Computer Center

Yesterday the mayor's office received two computers and a printer
from USAID, via the Urban Institute's Local Government Reform Project
(LGRP). As I've posted before, LGRP is an excellent project working
to make government at the local level more transparent, efficient,
and responsive to the people. Hopefully, this effect will flow up to
the federal government, which is still often mired in its
bureaucratic ways (will tell a story about this later - better to
report on something after it happens than while a decision is still
up in the air).

After the computers were delivered yesterday, everyone was pretty
excited, but the office was situated in such a way that only 2 people
could really see the screens. I suggested changing the layout of the
desks and other furniture, but like most things that involve altering
the status quo here, it was met with pessimism, reluctance, and a mix
of antagonism and a secret desire to actually follow a good idea.
So, I did it anyway. This morning I came in early with one other
accountant and we changed most of the room around before everyone got
here. Once people saw we already started, the work was mostly done,
and that it actually was better, they started to help and make
suggestions. So, now the office has a much better Feng Shui and 4
people instead of 2 can use the computers. [The posed picture is the
old setup; the other photo is the new setup.]

It's funny - there's often such a resistance to change that people
really want. I suppose that's true everywhere, but definitely less
so in America. I've found the adage, "Better to beg forgiveness than
ask permission" a helpful motto.