Discussions

Something I've been doing a lot of thinking on lately that it would be interesting to hear from others on.  
 
From time to time I'm sure most of us have had an issue we'd like to raise with our city councilor or staff of a particular department of the city... whether it's related to refuse collection, development planning, parking tickets or anything in between.  
 
What I'd like to know is how often you feel you are heard? Are there certain ways of raising issues that you find result in your issue getting addressed more efficiently (be it a more aggressive confrontational style or a more passive, understanding style)?  
 
Feel free to share stories that support your answer. Please try to stay away from using specific names... the intent of this discussion is to try to gain an understanding of the ways in which we communicate with with those that help operate the city we live in.