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911ABLEioFCONTENTS

A Message from the General Manager 3Farewell from Ms. Bailey 4Division 10 Selected Division of the Month 5Service Uninterrupted Despite Toxic Spill 6Emissions Testing Facility Opens 7On the Transit Police Beat 8Attendance Outlook at the District 9Hologram Monthly Bus Pass Unveiled 10Operator and GHOST Keep the Peace 10Maintenance General Walks Away as Roadeo

Champs 11Reception for New Board Officers 12The Conscience of the RTD Board 14Shifting Gears 16Public Commendations 17Transit Police Rookies 18In Memoriam 19Finding a Few Good People Pays Off 20Employee Educational Opportunities 21Great American Smoke-Out, Once Again 21On the Rail All the Livelong Day

(and Weekends) 22Bicycles on Buses 23On the Line with Jess Diaz 24Schedule Changes 25Commendations 26Busing Tables Now 36Just for Being You 36Rules Apply to All 36Turkey Raffle on GAS Day 37

Just Married 37Births 37How Does Smoking Affect Your Heart? 38Letters to the Editor 39Employees Raise Funds for Tijuana Orphanage 39Review and Getaway Review 40Recreation 41

The Headwayis published by the Southern California Rapid TransitDistrict for the employees, retirees, and its friends everymonth. Headway is guided by a policy approved by theGeneral Manager and published in the Human ResourcesPolicy Manual. A copy is available on request.

Views and opinions contained herein do not necessarilyreflect official District policy.

The Headway welcomes contributions from RTDemployees and retirees—letters to the editor, story ideas,opinions, employee and staff activities, and other submis-sions. Deadline is the first day of the month for inclusion inthe following month. Submissions should be typed double-space and signed by the author or on disk using theWordstar 4 program. Opinion pieces and letters to theeditor should not be more than 500 words and should besubmitted on disk whenever possible. The editor reservesthe right to select, edit, and position all copy.

Stories may be reprinted with acknowledgment ofsource.

Editorial Office: Administration Building, 425 S. MainSt., Personnel Department, Second Floor, (213) 972-7165.

Printing Services Section Staff: Photo LithographieOperators—Rob Hartert and Ferrol Yeakle; Pressmen II—Pat Bates, Eliud Castellanos, Oscar Arzadon, RobertoArrivillaga; and Bindery Operators Il—Manny Alvarez, WaltBillingsley, and Luis Melendez.

Typesetting, design, and make-up: Scheduling andOperations Planning's Typesetting & Layout Section—Typesetting Supervisor Susan Chapman, Typesetting &Layout Operators Jean Williams, Michael Laichareonsup,Julie Ortiz, and Mark R. Haddon.

Editor: Mary E. ReynaBusiness Manager: Stacy TranContributing Editors: Sue Harvey, Cheryl Brown,

Mary Conforti and Luanna Urie.Member: International Association of Business Com-

municators and California Association of Public InformationOfficers.

The Headway is printed on recycled paper.

Neither the Headway nor the RTD endorses the productsor verifies the accuracy of the claims made in the advertis-ing, which has appeared, appears, and will appear on thepages of the Headway. The advertising is simply a rev-enue-generating measure. Further, we reserve the right toreject any objectionable ad.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 2

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A Message from the General Manager

Meeting Air QualityStandards Means Changes

for All of Us

As District employees,we've been proud of theRTD's role in helpingSouthern California reduceair pollution. Not only dowe provide the buses andtrains for some 1.3 millionpassengers each day, wealso are experimenting withmethanol-powered busesand other alternative fuels.

While all of that iscommendable, it's not nearlyenough to solve the problem.We're going to have to domore to meet the AirQuality ManagementDistrict (AQMD) goals forclean air. I mean that we asDistrict employees—individually—must changeour lifestyles to some extentto help bring the Districtinto compliance with AQMDstandards for commuting byautomobile.

A survey earlier thisyear showed that of theDistrict's 9,000 employees,only about 500 ride the busto work each day. And that

400 of those work atHeadquarters. Since all ofus have free bus passes,that's not a very goodrecord.

A survey at a typicaldivision one day last springshowed that 319 employeesarrived at work between 6a.m. and 10 am., theAQMD's critical commuterhours. Of the 319 employ-ees, 75 drove alone, only 11car-pooled, seven rode thebus, three bicycled, and onewalked to work.

According to theAQMD, the District shouldaverage 1.5 commuters forevery employee vehicle. Tomeet AQMD standards, wemust reduce the number ofemployee vehicles arrivingat each District location byroughly 30 per day. We're along way from reaching thatgoal.

lt is true, of course,that the RTD is in a uniquesituation when it comes tocommuting, because about70 percent of the employeesat divisions are operators,many of whom report towork at 4 am. in order toget the buses rolling. Car-pooling, taking the bus orriding the train is difficultfor these operators.

At the same time, manyother operators work laterhours, and about 30 percentof the employees at adivision are maintenance,clerical, and administrativepeople who have an oppor-tunity to find other ways toget to work.

This fall the Districtwill submit an updated airquality compliance plan to

the AQMD. The plan willoutline the steps that theRTD is taking to meetAQMD commuter stan-dards. These steps includeemphazing van- and car-pooling, using a commutermatch-up program, increas-ing use of flex-time schedul-ing, personalized busitineraries and other ideasto encourage use of masstransit by our employees.

Our goal is to get allRTD employees to partici-pate in these programs.This requires everyone'shelp, especially managerswho can develop new andcreative ways to reduce thenumber of daily trips toDistrict locations. Manag-ers must determine the bestcandidates for car-poolingand working flex-time.Managers must alsopropose changes that woulddiscourage auto use.

Employees need tocooperate in this importanteffort by giving theDistrict's various rideshareincentives, flex-time optionsand commuter programs achance. Changing yourdaily routine may seem likean effort, but the Districtwill do everything possibleto make it easy for you.

For example: If you'vebeen reluctant to partici-pate in a car-pool becauseyou sometimes work lateand might miss your ride,the Guaranteed Ride HomeProgram provides no-costtaxi service to van- and car-pool participants. Remem-ber, every division has aRideshare informationbooth and a specially

trained Employee Transpor-tation Coordinator, who canhelp plan your commute.

Our efforts to complywith AQMD regulations areworthwhile not only fromthe standpoint of improvingair quality in SouthernCalifornia. But if we fail tomeet our goals in reducingthe number of commutertrips each day, the AQMDcould impose harsh restric-tions on the District whichcould complicate your dailycommute and adverselyaffect your quality of life.

Alan F. PeggGeneral Manager

COLUMBUS DAY(Traditional) October 12(Observed) October 14

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 3

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A Farewell Messagefrom Ms. Bailey

I am both happy andsaddened to inform you thatmy career with the Districtcame to a close on Septem-ber 20, 1991.

Embarking on a newadventure, I accepted theposition of AssistantGeneral Manager for theRegional Transit District ofCleveland, Ohio, where Iam responsible for the Busand Light Rail Transporta-tion Division's operations,Maintenance Department,Facilities Maintenance,Maintenance Right of Way,and Management Informa-tion Systems Department.

I take this opportunityto thank each of my manyfriends and associates fortheir support and coopera-tion during my twentyyears at the District.Together we have sharedthe rewards as well as thetrials and tribulationsassociated with our indus-try. Through your dedi-cated efforts and teamwork,we have achieved ourcommon goals and objec-tives by providing safe,quality service to our busand rail patrons. Indeed,our progress in these areas

has helped to establish newstandards in the field oftransportation and achieve-ments we should be proudof.

Working my way upthrough the ranks hasafforded me a uniqueperspective of the transpor-tation industry. Through-out my career I have neverlost sight of, contact with,nor empathy for busoperators, the main "staple"of the District, for it is theywho execute and deliver thefinal service package to thepublic. I salute them andwill be eternally grateful fortheir dedication and hardwork.

To TransportationGeneral and all of Trans-portation staff, bothmanagement and clerical inthe divisions, controlcenters, the training centerand out in the supervisorialdistricts, your ability,dedication and accomplish-ments are unsurpassed.

I extend a special noteof thanks to the manydepartments and individu-als who have provided theircooperation and team spiritin support of the Transpor-tation Department.

I leave knowing thatthe transportation needs ofMetropolitan Los Angelesand its surroundingcommunities will be amplymet through the expansionof the District's bus and railoperations. I am confidentthat you will continue toprovide the vision necessaryto fulfill these needs intothe twenty-first century.

In the years to come, Iwill remember the fun and

successes we have shared. bid you all a fond farewell.In closing this chapter ofmy life, I wish you good

Leilia Baileyhealth and happiness and

Director of Transportation

IF YOU THINK YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO

PAY YOUR BILLS...

CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICE

OF LOS ANGELES

• A NON-PROFIT COMMUNITYSERVICE HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEM-SELVES SOLVE THEIR FINANCIALPROBLEMS• FREE BUDGET AND DEBT COUNSELING

CONTACT(213) 386-7601

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 4

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Getting their own flag made the day at Division 10 asTransport ation and Maintenance employees proudly hold upthe symbol of their hard work.

First On Board

Division 10 Selected as Division of the Month

buses and out-late assign-ments for June 1991, andthe number of bus-relatedcustomer complaints forJune 1991 as compared

from June of fiscal year1990 against figurescompiled in June of fiscalyear1991. The indicatorsincluded improvement of

against June 1990.Performance criteria for

the Equipment MaintenanceDepartment were based onperformance comparisonsbetween existing measures

miles between road calls,improvement of accessibleservice reliability, occupa-tional injuries per 100,000hours of exposure, improve-ment of coach cleanliness,

Division 10 received theDivision of the Monthaward for the month ofJuly 1991. The announce-ment was made byGeneral Manager AlanPegg and RTD BoardPresident Marvin Holenat a ceremony held at thedivision on August 28.

Holen and Peggpresented an award ofservice excellence toTransportation ManagerEarl Rollins and Equip-ment MaintenanceManager John McBryanand the employees theyrepresent.

A flag was unfurledby the employees which,underscoring theiraccomplishment, pro-claimed them as theoutstanding division. Theflag will fly for a monthon the division's flagpolebelow the flag of Califor-nia.

Selection of theDivision of the Month isbased on District-wideperformance comparisonsof criteria applicable toTransportation andMaintenance. For theTransportation Depart-ment, the scores wereranked by comparingexisting measures fromJune of fiscal year 1990against totals from Juneof fiscal year 1991. Theindicators includedabsenteeism, trafficaccident frequency rateper 100,000 hub miles forJune 1991, occupationalinjuries per 100,000 hoursof exposure for June 1991,the number of canceled

absenteeism, the number ofmaintenance-relatedcomplaints, and the numberof maintenance-related out-lates and cancellations.

Division 10's nomina-tion for July was based onits overall improvementsfor both the Transportationand Equipment Mainte-nance Departments'criteria. Transportation'ssignificant improvementswere for reducing absentee-ism, reduction in tripcancellations, and customercomplaints. EquipmentMaintenance improvementswere for significant reduc-tion in miles between roadcalls, occupational injuries,customer complaints, andlate and canceled mainte-nance. "These are no smallachievements when youconsider the high patron-age, inner-city lines thatare served by Division 10.Division 10's accomplish-ments are to be com-mended," said GeneralManager Alan Pegg.

John Byrd, raul divisionmanager, at far right, givesa welcoming handshake toRuss Gasser, third fromright, as the first five RedLine raul transit operationssupervisors reported fortraining in mid-August atDivision 20 on Santa Fe

Avenue at Fourth Street.Pictured from left to rightare: Nigel Philcox, GeraldHarper, Scott D. Duncan,Gasser, Arnold Gainey, andByrd. The five rau l TOScandidates are enteringtraining well in advance ofstartup of service of the RedLine, scheduled for 1993.

"These are no small achievements when you

consider the inner-city lines served by

Division 10."

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 5

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Service Uninterrupted Despite Toxic Spill

Everyday heroes after the Toxic Spill incident. Fromleft to right: TOS-VO Jeff Middleman, Senior TOS-VOLuis Alcantar, and TOS-VO Robert Alexander. Notpictured is TOS-VO Mary Wells.

A call came in to the Martin, W.R. Davis, Tom F.Dispatch Center at 9:00

Swann, Sandra Martinez,p.m. on July 9, 1991 that a B. Roseli, and B. Bennett.tanker-trailer truck had

Meanwhile back at thejack-knifed, and spilled its site, the Long Beach Policestore of acetone at the Department and Firecorner of Chester Place and

Department set up a

Loma Vista in Long Beach, command post at nearbyquite near Division 12. Drake Park. The Fire

TOS-VO Robert

Department directed allAlexander called it in. As RTD personnel fromsoon as the alert was Division 12 and residents insounded, Operations the Chester Place area to beControl Services personnel evacuated to Washingtonrealized the implications of

Jr. High School. Division

such a disaster. lt could

18 was on emergency stand-prove fatal to the commu- by to accept pull-in busesnity residents and Division that could not enter12 personnel, as well as

Division 12. The TOS's atcause interminable delay to the site were Robertservice and traffic. Immedi- Alexander, Luis Alcantar,ately, OCS staff members

Jeff Middleman, and Mary

Ed Blakely, Larry Blair, Wells. Alexander actuallyDavid Seelig, John J. Haie, entered Division 12 to bringand George Laun jumped in a bus out to help evacuateto assist. With these 5

the residents, whiledispatchers devoted to the

Alcantar handled communi-Long Beach situation, only 6 cations at the commanddispatchers were left to post. Wells remained onhandle the needs of the site at Division 12 redirect-whole RTD service area. ing RTD personnel awayThose dispatchers handling from the division when thetheir own area and covering shift change occurred andfor the others included: Middleman handled theLarry Cosner, Peter W. needs of the evacuees at theOCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 6

school. tant the job is. lt takes a lot"We had to notify the of effort to coordinate all the

Blue Line operations of the relief needed."situation," said Senior TOS- Senior TOS-Comm.Comm. Cosner. "Had the Cosner said it was good towind shifted we may have see the tight team work. "Ihad to shut down Blue Line didn't have to worry aboutservice."

the rest of the District. WeTransit Police units

had to take one radiowere sent to Division 12 to channel out, but everybodymaintain security and to else had to mind the store.Division 18 to control

I guess these are thetraffic. moments you live for. We

An all-clear was finally had a shift change in thegiven at 12:19 a.m. with middle of this thing and itmany RTD personnel all went like clockwork."working past their shift. Senior Owl TOS-VODespite the spill and the Luis Alcantar went to theextraordinary measures Command Post at Draketaken to preserve life and

Park and had offered RTD

property, only one bus for services for evacuation

Sounding the alert and coordinating personnel to commandthe situation, OCS personnel were thrilled to announce an"all clear" after midnight. Clockwise around the table:TOS-Comm. John J. Haie, Senior TOS-Comm. LarryCosner, and TOS-Comm. Edwin L. Blakely.

the next day roll-out purposes to the City of Longdeparted late (18 minutes

Beach. "The Long Beach

behind). Police Department jumpedSaid TOS Blakely at at the idea and we evacu-

the Dispatch Center, "That ated a 4-block area. Laterwas the first time I've dealt we heard that an apart-with an emergency of such ment had not been evacu-magnitude. I learned a lot ated so Robert Alexanderby watching my supervisorhandle it. lt gave me continued on Page 8

another idea of how impor-

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se WELCOME TO EITO'S Eft!,!!!CNS TESTING FACIL'T Frrce

Alternate Fuels Engineer Lauren Dunlap briefs reporterson the dynomometer's capability. The $2.7 milliondynamometer is able to simulate actual on-road conditionsTor any heavy-duty commercial vehicle or bus, givingvaluable emissions test data to fuel techniciansexperimenting with alternative fuels.

Warranty Equipment Mechanic Harvey Porter begins themulti-step task of hooking up an RTD bus to a chassisdynamometer, part of the new Emissions Testing Facility.

Emissions Testing Facility Opens

by Greg Davy, PressRelations Representative

Elected officials gatheredwith alternative fuelspecialists from around thestate August 28 to mark theofficial opening of RTD'snew Emissions TestingFacility, ushering in a newera of clean-air technologyin the southwestern UnitedStates.

The facility, whichfeatures state-of-the-artemissions testing equip-ment including a chassisdynamometer and gasanalyzers, is only thesecond of its kind in thenation. lt will be availableto serve not only theDistrict's fleet of 2,500buses, but all other busesand large commercialvehicles operating in thecountry's southwesternregion.

"With the introductionof this new facility, we aresending a message to

everyone who operateslarge commercial vehicles,especially in SouthernCalifornia," said RTD BoardPresident Marvin Holen.

"The message is thatwe are serious about takingthe necessary steps to helpclean up the air we andfuture generations willbreathe. The opening ofthis facility is another hugestep RTD is taking in itscontinuing role as a leaderin that effort," Holen said.

The facility wasinstalled in the shop at theCMF at a cost of $2.7million. The primarypurpose of the facility is totest the emissions of largecommercial heavy-dutyvehicles and buses todetermine if they are withinemissions standards set byregulatory agencies such asthe South Coast Air QualityManagement District(AQMD) and the State ofCalifornia Air ResourcesBoard (ARB).

• "This facility will assistRTD's alternative fuelsresearch in more ways thanone," said General ManagerAlan Pegg. "Not only will ithelp us to keep our ownvehicles within stateemissions regulations, butit also will assist RTD'salternative fuels section tofind the most cost-effectiveanfl efficient use of otheralternative fuels we aretesting."

The chassis dynamom-eter, designed by SchenckPegasus Corporation ofTroy, Michigan, is builtspecifically for the testingof single- and dual-axleheavy-duty trucks andbuses. A 600-horsepowerelectric motor provides thepower to simulate variousdriving conditions withvarying loads.

The driving cycle of thevehicle can be programmedinto the dynamometer'scomputer memory. Lengthand speed of the trip,acceleration rate, decelera-tion, and cruising speed can

be "personalized" for anyvehicle to simulate itsactual road conditions asaccurately as possible.

A typical emissions testcan last from 20 minutes upto two hours, depending onthe cycle programmed forthe vehicle. Tests areusually repeated three tofive times to ensure thattest data is valid. Acomplete evaluation isnormally done in three toLive days.

The dynamometer'scomputer provides compari-son graphs and charts ofmultiple test measuringsuch indicators as fueltemperature and consump-tion rate, as well as vehicleoperating parameters suchas road speed and powerrequirements.

The Emissions TestingFacility is available forcontract services startingthis month, Pegg said.

The District also has

continued on page 8

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 7

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On the Transit Police Beatby Sharon Papa, TransitPolice Chief

I'd like to take a moment toupdate you, my co-workers,on the activities of theTransit Police Department.Since being appointedTransit Police Chief inJanuary, 1990, manyexciting new programs havebeen implemented. TheDepartment has grown toalmost 200 officers. Ourpolice cars have beenpainted black and white toallow quick identificationamong other vehicles on thestreet. Employee crimeprevention programs havebeen implemented.

A high visibilityuniformed task force alsohas been riding buses intargeted service areas. Rapsessions have been con-ducted at all operatingdivisions to assist us inidentifying those bus lineswhich should receive extraattention. This program isongoing with follow-upmeetings scheduled throughthe year.

Teams of officers alsohave been assigned to footpatrols in downtown LosAngeles, the San FernandoValley and East LosAngeles. These officerstarget illegal activity

occurring at bus stops. Ourgraffiti task force has beenexpanded and continues towork in an undercovercapacity. Numerous arrestsof vandals occur on aweekly basis, thanks to thecooperation of our busoperators who continuallykeep us informed of the"hot spots."

For example, footpatrols by uniformedTransit Police Officers inthe San Fernand° Valley,implemented last March,have resulted in the arrestof 179 individuals forcrimes ranging fromdrinking in public, narcoticviolations and robbery, tovandalism and fare evasion.Transit Police Officerspatrolled an area along VanNuys Boulevard in a stretchbetween Oxnard Street andSherman Way in the mainbusiness section of VanNuys. The officers con-ducted their patrols in asporadic and intermittentfashion without priorwarning.

Our presence in thevalley and elsewhere hasbeen welcomed by mer-chants and bus patronsalike and we will continueour highly successfultransit police presence. Infact, in August we imple-mented a sub-station detailof transit police officers inthe Sun Valley area atDivision 15. The purpose ofthe unit is to maintain ahigh visibility, create andestablish a better rapportwith the bus operators andprovide a safer journey forthe passengers who dependgreatly upon our buses fortransporting them to andfrom work.

The most common

question I am often asked iswhy we don't have moreofficers, considering thelarge number of buses onthe streets. I am happy toreport that the RTD Boardof Directors recentlyauthorized an additional 50positions to be filled duringthe upcoming year. Thoseof you who have friends orrelatives interested in a lawenforcement career shouldencourage them to apply.

My staff will also be

volunteered to go intoDivision 12 and pull out abus to drive the evacuees tothe holding site. We werelucky that there were nomajor health mishaps. Ithink it was largely due tothe close relationshipbetween Communicationsand Vehicle Operations," hesaid.

TOS-VO Mary Wellsadmitted the situation wasalarming. "lt was devastat-ing. You could smell thechemicals in the air. Hadthe wind shifted we wouldhave all been in realtrouble. I got there at 9:30

Emissions Testingordered an engine dyna-mometer, to be installed inlate 1992, that will comple-ment the chassis dynamom-eter. Whereas the chassisdynamometer performstests on an engine installedon a vehicle in "real-world"conditions, the enginedynamometer performs thetests on a stand-aloneengine only, in accordancewith federal regulations.

"When an engine isbuilt, it must meet certainfederal emissions regula-

developing a survey togather RTD employee inputand identify areas ofconcern to you. Ourdepartment's mission is toprotect employees, passen-gers and properties ownedor operated by the District.We take that responsibilityseriously and we arecommitting all of ouravailable resources to fulfillour mission,

and stayed until midnight."lt was Wells' scheduled offday and her shift hadstarted at 3:00 p.m. the daybefore.

"I worked at the backgate to Division 12," saidWells, "redirecting opera-tors and maintenanceemployees telling them thearea was off limits. I thinkthe real recognition goes toRobert Alexander. He wasjust going off duty went ithappened. Then he riskedhis own life going into thedivision to bring out a busthat would carry others tosafety."

Toxic Spill continued from page 6

continued from page 7

tions," Pegg explained."But the conditions underwhich the engine is actuallyused differ greatly fromuser to user.

"That is why data fromboth kinds of tests are veryuseful to our engineers.The goal is to compare testresults from the chassisdynamometer and theengine dynamometer toensure that emissions fromin-service buses are withinfederal guidelines."

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 8

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Assistant General Manager-Equipment & Facilities John

Richeson presented to Chief Sharon Papa and the TransitPolice Department a plaque commending the Transit PoliceOfficers for the nzost improved attendance rate for a largedepartnzent.

Attendance Outlook at the DistrictThis past summer thedepartmental report cardson attendance for fiscalyear 1991 came out in atabular printout entitledthe "Departmental Man-power Availability Perfor-mance Report."

According to JohnRicheson, Assistant Gen-eral Manager - Equipmentand Facilities also, chair ofthe District's AttendanceCommittee, while thescores show a healthyimprovement, somedepartment's rates havestabilized with no move-ment either up or down.For that reason, amongothers, the AttendanceCommittee has reconvenedto learn what some depart-ments have done to achievesuccess and whether thestrategies used can beapplied to other depart-ments.

Those departmentswith the greatest improve-ment included the Office ofManagement & Budgetwhich showed a 52 percentdecrease in absenteeism,the District Secretary'soffice with a 46 percentreduction, the TransitPolice Department with a27 percent reduction,Planning with 26 percent,OCPM with 24 percent,Human Resources with 19

percent, Accounting andFiscal with 18 percent,Marketing and Communica-tions with 17 percent,Facilities Maintenance with13 percent, Facilities

Engineering with 13percent, and TransitSystems Development with9 percent.

Because the District'slabor costs amount toapproximately 55 percent of

its operating budget, it iscritical that the Districtmanage its personnel in themost efficient, cost-effectivemanner. Indeed, such wasthe goal stated in theDistrict's 246-page FY1991 Annual Budget report.

In 1986, the Atten-dance Committee was firstset up to resolve anyproblems outstanding fromimplementation of theHRMIS reporting system."Some departments didn't

feel it was good data, othershad some difficulties with itregarding union contractstipulations. The datawasn't interpreted so thecommittee went through amajor exercise to insurethat the data would be anaccurate reflection ofunavailability of employ-ees," said Richeson.

During 1990, theDistrict showed greatimprovement with absen-teeism reduction and thecommittee disbanded. "Butnow we are seeing aplateau," said Richeson,"and in some areas there is

some regression." Somedepartments reported a 3-day unavailability ratewhich Richeson stated wasa terrific rate because theCounty considered a 6-dayunavailability rate to be areasonable rate. The ratemeans that the averageemployee is unavailable forwork only 3 days a year, orat the County only 6 days ayear. "Getting below 6 andas low as 3 was a goodtarget," said Richeson.

Paramount, saidRicheson, is the directdollar correlation associatedwith every day that anemployee is missing fromwork. "You need morepeople to cover for thatabsent employee, you needmore money for overtimewith any unscheduledleave. Simply lowering theunavailability or absentee-ism rate from 6 days to 5days a year results in aquarter million dollarsdifference," he said.

Fares have not beenraised since 1988 and withthe current inflation rate

the $1.10 fare has thebuying power of only 98cents. "Federal dollarshaven't increased either.We are in a condition nowof absorbing more railoperations without addi-tional funding earmarkedfor raul operation in 1993.Clearly, the way to proceedin these hard years is to tryto keep ourselves competi-tive and cost-effective in atough financial time."

Richeson identified the3-day unavailability rate asthe goal to meet in order tosave money and, ultimately,jobs.

"We want to know whatwe can do in terms ofincentives to get off theplateau. Continuing onwith reductions requiresnew innovations, perhapsrewards, or an employee'sattendance record becomingan integral part of asupervisor's performanceevaluation. We are defi-nitely looking for some newstandards and measures,"he said.

Because the TransitPolice Department experi-enced the greatest atten-dance improvement in alarge department, ChiefSharon Papa was invited tothe August 27 AttendanceCommittee meeting whereshe and the officers sherepresents were recognizedfor her department'sachievement and invited toshare with the committeetheir strategy. "Thiscommittee was infamous fortaking people behind thewoodshed when attendancewas a problem," said

...continued on page 13

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 9

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High Tech HologramMonthly Bus PassUnveiled

Operator and GHOSTKeep the Peace

by Rick Jager, PressRelations Representative

New state-of-the-art, anti-counterfeit monthly buspasses were introduced toRTD patrons last monthutilizing holographictechnology so advanced thatit makes duplicationimpossible and counterfeit-ing extremely difficult,announced RTD GeneralManager Man F. Pegg.

"Holographic technol-ogy has advanced to thestage where high quantitiesof large format hologramscan now be produced atrelatively low cost," saidPegg.

The new monthlypasses feature the entireface of the pass as aholographic image. Lastmonth's version featured alarge RTD logo, the passmonth and fare valuefloating in front of numer-ous small RTD logos.

Once agreements arefinalized, future monthlypasses may feature imagesof high quality commercialproducts or services, locallandmarks or amusementattractions.

"RTD stands to gainfrom the association withhigh quality name brandproducts, services, person-alities and attractions,"said Pegg. "The Districtwill also benefit from thistie-in partner in helpingdefray the costs of produc-ing the monthly pass."

For the past two years,RTD montbly passesfeatured a smaller holo-

graphic image bonded tothe surface of a regularpass card. The distinctivehologram made counterfeit-ing difficult. However,despite District efforts,counterfeiters finallysucceeded in fashioningcopies sophisticated enoughto occasionally fool opera-tors.

A committee wasformed consisting ofrepresentatives fromTransportation, TransitPolice, Customer Relationsand OCPM to investigatevarious alternative designs.Their efforts lead to thedevelopment of a full-facedhologram pass in conjunc-tion with the District'svendor, Chroma Concepts.

"What is unique andexciting about this newmonthly pass is that theface of the pass can changeevery month, yet stillremain distinctive," saidPegg. "We believe passen-gers will enjoy the variousholograms planned forfuture passes and thatcounterfeit efforts can besubstantially reduced."

EAPlt Worksand they

care!You aren't

in ltall alone

Cal 1:(800) 221-0942

or(714) 978-7915

by Lorene Yanuzzi, Division3208

Danny Garcia, an RTD busoperator for 16 years,helped to alleviate majorproblems encountered onhis bus with over 40 highschool students from twodifferent schools on his Line420 trip.

"Since the summersession began, it seemedthe kids were getting moreand more rowdy," he said."They were lighting fire-crackers on the bus,spitting on passengers,using profanity and writingon the bus with markers,"Danny said.

"lt was getting to be toomuch for my regular riders.The passengers kept askingme to do something becausethey just couldn't take itanymore."

So one morning hedecided to write a miscella-neous report and gave it tothe TOS on duty at 5:00a.m. That same morning,his miscellaneous reportwas faxed to the TransitPolice Department and thatafternoon he had anundercover "GHOST Team"(Graffiti Habitual Offend-ers Supression Team)riding his bus. There wasalso an unmarked unitfollowing the bus. AtLankershim and Vineland,the Radio Dispatch con-tacted him and told himthere would be an under-cover officer boarding hisbus, but not to acknowledgehim.

He proceeded enrouteon time. The high schoolstudents continued tobehave in an unruly

fashion. When Dannyreached his stop at VanNuys and Hamlin, theofficer said, "We're arrest-ing 4 kids from your busand 2 from your follower."Everyone on the busapplauded and thanked theOperator for followingthrough to the end.

Thanks also goes toDivision Manager RonReedy, Assistant ManagerDan Frawley, TOS DaveCollins, Senior InstructorJim LaPatka, the dis-patcher involved, andespecially our TransitPolice assigned to the"GHOST Team" in the SanFernando Valley. Dannysaid, "The Transit PoliceGHOST Team was justsuper! They really hadtheir act together. Theywere very professional,organized, thorough and itwas a pleasure having themaround. They caught thesekids red-handed vandaliz-ing the bus. Now, this putsother kids on notice thatsomething is going to bedone and that the buses aresafe to ride again. I havereceiv,ed a million `ThankYou's from my regularpassengers for this actiontaken and I would like topass them on to everyonewho took part in this."

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 10

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The proud first-place winners show off their plaques knowing they beat the best. From leftto right: Quality Ass urance Manager Michael Stange, General Manager Alan Pegg, BrianMarkey, Dale Sutherland, Harvey Porter, and Director of Equipment Maintenance RichDavis.

DEM MAERICANCANCERSOCIETY'

PRESCRIPTION

NAME: AGE:

ADDRESS: 2;6,-244- rief" f:0-11-24:- //- 1-- ‘7

27Jke

JOIN THEGREAT AMERICANSMOKEOUTand show yourselfthat quitting is possible.

DISPENSE AS WRITTEN No 5667

Dr.

Maintenance General WalksAway as Roadeo Champ

The 1991 Annual Transpor-tation and MaintenanceBus Roadeo was held July13 and a 3-man team fromthe Quality Assurance/Alternate Fuels Shops ofMaintenance took firstplace with a score of 695points.

The first place winnerswere Brian Markey ofQuality Assurance, HarveyPorter of Alternate Fuels,and Dale Sutherland ofAlternate Fuels. Each teammember won $1000 and hadthe opportunity to repre-sent the District at theInternational Bus Roadeo inChicago held August 16-18.

On August 3 theDistrict held a banquet atthe Velvet Turtle restau-rant in Arcadia to recognizethe roadeo participants andwinners.

The second-placewinners included SalvatoreBottancino from the CMF,Javier Castro from theCMF, and Charles Judsonfrom Quality Assurance.Each team member won$750.

Division 18 mechanicstook the third-place prize.The team was composed ofRichard Leavitt, LukeLogan, and Manuel Rojas.Each team member won$500.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 11

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Board President Marvin Holen, City Council President John Ferraro, Transit Police Lt.Elston Burttley, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Armando Carrillo, and MaterialsManager Ted Montoya relax at the reception.

Reception for New Board OfficersA late afternoon receptionwas held August 15 at theCMF to introduce govern-ment officials to RTD's newBoard President MarvinHolen and Vice PresidentCharles Storing.

Federal and localgovernment officials,officers, and their represen-tatives came to meet or paytheir respects to the newRTD officers. Some of theguests included the DeputySecretary of Housing andTransportation Jan Hall,representing Governor PeteWilson; President of the LosAngeles City Council JohnFerraro; AssemblywomanTeresa Hughes; formerSpeaker Pro Tem of theAssembly Mike Roos; CathySalazar, vice mayor ofMontebello, Neil Peterson,and representatives of U.S.Congressman GlennAnderson, State SenatorDiane Watson, Assembly-man Xavier Becerra, andCounty Supervisor EdmundEdelman.

Following remarks byHolen and Storing, theattendees were invited to atour of the CMF .

Senior Community Rela-tions Representative NellSoto (left) and LocalGovernment and C0177 771U-

nity Relations DirectorManny Hernandez (right)listen to fornzer Speaker ProTenz of the Assembly MikeRoos as he explains why hedidn't take the bus to thereception.

Board President Marvin

Holen (left) chats withPresident of the Los Angeles

City Council John Ferraroand former Director ofTransport ation LeiliaBailey

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 12

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Assemblywoman Teresa Hughes (left) meets Deputy Secre-tary of Housing and Transportation Jan Hall (former RTDBoard .President) and RTD Board President Maruin Holen.

Ready to guide the throngs of gouernment officials on CMFtours were RTD's hosts, from left to right: EMS LarryBates, Equipment Mai ntenance Director Rich Davis, SeniorEMS John Peters, Senior EMS Hal Stuben, ProductionManager Daue Lane, and Senior EMS Ruben Goytia.

CONSUMER CREDITCOUNSELING SERVICES

CALIFORNIA OFFICES

Los Angeles (213) 386-7601

East Bay (Oakland) (415) 832-7555

Fresno (209) 233-6221

Inland Empire (714) 781-0114

Kern County (805) 324-9628

North Valley (Redding) .. (916) 244-9626

Sacramento (916) 444-0740

Orange County (714) 547-8281

San Diego (619) 224-2922

San Francisco (415) 788-0288

Santa Clara Valley (408) 988-7881

Sonoma and Marin (707) 527-9221

Mid Counties (Stockton) (209) 464-8319

Twin Cities (Marysville) . (916) 743-1785

Ventura County (805) 644-1500

Attendance ... continued from page 9

Richeson. "Now that wehave en,joyed some successand are looking to be betterit is important to recognizethe efforts of departmentslike the Transit Police."

Chief Papa attributedthe Transit PoliceDepartment's improvementto tying attendance in toPay-for-Performance, peerpressure, and calling

employees back when they

call in sick. "Because theofficers work virtuallywithout supervision we setgoals such as walkingthrough 5,000 buses amonth. If met, it meant aone percent increase. ltworked and worked wellbecause the officers policedthemselves," said Papa.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 13

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President of the Los Angeles City Council John Ferraroattended a special reception to meet the RTD Board Officers.As the new vice president of the Board, Storing had theopportunity to chat with Ferraro.

The Conscience of the RTD BoardWhen Jan Hall, then a CityCouncilwoman from LongBeach and now GovernorPete Wilson's DeputySecretary of Housing andTransportation, presidedover the RTD Board shedeclared RTD BoardDirector Charles Storing,62, to be the "conscience ofthe Board." Storing, theplain-speaking and flintynew RTD Board vice-president who believes thenastiest name you can callanyone is a politician,rather liked that descrip-tion.

"I liked that because Iteil them exactly what Ithink in no uncertain termsand they know where I'mcoming from," said the 15-year Board veteran.Storing, a resident of theCity of La Puente and one ofits City councilmen for thelast 28 years is now servinghis ninth term as mayor ofhis city.

A long-time survivor ofthe political life, Storingstill does not like to con-sider himself a politician."Maybe I'm a citizen-politician. I believe that ifyou are elected to representpeople you should certainlybe available to the peopleyou represent. Youshouldn't be inaccessible orbeyond their reach which isthe case with most electedofficials—you can neverfind them."

Although Storing isofficially retired from hisformer position as generalmanager of an automotiveparts manufacturingcompany, his civic involve-ment keeps him busier thanever. "I try to make it apoint to be here [Office of

the Mayor] every afternoonso that I'm available topeople. So between thisand the RTD...why itdoesn't leave much sparetime," said Storing.

When it comes to hisconstituents, Storing wantsthem to remember him as aman that could get it donefor them. He is alsosensitive to the variety ofproblems and concerns theymay have reason to bring tohim. "These people maynot know where to go orwhat to do, so I'm available.

call up my assembly-man, congressman, or statesenator and get action forthese people, otherwisethey'd be drowned in a seaof bureaucracy."

Storing teils the peoplehe serves they've got tostand up on their hind feetand scream, then they'll gettaken care of, but onlybecause they are a nui-

sance. lt is a manner thatmatches Storing's own styleof operating. "The firsttime I deal with a bureau-cracy I try to be a gentle-man, but I know it isn'tgoing to work. So, thesecond time I get mean andnasty. I have no patiencewith bullies. These peoplejust don't get it. Theywould not have jobs if itweren't for the public. Theyact like almighty God and Ican't stand that."

RTD Service

"On the whole I thinkmost RTD drivers treat ourcustomers right, but we'vegot some real dogs outthere," said Storing.

When judging the RTD,Storing concedes theDistrict has a lot of theelements of the typicalbureaucracy. "This is trueof any large organization,

you are always going tohave a lot of bad apples inthe barrel. You've gotdrivers that treat peoplelike dogs. I've been out onthe buses and seen it. Andwe have people in CustomerRelations that get verysalty with people." Storingrides the bus lines in theSan Gabriel Valley inter-mittently to check thequality of RTD service.When he experiencessomething or someone hefeels is not up to hisstandards he will call upAssistant General Managerof Operations Art Leahyand give him line and badgenumbers. "I don't know whyit is public employees can'tunderstand that they servethe people. Sure, folkscome in here and jump allover me but I don't startscreaming back at thembecause that goes with theterritory."

Storing feels thatmembers of the publicmerely want someone tolisten to them, to give thema sympathetic ear. "Theymay be 100 percent wrongbut you don't teil them that.You're hired to serve them,

Storing addresses a groupof federal and localgovernment officials at theCMF.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 14

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no matter how obnoxiousthey get. I think the secretto my longevity in office isdue to the fact that I don'tbrowbeat people." Hecredits his experience atWhittier College where asan undergraduate helearned the virtues ofpatience and perseverancewhen studying for theministry.

He changed his mindabout becoming a clericwhen he discovered thatliberals in theology werepopular. "I always had thephilosophy that whenpeople came to church, youtold them what they needed

rat her like to believe that

1 am the conscience of the

RTD Board of Directors."

to hear, not what theywanted to hear and thatdidn't go over too well."

On Reorganization

Without hesitationStoring will teil you that hedoes not favor a singleorganization consolidatingthe Los Angeles CountyTransportation Commissionand the RTD. "I personallydon't believe in consolidat-ing the two organizationsinto one monolithic beast."

"If you go back and look

at the legislation thatcreated the RTD and theLACTC the duties arepretty well spelled out. TheLACTC, however, hasseriously imposed on theRTD responsibilities.They're supposed to be aplanning agency and aconduit for funding, that'stheir primary obligation.The duties of each have tobe set in cement so there isno doubt about who is incharge of what and that theturf wars stop."

"To me there's nothingworse than having anagency that controls thefunding handle every otheroperation that is dependenton that funding. In otherwords they would bepolicing themselves andthat simply doesn't work."

His worst fear, Storingsaid, would be the forma-tion of a single agencybecause of the concentra-tion of power that wouldaccrue to one person. "Youare going to have an all-powerful transportationczar. We don't need czarsin any field because thenyou have one man callingall the shots."

By consolidating theagencies into a singleinstitution, Storing fearsthat the cities now claimingsix seats on the jointLACTC-RTD Board wouldlose their representation."Cities would probably windup with three seats at themost and everybody knowsthat one of the seats wouldbe from Long Beach andone would be from LosAngeles, what's that givethe other 86 cities in thecounty?"

"I think we have a goodsystem now, we just need

some clarification. Butpolitics always gets in theway. The Mayor of LosAngeles and the Board ofSupervisors have beenguilty of meddling con-stantly. Critical issuescome before this Board andthe Mayor twists the armsof his appointees and theBoard of Supervisors does9-ie same thing and theregoes the ball game. Theyoutnumber us on bothboards, that's how theTransit Police lost out onproviding security for theBlue Line."

RTD Transit Police

An ardent and vocalsupporter of the RTDTransit Police, Storing haslong favored that theDistrict's Finest be allowedto carry weapons when offduty and that they shouldbe enforcement personnelproviding security for allDistrict operations includ-ing rau.

"Of course they shouldprovide security for our raillines that's what we havethem for, to take care of ouroperational obligations.

Charles Storing at work inhis office at the City Hall inLa Puente.

And then we turn aroundand give it to the SheriffsDepartment," he said withunconcealed frustration.

"That's how politicskeeps coming into this andthe Mayor constantly talksabout independent commis-sions regarding the RodneyKing thing and the PoliceCommission. He doesn'tbelieve that anymore thanthat there are men in themoon because if he did hewouldn't be twisting thearms of his appointees onthe RTD Board as often ashe does."

Transportation in theSan Gabriel Valley

Storing complains thatvery little of transportationplanning for the next threedecades benefits the SanGabriel Valley in anysubstantial way.

"Everything seems togo to the San FernandoValley. It's political clout.San Fernando has Katz andRobbins, who have we gotout here that has any cloutin Sacramento that anyonelistens to? We've got routesout here. Good God!Southern Pacific runs rightdown through here parallelto Valley Blvd. Why theycouldn't run a commuterfrom Los Angeles toPomona is beyond me.We've got Union Pacificfurther south that runsparallel to the PomonaFreeway. lt could be usedas a commuter line too. Weonly talk about commuterlines to the San FernandoValley, to Pasadena, or toSan Bernardino via way

...Continued on page 16

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 15

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Tsu,ji, John Y, began withthe District on April 23,1976, retired as a Mechanic"A" on June 18, 1991,

Washington, A V, beganwith the District on June17, 1967, retired as a BusOperator on July 31, 1991.

The Conscience of the Board...continued from page 15 bunch of people on that."

north of here to the 210Freeway. What good doesthat do for the San GabrielValley?"

Foothill Transit

Foothill Transit hasrecently acquired the 480line and will acquire the482, and 486 lines some-time towards the end of thisyear. The District will onlyoffer service on the 484 linerunning down Valley Blvd.in the San Gabriel Valleyfollowing these acquisitionsby Foothill Transit. Foot-hill Transit is a privatizeddemonstration projectoperating within the SanGabriel Valley TransitZone.

Storing has long beenperplexed by the Zone'sdefinition of privatization."I can't accept this businessthat transit zones areprivatization. All the busesout here were purchasedwith a federal grant, theiroperating costs are paidfrom Proposition A money.Where in hell isprivatization? Because theythey happen to contractwith a private bus com-pany, does that make itprivatization when themoney to pay for thatcontract comes fromtaxpayers' dollars? OldPete Schabarum sure sold a

RTD as the ModelOperator

Storing's vision of themodel operator is a serviceorganization that can domore for the elderly,disabled, and students. "ltwould be nice if we could goback to the 50-cent fare.Most people don't realizehow many people there arethat have no transportationother than public transpor-tation. If you are trying tostruggle by on a minimumwage income you can't evenafford public transporta-tion. lt would be nice if wecould offer our patronswhat the city of Commerceis able to offer its citizens.Because they own their ownsystem every resident canride free."

"We could do that, thewhole country could do thatif we pumped the moneyback into our own economythat we are shippingoverseas. We could takecare of the homeless andoffer transportation at acost next to nothing.There's so many things wecould do. I'm one of thoseguys that believes charitybegins at home."

Charles H. Storing, RTD Board of Directors vice president;and Evy Hernandez, tickets and reports clerk, issue a publicreminder that the RTD Customer Service Center in ElMonte Terminal provides and excellent pla.ce for SanGabriel Valley and nearby residents to purchase monthlypasses, ticket books and obtain schedules and brochures.Ms. Hernandez, an 18-year RTD employee, has worked atEl Monte for the past five years.

ShiftingGearsBlake, Robert D, beganwith the District on July28, 1966, retired as a BusOperator on August 1,1991.

Evanston, Willard, beganwith the District on Febru-ary 2, 1967, retired as aMechanic "A" on August 3,1991.

Frank, John N, beganwith the District on August10, 1968, retired as a BusOperator on August 17,1991.

Sidney, Meredith C,began with the District onAugust 3, 1968, retired as aBus Operator on August 5,1991.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 16

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OMMENDATIONS

Thanks for a Job Well

Done!

Division 3201Andrews, Derald L.Reeves, Loraine

Division 3203Luna, David H.Martin, Dwight M.

Division 3205Bledsoe, CharleneDorn, Wilbert K.

Division 3207Garcia, Manuel R.Gonzales, Kari L.Lanoix, Alfreda E.Martell, Joe M.Reguero, JoseWright, James C.

Division 3208Burton, W. H.Parker, Pamela E.

Division 3210Kelly, Willie J.Kendricks, Shirley L.

Motley, Carl L.

Division 3212Carter, LavernSelsky, Richard B.

Division 3215Flores, Lucy A.Milton, TimothyRobinson, Frank E.

Division 3216Blackston, James L.

Division 3218Creer, RonaldEvangelista, OctavioLee, ElbertaMelgar, Rafael AntonioPeterson, John A.Steppes, Charles L.

Department 1600(Telephone Information)Raines, Aleta

•Dear RTD:I would be remiss and

derelict in my responsibili-ties as a caring citizen If Idid not make special not ofDerald Andrews. Not onlydoes this young man displayunique and intelligentinsight in his ability to callout every street and all thenumerous connecting lines,but his kindness to the buspatrons defies the fact thathe has been with yourcompany now for some 10years! There should be noheights that this younggentleman cannot attainwithin your organization—or for that matter, anywhereelse! Thank you and thankhim also.

Respectfully,

Stephen L. Liddell

Dear RTD:Today on August 5th I

was traveling west onVentura Boulevard by bus.

The driver, Pamela Parker,was the most considerateperson I have seen in a longtime. She didn't start herbus until the senior citizenshad a seat. She requestedthat "a younger personplease offer a senior citizena seat." Also, she called outevery street where shewould be stopping. Also,she would not stop whensome recognized "gangbusters" wanted to ride herbus. Perhaps this is notRTD reg-ulations, but shewas experienced in this typeof unruly passenger andconsidered her other riders.Many of us (passengers)remarked about her consid-eration. She deservesrecognition.

Sincerely,

Anne KaneP. S. I ride the RTD

every day

Dear RTD:Due to unforeseen

circumstances, I had to takea trip from West LA to GoodSamaritan Hospital. I amdisabled, so I sat near thefront of the bus.

As I listened to thedriver answer questions, hewas so patient, and so kind(answering my questions tooas the system has changedsince I last rode.) I couldnot but help remark that Ihad never run across such acourteous driver. He isJames C. Wright.

The ride is terribly long

and tedious, but nothingfazed him. I just had towrite and mention this toyou. He is deserving ofpraise. Thanks for listen-ing.

Sincerely,

Sallie I. AlbertP.S. Please excuse the

errors. I have cataracts andcan barely see.

Dear RTD:While visiting the West

Coast this summer, mycousin and I arrived in LosAngeles June 15. We lovedall the places we visitedthere and after a couple ofdays we wanted to visit thewalk of fame and some ofthe bot spots that peoplefrom other states andcountries dream about.

Everything was fine,looking for the names of ourmovie stars, windowshopping, etc., then we tooka wrong turn and we werelost and ended up on a veryscary street. We didn'tknow where we were or howto get back to the avenue ofthe stars and because weare two ladies in our latefifties, we were a littleapprehensive to ask fordirections and decided tolook for a taxi, which wewere unable to get.

Finally, after walking acouple of blocks we saw acity bus coming our way(RTD Line 180). We wereconfused and asked thedriver for directions explain-ing to her that we were lost.She, Lucy A. Flores, wasnice and polite and told usnot to worry, that one of herstops crossed a bus line thatwas going to take us veryclose to our hotel, and sureenough she was right.

The girl was everythinga stranger in town needed.She told us nice places tovisit, buses to take, etc. Weenjoyed the bus ride and thehelp she gave us. I askedfor her name and badgenumber to send her a cardfrom here [Fajardo, Puerto

...continued on page 18

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 17

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Public Commendations

Transit Police Rookiescontinued from page 17 ...

from here [Fajardo, PuertoRico].

We just wanted tocongratulate your companyfor the service and employ-ees like Ms. Flores who helpstrangers feel welcome andeager to visit L.A. again.

Please thank Ms. Floresin our name because weforgot to get her address tothank her for her kindness.We appreciate so much thistype of help. Because I alsowork for a city as anaccountant and my cousin isa teacher, sometimes wearen't aware of the servicewe provide to people seekinghelp. Once more thank you,RTD, and thank you, Ms.Flores.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Carmen Torres

Dear RTD:I would like to send the

greatest of praise to one ofyour drivers, Frank E.Robinson. Let me explain.On July 15, I was travelingsouth on Sunset on the 560at about 6:30 p.m. I haveepilepsy and felt a seizurecoming on. I informed thedriver and I couldn't haveasked for a better driver.He asked me what I wasgoing to do and what heshould do. He told me afriend of his had seizuresand offered me his friend'ssolution (sucking on a pieceof candy.) I told him thatdidn't work for me. Hedidn't push it like manyable-bodied people do. Hewas very reassuring. Hesaw that I was salivating alot and gave me a paper

towel. Another passengeron the bus, who's son hasseizures, offered help. Shehelped me off the bus at mystop.

I take the 560 regularlyand the next day the womanwho helped me told me thatthe driver stopped the busfor the few minutes that Iwas convulsing so that Iwouldn't hurt myself. Thatwas the right thing to do. Ijust can't say enough aboutMr. Robinson. That driverwas smart, compassionate, aquick thinker with goodjudgment, and good naturedabout it all. Please let himknow how much he isappreciated.

The attitude of your busdrivers has improvedgreatly over the past fewyears, but there are stillenough with bad attitudesthat I treasure the good-natured ones.

With thanks,

Renee Rubinstein

The District welcomesthe Transit PoliceDepartment's newestincoming class of PoliceAcademy graduates. Themajority of these officerswere graduated from RioHondo.

Field training for theserecruits began this sum-mer. The public and RTDemployees can rest assuredthat their bus and work-place are safe with thesecapable young men andwomen ready to protect andpreserve.

Adam Brenner, 21, is agraduate of Calabasas HighSchool, Pierce College, andthe Rio Hondo PoliceAcademy. He is single, "butspoken-for," he says. He

resides in Woodland Hills.

James Latta, 27, is agraduate of San GabrielHigh School and the RioHondo Police Academy. Heand his wife reside in LaHabra.

Jose Fernandez, 22, is a

graduate of NorthHollywood High School andthe Rio Hondo PoliceAcademy. He is single withone daughter and resides in

Van Nuys.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 18

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Belinda Byrd, 35, is a

graduate of Compton HighSchool, El Camino College,and the Rio Hondo PoliceAcademy. She is single and

resicles in Compton.

Hector Figueroa, 23, is agracluate of the MountainView High School in ElMonte, and of the RioHondo Police Academy.Hector has also served inthe U.S. Marine Corps. Heis single and resides in ElMonte.

Robert Cook, 33, is agraduate of Brooklyn Tech,the Academy of Aeronautics,and the Rio Hondo PoliceAcademy. Formerly, Cookwas an officer with theCalifornia Highway Patrol.He and his wife and theirtwo children reside inOntario.

Larry Wedemeyer, 34, is agraduate of Ben FranklinHigh School, Pasadena CityCollege, and the Rio HondoPolice Academy. He ismarried and he and hiswife have a 2-112 year olddaughter. He resides withhis family in San Pedro.

In Memoriam

Craig Miller, 31, is a

graduate of Santa MonicaCollege and the Rio HondoPolice Academy. He ismarried and resides in

Santa Monica.

Blackrock, Kee T, beganwith the District on May12, 1980, retired as aService Attendant andpassed away on July 28,1991.

Breckbill, Lloyd A, beganwith the District on May16, 1939, retired as a BusOperator and passed awayon May 27, 1991.

Brown, Norman L, beganwith the District on July20, 1971, retired as a VaultTruck Driver and passedaway on June 25, 1991.

Harden, George R, beganwith the District on August19, 1984, retired as a BusOperator and passed awayon August 5, 1991.

Houston, Ida M, beganwith the District on July 7,1975, retired as a Mechanic"A" and passed away onJuly 10, 1991.

Leib, Louis, began withthe District on May 23,1944, retired as a Mainte-nance Worker and passedaway on July 19, 1991.

Marquardt, Robert,began with the District onAugust 27, 1966, retired asa Bus Operator and passedaway on July 25, 1991.

Nelson, Eimer A, beganwith the District on July18, 1945, retired as a BusOperator and passed awayon July 11, 1991.

O'Donnell, James J,began with the District onJune 10, 1936, retired as aBus Operator and passedaway on July 1, 1991.

Steele, Ronald L, beganwith the District on Novem-ber 3, 1972, retired as aBus Operator and passedaway on July 2, 1991.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 19

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GIVE YOUR KIDS A TASTEOF THE GOOD LIFE.

(; 1

Healthful foods can make a lifetimeof difference.

V American Heart Association

Finding a Few Good People Pays Off

Since the Human ResourcesDepartment announced lastyear it would reward thoseemployees who recruit newapplicants for hard-to-fillpositions, more than a dozenRTD employees havereceived $500 in finder'sfees.

Recently, HumanResources DepartmentDirector Gayel Pitchford

presented checks valued at$500 to three Districtemployees who encouragedfriends who were qualifiedto apply to the RTD TransitPolice. Those employeesincluded Schedule Maker IIDarrance Curry, Division 4Mechanic A Robert Pine,and Stock Clerk CedricWal ker.

Human Resources Director Gayel Pitchford presentedMechanic A Robert Pine with a check for $500. Mr. Pinehelped recruit a Security Guard. He is married with twochildren.

Human Resources Director Gayel Pitchford (right) presentsto Stock Clerk Cedric Walker a $500 check for encouragingIsaac Hill to apply to the Transit Police Department. Cedrichas been with the District for eight years and says its thebest Job he's ever had. He plans to buy new tires for his Jeepwith his finder's fee check. And, for any interested women

reading this, Cedric wants you to know he is single andlooking.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 20

Human Resources Director Gayel Pitchford presentedSchedule Maker II Darrance Curry with a $500 check forrecruiting an applicant for the Transit Police Department.Mr. Curry has been with the RTD for 16 years. A graduateof Dorsey High School and the University of California ofSan Diego, Curry would like all interested women to know

that he's single.

DEPRESSION...Disrupts Lives

Don't Live With ltGet Help

Call Your completely confidential Employee AssistanceProgram (EAP) (800) 221 -0942 or (714) 978 -7915Seek the assistance of state-licensed counselorsdedicated to any and all people-related problems.

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Employee Educational OpportunitiesMore than 300 employeesenrolled in college andtechnical training coursesthis fall are taking advan-tage of the District'sTuition ReimbursementProgram.

Robert Castanon forone. The 27-year old MetroRail TOS is a part-timecollege student majoring inmarketing management.RTD reimbursements paidabout 80 percent of hisjunior college tuition andwill pay for courses at CalState Los Angeles.

"The Tuition Reim-bursement Program candefinitely make a differ-ence, especially now thatfees have gone up at thefour-year colleges,"Castanon says.

Mory Bonakdar foranother. A Mechanic A atDivision 12, Bonakdar lacksonly 10 units for his degreein industrial engineering atCal State Long Beach. Hecredits his advancededucation and nine years'experience for his recentpromotion to mechanic

leader."My next goal is

mechanic supervisor,"Bonakdar, 35, says. Full-time and part-time contractand non-contract employeesmay participate in theTuition ReimbursementProgram. A student paystuition, registration andbooks fees. When he or shecompletes the course, theDistrict provides reim-bursement of up to $175 foreach undergraduate courseand $325 for each graduatecourse.

Courses should gener-ally apply to the work of theDistrict and should

strengthen an employee'scurrent job skills or en-hance career and promo-tional opportunities.Students may enroll at anyschool accredited by theWestern Association ofSchools and Colleges.Information and forms areavailable from EmployeeDevelopment at Extension27111.

Tuition Reimbursementis only one of many careereducational programsoffered by EmployeeDevelopment.

"Our goal is to providethe District a trainingcurriculum for all levels ofmanagement," says FrankPenty, training manager.It's a building block ap-proach that takes employ-ees up through the levels ashis or her experienceincreases."

Supervisor SkillTraining

Some of the firstcourses many employeestake is the Pre-SupervisorySeries, free programsemployees attend on theirown time. The seriesconsists of Introduction toSupervision, InterpersonalRelations, Basic WritingSkills and Fundamentals ofAdministrative Analysis.Each has eight two-and-a-half hour sessions.

"Most employees whoenroll in this series are busoperators or mechanics whowant advancement," saysDavid Savage, seniortraining coordinator. "Thecourses are suitable foremployees with any educa-tional level. There's a lot ofparticipation and discussionabout what makes a goodsupervisor."

Supervisory Seriesclasses are held from 9until 11:30 a.m. and from5:30 until 8 p.m. on week-days. Most classes areconducted at the RTDAdministration Buildingbut, if there is enoughdemand, classes can bescheduled at a division.Each course is limited to 20participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

"There are five types ofcourses employees alwaysrequest," says Penty. "Theyare writing skills, timemanagement, supervisoryskills, interpersonal skills,and conflict management.We offer courses in all theseareas."

Courses available tosupervisory personnel alsoinclude Risk and SafetyManagement, EEO Aware-ness, Preparing andConducting PerformanceAppraisals, Drug AbuseAwareness/EmployeeAssistance Program andCultural Diversity.

RTD Learning CenterA major training

resource for employees isthe RTD Learning Center,located in the EmployeeDevelopment Departmenton the 2nd floor of theAdministration Building.

The Learning Centerhas seven IBM computersfor employee use. Com-puter software is availableto help students learn DiskOperating System (DOS),database management withdBase II, III and IV, andLotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet,graphics and charts.Students interested in wordprocessing can learnWordPerfect, Multimate,DisplayWrite, Microsoft

Word and PC Wordstar.The Center also has an

interactive video discsystem students can use forself-instruction in math andalgebra. Many employeesuse the system to preparefor job promotion exams.The Center providesvideotapes on topicsranging from presentationtechniques and managingdifficult customers tosexual harassment.

Great AmericanSmoke-Out Day,Once Again

NOVEMBER 21, is thetraditional day for smokersto give up smoking for 24hours to prove to them-selves that it is possible tokick the habit. For thosehardy souls who testthemselves against thedemands of their cigarettes,it is recommended thatsomeone adopt them to helpthem survive the 24 hoursof abstinence. The adoptersshould provide moralsupport, snacks of freshfruit and vegetables,chewing gum, crying towels,encouragement and con-gratulations. Lunch and ordinner are lovely rewardstoo, for the smoker whoabstains for a day. Every-one is encouraged to getinto the act and eitherparticipate or encouragesomeone else to get alongwithout a smoke for the 24hours beginning at mid-night on November 20 tomidnight November 21.This year we are particu-larly encouraging women tonot smoke on Great Ameri-can Smoke-out Day or GASDay.

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A man for all raul—Ed Vandeventer

On the Rail All the Livelong Day(and Weekends)by Anthony Greno, PressRelations Representative

Ed Vandeventer never hadit so good.

He oversees theoperation of the Blue Linefor the RTD.

On weekends andmajor holidays, when notengaged in the District'sran operation, he runs theran excursion lines of theOrange Empire RailwayMuseum in Perris, River-side County.

Vandeventer's interestin public transportation—bus and rail—goes back tohis earliest days in LongBeach, where he wasreared. So it was with agreat deal of relevance thatVandeventer was namedraul operations superinten-dent for the RTD last July14.

Vandeventer is nowsuperintendent for all RTDrail operations, be theyBlue Line or Red Line. TheRed Line is scheduled toopen to the public in 1993.

That's soon forVandeventer, who isresponsible for overseeingthe training of Red Lineoperators, an activityscheduled to begin in June,1992.

"I just grew up withtrains," said Vandeventer."In Long Beach, a persongrew up with the Red Cars.We used to go play alongthe PE tracks as smallchildren. I'd just go crazynow if kids did that alongthe Blue Line."The Long Beach-LosAngeles light raul has afenced right-of-way plus

numerous safety devices inplace to keep people andanimals off the tracks.

"The sheriffs deputieswould arrest me if I were todo the same things todayalong the Blue Line as wedid as kids along the PacificElectric tracks,"Vandeventer noted.

A native of Denver,Vandeventer arrived inLong Beach at the age ofone and grew up on thewest side of the city,attending John MuirElementary School, StevensJunior High School, andMillikan High School. AtMillikan High, from whichhe graduated in 1959,Vandeventer was a memberof the first three-year dassat the brand-new highschool building still in use

today."I was into buses in

Long Beach at an early age,and used to ride around thewhole city," Vandeventersaid while recalling ananecdote from his earlychildhood.

"Things have changedbetween then and now.When I went to kindergar-ten at John Muir, ourmothers would take uschildren to the bus stop onSanta Fe Avenue and putus on the city bus line.When the bus got to SpringStreet near the school, thedriver would see that thechildren got off and wouldpoint them in the directionof the school.

"In the afternoon whenschool was out, the samechildren would all wander

back to the bus stop on theother side of the street forthe return trip.

"Can you imagine thathappening now? While LongBeach wasn't much smallerthen that it is today, it wasan isolated city."

After high school,Vandeventer enrolled at theUniversity of SouthernCalifornia on a partialscholarship. He graduatedwith a bachelor's degree incivil engineering in 1964.

"lt took me five yearsbecause I took a half-timejob in 1962 with theCalifornia Division ofHighways, which becameCalifornia Department ofTransportation, orCalTrans," Vandeventersaid. Continuing his studiesat USC, he earned amaster's degree in civilengineering in 1966.

Vandeventer joined theDistrict on July 7, 1975 or"seven, seven, seventy-five,"as he puts it. His firstassignment was as advanceplanner. He later received apromotion as principalplanner before his unit wastransferred to the schedul-ing department. While inscheduling, Vandeventerput together the freewayfare increment system inuse today for RTD buses onthe series 400 and 500lines.

Vandeventer served assuperintendent of instruc-tion from August, 1987 toJuly, 1991 on Santa AnitaAvenue in El Monte,adjacent to Division 9. Inthe nearly four years hewas at El Monte,Vandeventer estimates he

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 22

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Front-loaded bicycle racks on the bus allow cyclistsexpanded transit options.

oversaw the training ofsomewhere between 1,500and 2,000 bus operators.

When he was head ofinstruction, Vandeventerwas responsible for trainingof the first Blue Linesupervisors and trainoperators, more than a yearago. He conducted some ofthe training himself.Although Vandeventer nolonger teaches classes forbus or raul operators, hedoes participate in certifica-tion rides for new rauloperators for the Blue Line.

One distinction in hisnew position in the Trans-portation Department as

raul operations superinten-dent is that Vandeventertook the raul trainingfunction with him when heleft his former position.When not working on arailroad, Vandeventer, 49,raises a family in HaciendaHeights with his wife,Phyllis. They have threesons: Robert, 20, a studentat Cerritos College; Peter,12, who just entered theseventh grade; and Michael,5, who is in the first grade.

Wife Phyllis joins Ed ingood spirits in his irrepress-ible weekend hobby at therailway museum.

And Ed? He's outside in

a Pacific Electric uniformrunning the circuit thatcarries passengers onrestored PE Red Cars andYellow Cars from thenarrow-gauge Los AngelesRailway plus a stretch oftrack for a steam engineand some cabooses and flatcars. His titles at theOrange Empire RailwayMuseum: Superintendent ofrailway operations, vicepresident of museumservices, and board ofdirectors member.How does Ed Vandeventerjuxtapose running a realraul line and the excursionrail lines in Perris on

weekends?"The Blue Line is not

for amusement," he said."People ride it to go abouttheir daily chores, to travelto and from work.

"People go to themuseum because they liketrains and want to ride onsome raul equipment fromthe past. There's a greatsimilarity in that theprinciples of Operation arethe same--one has toexercise the same precau-tions in operating the oldertrains as those of the BlueLine, except that thetechnology is from anearlier day."

Bicycles on Busesby Frank Barbagallo,Equipment MaintenanceAdmin. Analyst

This summer the Districtexpanded its transitservices by implementing a"Bicycle-on-Bus" demon-stration project. This testprogram, based out ofDivision 18, will continuethrough January 2, 1992.

The program expandedthe current bike-on-railoption by providing riderswith the ability to transporttheir bicycles on speciallydesigned racks on buses.Tested on Line 130 on 8buses in peak service hours,to date the program hasreceived a favorableresponse from riders whonow are requesting ex-tended service, particularlyin the beach communities.

By creating a newcollapsible, streamlinedfront bumper-mounted bikerack, Equipment Mainte-

nance Engineer MarkBeauchamp has reduced themaintenance problemsassociated with the previ-ous rear-mounted bikeracks. The more bulkyrear-mounted bike rackswere tested at the Districtin the early 1980s but takenout of service as a result ofthe damage that theycaused to bus washingequipment and their lack ofvisibility to bus operators.

"Putting bike racks onbuses is something that theDistrict has done in thepast," said Beauchamp,"and this new front bumpersystem should safeguardagainst the lessons learnedfrom that past experience."

Beauchamp said thathe looks forward to usingthe new service himself, "IfI could put my bike on aPark-and-Ride to Down-town Los Angeles, I'd do it

everyday this summer."Unfortunately, Beauchampand other Downtowncyclists will have to wait.

For the time being thelimited demonstrationservices are only run onLine 130, which serves theFullerton Park-and-Ride lotand the Blue Line ArtesiaStation (bikes are currentlyallowed inside Blue Linerail cars), Cal StateDominguez Hills, andHermosa and Redondobeach communities. Line130 also intersects numer-ous "Bike Lane" designatedstreets.

The "Bicycle-on-Bus"Demonstration Program isa classic example of theEquipment MaintenanceDepartment's quick reac-tion time to requests fornew services. "From theselection of an outsidecontractor

...continued on page 24

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"If you treat people like you yourself like to be treated, thenyou'll have results," Diuision 11 Manager Jess Diaz says."Eueryone wants to be important; hearing positive feedbackmakes for overwhelming results."

On the Line with Jess DiazFeeling as though he

was "due for a change,"Diaz eventually switched tothe raul side. He was one of10 supervisors sent toCalgary, Canada to train onone of that country's mostmodern light rau l systems.When the Blue Line opened,Diaz was assigned to CCFas controller; a year laterhe was Transportation'sman in charge. -

"1 feel that our trainoperators go above and

beyond. They do a tremen-dous job and they handlesituations as they comedown. They take their jobsseriously."

Diaz, who likes to campand fish in his free time,has five children. He andhis family live in Glendora.

"My neighbors keep meposted and honest onwhat's happening on theLine," he jokes. "They loveto tell me who did what andwhen they did it."

The man with the crop ofsilver hair is a favoriteamong his Division 11peers. When TransportationDepartment bosses recentlypaid a visit to Long Beach,they were praised for theirselection of Jess Diaz asdivision manager.

"He's cool under fire,"they concurred. "He takesgreat pain in doing his joband doing it well."

Jess Diaz, who hailsfrom Philadelphia, has seenridership on the Blue Linejumped to nearly 30,000 aday. His operators collected5,000 additional patronswith the opening lastFebruary of the Seventhand Metro Center station.Perhaps his biggest chal-lenge to date was theopening of that last station.

"The big rats looked atyou eye to eye down in thattunnel," he says, with ahearty laugh. "They shouldhave had on hard hatsdown in the tunnel."

Diaz says that sixweeks prior to the station'sopening, the workers

somehow didn't believe thetrains would run. Theywere in their own world, hesays now, and when theDistrict first sent a trainbarreling down the trackson a test run, they were inshock. "Yes," he says,remembering, "the contrac-tors and Diaz had theirmoments."

A career transit man,Diaz made his debut as abus operator with SEPTA."When it gets in your blood,you can't give up," he says,seriously. In 1972, afternine years in Pennsylvania,he came west. Afteroperating buses out ofRTD's Divisions 2 and 9,Diaz put in 14 years as avehicle operations instruc-tor. He wound up as theacting superintendent ofinstruction. He recalls thathe was one of a few whowas tapped to drive guestsaround in a huge, articu-lated RTD bus that lookedmore like a semi-tractor rig.("lt was a far-out piece ofequipment; it even had atelevision in the cab.")

Bikes on Busescontinued from page 23...

to program implementation,this project has been anexcellent example of acooperative effort," saidBeauchamp.

"A new ride-share option

to RTD patrons "

Responding to inputfrom Transportation,Customer Relations, RiskManagement, and theExecutive Staff, MarkBeauchamp has delivered anew ride-share option toRTD patrons. lt is now upto those patrons to deter-mine the future of this newbicycle/bus marriage. Thecoupling seems to haveinterested outside agencies;many are calling for moreinformation about themechanics of the program.

A new collapsible,streamlined front bumper-mounted bike rack hasreduced maintenanceproblems that plagued asimilar bike rack programstarted in the early 1980s.The designer of the racks,RTD Engineer MarkBeauchamp tests the strapsthat stabilize the bikes.

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CHEDULANGES

Ahumada, Marcelo R.,from Bus Operator (P/T) toBus Operator (FIT).

to Property Maintainer ALeader.

Bus Operator (FIT) to BusOperator (FIT).

Bourlakis, Laura, fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Burnett, Milton C., fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Calvillo, Patricia A., fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Chan, Edwin K., from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Cowden, Daniel R„ fromManagement & BudgetAnalyst to Public AffairsRepresentative.

Davis, Samuel, from BusOperator (FIT) to BusOperator (FIT).

Donaghe, Jim L., fromMechanic "A" to Mechanic"A" Leader.

Edwards, Sonya D., fromBus Operator (FIT) to BusOperator (FIT).

Flowers, Dennis., fromTransit Police Sergeant toTransit Police Lieutenant.

Gamboa, Alexander L.,from Bus Operator (FIT) toBus Operator (FIT).

Garcia, Francisco J.,from Property Maintainer A

Garcia, Margaret A., fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Harden, Craig G, fromMechanic "B" to Mechanic<IA1 3.

Hardison, John W., fromTransit Police Officer (Trn)to Transit Police Officer.

Hogans, Laurin M., fromTransit Police Officer toTransit Police Investigator,

Holland, Frank R., fromBuyer Assistant to Buyer.

Landa, Ignacio, from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Le, Timmy M., from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Lee, Calvin, from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Martinez, Phillip, fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Mejia-Portillo, MarcosA., from Bus Operator (P/T)to Bus Operator (FIT).

Newjahr, Dennis J., fromSenior Management &Budget Analyst to GrantsManager.

Nunez, Francisco, from

Parvin, Gregory M., fromMateriels ManagementSystems Support Analyst toMateriel Supervisor.

Rhodes, Terry L., fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Rivas, Jesus A., from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOpkrator (FIT).

Roberts, John W., fromEquipment MaintenanceSupervisor to EquipmentMaintenance Manager.

Roots-Faulk, Lizzie B.,from Bus Operator (P/T) toBus Operator (FIT).

Rosales, Joel F., from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Sanchez, Vivian, fromBus Operator (13/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Sieckert, Michael R, fromPlanner to Senior Planner.

Silva, Maria D., fromTicket Clerk to TicketOfficer & RepresentativeClerk.

Silver, Carol Ann Y., fromScheduling SystemsAnalyst to Senior Planner.

Simental, Debra Ann.,from Bus Operator (FIT) toBus Operator (FIT).

Singleton, John A., fromBus Operator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Sistrunk, MauriceKenneth, from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (FIT).

Smith, William S., fromTransit Police Officer (Trn)to Transit Police Officer.

Soto, Jose A., fromMechanic "B" to Mechanic“A».

Tellez, Constantino., fromBus Operator (FIT) to BusOperator (FIT).

Thorpe, Robert., from BusOperator (P/T) to BusOperator (F/T).

Valles, Martin., from BusOperator (FIT) to BusOperator (FIT).

Willis, Nathaniel., fromElectronic CommunicationsTechnician to ElectronicCommunications Techni-cian Leader.

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MENDATIONS

Teddie E. Cheaves was selected the Operator of the Monthfor July 1991. Out of Division 5, Mr. Cheaves has beenwith the District for 19 years. He has maintained anexcellent attendance record and has never been late forwork. He has accumulated the maximum number of meritsand has received numerous letters of commendation fromthe public and his managers. In addition he has beenhonored with the Accessible Service Award, the Manager'sAward, the Meritorious Operator's Award, numerous SafetyAwards, and four Outstanding Operator Awards.Mr. Cheaves currently drives Line 111, which travels alongFlorence Avenue to Los Angeles International Airport. Hesays he has worked this line for many years and hasdeveloped a good relationship with most of his passengers.He adds that they are very friendly and treat him well.Originally from Oklahoma City, Mr. Cheaves now resides inLos Angeles with his wife of 36 years, Mary. They have fourchildren, three of whom work for the District. In his leisuretime he enjoys all types of sports and helping the elderly.He is also a member of the Victory Baptist Church.Operator Cheaves says that he is very happy with his careerat the District and is honored to be selected as the Operatorof the Month. He adds that he enjoys meeting and servingthe different people of Los Angeles. His attitude toward hispassengers, his love for people, and his defensive drivingskills make him a true professional.

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Mechanic A Adam Grubb was chosen the MaintenanceEmployee of the Month for July. Mr. Grubb has been withthe District since 1981 and works at Division 5. Over thepast two years he has been a relief leader and become veryefficient in all phases of mechanical as well asadministrative duties. He is an expert on the MMAS andbus-tracking methods on the computer system. Hisrecordkeeping, documentation, and reports are the productof a professional. He neuer hesitates to report anyunsuitable finding that will cause the Division or itsequipment to be cited for unsafe operations.Mr. Grubb is conscientious employee that believes in being arole model for his counterparts. He is neuer late to work, infact, he usually starts 30 minutes early to set his goals fortask completion. He strives to make every piece ofequipment ready and available for the complicated P.M.rollout. He monitors the entire shop and yard each day totroubleshoot and prioritize. Mt% Grubb is an RTDemployee to be proud of!

Ruby Beam was chosen Telephone Information Operator ofthe Month for July. Ms. Beam's supervisors appreciate herpleasant manner and willingness to go that extra mile forher callers.Ms. Beam has been with the District since March 1990. Herwork ethic and commitment to excellence have served herwell. This honor places her in the running for Operator ofthe Year. The Telephone Information Unit wishes her allthe best.

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RTD employees who are veterans of the Gulf War were given special commendation medals by their respective departmentdirectors at the August 22, 1991 Board of Directors meeting. RTD Board President Maruin Holen encouraged the audienceto rise in a standing ovation for the honored men. Appearing for a photo they included, front row, from right to left:

Transit Police Officer Mana Elliot, Operator Rudolfo Goytia, Douglas Runyan, Peter Bueros, Jose Godinez,

Rosendo Reyes, and Granville Rathel. Back row, from left to right: General Manager Alan Pegg, Board President

Marvin Holen, Bertrand Ball, David Rojas, and Rigoberto Zamora. Not shown are: Jose Solano, Darnell

Turner, Wesley Tyvog, Robert Young, Curtis Shelby, Froylan Sandoval, Miguel Gutierrez, Eddie Mitchell, and

Douglas Park.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 28

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RTD Retirees were honored by General Manager Alan Peggand the RTD Board of Directors on Jüly 25, 1991. Thoseretirees were presented with a special commemorativeplaque. They included, front row, from left to right:Division 5 Operator Richard Jackson, Division 16Mechanic A Leadman Henry S. Thomas, Ticket & ReportsClerk Josephine M. Abeyta, Division 6 Operator LuciousShepherd, and Division 16 Operator Calvin Smith. Backrow, from left to right: Division 7 Operator Meredith C.Sidney, RTD Director Antonio Villaraigosa, GeneralManager Alan Pegg, and Division 16 Operator Robert D.Blake.

Alvaro Coronel, a Mechanic A, was chosen CMF Employeeof the Month for May. He works in the TransmissionSection. His supervisor says he wrapped up the titlebecause he is "a diligent, conscientious and resourcefulmechanic who produces quality work." Coronel waspresented with a U.S. Savings Bond by CMFSuperintendent Ken Miller.

Gregory Pitts was chosen Telephone Information Operatorof the Month for June. Mr. Pitts is a veteran InformationOperator with more than 15 years of loyal service to theDistrict. He prides himself in a job well done and he hasreceived numerous commendations over the years.In his off time he pursues the arts. He is well known in theLos Angeles area and hos sponsored a number of art showslocally. Another of his pursuits is music, more specifically,the original American art form of jazz. He can hold his ownwith any audiophile and his collection of music is envied by

many. On a European excursion some years ago, Mr. Pittswas pleased to find that jazz was very popular and jazzmusicians were revered.

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Systems Electronic Communications Technician LeaderCharles Urasaki was named Facilities MaintenanceDepartment Employee of the Month for July. Hissupervisors praise his leadership. His technical expertise iswell respected, especially his performance during July whenhe directed his crew in the relocation and moving ofelectronic equipment in the Dispatch Center for TRScomputer installation. During the installation, Mr. Urasakiinade his crew safety-aware in a potentially dangerous workenvironment.

Completing the July Seminar for Success led by EquipmentMaintenance Supervisor Larry Bates were Transportationand Maintenance graduates who included, front row fromleft to right: Dan Frawley, Keith Jackson, RussellWatts, Alan Williamson, and Manfred Aistrich. Bachrow, from left to right: Jim Lukens, Ted Desy, and Eva

Hines.

Completing the July Seminar for Success led by EquipmentMaintenance Supervisor Larry Bates were Maintenancepersonnel who included, from left to right: Larry Bates,

Brent Devol, Terri Thornton, Rich Herpers, and Felipe

Perez.

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Mechanic A Eusebio Diaz was presented with a check for$1000 by Employee Suggestion Program Coordinator DeniceFindlay for his redesign of the towing and air supply dooron the Neoplan coach. Currently, when a coach is beingtowed, the air supply door is removed which allows themechanic access to the coaches air system. Unfortunately,the door does not always get put back on the coach andconsequently many of them are left on the street. Mr. Diaz'suggestion has a projected annual savings of $38,178.

Electrician Eric Freyre was chosen the FacilitiesMaintenance Department's Employee of the Month for June1991. Mr. Freyre was commended for his excellent troubleshooting and repairs made while doing preventivemaintenance. This prevents equipment breakdown atcritical operating times and mitigates the amount ofdamage due to equipment failure. His knowledge of theelectrical trade and code enable him to idente and repairdeficiencies in electrical installations that have beenoverlooked by others. His performance is beyond what isnormally expected of a journeyman electrician and is

appreciated by his supervisor and other maintenance andoperating personnel. His characteristic initiative assuresthat the task at hand will always be performed in a timelyand professional manner.

Mechanic A Samir Aboulhosn is employed in the CMF

Mechanical Shop. He was chosen Employee of the Monthfor July because through his efforts, a decrease in accidentswas obtained in the Engine Blower Module Section. HisJob performance is outstanding. He is very cooperative andis extremely helpful in training others.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 31

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Electronic Communications Technician Fausto Saavedrawas selected the Facilities Mai ntenance Department'sEmployee of the Month for May 1991. Mr. Saavedraperforms field service on revenue vehicles out of the Division2 satellite. He was commended by his supervisors for theinitiative he showed in solving the internal speakerproblems on the 2500 series coaches and his efforts to sharethis information with other technicians. His enterprise isan example to other RTD employees. He saw somethingthat needed to be done, and he did it. Mr. Saavedra is proofthat there are those employees for whom excellence andintegrity still exist.

CMF Mechanic A Thi Nguyen was chosen the Mid-LifeSection's Employee of the Month for June. Mr. Nguyen hasbeen with the RTD for 5 years. He was chosen for hisuncommon diligence and superb performance on the Job,

Mr. Nguyen said he was surprised they named him for thehonor because he thought he worked just as hard as anyoneelse in Mid-Life.

Mr. Nguyen, now a resident of Monterey Park, is a native ofVietnam which he left in 1975, two days before Saigoncollapsed. "We left because we knew what the Communists

were like. When the Geneva Accord was signed in 1954 andVietnam divided into the North and the South, even at thattime a lot of my relatives wanted to escape but they couldnot because they were under the control of the North."Fortunately for Mr. Nguyen, he and his family were able to

escape Hanoi.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 32

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Completing the August Seminar for Success led byEquipment Mai ntenance Supervisor Larry Bates were RailTransportation and Maintenance personnel who included,front row, from left to right: Bruce Crum, Jim JensenJames Henry, Ernest Waters, Virgil Owens, and JackLandrum. Back row, from left to right: Assistant Director

of Maintenance Tony Chavira, EMS Larry Bates,Division 11 Transportation Manager Jess Diaz, RogerPriest, John Adams, Jim Jimenez, Robert Torres, andShelley Fisher.

Jennet Guerrero, a Word Processor, in the CMFEquipment Mai ntenance Administration Office, waschosen Employee of the Month for July. Ms. Guerrero isefficient, cooperative, and performs her job in anoutstanding manner. She has good rapport with herfellow co-workers and management staff. She displaysinitiative and is willing to assist in all areas of the

department.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 33

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Mechanic A Ralph Fletcher, a spray painter in the CMFPaint Shop, was chosen Employee of the Month for Julybecause of his creative ideas in improving his job andproduction. Some of the projects he has been inuolved ininclude the Refurbish Program, Children's Museum busmodule, and the Light Rail Monument. His workperformance is excellent and he works well with his co-workers and management staff.

Mechanic A Jose Covarrubias from the CMF RunningRepair Section was chosen Employee of the Month for July.Mr. Couarrubias was commended because of his superiorwork performance and job knowledge; all his jobs arecompleted in a timely manner.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 34

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CAL-WCSTERNMORTOAGE CO.

Dear Horne Owner,

Now that interest rates have come down, have you considered refinancing your home or a secondtrust deed to consolidate debts? Many people are unaware that the interest rates on consumer loansfor automobiles and credit cards are not tax deductible. Only the interest on your home mortgagecan he written off of your taxes. We offer a wide range of loans to fit your needs in todays economysuch as:

1) Refinancing at the lowest possible rate, fixed or adjustable.

2) Bill consolidation loans or second trust deeds at lowest possible rate.

3) Problem credit loans.

4) First time buyer home loans at lowest possible rates.

5) Loans that are assumable if you decide to seil tater on.

6) All credit situations considered.

7) Never leave your home for approval or processing.

Many people are unaware of the home loan process and are taken advantage of. We offer acomplete service that is backed up in writing. We understand those who have been victims of theeconomy or circumstances. If you currently have a deferred interest/negative amortization loan or ahigh interest/hard money loan with a balloon payment you may want to consider applying for a newHome Loan. Our programs are explained to you by our qualified loan agents. We may be able toreduce your monthly mortgage payments with better terms, (no prepayment penalties). Yourmortgage savings can be only a phone call away. Ca II us today for a free pre-Qualification from ourqualified loan agents.

BONUS DISCOUNTTO IZTD EMPLOYEES

132 W. Las Tunas Drive • Arcadia, California 91007

(818) 445-6551 • FAX (818) 447-2961

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 35

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"Sometimes I think I should haue stayed at RTD,"Nathaniel Anderson, restauranteur and former RTD busoperator says. "Owning one's own business is hard for thelittle man."

Busing Tables Now

Just for Being You

Rumor has it that with hischipper personality he usedto make the meanest of hispassengers smile. Thesedays he makes a mean friedchicken.

After 23 years ofoperating a bus, NathanielAnderson has checked outof the transportationbusiness and into therestaurant business. ForAnderson, whose Line 607passengers once threw hima birthday party, thepleasure of driving a bushas faded into the headacheof operating a bustlingrestaurant.

Specializing in soulfood, the kitchen he runs onVernon in Los Angeleshosts many of his formerpatrons. "You still havecomplaints," he says,chuckling. "People wantfree food, just like theywanted a free ride. Peoplecome in here, eat, and walkout, just like they did on mybus."

Anderson, who namedhis restaurant the "FriendlyCafe," has had a challeng-ing couple of years. "Theysay it takes from two to five

years to get a restaurantrolling," he says. "lt hasbeen a lot of work and hasearned me but a littlemoney."

He says that the legwork involved in openinghis dream venture wasalmost too much. "Theplans with the City," hesays, shaking his head indisbelief, "were ridiculous.

"They send you fromone place to another beforethey approve the plans, andthen you get the plans backand notice the architect hasleft out the bot waterheater."

Anderson, whoseservice to the bus patronearned him numerousoperator commendations,says his food seems toappeal to his hungrycustomers. With his brotherwearing the chefs hat andhis wife working the cashregister, the enthusiasticRialto resident says he'sdetermined to make hisbusiness work. "I getsatisfaction from pleasingsomeone else," he says,grinning. "Just like I didwhen I drove the bus."

Stewart Liebe rman

As-Needed CustomerRelations RepresentativeStewart L. Liebermanreceived tangible evidenceof an RTD patron'sgratitude.

In a department

Originally printed in theStars and Stripesnewspaper

During World War II, ayoung and cocky MP wasgiven specific orders,handed down from GeneralPatton, that all tankspassing the MP's check-point were to have theirhatches closed and se-cured. Absolutely noexceptions!

One foggy night, thetank division began tomove through the check-point one-by-one. Now andthen, the MP would signala tank to stop, and orderthe top hatch to be closed.Everyone complied, exceptfor one: "Hey, you upthere," the MP shouted."Button down that batch!"

A moment of silencepassed before the shadowyfigure, obscured by the veilof fog, called down to the

equipped to deal withcustomer's complaints, asimple thank-you would beappreciated, but for passen-ger Antonio Johnson itappears that a demonstativeact of gratitude would do.Lieberman helped Mr.Johnson after he complainedabout being passed-up at hisstop on the 158 Line.Lieberman investigated thesituation and a satisfäctorysolution was found. Mr.Johnson now gets to workon time and is a happycustomer. So happy in facthe decided to showLieberman just how muchby baking a home-madeGerman chocolate cake forhim. Success is sweet!

young MP in a low and gruffvoice, "Soldier, do you knowwho I am?"

Fully confident of hisorders and the general whoissued them, the soldierplaced his hands on his hipsand replied back in asarcastic voice, "I don't careif you're General Pattonhimself, BUTTON DOWNTHAT HATCH!"

The figure on top of thetank did not move and theconfidence of the MP wasslowly beginning to deterio-rate. Who was this personto challenge his orders? Helet out a deep sigh of reliefas the shadowy figure beganto disappear into the tankand the hatch closed.

General Patton securedthe hatch and turned to hisaide, "Find out who thatsoldier is and give him amedal. The boy has guts! Ilike that!

Rules Apply to All

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 36

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I AMERICANvCANCER

SOCIETY

STAR TREK c I989 PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AUTHORIZED USER,

Susan and Kevin Tate

Telephone Information Supervisor Susan Carter marriedRTD Accounts Representative Kevin Tate, August 13, 1991,on the island of Maui, Hawaii atop a romantic cliff on theroad to Hana. Mr. Tate said the wind-swept cliff has a 180-degree view of the ocean and a 180-degree view of thevalley. Mr. Tate has been with the RTD for 10 years. Hetoo, started as a Telephone Information Clerk. Mrs. Tate,with the RTD for 5 years, said the marriage was probablymeant to be because when she began working as a noviceclerk in Telephone Information she was given his operatornumber. The couple resides in Pomona.

Births

Born to RTD Pension & Insurance Clerk Rudy Chairez andhis wife, Grace, a son, Rudy Junior on March 17, 1991.Little Rudy weighed in at 6 lbs., 15 oz. and was 19 incheslong. Little Rudy is the couple's second child. Rudy andhis family live in Ontario. "I am very happy with Rudy Jr.This little boy is bringing my family together. I just lovehim."

Turkey Raffle on GAS Day

Just Married!Once again the District willparticipate in the GreatAmerican Smoke Out Day(GAS DAY) at all Divisions.This year there will be acold turkey raffle. Smokerswho wish to participate willagree to refrain fromsmoking during the 24hours beginning at oneminute after midnight onThursday, November 21and ending at Midnight thesame day. Those who do notsmoke during this 24 hourperiod are eligible toparticipate in the drawing.(This raffle is only forsmokers who stop smokingduring the 24 hours ofNovember 21, 1990. Non-smokers may not partici-

pate in the raffle). Howevernon-smokers are invited toparticipate in the day byoffering to adopt a smokerand giving them encourage-ment, and tender lovingcare, as well as chewingg-um, gummy bears, carrotsticks, and other delightfulways to keep their mindsoff smoking, helping themstay smoke-free during thisday. Do adopt a smoker andsupport and encouragethem to participate in GASday, if you are a non-smoker. If you are asmoker, do refrain fromsmoking for 24 hours; takea chance to win a freeturkey, and have fun of thesame time. Enjoy.

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 37

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How Does Smoking Affect Your Heart?by Luanna Urie, HumanResources Analyst

At last, some hard factson smoking and its affectupon your heart. Doctorshave known there was alink between smokingand the cardiovascularsystem, but somehow thefacts did not get to thegeneral public so smokerscould make intelligent,informed decisions aboutwhether or not to smoke.The statistics are fright-ening, that one out ofevery six deaths will becaused by smoking, halfof all smokers will dieprematurely as a directresult of smoking. Nowlet us take a look at whata puff of nicotine does tothe heart.

Within seconds aftertaking a puff, the cardio-vascular system becomeshighly stressed. Nicotinein the blood streamcauses several things tohappen. The pulse rateincreases 15 to 25 beats aminute. The bloodpressure rises about 10 to20 points on both thesystolic and the diastolic.AND these results last aslong as two to four hoursafter a cigarette issmoked. This, for asmoker, is like being on atreadmill all day long.But that is not all. Thecarbon monoxide in thesmoke robs the red bloodcells of their necessaryoxygen. The nicotineconstricts the arteries by50 per cent. This 50 percent reduction in the sizeof the arteries causes theblood flow to the heart to

decrease by 25 per cent. Aperson with a partial blockin an artery leading to theheart will die from this. Sothe heart has to workMUCH harder when aperson smokes. Bloodpressure, heart rate, andthe force of each heart beatincreases. When your heartis already overworked bythe smoke, the bloodsupply, which the heartneeds in order to work, isreduced. Powerful hor-mones are released in theblood stream which causesevere spasms in arteries ofthe heart and other bloodvessels in the body. Thiscauses irregular rhythms inthe heart. Then because thered blood cells are carryingless oxygen, the red bloodcell concentration increasescausing a thickening of theblood which in turn makespumping the blood throughrestricted or blockedarteries and other bloodcells even more difficult. Inaddition the blood plateletsbecome more sticky andtend to clump and even toform large clots which floatalong in the blood stream.The clots can completelyclose off a narrowed sectionof an important bloodvessel. If the clot shuts offthe flow of blood to theheart muscle through acoronary artery, a heartattack occurs. The smoke ofburning tobacco whichproduces carbon monoxideand blocks the transmissionof oxygen, causes the heartto beat faster and harder topump the thickened bloodthrough the vessels that arealready constricted. Thiscauses damage to thecoronary artery walls and

helps form more atheroscle-rotic plaque. The body is soimpacted by cigarettes andthe cigarette smoke, thatthe skin even ages andwrinkles at an acceleratedrate due to the constrictionof the tiny blood vesselsnear the surface of the skin,and the reduction of oxygenand other healthy nutrientscarried to the skin throughthe blood. NOW THEGOOD NEWS: in about 120days, aller the person stopssmoking, the nicotine iswashed from the cardiovas-cular system which resultsin a slower pulse, lowerblood pressure and reducedcoronary artery spasms. Red

blood cells carrying carbonmonoxide are replaced bythose carrying oxygen. After120 days it is like getting a16 per cent boost in energyand strength and endur-ance. After two years ofbeing a non-smoker, the riskof premature death due to acardiac cause approachesthat of someone who hasnever smoked. Non-smokingis the way to care forourselves.

WOMEN AND MINOR-ITY GROUPS AT MUCHHIGHER RISK OF DEATHFROM SMOKING THANWHITE MEN...SEE THENEXT ISSUE OF THEHEADWAY!

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 38

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Porlilla deGarrionesHooa am NA:*

Retired Security Guard Il Anastacio (Tacho) Puente andCash Room Clerk Jose Fuentes traveled to Tijuana, Mexicoan June 27, 1991 to deliver funds raised by District co-workers to bene fit the orphan children housed at the Portillode Gorriones Orphanage. Puente (second froin the left) andFuentes made a presentation to the orphanage directors, Deanand Alba Tinney.

The funds collected for the orphans were raised by thesame RTD employees who planned Puente's retirement dinnerheld May 31 at Los Galleros restaurant.

Now retired, Puente would like to thank all of his co-workers for their kindnesses to him while seruing 16 years esan RTD Security Guard and for their prayers when he hacl

surgery a few years ago.

k/1-1.475 WRONIG(-3171-1 , DOC? I

SEEM To TRE soEASILY

weu....4)ouCERTNNLY OEMTo SE RADCww

3-16

Letters to the Editor Employees RaiseOrphanage Funds

Dear Editor:

This is to clarify and correctan article written by Mr.George Pepper concerningmy career as an aficionadopractico (practicing bull-fight fan or amateurbullfighter in the August1991 issue of Headway.)Mr. Pepper was slightlyconfused and carried awaywith embellishments in the

Headway article.1. I do not wear

Mickey Mouse ears. Thatheadwear is called amontera and is wornexclusively by professionals.In other words, by peoplewho have paid their dues,

often in blood.

2. I have never faceda 2,000-pound bull.Neither has anyone else,for they don't even growthat big. Mature onesreach around 1,000 poundsand those, of course, arefaced by professionals.

3. I do not need a"tall, blond, blue-eyedtorero to inspire me," justone with the right tech-nique or style. ElCordobes was a blondSpaniard, but I was alsoimpressed by ManuelCapetillo, a Mexican.

I feel comfortablearound people of all ethnicbackgrounds--otherwise Iwouldn't be a bus operator.

Please print becausethere are probably employ-ees out there who are orhave been aficionados andI am not about to beembarrassed as ablowhard.Sincerely,

Robert BlockerDivision 9 Operator.

Rubes®

By Leigh Rub i n

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 39

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Restaurant and Getaway Reviewby Susan Harvey, Div. 3215Asst. Manager

Several operators haveasked me about barbecuerestaurants. Well, SeniorInstructor Dorothy Flukerand her husband, Fred,have found an excellentrestaurant-Gath'sSmokehouse BBQ and SoulFood. This is a familyowned and operatedrestaurant. They do alltheir own meat smoking onthe premises. They'veinvested in a large smokerthat will smoke up to 1,000pounds of meat. TheGathrights use hard woodssuch as oak, hickory, orapple. The smoke iscirculated around the insideof the smoker, not into theatmosphere.

I can highly recommendthe ribs, both beef andpork. These are large,meaty ribs. The meat justmelts in your mouth. Thehot links are made withchicken instead of pork, butyou would never know.

You might like to trysome of the soul foodentrees such as Gumbo-smothered pork chops, or,my favorite, smotheredsteak. Be sure to leaveroom for the home-madepeach cobbler or the bestsweet potato pie in town.

Gath's SmokehouseBBQ, 8300 S. WesternAvenue, (213) 750-7776

Operator Roger Flackand his girlfriend, Pam,really enjoy the VersaillesCuban restaurant. Thefood is inexpensive andgood. Try the 1/2 roastedchicken or the Cuban styleroast pork.

All dinners come withblack beans, rice, andplatanos (fried bananas),and lots of garlic andonions.

Versailles at twolocations: 10319 VeniceBoulevard, (213) 558-3168or the corner of Pico and LaCienega. •

Sometimes it's nice torun away from home, evenif it's just for the weekend.One of the great places torun to is Newport Beach.We stayed at the LeMeridian Hotel in NewportBeach. The hotel offers,among their many services,shuttle buses to BalboaIsland, Fashion Island,South Coast Plaza, andseveral other areas.

During the summermonths from July throughthe end of August, there isthe Laguna Art Festivaland the Pageant of theMasters. The hotel offersspecial packages thatinclude tickets to thepageant and transportationto the festival and back.

This hotel has threerestaurants: the Calypso,which is outdoors by thepool, and is a very nice,casual restaurant. OnSaturday nights they offera lobster cookout by thePool with a jazz accompani-ment. lt takes three weeksto get reservations for thecookout.

There is the generalhotel restaurant, CafeFeuri. This is NOT a coffeeshop but a first-classrestaurant. The food isexcellent. We tried theroast rack of lamb and thebreast of duck. Both werecooked perfectly and served

elegantly. On Sundaymorning they serve one ofthe best brunches in town—jumbo shrimp, oysters onthe half shell, crab legs,salmon, and a variety of hotdishes such as pork bin inwine sauce, poached babysalmon, boneless game hen,and beef carved to order.The desserts are toonumerous to mention, butto end your meal they domake crepes to order. Wetried a selection of berriesin Chambourg in ourcrepes outstanding!

Without a doubt, thebest restaurant there isAntone's. This is a Live-starFrench restaurant. Therestaurant is a small, richlydecorated, cozy place.There are many pictures onthe walls, fresh flowers onthe table, and servicewithout parallel. A compli-mentary canape wasserved. Ours was crawdadsin a pepper sauce. Ourmeal started with a creamof lentil soup with pheasantconfit followed by a per-fectly cooked and beauti-fully prepared monkfishlayered with onion confit.This was followed by awarm langostino andspinach salad. The maincourse was lamb for myhusband, and I had thesliced sirloin. All thedishes were so beautifullypresented that it wasalmost a shame to disturbthem. For dessert we hadthe trois sorbets. This washome-made lemon, Passionfruit, and black currentsorbets. Then they serve acomplimentary dish ofsmall pastries such aschocolate truffle and fruittarts.

The service at all the

restaurants and at the hotelis very European. Theirwhole object is to help you torelax and to pamper you. I,for one, could get very usedto being pampered. So, ifyou're looking for a place torun away to, try the LaMeridian Hotel in NewportBeach, 4500 MacArthurBoulevard.

WantedWanted: Cash offers forSafety Awards and CapBadges from LosAngeles Transit Lines,Metropolitan TransitAuthority, and PacificElectric Railway.Please call or write:Roy Fizer, 1254 West36th Street, Los

Smo9

4.70. 4arifhYchildreniher

Vire

pleaserideshare

C011(213) 380-7750

or (714) 422-8088

Commuler Transporialion Services, Inc.CommuterCompuler

erITTYVVirOCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 40

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Se. Habla Espahol

RATESSUBJECTTO.OBANGE

• •44.4..,;,. • • .n.e>foler

EAGLE MORTGAGE BANKERS420W. Bäseline Rd., Suite B • Glendora, CA 91740

Office Hours:

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Sat. 10:00 - 3:00 P.M.

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REFINANCEor

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st & 2nd Real Estate L,oansBill Consolidation / Horne Improvement

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OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 41

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RECREATIONWSÄNE

Tickets for movie theatres are as follows: Edwards$4.25; AVCO General Cinema $4.50, AMC $4.00,Pacific Walk-In or Pacific Drive-In $4.50. UnitedArtists $4.00 and Cineplex Odeon $4.75.

Oct.

19 Linda Ronstadt - Pacific Amphitheatre $17.0020 Phantom of the Opera 2:00 P.M. $50.5022 Phantom of the Opera 8:00 P.M. $50.5023 Phantom of the Opera 8:00 P.M. $50.5025 Linda Ronstadt - Universal Amphitheatre

$30.0026 WWF Wrestling - Sports Arena $17.5026 Phantom of the Opera 2:00 P.M. $50.50

November

2 lce Capades - Forum 3:30 p.m. $16.00Tickets for Adults $13.50 Children12 and under $12.50

2 UCLA - Washington State $11.508&9 Juan Gabriel - Universal Amphitheatre

$36.001 Rams vs Kansas City $30.5017 Raiders vs Sea Hawks $33.5023 USC - UCLA - Rose Bowl $27.5025 Rams vs 49'ers $30.5029 Phantom of the Opera Special 2:00 P.M.

$45.00

Good any day tickets available for:

Universal Studios for $19.00 Adults and $15.00ChildSea World at $16.55 Adults and $12.35 ChildMagic Mountain $17.45 General $13.00 under4'tal I

Mobile Unit Schedule

The mobile center will operate Monday through Fridayfrom 9:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.

Oct. Loc. Nov. Loc.

17 12 1 718 2 4 621 11 5 522 1 6 1823 10 7 424 3 8 1225 CMF 11 228 9 12 1129 16 13 130 8 14 1031 15 15 3

Sun. - Thurs. Reg. $29.76 Now $19.50Fri. & Sat. Reg. $32.99 Now $24.50Children Reg. $19.95 Now $14.50

Watch for Laker and Clipper games in Octoberand November. Schedules not available at this time.

The Employee Activities office is open from 10:00 A.M.until 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.Second floor of the Headquarters building,telephone 972-4740.

Save over 35% on Wild Bill's Wild West Dinner Extrava-ganza

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 42

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Our Commitment To Excellence Is Referrag

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GPM Start at 7 3/4% - 30 YearsConforming Take 1-Take 2 Starts 5.25%Fixed Rate 9.5% ("Subject to credit ratings)

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ist and 2nd FHA, VA, SBAConstruction, Foreclosures, Bankruptcy5 - 36 Units Apartment Loans

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MORTGAGE BANKERSBusiness (213) 266-2286

OFFICE HOURS: M-F 9-6 SAT 10-3 SUN 12-3

Hablarnos Espanol

PRESTAMOS PARA VIVIENDASFINANCE OR REFINANCE

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 43

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Southern CaliforniaRapid Transit District425 So. Main St., 2nd FloorLos Angeles, CA 90013

Bulk RateU.S. Postage

PaidLos Angeles, Ca.Permit No. 32705

REINUTING SF9 OWNING YCI UR HOME

WHICH IS BET'TER?H W MUcH !NI fDU A V F' ctrer>

18 THIS FZIGH 14 E 'I" 0 123 ?

A'TTENTION HOMEOWNERS

MOMTHLY PAYMENTS TOD HIGH?MEED EXTRA CASH?

Ancluu- movirl?

87' D 1=, W 1n1 ID FZ I 14 G AND cAL.L. te. — e. ie. — '7 as (2) '7

91-856

N T E RP RIS EN- PVESTMENT5

22141 VENTURA BLVD.WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

OCTOBER 1991 HEADWAY 44