LACTC

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 GOINGSInside Moves returns! This popular in-housenewsletter reappears after languishing on thecommunication section's back-burners--due tothe demands of our sudden popularity with themedia, our new monthly constructionnewsletter, and other matters. And there area lot of comings and goings to catch up on.So return with us now, back to December1986....

COMING ON BOARD......when BOB FLYNN stepped into VittorioHoskins' shoes as Real Estate & DevelopmentOfficer. Bob works with Jim Wiley onacquiring land for the LB-LA rail project,and on licensing utilities, whatever thatmeans (I don't think we should give thoseutilities their licenses, the roads arecrowded enough). Bob's a transplantedeasterner who's been living in California forthe last 20 years; he lives in Long Beachwith his wife Libby, son Adam, daughterVicki, and granddaughter Christie. Beforejoining us, he spent more than nine years asa real estate attorney with varioussubdivision developers (he has his BS andMBA in business administration, and adoctorate in law). In his time off, Bobenjoys sports, traveling, and photography.His favorite vacation-spots are Yosemite andSan Francisco, and his favorite music:good old rock & roll sounds of the '50s.

Down on the third floor, ED DANESH came onboard in February as Rail Transit DesignEngineer, working with Ed Richardson and hismerry men. ED D. is responsible for managingand coordinating all of the civil design forthe downtown-L.A stretch of the LB-LkLine.For almost eight years prior to hiring onwith us, he worked at Caltrans in theirmaintenance section. Ed grew up "1/2 inTehran, Iran, and the other 1/2 in Kansas";gee, Ed, I hope that didn't give you a splitpersonality. Ed lives in North Hollywoodwith his wife; he likes Italian cooking,Beatles music, Woody Allen movies, andtennis.

APRIL 1987

New staffers Geraldine (Rail Division) andHarvey (Finance & Admin.), profiled below.

Another new "railie" also climbed aboardthat month, when GERALDINE BERRETT took overher post outside Norm Jester's office on the3rd floor as "Secretary to six very goodmen." Geraldine grew up in Salt Lake City,Utah, and Alhambra, CA. She was an arthistory major at Brigham Young U, and saysher most interesting job before joining uswas working in the geology library at CalTech. "I like British films, opera, andvacations in quiet places," says Geraldine,"and my outlook on life is 'One day at atime'--the attitude, not the sit-com."Geraldine lives in South Pasadena with "onelast teenager," who probably gives herplenty of opportunity to experience her petpeeve, "wet towels on furniture."

Joining Finance & Administration in March wasSenior Accountant HARVEY SAULTER. Harvey isassisting in the maintenance of our high-techautomated accounting system, and he alsohelps pay our bills, collect money due to us,prepare financial statements and reports, anddo all those other crucial jobs related tothe bottom-line. Harvey grew up inCincinnati, Ohio, and got his bachelor's in

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has been working on the LB-LA rail line withus since September 1983, first under DanCaufield and then under Ed McSpedon, whostepped in as the LB-LA's project's headhoncho when Dan moved to New Yoik. Vickeylives in Rowland Heights with her husband,four kids, two horses, a dog, and a cat.Wow--is that a household or a menagerie?Vickey loves to read, and every once in awhile she gets inspired to write poetry orshort stories--a nice change from thetechnical jargon of contracts, right Vickey?

MOVING UP...Speaking of the 7th-floor contracts folks,former LB-LA ProjectContract AnalystBARBARA GATEWOOD hasbeen promoted toProject ContractsOfficer; she started atLACTC in mid-June 1985.Barbara grew up in SanFrancisco and now livesin Rialto with herhusband and twochildren. Her favoritepasttimes are reading novels and cooking.Our ambitious Ms. Gatewood also is workingtoward her degree in Business Administrationwith a major in finance, real estate, andlaw. Congratulations, BG--keep up the goodwork.

MOVING ON...In an unusual turn of events, to my knowledgeunprecedented at LACTC, we had more peoplemove on than hire on in recent months. TheGovernment & Public Affairs Division, inparticular, has been reduced to about two-thirds its previous size with the defectionof four of its staffpeople in less than twomonths. All these leavings, I have beenassured unequivocably, have nothing whateverto do with the present plans for reorganizingL.A.'s transportation agencies.

Former Community Relations Secretary WILMACARDONA was the first to leave G&PA, when shebid us good-bye at the end of February.Wilma had gotten an offer she couldn'trefuse--more money for fewer hours--andnow is working for the American Federation ofState and Municipal Employees (a union).

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2Comings & Goings, continued

accounting at the university there. Hisfavorite foods are Chinese, Mexican, andItalian; he likes sci-fi movies a la StevenSpielberg; and he hates long lines andbumper-to-bumper traffic. Harvey'sphilosophy of life: "Do your best andremember that Rome wasn't built in a day."(Doesn't that make you wonder just how longit did take?) Harvey's engaged to be marriedin the fall, so he's right in step withnumerous other staffers, who seem to beopting for domestic bliss at a record-settingpace of late.

Stepping into Sharon Fruta's vacated slotover in Finance & Administration, is our newAdministrative Assistant PAM BARKER, whostarted with us on March 16. Pam lists herhobbies as competitive skating, sewing,reading, skiing, dancing, and movies. Wow--sounds like an energetic extra-curricularschedule. She says her favorite film is"Blazing Saddles," and she offers this quotefor us to ponder: "Life is a series ofendless delights and glorious extemporania.Love is a state where nothing goes wrong.And I am the Queen of Romania."

New G&PAers Therese and Mimi

NEWS FLASH: At press time, all three of theslots created by the recent mass exodus ofGovernment and Public Affairs secretarieshave been filled. As of April 27, TOMIKOHIRANO-MONRAWA will take Olga's place on the7th floor in Robin McCarthy's communityrelations section, THERESE HERNANDEZ willwork on the 5th floor with CommunityRelations Manager STEVE LANTZ, and MIMI GAMEZwill become the new secretary for thegovernment relations sections, at Deana's oldstation on the 5th floor. We'll give youmore about these newcomers in our next issue,after we've had time to get to know them.

Welcome to all these new staffers; we hopeyou'll all enjoy your work here in the ever-more-high-profile world of transportation.

CHANGES...Former Senior Secretary VICKEY LECHUGA is nowan Administrative Assistant up on the 7thfloor, helping George Livingstoneand thefolks who handle all our contracts. Vickey

Comings & Goings, continued

Wilma is sorely missed--notsimply for her pleasantpersonality and skills, butalso because nobody else canmake our accursed 5th-floorIBM Quietwriter computer-printer produce more than aquarter of a page. Wilmacould always be counted onat a public meeting, andconsidering the tone ofsome, that says a lot forher equanimity. She hadbeen with us for two yearswhen she moved on.

Next to exit was the hard-working SHARONFRUTA, who resigned from her post asAdministrative Assistant in the Finance andAdministration Division in early March to goon extensive travels throughout the U.S. withher fiance. Sharon had been at LACTC morethan two years. She had become well knownhere for passing out , our reimbursement moneyand our paychecks, for ALWAYS wearing pants,and for making Greta Garbo seem garrulous.Happy trails, Sharon; don't get lost inAmerica.

Up on the 6th floor, we will miss our lovelyparatransit secretary, PAOLA MACCHI-NUZUM,who left in mid-March. Paola had been withus for just a year, after we stole her awayfrom our rail-design consultants, SCRC. Sheis returning to her native Italy with herhusband, where she will resume her career inPR and marketing (she once worked for CBSRecords in Milan in that role). As a hugefan myself of Venice, Dante, Fellini, pasta,and Italian designers, I say, who can blameher? Chaio, Paola.

G&PA bid farewell to another excellentsecretary on March 20, when OLGA PHILLIPS andher family moved to Riverside County, nearPalm Springs. (But, Olga, it's not such along commute as all that.) Olga had joinedRobin McCarthy's community relations sectionback in June '85--starting out on the 5thfloor, moving to the 4th, and ending up onthe 7th. Olga's final move--to Riverside--was loudly lamented, especially by the INSIDEMOVES staff, since she was a regularcontributor of a lively column called"Secretary's Korner." As her writing took upan entire page or more in each issue, thismeant there was less for the editors tocome up with. Any of you other secretary'scare to step in and fill the gap?

3Another G&PAer, my communications section co-worker USHA VISWANATHAN, also left at the endof March. Since Usha was not exactly theconfiding sort, no-one seems to know verymuch about her reasons for resigning or herfuture plans, but wherever she lands, we wishher good luck.

Yet another G&PAer marched at the end ofMarch when long-time G&PA secretary DEANABURTON also left, to the sadness of all whoworked with her. Co-workers like Deana arehard to come by; she was conscientious anddependable beyond the call of duty, as wellas kind to all and fun. In addition to beingone of two people in Southern California whoknow how to run a Phillips word-processor(we're still looking for the other one,rumored to have been seen in Coalinga inFebruary), Deana will be long remembered forher interesting fashion statements; in fact,I've heard she is working on a book called"The Muffler: Fashion's ForgottenAccessory." Deana had been with theCommission since October 1983, and had beenacting as Senior Secretary for G&PA duringMargarita Ortiz's long maternity leave.Deana has taken up the position of ProjectAssistant with the worldwide consulting firmof McKinsey & Co. Things on the 5th floorwill never be the same without you, Deana.

Nor will things everbe the same withoutour wise-crackingformer GovernmentRelations ManagerSTEVE JUAREZ, who hadthe nerve to resign sothat he and his wifeKaren could move toSacramento, whereSteve has stepped intothe post as ResearchAnalyst for the stateassembly. Steve couldalways be counted onto slice up a dullmeeting with hisrapier wit, to spiceup a party with saltysarcasm, and ingeneral to make anaffable pest of him-self. As I was a frequent target , of hisbarbs, you'd think I'd be relieved to see himgo; but NOO-o-o, I'd rather have the laughs,even at my own expense. Just don't expect usto fly up there to give you a new-baby party,Steve.

Up on the 6th floor, JULIE SCHMIDT has lefther position as Transit Programs Analyst andmain liaison with the RTD, not because we aresoon to absorb the RTD and no longer willneed a liaison, but to pursue what she feltwould be greener pastures as AccountingManager for a USC research center in MarinaDel Rey. Julie had been with us just under ayear, making hers one of the shorter sojournsamongst us.

Also bowing out after just under one year isour Records Manager DENNIS HEIDEBRECHT.Dennis undertook the mammoth job of settingup our second-floor records center anddeveloping a computer-assisted documentretrieval system. He will be stepping into a

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LACTCTOASTMASTERS

NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, - MAY 12

6TH FLOOR MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM

'NOON - 1:15 PM (BRING LUNCH)

ALL STAFF & CONSULTANTS WELCOME!

I'M GOING TO STOPPUTTING THINGS OFF,STARTING TOMORROW

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new position as Produc-tion Manager for a dataprocessing and microfilmservice bureau that islocated ten minutes fromhis home in HuntingtonBeach. Says Dennis, "It'sbeen fun, but when offer-ed a higher salary at aplace that reduces mydaily commute by threehours, how could I re-fuse?" He adds, "Best ofluck to all--you'll needit if you take over theRTD!" Dennis won't beleaving us until the endof May, so there's stilltime to say so long.

GOOD-BYE AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL THESE FORMERFELLOW STAFFERS AND FRIENDS.

•••••••••••••TEN TIME-

SAVING TIPS

1. Develop a personalized time-managementsystem and use it daily. Day Runner and DayTimer are two popular examples. Componentsare available in office-supply, stationery,and department stores. Modify your system sothat it works for you; throw out sections youdon't need, add others that you designyourself; don't worry about how messy itgets--just use it.

2. Write down your goals and review themoften. Specific, measurable goals are best:"Lose a pound a week for five weeks" willwork better than "Lose weight." Scheduleactivites each week that relate to yourgoals. Pictures and progress charts arehelpful.

3. Keep things near where they will be used.We all keep the TV guide near the TV, but howabout keeping all those directions you writedown in the glove compartment of your car?Dental floss on bedstand? Extra scissors inmending basket? Etc. Especially good whenforming a new habit.

4. Listen to tapes while you commute; buy(how-to tapes), rent (from Books-on-Tape),borrow (from library), or make your own(radio programs; letters to friends; self-motivational tapes).

5. Schedule according to the practicalfactor (can only be done at a certain time ofday), the biological factor (do hardest tasksduring your "prime time"), and the deadlinefactor. And--know when to quit.

6. Use simple memory aids: turn a ring orwatch 180 degrees, "see" yourself doingsomething, keep Post-Its in car, etc.

7. Don't indulge negative emtions such asenvy, self-pity, anger, resentment, guilt,depression, disappointment, frustration, andfear. They are BIG time- and energy-eatersand move you away from--never toward--yourgoals.

8. Make commitments to others: set upmeetings and appointments, get partners fordifficults tasks/goals (exercising, learningabout finances, quitting smoking), etc.

9. Examine your underlying assumptions. Ifyou decide they are not moving you towardyour goals, make up some that do. Try not tostereotype yourself. Example:

New Goal: Do aerobics four timesweekly.

Old Assumption: "My whole family issedentary and so am I, so exercising alwaysis very difficult for me."

New Assumption: "I enjoy exercising andit's easy for me."

10. DO YOUR A-PRIORITY ITEMS/PROJECTS AND THEC's WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. Don't letthe total number of tasks--A's+B's+C's--overwhelm/immobilize you.

--Ann ReevesCommunications

TALKING TO THE MEDIA:HOW WE KEEP THE FACTS STRAIGHT,

THE STORIES AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE,AND MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS

by Erica GoebelManager, Communications/Graphics

With articles about the LACTC, RTD, and there-organization bills appearing reaularlyin the news these days, we--the LACTC'sCommunications staff--thought this would bea good time to review for you the LACTC'smedia policy and to explain how we do ourmedia relations job.

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business. So, just accept the fact that thegood work that we're doing at the LACTC oftengoes unreported.

Ann Reeves and I handle all the mediarelations. We have a vacancy on our staffright now, so usually we are a three-personteam. (Larry Gallagher and Leon Cooksey,our graphic artists, are also part of thesection, however, their connection with themedia is limited to the artwork they preparefor our use in front of tv cameras. And abeautiful job they do, I might add.)

Together, from past jobs, Ann and I havehad journalism experience as a reporter,copywriter, publicist, public informationofficer, and bi-lingual translator.

We're Hot News

The media calls have increased because theLACTC is in the news more these days ... newsbegets news. And, having Mayor Bradley aschairman gets us attention. The HeraldExaminer, the Los Angeles Times, and theDaily News cover us the most and we talk tothose reporters on a reaular basis. A longlist of members of the media receive ouragenda packets, decide what could be a story,cover the meetings, come over for interviews,or call for more information. We do not"feed" them stories, or "tip" them off aboutissues. Our policy is--as directed by seniorstaff--that it's the reporters'job to cometo us, rather than for us to go to them; forthem to find out about issues, rather thanfor us to initiate news coverage ofpotentially sensitive issues. In the case oftruly "good" news--i.e., allocation of funds,groundbreaking, purchase of light railvehicles, etc.--we do take a very assertiveapproach and call the media, invite coverage,and mail press releases. With all contacts,whether welcome or not, we are very service-oriented and cooperative, giving the mediaaccurate information as quickly as possible,in simple, layperson's terminology.

What Makes A Story

A few words about what is news. People oftenwonder why there wasn't, for example, a storyin the L.A. Times about our purchase of railvehicles (good news), but there was a storyimplying that the LACTC chairman may notsupport the reorganization bills(controversy). "News is drama" journalistswill tell you. Or "News is fires, foul-play,and f--- ups," as one reporter always says.Which is what sells papers and keeps them in

The other concern is accuracy. There aremany human factors involved in getting astory into print. The reporters have beendrilled to be accurate. However, they workagainst very tight deadlines, and sometimes,mistakes happen; the reporters are oftenunfamiliar with the material; and in theirefforts to make technical, specializedinformation understandable and interesting tothe average reader (with an eighth-gradereading ability) something may get lost.What we might think are important details areoften not included, based on the reporter'snews judgment and limited space. Also, thenewspaper editor may give the story aslightly different slant to punch-up itsappeal. Then, don't forget, the reporterdoesn't write the headlines. A copy editor'sjob is to write the most provocativeheadlines he/she can to help dramatize thestory. So, recognizing the world is notperfect, reporters and sources are notperfect, and tv covers the "news" in 30 and60 second "bites," we must remind ourselvesnot to expect news coverage to always ortotally match the truth as we see it.

Stay Cool

All the calls from the media are sent to Annor myself. We often will ask staff for helpin answering questions. Sometimes ratherthan relay information back and forth, we'llask you tc talk directly to the reporter. Onoccasion a reporter asks to speak directly toa staff person, and the call bypasses us.This usually only occurs when the reporterhas spoken to that person before, knowshe/she has a particular expertise and wantsto speak directly to that source again. Thisgenerally does not present a problem. Pleasefollow the guidelines below, and we'llcontinue to maintain good relations with themedia.

1. When you speak to a reporter, make sureyou get his/her name and the organiza-tion he/she represents, and when thecoverage is scheduled or likely toappear (if known).

2. After you understand the information thereporter wants from you, you are

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perfectly within your rights to say thatyou are not in a position to talk aboutthat issue, and would like to refer thecall to your division director and/orAnn or myself, if you are (1) unsureof the facts, (2) unsure of thesensitivities that surround the issue,(3) uncomfortable talking to the media,or (4) would like some help in gatheringthe necessary information.

3. Any questions that you receive from areporter that would cause you to give anopinion, speculate, interpret whysomething was done, or relay second-handinformation must be referred to yourdivision director and/or Ann or me. Inother words, stick to the facts; avoidsensitive, policy issues.

4. When you talk to a reporter on thetelephone, please feel free to make ita conference call, and ask Ann or me tojoin in.

THE SOCIAL SCENE Two major social events have taken place

since our last issue: the annual holidayparty and our traditional Dodger Day.

I know our CHRISTMAS DINNER-DANCE isalready shrouded in the mists of pre-historyin all your busy, forward-looking minds, butlet's give some public credit to thoseSunshine Club co-presidents Ilda LicOn andAnnette Mendoza, who did such a great job oforganizing that event. I loved the freephotos taken of everyone standing in front ofthe Chirstmas tree, didn't you? And betweenthe table decorations and the many door-prizes, several dozen of us got to winsomething--even me. Thanks to photographybuff Bob Minahan for the slide-show recap ofthe past year at LACTC. It also was great tohave ex-staffers Julie Austin (now withshoulder-length curly hair) and Steve Parkson hand to help us usher in the season.

5. Please let Ann or me know when you'vetalked to a reporter, and summarize whatthe questions and answers were.

6. Please.let us know if you are sendingthe reporter a copy of some information,or if you question whether its okay toshare something.

7. If you are asked for an in-personinterview, please let Ann or me know.We will discuss with you whether we needto be there with you. We generallywill attend.

8. Please understand the media is underdeadline and usually needs you torespond as quickly as possible.

9. Keep your answers as short, simple, andnon-technical as possible. Generally,don't volunteer information you haven'tbeen asked for.

10. If you ever feel a reporter may havemisunderstood you, or something tense orawkward transpired, please let us knowand we can work with the reporter tostraighten it out.

11. Avoid information that may change, i.e.,decisions that aren't final, dates thatmay fluctuate; or at least be very surethe reporter understands the:possibilityof change by underscoring such words as"preliminary report," "tentative/probable start-date," etc. Many mediaoutlets--especially magazines--have long"lead-times" (i.e., story may appearweeks or months later), and we usuallywill not be able to correct earlierfacts given.

Ilda and Annette, Sunshine Club co -presidents

Cindy Rondo gets credit for handling theApril 9th DODGER DAY details, and I hear theonly thing that didn't go perfectly was thatthe home-team lost to the San FranciscoGiants. The seats were super this year, I'mtold--about a hundred were sold to staffersand guests--and the weather was fine. Ourgroup agreed unanimously that not since Nerofiddled while Rome burned had the worldwitnessed such irresponsibility as when thecatcher threw the ball to second base toprevent a steal--but no one was coveringsecond. "Ilda's peanut tosses were moreaccurate and better-timed," reports SteveLantz. Dodger errors--4; Commissionpersonnel--0 (that we know of). "It's hardto believe it was pro ball," laments sportsfan Mary Lou Echternach; "Fortunately, we gomore for the camraderie than for the game."

As we go to press (or, to word-processor,as it were), we're on the verge of anothersporty social event--or social sportinge -,;ent, depending on your particular valuesystem--the LACTC GOLF TOURNAMENT. The clubswill fly this Saturday (as I write; lastSaturday as you read) at San

,

Piper Golf &Country Club in Santa Barbara. Moving up a

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SOCIAL, cont. from page 6 7V

notch in the classiness of the locale, I'dsay. This event sprang up last May aftereager air-slicer George Livingstone joinedour staff, and it seems destined to becomeanother annual tradition. The ever-vocalMary Lou has let it be known, however, thatshe and avid golfer Sharon Neely feel it wasdefinitely unsportswomanlike of Mary SueO'Melia to chose the same date--April 25--forher wedding.

A short postscript to our last "SocialScene" column, which featured an article onand large photo, attributed to Bob M., of theannual LACTC campout. After that issue cameout, I got the following note from LB-LAProgram Director Ed McSpedon: "Enjoyed thelatest issue of Inside Moves but I have twoquestions. (1) How did Bob Minahan take thecampout photo when he is in the picture?

(2) Who told you I was there? I'd like therecipe of whatever they were drinking. I'dalso be very interested in any photos Bobmight have of me so I can see if I wasenjoying myself." Well, Ed, our researchstaff is not just small, it's nil, so wenever even attempt to check the reports weget. Our motto is, "If you can't beaccurate, be colorful."

DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know that our Communications ManagerErica Goebel is contributing a series ofinterviews to a quarterly magazine devoted tothe art of jewelry and personaladornment?... Or that that GovernmentRelations Representative Claudette Moody hasre-read her favorite novel, Jane Eyre, everyyear except two since she first read it injunior high school'''....Or that Rail

Construction Engineer Bob Minahan brewsbetter beer at home than almost any you canbuy? All wno attended a recent Toastmasters'meeting, where Bob gave a speech on thesubject, got to sample his wares. Anotherlittle-known fact about Mr. M: he has had athriving sideline for years in buying andreselling acoustic guitars..... From a sourcewho got it from a reliable source comes thefollowing challenge: Guess who was both acheerleader and 1975-76 Spring Prom Queen atPalm Springs High? Hint: It's a woman. The

:clock is ticking---picked your favorite? Andthe answer is, (envelope please), SeniorTransit Programs Analyst Mary Sue O'Melia!Were you surprised? I was, as Mary.Suedoesn't seem to be the rah-rah type to me.Now when I found out she was also studentbody president, that made more sense.Speaking of Mary Sue, by the time this issuehits your in-baskets, she will have takenthat fateful step into matrimony with one Mr.Don Herman, who is in the oil business.After a honeymoon in Mexico, the couple willcontinue living in sunny southern Cal. Ihear that following Mary Sue's "last fling"party, she and Mary Lou decided to co-authora book called The Wrath of Grames....What'sthis about a meeting in the San FernandoValley attended by 600 people? (A thousand,if you believe the press.)Seers as if Community Relations Manager StoveLantz and various other staffers involved inthe RTC route-recommen—dation meeting outthat way had their hands (and the auditorium)full! Next we'll be having to hold ourmeetings in Dodger Stadium. No wonder Steveis interviewing for a CR specialist--he needsHELP....Up on the sixth floor, Don Brown istelling the story of his son who called infor a job and was asked if he were bilingual,since the employer "couldn't use himotherwise." Brown Jr. gave an indignant"No!" and rang off in a huff--he thought thehirer meant biss=1.... Did you know that

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Project Director of Rail Development RichardStanger likes to do woodworking= Or thatRail Develonment Officer Susan Rosales playsboth the piano and the guitar= Or that ourDirector of Programmind and Fiscal AnalysisJim Sims has a collection of posters relatingto the City of Los Angeles? Allcontributions gratefully accepted. Anotherobscure Sims tidbit: way back when, Jim onceworked as a used—car salesman. He admits hewasn't too successful at it: he was toohonest....Baby Bulletin Board:Congratulations to Community RelationsSpecialist Rick Gomez, whose wife Rosadelivered a 7-1/2 pound baby girl, Roxana,last November 18....Long—time staffers mayremember somebody named Carolyn, who (beforemy time) used to be do government relationswork here; she had a baby girl on Christmaseve....And here's a photo of proud MamacitaMargarita Ortiz with her little AndreaChristine, snapped during a mid—Februaryvisit to her old G&PA haunts on the 5th

floor Community Relations Manager RobinMcCarthy is expecting the stork to visit herabout October 9th; she'll be taking off forsix months of maternity leave at the end ofSeptember We have confirmed that Easterwent well at the home of Executive DirectorRick Richmond, who has four little ones stillof an age tc believe in bunnies deliveringdecorated eggs (which, when you think of it,is pretty wierd). The eggs for their Easter—egg hunt arrived on time via rabbittransit....While you're still groaning overthat one, we'll say so long until next time.

MEET YOUR CO-WORKERS.

Name: BOB VANCEStarted with LACTC:

December, 1985Current Title:

Rail Transit SystemsEngineer

Division: TransitDevelopment, 3rd floor

Principal responsibili-ties:

For the LB-LA line,project integration:operations planning,maintenance facili-ties, configurationmanagement, workingwith SCRTD, andvarious other thingsthat don't clearlyfall into anyoneelse's area of respon-sibility.

Most interesting jobs before LACTC: Worked in opera-tions planning at the Chicago Transit Authority;then worked in Knoxville, TN on transportationplanning for 1982 World's Fair.

Grew up in: Westerville, Ohio (near Columbus)Education: Westerville High School; B.A. in Urban

Studies, Michigan State UniversityHome life: Live in West L.A. (the LACTC ghetto of

Palms) with three newly acquired goldfishHobbies: Photography, hiking, singing in church

choir, sports (both as participant and spectator).Favorites:

food -- Mexican, Thaiauthor -- Kurt Vonnegutmusic -- Most kinds, including classical, opera,

60s, bluesmovies -- "My Little Chickadee;" - "The Taking of

Pelham 1-2-3;" - Blues Brothers"vacation -- Europe and British ColumbiaPet peeve -- Re-inventing the wheel: i.e., recycling

matters that have already been decided.Quote: "When in doubt, do it; it's easier to get

forgiveness than permission."

Name: DON HARRISONStarted with LACTC:

March, 1985Current Title:

Systems EngineerDivision: Transit

Development, 3rd floorPrincipal responsibili-ties:

1. Light Rail VehicleLB-LA and Century

2. LRV Signal SystemTrain Control.

Most interesting jobbefore LACTC: Working

at BART--first newrapid transit systembuilt in this century

Grew up in: Wisconsinand California

Education: Masters inChair-Throwing,

Indiana UniversityHome Life: Live: downtown L.A., wife: one; children:

sent packing.Hobbies: Wine-making; parachuting (free-fall).Favorites:

food

Margaritas, Stroh's

books

1. Chairs by Bobby Knight 2. Wired forSound by Ivan Boesky

music Early hippie

movies Late-night movies with Elvira "Mistressof the Dark"

vacation Six-month campout in U.S., Canada, andMexico

Pet peeve: Lack of interest shown by fellow staffmembers when we discuss my commute.

Quote: "What goes around comes around."

THE "INSIDE MOVES" STAFF

Publisher: Erica GoebelEditor/Writer: Ann ReevesGraphics: AnnPhotos: Ann again

GUEST COLUMNISTS AND VOLUNTEERSFOR "MEET YOUR CO-WORKERS" AREWANTED URGENTLY. CALL EXT. 570.