Citizen exercises right to petition the government, agency initiates investigation into citizen

Instapundit and 'thoughtsbysteve.blogspot.com' ^ | February 4, 2011 | Steve

[Swanks]

Kevin J. Lacy, a traffic engineer who works for NCDOT, is an a**ho** extraordinaire. When David N. Cox was exercising his right to petition the government, and submitted an 8 page document to support the North Raleigh Coalition of Homeowners' Associations case for more traffic lights to go with some new roadwork, Kevin Lacy whined to the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors to investigate David Cox.

Though Cox never claimed, nor has he been accused of claiming he is an engineer, Lacy thought the report "appears to be engineering-level work" by a non licensed person. So, in other words, the report was too good for a plain citizen to do, and for this he must be punished, apparently.

As a result of Lacy's petty jealousies, David Cox is being investigated, and his free speech is being trampled.

Links at: http://thoughtsbysteve.blogspot.com/2011/02/kevin-j-lacy-nc-state-traffic-engineer.html

And at: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/02/03/964781/citizen-activist-grates-on-state.html

[Swanks]

Feel need to contact?

Transportation Mobility and Safety Director Mr. Eugene Conti [Lacy's boss] State Traffic Engineer J. Kevin Lacy (919)773-2800

jklacy@ncdot.gov gconti@ncdot.gov

[ez]

So now you must be licensed by government to do “engineering?”

[sefarkas]

So now you must be licensed by government to do “engineering?”

Particularly in construction, the answer is yes. Search the term "professional engineering license"

[Swanks]

This citizen was not practicing. He was making his case on behalf of a group of citizens and apparently it was too thorough for the pencil necked Govt employee [and probably made him feel embarrassed]So he felt confident in filing investigative charges against said citizen.

[An Old Man]

"So now you must be licensed by government to do “engineering?”?"

Absolutely! Every state requires that Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors be licensed. Some even license a specialty known as Traffic Engineering.

[Texas Fossil]

Wonder if traffic engineer Kevin J. Lacy has any financial incentive to install more camera’s?

Would not be the first time.

[Vendome]

I can’t believe a person without the required “pedigree” would even attempt to use Calculus random or statistical probabilities.

FIFO

/S

[Fred Hayek]

Cox never claimed to be an engineer, he just put some good ideas down on paper. The logical course would be to have a licensed professional engineer follow up on it. Yet the response reads more like - how dare you even THINK, commoner peasant! By the same logic, I was never formally trained on programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) even though I have an electrical engineering degree. What I learned was by experience. Yet by this logic I am not qualified to work on PLC’s.
Yes, I am a licensed professional engineer, but I seek some of the design input from plant operators, construction trades people, and the like. These are people who have to live and work with the end product, and also see details that I might not otherwise see, due to their perspective. Does that diminish my professionalism? Heck, no! Yet I have run into some PE’s who are on a high horse (”I have a PE license, peon. You don’t know anything. Do as you’re told.”) Those kind I have found are amazing at construction sites, especially at generating complaints and greivances.

PE Electrical/Control Systems

[MileHi]

I reviewed mechanical plans for control specs. I am no PE but a good many PEs don't really understand controls.

It really got bad with all the “green and sustainable” nonsense. Some really ridiculous sequences started to show up. Some of the consultants took offense. The good ones do not, they are secure in their knowledge and experience.

[kaboom]

Traffic lights, not cameras.

[556x45]

In my, thankfully short, time in NC I can say this is completely typical of state employees. Well, the ones who aren’t too lazy to whine. In fact the entire place borders on worthless. The electorate seems happy w/ it all though. High taxes, low freedoms and a never ending parade of corrupt officials/police to prosecute. They have the govt they deserve.

[sefarkas]

The question posed was: do you need a license from the government to engineer? There is no license required to petition the government.

[GladesGuru]

Using Florida as an example, the citizen has the RIGHT, under the state constitution to “inform his public servants”.

Under the US Constitution there is that lil’ matter of the “petition the government” thingie.

The ‘crat was just being officious. Sue the bachelor’s child!

[Texas Fossil]

Sorry, I mis-read, wrong conclusion.

The “professional engineer” is still an idiot.

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

” . . . a never ending parade of corrupt officials/police to prosecute.”

At least they get prosecuted (and often convicted), unlike many states I could name where they get ignored until they reach retirement at age 50 and leave with handsome pensions, or double dip with a desk job while collecting their pensions too, until they drop dead.

Our property tax rate dropped by more than 1/2 when we moved here 22 years ago. I’m glad you’re doing better wherever you ended up.

Everyone gets the government they deserve... eventually if not immediately.

[556x45]

Yes, its good some are prosecuted and even wind up with jail time. Thats only some though. Whats bothersome is neither party learns anything. The pols/police feel they can do whatever they want and the electorate keeps enabling them. Seems a rather dull lot to me - a sort of dumb and dumber.

In my view NC isn’t low tax so you must have come from a hyper-regressive state. Glad you made it to ‘better’ ground...but its not that great by other comparisons.

[Swanks]

BTT

[Rocky]

Andrew L. Ritter, executive director of the engineers licensing board, said it will take three or four months to investigate Lacy's allegation against Cox. He said there is a potential for violation if DOT and the public were misled by "engineering-quality work"- even if the authors did not claim to be engineers.

This sounds like an abuse of power, and not just on Lacy's part. The licensing board is overstepping their bounds. Bunch of bureaucrats.

[Swanks]

Look what someone found, posted by the Bozo. Who the h**l writes like this? [Only those who can't work in private sector, and need to hide out in this case like dumps such as a D.O.T.] I swear.....

"Kevin became the Director of the Traffic Engineering & Safety Systems Branch in April 2004. Prior to this position, he managed the Traffic Safety Systems Section within the Branch. He worked his way up the organizational ladder from a temporary Engineering Aide which gives him a unique perspective to understand the details of the job duties related to Traffic Safety Analysis.

Kevin is the current President of the North Carolina Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (NCSITE). He has been very active in this professional organization through committees, councils, and work groups. He encourages his employees to get involved in their professional careers and in the future of transportation issues through participation in training courses, workshops, and conferences.

Through allowing his staff to participate in providing expert knowledge, analyses, and team involvement, he has been extremely supportive of the ongoing Transformation Management Team efforts. With his technical knowledge, excellent managerial and people skills, he is extremely marketable for positions outside the Department, and yet chooses to remain here and work for the citizens of North Carolina.

He exhibits a commitment to his employees and the NC motoring public through his accessibility by his personal cell phone, his willingness to participate in many hallway conversations, and his willingness to be in the Regional Traffic Engineer's office when needed."