "BACK TO THE
FUTURE"
It all started when Dan Quinlan came to the field office all excited
about the brand new laptop computers we were going to get.... along
with Softdesk(Autocad).I had quite some trouble seeing the cause for
excitement .I saw that we were headed for more work ....probably going
to end up drawing the plans too. The field staff already did the
labour,did the thinking, fought the elements and the draftsperson would
not even draw an arc on the plan until we provided her with a center
point for the curve. Now she had convinced management that we should
draw all the lines ourselves. Of course she will probably need more
money for passing the buck but what the hell. We were just field staff.
They have no feelings and they are already doing most of the work.They
are so busy doing the job, digging through 2 feet of frost for
evidence, locating it by measurement one way or another, calculate the
data to determine if more evidence is needed to satisfy the purpose of
the job .Do the job but do not go near the railways or highways. Make
sure that you wear those heavy safety boots and do not forget your hard
hats and vests...especially if it is a particullarily hot day. Then
maybe while the fellows have a nap I could whip off a plan.
Jim and I knew who would be using the computers but I knew there would
be a huge problem with R one of the fellows I worked with. Talk about
the old ball and chain. No ....that is not the correct terminology. A
ball would roll at least as you dragged it behind you.
Jim had his block too. D
As I suspected we did end up with more work but I enjoy the computer
which is not what I suspected.
Those who worked to learn the programs on the laptops took over
responsibilities far and above the other Party Chiefs. Jim and I felt
that we deserved raises but then doesn't everyone?
Yes, I am sure that they felt that they deserved raises but Jim and I
deserved raises.
When I was in the office at Consilleum Place organizing the 40 year
notice of claim project which I had offered to take over after I had
informed Dan that this project affected lands involved in the Registry
Office system only.All the work that had been done searching for
easements registered in the Land Titles system was superfluous.
I could go on and on.I am thinking that I have ruffled his feathers.But
there is no rewards from either the taught nor his employer who
benefits from this. Infact to the contrary.
Gerry told me around this time that I was up for a raise .
We were talking the same language. I was up for a raise.
That is a long time ago when we were still working for the City of
Scarborough.
Anyway ,the old Dos version of Softdesk had quite a few drawbacks but I
learned the commands to do the topographical linework as the data was
imported from a .fbk file.Not bad for a field guy eh' with no computer
training..
Dan Quinlan told me that Ron was over visiting the Scarborough office
back at early amalgamation time and he showed him one of my jobs being
run.As Ron watched the linework being drawn by the computer he said to
Dan I am told"I have never seen anything like it."Now ,I can not attest
to this but I would imagine that he said something like "this is the
kinda stuff we are doing over here"I say that because I have noticed
him and others taking credit for the work or ideas of mine.Taking
credit for anothers work is one thing but using information that you
provided him with so that he can say it back to you as if you are
hearing it for the first time in front of others he is trying to
impress is kinda pathetic.The fact is he was trying to say that I was
wrong about something.I explained it all to him again for the third
time as I had enlightened him about that which he was now throwing in
my face.I also pointed out that he had not changed something on the
plan yet..which I had mentioned previously.
Somebody who is your supervisor who did not know that there was a bend
at the streetline where 2 registered plans met.Someone who ..when it is
told to him that he picks up the two plans and says there is no bend
Frank.See...they both show the same bearing.Someone who ,when intrusted
with field crew money supplies his favourite fellow and Jim with the
equipment.Guess who is his favourite .I am referring to a microsurvey
program(I think that was the name of the program) I remember going to
Gerry and asking him why I wasn't getting the program too.He said of
course I was and that I should tell Dan.I can't believe I argued to get
this program which proved to be incompatable with our laptops.You would
think the purchaser (Dan) would check the hardware requirements first.I
remember complaining that I was tired of being treated like
Cinderella.I was getting all the hand me down equipment.I asked
personally for the HP 48 data collector that I have today with a
special request that when it comes...I get to open the box.This new one
would be mine.
That reminds me of how he liked to shop without discussing the shopping
list with my crew.The situation was that there were five field Party
Chiefs and Dan who was hired as a field Supervisor.It wasn't long
before they realized that I did not need supervision and jobs assigned
to our crew were assigned to me.He supervised or at least went with Jim
and D....Dan consulted with his crew and spent money alloted for field
for his desires.I remember getting this nice new motorcycle battery
after one of his shopping trips.I did not have a motorcycle so I
questioned what I should do with it.It was for the TOPCON instrument.It
was a whole lot heavier than the one that came with the TOPCON and it
had no handle as the original light compact handle did.I was stupid
because this was to sit on the ground beside the instrument and to be
connected with cables when the instument battery fails.I suggested that
the extra battery that I had which was identical to the one I have on
the instrument is much easier to use and that I will continue to use
it.
What is it with this guy?First they give me R.. and now Dan wants me
to drag this battery and cables around too.
The point is that I was not asked what it is that I needed for work.I
was not one for wasting City money.However there are those who abused
the system when they could.
So time passes and the big day comes when we move to 740 Don Mills
Road.Everybody is someone except the field staff.Do this, do that .Go
to the truck...get this.Go to the truck...get that.Some woman comes
along.Okay follow me now.I tried a little humour....she let me know
that it was not allowed ....or unheard of.
Then along comes Hans.I am the computer guy and I need to know what TFR
program I have.I said I wasn't sure.Don't you have a copy of each
persons inventory? Dan gave Jim and I a copy awhile back...asked us to
check them,which we did and I handed him the sheet back with additions
in pen or ink at the bottom.He photo copied it and gave me the copy.I
still have it.I first told Hans that perhaps I have the information up
in the truck but then corrected myself by saying ..no..wait a minute..I
think I have it at home.He said that he had forgot about it and needed
it today.I repeated that it is at home.I admit there was a possible
chance that it was in the truck but I had already had enough of the
arrogance and ignorance displayed that day.Disorganized or what?Jim was
there that day.In fact Jim told him that my program was basically the
same as the one that he had.Hans said.. that should be OK.
Some time later everybody is getting new computers.Jim got his .I said
OK....that is normal.Mine is coming.
Have you ever watched the TV program "Married With Children" Remember
the skit where Al Bundy is wondering where his supper is.He complains
that after all...he works all day.....she watches tv and eats bon
bons.To stop him from complaining she tells him that she has ordered
pizza.The scene ends with Al looking out the door window with an
anxious happy look on his face.
I can't remember how long I waited for that computer but that was my
fault.Nobody had said I was getting one.That was just a silly
assumption of mine.I did not find out that it was not coming until my
old laptop broke. Jim told me who I should take it to over at Consileum
Place. This guy was a little busy making a lunch date and whatever. He
did something and said there you go.I thanked him very much but
unfortunately it did not work. When I returned the next day he had
already had enough of me. He says....where are you working out of ? I
said Don Mills. He said ...take it there. But they can't hold on to an
inventory sheet. What will they do with my computer?
Well , Hans said" Maybe he could get a used one that was turned in for
the 2K."I did the Al Bundy thing again .I am not sure how long I
waited....one month...... two. They tried fixing the old one but said
it was trash. I asked for it back .I had my suspicions I am that type
of guy you know.
I took the computer to a repair shop in Newmarket where the fellow
fixed it on the spot in an hour. He said all it needed was Dos
6.1.There were considerable problems with the Dos 6 which was loaded on
the computer. The City did pick up the tab of $80.00.Then when I went
to load my programs back on the machine I discovered that I had no
licenses for Softdesk (Autocad) and TFRMAP.Imagine that Hans wasn't
aware that I was suppose to have them. Wasn't it he that Jim and I
talked to on moving day as I mentioned above?
When I questioned Dan he said "someone else needed it"
I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that the City computer
department was developing a program that would draw the linework as the
data was imported. It wouldn't be much of an acomplishment if the word
got out that I was already doing it. Me... a field guy with no computer
training. I think that I already said that. Me...a field guy with no
computer training.
Of course the technology was already being used by Softdesk (Autocad)
and Tripod Data Systems and most likely many more.
That is all for now about this.
I would like to suggest as I mentioned on Monday that procedures and
interpretations of the Survey laws are often interpreted from court
cases. It seems to be on the tip of everyones tongue that roads do not
have to be 66'.This is due I believe to a court decision on Yonge
Street.
The job I have on my desk....Job # 2003-1343 is a perfect example of
present day survey practices that results in conflict with our property
lines. I don't know of any Department with the City more qualified and
more responsible for the protection of city lands.
Highway Robbery
I am of the opinion that surveyors are of the belief that they have the
right to position the street lines as they wish. In fact
interpretations of the laws are and have been so many that a survey
today is most likely to add one more street line to the many available
for any one street line shown on a Registered Plan .This of course
changes the lot depths each time they are surveyed. I wonder how many
different opinions there are available. I suppose if someone has a
reason and the money to pay he could employ surveyors until he gets the
decision he wants .That is because the laws need to be cleared up. I am
sure the private companys would not be in favour of this due to
monetary reasons. After all it.....
Greases their palms
Contrary to an oil change which lasts for a few thousand miles or some
months ......a survey is ready right away for another surveyors
opinion.
I am suggesting that Job # 2003-1343 mentioned above is loaded with the
ammo that we need to present to the courts.. that we are on guard of
our properties which in turn is protecting the tax payers property.
After all ...home owner's rear property lines and street lines would
make waves if you were to animate the various lines run by stacking
them together and let the pages flip.
Imagine when property owners are asked where their property lines are
they would say" It was here for the last couple of weeks but I see
another survey group is in the area.....I will tell you when they are
through"
This case will set a precedence for the future .....effectively cutting
and reversing escalating costs of future surveys .I believe it to be
scandalous for the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors to allow all
the different interpretations of the subject Acts and Regulations to
continue. What right do they have to discipline when they can not
communicate to control the Ontario Land Surveyors to be of sound and
one mind. I was trained to believe that it did not matter which
Surveyor retraced a line that it would be fair and impartial to the
owners involved and I do respect that the eenie meenie minie moe
concept could be fair under the right guidelines but that would be
misinterpreted too.
I believe that the fair and impartial concept is to put the line or
corner back where it was originally with no favoritism to your client.
And above all, no favoritism to the Surveyor. That is to say that any
interpretation that does not include checking across the road for
Registered Plan road width can only be interpreted as a blatant
disseverance of the law. Are the roads ownerless? I think not? Then is
the street line a property line that must be given impartial status.
I will try to explain it this way. If you were attempting to establish
a Lost Corner for a lot line intersection with a street line... would
you not look for evidence of the original subdivision survey on both
sides of the lost corner. Of course you would. I think that there are
not too many surveyors who would disagree with this.
Put your hand down smarty. Let me explain it to the others. What if
there is a survey showing measurements that allow you to establish the
corner but when you check to evidence on either side that can be
related back to the original subdivision survey that it is inconsistent
with the intent of the survey as shown on the plan of subdivision ? You
would discard that garbage in favour of the best evidence..wouldn't
you?You would be impartial to the owners of the land and reestablish
the lost corner according to the laws of surveying right ?You would
then reestablish the street line behind the rear yard of the subject
corner in the same way that you reestablished this one so that you can
proportion in the rear line right ?
Wrong
I expect to hear that this is the accepted practice by many of
course.....and I say to you .....is that not the problem that I am
writing about?
Those who say that they surveyed and reestablished the Lost Corner
impartially with the concerns of all owners in mind I resound with a
loud Bull Shit.(is that one word or two.....it recently has become a
favourite of mine)
Those who did not measure across the road have not even considered the
rights of the street owner (owners).If the back line of a property must
be proportioned because the dimension disagrees with that which is
shown for the depth on the plan of subdivision I would think that the
obvious question that comes to mind is why?
Lost
corner
Would the rear corner of a lot when it is lost be considered a Lost
Corner as described above ?
I certainly think so.
So why was it not dealt with as the front corner was above ?
In so doing I believe that any person of common sense would see the
necessity to investigate the position of the rear Lost Corner in the
same manner they did for the front Lost Corner.I believe the impartial
Surveyor would begin looking at the possibility that one or both street
lines was not the original line that was established during the
original survey.
I personally do not know how you can determine the original position of
a street line without retracing the appropriate evidence on both sides
of the street.
How can you replace a Lost Corner with due regard for the ROAD width as
shown on the Registered Plan of Subdivision if you give it no regard
It is quite obvious SIMPLE AND CLEAR to me.
I believe that any concerned property owner would understand what I am
saying.
MAYBE THE OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY HAVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
They of course would like to know that they still own the land that was
intended to be conveyed to them as shown on the Registered Plan of
Subdivision. The exception of course is those lands affected by adverse
possession.
I do not believe that they would be interested to hear that the
surveyor felt that it was too much work to do it right.
I am thinking that the owner pays a lot for a survey that is not
necessary in the majority of cases but is being required by the bank
because the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors sold them a bill of
goods of the necessities of an Ontario Land Surveyor survey plan. He
surely thinks and assumes that he has paid enough for a correct survey.
Land registered in the Land Titles office is not subject to adverse
possession. A person buying a parcel of land is obviously happy with
what she or he sees.They have no reason to believe that it is fenced
incorrectly.
They should not be coerced nor frightened by The Association of Ontario
Land Surveyors.
The belief they like to promote is to see that you get Yours.
But the reality is that they are getting Yours
Especially when there are different interpretations of the laws.
Maybe the laws are written to keep lawyers in business and so on?
Copy to
Wally K
Bob M (sorry about the B last time)
Bruce B
Dan K
Pat S
Ron K