Page 42 of My Rock Star Neighbor
Pommer replies, “Last month, and it had no effect?Yes, I will look into it.Yes, I am impressed you have my number.Howdidyou get my number?”
He listens and then says, “Yes, itisgood to have friends in high places.I will definitely look into it.”He hangs up and turns to me.“Sorry for the delay, but constituents have to come first.”
“As they should,” I say.He seemed thrilled to chat with that constituent.
“I’m Deputy Commissioner Pommer,” he says.
“I’m Maddie—”
“The girlfriend of Nick Devlin.I know whoyouare.”
He says that in such a patronizing tone.
And…here it is already.Someone is defining me because I’m dating Nick.I didn’t expect it to be so soon or from a government official.
I straighten in my chair.“I prefer to introduce myself as a reporter forThe Intelligencer.”And, hopefully soon, a city politics reporter.
He huffs.“I doubt that’s your preference, but let’s get this over with.What questions do you have for me?”He leans back in his chair.
“Based on my research, you’re spearheading an initiative for modernizing playgrounds.Can you tell me more about what’s going to change?”
He blinks.“How could you know that?Did Commissioner Johnson suggest discussing that topic?”
“No,” I say.“I saw you at the community board meeting for that district, and you left right after the playground matter was discussed.You put out a request for playground modernization proposals, and I read it.”
Take that.
“I see.You have done your research.”He steeples his fingers.“We’re working on a new playground.We’re coordinating with the Parks Department to make sure enough trees are planted so that there’s shade on the really hot summer days, and we’re also using this new type of playground surface that’s blue so that it doesn’t absorb heat like the black surface of old.”
“That sounds great,” I say.
“I think so.We’re celebrating our first park with this design at Eleanor Roosevelt Houses on January 25th,” he says.“You should come so you can see these innovations in person for the article.But then, maybe you already know, since your boyfriend is playing at that event.”
This is perfect.I don’t even need Nick’s official invitation.But still, it’s better to go as his date.
“I’d love to see it,” I say.“In fact, I’d love to write an article about these new playground initiatives.Would you be open to doing a follow-up article focused on that?”
“Definitely,” he says, seeming to soften towards me.“Here, this is a book I co-authored on this topic with a park designer.I suggest you read that first.”
“Will you inscribe it for me?”I ask.“I was also hoping I could get your signature on this history book about the first Infrastructure Department.”
He signs both books, adding a note that parks are the lifeblood of the city in his co-authored one.
“How come you didn’t join the Parks Department?”I ask.Parks Commissioner Pommer sounds good with the alliteration.
“I’m ashamed to admit that I only became deeply interested in parks and playgrounds after I had kids,” he says.
We discuss some other improvements they’re making, and then I bring the conversation back to repairs.He repeats what Ward said—that the stock is old and not always easy to repair and that it’s best done at the building level.
“And do you spot check the repairs?”
“When necessary,” he says.
Isn’t that the opposite of spot checking?
“How is that defined?”I ask.
“When there are an above average number of 411 complaints.”
