COMING ON BOARD...A new senior staffmember joined us inAugust. He is DICKDOMINGUEZ, director ofFinance & Administration.Dick comes to theCommission from theSanta Ana CommunityRedevelopment Agencywhere he was Operations& Finance Manager. Inhis new position, heoversees the finance,personnel, administra-tive and treasuryfunctions of the agency.Dick was reared inPortland, Oregon andBoise, Idaho and laterfled (excuse us ...left) to attend schoolat UCLA. After being

awarded a bachelor's in economics, he traveled northto U.C. Berkeley where he earned his MBA in urbaneconomics. Dick leads a peaceful life in Placentia.where he and wife JoAnne are parents of five children(Christine, Rob, Nathan, Matthew and Heidi) rangingin age from six to 15. Our new director writes thathe enjoys the simple life. After-work hours areusually spent playing with the kids, helping themwith their studies, advising on their love lives andcounseling about their friends. If that doesn't takeup all his energies, Dick finds time to run, bicycle,backpack and take family outings. He has run in threemarathons and countless 10K runs, and hopes one day torun in the Russian marathon held in Moscow. Dick'sfavorites include lobster, Dow-Jones editors and worksby Adam Smith, pop and classical music, movies withPaul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Dreyfus, MerylStreep or the Muppets and driving around the westernUnited States with the family in their van. His petpeeve are things that are late or don't work (so besure to turn in those time sheets promptly!). Dick'ssummary philosophy of life? "Live moderately, avoidextremes and do your best, and leave unto the Lord therest." Also, "Don't take yourself too seriously, noone else does."

LOS ANGELES COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION 403 West 8th St., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213) 626-0370

The LACTC Staff Newsletter "All the news that's unfit to print"

COMINGS AND GOINGSPAM MOCK joined theCommission in Octoberas Analyst in the LocalAssistance section.A native of West LosAngeles, Pam wasgraduated from UCLAwith a bachelor's ingeography. She stilllives close to her almamater from where shecommuted until recentlyto Caltrans' offices asa transportation plannerin the public transpor-tation and ridesharingbranch. Pam reportsto Pat Van Matre andhelps 21 cities adminis-ter their Local Returntransit projects.During her time off,she enjoys calligraphy, sleeping, cycling and shopping.Pam also enjoys cooking and baking, but prefers storebought food the best--especially Haagen Daz mocha chipice cream. Pam's favorites include rock music by PhilCollins and Huey Lewis and the News, the movies"Stand by Me" and "It's a Wonderful Life" andvacationing in Yosemite National Park and in SanFrancisco.

Jumping on board at the end of October, just in timeto make it into this issue, was new Rail DevelopmentEngineer FRANK FLORES, down on the fourth floor. Frankwill be working with Manit Churanakoses on the Centuryproject, performing "specific tasks as assigned." Butthat's the least of his problems--I mean, his responsi-bilities. He'll also be working with Richard Stangeron Metro Rail; on that project, he'll be responsiblefor (get this) "managing and controlling cost andschedule." Guess we figured since LACTC has agreed to

pick up half the tab forcost over-runs, we'd betterget someone on staff to makesure there weren't any.Good luck with that one,Frank.

Frank grew up in NewYork, New York, and earnedboth a B.E. and an M.E. incivil engineering fromManhattan College. Out ofmany years of heavyexperience with variousagencies, Frank says hismost interesting job priorto joining us was the five

Continued on pane 2

2Comings & Goings, continued

years he worked at the UMTA regional office in his homestate. Frank and his wife Pam and son Mark are present-ly house-hunting in this area. When he gets settled,he hopes to have time to resume his hobbies: basketball,football, baseball, movies, TV, the arts, eating choco-late chip cookies, and reading novels by James Clavell(Taipan, etc.). When I asked him for a quote, Franksaid, "Why can't I have my cake and eat it too?" Ifyou ever figure out how to do , that, Frank, let me know.

Oz has come to the Commis-sion, so let's celebrate!But not because he will grantwishes (because he won't),but because he takes overthe minutia of maintainingfinancial records and reports.OZ (short for Oswaldo) YAPassumes a large portion ofMurphy McCalley's respon-sibilities in the Financeand Administration divi-sion. Oz joined us lastmonth from Basic ComputerSystems, Inc., in Anaheimwhere he was a programmer-

)11 Before that, he

spent eight years with theLong Beach Unified SchoolDistrict as an accountingofficer. A native of the

Phillipines, Oz received his bachelor's in accountingfrom the University of the East and his diploma in com-puter systems and programming from the Computer LearningCenter. Our new computer and numbers wizard lives inFountain Valley with his wife Ruby and sons Aaron andAbram. During his off-hours, Oz enjoys Chinese and Jap-anese cuisine, easy-listening music, watching comedyand futuristic science-fiction movies, and participatingin Christmas festivities.

A VERY HEARTY WELCOME TO THESE FOUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS!

MOVING UP...Since the last issue of "Inside Moves," MARIA WHITEhas moved up only to go down. Our fifth floor

' receptionist is now secretary in the Finance &Administration division on the second floor. Mariajoined the Commission almost four years ago, and forthe past three yearspatiently accepted adaily flood of phonecalls at the switchboard.Then about 18 months ago,Maria began consideringa career switch. That'swhen she started enroll-ing in secretarialcourses to sharpen herskills. (She obviouslytired of telling surlycallers that this wasnot the RTD!) Maria'straining and hard workpaid off. In August,she was accepted intoher new job reportingto Annette Mendoza,senior secretary.Maria's newest challengenow is catch an elevatorto see her boss, threefloors away.

After a mere year and a half, the man with the biggrin and the unpronounceable but exotic last name,MANIT CHURANAKOSES, has stepped up from rail transitengineer on the LB-LA project into Ed McSpedon's oldposition, manager of the Century rail project. Goodwork, Manit--you got out of the LB-LA project justwhen things were getting really complicated. (Manitremarks, "If Dan Caufield can do it, why can't I?")Now that he's got Caltrans doing most of his work forthe next few years, Manit mainly occupies himself inbugging us (Manit: "charming ladies!") here inCommunications about getting the story of his promo-tion onto the cover of Mass Transit magazine. Somehowthe editor there just doesn't agree that this is ofinternational interest in the transit trade; can'timagine why not. (Manit: "They don't have goodtaste!") You can read all kinds of intimate detailsabout Manit and see his picture in the "Meet YourCo-Workers" feature in this issue.

MOVING ON...You keep some, you lose some.After a bit more than ayear and a half (he startedin Feb. '85), VICTORIO HOS-KINS has left his job hereas real estate developmentofficer in the ExternalAffairs section of the raildivision. The outgoing aidgood-humored Mr. Hoskinsmoves into a position forwhich he is emminentlysuitable, as I'm sure allwho know him will agree:he's become a sales mana-ger of financial invest-ment services with A. L.Williams, Inc., of Alta-dena, CA. Vic grew up inChicago, ILL, and Monrovia,CA, then went to DartmouthCollege and the Mass. Ins-

titue of Technology, where he got degrees in real estatefinance and city planning. He considers that his great-est accomplishment here was "getting a smile from every-one at LACTC before leaving." Also, Vic passes alongthis sage advice: "Buy term life-insurance and investthe difference in a mutual fund." If any of you want toact on that (or just want it explained), call Vic at(818) 794-4803. For those of us who don't see him again,Vic's uncharacteristically glibless parting words are,"May God bless all of you."

It was easy to feel sad about the departure oflongtime staffer MURPHY McCALLEY in mid-September. Murphy started at the Comish back inJuly of '82 as an analyst in the Local Assis-tance section. From there he moved up tomanager of Finance & Administration, lastlyserving as Acting Director of Finance & Admin.Now he's off to the sunny south to take up thepost of director of Finance & Administration forthe San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development

Board. Murphydiffidently declin-ed the many times Iurged him to let usprofile him in thisnewsletter, and henever filled outany of our "Who AreYou?" forms. (I didmanage to snap hispic, though, thevery first time Igot my hands on theCommunicationsSection's cameraover two years ago.

Continued on next page

3Murphy was a dedicated, seemingly tireless worker, whoseoffice was always

impressively full of teetering piles of files.He wore many hats, deftly juggling dozens ofprojects and priorities. In what must have beenprevious few off-work hours, he liked to playsoftball, ride his bicycle, and boogey at nightsat Bentley's on the westside. Two of Murphy'sbiggest accomplishments at LACTC were automatingF&A's accounting system and steering the revenuebond sale through the shadowy corridor thatleads ideas into reality. He was also wellknown hereabouts for his elegant and subtlesartorial selections. He says to be sure andlook him t210 at the SDMTDB (pronounced "STUMPED")if ever you're down in San Diego.

Veteran Sunshine Club President GERI BRODIE left theCommission in October for greener pastures--meaningGeri will be traveling to exotic locations as salesrepresentative for a manufacturing firm located in theCity of Commerce. Geri was one of our originalstaffers. She started at the Commission in December1979 as a supply, reproduction, and file clerk andadvanced to secretary in the Transit Development Divi-sion. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Gerireceived her bachelor's from Cal State L.A. and residedin Culver City. Co-workers describe Geri as a hardand conscientious worker who will be missed. Some ofus newcomers, however, will also miss Geri for beingable to supply those deliciou7, for general staffmeetings. (Geri's photo appears in Olga's "Secretary'sKorner" column.)

FOND FAREWELLS AND ALL BEST WISHES TO OUR THREE STAFFERSWHO ARE MOVING ON. ■

DID YOU KNOW...?

Former Communications staffer Steve Parks(who had the job Usha Viswanathan•now holds)recently sweated through a temporary stint athis pre-Comish haunts, the RTD News Bureau.Just after he started there again the busaccident hoopla began, provoking thesuspicion that Parks somehow manipulated thatwhole episode as a way to get his name in allthe local papers. Now he's landed a plum ofa job, permanent this time, with CommuterComputer....Another former, Parks's buddyJohn Cosby--who used to work in Ray Maekawa'sParatransit Section until he got lonesome forhis old Kentucky home--married his longtimemain squeeze Gina on September 20 inBowling Green, KY....G&PA's Larry Gallagher,

Beforeof Graphics, had everyone gasping in surprise(not to say shock) after shaving off his 16-year-old beard. Larry was preparing for anupcoming birthday; he thinks, or at leasthopes, that he looks younger now that hisgrizzled chin-hairs are gone. Do you agree?(See photo.) P.S. Recently you may havenoticed that some of his former face-hairhas been sneaking back, along Larry's upperlip; gone yesterday and hair today Iguess....Meanwhile, Larry's cohort, LeonCooksey, has opened an art gallery called TheCrystal Peacock up in Moorpark, which some ofyou may recall from our jaunt to the MoorparkMelodrama Theatre. When asked, "WhyMoorpark?" Cooksey replied, "Well, the rent'sa lot cheaper than on La Cienega, and parkingisn't such a problem."....LB-LA ProgramDirector Ed McSpedon was in the same junior-high school class as SCRC's Project DirectorSimon Zweighafts' brother and sister (twins)in Yonkers, New York (for sure you didn'tknow that). Of course, the Zweighafts alwayssat in the last seats in the back row ofclass ("Z" you see); this was in the 60s....Did you know that we now have a suggestionbox in the lunch-room on the 6th floor? (Beta lot of you didn't even know we had a lunch-room, right?)....Congratulations are in orderto our Affirmative Action/Labor RelationsOfficer Pam Simmons, who demonstrated herskill at both in early October when she addedlittle Raquel to her family....More congratu-lations to rail staffer Jim Cohen, who gotmarried on Saturday, September 27, to theformer Susan Lee Kurit. Amid the envy ofeveryone, the couple cruised off to Tahitifor their honeymoon.... Probably the only onewho didn't complain when the air-conditioningwent on the blink for the better part of twoweeks in early September was Deana Burton,who got to give her heater a rest and feelcomfortable in summer clothes. Deana hastaken over as acting senior secretary for the5th-floor G&PA contingent now that MargaritaOrtiz ir; off on extended maternity leave.Speaking of Margarita, this flash just in:new baby Ortiz was born on November 2 (abouttime, too), a 9-pound 8-ounce girl--AndreaChristine; mother and daughter doing fine,but Tony is a wreck (just kidding). Welcometo the world, Andrea' At Margarita's deskuntil next June is long-term temp PatriciaSims, who quickly picked up on SAMNA word-processing and is now in there with all therest of us G&PAers fighting over our onemachine (hint, hint)....Rail Development'sRichard Stanger and Ben Darche, and CommunityRelations' Steve Lantz, all were awardedLACTC's Purple Axle in September honor of theunflagging courtesy and diplomacy theydemonstrated at certain meetings where thepublic displayed exactly opposite qualities..

Continued on page 12

Comings & Goings,

continued

4Consultants "Who's Who"

PROFILE: DeLEUW, CATHERDeLeuw, Cather Engineers Worldwide is to

the Century Rail Transit Project what SCRC is tothe Long Beach-Los Angeles Project: the generalengineering consultant, or GEC. Simply put,they are the designers for the Century project,which is LACTC's 16.5-mile double-track railline down the middle of the Century Freeway,from Norwalk on the east to the LAX-area on thewest.

DeLeuw, Cather's Project Manager NeilJohnson says, "We are responsible for the trackalignment, track design, communications system,train-control system, traction-power systems,catenary system--the total operational system ofthe Century rail project. Right now we arerefining a constructability report for theCentury project, involving the project'sdescription, scheduling, and costs. We're alsodoing design work on track alignment and designon traction-power substations and the catenarysystem."

Johnson explains that the Century projectis about two years behind the Long Beach-LosAngeles project, which works to DeLeuw'sadvantage.

"SCRC has done a lot of the preliminarywork. Rather than reinvent the wheel, we willbe able to use a great deal of that work bymodifying it for the Century project. We'reboth working to the same set of design criteria,although there are certain exclusive features onCentury that do not exist on Long Beach. Forinstance, the Century line is fully gradeseparated--that is. it operates above or below

all surface traffic by being in the middle ofthe freeway."

The DeLeuw, Cather staff makes its home insuite 202, to your left as you step out of theelevator on the second floor. The present staffconsists of four people plus a draftingsubcontractor (see photo). Johnson says theywill be adding a few more people later on.

"To fulfill our current obligations, wewould require on the order of three to four morepeople. We will need an estimator. We willneed a scheduler available at least half time.We'll use some part-time people--they don't haveto be right here. We can use support from ourother offices."

The Century project is less complicatedthan the Long Beach-Los Angeles project. Forone thing, a lot of work is being done byCaltrans as they build the freeway. Foranother, the exclusive grade-separated right-of-way avoids the extensive coordinating withutility companies, cities' traffic-controldepartments, rail freight companies such asSouthern Pacific, and so on that is required forLB-LA. Even so, the DeLeuw, Cather staff is asmall one to handle the workload.

That's the way Johnson likes it. He sayshe has found over the years that "it's better towork on the lean side and give everybody morethan they can really do. It helps everybody.After all, I'm spending Los Angeles's money--mine also. I feel a grave responsibility tokeep expenditures to as much of a minimum as wecan."

Currently DeLeuw staffers interact mainlywith LACTC's Century Rail Transit ProjectManager Manit Churanakoses and Project Director

Continued on page 6

The DeLeuw, Cather team: Back row, L-R: Project Engineer Art Lohrmann;Project Manager Neil Johnson. Front row, L-R: Draftsman Otris Jordan,subcontractor from Jenkins, Gales, & Martinez; Track Alignment EngineerJennifer Thompson; Engineer & Coordinator Pat McIntyre.

SECRETARY'SKORNER

by Olga Phillips

Secretary, Community Relations,LB-LA Project

5"I listen to the radio while I work, believeit or not, music does Booth the savage beast,which is what I can sometimes become undersecretarial stress."

"I keep my eyes on the workload."

"I've handed in my resignation."

As for YOURS TRULY, "I write SECRETARY'SKORNER" and the rest is history.

Now that we all know that riding the tideisn't ALWAYS easy, how can we better handleour stress without killing ourselves?

Here are some survival tactics, not mentionedabove, that I sincerely hope will help youout:

WITH A GRAIN OF SALT

So, have any of you been mistaken for Joblately? (you know, the guy in the biblicalstory). Well, if you haven't don't worry,after all not many of us can tolerate quiteas well as he did.

We all know thatpatienceis avirtueandsecretarialpatience istruly a 4t/zaintivirtue;working rfordifferentpersonalities,meeting deadlines,answering telephoneswhile doing five or six other tasks at thesame time, setting-up, taking down, runninghere, running there and (ironically),sometimes even waiting for work to fill thein-basket.

With these truths in mind, I thought itmight be fun tc, ask some of our secretaries,"HOW DO YOU TOLERATE SECRETARIAL STRESS?"(and believe me it ain't easy)!

Here are some anonymous, practical, humorous,yet noteworthy responses.

"I let it (guess what) go in one ear and outthe other."

"I do my best and overlook the rest, becauseI feel that nothing is more important than mymental stability."

"I look forward to vacations, weekends andflex days."

"I smoke. Well, if that doesn't kill me thestress and pressure just might."

"I go along with everything from 9 to 5."

"My boss is great and never pressures me, infact if I have a problem my boss is rightthere helping out."

"I read Dyanetics."

1. SECRETARIAL STRESS SEMINARS. Theseseminars are available through AssociatedManagement Institute, Inc. (AMI) and arestructured to HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND REDUCESECRETARIAL STRESS. According to MarthaDunn, Secretary, Program and Fiscal Analysis,who recently attended a seminar, they arevery helpful. Our tuition reimbursementprogram will handle the cost with yourmanager's approval. For current seminardates and locations you can check with JoseMesa, our Personnel Officer in Finance andAdministration or call AMI at their toll freenumber 1-800-556-7500 and ask for a currentcatalog. TAKE ADVANTAGE. It just might payoff!

2. REALIZE WHO YOU ARE and what yourcontributions are regardless of the credit oracknowledgement you receive. In other wordsgive yourself a pat on the back (if it'swarranted). I know, you might say this isnot monetary compensation or realisticrecognition but remember, motivation is (inthis case) 9/10ths of the law.

3. KNOW YOUR CAPABILITIES and under nocircumstances try to override them. Insteadtake courses, attend seminars and undertakewhatever steps you can to enhance theabilities you already have and to attain newskills.

4. LISTEN AND TARE NOTE. Many unwarrantedpressures arise from miscommunication andnothing is worse on the stress level than notknowing what's expected of you.

5. KNOW WHO YOU WORK FOR. If you know whoyou work for and their style of conductingdaily office procedures you can always stayONE STEP AHEAD and ONE WORRY AWAY. Remember,no two bosses are alike, so please ask ifyou're not sure.

Well what else can I say comrades, exceptHANG IN THERE and by all means don't stopcounting to ten!

Secretary's Spotlight

This issue of Secretary's Korner spotlightsKATHY TORIGOE, Executive Secretary to RickRichmond. Kathy's been with the Commissionfor just about 10 years (is that patience orwhat)! And in my estimation she exemplifiesthe word patience in many ways. However, onein particular sticks in my mind the most

Continued on next page

NEW SICK LEAVE POLICY

Korner, cont. from previous page

Have you ever needed a conference room in ahurry, or perhaps you just couldn't get tothe 5th floor to sign-up for one yourself(o.k., so I'm guilty). You pick up the phoneand dial that extension, #531, and weall know the rest. I wonder just how manytimes that call interrupts her day -- well,ask Kathy and she'll say it's all in a dayswork, not to mention all of her otherexecutive responsibilities. And rememberwhen you took your typing test. If Kathyadministered your test you'll remember herencouraging words. Wasn't she patient andsupportive, not minding your sweaty palms allover her typewriter. Of course I could go onand on but I'd like to say, on behalf of usall, KATHY, IT'S REALLY GREAT WORKING WITHYOU!

AND SPEAKING OF PATIENCE

I just couldn't continuethis issue without

mentioning theReproduction

Centeron the 2ndfloor. Ihappen toknow thewonderfulguy who

runsthe

place.Now he'snot asecretary

but hesure is

patient.So here's toyou Joe forbeing soKIND,PATIENT andEFFICIENTwhen we'rein a rush for

copies. And speaking of copies, what are yougoing to do about the machine on the 4thfloor?!?!

BEFORE I GO

I'd like to say good-bye to the sunshine ofthe Commission, GERI BRODIE,formerSecretary,ProgramControlandContracts,who's lastdayat theCornish wasOctober 1.Geri,we'll missyourlaughterin thehall-waysand your birthday greetings at General StaffMeetings, BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY!Oh yea, Congratulations on your new careerand best of luck from us all.■

DeLeuw, cont. from page 4

of Rail Development Richard Stanger. They alsowork closely with Program Schedule CoordinatorLaurence Weldon and with Cost ControlCoordinator Don Stiner.

DeLeuw, Cather's past experience includesthe design or the construction management--andin many cases, both--for a large number of railtransit systems: Baltimore's, Cleveland's,Buffalo's, San Diego's, and L.A.'s Metro Rail,to name some. The firm was low bidder on acontract that went into force in early 1985, andwhich is renewed year by year. The totalcontract to date has come to $1.5 million.

"We're hoping to continue our relationshipwith LACTC right up to the Century line'sopening day," says Johnson. "After the designis completed, we'd like to handle theconstruction management, for which we haveextensive background and expertise."

How do LACTC's plans for a countywide railsystem compare to what has been and is beingdone elsewhere? According to Johnson: "I thinkit's far-seeing and far-reaching. As near as Ican tell, being a newcomer to the area, all themajor employers are touched by the lines and allthe major residential areas will have easyaccessibility to them. This is a first-classsystem, but moderation has been shown in tryingto use off-the-shelf items and not gettingtotally new concepts into the design. LACTC isabsolutely on the right track here with itsapproach. I cannot think of any way that theCommission could have gotten the system anybetter."

Could you convince some of our public ofthat, Neil? ■

V A new sick leave policy :became effective last month.FrtM now on, the sickly0600009 us WiIthave to diirgeexcess sick hOOrs a001oSt 010lable tltating holidaysor vacation hOUrs. And if that can't'be done, sickhours must apptar as leave without pay. Copies ofan accrued 100o roPOrt will be distributed tosupervisors during eeth_pay period.i.

THE "INSIDE MOVES" STAFFPublisher: Erica Goebel

Editors/Writers: Ann Reeves, Usha Viswanathan

Layout: Ann, with help from Usha and Claudette

Photos: Campout--Bob Minahan; Birthdaystripper--Olga Phillips; rest--Ann, Usha.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GUEST WRITERS: BOBVANCE, LAURENCE WELDON, STEVE JUAREZ.

We welcome your submissions. Call us and pitchyour story idea. Prominent by-lines given.Volunteers also wanted for "Meet Your Co-Workers." Anyone hired before November 1985who has not been featured before is eligible.

6

NAIVE ENGINEERSThe most vital dimension on anyor drawing stands the greatest cof being omitted.

7

LACTC MEETS THE PUCby Bob Vance

If you thought that the light rail linesbeing planned, designed and built by LACTCwere free from regulations and "stringsattached" since they aren't UMTA-funded,guess again! The principal state-levelregulatory agency overseeing light railprojects is the California Public UtilitiesCommission. The Railroad Operations andSafety Branch of PUC's TransportationDivision is responsible for oversight of"safety appliances and procedures" of "publictransit guideways."

Much of the PUC's role relates to ensuringcompliance with General Orders (GO's) issuedby PUC. The orders most affecting light raillines are:

o GO's 33-B and 127 related to signaling

o GO's 72-B, 75-C and 88-A related tograde crossings

o GO 95 related to overhead electricline construction

o GO 143 covering design, constructionand operation of light rail systems,in general. Don Harrison is LACTC'srepresentative on a task force whichis proposing revisions to this GO.

In some cases, written PUC approvals must beobtained prior to construction or operation;for example, a formal order is issuedregarding plans for railroad-highway gradecrossings. In most cases, plans, designs andprocedures must be submitted for review butwritten PUC approval is not required.

The principal LACTC contact with the PUC isNorm Jester, Manager of Rail Transit Systems.Discussions with the PUC on a particularissue are generally initiated with the LosAngeles office, and will also involve theheadquarters office in San Francisco if apolicy matter cr difference of opinion isinvolved.

(n2011 pA)

LACTC and PUC have recently formed aManagement Overview Group to providemanagement-level involvement in theresolution of any problems related to PUC'soversight of LACTC light rail transitprojects. This group will attempt toreconcile differing interpretations ofgeneral orders, and expedite the review andapproval process of LACTC designs andprocedures through the PUC organization.

If a case arises in which the PUC, arailroad, or a public entity cannot resolve amajor disagreement, the PUC may order aformal hearing in front of an administrativelaw judge. The judge's decision then goes tothe PUC commissioners, who may accept orreject it. This process can be very time-consuming, so we will avoid it wheneverpossible.

You can see that unsuspecting engineers joinup with us thinking they'll be working on anice, uncomplicated rail project--only tofind they need a master's degree in PublicAgency Interfacing. Maybe we should stealthat old Hollywood line about "It takeslonger to make the deal than to make themovie" and reword it: "It takes longer toget all the public agency agreements than tobuild the rail line."

UN-RULES FOR WRITING1. Don't use no double negative.

2. Make each pronoun agree with their antecedent.

3. Join clauses good like a conjunction should.

4. About them sentence fragments.

5. When dangling, watch your participle.

6. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.

7. Just between you and I, case is important too.

8. Don't write run-on sentences they are hard to read.

9. Don't use commas, that aren't necessary.

10. When typing numbers, be sure they line up properly.

11. Try to not ever split infinitives.

12. Proofread your writing to see if you any words out.

13. Its important to use your apostrophe's correctly.

14. Correct spelling is esential.

15. Never use a preposition to end a sentence with.

16. What about proper punctuation.

17. Don't use jargon--it swaps people out. ■

SHUT UP.Or learn to say it right.

glad

!4601m1":c4yourToastmastersiii1APeas:

helpastersAearn to communicate°'417mstThe T

r

roOr

ut

i31?ou

111"11;;:itit:4:71:,!!0lher

mem ::

it can takena.s and thei

r--,7„,ihiii,abethey'll

Aftert e co

in your e no 6igned

75;r:17

:4:17irmi;;;;;:IL10:4ie° Yeiti and leadership

w

CONTACT

: Pants thouutulhut,51:pre 'thaaiii

n mas_a

RICKsmEzix

_411

C UMIIINuiTY RELATIONS

FIRST SESSION:

Monday, Dec. 1 - Noon6th floor Iarge conf. room

8 SCHEDULING: A DANGEROUS BUSINESS

by Laurence Weldon

For those of you unfamiliar with the wacky worldof scheduling, here's an insight into why you shouldgive schedulers the respect and sympathy we right-fully deserve and quit the derision and placing ofburning crosses outside our doors.

You see, scheduling is not really an exactscience, its more akin to palm reading than engineer-ing, and we have to deal with some palms of question-able origin. Perhaps the ancients had something when,having run out of witches to burn, they turned towhat they believed to be the next best thing--costengineers and estimators. Schedulers only got caughtin a "guilt by association" situation; nevertheless,like the proverbial mud, it stuck.

Now, in the somewhat more modern world,schedulers ply their trade amid project managers,contracts people, construction types, and otherdeviants. It is schedulers who, after the ridiculouswants and needs of the engineers have been discounted,pamper to the popular concensus and produce animpossibly optimistic schedule.

FEEDINGS IN THE NIGHT

That constitutes Phase 1 of the schedulingprocess, in which we produce a breakdown of allactivities needed to be carried out to reach conclu-sion of the project, link them together in a logicalsequence, and attach durations. This gives an overallpicture of the time needed to complete the project.

We then throw that away because its too longand start again.

Phase 2 is the most dangerous. Dealing withnon-believers, we force engineering consultants andconstruction managers to comply to a schedule theybelieve is the product of a disordered mind.

LB-LA is currently in the depths of Phase 2.

Phase 3 involves fruitless searches for guiltyparties and a primal turning to the old ways. Costengineers and estimators have formed protectiveassociations since medieval times. Schedulers havenot, and ritual end-of-job-scheduler-burnings werecommon in England until passage of the Danger to

Horses (Scheduler Burning) Act of 1958. Hence thesaying "Boy, they really burned the scheduler this

time!'

There is a Phase 4, but the interests of publicdecency dictate it cannot be revealed here. However,plain brown-paper-cover copies of 'Scheduling: TheFinal Solution' can be obtained from the author fora nominal, tax-deductible contribution of $5,000.00

(cheap). ■

by Steve Juarez

In honor of all the Commissioners who have orshortly will have new babies (you can get ridof those old babies now), we in G&PA would liketo share an original song written by one of ourwittier staffers on the occasion of a babyshower for Margarita Ortiz. Sing along now....

FEEDINGS IN THE NIGHTEXCHANGING PAMPERSWAKING BEFORE LIGHTTHE SMELLY HAMPERSPARENTS START TO FIGHTOVER FEEDINGS IN THE NIGHT.

CRYING IN THE NIGHTMOM'S SLEEPING TIL NOONWHAT A FUNNY SIGHTDAD SHOULD BE NUTS SOONBOTH ARE SO UPTIGHTTHEY'RE CRYING IN THE NIGHT.

WHEN THE BABY CAMETHEY WERE SO HAPPY,NOW IT'S NOT THE SAMEAND SO THEY'RE SNAPPY,BUT THIS ALL WILL END,WAIT FOR THIS GODSENDONE DAY "IT" WILL GO AWAYTHIRTY YEARS OR SO AWAY....

THESE FACTS WE WILL RECITEWE ARE NOT TEASIN'TRY WITH ALL YOUR MIGHTTO GET SOME ZZZ'S IN'CAUSE THERE'S NOTHING TRITE'BOUT SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT.'"

9

THE SOCIAL SCENETHE BIG EVENT OF THIS PAST QUARTER WAS THE

ANNUAL LACTC CAMPOUT over the weekend ofSeptember 5-7 at Leo Carrillo State Beach.Here's a first-hand report:

QUESTION: WHO'S THE HOTTEST GUNS IN THE WEST?

ANSWER: THE LACTC TEQUILA SHOOTERS THAT'S WHO!

You won't know what hit you when you sample oneof the tequila concoctions served by Ilda Lic6nand Cindy Kondo at the LACTC campout inSeptember.

The LACTC Tequila Shooter who outshot them alland still managed to keep her composure wasnone other than LACTC's version of AnnieOakley, Mary Lou Echternach.

Other participants in this booze-a-thon includethe servers, Ilda and Cindy, Cindy's friendJack, Bob Vance, Leon Cooksey's sons, NaliniAhuja and husband Ingu, Larry Wartels, PaulTaylor, Diane Perrine and husband Jeff and KayCooley.

Campers watching the festivities include JoseMesa, Robin McCarthy and husband Jim, PaolaMacchi-Nuzum and husband Robert, GingerGherardi, Ed McSpedon, Bob Minahan, CraigJohnson, and Dick Dominguez and family and PaulTaylor's son Nick.

SEE YA NEXT YEAR AT THE O.K. CORRAL!!

Submitted by Hiways Highballer Kay Cooley

"Unfortunately," says Mary Lou, "I have not beenable to confirm whether it was Cindy or Ilda whocried out, 'The drunks are on the house!' as theyserved each slammer."

According to our "mole," Bob Minahan (whotook the adjoining photo), about 15 stafferscamped overnight and about 20 more showed up justfor the day on Saturday. Bob also reports thatPaul Taylor's 10-year-old son Nicholas was theoutstanding player at some energetic volley ballgames. Nicholas also shone at the games of studpoker, --and we hear Nalini Ahuja and her husbandreally got into that activity. (Nalini after-wards was nominated to organize the Commissiontrip to Las Vegas, but we haven't heard whethershe has agreed or declined.) And of course therewas a cookout Saturday evening, so that folkswould have some food to help soak up theirTequila Slammers.

"We kept the Auto Club busy, too," says Bob.Seems Jose Mesa arrived Friday early Fridaynight, promptly locked his keys in his car, andhad to wait until 8:30 p.m. for the Triple A tocome. He and his wife couldn't unpack or get anyof their things for hours. Then on Sundayafternoon, Paola Macchi-Nuzum's husband went torev up--only to find that their car had brokendown.

Bob tells me no one had any regrets, though;the weather was good and it was a great time.And no one even complained about her or hishangover.

Continued on page

c 4,k/All li-r

Intrepid Campers. Back row, L-R: Diane Perrine, Don Harrison, Ilda Licon.Next row: Bob Minahan (holding beercan), Robin McCarthy. Middle row, L-R:Leon Cooksey, Cindy Rondo, Tina (Mrs.) Minahan, Jose Mesa. Front row, L-R:Paola Macchi-Nuzum, Paul Taylor, Nick Taylor. Photo by Bob Minahan.

10

MEET YOUR CO-WORKERS

Name: LOU HUBAUDStarted with LACTC:

May, 1985Current title: Safety/

Security OfficerDivision: Rail Transit

3rd floorPrincipal responsibilities:

Fare collection; fire/life safety; security;system safety

Jobs before LACTC:Last job was withtransit police at RTD.Most interesting jobwas my time as adetective with theSheriff's Department

Grew up in: Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley

Education: B.A.,Redlands University

Home Life: Whittier, 1 girlfriend, 0 children, 0 pets.Hobbies: Running/hunting/cold-beer drinking.Favorites:

food Lobster, rice, beans & tortillas inRosarito

author

Sidney Sheldon

music

Pop and some country

movie

Any fun/light movie (nothing serious)

vacation

Colorado River/Mexico/Tahoe

Pet peeve:

People that can't at least be pleasant;people that take themselves too seriously.

Quote:

"Kids should be 18 years old when bornand have a job."

Name: JOHN J. ADAMSStarted with LACTC: September, 1985Current Title: Manager, Rail Transit. ConstructionDivision: Transit Development, 4th FloorPrincipal responsibilities: Responsible for the

management of our consultant for ConstructionManagement and LACTC's contracts Administrationgroup.

Most Interesting JobBefore LACTC:

Having the positionof project managerwith a contractor,for the constructionof two rail transitstations.

Grew up in: Queens, NYEducation: Civil

Engineer, StateUniversity of New York,Brooklyn, New York

Home Life: Live inMonrovia with my wifeDiane and my son Brian,with our two dogs.

Name: MANIT (MAH-NEAT)CHURANAKOSES

Started with LACTC:April, 1985

Current title:Manager, Century RailTransit Project

Division: Rail Develop-ment, 4th floor

Principal responsibilities:Keep things moving,

Most interesting job eincluding papers.

before LACTC: Workingwith the U.S. MilitaryIntelligence unitduring the VietnamWar, to monitor themigration of peopleand animals crossingthe Vietnamese border.

Grew up in:Bangkok, Thailand

Education: B.S. in Civil Engineering, ChulalongkornUniversity, Bangkok, Thailand

Home Life: Live on Santa Ana Freeway, 3-4 hours a day;sleep in Irvine; have one wife and 2 gorgeousdaughters (they'll read this article!); recuperateduring the weekends.

Hobbies: Traveling; dancing; trying to play guitar forthe past 3 years; computer programming.

Favorites:food -- Thai, of course

Robin Cookauthor --Be-bop, big band, jazzmusic --"Casablanca -movie --Phuket, Thailandvacation --"We all go to the same place; except,Quotes:some of us may go there faster than theothers.""Don't go dancing on an empty stomachuse the dance floor

Hobby: PhotographyFavorites:

food Italian

author Gore Vidal

music Jazzmovie orfilmmakervacation

No preferenceDriving andsightseeing

Pet Peeve -- Drivers who do everything but operate theirvehicle correctly.

Quote -- "Never box someone into a corner or a posi-tion where he cannot bow out with dignity."

Continued on next page

Co-Worers, cont. from previous page 11

Name: CLAUDETTE A. MOODYStarted with LACTC:

October 1985Current Title:

Government RelationsRepresentative(Federal)

Division: G&PA,5th floor

Principal responsibili-ties:

To follow, analyze,and report on federaltransportationlegislative andregulatory activities.In conjunction withD.C. rep., to be a"congressionalliaison" for theCommission. -

Last job and interesting job before LACTC: Legislativeassistant to Congressman on Capital Hill. Mostinteresting - my three months at McDonald's in 1976.

Grew up in: Cincinnati, OhioEducation: B.A. in Government - California State

University, Sacramento; M.A. in Government - Collegeof William and Mary in Virginia

Home life: In West L.A., or "Lower Brentwood"Hobbies: Movies, reading, jogging and walking

(when the spirit moves me), and politics.Favorites:

food -- Anything edible, but pasta and Chineseare particular favorites.

author -- Fitzgerald, Whelty, Spenser.music -- Jazz

movie orfilmmaker Too many to listvacation -- Canada

Pet Peeve: People who are intimidated by automatedteller machines.

Quote: "Short of nuclear war, nothing is all thatimportant or urgent." ■

Scene, cont. from page 9

Many thanks to Rangers Cindy Rondo and IldaLiccin for organizing this event. (After thehassle of securing the campsite, everything elsewas a cinch, right?)

* * *THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL POP CONCERT on August 1

found fewer staffers in attendance, but each one,brought many friends and relatives, so it was ajolly group. Lou Hubaud and Mary Lou Echternacheach brought a group of nine; Bob Minahan broughteight; Bob Vance and Robin McCarthy broughtseveral apiece--about 32 in all. People broughtdrinks, and Bob M. whipped up something withcoffee and secret ingredients that Mary Lou loved(do I detect a leit-motif here?).

The L.A. Philharmonic played rousing musicalAmericana such as John Phillips Souza. "I wassurprised that it was real, unamplified music,"relates the sociable Mr. Minahan. Best part ofthe evening, in his opinion, was the fabulousfireworks display.

Even though she didn't attend, thanks fororganizing that activity go to Kathy Sweet.

* * *

THEN THERE WAS THE SOFTBALL REMATCH betweenLACTC and SCRC on August 2, with 20 LACTCers andSCRCers plus miscellaneous fans and family,

gathered among the gently rolling hills ofAgoura. Among the Commission sluggers were IldaLicOn (who never misses a softball game--and if Iplayed as well as she does, I wouldn't either),Bob Minahan (who never misses anything), RichardStanger (who, as team manager, was chieforganizer of the game), Ed McSpedon, and NormJester (who graciously and rather naively offeredhis home for an after-game party). Staffer CindyRondo declined to play--choosing to root from thesidelines instead--but she brought her "longtimecompanion" (as they say in the film mags), Jack,who did what he could for our side.

Still smarting from their trouncing back inJune, SCRC recruited all they're heaviest hittersfor this rematch. Among them were George Swede,Jim Cisneros, Art Truman, Simon Zweighaft, JuneLeivas, Charles Daniel, and Steve Lee. (Rumorhas it they were paid triple-time to turn out forthe event.)

"They were absolutely great--practicallyprofessionals," says Bob, valiantly trying toexplain our humiliating defeat by a score of 15-2. Ed has a different explanation: "We wereshort players, so we had to borrow some from ourrivals." Richard trots out vet a third reason:

"It's well known that we let them win becausethey'd never beat LACTC before, and we wanted tobe sure they didn't get too demoralized to playus again." (You think perhaps our teamprotesteth too much?)

After the game, the crowd trooped over tothe Jesters' house, where Pauline was preparedwith refreshments and facilities for less-demanding sports such as ping-pong and swimming.

Stay tuned for the exciting sequel--as soonas Team Manager Stanger gets out from under hisworkload and remembers where his real duties lie.

* * *

Coming up: A BLOOD DRIVE, organized by BobVance with the help of Kathy Sweet. "Wait aminute," you think, "that's not a social event."No? Wait til you experience the instant intimacyyou develop as you lie side-by-side with someother staffer whose blood is being pumped. Andthe enticing refresments--that tiny paper cup ofhighly sugared soft-drink you get to help bringyou round after they bleed you. What aconversation-piece, too! Don't miss thisexciting "first" in the LACTC social scene--makean appointment with Bob V., Bob M., Kathy, orJose Mesa. The bloodmobile will be parked outfront on 8th street between 9:15 and 11:00 a.m.on Thursday, November 13, and can accomodate upto six donors at a time.

Continued on next page

Olga's mom with birthday present.

Don Brawn next to skeleton bearing sign: "Don Brown 10years from now--worked to the bone, too many cigarettes,too much coffee, too many agendas.

12Scene, cont. from previous page Did You Know? Cont. from page 3

After you give blood, come to our firstLUNCHTIME ROUNDTABLE, scheduled by popularrequest (per your responses to the Communicationssection's survey). Theme will-be "TimeManagement/Getting Organized," and we'll meet inthe third-floor conference room between noon and1:00 p.m., Thursday, 11/13. For more details,call Ann Reeves on extension 570-

Another stimulating and productive lunchtimeactivity will happen on December 1, between noonand 1:15 p.m. in the sixth-floor large conference

- om, when the first meeting of TOASTMASTERS nvenes under the auspices of Community

elations section's Rick Gomez (see ad elsewherein this newsletter). For more info, buzz Rick atextension 411.

Then there's the ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY setfor Friday, December 5, from 6:30 to 2:00 a.m. inthe Hyatt Regency's Bunker Hill Room (BroadwayPlaza). This promises to be quite a bash, sincethe organizers--our new co-presidents of theSunshine Club, Ilda Licon and Annette Mendoza--already are asking if people want to reserverooms to sleep over. Guess they assume we won'tbe in any condition to drive home. Going toinstruct the bartenders on how to make yourTequila Slammers, Ilda? Staff should all havegotten memos and made reservations for thisalready, but if you have any questions, try Ildaat extension 615 or Annette at extension 518.

Speaking of the SUNSHINE CLUB, remember tosupport it by paying your annual dues promptly,and let Annette or Ilda know if you'd like tohelp with any of the activites they handle fors. We know everyone here just loves his or herirk, but the sun shines brighter when we

_ocialize too--right? Right! ■

..Regular Inside Moves contributor OlgaPhillips, who also is a secretary in theCommunity Relations Section, gave her mom areal treat for her 66th birthday: a surprisevisit from a male stripper. The present waswell appreciated not only by Mom but also byOlga's sisters, who made several grabs at theuninhibited entertainer....In case you missedhis thank-you card, former finance managerMurphy McCalley sends us greetings and lotsof thanks for the going-away gifites and saysif anyone is down that way to give him a callat (619) 231-1466....Noticing a preponderanceof 4th- and 5th-floor news in this column, Ibuzzed Al Patashnick in the 6th-floor LocalAssistance Section and queried him on thelatest haps up there. "Anyone gettingmarried, writing a book, taking an inter-esting vacation?" Al replied, "No, we'rejust all busy doing our work. Boring,huh?"....Of course Don Brown, one of the 6thfloor's computer masters, intimates that heknows all kinds of juicy stuff, none of itfit for print. Speaking of Don, for those ofyou who may have missed the October 30general staff meeting, check out this shot ofDon and a version of his future self that waspart of the Halloween-style table decorationsthat day....Up on the 7th floor, LB-LAProject Contracts Analyst Barbara Gatewoodreports that "If circumstances do not change

Continued on next page

"My tastes are of the simplest--I only likethe best."

"Consistency is the last refuge of theunimaginative."

"When I go traveling, Ialways like to take

along some trulyexciting reading--

so I pack mydiary."

Know, continued 6 6 QUOTES 9 9

-13soon, I'll be jumping out the window by nextFriday." Seems some massive contracts (315,425, 550, and so on for you project insiders)have got her a wee bit harried. ,When Iasked, "What happens next Friday?" Barbarareplied, "By then my tolerance-level willhave bottomed out, or else I'll haveadapted." Did you know that AffirmativeAction/Labor Relations Analyst Michael Lollerbreeds show dogs and racing greyhounds? Orthat Communications/Graphics Manager EricaGoebel has won an award for the artisticlandscaping she designed and planted in herfront yard? She was one of six winners inher category in a contest with the overalltheme of "drought-tolerant landscaping,"sponsored by the Department of Water andPower and the L.A. Beautiful Committee; herprize will be a two-year subscription toSunset magazine and an awards luncheon at theNew Otami Hotel....Continuing the rash (punintended) of LACTC babies, GovernmentRelations Manager Steve Juarez recentlyadmitted, er, announced, that after only 3-1/2 months of marriage, he and Karen now areexpecting a baby next June; guess he'll belearning from experience the smelly truth ofhis own "Feedings in the Night" song (seepage 6 )....Did you know that Debbie Solar,secretary in the Transit Development sectionon the third floor, is training to be aprofessional opera singer' Got an item forthis column? Call Ann (Ext. 570) or Deana(Ext. 568). ■

LACTC Turns 10,Receives APTA Award

Staff had important developments to celebrate duringthe last two months: One to recognize the passage10 years ago of AB 1246, the measure that createa theLACTC and the Southern California region's three othertransportation commissions, another to recognize thehonor APTA bestowed on our group with its annualGovernment Agency Transit Achievement Award foroutstanding support of public transit in Los Angelesand nationally.

Rick Richmond thanked staff members for a decade ofhard work and dedication to the cause of improvedpublic transit. "I am looking forward to anotherdecade of continued success," he told staff membersduring a general staff meeting.

Commissioner Jacki Bacharach accepted the Achievementaward on behalf of the Commission during APTA's Detroitmeeting. The award is presented annually to thegovernment agency, state department of transportationor metropolitan planning agency member that shows themost outstanding execution of its public transportationfunction responsibilities and contributions to thetransit industry as a whole.

LACTC was honored for its advocacy role in fosteringa transit resurgence in the nation's second largestcity.

To celebrate our decade of existence, senior stafftreated employees to a free lunch that included drinksand a yards-long deli sandwich during the Septembergeneral staff meeting. Rick and Kathy (two of theCommission's longest serving employees) served up somecake during the birthday celebrations. ■

14

What's Happening in P&FA

Programming & Fiscal Analysis staff progressed alongseveral fronts this last quarter, with accomplishmentsnoted in the areas of operator audits, coordination ofsocial service agencies' transit programs, privatiza-tion of bus services and highway development.

The Transit section received considerable mediaattention for its triennial audit of the county's busoperators. Sharon Neely and her staff answerednumerous questions from print reporters on detailsof the Price-Waterhouse audit. Of special interestwere RTD's absenteeism and workman's compensation, aswell as the Commission's interest in seeing that RTDkeep tight control over costs.

Expect the Transit section to continue receiving mediaattention all next year for its work on transportationzones. Earlier this year, the Commission approvedguidelines that cities will follow to set up their owntransit services. Basically, the guidelines say thatthree or more cities may join to create a separatetransit service within their boundaries if they candemonstrate a 25 percent savings in operating costsover the current operator.

Commissioner Schabarum's office has hired a consultinggroup to develop an operations plan for providingtransit service in 29 West San Gabriel Valley cities.The transit service would be implemented in phases andultimately link service with the regional carrier andmunicipal operators.

The consultants will submit a detailed application inFebruary that addresses operating plans and administra-tive and financial issues in creating a transportationzone. The zone's bus operators would still receiveoperating assistance to subsidize a portion of theircosts from funds that normally would support RIDservice in the area.

On the Local Assistance side, Pat Van Metre and staffhave been busy administering Prop. A city projects,developing guidelines to coordinate routes and schedulesamong the county's transit operators and putting togetheranother demonstration project to test the cost effective-ness of privately contracted transit services.

A public hearing on the demonstration project willbe held during next week's Finance Review Committeemeeting. With funds from an UMTA demonstration grant,the LACTC will encourage competitive bidding from publicand private operators for providing service on 16 RTDlines slated for cancellation. Already, the County ofLos Angeles has expressed interest in sharing operationof two lines with the District. It is expected thatcompetitive bidding will result in lower cost transitservice.

Ginger Gherardi and staff of the Highway Section havebeen completing the final chapter of a multi-yearhighway plan. Expected to be distributed early nextyear, the plan examines local street and road conditionsand the state of the county's highway network. Thestudy is being coordinated by the Streets and HighwaysCommittee. Now in the last phase of its study, theCommittee is developing an action plan to financepotentially millions of dollars of short and long termroadway improvements.

Later this winter, LACTC will hold a public hearing togather comments on the plan. A fact sheet is availablefrom G&PA on the proposed plan.

Ray Maekawa's unit is examining how to coordinatetransit services provided by senior centers andorganizations for the disabled. One proposal is tocreate brokerages--centers that manage operationsfunctions like dispatching, maintenance, risk manage-ment and scheduling, for the many agencies offeringtransit services in a particular area. Seven eastLos Angeles and West San Gabriel Valley cities arecurrently under consideration for the first brokerage.

Other efforts by the unit include gaining exemptionfrom state and federal fuel taxes for the county'ssocial service agencies. Maekawa's staff expects theproposal to net agencies savings of $100,000 annually.

On a lighter note, the P&FA division is noteworthy fora single group accomplishment this quarter: they werethe only ones to decorate their walls--and each other--with Halloween designs. By the way, best costume awardthis year goes to Don Brown who showed up for workresembling the Hunchback of Notre Dame, or somethinglike that.

The division also prepared for themselves an internationalpotluck lunch recently, which highlighted the diverseculinary talents of the group, and produced rave reviewsfrom director Sims. ■