Headway July 1991

Number 7 Volume 19 July 1991









Hats Off To

Thurmon Green

Doris Harris

Train & Bus Operators of the Year

9rABLE The Headway . . .

is published by the Southern California Rapid Transit

i0FCONTENTS District for its employees, retirees, and friends every

month. Headway is g-uided by a policy approved by the

General Manager and published in the Human Resources

Policy Manual. A copy is available on request.

Views and opinions contained herein do not necessarily

Letter from the President 3

reflect official District policy.

RTD Strapped Financially; Tax Monies on Hold 4 The Headway welcomes contributions from RTD

Corporate Partnership Program to be the employees and retirees—letters to the editor, story ideas,

District's FY 92 Focus 4 opinions, employee and staff activities, and other submis-

RTD's Dan Dryden Hits a Grand Slam 5 sions. Deadline is the 28th of the month for inclusion in

Patsaouras Interview the following month. Submissions should be typed double-

spaced and signed by the author or on disk using the

Calm After the Storm: Division 1 Pulls Out All

Wordstar 4 or WordPerfect programs. Opinion pieces and

the Stops for Returning Soldiers 8 letters to the editor should not be more than 500 words and

RTD Wives: We Never Thought it Would Reach should be submitted on disk whenever possible. The editor

Into Our Homes 9 reserves the right to select, edit, and position all copy.

RTD's Lussier Makes Peace With War While Stories may be reprinted with acknowledgment of

Giving Peace of Mind to Others 11 source.

Editorial Office: Administration Building, 425 S.

Assistant Librarian Glenda Mariner

Main St., Personnel Department, Second Floor, (213) 972-

Hears Her Heart 12 7165.

Staff Shake-Up 13 Printing Services Staff: Photo Lithographic Opera-

Division 3 Steals the Thunder for April 14 tors—Rob Hartert and Ferrol Yeakle; Pressmen Il—Pat

Driving Never Gets Old for Division 3's Arnone 14 Bates, Eliud Castellanos, Oscar Arzadon, Roberto

Cover Story: Doris Harris Wins Bus Operator of the Arrivillaga; and Bindery Operators Il—Manny Alvarez,

Walt Billingsley, and Luis Melendez.

Year; Thurmon Green Named Top Train Operator 16

Typesetting, design, and make-up: Scheduling and

Romancing the Line 17 Operations Planning's Typesetting & Layout Section—

Gerry Hertzberg Appointed to RTD Typesetting Supervisor Susan Chapman, Typesetting &

Board of Directors 18 Layout Operators Jean Williams, Michael Laichareonsup,

State of the District: Accidents, Absenteeism Down 19 and Julie M. Ortiz.

Editor: Andrea Greene

Bon Voyage to Marlene Allen 20

Business Manager: Ruth Nagao

Shifting Gears 21

Contributing Editors: Cheryl Brown, Mary Conforti,

Commendations 22 and Luanna Urie.

Public Commendations 26 Member: International Association of Business

Rubin, RTD Win National Distinction 26 Communicators

Working on the Railroad 27

The District Cashes In and So Do Its Employees 28

Waning Industry Should Be Harnessed for

Transit Industry 29 "An. Unqualified

Schedule Changes 30 Success"



War Garnes 32

RTD Receives Major Clean Air Award 34

Transit Police Participate in Baker to Las Vegas

Challenge Cup Relay 35

Neither the Headway nor the RTD endorses the products

Spotlight on the Lump Sum Retirement Option 36

or verifies the accuracy of the claims made in the advertis-

Letter to the Editor 37

ing, which has appeared, appears, and will appear on the

In Memoriam 39 pages of the Headway. The advertising is simply a

Cut the Fat 41 revenue-generating measure. Further, we reserve the

Recreation News 42 right to reject any objectionable ad.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 2

Letter from the President

were published in a bro- practical means of travel

chure. are the common denomina-

This unit also arranges tors in all marketing

joint sponsorships, such as programs.

the recent Eco Expo and the To accomplish this, the

Long Beach Marathon, that Marketing Department has

keep RTD in the public eye devised a number of other

while contributing to a very successful advertising

worthwhile community campaigns in recent years.

effort. The Los Angeles Raiders

The Publications and anti-graffiti ads have

Video Programming unit, earned notice in local

headed by Mike Barnes, business publications for

produces a variety of their innovation. The

informational brochures and Dodgers, Kings, and

Perhaps when you were television, radio, maga- videos distributed to the Clippers also have teamed

listening to the radio zines, billboards, brochures, public and special audiences with RTD in advertising

recently, you heard me booths at special events, such as business and programs.

announce some of the new and videotapes. political. These include the It's fun to be a part of

programs RTD has Department Director District's annual report, RTD promotions and

launched to help improve Tony Fortuno's daily goal is brochures on clean air, our advertising campaigns. But

our service. to reach as many of the 10 Central Maintenance it's especially gratifying to

Or maybe you saw a million Los Angeles County Facility, and others. know that the Marketing

commercial on TV featur- residents as possible with The department also Department is there behind

ing our buses and trains. the message that I've been produced the videocassette the scenes. All of us owe

Remember the big bill- working on since I became that featured the Ninja them our thanks for

boards that had pictures of president: RTD works. Turtles riding the Blue Line keeping the public informed

Los Angeles Raiders We're improving, and we last year that was distrib- about the work the rest of

players asking people to can improve your life, too. uted to 100,000 households, us do to provide quality

help us "crush graffiti?" The Department's three In another one now in public transportation

Radio, television and units accomplish this goal. production, we will ask service.

billboard advertising are The Passenger Communica- people to ride the bus or

three basic ways RTD uses tions and Promotions train at least once a week to S cerely,

to "spread the word" about section, headed by Alice help alleviate gridlock and

our services and special Wiggins, plans and carries air pollution.

programs, lt doesn't out promotional programs Harry Goldsborough 02-Qatv-,

happen by itself, of course. designed to inform bus and runs the Advertising and Nick Patsaouras

RTD's Marketing and train riders and the public Market Research Unit. RTD Board President

Communications Depart- about our service and what Market research is an

ment makes it happen. benefits it can offer them. extremely important

Without our Marketing I've been privileged to function. Once thorough

Department, millions of participate in a number of research has been done, we

Los Angeles County these programs since I can advertise more effec-

residents would remain became president. One of tively.

uninformed about the the most successful was the A major District goal of

Transit Rider Bill of "Moving L.A. Into the '90s" advertising is to communi-

Rights, our ongoing contest. We invited citizens cate and establish the value

program to improve bus to submit their ideas on of public transit in general,

service. Marketing employ- how to improve transit in and the worth of the RTD in

ees use a variety of media Southern California. We particular. Creating a

available to teil as many chose the 90 best ideas and positive identity for the

people as possible about honored them at a special RTD and positioning the

our activities: newspapers, luncheon, and their ideas District as a viable and







JULY 1991 H EADWAY 3

RTD Strapped Financially; Tax Monies on Hold



lawsuit filed by a protect the bondholders by "The court challenge In June, Pegg asked

citizen's group has put on not expending the tax has a direct impact on next each departmental director

hold the implementation of monies until the Court's year's budget," said Pegg. to submit a two percent cut

Proposition C, a half cent approval. Attorneys "Additional cuts were from their FY 91 budget to

sales tax approved by estimate that the process needed to balance antici- achieve a $12 to $13

voters last November. As a will take six months to a pated revenue shortfalls million reduction in next

result, the Los Angeles year. during FY 92." year's budget.

County Transportation

Commission (LACTC) has

mandated a hold on

spending pending a resolu-

Corporate Partnership Program

tion by the California

District Court of Appeals.

To Be the District's FY 92 Focus

The decision not to

spend the tax, which is Alan Pegg, RTD general funding shortfalls that RTD of Propositions A and

intended to raise an manager, has announced have plagued the agency in C dollars. lt positions RTD

estimated $400 million per that the proposed Corpo- recent years. Pegg said the as a lead agency in meeting

year for mass transit, bus rate Partnership Program program increases corpo- the region's Regulation XV

operations and right of way will be the District's rate financial contributions clean air goals.

purchases, will definitely primary new marketing to the RTD with pass The Corporate Partner-

impact the District, said thrust in the coming year. subsidies, increases ship Program was the only

Alan Pegg, general man- In making the decision, corporate awareness of District program exempted

ager. "The monies gener- Pegg said he believes the District services and from a two percent budget

ated from the tax were to program can insulate the programs, encourages cut in the FY 92 budget

be spent as soon as possible District from continued investments by cities in the submittal process.

on expanding bus service in

congested corridors during

Fact: Ridership on the

commuter hours, increasing

Blue Line has doubled in

transit security, removing

less than a year. On a

graffiti from buses and

typical weekday, the

trains, and converting

trains carry 31,000

buses from diesel to electric

passengers.

power."

Fact: On-time perfor-

The LACTC, vigorously

mance is 99 percent. "The

defending the lawsuit, was

reason it's so good, " says

victorious in Superior

Rail Operations Superin-

Court. But the plaintiff in

tendent Paul O'Brien, is

the lawsuit, the Libertarian

that if we do have a

Party of California, has

mechanical problem --

given notice of its appeal of

like a door that won't

the decision to the Court of

close -- the operator is

Appeals. Declaring its legal

trained to fix it himself.

arguments "strong and

And 24 hours a day, we

persuasive," attorneys for

have an extra train and

the Commission say they

an operator standing by,

are confident the sales tax

so if there's a problem,

will be upheld. lt is sound

we can make a last

fiscal policy, they say, to

second swap without

inconveniencing the

passengers."





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 4

RTD's Dan Dryden Hits a Grand Siam

interrupts nine-year-old

David Fisher, who has

braved eight operations for

spina bifida, a congenital

condition in which the

bones do not fuse properly

at the base of the spine.

"This gives me a chance to

play baseball and to get

dirty, and I usually don't

get that chance. And," he

adds with a grin as wide as

center field, "I'm pretty

good."

For youngsters like

David and Timmy and

Pam, the years of battling

disabilities have now

dissolved into summer days

of batting softballs. This is

the story of their triumphs.

And of their coach, Dan

Dryden, who used his VISA

gold card to purchase

baseball uniforms costing

more than $1,000 for his

special kids.

Dan Dryden, Division 5

assistant manager, was

"I just bought a P.A. system for my team. The kids hear their names called, and they get so

dead tired after driving to

excited, they don't want to leave the batter's box," says coach Dryden.

Las Vegas one day last

summer. Too exhausted to

T immy Holmes is

almost six years old. He has

whispered, "let's go the

game." Peeling back her

the night before -- and had

slept in it.

see a show, he flipped on

television. The station he

never been able to feed or eyelids, Leann Holmes Two hours later, Timmy had tuned to was showing a

dress himself. But on that looked at her son with was at bat, in the batter's tape on the nearly 20,000

Saturday morning in May, cerebral palsy and with a box at Eagle Rock's physically or mentally

the little boy with the glove in one hand and Yosemite Park. Pam waited challenged youngsters who

angelic face was so ener- cleats on his feet, and on-deck. "I never thought it play baseball in Little

gized by what had hap- cried. would be possible," says League's newest innovation

pened the weekend before A mile away in the same Leeann Holmes, who had -- the Challenger Division.

that he maneuvered his Eagle Rock neighborhood, extra wheels installed on ("I sat there with tears

wheelchair to the drawer nine-year-old Pam Perez her son's chair so that they running down my face.")

and pulled out his pint-size was waking her sister for could speed him around the Arriving back in Los

Dodger uniform. the third time that morn- bases. "This is wonderful," Angeles, Dryden did some

Soon after, dressed from ing. She had tried at five concurs Miran Magana, soul searching. "I love

head to toe, he wheeled am., then at six and seven. who brought her two baseball and I'd always

himself into his parent's Like Timmy, the little girl autistic sons, aged 11 and wanted to be involved with

bedroom. Flashing a smile with the dark tresses and a seven. "We've been fighting the Special Olympics. This

as bright as any major rare brain disability called for this for so long. program was my calling."

league scoreboard, he Moia Moia was in her "When it happens, you After calling Little

tugged at his sleeping mom. uniform, but unlike her don't know what to do." League headquarters in

"Come on, Mom," he teammate she had put it on "I know what to do," continued on page 6



JULY 1991 H EADWAY 5

"When he was six years swing the bat. "lt gives him

old, his Daddy died, and seif-confidence and self-

my wife and I -- we've reliance and improves his

raised him. thinking and reasoning."

"You know," the older The kids play on an

man says, blinking back "accessible" baseball field,

the tears, "he's had three thanks to city councilman

surgeries on his head and and RTD director Richard

two on his anldes, and yet Alatorre, whose support

anything we can do Dryden had sought some

together he won't let me months back. The dugout is

miss." ten feet deep, triple the

Ames accompanies his usual size, so that wheel-

grandson to the game as chairs can pass each other.

part of the Challenger As far as the game goes,

Division's buddy system. "we have everything that

Buddies mostly parents Little Leaguers have," says

"He is a beautiful child," says proud grandfat her Leon

and siblings -- push Dryden. But he adds with a

Ames of the little boy he's cared for since birth. "I have a

wheelchair players around chuckle, "we make up the

gallery full of his pictures."

the bases and are with the rules as we go along."

players in the field to make That rneans there is no

. . . continued from page 5

sure no one gets hurt by formal scorekeeping and no

batted balls. outs. Dryden has one basic

Williamsport, PA, the 16- think our child might "lt brings us together," rule: "Everybody scores."

year RTD veteran contacted qualify." says Sheila Perez, whose And he has two mottos.

the Eagle Rock Little Twenty-two sign-ups sister Pam has had two From time to time during

League. "I told them of my later, Dryden had more strokes from a rare the game, he will call out to

plans, that I wanted to put than enough for a team. condition in which the his spirited players, "Why

together a Challenger team The youngsters range in age arteries of her brain are are you here?" Like the roar

in Los Angeles County; I from five and a half to 14 too small. of fans who have jumped up

told them it would be years. Their disabilities are "I know my son loves for the seventh inning

expensi:e, but I guaranteed as varied as the kinds of it," pipes up Raylene stretch, they yell: "To have

it would not cost them a pitches thrown in a major Holliday, who was helping fun!"

penny. I told them I would league game. Some have her 14-year-old son David

fully finance it." cerebral palsy, two have continued on page 7 . . .

With their blessing, spina bifida, a handful have

Dryden spent nine months Down's syndrome, one is

connecting with local profoundly deaf, another

schools, hospitals, physical has something called

therapists. He even con- pseudobublar palsy, several

tacted Miss California have autism. Whatever they

Wheelchair, who lived have, Dryden says, "they

nearby. But as Dryden have so much locked inside

found out, "it was a lot of them that's bubbling to

easier trying to do it than come out.

actually doing it." "I heard kids talk today

Then one day the phone that I've never heard talk,"

rang. he says softly.

And the former bus One of those youngsters

operator with the bushy is six-year-old Adam Gaw.

brown beard was touched Fair haired and freckled,

by what parents on the the little boy is wheeled to Dan Dryden with Timmy Holmes: "You should haue seen

other end were saying. "The home plate by his proud him the other day. His best friend, Jimmy, who goes to the

way they put it was so grandfather, Leon Ames. same orthopedically disabled school, showed up to play in

precious...I was moved by "He and I are so close," his first gamehThe two practically ran toward each other in

their tenderness. They said, the doting Ames says. their walkers."



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 6

Patsaouras Interview

Editor's Note: The following On a second term as

passages are drawn from board president: "No, I

an informal, wide-ranging will not run again. lt

interview by Headway of would be a very, very

RTD Board President Nick remote chance. I think

Patsaouras near the that there are other

completion of his term. members of the Board who

are as creative and as

On his term in office:

energetic as I am. It's their

"When I t,00k over as

turn to lead the institu-

president, I wanted to

tion.

restore our credibility and

Adam Gaw flashes a grin. the public's confidence in

On RTD employees:

us. I give myself a

"They're the best."

. . . continued from page 6 grade for doing that."

On RTD bureaucracy: "I

On reorganization of the

"What's important?" he think that the staff

and what doesn't. This RTD and LACTC: "I

asks them next. "To do your reporting structure should

game is something that strongly believe that with

best!" they scream back. works." be revisited. We need

some delineation of respon-

Later that day, as the aggressive leadership,

Some time before sibilities and jurisdictions,

kids sip punch and munch more accountability, and

opening day, Dan Dryden the RTD organization will

on watermelon, Dryden more immediate responses

had a dream about two remain a separate entity.

reflects on what inspired to problems. I think we

youngsters at school. One We are working on a

him to do it. "I don't know," have turned the corner but

of them was disabled; the reorganization plan that

he says, shrugging his we have a long way to go."

other was not. In the should be ready by Septem-

shoulders. "When I drove a dream, the one child called ber. Up to now I can

bus, I loved to pick up to his friend at the close of reassure employees that

disabled people. They're so school, "What are you going their jobs will be safe." continued on page 18 . . .

honest. I love `em. to do now?" The disabled

"Everybody has a place youngster replied, "I have

in this world," he continues. Little League practice.

"I guess it's just my way of What are you doing this

being thankful to God that afternoon?"

my kid is able-bodied." David Fisher, who

Parents think he's doctors think will never

terrific. "Dan is walk, has a dream, too. He

wonderful...so sweet," wants to be a surgeon. "It's

Holmes gushes as she hugs kinda hard being disabled.

Timmy after the game. "He I wish things were differ-

just loves the kids." ent. But they're not."

"Dan's so nice," sums up So, the little boy says

David Fisher, who's the quietly, "I'd like to help all

Easter Seals poster child the people who've got what

for spina bifida in Los I've got. And," he says,

Angeles county. His father, looking around the field,

Richard, agrees. "Dan has "who've got what they've

worked out a good way for got, too."

kids to play without

competition.

"My son will never be Editor's note: At press

without the canes. It's hit time, four more youngsters

and miss with what works had joined the team. Dryden hopes that he can take the team to a Dodger game.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 7

Calm After the Storm: Division 1 Pulls Out All the

Stops for Returning Soldiers









Dressed in his combat fatigues, Alfredo Goytia (right) accepted yellow flag from Assistant Transportation Manager Dave

Vaillancourt, as fellow soldier Peter Bueras, Jr. looked on. "Shortly after the two were activated," Vaillancourt said, "I'Ve

bought the flags and hung them on our flagpoles here at the Division and at our Auxiliaty Division 3204."







Alfred° Goytia, on a Rose. Choked with emo- Goytia, in the reserves 17 he flew to Fort Ord in

typical day, cuts a 70-mile tion, he remembered. 12 years, first had the Northern California, and

swath through the heart of "They came out of feeling two weeks into the then was sent as part of the

the Olympic Boulevard nowhere, with their hands new year that something "advance party" to Saudi

corridor between Eighth up," Goytia recalled. "Some was about to happen. "The Arabia. "Our plane carried

and Ninth streets. But of them were so sick. So rumor was that my com- a cruise weapon," he said.

during an atypical January we'd load them into pany was about to be The allied bombing had

through May, the 42 year- helicopters and there they activated," he said. "My already started when the

old bus operator trudged were, the enemy and the children were terrified." plane touched down in

150 miles into Iraq, cutting American wounded on the Bueras, training with Saudi Arabia so he and his

across to Kuwait, finally same helicopter being the 3rd Anglico 4th Marine fellow troopers had to make

veering back to his base taken care of the same Division at Camp Pendleton their way to waiting trucks

camp in Saudi Arabia. way. No one was treated was preparing, too. Up by way of irrigation ditches.

On May 31, mobbed by any better than the other. until last year, he had He was sent to Rafha, a

his Division 1 colleagues "I thought that was thought something was border town five miles into

and UTU representatives, pretty great," said the going to break in Korea or Iraq, where his mission was

he and fellow soldier Pete handsome Roosevelt High the Philippines. "We were to provide military aid to

Bueras, Jr. came home to School graduate of 1967. always ready," he said. His Iraqi refugee camps. He

cake and cameras. "There's "Never did I see an best friend was sent. He was surprised at the

no place like home," said injustice done by an was not. number of Iraqis both

army Sergeant Goytia, as American soldier, and that Goytia, meantime, was

he clutched his lovely wife, made me proud." called to the front. On Jan. continued on page 9 . . .



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 8

RTD Wives: "We Never

Thought it Would

Reach Into Our Homes"

On the day the war support. She helped

broke out, Rose G-oytia's organize a support group

heart sank. For five days, at her parish, Epiphany

she didn't know where her Church in El Monte, for

husband was. The rest of the loved ones of those

his unit, including his serving in the Gulf. As a

brother Rodolfo, had support group leader, she

arrived in Germany, but shared her apprehensions

her husband was not there. with and comforted about

"I haven't seen him," was 100 families in her parish

what R,odolfo, an RTD who had families over-

"We got many letters from our friends at the Division," the mechanic, told her when he seas. "The loneliness and

pair said. "But nothing is better than seeing them with Dur phoned from Germany. anxiety were terrible,"

own eyes." "I would cry and crawl she said softly. "VVe

into bed and just go to prayed and prayed."







refugees and prisoners -- everyone to the airfield.

who spoke English. "A They were so eager to get

couple of them wanted me home, he said, that they

to mau l letters to their worked 72 hours straight

relatives in the States," he cleaning rifles of sand and

said, touched. other contaminants. Even

"They told me that the officers joined in, he

Saddam had lied to them; joked.

that the Americans would

kill them. The prisoners

"They came out of

told me they were hungry

and hadn't been paid in nowhere with

months."

Far and away, the Scud their hands up.

alerts were the worst

Some of them were "I didn't judge the politics of the war," said Rose Goytia.

experience for the father of

"My children and I just wanted him horne."

three. "lt was horrible," he so sick."

said. "No one liked the gas

masks. You would overheat sleep," recalled the petite On the 22nd of January,

in about 20 minutes. What The flight home took 18 brunette. "My three her spirits were lifted.

a horrible way to die." He hours. But he was holed up children would say to me, Goytia called her from

said he asked an Iraqi for four days at Ford Ord `Mom, he's alright. God's Saudi Arabia, but the

prisoner one day why they for debriefing and medical going to take care of him. conversation was awkward

didn't use the chemical exams. Don't cry anymore." because he could reply only

weapons. "He told me they On May 22, he called his At first, Rose watched in the affirmative or

were afraid the Americans wife from the Grapevine CNN but then the pictures negative. ("For security

would use something worse, when the army buses became too graphic for her. reasons," whispered

like nuclear bombs." stopped for gas. She met "I tuned instead to the local Alfredo. "You never could

Goytia's company was him two hours later. "lt news," she said. be sure if people were

one of the last to leave, took me five seconds to find She relied on friends and

since they had to transport her," he said, grinning. her church for emotional continued on page 10 . . .



JULY1991 HEADWAY 9

. . . continued from page 9

household, and my 13-year-

old did a lot of praying."

listening in on the phone Marva said her husband

lines.") called her every chance he

After that, Rose says, he could. He would teil her the

called once a month. "We conditions of other soldiers

have two phone bills for from California, and she, in

over two hundred dollars," turn, would phone the

she said, laughing. She said wives to let them know

she was always on the their spouses were okay.

phone to her in-laws, who Sometimes, there was

had "twice the worry," no news. And the old adage,

because both their sons had "no news is good news"

been deployed. floated in Marva's

thoughts. "I kept saying to

myself, 'Now don't think

"I grew up over there," said Curtis Shelby, shown here the worst."

squeezing his wife, Mama. "I came back a better person." She told Headway that

"finally seeing him was the

"If his friends love happiest time of my life."

much time as he needs to messing me up; I have to Teased Shelby, who was

get used to being back divorce myself from this." within earshot, "Well, I

him that much

here," she declared. For the She said that in the thought it was the day we

next couple of hours, she beginning, Curtis was on were married."

here then he's in let him out of her sight but her mind constantly. "I "No honey, that was a

briefly. wondered what he was different kind of happi-

The lady in the pretty doing, and was he eating ness," she said gently.

the right place."

green suit glanced around well." Too distracted she

the room in admiration. "I couldn't be. "For the first

think it's great that they time, I had to take on the

did this for him," she said responsibility of finances in

of the welcome home a timely manner. My oldest

ceremony. "If his friends son became the head of the

love him that much here,

On May 22, her husband then he's in the right

of 19 years came home. place."

"He's ours now," she said

beaming. "We don't want +

him to go back.

I know he knows his job "This separation brought

well," the attractive Rose us closer together as far as

continued. "He's level- expressing our feelings,"

headed and I didn't worry said Marva Shelby,

about him in that sense. hugging her husband

But the tough part was not Curtis, who returned from

knowing what they (Iraqi the Gulf in April.

soldiers) might do to him." Unlike Rose Goytia,

On this day, she smiled Marva practically camped

broadly, obviously moved in front of the television set

by the affectionate em- for the first three weeks.

braces shared by her "My nickname was CNN,"

husband and his colleagues. she said, shaking her head. "Pico Boulevard is waiting for you," shouted operators to

"We're going to give him as "But then I thought this is Alfredo Goytia and Peter Bueras, Jr.







JULY 1991 H EADWAY 10

RTD's Lussier Makes Peace With War While

Giving Peace of Mind to Others

pilot was elected com- Simi, Palmdale and San

mander. He says he began Fernando. Once a week

to encourage his forty throughout the war, the

colleagues at the division, loved ones of those overseas

who had served in Vietnam, would come together and

to talk about their experi- share their fears. Arnong

ences. ("lt was my way of those who attended were

doing something as a vet.") several wives and family

Drafted in 1966, Lussier members of RTD employees

himself had started in the sent to the Gulf.

artillery, but was soon "You must realize," the

flying Navy cobras. During articulate Lussier told

the '68 Tet Offensive, he them, "the odds against

was airborne for 68 hours in them not returning are

support of ground troops. astronomical because of the

("My only thoughts were of cautious way the U.S.

Division 8 Instructor and VFW Commander Richard staying alive.") When the planned the operation.

Lussier. operation was finally over, "In this war there was a

his helicopter had taken 80 battle front; in Vietnam

rounds of ammunition. you had war around you 24

‘‘T

t was an experience I them, the mind is where "There were holes all over hours a day."

wouldn't give up for a the real battles of the war the place," he says. Lussier corresponded

million dollars, but an are being fought. For flying that mission, with RTD employees in the

experience I wouldn't do Eight years ago Richard he was awarded the Bronze Gulf. He says they told him

again for a million." Lussier, then a division they understood what we

Richard Lussier's war dispatcher, saw the way went through as Vietnam

was Vietnam. There was no vets were being treated by vets. What kept them

fanfare; no award ceremo- society and by the V.A. "The odds against

going, they said, was the

nies, no pats on the back. Hospital. "They called us rallying support of the

For his friends and for baby killers, undesirables, them not returning American people.

himself, coming home was unwanteds." As for Lussier himself,

just the harshest reality in One of his buddies from well, he may be headed to

a long nightmare. And in are cmfronofnkat. "

the war had killed himself; Vietnam this September to

1991, nearly a quarter of a several others became play an extra in a movie

century later, Vietnam addicted to drugs and being produced by Para-

remains unfinished busi- alcohol. Resolving not to Star. He also was awarded mount. In the meantime,

ness. become a spiritual hostage two Purple Hearts. he invites any RTD em-

Lussier, a Division 8 to the war, Lussier joined Nowadays Lussier tries ployee who has served on

instructor, has laid to rest the San Fernando post of to get public exposure for foreign soil to join his post.

the nation's longest and the Veterans of Foreign vets. His 210-member post "People have the

least wanted war. ("I was War (VFW). "My first meets once a week and he misconception that we're a

fortunate; I had a solid meeting was deeply emo- has a large box filled with bunch of old guys sitting

family base to come home tional," he remembers. commendations from around telling war stories,"

to.") But for many of the "When I let my feelings out, congressmen, and state he says. "We're not."

vets who come to his it seemed to open doors. and local politicians. They must not be. In the

support groups, the horrors "I was the first Vietnam Lussier snapped into three months since the

of the war, like rounds of vet in my post. Everyone action when Desert Storm troops started coming

ammunition, eternally else was shunned." broke out. He organized home, he's recruited four

explode on the inside. For Soon, the ex-helicopter informal support groups in Desert Storm soldiers.









JULY 1991 HEADWAY 11

Assistant Librarian Glenda Mariner Hears Her Heart



Her parents knew herself. "I told myself that

something wasn't right. my hearing impairedness

Their daughter, according was a fact of life and that I

to the Brownie scout leader, was too tired and too old to

couldn't hear the water be depressed.

running. Alarmed, Glenda "I told myself that I was

Mariner's parents took down, and that it was now

their eight-year-old to the time to get up and try

family doctor in Atlanta. again."

There was no diagnosis. The chance came two

Her teachers told her to sit days alter Christmas, 1990.

in front of the dass so that Mariner had seen the ad

she could hear more. that RTD was looking for a

"I don't know at what catalogue librarian. She

point I realized what was decided that this time she

wrong," says the District's was not going to say she

charming assistant librar- "I know my hearing is worse than it was as a child," was hearing-impaired.

ian. "I do know that when I Mariner says. "I remernber 1 used to hear birds chirping 1 But that, RTD Librarian

took spelling tests, I would can't hear those sounds now." Dorothy Gray says smiling,

depend on certain clues and was exactly what she said.

memorize the words in the "I was amazed," recalls

order I had studied them." them off since.") Now University in Detroit. She Gray of the interview. "I

Frustrated because she motivated to learn, she followed her heart to Los had no clue whatsoever. I

couldn't hear, Mariner spent much of her time Angeles, where she joined thought to myself either she

wanted to drop out of alter school in the Atlanta the public library system, is able to hear or she's able

school. At 15, her parents public library teaching working the bookmobiles. to read lips darn well."

sent her to Detroit so she herself. Next, she took a library And then Gray says, she

could see doctors who "The libraries in Atlanta position with the L.A. didn't know if she should be

specialized in hearing had just become inte- Community College Dis- "suspect" or not about

disorders. After undergoing grated," the soft-spoken trict, but in 1987 she was Mariner's love of catalog-u-

a battery of tests, doctors Mariner recalls. "lt was a laid off. ing. "You see," Gray says,

told her she was suffering beautiful time for me." And then silence. "cataloguing is the re-

from nerve deafness and She won a scholarship to lt wasn't Mariner who searching and preparation

had lost much of her Bennett College in North had stopped hearing, but of materials before they are

hearing in both ears. ("They Carolina, the only hearing- employers. She found it put onto the shelves; it is

said they didn't know if it impaired student at the nearly impossible to get a the intellectual, not popular

was caused by the high college. With no help at all, job. How ironic, she thought part of the discipline."

fevers I had as an infant, Mariner wound up only one to herself. In the sixties she But a behind-the-scenes

the medication which was point short of qualifying for had fought racial discrimi- position was perfect for the

prescribed for them, or the honor roll. When she nation; twenty years later gentle Mariner. Because of

something congenital since was not studying, she was she was still fighting but her hearing impairedness,

my niece is hearing- marching and singing at this time against a different she preferred the responsi-

impaired.) To this day, campus demonstrations in kind of prejudice. bility of determining what

Mariner can hear only low support of racial equality. "I "I put it on the table part of the Library of

tones and has now lost 75 even marched with Jesse every time," she says Congress cataloguing

percent of her hearing in Jackson," she chuckles, candidly. I told them 1 was system under which to file

both ears. adding, "but I never got hearing-impaired and then a book than a position

She returned to Georgia arrested." I never heard from them which required a lot of

with hearing aids in both Two years later Mariner again." public contact.

ears. ("I put them on at age got her master's in library Never one to surrender,

15 and have never taken science from Wayne State Mariner took stock of continued on page 13 . . .



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 12

Staff Shake-Up

Alan Pegg, RTD general now reports to Pegg. The

manager has announced general manager said this

the following re-assignment change will enhance the

of department functions. role of this department as

Effective June 3, the agency's primary

Transit Systems Develop- fiscal control unit.

ment began reporting to the Finally, the Equip-

Assistant General Man- ment Maintenance

ager, Planning and Public Department now reports

Affairs. In a memo to to the Assistant General

department heads, Pegg Manager, Operations.

said the consolidation According to Pegg, the

would result in better consolidation of Transpor-

Assistant Librarian Glenda Mariner specializes in coordination of Planning tation and Equipment

cataloguing m aterials for the District's library. and Local Government and Maintenance under one

Community Affairs staff in administrator will

continued from page 12 . . . the further development of enhance the control of bus

the electric bus program. lt and raul service to our

also, he noted, would patrons.

In February of this sign language. ("I've just reduce the cost of fulfill- The unit of Equal

year she was hired. ("I started to take the dass ment of the District's Opportunity is now

was ecstatic.") In the four one night a week.") contractual role as the reporting to the Office of

months since she's been Married to a traffic grantee for MOS-1 and Inspector General. This

here, Mariner has "very officer for the city of Los consolidate the raul design change, said Pegg, will

expeditiously" catalogued review function within the consolidate functions and

some 160 technical planning function. lt also provide for better coordi-

Twenty years later

documents, according to will consolidate planning nation of audits and

Gray. functions as they relate to investigations, and the

Mariner says the only she was still the RTD's clean air pro- performance of this

trouble she has is with the grams and Regulation XV. important personnel

phone. "It's ironic to think The Office of Manage- function.

fighting, but this

that Alexander Graham ment and Budget (OMB)

Bell invented the phone to

make communication time against a

easier. Because I can't

read the other person's

different kind of

lips when I'm on the

phone, it's really a

challenge." A special prejudice.

device installed on the

phone helps. Angeles, the mother of four

A couple of things is a role model to other

irritate Mariner about hearing-impaired children

how others react to the and spends her off hours

hearing-impaired. "Either inspiring them to get as

people will increase their much education as they

voices, which is annoying can. Hear your own heart,

if you're wearing a hearing she counsels them. "Don't Fach Almost every day RTD reunites Blue Line

aid or touch you roughly to ever give up. lt can be passengers with their lost articles. `lire find that

get your attention." frustrating and it may take article," says Paul O'Brien, “while they're waiting."

Her biggest regret is time, but you can overcome The train's near-perfect lost and found record is a

that she never learned it." joint operation between the Sheriffs Department,

the train operators, and the CCF controllers.







JULY 1991 HEADWAY 13

Division 3 Steals the Thunder for April

The Cypress Park On the transportation

division, according to Tony side, Division 3 runs a

Chavira, assistant director "super" earthquake pre-

of maintenance had the paredness program,

lowest absenteeism rate for according to Leo Bevon,

non-contract, ATU, and assistant director of

UTU maintenance employ- transportation. Operators

ees among all divisions. are encouraged to practice

Even though the division's earthquake drills with their

buses operate in areas families and to stock their

crawling with graffiti, shelves with bottled water

Division 3 checked in with and canned foods. In the

the lowest number of event of a quake, operators

customer complaints about still are required to report

breakdowns and cleanli- to work so if they know

ness. The division also was their loved ones at home

"We are number one," said operators, mechanics, and all

among the top three in the are well-equipped, they can

employees of Division 3 who crowded around the

number of miles accumu- have some peace of mind.

"Outstanding Division" flag. Board President Nick

lated between road calls. Division 3 was the joint

Patsaouras and General Manager Alan Pegg join in.

The division had a low recommendation of Trans-

wheelchair failure rate, and portation General and the

Ask Division 3 Trans- On a misty May morn- according to Chavira, Equipment Maintenance

portation Manager Roy ing before sunrise, it was showed great improvement Department to capture

Starks about his shop and made official. over the last month in the April's award. Final

he'll teil you that it was number of late buses and selection criteria was

home to three of last year's cancelled service. continued on page 39 . . .

Operators of the Month.

"More of them came from "Division 3 runs a

our division last year than

from any other," he super Earthquake

Driving Never Gets Old

boasted.

"My employees go out Preparedness for Division 3's Arnone

everyday and provide top of Program."

the line service." Retirement was a year hiatus in the early

"They always come through fattening proposition for 50's to spend time with

for our customers and me. veteran bus operator his bride, he would be

"Our division is kind of Earning top marks in Angelo Arnone. Five near the top on the

a family," he adds. "We're several categories, Division months into his retirement, operator seniority list.

always putting together a 3 clinched Division of the he had gained 25 pounds He says he could fill

party, brunch, or breakfast Month honors for April, and feit miserable. lt didn't three books with his

to pull people together to 1991. RTD Board President take long for the career adventures on a bus. He's

do the job, and that's what Nick Patsaouras, in making driver to hire back on. "If I outlived four bus compa-

it's all about." the announcement, thanked stay active, I feel better," nies (LA Motor Coach, LA

Echoes Maintenance Division 3 employees who says the now trim Arnone. Transit, Pacific Electric,

Manager Therol Golden, he said are "truly the "I'm doing this to stay and Metropolitan Transit

"Ours is a coordinated people who make RTD alive." Authority) and, along the

effort of all shifts to get number one in the country." Now 76 years old, way, scooped up "Out-

clean, safe buses out on the Expressing his gratitude on Arnone is one of the oldest standing Operator"

streets." His mechanics are behalf of the entire Board, RTD operators still driving. honors five times and

innovative, too. He says Patsaouras said he was ("As long as I'm healthy, was an Operator of the

they've recently developed particularly proud of the be here; this work is easy," Month in 1976. ("I can't

a sealing on the floors of division's record of improve- he says.) He's got forty remember what month,

the buses so that gum ment in several categories years under his belt and

won't readhere to them. over the months. had he not taken a three - continued on page 15 . . .





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 14

anymore," he says, his eyes

twinkling).

What he and others of

his generation do remem-

ber is the cost of the fare in

1948. Seven cents, he says.

Cheap though it may have

been, the operator, more

times than he cares to

remember, paid a price. "lt

was a madhouse in '48," he

remembers. "We were

selling weekly passes, and

the leids used to sneak into

the windows and steal

them." Bus Operator Angelo Arnone says it would take him two years to write a book on all he's

And he was robbed seen from his windshield.

occasionally, because

lost 75 percent of our Any advice he would say that I'm grateful to

operators in those days

division." As a buck ser- give to his company? RTD because I came to

made change. "Yes, I think

geant with the 92nd field "Don't change the line them newly married and

it really was more danger-

artillery battalion, 77th numbers. lt confuses then I brought a son and

ous then," he says soberly.

infantry division, he was people." daughter into this world.

among the soldiers who The proud man who once We raised them on the

"The older drivers established a beachhead at captured a thief who had money I earned from RTD.

Leyte when MacArthur stolen a gold necklace from I'm very grateful to this

returned to the Philippines. a passenger suddenly company."

are not encourag- On the day that Head- pauses. "You know, I must

way spoke with Arnone,

ing the younger the horseracing enthusiast

was accepting from Leilia Eric Carrillo, Son of Armando,

Bailey yet another Out-

ones .. . I'm from standing Operator award. Performs on London Stage

Some reflections: "The

Eric Carrillo, son of

the old school." older drivers are not

electronic maintenance

encouraging the younger

supervisor Armando

ones. The younger guys

"If they wanted to roh the Carrillo, completed a one

take driving more lightly,

year course at the London

farebox today, they would like it's a game. I guess I'm

Academy of Dramatic Arts

need tools." from the old school; if you're

in England. A graduate of

Navigating the streets of going to do it, do it the way

Northwestern University

Los Angeles was more you were taught and do it

in Evanston, III., Eric's

dangerous, too. "The car right."

expertise is in classical

was cruder then. We didn't Does he think the

theatre. In May, Armando,

have sideview mirrors and District will dismantle?

who supervises the

to turn you pulled a cord "No way," he says, "I don't

Telecommunications Shop

straight down." think there's any way we'd

in the Headquarters

He calls it flying blind. get rid of RTD. They've got

building, flew to London

Before he drove profes- to admit that RTD is doing

where he saw his son

sionally, the silver-haired a good job in a large city

perform in Summerfolk, a Eric Carrillo performed

grandfather of one drove an with a large population. If

play by Maxim Gorky. Eric in Gorky drama.

ammunition truck in World they haven't changed in all

hopes to become a dra-

War II. "We liberated these years, they won't

matic actor on Broadway.

Guam," he says, "but we change now."



JULY 1991 H EADWAY 15

"The window is like one big

moving camera. You see

people doing everything."





Doris Harris Wins Bus Operator of the Year;

Thurmon Green Named Top Train Operator

District's first Blue Line psychology with a lot of

Train Operator of the Year. people who ride the bus. To

"These two individuals the kids who tag buses, she

over the last year served as barks, "put those markers

model employees of whom away and get a job with

we are all proud," said Earl Scheib. You might as

Bailey. "Their high stan- well get paid for it."

dards and commitment to Green, an 18-year RTD

serving the people of this veteran was one of 29

region are examples of what seasoned bus operators who

we strive to have all our successfully completed

bus and rau l operators cross-training to become a

emulate." Blue Line train Operator.

Harris, who began at the Most recently, Mr. Green

District as a part-time has been promoted to Rail

operator more than 10 Transit Operations Super-

"lt felt really good when they called my name," said a

years ago, currently works visor.

startled Doris Harris. "But I felt so embarrassed, because Line 206, which travels Both Ms. Harris and Mr.

here I haci told them I wasn't going to come." The photo was along Normandie Avenue. Green exemplify the spirit

snapped the second Lei Bailey called her name. and quality of service RTD

She navigates 60 miles of

road, making three round bus and rail operators are

Last year Operator neighbor. This time, Lei trips a day between trying constantly to attain,"

Charles Warde was set to Bailey personally called Gardena and Hollywood. said General Manager Alan

go on a cruise and notified Harris and begged her to Harris, who likes to cook Pegg. "They are tops in

his division manager that attend. and sew, says she uses

he would be away for the Recollected Harris, "I

recognition ceremonies. think she said, 'Doris,

Knowing the Riverside you've got to come you're

Operator of the Month the only lady Operator of

was going to named the Month."'

Operator of the Year at She never caught on. But

the luncheon, Evelyn she did come, bursting into

Frizielle did everything tears of joy when it was

she could to convince him announced she was the

to go. "1 pleaded with 1990 operator of the year.

him," she recalled. In the Saying she was "shocked,"

end, he went. And won. the 10-year veteran thanked

This year, when the "the almighty God for

invitation came for the allowing her to come to

luncheon, Doris Harris work every day.

informed the Transporta- "I'm no better or worse

tion Department that she than any other employee,"

unfortunately would be the mother of two said,

unable to attend because tearfully. "1 was stunned," said Thurmon Green. "I expect a few

she had made plans to go RTD also tapped things in life, but neuer this. The other guys haci uery good

to Las Vegas with a Thurmon Green as the backgrounds. I guess I'm just harder on myself"



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 16

Romancing the Line

The following letter from a As luck would have it,

Carson man was received we both took the train to

by the Customer Relations the Del Arno station. Over

Department: the next several months, we

talked more and more and

Dear RTD: became very good friends.

On August 2, 1990, I Today, after countless little

was on the Number 28 rendezvous at bus stops and

Olympic bus trying to get to train stations, we are

the Blue Line train. engaged to be married.

Because it was so new, few Now we get a thrill

people knew exactly where every time we see a bus or

Doris Harris accepted trophy from General Manager Alan the stations were. A nice train. Ah, the magic of a

Pegg as Board members Gordana Swanson and Marvin lady who rode the train for Bus Pass!

Holen look on. Swanson made mention at last year's the first time the day before Sincerely,

ceremony that she was waiting for the year a woman would offered to show me the way. Ray L. Allen

be chosen. Harris said she'll display the trophy in the living

room.





their profession. Patsaouras kicked off this

Harris has had only one year's ceremony of the New

avoidable accident in the Otani Hotel in Little Tokyo.

last decade and has served He was interrupted by

as a full-time bus operator applause when he told the

for the last six years. She guests that "our company is

has received the highest the best run in the nation."

number of merits attain- "I took certain risks," he

able and she has received continued. "I know that

numerous letters of some of you are reluctant

commendation from the about the on-time guaran-

public as well as her

division manager.

She becomes the second Thurmon Green receiving loud cheers when his name was

To the kids who announced. "It's anot her world in the cab of a train," he

woman in RTD's history to

be named Bus Operator of said. "I don't think I'd get back on the buses now. lt was

tag buses she

the Year, and received good when I was driving them, but I just love the trains."

honors as Operator of the barks, "Get a

Month in 1987 and 1990.

Job with

Green becomes the

District's first Blue Line Earl Scheib."

Train Operator of the

Year, having operated 87-

foot-long trains carrying tee program, but it is now

people between Long Beach being emulated and copied

and Los Angeles during the around the world. I believe

afternoon rush hours. in every member of this

As an RTD bus operator, organization."

Green was the recipient of More cheering broke out

the District's Operator of when Patsaouras told

the Month award in 1979, invitees, "You are worth

1982 and 1988. every dollar you are

Board President Nick earning. I will always be Both of them said they think the other is great.

grateful to you."

JULY 1991 HEADWAY 17

Hertzberg Appointed to RTD Board of Directors

"I 'm disappointed at the

level of antagonism be-

"lt makes sense for the

taxpayers, and if we don't

tween RTD and the Los do it, someone else will and

Angeles County Transpor- it won't be as friendly."

tation Commission The 34-year-old

(LACTC)," said Gerry Hertzberg, who has been

Hertzberg, who was Ms. Molina's chief legisla-

recently appointed to the tive aide since she became

RTD Board of Directors by a Los Angeles city council-

County Supervisor Gloria woman in 1987, said he's

Molina. "lt hits you in the been riding the bus fre-

face and is not acceptable." quently since his appoint-

In an interview with ment in March. "I've been

Headway, Hertzberg said taking Line 16," he said,

that since the legislature "And I've been fairly

Gerry Hertzberg, appointed to the RTD Board by Supervisor has mandated the two impressed with the cleanli-

Gloria Molina, took the oath of office as administered by transportation agencies to ness of the buses. The

District Secretary Helen Bolen in April. Said Hertzberg to reorganize, he wants it to operators have been very

Headway, "I'm excited to be on the Board. You can have a go smoothly and with the responsive and share their

quicker impact on constituents because you don't have to go full participation of every- concerns with me.

through as many layers of bureaucracy as you do in city one. He thinks a smooth

government." transition is still possible. continued on page 19 . . .





Interview with Patsaouras

. . • continued from page 7

On Nick Patsaouras, On Nick Patsaouras, On those whom he

the bus rider: "Riding the the man: "I describe myself admires: "I like Bobby

bus has opened up and as a guy trying to do a good Kennedy. He brought

reminded me of the beauty job. If I had to choose the compassion and vision. Of

of the interaction that words, I would say I have someone alive today, I'd say

exists among transit seif-confidence, seif-esteem, Mario Cuomo."

riders. Yesterday I experi- pride, and credibility."

enced a tremendous high

when I saw older passen- "Transit is a

gers crack a wide open On Los Angeles: "We

smile at a young child live in an exciting, urbane, soeial equal-

whose mother was carrying dynamic city, and only a

her in her arms. Transit is well-planned transportation

a social equalizer that we system can keep it going. If izer that we

desperately need, consider- we miss it now, I'm not sure

ing that we are faced with we'll ever get the chance desperately

racial tensions. Public again."

transit's greatest benefits On future goals as a

will occur when Metro Rail board member: I'd like to need."

is complete. Only then will see the new headquarters

traffic congestion be building moving along and On anything else: "I

relieved and the quality of the reorganization in place. want to thank RTD employ-

life improved. I, by the Once these two things are ees for helping me and the

way, intend to be involved accomplished, I will feel as Board to create an institu-

with transportation for a though I met the chal- tion that can be proud of its

long time." lenge." service to the customers."



JÜLY 1991 H EADWAY 18

Hertzberg State of the District

. . . continued from page 18 by Rick Jager,

Press Relations Rep.

"I do notice that the RTD service perfor- accidents per 100,000 miles

buses on that line are RTD bus and raul ridership mance indicators show traveled. This is the lowest

overcrowded in the increased 3.7 percent District bus service is more rate since FY 1984.

evening. The operators teil during the first nine reliable than a year ago "RTD has stressed

me they feel badly passing months of FY '91 compared with fewer road calls and operator training and safety

people up." to FY '90, with revenues more buses meeting their awareness by implementing

Hertzberg's goal on the from the farebox totalling scheduled runs. a number of intensive

Board is to make sure that approximately $181 million, Miles traveled between safety programs and has

the agency receives an increase of 1.7 percent road calls increased from enforced the nation's most

adequate revenue to over last year, announced 4,1000 miles in FY '90 to rigorous drug abuse policy

provide the best service RTD Board President Nick 4,745 miles between road among transit agencies,"

possible. He hopes the Patsaouras. calls in FY '91. said Pegg. "The goal of a

District will move forward "The state of the District In addition, 90 percent of safer, efficient, and reliable

aggressively in long range is simple; we are on course, all RTD buses ready for bus system is obviously

transit planning and on budget for fiscal year service are currently anti- being implemented."

procurement possibilities. 1991, and one of the best graffiti-free upon leaving Since RTD implemented

"Since the county is transit operators in the the yard as opposed to 80 a tough new drug and

gobbled up by traffic, we nation," said Patsaouras. percent in FY '90. alcohol abuse policy in

must expand the bus lines Alan Pegg, RTD's RTD has moved to 1986, positive drug tests

and develop incentives for general manager, noted enhance the quality of its have been reduced from a

ridesharing." that the District's third high of 20.5 percent of those

He says that his boss, quarter report for FY '91 tested to 1.14 percent in

Ms. Molina, is very shows that the RTD, March of 1991.

committed to transporta- barring any unforseen "Ridership RTD statistics also show

tion and has worked with circumstances, will end this that absenteeism among

is up."

both planners and commu- fiscal year with a balanced bus operators and mechan-

nity groups on the in- budget. ics continued to decrease.

tended light rau l through "This has been accom- A recently completed

Pasadena. "Our goal," he plished despite an increase customer service by empha- absence rate survey

emphasized, "is to make of expenditures to provide sizing courtesy and assis- conducted by Booz Allen

Los Angeles more additional bus service and tance. For example, RTD and Hamilton, Inc. con-

liveable." Blue Line security, added quality assurance data from cluded that driver atten-

The Los Angeles native Blue Line service to service inspecting units dance improved by 18

graduated from the accommodate increased show more and more bus percent between FY '88 and

University of California at ridership, and higher fuel operators are calling out FY '89 and another 16

Santa Barbara with a costs during the earlier part bus stops for their passen- percent in FY '90.

degree in economics. He of the year," said Pegg. gers. In an informal survey What this shows is that

then went on to graduate RTD has added 35 buses taken in June of 1990, only between 1986 and 1990,

studies in public policy at this fiscal year to relieve 44 percent of the bus stops attendance among our

Duke University in overcrowding that exists were being called by bus Operator has improved by

Durham, N.C., where he throughout the system. operators compared to 90 35 percent, a reduction of

was a graduate fellow in This has allowed the percent during April of 17.5 average annual days

the Institute of Policy District to keep pace with 1991. absent per driver," said

Sciences and Public passenger growth by Traffic accidents involv- Pegg.

Affairs. carrying more passengers ing RTD buses are at the The District's mainte-

Hertzberg, who is with less serious over- lowest rate in seven years, nance employee absence

single, worked with the crowding on many RTD continuing a downward rate improved by 15 percent

City Redevelopment and lines. trend that has seen a six between FY '89 and FY '90

Housing Committee, "We still need to add percent overall drop in with average days absent

which Ms.Molina chaired. more service, and in the accidents. per mechanic reduced 5.4

He is a resident of the coming months we will seek After three quarters of days representing a de-

Mid-Wilshire area of Los the funding necessary to do FY 91, the District's annual crease of 27 percent

Angeles. so," said Patsaouras. accident rate is 3.82 between FY '86 and FY '90.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 19

Bon Voyage to Marlene Allen

Marlene Allen has heard on and I was the only

some pretty good ones over examiner working with

the years. some 2,000 open files.")

"One time," the gracious Back then, Allen says

Minnesota native recalls, employees didn't file stress

trying to keep a straight claims. "You didn't want to

face, "this bus operator do anything that might

tried to teil me he had jeopardize your job," she

gotten a boil on his tailbone says. lt wasn't until the

because the mechanics got early eighties that she

the seat dirty. I said to him, started seeing stress

`You do wear clothes when claims, and even then, she

you drive the bus, don't says it "was just dis-

you?" gruntled employees trying

Allen smiles, "Let's just to get back at their em-

say we agreed to forget ployer."

about that one." Nowadays, Allen says

Last month, after 30 employees report things

years of service to the that somebody at home

District and overseeing the wouldn't see a doctor for.

closing out of some 26,000 Yes, she thinks workers

claims, Allen retired. She comp is a iJenefit that

spent the lion's share of her employees should be

years at RTD supervising entitled to. But, as she puts

the District's workers it, "Some people overdo it."

compensation program and "You get to the point

ensuring that those employ- that you hear so many

ees who filed got the stories of the different ways

benefits to which they were people have been hurt, that

entitled. For years, Allen you don't believe it until

administered the program you practically see the

by herself. Now there are blood.

ten employees doing "You must understand,"

worker's compensation in In the ballroom at the Burbank Airport Hilton Hotel, she says with a grin, "I

the Risk Management Marlene Allen's friends threw her a night to remember. don't mind people trying to

department. Notes Allen, Honoring the retiring Allen, who was also secretary of the work an angle, but what

"they're doing what I did District's golf club, is her boss, Director of Risk I've minded over the years

myself for years." Management Barbara Anderson. is that they think I'm

Allen started in 1961 as stupid enough to believe the

a medical clerk receptionist stories."

for what was then the clear there was no room for the District's outside claims And how about the

Metropolitan Transit advancement, she decided administrator. Several people who file the far-

Authority (MTA). ("Nobody to move to the credit union. years later, RTD brought fetched claims? Do they feel

ever starts in workers "But they talked me into the claims in-house, and stupid?

comp.; there's not even a staying," Allen says, "and Allen was doing the actual Not at all, she says with

dass in it in law school.") doing workers comp." adjustment, including a straight face. "People do

Within seven years she had The position required arranging payments, not get embarrassed about

worked almost every union Allen to track employees dealing with attorneys and those things."

job in the personnel hurt on the job and file setting up medical exams.

department. When it was their damage claims with ("There was a hiring freeze continued on page 21 . . .









JULY 1991 HEADWAY 20

Allen, who's single, will dinner dance at the

take her memories to Las Burbank Airport Hilton.

Vegas where she recently The humble Allen had not

purchased a house on a golf wanted a to-do made of her

course. At the end of May, leaving, but she gave her

friends the nod when she

thought of her father who

"I don't mind had passed away some

years ago.

people trying to Her Dad, Wayne

work an angle . . . Spittler, had worked at the

District as the maintenance

what I've minded manager of Division 6.

When he retired in 1973

is that they think because of failing health,

I'm stupid his colleagues didn't give

him a party. Not even a

enough to believe little gathering in the office.

"He would have liked that,"

the stories." says Allen. "My party was

really for him."

When he retired,

her colleagues and the Spittler had served the

attorneys she's worked District for 31 years.

with over the years toasted Like father, like daugh-

her retirement with a ter.

When all was said and done, there was still more; a jumbo

television set was presented to the lady of the evening,

Marlene Allen.



Barnfield, Gene K., began Vazquez, Horacio, began

with the District on Sep-



QHIFTING

with the District on May 5,

tember 21, 1973, retired as 1980, retired as a Mechanic

a Bus Operator on April 18, "A" on November 27, 1990.

1991.



Bell, Thomas, began with

EARS Weathersbee, Jesse,

the District on April 8, began with the District on

1967, retired as a Bus May 6, 1967, retired as a

Operator on April 22, 1991. Bus Operator on May 17,

1991.

Bullock, Jasper E., began

with the District on March

23, 1968, retired as a Bus Wesling, Ralph E., began

Operator on May 7, 1991. with the District on March

Gutierrez, Tomas A., McCoy, Cornelius, began 28, 1968, retired as a Bus

Cooper, Donald R., began began with the District on with the District on April 5, Operator on April 27, 1991.

with the District on May April 21, 1981, retired as a 1976, retired as a Mechanic

13, 1958, retired as a Mopper Waxer on April 30, "A" on April 9, 1991.

Transit Operations Super- 1991.

Wyrick, Curtis J., began

visor on April 30, 1991. with the District on

Hassan, Raymond E., February 17, 1968, retired

Doss, 0. D., began with the began with the District on Takemoto, Jacqueline S., as a Bus Operator on April

District on April 27, 1968, May 4, 1963, retired as a began with the District on 30, 1991.

retired as a Bus Operator Bus Operator on May 17, March 3, 1986, retired as a

on April 28, 1991. 1991. Secretary on May 11, 1991.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 21

MENDATIONS







/,';'WE;g5,;24 %Y









"In my mind, she's always been Operator of the Month,"

said Supervisor Dave Coffey of Information Operator

Theresa Lutton-Ramirez who was honored May 23 by the

Board of Directors for officially taking the honors in April.

"The best part of my job is meeting so many people from

"Theresa is sharp, knows what the patrons want before they

all over the country and the world," said Bus Operator

ask and knows the lines, schedules, and fares like the back

Stephen Glaser who clinched Operator of the Month

of her hand," added Coffey. Fielding calls from up to 30

honors for April. Introduced to the Board May 23, Glaser

people an hour, Lutton-Ramirez said the most popular

posed afterward for a snapshot with his sister, Sharon

request is information about the Blue Line. She said many

Sanders, who is an attorney in the District's Legal

people are shocked to find that the light rau l line only goes

Department. Glaser, who works out of Division 15, started

between Long Beach and Los Angeles. "I tell them to give us

with RTD in March of 1980 as apart-time operator. The

a couple of years," she laughed. The mot her of two sons, she

single jogger has carried 90 merits since 1983, and has

graduated from Marshall High School. She's presently

neuer had a missout. He has not been sick since 1984.

taking business classes at Los Angeles City College.

Glaser earned Outstanding Recognition for the years 88-

89, 89-90, and according to his division manager, Chris

Coleman, "will undoubtedly receive Outstanding Operator

for 90-91. When he's not behind the wheel, Glaser enjoys

hiking and working out.





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 22

Commendations continued from page 22









"He's one of our best," said Director of Accounting Mike

Butler of Rene Decena as he presented him with a plaque

for Outstanding Employee of the Quarter. The seven-year

RTD veteran is in charge of financial management systems

which means making sure that the general ledger, accounts

payable, fixed asset, and the grants systems are all working

properly. The Burbank resident also acts as a liaison

between Accounting and other District departments and

consultants. "I can't do without him," said Josie Nicasio, his

Rob Hartert, photolithograp hic process operator, was

supervisor. "Everybody just loves him. He has no airs. The

recently named the Print Shop's Employee of the Quarter.

recognition was long overdue."

Hartert, 13 years in the printing business, averaged 140

percent a month in productivity, according to his superivsor

Mike Kennedy. A "good" rating is 90 percent. The Rialto

father of two says his jobs are "neuer the same so they are

neuer monotonous." Word has it that Hartert worked so

much one year that he earned the nickname "O.T. Hartert"

from his colleagues. His boss says that he depends on him

personally for specialty jobs. Said Kennedy, "Rob gives 100

percent all the time -- he's very dependable." Al Moore,

manager of the Print Shop, and Steve Parry, director of

Scheduling and Operations Planning join Rob in the

picture.









JULY 1991 H EADWAY 23

More Commendations continued from page 23









Director of Human Resources Gayel Pitchford accepted

an award on behalf of RTD for dispatching a bus to

transport family members of troops returning from the

Gulf. The story was featured in the May issue of Headway.

The presenter was the Commanding Officer Mobile Inshore

Undersea Warfare Unit (M1UWU 105) of the U.S. Navy

Reserves, to which Gayel belongs. Declaring it was "our

Five of the returning Desert Storm soldiers received a hearty way of saying thanks," the Navy saluted RTD for their

welcome home in May from the RTD Board of Directors.

effort in making the community stronger. "This is your

Euch was presented a bronze medallion and a T-shirt that day," they conveyed to RTD through Gayel. She,

read "Operation Desert Storm" on the front, and on the back incidentally, is one of only 120 women commanders in the

read, "My Other Job is With RTD." Those honored included U.S. Navy.

(from left to right) Jose Solano, Curtis Shelby, Froylan

Sandoval, Douglas Park, and Wesley Tyvog. Making

presentations to the men were (on the left) L. Rich Davis,

director of maintenance and Leilia Bailey, director of

transportation. RTD Board President Nick Patsaouras,

flanked by General Manager Alan Pegg, holds the plaque

with the soldiers' pictures and those of their colleagues who

are still in the Gulf. The plaque will be displayed in the

showcase outside the Board room. Similar ceremonies for

the remaining 14 activated RTD servicemen will be held in

the coming weeks, according to orchestrator and Human

Relations Analyst Howard Chokan. Chokan, himself in the

Navy Reserves, said the ideas for the ceremony and special

gifts "just blossomed."









JULY 1991 HEADWAY 24

More Commendations

. . . continued from page 24









1Ve have a pretty good crew," Philip Williams said of his

colleagues in the Running Repair Section. They must think

highly of him, too. In April, he was named CMF Employee

of the Month because, said his supervisor, "he is a well-

rounded mechanic and knowledgeable in all phases of bus

Layout Supervisor Susan Chapman captured the Employee maintenance." Philip is a Mechanic A.

of the Quarter Award for her consistently excellent

performance. Under Susan's leadership, the Document

Production section is being converted from a "cut and paste"

operation to a personal-computer-based system. According to

her supervisor, Dick Dimon, "her ability to produce top-

quality work within tight deadlines has significantly

enhanced the standards of the wide range of graphic

materials produced by Susan and her staff" She also

oversees the layout of Headway. Susan, who is married,

lives in the San Gabriel Valley. She is pictured here

receiving congratulations from Director of Scheduling and

Operations Planning Steve Parry.









Albert Sampson, a Leadman in Equipment Maintenance

at the Machine Shop, accepted congratulations on being

named CMF Employee of the Month for April. He was

chosen because of his excellent working relationship with

co-workers which, according to his supervisors, enables him

to get maximum cooperation. On the Job 35 years, he said he

still "feels the joy of serving the public."





Carrying an excellent attendence and safety record as a

Mechanic A, Julio Perez was tapped CMF Employee of the

Month for April. His superiors in the Midlife Section said

he was chosen because he performs his mechanical

assignments in a superior manner. "I'm grateful to work

here," the seven year RTD man told Headway.





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 25

Public Commendations

Dear Sir: Dear Sir: the situation. When it was nent Line 462 driver, and

The purpose of this In today's society, it time for their departure, he that is the purpose of this

letter is to applaud Wayne seem that the only time we pointed out the direction letter. Could you approve

Helton, one of your many hear something is when that they needed to go, and our petition.

RTD drivers, who, each things are bad, or not right explained to them where to Sincerely yours,

morning, drives the 401 bus and we lose sight or take for stand to catch the returning Juan Jose Jauregui

from Pasadena into Los granted the good things, bus. (The letter was signed

Angeles. When I have the time, I like I have been riding the by 14 others)

I can't praise his to commend someone for a buses since September and

attitude enough. He is job well done as was done by have seen drivers who have

always polite and courte- your operator Henry Scott, difficulty with English Dear Sir:

ous, calling out our names badge #1689. speaking passengers and The purpose of my

and wishing us a "good day" Mr. Scott handles the are not as courteous Hats letter is to commend RTD

or "see you Monday!" It's a 434 line, in which I ride off to Mr. Scott. driver, Mr. C. Randolph,

real pleasure to ride with daily. He is always courte- Sincerely, Badge #2619I Route 33, for

him. ous and conscientious, but Pamela Miller the information, kindness

So many times, I am this one particular day Hotel/Reservations and courtesy extended to

sure, you must get grumpy notes merit. Director two confused out-of-state

letters complaining about There were five German Magic International tourists.

this or that, but I can't help tourists boarding on 4th and Please inform him of

feeling that Wayne de- Broadway this week and my letter so he will know of

serves a pat on the back, a wanted to tour Los Angeles Dear Sir: our gratitude. By the way,

handshake, or even a pay (downtown) and then return We have had many we spent ten days

raise from his boss. to Malibu. Even though they drivers on this Los Angeles- sightseeing by bus and

Congratulations for didn't speak English very Norwalk route. Mr. Steve found all of your drivers

having the good sense to well, Mr. Scott understood Lugo is one of the best extremely helpful, but Mr.

hire such people. their needs and directed drivers we have had. He is Randolph even more so.

Sincerely, them effortlessly. These always on time, so we do Thank you.

Ginny Benson people didn't even under- not miss our connections. Sincerely,

Member Relations stand the dollar value too He is always very courteous Isabel J. Mahoney

Santa Monica Area well, but he never lost and professional. For these Upper Darby, PA

Chamber Area of patience. In fact, he made reasons we would like to

Commerce them feel comfortable about have Steve as our perma-









Rubin, RTD Win National Accounting Distinction

A top national award for The certificate of RTD's comprehensive

financial disclosure in achievement is the highest annual financial report was

annual reports has been form of recognition in the judged by an impartial

won by the RTD and its area of governmental panel to meet the high

controller-treasurer, Tom accounting and financial standards of the finance

Rubin. The Government reporting, and its attain- officers association program

Finance Officers Associa- ment represents a signifi- including the demonstra-

tion of the United States cant accomplishment by a tion of a constructive "spirit

and Canada awarded its government and its man- of full disclosure," the

certificate of achievement agement," the Chicago- organization said.

for excellence in financial based association said. lt is

reporting to the Southern a distinction accorded to

California Rapid Transit only three percent of

District. governmental agencies in

the nation. Tom Rubin



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 26

Working on the Railroad

S ometimes, when John there are more problems

St. Cyr looks at the closed with traffic signals.

circuit monitor which pans

the Blue Line stations, he

sees people disregarding "He is living

the rules. Sometimes he'll

testimony to the

see people drinking on the

platforms or walking on success of a

the tracks.

But on one Saturday in cross-training

April, the dispatcher

program."

whose colleagues say is

"modest to a fault" saw a

chilling slice of life. Two If he had to choose his

people had been shot, not favorite station, he says

on rau l property, but on a he'd pick Del Arno because

public sidewalk under- "Sometimes," his colleagues say good-naturedly of John St. it's the first one he ever saw

neath the Florence plat- Cyr (above), "we have to pinch him to see if he's awake. We and a "two-level Job." As for

form. He watched aghast should be half as good as he." his favorite RTD Job, St. Cyr

as a man wheeling a baby says diplomatically, "I've

stroller passed the bleed- Two years later, he problems would be solved a enjoyed every TOS Job I've

ing victim, looked at him, changed to division dis- lot quicker." ever had," and then quickly

and moved coolly on. Just patching in the San In April of last year, the adds, "This is the best group

as coolly, St. Cyr walked Fernando Valley. Blue Line whistled. ("lt was of people I've ever worked

the twenty feet to the "I like to see different a beautiful sight to see the with."

Sheriffs deputies and aspects of the company and yard filled with trains.") "That figures," says

relayed what was being how they interface with First a yard controller, then Ibarra when told of St. Cyr's

played out on the screen. each other," the reserved a line supervisor, St. Cyr is comments. "I've never heard

"He never flies off the St. Cyr says. "As a division presently working with the John say an unkind thing

handle," says his boss, Dan dispatcher, I learned the highly sophisticated, about anybody. There is

Ibarra. "That man works different personalities of computerized equipment in simply no negativity coming

with such precision and the operators." the radio room. "As a raul from John."

such consistency that Soon a transit opera- dispatcher, I have to be These days, he's not

you're used to forgetting tions supervisor, the even more careful because home much because of his

he's there." Canyon Country resident we're dealing with high schedule, which requires

But St. Cyr has been was among six or seven speeds." And the problems him to work from 12:30 p.m.

here for 16 years. In that people chosen to cross-train in some cases are more to 8:30 p.m and on week-

time, he is one of only two in the radio room down- complex to solve. "When I ends.

who has worked almost town. ("lt was most was a bus dispatcher and His wife, Rosemary, he

every transportation Job on exciting, most rewarding.") there was an accident in the says, is getting used to it.

both the bus and rail side. He was particularily street, we'd use another "Transportation is my life,"

He is, says Ibarra, "living challenged during the rush street. But an accident on he says simply. Perhaps it's

testimony to the success of hour. If a bus broke down, the tracks is critical to train in the blood. His oldest son,

a cross-training program." he would have to adjust the operations." a sheriffs deputy in Castaic,

The man who restores other buses on the line. "I He says light rail has a high seniority position

old cars for a hobby started love solving those kinds of accidents seem to happen transporting prisoners to

as a bus operator working problems, but sometimes more often in the afternoon. court. His middle son is a

out of Divisions 8 and 15. you can only put a band-aid And, as you'd expect, such tow truck driver. And his

He worked the Extra on them. mishaps happen more on younger son, a college

Board so that he was not "I found that if you were street running territory, student, enjoys watching his

"stuck on the same streets" pleasant to the operators like Washington and Long dad restore the '55 Buick

every day. on the other end, the Beach boulevards where they have at home.





JULY 1991 H EADWAY 27

The District Cashes In, and So Do Its Employees

Watch any old movie or TV towed using chains and

rerun set in the workplace boards; as a result, the

and you are likely to run front bumpers often

across a familiar old joke -- suffered damage. After

the employee suggestion considering the problem

box, which is often made and spending just half a

out of a shoe box, and is day in the weld shop, Ward

emptied into the waste- had fabricated a new three-

paper basket at the end of foot by four-foot unit which

each week. adapts to the standard

Human Resources towing fixture and goes

analyst Denice Findlay underneath the coach,

wants you to know that causing no damage to the

things work a little differ- front end. The District has

ently at the District. awarded $200 to Ward for

Findlay is charged with his safety-enhancing and

administration of the RTD Inventors at Heart. cost-saving ideas.

Employee Suggestion Equipment Maintenance

Program, which bears no Supervisor Roger Flynn

resemblance to the shoe box He in turn was awarded injury resulting from failed thought radiators would

of old. $50 for his cost-cutting hydraulic jacks during withstand structural shock

The District knows that suggestion. GFC engine changes, better if they were mounted

its employees, rather than Robert Puente is also a designed a steel beam to on polyurethane pads

high-priced outside consult- Sheet Metal Worker, and he supplement the jacks and instead of the laminated

ants, are the people who also had an idea for the prevent serious accidents. canvas composite material

best understand daily electronic fareboxes. He They also split a $100 they previously used. The

operation of an immense designed a transfer ticket award. suggestion was tried out,

public transit agency. lt is holder which now results in and now results in an

to the employees, then, that an annual cost savings of annual cost saving of

the District turns for cost- $2654. The District happily Since its inception, $2461.50. Flynn's idea

cutting and service-enhanc- spent ten percent of that proved rewarding for

the Employee

ing improvements. The savings thanking Puente for himself, as well; the

Suggestion Program his valuable idea, by Suggestion District gratefully pre-

assures that every idea is presenting him with a $265 sented him with a check for

acknowledged, evaluated award. Program has saved $246.

and -- if put into effect -- No one understands the Since its inception, the

RTD about $1.2

rewarded. need for safety better than Employee Suggestion

If you still don't think good mechanics, and four of million. Program has saved the

the District is serious about the District's best were District about $1.2 million.

wanting employees' sugges- rewarded for suggestions

tions, just ask any of the that promote safety during Safety was also a

eight employees whose

suggestions were rewarded

maintenance and repair.

Tim Pohlman and Terry

concern for Gary Ward, a

welder with the District for

Wanted

last May. Robert Kang, for Diedrichs, both with the 18 years. He designed a

example, realized that District for almost ten stand that will safely hold Wanted: Cash offers for

dollar bills often got stuck years, split a $100 award axle housings for repairs, Safety Awards and Cap

in the electronic fareboxes. when they suggested storing and shipping, Badges from Los Angeles

Kang, a Sheet Metal installing a 100 series making the Equipment Transit Lines, Metropolitan

Worker who has been with shipping stand on an 870 Maintenance area even Transit Authority, and

RTD for 17 1/2 years, dolly, making removal of safer. Pacific Electric Railway.

developed a die that allows power plant assemblies Ward also designed a Please call or write: Roy

the bills to be smoothly safer and easier. Victor tow bar for our Flexible Fizer, 1254 West 36th

inserted, and ended up Yacobucci and Julio Perez, Metro buses. Formerly, the Street, Los Angeles CA

saving the District $500. concerned about possible buses had to be lifted and 90007. (213) 735-9145.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 28

Waning Industry Should be Harnessed For

Building Transit Systems, Patsaouras Says

Thousands of jobs could be Federation of Labor (AFL-

created in Southern CIO), said that government

California over the next contract cancellations and

three decades by redirecting cutbacks, combined with an

aerospace and defense extended slump in private

employees into local orders at major aerospace

manufacturing of buses, facilities here, had

light rau, commuter raul "sounded an apparent

and subway cars and parts doomsday message" in the

instead of purchasing industry.

equipment from abroad, Bruce Lee, director of

RTD Board President Nick Region 6, United Auto

Patsaouras and civic Workers, said Patsaouras's

leaders announced at a program was "the only

press conference in late viable plan on the table

May. that promises to save the

Government and private talent and experience of

Flanked by union leaders and LACTC Executive Director

industry need to work in a Neil Peterson, RTD Board President Nick Patsaouras urged tens of thousands of skilled

joint effort to re-allocate cities and developers to donate land as sites for workers from vanishing

available engineers, manufacturing plants to produce buses, rau l cars and other forever while giving the

technicians, skilled labor equipment, thus creating jobs and boosting the local Southern California

and manufacturing capacity economy. economy a massive boost

in the moribund aerospace for years to come.

and defense industries into "The foresight of Nick

the building of transit bus per work day for the result of the defense and Patsaouras in developing

systems in Southern next 30 years," Patsaouras aerospace closures." the `Jobs Creation Initia-

California. Patsaouras added, noting that the Peterson pointed out tive' deserves the tribute of

made his remarks at a Crown Coach plant in that although the Metro the entire state."

news conference in Downey Chino in neighboring San Blue Line vehicles were

near Rockwell Bernardino county is being manufactured and as-

International's Space

Systems Division.

dismantled and auctioned

off.

sembled in Japan, 40

percent of the parts were

For Sale

Over the next 30 years, "lt also means the manufactured in the United For Sale: '90 Chinook

Patsaouras noted, the Los production of 300 rail cars States. Concourse Motor Home.

Angeles County Transports- and related equipment, as "It's feasible to assemble Due to Illness, it has never

tion Commission, in concert well as the development of the cars here, as is done been driven. $55,000 or

with the 88 cities in the new technology for fare with New York's Japanese $10,000 and T.O.P.

county, CalTrans, the RTD, collection, street signal and Canadian built subway Phone: (714) 593-2351.

and nine of the municipal controls in smart corridors, trains and Seattle's Italian-

transit operators, will telecommunications and built buses," Peterson said. For Sale: 1981 Mobile

spend nearly $160 billion information dissemination." "We urge the manufactur- Home, 12' x 50'. 1 B/R, 1

improving bus services, Added LACTC Executive ing industries to look into BA, appliances, washer/

building rail lines, adding Director Neil Peterson, `We creating opportunities dryer, roll-down security

to freeway capacity, and need to initiate the momen- locally." shutters, shed. Space rent

developing new technology tum to keep local tax Southern California $400.

to help ease congestion and dollars here in Southern labor leaders also praised Located opposite Div. 3.

clean up the air. California and provide the plan. Bill Robertson, $16,500. Call (213) 223-

"lt means the production much-needed jobs to those executive secretary- 2693.

of nearly 6,000 buses -- one who have been left out as a treasurer of the Los Angeles





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 29

CHEDUL

ANGES Craney, Deborah L., from

Assistant Administrative

Analyst to Administrative

Giovannetti, Michael D.,

from Mechanic "C" to

Mechanic "B."

Analyst.

Gonzalez, Oscar R., from

Cranston, George A., Mechanic "C" to Mechanic

Abella, Radgino G., from Camagay, Alfredo M., Transit Police Officer

Bus Operator (Part-Time) to from Stock Clerk to (Trainee) to Transit Police

Bus Operator (Full- Time). Storekeeper. Officer. Goss, Jackie A., from

Transit Police Officer to

Acker, William E., from Carrillo, Albert, from Bus Cruz, Paul A., from Transit Police Investigator

Bus Operator (Part-Time) to Operator (Full-Time) to Bus Mechanic "C" to Mechanic

Bus Operator (Full- Time). Operator/Extra Schedule Guerrero, Charles

Checker. Arnold, from Bus Operator

Aguilar, Walter A., from De La Rosa, Ernie, from (Part-Time) to Bus Opera-

Bus Operator (Part-Time) to Carroll, Allie Lea, from Stock Clerk to Storekeeper. tor (Full-Time).

Bus Operator (Full- Time). Bus Operator (Part-Time)

to Bus Operator (Full- Doyle, Darnell "D", from Haywood, Teresa L., from

Bakir, Majd Sidki, from Time). Janitor to Mopper Waxer. Bus Operator (Part-Time)

Bus Operator (Part-Time) to to Bus Operator (Full-

Bus Operator (Full- Time). Castillo, Gustavo, from Duong, Lelan T., from Time).

Bus Operator (Part-Time) Clerk to General Clerk II.

Barrera, Pablo, from Bus to Bus Operator (Full- Hernandez, Jose L., from

Operator (Part-Time) to Bus Time). Erazo, Kathryn L., from Bus Operator (Part-Time)

Operator (Full- Time) Bus Operator (Part-Time) to Bus Operator (Full-

Castle, Alvin D., from to Bus Operator (Full- Time).

Benat, Daniel, from Bus Mechanic "C" to Mechanic Time).

Operator (Part-Time) to Bus Johnson, Leroy, from Bus

Operator (Full- Time). Esquivel, Irma E., from Operator (Part-Time) to

Castro, Rogelio U., from Bus Operator (Part-Time) Bus Operator (Full- Time).

Bonifay, Leroy A., from Bus Operator/Extra to Bus Operator (Full-

Rail Traction Power Inspec- Schedule Checker to Time). Judilla, Renato

tor to Rail Traction Power Schedule Checker. Gonzalez, from Bus

Supervisor. Farley, David A., from Operator (Part-Time) to

Chaney, Jerry, from Rail Traction Power Bus Operator (Full-Time).

Bozonier, Anthony R., Transit Police Officer Inspector to Rail Traction

from Bus Operator (Full- (Trainee) to Transit Police Power Supervisor. Kalaw, Joseph E., from

Time) to Schedule Checker. Officer. Bus Operator (Part-Time)

Gallardo, Albert R., from to Bus Operator (Full-

Brady, Juanita, from Bus Clark, Michael G., from Bus Operator (Part-Time) Time).

Operator (Full-Time) to Bus Mechanic "C" to Mechanic to Bus Operator (Full-

Operator/Extra Schedule Time). Kangarloo, Afshin, from

Checker. Programmer to Program-

Coats, Matthew L., from Garcia, Victor A., from mer Analyst.

Burroughs, Andre Digital Technician to Bus Operator/Extra

Lamar, from Bus Operator Digital Systems Technician. Schedule Checker to Kawahara, Dean E., from

(Part-Time) to Bus Operator Schedule Checker. Mechanic "B" to Mechanic

(Full-Time). Coronel, Jose Martin,

from Bus Operator Gatdula, Salvador L.,

Busch, Lawrence S., from (Part-Time) to Bus from Engineering Associate Keliher, Joseph T., from

Mechanic "C" to Mechanic Operator (Full-Time). to Engineer. Mechanic "C" to Mechanic





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 30

Kimbrough, Carol A., Megliorino, Rodolfo, from Pearson, Reginald M., Sanchez, Elens, from Bus

from Stock Clerk to Truck Bus Operator (Full-Time) to from Bus Operator (Part- Operator (Part-Time) to

Driver/Clerk. Bus Operator/Extra Time) to Bus Operator Bus Operator (Full- Time).

Schedule Checker. (Full-Time).

Labayna, Edgardo Y., Sanchez, Victoria Lynn,

from Transit Police Officer Melgar, Rafael Antonio, Pilola, Juan C., from Bus from Bus Operator (Part-

(Trainee) to Transit Police from Bus Operator (Part- Operator (Part-Time) to Time) to Bus Operator

Officer. Time) to Bus Operator Bus Operator (Full- Time). (Full-Time).

(Full-Time).

Lee, Han Joo, from Bus Pulido, Jaime C., from Santos, James D., from

Operator (Part-Time) to Miranda, Edward, from Bus Operator (Part-Time) Bus Operator/Extra

Bus Operator (Full-Time). Bus Operator (Part-Time) to Bus Operator (Full- Schedule Checker to

to Bus Operator (Full- Time). Schedule Checker.

Lindsay, James B., from Time).

Mechanic "C" to Mechanic Ramirez, Elias, from Bus Saw, Kyin H., from

Morales, Manuel J., from Operator (Part-Time) to Mechanic "C" to Mechanic

Bus Operator (Part-Time) Bus Operator (Full- Time).

Livio, Joseph, from to Bus Operator (Full-

Mechanic "B" to Mechanic Time). Ramirez-Chavez, Jose Schwibs, Michael W.,

A.1 3

“

A., from Bus Operator from Bus Operator (Part-

Moreno, Miguel, from Bus (Part-Time) to Bus Opera- Time) to Bus Operator

Lomeli, Edith B., from Operator (Part-Time) to tor (Full-Time). (Full-Time).

Truck Driver/Clerk to Stock Bus Operator (Full- Time).

Clerk. Ray, James A., from Shen, Gloria Siu Yin,

Munoz, Jose Gilberto, Mechanic "B" to Mechanic from Programmer to

Lopez, Esmeralda M., from Bus Operator (Part- Programmer Analyst.

from Bus Operator (Part- Time) to Bus Operator

Time) to Bus Operator (Full-Time). Risin, Demetria Mich- Smith, Myron M., from

(Full-Time). elle, from Bus Operator Transit Police Officer

Myers, Philip H., from (Part-Time) to Bus Opera- (Trainee) to Transit Police

Macabagdal, Fernand() Bus Operator (Part-Time) tor (Full-Time). Officer.

B., from Mechanic "C" to to Bus Operator (Full-

Mechanic "B." Time). Rivera, Angel C., from Solano, Cesar E., from

Transit Police Officer Mechanic "B" to Mechanic

Madrigal, Dina M., from Navarrette, Gloria Jean, (Trainee) to Transit Police

Bus Operator (Part-Time) from Bus Operator (Part- Officer.

to Bus Operator (Full- Time) to Bus Operator Soto, Connie, from Bus

Time). (Full-Time). Rodriguez, Joseph P., Operator (Part-Time) to

from Bus Operator (Part- Bus Operator (Full-Time).

Maldonado, Ephraim Nguyen, Dan L., from Bus Time) to Bus Operator

NMN, from Bus Operator Operator (Full-Time) to (Full-Time). Subillaga, Rensto P.,

(Part-Time) to Bus Opera- Schedule Maker I from Mechanic "C" to

tor (Full-Time). Rodriguez, Hilton T., Mechanic "B."

Nix, Cecelia Ann, from from Bus Operator (Part-

Matejovsky, George E., Bus Operator (Part-Time) Time) to Bus Operator Sun, Hsiao-Man, from

from Rail Signal Supervisor to Bus Operator (Full- (Full-Time). Mechanic "C" to Mechanic

to Facilities Maintenance Time). 413 )5









Manager. Salcido, Anthony, from

Page, Richard S., from Bus Operator (Part-Time) Tadena, Manuel B., from

McNeese, Rayetta P., Planner to Senior Planner. to Bus Operator (Full- Mechanic "C" to Mechanic

Time). ‘73 .21

from Mopper Waxer to

Equipment Records Special-

ist. continued on page 33 . . .









JULY 1991 HEADWAY 31

War Garnes HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

by Frank Harper,

Local Government and

Community Affairs Representative

AMERICA

On a hillside at the enlightening. "I was most

camp, a camouflaged impressed by how hard

grandstand was erected. lt these young men and

formed a natural amphithe- women train," she said,

Packing it in. Leilia ater to view simulated "and by their level of

Bailey tries on a soldier's battles and skirmishes. The commitment. I came to

backpack. Fully loaded, soldiers demonstrated their understand that service is a

the gear weighs over 100 equipment and battlefield sacrifice on their part. lt

pounds. tactics. Bailey and Morrow isn't a `get-away-from work'

got to ride in all-terrain event, it's an extension of

armor personnel carriers. work."

For lunch, the visitors The conversion to an

sampled the latest in all-volunteer military force

military field cuisine pre- and the end of the draft has

packaged MREs or "Meals increased the importance of

Ready to Eat." The tour the Guard and Reserves in

also featured a helicopter our nation's defense.

demonstration and an Together, they make up

earthshaking round of one-third of our armed

"Arrive at 0630 at Norton her staff of operators and mortar and heavy artillery forces. The Guard and

AFB on 16 May for process- supervisors for military fire. Reserve played a significant

ing and briefing leave. "You have to allow Bailey found the day role in Operation Desert

prior to boarding the them the leave time," she at Camp Roberts to be very Storm.

aircraft..." says, "but my workforce is

read the letter sent on diminshed by complying

military stationery to with the request for time

continued on page 33 . . .

District Transportation off."

Director Leilia Bailey and Bailey and Morrow

Division Five Operator ascended into the belly of a

Mary Morrow. Bailey and huge C-130 military

Morrow had not been transport plane for the

deployed. They were headed hour flight to Paso Robles,

off for a day's visit to Camp the nearest town to Camp

Roberts as participants of Roberts. The aircraft, a

the "Guard Lift" program of 1960s era model, with only

the California National makeshift nylon webbing

Guard. for seating, offered a taste

The program's purpose of military life. The flight

is to gather support for the crew readily handed out

National Guard by provid- ear plugs to all the passen-

ing employers and legisla- gers.

tors with a first-hand look At Paso Robles airport,

at the activities of reserv- three Chinook helicopters--

ists and guard members their rotors whirling for a

during their annual two "hot takeoff," stood waiting

weeks of training. As to take the visitors on a A wing and a prayer. Director of Transportation Leilia

Director of Transportation, brief, memorable flight to Bailey aboard the Air National Guard's C-130 transport

Bailey reviews requests by Camp Roberts. plane.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 32

War Garnes

. . . continued from page 32 Schedule

Employers, such as Changes

RTD, are required to

release employees for

. . . continued from page 31

military training. Bailey

estimates that 25 operators

and supervisors partici- Vasquez, Ernie A., from

pated in Operation Desert Bus Operator (Part-Time)

Storm and Desert Shield to Bus Operator (Full-

and that some personnel Time).

are still serving.

In California, Guard Vasquez, Gabriel F., from

activities also include Bus Operator (Part-Time)

disaster and emergency to Bus Operator (Full-

relief, and drug interdic- Time).

tion.

"The National Guard is Guard as an example. Morrow re-traced their Vergara, Andrew J., from

the nation's best kept Pilots generally come from journey home by helicopter Bus Operator (Part-Time)

military secret," says RTD the ranks of commercial and plane. to Bus Operator (Full-

Public Affairs Representa- aviation. Cowden is "I gained an apprecia- Time).

tive Daniel Cowden. planning to reenlist in the tion overall for the National

Cowden, a former Green Guard. "In terms of costs," Guard and the employees White, Reyna Consuelo,

Beret in Vietnam and notes Cowden, "the Na- who serve," says Bailey. from Bus Operator (Part-

reservist says that Na- tional Guard is bargain." "From now on when I sign Time) to Bus Operator

tional Guard personnel are To staff, train, and equip a off on a leave request," she (Full-Time).

often more experienced and Guard unit is one-fourth says, "it will be with a

better trained and better the cost of an active unit. sense of pride instead of Wilkes, Vineent D., from

qualified than their active After an exhausting feeling in a quandary about Bus Operator (Part-Time)

counterparts. Cowden, and event-filled day with having to fill that slot." to Bus Operator (Full-

cites the Air National the troops, Bailey and Time).



Yates, Robert J., from

Planning Assistant to

Angela Ridgway, Daughter of Planner.



Division 5's Beverly, Honored Zapata, Irma, from Bus

Operator (Part-Time) to

Bus Operator (Full-Time).

Angela Ridgway, daughter elementary schools in the

of Division 5 bus operator Los Angeles area. Angela Zimmerman, Richard B.,

Beverly Ridgway, has been also was chosen to partici- from Transit Police Officer

chosen to act as a role pate in the Black Scholar- to Transit Police Investiga-

ship program. Proud tor.

model in the D.A.R.E.

Program. The 13 year old, mother Beverly writes

who is a ninth grader at Headway that she and her Zuniga, Estella Virgin,

Paul Revere Junior High husband are very honored from Bus Operator (Part-

and hope she continues to Time) to Bus Operator

School, will speak about

achieve and strive for the (Full-Time).

drugs and alcohol abuse to

young students at several best. Angela Ridgway









JULY 1991 H EADWAY 33

RTD Receives Major Award for Pioneer Work

Toward Clean Air

Based near downtown Angeles the emporium of

at Sixth Street and Central the nation for clean-air bus

Avenue, the methanol fleet technology for public

operates on routes in East transportation. RTD is

and West Los Angeles and proud to be recognized a

on West Third Street. The leader in clean-air technol-

fleet reached its first ogy.

million miles of passenger The AQMD award was

service last January. presented to RTD at a

Methanol engines ceremony at the California

virtually eliminate particu- Museum of Science and

late emissions and cut by Technology.

half the amount of nitrogen

oxides (NOX) emissions

which contribute to ozone

and smog formation.

In another experiment,

Victoria Woods

the RTD operates 10 buses Receives Her

powered with compressed

natural gas. The CNG A.A. Degree

buses, based in Sun Valley

in the San Fernando

make daily runs

into downtown Los Ange-

les.

Additionally, the RTD

The clean air lecuier of the pack, L. Rich Davis.

operates six buses using

Davis, director of the Central Maintenance Facility, recently

Avocet, a fuel additive that

was honored with yet anot her award at an APTA conference

allows diesel engines to

in Orlando, Fla.

burn methanol, with a

minimum of prior engine

modification.

by Anthony Greno, "We are pleased with Another experiment

Press Relations Rep. the recognition received involves revenue opera-

publicly from the Air tions of Clean Air Diesel

Quality Management buses which are fitted with

The RTD has received a particulate traps, devices Victoria Woods intends to

District for our efforts

major award from the that trap and filter particu- pursue a career in public

toward cleaner air," said

South Coast Air Quality late matter from diese] relations.

RTD Board President Nick

Management District for Patsaouras. "Instead of exhaust.

the transit agency's pio- being part of the problem of "Our technicians, Victoria Woods, an RTD

neering experiments with air pollution, we are now mechanics, and operators cash accounting clerk,

clean air buses. very decidedly part of the are to be praised for their received her Associate in

For conducting the solution." performance in the two Arts (A.A.) degree from

world's largest experiment For two years the RTD intense years we have Southwest College in June.

in alternative-fueled mass has operated 30 buses with dedicated to clean-air The journalism major plans

transit, the RTD was engines specially build for experiments in revenue on transfering to Cal State

named a winner in the air methanol fuel. lt is the service," said Alen Pegg, Dominguez Hills in Febru-

pollution technology largest revenue fleet of RTD general manager. ary. Woods, who has been

category of the AQMD's buses running on methanol "Their efforts, along with with the District one year,

third annual Clean Air fuel in the nation and the the patience of our patrons, aspires to a career in public

Awards. world. have combined to make Los relations.



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 34

Transit Police Participate in Baker to Las Vegas

Challenge Cup Relay

On April 20, 1991, Chief most of the major law

Sharon Papa lead a contin- enforcement agencies in

gent of 36 transit police the western United States.

officers and their support- Although the vast

ers to Baker, Calif. to ajority of our officers

participate in the annual lacked any prior running

law enforcement Baker-to- experience they began a

Vegas relay race. The conditioning program to

purpose of this foot race prepare for this event in

across the desert is to February. Their early goal

promote camaraderie, was to complete the race in

pride, physical fitness and a respectable fashion, and

teamwork among a broad to gain a foundation of

spectrum of peace officers experience for future years.

from throughout the United lt appears that they

States and Canada. The certainly accomplished this Transit police give chase.

grueling, non-stop competi- objective.

tion demonstrates to those way all of the team mem- the team placing 113th.

involved the need for a high bers distinguished them- According to Chuck Foote,

level of fitness and team- Investigator Ed selves, one way or the the race director, this was a

work. other, with their physical surprisingly good effort

lt also presents a condition, effort and when one considers that

Lumlang ran the

different and more positive commitment. Particularly most of the teams are from

view of law enforcement to noteworthy, however, was much larger organizations

the general public. hardest portion the effort of Officer Richard and have trained for and

The race course is 120 Estrada, who not only ran have prepared for this race

miles in length and is one of the toughest legs, for well over a year.

of the course.

divided into 20 stages, each but also passed a dozen The FBI's team fin-

approximately six miles teams. Investigator Ed ished first and they were

long. lt starts just outside The race started at Lumlang ran by far the closely followed by teams

of Baker and follows 12:30 p.m., during the hardest portion of the from LAPD and the Los

Highway 127 toward Death hottest hour of the day, course. lt was six miles up Angeles Sheriffs Depart-

Valley. At the town of with Jaime Rodriguez, one a steep mountain. Angel ment. Virtually all of the

Shoshone it turns toward of the Department's newest Rivera proved to be the transit police officers that

Nevada and continues officers, running the first most photogenic as a news watched or participated in

through the city of leg. The succeeding officers team from prime time this year's event have

Pahrump and eventually battled the heat, wind, television documented indicated that they have

into Las Vegas. The finish terrain and, eventually, the virtually all of her effort for learned a great deal about

line is in front of the cold of the desert night. At their program. running such distances and

Hacienda Hotel. leg 12, transit police Officer Unfortunate injuries to they have expressed a lot of

This was the first year Leroy Crawford, 59 years of two of the team's runners enthusiasm for next year's

that our Transit Police age and 28-year District slowed their progress and race. Race officials who

Department entered a team employee took the baton since midcourse substitu- monitored the race made

in this event. This entry and continued the race into tions were not allowed they many comments about the

was also the first for any the night. The team's had to finish their legs potential of the RTD team.

transit related police efforts concluded 17 hours with much slower than The consensus was that

agency. Included among and 51 minutes after the hoped-for times. While with hard and diligent

this year's 135 entrants start when an exhausted this took the team out of training, this team could be

were teams from the FBI, officer Larry Barr crossed trophy contention the a contender for the champi-

secret service, Canada, and the finish line. Along the overall effort resulted with onship in the future.





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 35

Spotlight on the Lump Sum

Retirement Option

by Ed Paull, Pension and expert prior to the selection your life. If you have not how safe the Pension Fund

Benefits Manager of the lump sum option. managed to save $100,000 is. By law, each year the

Some recipients of a lump or more in your lifetime as Pension Plan conducts an

Some interesting trends sum have made tragic of your retirement date, Actuarial Evaluation of the

have developed in the last errors by not knowing the what now gives you the Plan to determine its

few years regarding the tax laws. In a worst case expertise to manage these financial soundness. The

selection of a retirement scenario, the true benefi- funds in your retirement? Plan retains the services of

option. More and more ciary of YOUR lump sum is Remember, the Pension a federally registered and

retirees are now selecting the IRS and the Franchise Plan spends thousands and fully qualified actuary for

the "lump sum" option. In Tax Board, in which almost thousands of dollars yearly this evaluation. The latest

fact, most retirees now HALF of your pension is for expert advice on money Evaluation was prepared as

seem to take the lump sum paid in taxes. The maxi- management. Can you do as of Dec. 31, 1990, and was

Option over any of the other mum tax rates are 28 well? adopted by the Pension

options available. There is a story about a Plan Administrative

Is it a "good" thing to retiree who picked up his Committee. As of Dec. 31,

take the lump sum? lump sum check, went to 1990, the Plan assets at

There is a story

Are many retirees Las Vegas, and left most of market value was

making a major "mistake" about a retiree his pension in the casinos of $420,595,517; the Actuarial

by taking the lump sum? Las Vegas. To add insult to accrued liability was

The answer is yes to who picked up injury, the IRS went after $403,818,131, which means

both of the above questions. the retiree for unpaid taxes. the Plan has an Actuarial

his lump sum

The true question to ask I cannot verify if this is true SURPLUS of about $17

yourself: is the lump sum check and left or not, but I have heard this million.

right for you? If the lump hard luck story more than There are some conclu-

sum is right, TAKE IT; but most of his once. DON'T LET THIS BE sions we can draw from

it is also my personal YOU! these asset values and from

pension in Las

opinion that there are 3. You Will Forego the Actuarial report. In the

many employees that take Vegas. future increases in event the District shuts

the lump sum who are Pension Benefits. down (not a likely occur-

making a tragic error. They Every so often pension rence, as there will always

are taking the lump sum percent for federal taxes, 10 payments to retirees are be a need for public trans-

simply because a friend or percent Federal tax penalty increased. This is done to portation in Los Angeles,)

acquaintance chose to do for early withdrawal of help offset the effects of the Plan has spelled out

so. pension and nine percent inflation, which can have a some rules on just who get

The following is some California tax, for a total of significant impact on the paid FIRST should the Plan

factual information about 47 percent. value of your retirement. be terminated. All except

the pros and cons of the There are ways to defer Individuals who never take one of the categories

lump sum option. As with almost all taxes, but this a lump sum are no longer described below will be paid

all retirement options, you requires the use of an IRA, members of the plan, and at 100 percent.

are not required to make a and receipt of EXPERT will NEVER get a future A. The plan will pay out all

selection until just prior to advice, which is NOT free. increase in benefits. employee contributions

your retirement. 2. Are you an "Expert 4. "I am taking a first. The plan has suffi-

1. One of the most Money Manager?" lump sum because I do cient assets to pay this.

important areas to Management of a large not trust the Pension B. All currently retired

consider as to whether or sum of money is not an easy Plan to pay the promised individuals will receive

not to take a lump sum is task, If you make a "mis- benefits for my lifetime." their earned pension

taxes. take," it will cost you Another way to respond benefits. The Plan has

We strongly recommend dearly. You could become to this important statement sufficient assets to pay this.

that you consult a tax destitute for the rest of is to describe to you just

continued on page 37 . , .







JULY 1991 HEADWAY 36

Lump Sum

. . . continued from page 36



C. All currently employed If you do not have a

individuals eligible to retire current booklet and would

but have not yet retired will like to get one, call Rudy

receive their pensions. The Chairez, pension clerk, at

plan has sufficient assets to (213) 972-7173 and he will

pay this. send you a booklet right Born to CMF Stock Clerk

D. All currently employed away. Jose Sanchez and his wife,

individuals who are vested, And if you would like a Anna, a daughter, Francine

but are not yet eligible to customized estimate of Sanchez on April 1, 1991 in

retire. The Plan has your retirement benefits, West Covina at 7:43 a.m.

sufficient assets to pay this. including all retirement Francine weighed in at 6

E. All currently employed options, please call my lbs., 10 oz. and was 18 1/2

individuals that are NOT secretary, Carole, at (213) inches long. The little one is

vested and NOT eligible to 972-7182 and we will send the Sanchez' third daugh-

retire have accrued retire- you the estimate in one to ter. Her parents write in

ment benefits. There is two weeks. that Francine was "no April

probably enough money to Fool's joke." She was due on

pay for MOST of this April 3.

liability.

Compared to many

Pension Plans in both the Letter to the Editor

public or private sector,

your District plans are Dear Editor: with its profound cultural ground level has a more

extremely well funded. lt has been said that Los diversity, urgently requires profound cultural effect

Angeles County has become the forces which bring than that of individuals

If you would like addi- the melting pot of many together. In the absence of moving through neighbor-

tional information on your cultures. I would say it is this influence, urban life hoods by car, or groups

pension plan, please consult truly a pot of many cul- would become an endless moving above neighbor-

the pension plan booklet tures, however, there is still maze of walls. hoods through the air.

which has previously been uncertainty about the The cultural influence of A motorist driving

given to you. The current melting. the RTD is overlooked. through a neighborhood

Plan booklets have the Of the many cultural, Going quietly about its may be completely insu-

following dates on the front ethnic, and economic business each day, the lated from the unknown in

cover: influences in the area, two RTD brings about connec- his air conditioned car with

broad classes may be tions. Every point on every his attention on trottle and

UTU Booklet -- Jurte 30, 1988 agreed on. There are those bus schedule puts another the radio. This is no mel-

ATU Booklet -- June 30, 1988 that act to separate and point of agreement into the ting pot. Likewise, there is

TCU Booklet June 1, 1989 those that bring together. community. Every call to no immediate melting pot-

Non Contract, including Points of agreement bring transit information effect in a jet plane flying

Transit Police -- Old Plan together, Disagreements increases knowing. Every overhead. Though of

May 1, 1990 separate. Knowing brings bus on the street brings a undeniable cultural impor-

Non Contract, including us together, while the familiarity to the scene. tance, the effects of air

Transit police -- New Plan unknown separates us. The inexorable task of travel are complex and

March 1, 1990 Mountains separate, while breaking down barriers of more difficult to concep-

Teamsters February 1, 1985 valleys bring us together. fear and mistrust between tualize.

Walls separate, but open different groups is helped But riding a bus through

Included in the booklets doors bring us together. by the continuous process a series of neighborhoods in

are complete descriptions of Neighborhoods tend to of transporting ever- local service has a direct

other retirement options separate us. Public places changing groups of people impact on the rider. Unlike

besides the lump sum. I or institutions bring us in a public transportation our television pop-culture,

would encourage each of together. environment. which creates a nation of

you to become familiar with To make society work, Moving groups of people

all of the options. our burgeoning population, through neighborhoods at continued on page 38 . . .



JULY 1991 HEADWAY 37

Letter to the Editor

. . . continued from page 37



spectators, riding the bus is establishes an element of

a true cultural experience. trust. By bringing one into

lt is hard to remain a dose proximity with those

spectator when a stranger who live in the neighbor-

comes and sits down right hoods between where one

next to you, or when you boards and alights, the

take the seat next to a RTD helps to break down

stranger. Or try standing barriers between individu-

on a crowded bus without als of widely differing

being personally involved. backgrounds.

And don't forget waiting on While the recent

the street at a bus stop by confrontation in Kuwait

night. did a great deal to bring

RTD local service is the nation together in

truly a melting pot of spirit, and put aside our

cultures. differences, the day to day

The hard work of the testing of democracy is a

American dream involves relentless process of

the forging together of the bringing strangers to-

many disparate elements gether and building trust

into a whole. Basic to this between them Fact: Since the Blue Line opened last July, RTD has

process is learning to trust The contribution of the conducted 7,800 daily inspections, used 486 gallons of

each other. Establishing RTD to this process is hard oil, recycled 2,700 seats for cleaning, gone through 970

trust between people is to match. pairs of brake shoes, changed out 376 windows etched

begun by being together in Sincerely, with graffiti and used 3,936 gallons of soap for wash-

proximity. Becoming Tom Buchanan ing the trains.

comfortable in the presence Passenger

of strangers from different Services Technician Fact: To date, the Sheriffs Department has issued

cultures is no small 3,100 citations to motorists making illegal left-hancl

achievement. This alone turns into the path of the trains. Many of the motorists

cited went around downed crossing gates.









Tammie Hall, Daughter of Divison 5's Patricia,

Accepted at Cal State Long Beach



Tammie Hall, daughter of 100 meter and relays.

Division 5 bus operator Tammie has been accepted

Patricia Hall and Robert to Cal State Long Beach for Tammie L. Hall, daughter

Crawford, graduated in the Fall, 1991 semester. of Division 5 bus operator

June from Narbonne High She plans on majoring in Beverly Hall, intends to be a

School in Harbor City. business and dreams of one Certified Public Accountant

During high school, the 17- day owning her own one day.

year old played left and Certified Public Accounting

center field on the softball firm which would be run by

team and earned her letter Christian women.

in track by running the 200/





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 38

Division 3 Steals Thunder

• . . continued from page 15

determined by division service reliability for

wide performance compari- March 1991 vs. March

sons for both departments. 1990; occupational injuries

Indicators for the Trans- per 100,000 of exposure for

portation Department March 1991; improvement

included: total days of in coach cleanliness for

absenteeism for March March 1991 vs. March

1991 as compared to March 1990; absenteeism reduc-

1990; traffic accident tion for March 1991 vs.

frequency rate per 100,000 March 1990; number of

hub miles for March 1991; maintenance related

occupational injuries per complaints for March 1991

100,000 hours of exposure vs. March 1990; number of

for March 1991; number of maintenance related lates

cancelled transportation and cancellations for

and late transportation March 1991 vs. March

General Manager Alan Pegg (on the far right) toasted early

assignments for March 1990.

rising mechanics.

1991; number of bus- During the pre-dawn

related customer com- ceremony, Alan Pegg, RTD awards of excellence to maintenance management

plaints registered for general manager, con- Equipment Service Super- and personnel at Division 3

March 1991 as compared to gratulated division employ- visor John Rodriguez and have successfully met the

March 1990. ees for delivering excellent Acting Manager P.G. daily operating challenges

For the Equipment service and then joined Smith, who accepted them of running a mid-sized

Maintenance Department, Patsaouras in unfurling on behalf of Golden and division with over 25 bus

performance criteria the Outstanding Division Starks. The latter were lines and are delivering

included: improvement of Flag. The flag will fly for a unable to attend. timely, reliable, and quality

miles between road calls month on the division's flag Summed up Leilia service to patrons."

for March 1991 as com- pole below the flag of Bailey, director of transpor- Division 3 is home to

pared to March 1990; California. In addition, the tation, "Both the transpor- more than 390 operators

improvement of accessible two RTD chiefs presented tation and equipment and 120 mechanics.









IN MEMORIAM For the

Park, Merwin C., began

Harden, Everett B., began

with the District as an

Hoffman, Ardell C.,

began with the District as

with the District as a

Conductor on September Record

Operator on October 28, a Motorman on April 22, 27, 1933, passed away on

1961, passed away on April 1946, passed away on May May 4, 1991.

18, 1991. 18, 1991. Thomas Armendariz,

Phelps, James A., began reported in the June

Harrington, Frederick Martin, Robert A., began with the District as a Headway as having passed

W., began with the District with the District as an Motorman on May 10, away, is very much alive

as a Sheet Metal Worker on Operator on September 19, 1944, passed away on April and living in the Los

January 28, 1953, passed 1957, passed away April 7, 14, 1991. Angeles area. Armendariz,

away on March 16, 1991. 1991. began with the District, as

Rozelle, Hollace 0., a Utility "A" on April 29,

Harrington, Howard R., Muscoreil, Lawrence, began with the District as 1969 and retired on March

began with the District on began with the District as a Motorman on June 4, 3, 1980.

August 16, 1940, passed a Trainman on June 16, 1946, passed away on

away on May 3, 1991. 1947, passed away on April March 3, 1991.

16, 1991.







JULY 1991 HEADWAY 39

EAGLE MORTGAGF, BANKERS

420 W. Baseline Rd., Suite B • Glendora, CA 91740

Office Hours:



Mon.-Fri.: 8:30 - 8:30

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









lst & 2nd Real Estate Loans

'Bill Consolidation / Home Improvement







PURCHASE

FOR 15 YEARS AT:

FIXED G.P.M.









IeliliNiti_11119).!91-1 1 1 (01,13.,n22IMigI ,Cee\



mimrann ii







1-00068252A 6







6 F00068252 A

j 00108010 A WAsium3rON.11 C• 11,

• n •n • nn er •

10 e•—/—

r‚ezrzur,,,









JULY 1991 HEADWAY 40

Cut the Fat

by Mary Conforti, saturated because they are your life: To control fat intake

Contributing Editor stuffed full of hydrogen 1. Know your without a structured food

atoms. Sometimes a numbers. Begin by plan, consume no more

The evidence is in! process called hydrogena- figuring out what 30% fat than six to eight teaspoons

Cutting down on fat is tion is used to add hydrogen means for you. For of fat a day (two to three

clearly the way to go for atoms to oils that are example, if you normally for calorie controlled diets).

those concerned about their normally liquid. Many consume 1,200 calories a If one meal or snack

health, their weight and margarines, for example, day, 360 calories can come includes foods prepared

the quality of what they contain partially hydroge- from fat. Since fat has outside your own kitchen,

eat. Restaurants generally nated oils. Naturally nine calories per gram, figure that half of your fat

will accommodate orders saturated fats and those that is 40 grams of fat a allowance is already

to serve our health needs, that have been completely day. The majority of accounted for.

and markets have many hydrogenated raise choles- products in the store have 4. Learn to balance.

varieties of calorie and fat- terol levels and build up labels that state how many Remember that the 30% fat

controlled foods available. plaque (blood-blocking grams of fat, protein and recommendation refers to

Research has deposits), which can lead to carbohydrates are in each the entire diet, not to each

reconfirmed what many heart attacks or strokes. serving. As you become serving of food or meal. Try

experts have already Believe it or not, fats more aware of this you will to average 30% of your

advised: a diet lower in do have many functions. become a better judge for calories from fat over the

fat and higher in complex foods that you are unsure course of the day or the

carbohydrates can reduce of when eating out. week. If you want a bacon-

the risk of a wide range of 2. Count servings. cheese burger then skip the

chronic diseases such as After you understand fries and shake, and have a

cancer, diabetes, obesity No more than 30 which foods are higher in salad with low calorie

and cardiovascular fat than others, you may dressing and diet drink.

disorders. Nutritionists want to base your eating Most restaurants, fast food

percent of our

agree that no more than patterns on servings per or others have low calorie/

30 percent of our calories day of various food catego- fat choices, usually with

should come from fat. Each calories should ries. For 1,200 calories a food contents available.

gram of fat contains nine day, the recommended Become more educated in

calories, compared to four servings in each category your choices.

come from fat.

each for carbohydrates are: 5 oz. cooked fish, 5. Follow the one-in-

and protein. One level chicken, lean red meat or three rule. Some foods are

tablespoon of solid fat or oil other low-fat protein naturally high in fat, while

contains more calories than source, (this portion is others are lower, but are

one-third to one-half cup of Dietary fat slows down about the size of two decks prepared using high-fat

a complex carbohydrate, the stomach's emptying to of cards); 2 servings low- methods of cooking or

such as rice or potatoes; keep you feeling fuller, fat dairy products, (e.g., served with fatty sauces.

two cups of strawberries; longer. Fats also help to skim milk, buttermilk or For each meal, be sure that

or a whole head of celery. transport and absorb fat- yogurt); 3 servings fruit; 3 the food you eat falls into

Each scoop (half-cup) of soluble vitamins and keep or more servings veg- no more than one of these

store-bought potato, pasta cell membranes healthy, as etables; 3 servings of three categories.

or tuna salad, includes well as regulating blood breads, cereals, pasta and What makes some

two tablespoons of mayon- pressure, heart rate and starchy vegetables; and 3 people burn fat and others

naise, which contribute 200 body development. teaspoons oil or marga- store it? That research is

"fat" calories. Lastly, fat is the rine. At 1500 calories a still being done, but it's

Fats that are normally body's primary source of day, increase the bread clear that just by watching

solid at room tempera- stored energy, using protein group to 5 servings, fruits your fat intake you are

ture.-.-butter, lard, animal for growth and repair of and vegetables to 4 each, able to lose weight, increase

fat, cocoa butter, and vital tissues. and margarine and oil to 4 your health status and feel

coconut, palm and palm Here are five strate- teaspoons. better. The main point is

kernel oils—are considered gies for cutting fat out of 3. 'Frack added fat. fat is just too fattening.







JULY 1991 H E A DWAY 41

RECREATION

WS

- Good any day tickets available for: Universal



July Studios for $18.50 Adults and $14.50 Child



20 Ringling Bros. Circus Long Beach Arena - Sea World at $16.25 Adults and $12.25 Child

11:30 a.m. $11.00 - Magic Mountain $17.45 General $13.00 under

23 Dodgers vs Philadelphia - Cap Night $7.50 4' taul

23 Joe Crocker - Pacific Amphitheatre $26.35

26-27 Diana Ross - Universal Amphitheatre $33.00

27 Circus - L.A. Sports Arena 11:30 am. $11.00

28 Dodgers vs Montreal - Camera Day $7.50 - Tickets for movie theatres are as follows:

31 Dodgers vs New York $7.50 Edwards $4.25; AVCO General Cinema $4.50, AMC

$4.00, Pacific Walk-In or Pacific Drive-In $4.50.

United Artist $4.00 and Cineplex Odeon $4.75.

August



1 Greek's 60th Anniversary Special featuring

Frank Sinatra $60.50 The Employee Activities office is open from 10:00

3 Temptations & 4 Tops - Greek $26.50 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. Second

6 "Yes" - Pacific Amphitheatre $28.00 floor of the Headquarters building, telephone 972-4740.

6 Joe Jackson - Universary $21.50

7 Chicago - Greek $26.50

10 5th Dimension (The original group) Greek Mobile Unit Schedule

$24.50

10 Circus - Anaheim Convention Center 11:30 am. The mobile center will operate Monday through Friday

$11.50 from 9:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.

13 Dodgers vs Cincinnati $7.50

15 Dodgers vs Houston - Ball Night $7.50

16 Bugs Bunny on Broadway - Greek $29.50 July Location August Loc.

17 Stevie Nicks - Greek $26.50

18 Dodgers vs Houston - Trading Card Day 16 11 1 6

$7.50 17 1 2 18

23 Natalie Cole - Universal $20.00 18 10 5 4

24 Aretha Franklin - Greek $28.50 19 3 6 12

24 Anay Grant - Pacific Amphitheatre $28.00 22 CMF 7 2

25 Jazz Explosion - Universal $20.50 23 9 8 11

24 16 9 1

25 8 12 10

Summer Water Parks now open 26 15 13 3

29 7 14 CMF

Wild Rivers $9.50.General (reg. $15.95) $7.50 Juniors 30 Maint. 15 9

(3-11) 31 5

(reg. $11.95)



Raging Waters $10.00 Adults (reg. $15.95), $8.00 Juniors

(4-10)





JULY 1991 HEADWAY 42

Fact: Eighty-six RTD

employees are Blue Line

operators. Of those,

three are women.



Fact: "This is so neat,"

says Lt. Gary Schoeller

of the Sheriff's Depart-

ment. "You're working

with the same group of

people everyday -- the

RTD maintenance staff,

operators, and dispatch-

ers, so everyone works

toget her. One time, a

lacly on the train had

fallen asleep and when

she woke up, someone

had stolen three to four

hundred dollars from

her purse. All of us went

to work immediately,

and sure enough, we

found the suspects a

couple of giggling little

girls."



Rubes® By Leigh Rubin







E S Cleaners

Professional Dry Cleaning

& Laundry Service



20% Discount to

All RTD Employees and Families





2239 East Garvey Ave. North

West Covina

(Next to.Cc(RClothiers & Furnishings 2000)

Tel: (818) 915-6554

Pick Up and Delivery Avallobte









IVe'l 10









"Don't blame me! It's not my

fault we never go anywhere!"

JULY 1991 HEADWAY 43

Southern California

Rapid Transit District BULK RATE

425 So. Main St., 2nd Floor U.S. POSTAGE

Los Angeles, CA 90013

PAID

Los Angeles, Ca.

Permit No. 32705









JULY 1991 HEADWAY 44