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CTA-TV Lv
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The minicam — it' s everywhere !
But did you know that it's CTA's
own minicam? Operated by the
Video division of the Training/
Development programs depart-
ment, CTA TV probably won't win
any Emmies this year, but its pro-
ducers, directors, and cameramen
are out to capture the CTA em-
ploye audience.
Several programs have been
produced already. One, entitled
"Handling the Public," deals with
bus courtesy, and consists entirely
of group Interviews with operators
from the North Park and 77th Street
garages.
In the tape, the operators tell
their methods of dealing with
problems, sometimes going be-
yond the methods illustrated in the
rulebook. The situations are com-
mon ones, such as getting people to move to the rear
of the bus, how to deal with complaints, and what to do
with riders who insist on bringing baby strollers onto
the bus„ While most of the solutions are simply com-
mon sense, some are quite extreme, such as chewing
garlic to get people to move back.
"Handling the Public" is going to be shown at every
garage on the system, with the premiere scheduled for
late January at the 77th Street and North Park garages.
The crew has also taped and produced two versions
of the CTA Technical Institute. One is a five-minute
tape that basically e}q)lains what the CTATI is, and it
As Elonzo Hill, superintendent, Training Center, videotapes, Art Hubbard, assistant supervisor.
Instruction, and Rosalio Garcia, M/P intern, engage in a role-playing discussion.
will be used rather like an advertisement. It will be
sent to prospective participants at other authorities
throughout the nation.
The second version is longer and more detailed. It
will be shown to people not having time to take the
entire ^I, but interested in increasing their knowledge
of mai^s trar
aflisH
RETIREES
RY, 1980
(continued from page 1)
Bob Bizar, director of the video project, envisions
CTA TV as a three-fold program. First is its train-
ing value, especially in refresher courses. Secondly,
the system can easily be used as an internal commu-
nication system, carrying messages in a more vibrant
form than a simple memo. And third, the camera can
record, both visually and aurally, events of historical
significance, such as the October visit of the Pope, and
last summer's White House fire.
With the limited equipment of one color and two
black-and-white cameras, the eagerness of the crew,
and the cooperation of the subjects are essential ele-
ments to the project.
Future training problems to be taped include a
feature on turning the 55 foot long articulated bus; an
explanation of how the control center operates, and a
tape on NapervUle roads for the travel information
center.
In addition, the Claims and Law departments have
requested tapes of their guest speakers, so that the
speakers will not need to keep returning for small
groups of trainees. The tapes will then be filed and
replayed whenever necessary.
Ted Radakovic tapes as Martha Koch interviews Harold Robinson
in the Travel Information Center.
Management education sessions also use the video
system in their role-playing sessions of corrective
case interviews and performance evaluations. The
sessions are recorded, then played back and critiqued
by the group. By actually seeing and hearing how they
perform in typical employe relation situations, the
participants gain a better perspective on how they are
actually seen by others.
Currently, a documentary is being produced. Its
subject is the accessibility that CTA provides through-
out the city, from the Loop to the neighborhoods. The
tapes' premise is that the CTA is responding to the
needs of the thousands of people who, for one reason
or another, are moving into, or staying in, the city.
This "special" is going to be viewed by neighborhood
organizations, the State Street Council and other con-
cerned business groups, as well as the CTA Board
of Directors.
The video crew, Martha Koch, Mike McNamara, and
Ted Radakovic, has become a familiar sight to many
employes in the past few months. So now, when you
see the camera, SMILE, you're on CTA TV.
CIA TRANSIT NEWS
Mike McNamara.Ted Radakovicand
Martha Koch (left to right) tape
their latest effort, a documentary
on the control center. The bus
controller is Derrick Robinson.
Bob BIzar (second from right),
director of the video project,
reviews the tape "Handling the
Public" with the CTA TV staff.
JANUARY, 1980
CTA Board adopts 1980 budget
The Chicago Transit Board adopted an operating
budget of $504,482,000 for the 1980 fiscal year on
Jan. 9. The 1980 budget represents an increase of
13.4 per cent over the 1979 operating expenses of
$445,002,000.
In an introduction before the budget hearing on
Dec. 12, George Krambles, Executive Director, ex-
plained that the budget reflects continuing inflation
which for 1979 will be over 14 per cent and for 1980
is anticipated at a 9 and one-half per cent rate.
"A 30-year decline in ridership has been reversed,
and the number of CTA riders has steadily increased
since 1973. In 1979, the CTA provided 722 million
passenger trips, an increase of 3.7 percent over 1978,
and an increase of 15.6 per cent over 1973. This trend
will continue," said Krambles.
Paul Kole, General Finance Manager, said that the
13.4 per cent increase for 1980 is attributed in its
entirety to anticipated inflationary increases in labor,
material, and other expenses.
"As an example," Kole said, "the price of diesel
fuel was 42 cents per gallon at this time last year and
now the current price is 72 cents a gallon, an in-
crease of 71 per cent,"
System-generated revenue for 1980 is expected to
New Year's resolution
Board Member Nick Ruggiero presents button with the wording "CTA
1980 New Year's Resolution - Keep within our budget" to Chairman
Barnes when the budget was approved at the January board meeting.
While distributing the buttons, Ruggiero expressed his hope that every
employe of the CTA will make every possible effort to achieve this goal.
increase to $262.7 million or 15.7 per cent over 1979
projected results.
"This increase results mainly from the fare change
effective in November, 1979, and also includes an es-
timated one per cent increase in ridership for 1980,"
said Kole.
To cover 1980 operating expenses, $241,792,000
will be required in public funding through the Regional
Transportation Authority. In addition to the public
funding for operating costs, the 1980 budget also in-
cludes requests to the RTA for public assistance of
$801,000 to pay interest on CTA revenue bonds and
$300,000 for unanticipated emergency capital im-
provement expenses.
The required public funding through the BTA
represents a decrease from 49.1 per cent in 1979 to
48 per cent in 1980.
Qf the total budget, 64.4 per cent is for operating
the 2,420 buses and 1,100 rapid transit cars. Buses
on 137 routes operate over 254,000 scheduled miles
each weekday. Over 2,500 train departures are made
each weekday.
Maintenance of buses, rapid transit cars, structures,
and facilities account for 29.7 percent of the operating
budget.
Use of operating funds
1980
$505.6 Million
Mat'l
5.1%
Fuel&Elec.
7.8%
Claims
(Injuries &
Damages)
3.4%
Another
5.5%
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Construction of 225
new bus shelters begins
The first CTA bus passenger shelter designed for
narrow sites was constructed at the comer of Adams
street and Campbell avenue on Nov. 30o
This shelter, one of 10 experimental shelters being
tried out by the CTA, was among an order of 225
shelters now being constructed throughout the CTA's
service area.
The 10 experimental shelters have narrow side
panels and cantilevered roofs to protect persons from
the weather yet permit passers-by plenty of access
on the sidewalk.
First CTA bus passenger shelter with canti-
levered roof Is visited by CTA Chairman
Eugene M. Barnes (right) and his guests at
corner of Adams street and Campbell avenue
on Dec. 3. They are State Rep. Douglas
Huff Jr., (D., 20th) in cap and white coat;
Aid. Eugene Ray (27th) in black coat and
hat; Chicago Sewer Commissioner Edward
A. Quigley, behind Mr. Barnes; Lawrence
Allen, deputy supt. of sewers, in white car
coat and hat, and Mrs. Willie Jackson, rep-
resentative of Midwest Terrace, senior
citizens building, 150 S. Campbell, near
the new shelter.
Forty of the 225 shelters are 12 feet, 4 inches long.
The remaining 185 shelters, including the 10 ex-
perimental shelters, are 8 feet, 3 inches long. All
225 shelters protect an area 5 feet, 8 inches deep and
are 7 feet, 6 Inches in height.
"We are especially pleased to get this project
underway before the severe winter weather begins,"
said CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes.
The 225 shelters cost a total of $309,500 and are
funded by federal and state governments and the RTA.
Crews of the Maintenance Department are con-
structing the shelters on sites throughout the CTA's
service area in Chicago and suburbs.
The new shelters are similar iji design to the 200
previously installed by the CTA.
Suggestion Winners
Dominick Lopiccola, driver at 69th Street garage,
won $705 from the CTA Employee Suggestion Plan
for recommending changing the relief point for drivers
on the #52A South Kedzie bus route from 111th to
103rd street.
Another cash award winner was Nick Suero, car
repairer at Congress, who received $30 for suggesting
the use of a new brush holding tool for 2400 series
car motor alternators. Lawrence Bemas, machinist.
Central Counting, was given $10 for proposing the in-
stallation of safety guards around the Central Count-
ing grinder.
Honorable Mention gift certificates were awarded
to 10 other employees for submitting usable ideas
about making work easier or safer at CTA. Included
were: James Bell, bus servicer, 69th Street; John
Gamer, bus repairer, Beverly; Michael Gray, bus
and truck mechanic. South Shops; Daniel Joseph,
driver. North Park; and Winmon Lewis Jr., painter.
South Shops.
Dominick Lopiccola (left), driver at 69th Street, receives a check for
$705 from Gene Jendrach, Suggestion Plan analyst.
Other Honorable Mention winners were: Betty
Rice, ticket agent. West Section; Richard Stenzel, bus
repairer. Forest Glen; Ralph Stephens, shopman,
SkoMe Shop; Richard Wadington, bus repairer, Forest
Glen; and Robert Wrobel, electrician. Plant Mainte-
nance,
JANUARY, 1980
«
1
1
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)- ;
f"V1
iL_i
James Walker (Beverly garage) is a
hero to Mrs. Phyllis Finney, of
West 118th street. "One after-
noon my 10-year-old son Corey
ran away from the school where
he is supposed to stay until I
pick him up. He wasn't at home,
either, so I called the police.
While they were at my home, the
telephone rang. It was Mr. Walker.
He had my son with him, and he
was unharmed. He had encoun-
tered Corey at a bus stop on
111th Street and saw that he
was not boarding the bus, so he
began to question him. When he
found out that Corey had run
away, he had him get on the bus
and ride with him until he could
get to a phone. I hate to think
of what could have happened if
it were not for a wonderful and
kind man like Mr. Walker."
Assunta Kaya (Forest Glen garage)
was thanked for her help by
Matilda Ippoliti, of North New-
land avenue. "I have not taken
the 91 Austin bus too often, so I
had to ask the driver for assis-
tance, and she was extremely
helpful and courteous. Also, I
noticed that she was considerate
of all her passengers, especially
older people. When questioned
about the all-day Sunday transfer,
she gave out information without
ever interrupting her driving
schedule. She gave everyone
boarding the bus a cheerful smile,
and her friendliness touched
everyone."
commendation corner
Emma Watt (77ih Street garage) was the driver of
a 3 King Drive bus that Elmer Beard took both down-
town and back to his home on King drive the same
evening. "The ride downtown was smooth, and the
operator was a very businesslike yoimg lady who was
an excellent driver. To my surprise, the same driver
was going south at 8th street when I was ready to re-
trace my steps. She was so skillful and careful I was
deeply impressed and pleased. About midway on the
trip, a police officer boarded the bus. His presence
made me feel quite secure. As a senior citizen of 7Y
years, personal safety is important to me. I arrived
at my home in the same 45 minutes it took going down.
I was delighted with the evening's transportation."
####
Charles Robinson (North Park garage), the driver
of a 151 Sheridan bus, was the subject of a letter from
Jacqueline Jones, of North Lake Shore drive. "He is
courteous, predictable (always at my comer at exactly
the same time each day); always has a smile, a kind
word; offers directions and assistance to people...!
could go on and on. I will no longer be traveling this
route in the morning and will really miss seeing this
gentleman each day. He richly deserves commenda-
tion. He does his job well above and beyond what can
be expected."
####
Ignacio Hernandez (Archer garage) was the driver
of a 62 Archer bus that Dorothy Rohl and her family
took from the Loop on their way home to South Tnim-
bull avenue. "We just returned from a pleasant, re-
laxing ride with operator #7014 from Kinzie street
through the State Street Mall, and found it is a con-
venient and pleasant way to see the new mall. He was
courteous to all and operated the bus so smoothly, it
really was a joy to ride with him to Kedzie. Our
salute to him and all drivers like him."
####
James Kolstad (Beverly garage) was appreciated by
Mr. and Mrs. John Crescent Sr., of South Washtenaw
avenue, for his courtesy on a 49A South Western bus.
"We have not ridden buses or trains for several years,
and it was a refreshing experience to be greeted by
your driver. This man called out the cross streets,
which I am sure the older riders appreciated —
especially those with poor eyesight, as they didn't
have to strain to see the signs. This man operated in
a most professional manner, and I am certain your
ridership would increase if others were as courteous
and pleasant as he was."
####
Irma Saucedo (Archer garage) was the driver of a
94 South California bus that George Tomisek, of South
Homan avenue, was afraid he had already missed
early one evening at 19th street, "I got to the comer
a few seconds late, and she started to go, but when
she saw me she stopped, and I sure did appreciate it,
I was coming from St, Anthony Hospital, and after
dark I'm afraid to stand on that particular comer. It
takes a fine lady like her to protect us elderly men.
(I am 71.) I don't know the lady, but I do think she is
a wonderful person, and very courteous."
####
Thomas Southern (69th Street garage) and Kench
Borum (77th Street garage) are drivers of buses that
Catherine Rajca takes regularly from her home on
South Wood street to school at 73rd and Oak Park
avenue, "I get the first driver on Garfield. He is al-
ways so polite and has a smile every day. He also
has a kind word for everybody when they leave the
bus at Archer and Cicero, I get the second driver at
73ixl street, and when he sees a bus coming on Cicero,
he waits for us because he loiows there is a half-hour
wait for the next bus. He also smiles and has a kind
word for everyone,"
####
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Among other operating employes receiving
commendations recently were:
Carlos Alonso, Limits; McBride Anderson,
69th Street; and David Arreguin, North Parle.
Pedro Balderas, Arnold Beler, and Bobby
Brown, all of North Park; Bruce Berkowitz.
Forest Glen; and Booker Bolton, North Avenue.
Jean Cage and Leroy Carr, both of North
Park; Gail Calloway, North Avenue; John
Cameron, Ashland Terminal; Glen Carpenter,
69th Street; Edith Carr, Anthony Ceriale, and
Floyd Cooley, all of Forest Glen; and Wayne
Cousins, Lawndale.
Bruno Diaz, Limits; James Dolan, Howard
Terminal; Frederick Douglas. North Park; and
George Duszynski, Forest Glen.
Vincent Ecter and Eva Edwards, both of
77th Street; and James Estes, Forest Glen.
Carmelo Gonzalez and Jesus Gonzalez Jr.,
both of North Park; Wallacene Good, Forest
Glen; James Gregory, 77th Street; and fidgar
Griffin Jr., North Avenue.
William Head, Forest Glen; and William
Henderson Jr., North Park.
Arthur Jackson, John James, and Willie Jett,
all of 77th Street; Zeke Jagst and Willie James,
both of North Park; and Robert Johnson,
Archer.
Edward Kaminski, Archer; and Chester
Konopacki, Limits.
Ricardo Leiva, Forest Glen; John Lemond
and Jorge Lopera, both of North Park; and
Paul Lewis, North Avenue.
John Mack Jr., Lawndale; Joseph Mackin,
Adolph Marth, and Angel Martinez, all of North
Park; Eleanore Madrecki and Flora McCIure,
both of Forest Glen; Lamont Maxwell, Archer;
Daniel McGee, North Section; Gysbertus
Mheenbeek, Howard Terminal; Willie Moore
and Robert Mumbower, both of North Avenue;
and Nelson Mounia, Limits.
Vito Napoli, Forest Glen; and Victoria
Nesbit, North Park.
OIlie Oliver, 77th Street.
Angel Perez and Robert Pritchard, both of
North Avenue.
Johnnie Readus, 52nd Street; Jose Rivera,
Jose Rodriguez, and Angel Roman, all of Forest
Glen; and Pablo Rosario, Limits.
Joseph Sanhamel, Mary Schmidtke, Glenn
Steude, and Daniel Stronach, all of North Park;
Donald Sheller and Edna Stiffend, both of
Forest Glen ; and Leia Steele, Lawndale.
Reuben Thomas, Lawndale; Robert Thomas,
North Park; and George Thompson and William
Thompson, both of Archer.
Leroy Vaughn. 77th Street.
eleven Wardlow, Limits; Gary Williams,
North Park; and Howard Wilson, Forest Glen.
John Zupko, Howard Terminal.
promotions
The Transportation Department has ap-
pointed two new assistant superintendents.
Assigned to the same sections in which they
previously served as management profes-
sional interns are Horace Brooks, Person-
nel, Far South, and William Mooney, Sup-
port Services.
In Materials Management-Stores, James
Riley Jr. has been promoted from order
control clerk to unit supervisor. Inventory
OperationSo Anthony Ambut, former driver.
North Avenue, is now training coordinator,
Human Resources-Training/Development
Programs, Sergio Rodriguez, former
analyst, Labor Relations, has been selected
senior financial analyst, Financial Services.
Also in Financial Services, Daniel Reel,
former travel information representative.
Management Services, has been appointed
data entry operator.
Five former bus repairers. Vehicle
Maintenance, have been chosen relief fore-
men in the same departments In their new
positions, Daniel Costley, formerly of
Forest Glen, and Leodls Royster, formerly
of 77th Street, both move to North Avenue;
Lotuiie Austin, previously at North Avenue,
moves to Archer; Daniel Gleich remains at
77th Street; and Dennis Cook stays at North
Park.
Recently assigned as bus drivers to
Forest Glen are Kevin Majors, former
laborer. Vehicle Maintenance, South Shops,
and Wilson James HI, former conductor.
North Section; and to 77th Street, Wavie
Murphy, former ticket agent. South Section.
Within South Section, Oliver Baylor has
been reassigned from conductor to work
train conductor.
In Operations Planning, Ronald Peel has
moved from traffic checker to traffic clerk.
Now serving as traffic checkers in the same
department are former drivers Eddie Tin-
sley (69th Street) and Eleson Murphy (77th
Street), and former motorman Dorris Wil-
son (South Section).
At Skokie Shop, Giuseppi Geraci has
been reassigned from laborer to shop
tractor operator. Anthony Finney, former
driver. Archer, is now substation attendant.
Plant Maintenance, Maureen D;piaher,
former clerk/stenographer. Engineering,
has been selected stenographer, Grant
Programming. Anne Bandur, utility clerk,
has moved from Claims Management to
Administration and Development within
Claims/Real Estate/Sales.
Seven new M/P Interns appointed
Seven employes have been appointed as
Management/Professional Intern Trainees
by Chicago Transit Authority Chairman
Eugene Barnes.
Bus Supervisors Linda Brooks, Rosalio
Garcia, Rosalind Jones, Charlene McFad-
den and Mike Sanchez; as well as Rapid
Transit Supervisor Cynthia Florence and
Line Instructor Mary Beth Cobleigh, be-
gan their on-the-job training on December
24th.
The Management/Professional Intern
program consists of a deep and varied in-
volvement in many divisions of the Trans-
portation Department.
The interns will spend the next year
learning about, and working within the
divisions of Personnel, the Control Center,
Bus Instruction and Supervision, and also
will serve as special assistants to the
Transportation Manager.
Part of their training also Includes a
Management Education Training Seminar.
After that, they will spend a few months In
each division of the Transportation Depart-
ment.
Next December when their one year in-
ternship concludes, the interns wiU be The seven Management/Professionallnterns appointed by Chairman Barnes in December are: left to
placed in the Transportation division in right, Linda Brooks, Rosalind Jones, MaryBeth Cobleigh, Charlene McFadden, and Cynthia Florence,
which he or she performed best. Standing, left to right, Mike Sanchez and Rosalio Garcia.
JANUARY, 1980
From Bobtail to Big Bend
School children
learn about eta
As the sight and sound of a giant steam locomotive
filled the room, the eyes of the second graders grew
wider and wider. Their eyes had been almost as wide
a moment before, when a horsecar, complete with
ringing bells, had appeared.
This excitement is part of a program called "What
is CTA ?". Its purpose is to acquaint elementary school
children with Chicago's transportation system at an
early age. The program is sponsored by the Public
Affairs department, and is available in both Spanish
and English.
"What is CTA?" explains, through slides, tape
recorded sounds, and live commentary, that CTA is
buses, trains, and most importantly, people. The
children are shown a brief history of Chicago trans-
portation including the bobtail horsecar of 1859, the
trolleys and streetcars, and the Big Bend buses and
rapid transit trains of today.
The commentator, through pictures, explains the
exact fare system, the difference between the ele-
vated and the subway, and the roles of motorpersons,
operators and maintenance workers. The youngsters
are shown pictures of a bus being shampooed, and the
commentator answers any questions that the children
might have from previous trips taken on CTA with
parents or teachers.
To ensure audience participation, a "name that
bus sovuid" game is played. The soimds of coins
dropping Into the farebox, windshield wipers, doors
closing and directional turn signals are played, and
the children are asked to identify them. Some of the
guesses can only be attributed to the imagination of an
eight-year-old, but with a little concentration all of
the sounds are eventually identified.
The bad habits of graffiti writing and littering are
not mentioned. The children are encouraged to keep
trains and buses clean by holding on to paper wrap-
pings, and are advised never to remove the cap of a
pen while the vehicle is moving.
Since everyone takes the CTA sooner or later, the
concept behind the presentation is to encourage chil-
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
dren to begin taMng CTA earlier, but with more safety
and greater awareness. "What is CTA?" illustrates
the best ways to use the system.
Using children of CTA employes as models, the
slides demonstrate the best ways to sit and stand on
buses and trains, where to safely stand on an "L"
platform and at bus stops.
Showing that the CTA can be taken to fun places,
the program includes pictures of animals at the zoo,
the circus, museum exhibits and the Culture Bus.
Each child is given a poster to take home, and all are
urged to discuss the program with their parents.
"What is CTA?" is geared primarily toward first
through fifth graders. Cam Render, writer/co-
ordinator of the program, hopes to have a middle
grade program ready by next fall.
The program has been enthusiastically received by
both students and teachers. More than 120 schools
have been visited so far by Mrs. Render and two as-
sociates, Elda Leal and Steve Hastalis, both of Public
Affairs. Several schools have requested the program
to return. More information on the program is avail-
able from the CTA Public Affairs department.
what is eta?
for travel information call 836-7000
Above: To help create a lasting good impres-
sion of the CTA, each youngster receives a
"what is eta?" poster. The poster was design-
ed by Ervin Harris, an artist in the Training/
Development programs section. Human Re-
sources department.
Far left: During the slide show. Cam Render,
writer/coordinator of the program, asks
one of the children to identify some of the
interesting places that can be visited by
riding CTA.
Left: Steve Hastalis (right) operates the
tape recorder as the youngsters listen intent-
ly during the "name that bus sound" game.
JANUARY, 1980
Retiree brings joy
to hospital patients
When Walter Chrusciel retired from his 35-year job as a
CTA bus operator in 1976, he found that gardening, travel,
visits to his children, and becoming active in several Senior
Citizens clubs just wasn't enough to keep him occupied. At
his wife Helen's urging, he joined her in volunteer work at
Oak Forest Hospital.
Every Wednesday the Chrusciels arrive at the hospital at
8 a.m. Mrs. Chrusciel is a shopper for bedridden patients.
A volunteer since 1974, she wheels a large cart throughout
the hospital, seOing candy, soda, cigarettes, toiletries and
other items from the hospital's commissary.
Mr. Chrusciel volunteers in the woodshop, which is part
of Oak Forest's activity therapy program. He and the patients
work together to create salad bowls, bird houses, doll cradles
and book racks. Mr. Chrusciel works with each patient
individually, since each one has a different project, varying
according to their ability.
The patients keep their finished products. Many give them
as gifts to friends and family, or sell them at the Patient's
Activity Bazaar in November. Proceeds from this bazaar go
towards the financing of patient's field trips.
The Chrusciels don't just work on
Wednesdays. They also escort patients
on field trips. In the past year they
have gone to ball games, bowling,
museums, shopping centers, and even
took a group of patients to the Papal
Mass in Grant Park. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Chrusciel speak Polish, and were able
to interpret the Pope's native tongue
for the patients.
Every Christmas the Chrusciels dress
up and play Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus,
distributing gifts and holiday snacks to
the 1200 Oak Forest patients. Natural-
ly, Mr. and Mrs. Claus were received
with hugs, smiles and Christmas cheer
by all the patients.
"We made them happy, and they let
us know it," said Mrs. Chmsciel.
The Chrusciels reside in Oak Forest,
not far from the hospital. They have
five children and 10 grandchildren.
Mr. Chrusciel began working for the
CTA in 1942. Many of the Oak Forest
patients reminisce with him about the
old streetcar routes. His last assign-
ment before retirement was Beverly
garage.
Top: Walter and Helen Chrusciel dress up as
Mr. and Mrs. Claus to distribute gifts and
holiday cheer throughout Oak Forest Hospital.
(Pholo courtesy Oak Forest Hospital)
Center: Helen Chrusciel offers an assortment
of candy to patient Edward Cassell.
Bottom: Walter Chrusciel shows patient John
Gierut how to build a wooden car with wheels.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Lori Romito - O'Connor, wife of Tim
O'Connor, lineman, Plant Maintenance, West
Section, and daughterin-law of John O'Connor,
director. Passenger Controls/Graphics, has per-
formed in the Ruth Page production of
Tschaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" at Arie Crown
Theatre for the past six years. She appeared as
one of the maids and also performed in the
"Snowflake" and "Marzipan Shepherdess"
sequences.
Lori began her ballet studies at age 5. After
years of training, she became a member of the
Milwaukee Ballet Company performing in
various productions, and she has appeared on
television. She executed dance in its modern
form with the musical group "Styx" in a
Canadian tour, and she has made numerous
appearances in and around the Chicago area,
embracing all forms of dance including classical
ballet, jazz, and disco. Currently Lori teaches
dance classes in the western suburbs.
(Photo courtesy Chicago Tribune)
Pioneers elect
officers, announce
1980 program
Maynard "Pinky" Moran (Control Center
'73) has been elected president of the CTA
Pioneers, an organization of CTA re-
tirees.
Moran heads the organization he helped
to found five years ago and now numbers
about 600 members. The CTA Pioneers
meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. on the second
Tuesday of each month in the Golden Flame
restaurant, Higgins road and Nagle avenue.
"While the monthly meetings are for
retirees and their guests, we have four
ladies' day luncheon and dancing programs
planned this year," Moran said.
"These will be a Valentine's day party
on February 12; Mother's day party on
May 13; back to school party on September
9, and a Christmas party on December 9.
The parties feature door prizes for the
ladies," he said.
Other officers elected for 1980 are
George May (Limits '71) 1st vice presi-
dent; Myles Harrington (Kedzie '73) 2nd
vice president; Walter Steinbeiss (North
Park '74) secretary, and Melvin Homing
(North Park '77) treasurer.
Nine members were elected board mem-
bers. They are Frank Laske (North Park
'72), Carl Larsen (Control Center '72),
William Pinasco (Forest Glen '75), Ralph
Kugelard (Transportation '73), Clarence
Lind (Limits '71), Everett England (Skokie
Shop '72), Warren SchoU (Local 241 '79),
Raymond Reighard (Transportation '73),
and Russell Wamstedt (Suggestion Com-
mittee '75).
Peter Collucci (Limits '76), Frank Tur-
pin (Forest Glen '70) and Raymond Koc-
moud (77th '77) were elected seargents at
arms. George Nash (Control Center '79)
was elected entertainment chairman.
Pioneer meetings are open to all CTA
retirees. Dues are $1 per year. Lunch-
eons cost approximately $4 per person.
Charles L. Moore holds the plaque
he received from Mayor Byrne after
being chosen first runner-up in the
Mayor's Neighborhood Garden Con-
test for the seven-ward area sur-
rounding his home.
Honored in gardening contest
"Urbs in Horto" — city in a garden — is
the motto that appears on Chicago's city
seal, but it takes people apd hard work to
give the motto meaning. One of those who
works to make the garden bloom every year
is Charles L. Moore, night yard foreman at
Jefferson Park.
Moore can transform an ordinary back-
yard into an orderly oasis of shrubs and
flowers blended to bring out the best in any
property. In recognition of his gardening
achievements at home, Moore recently re-
ceived a plaque from Mayor Byrne as first
runner-up in his community in the Mayor's
Neighborhood Garden Contest.
For Moore, the award should have come
as no surprise. He has been gardening for
more than 20 years, and once took a three-
month course in landscaping at the Uni-
versity of Illinois in Champaign. He also
has been a licensed landscaper, working
with architects and others to plan the
beautification of commercial as well as
residential property.
While Moore won the mayor's award for
what he did in his own yard, his efforts by
no means stop at his garden gate. He has
also helped neighbors in the 8100 block of
Wabash avenue enhance their own lawns
and gardens with tips on good landscaping
practices.
Moore's prize-winning technique in-
cludes the use of evergreens for ornamen-
tation in front of his home. Alongside a
fence in the back are shrubs, which he
keeps well pruned to provide accent for
the rest of the garden. Among the flowers
he grows in carefully arranged displays
are petunias, begonias, geraniums, peonies,
marigolds and mums.
For Moore, landscaping and creating
beauty outdoors using nature's own tools
provide a pastime that anyone who sees
the results can enjoy. By sharing his ex-
pertise with his nei^bors, he not only
helps them beautify their own yards and
gardens, but enhances everyone's property
and ensures stability in the commimity.
JANUARY, 1980
safety awards
"It seems to me I've heard that scsig before" could
have been the theme song for the Vehicle Maintenance
Department's Zero Accident Program Safety Award
contest for the third quarter of 1979. In the competi-
tion among rail vehicle terminals, 61st Street came
out on top, just as in the first quarter of the year.
Howard was second, having been a winner in the pre-
vious quarter.
Among bus garages, 52nd Street took first place
hcmors for the second quarter in a row, having had a
perfect accident-free record during the previous
three-month period. Still trying hard, but coming in
second, was 69th Street, which was first in both of the
two earlier quarters.
At South Shops, the winner was Mechanical Area,
which also won in the first quarter. Only Vehicle
Overhaul, at SkoMe Shop, was a first-time award
winner during the third quarter of 1979.
Surrounded by his award-winning crew, Chuck Kubal (center), day
foreman, holds the first place ZAP award that 52nd Street took for
both the second and third quarters of 1979.
Night crew members at 69th Street celebrating their award are (left
to right): Louis Green and Michael Jagielski, bus repairers; Glen
Brunson, night foreman; Odell Morris Jr., bus servicer; Ted Nickel,
clerk; and Edmund Smolinski and Henry O'Neill, bus servicers.
At 61st Street shop, the satisfaction of being a winner is reflected in
the faces of (left to right): John Shanahan, car repairer; Ronald Ben-
shish, safety specialist. Safety; Leon Fields, foreman; Thaddeus Gutt,
car servicer; and Johnnie Henderson, assistant foreman.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
The men who made it all happen share the limelight at ceremonies terminal shops. Howard came in first in the previous quarter,
marking Howard's winning of the second place ZAP award among rail
James Forrestal (left), unit supervisor. Mechanical Area, happily accepts
the safety award his area won in competition with other units at
South Shops from George Haenisch, supervisor, Bus Shops.
At Skokie, Matt Coyle (right), supervisor. Rail Vehicle Shops, presents
third quarter safety award plaque to Paul Venticinque, unit supervisor,
representing Vehicle Overhaul.
JANUARY, 1980
13
NEW PENSIONERS
JOINING THE ranks of the retired on
Jan. 1 were WALTER OQUIST (left), and
THEODORE PIETRUS who had 40 or more
years of service with CTA and its predecessor
companies.
HABOLD ANDERSCHAT, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 8-15-42
WILLIAM BALDYGA, Supervisor,
Transportation, Emp. 4-5-46
AEMAND BARATTA, Valuation Acct.,
Property Accounting, Emp. 7-1-40
WALTON BELL, Motorman,
South Section, Emp. 2-14-46
JOHN BOLL, Painter Helper,
South Shops, Emp. 10-22-52
EDWARD CECH, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 1-28-46
JOSEPH CERVELLI, Machinist,
South Shops, Emp. 5-1-46
WAYMOND COBB, Mobile Equip. Oper.,
Materials Management, Emp. 11-1-56
CLETUS COBLEIGH, Bus Repairer,
Beverly, Emp. 10-3-47
LOGAN COLLINS, Money Handler I,
Central Counting, Emp. 8-10-48
CHESTER CORDEK, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 3-24-42
WILLIAM CROSSE, Carpenter,
South Shops, Emp. 10-1-41
JOSEPH CZAJA, Electrical Worker A,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 12-10-45
DANIEL DALY, Bus Repairer,
77th Street, Emp. 2-11-49
GEORGE DAUBS, Superintendent,
Forest Glen, Emp. 10-1-53
MARGARET DORGAN, Keypunch Oper.,
Datacenter, Emp. 3-1-44
DAVID DURDEN, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 11-13-51
RAPHAEL EDWARDS, Operator,
77th Street, Empo 10-4-51
FRED EGGER, Machinist,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 10-8-51
HARRY FILIP, Conductor,
West Section, Emp. 9-30-43
CHESTER FILIPEK, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 2-21-49
KATHLEEN FORBIS, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 7-15-61
JOHN HALLAHAN, Area Superintendent,
Far North, Emp. 1-29-46
ROBERT HARNISH, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 10-18-45
WILLL.\M HARVEY, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 7-6-51
WILLIAM HASS, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 5-4-67
JOHN HENNELLY, Garage Foreman,
North Park, Emp. 12-8-47
JOHN HORTON, Supervisor,
Central District, Emp. 6-27-46
OWEN HOSENDOVE, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 9-8-47
CALVIN HOWARD, Operator,
52nd Street, Emp. 8-22-47
VERNON HOWE, Paint Shop Foreman,
South Shops, Emp. 4-29-40
WILLIAM HOWE, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 8-21-47
HARRY JOHNSON, Operator,
52nd Street, Emp. 6-24-46
WILLIE KELLEY, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 6-10-48
RALPH KEMPE, Foreman,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 11-5-47
LOUIS KINCANON, Schedule Maker,
Schedules, Emp. 5-18-42
JOSEPH KMIEC, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 3-8-44
ANTHONY KRISCHUNAS, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 5-16-46
MICHAEL KRISTMAN, Foreman,
Maintenance, Emp. 1-12-42
ALVIN KRZEMINSKI, Foreman,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 12-10-46
JOSEPH KUBICKI, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 5-13-42
PETER KUTCHEN, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 11-8-45
ALDEN LAWSON, Claims/Law Coord.,
Law, Emp. 4-19-50
MARGARET LYNCH, Index Clerk HI,
Sales/Risk Management, Emp. 8-27-47
EMMETT MALONEY, Painter A,
South Shops, Emp. 3-18-41
GERDA MATHEWS, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 1-5-63
JOSEPH McCRAY, M&S Technician,
South Shops, Emp. 9-30-47
ALFRED NIBLACK, Operator,
52nd Street, Emp. 8-22-49
VINCENT ONDRIAS, Bus Repairer,
69th Street, Emp. 11-13-47
WALTER OQUIST, Sr. Transit Technician,
Transportation, Emp. 10-28-35
WILLIAM PANEK, Foreman,
South Shops, Emp. 6-18-46
RAYMOND PAUS, Bus & Truck Mech.,
South Shops, Emp. 7-14-48
GEORGE PEDERSEN, Conductor,
North Section, Emp. 7-1-42
WALTER PETERS, Bo.x Puller,
North Park, Emp. 3-10-43
HERBERT PETERSON, Box Puller,
North .Avenue, Emp. 5-21-46
MELVIN PFEIFFER, Conductor,
North Section, Emp. 6-9-47
ARTHUR PHILLIPS, Claims Rep.,
Sales/Risk Management, Emp. 6-2-41
JOHN PIETROWSKI, Motorman,
North Park, Emp. 8-12-48
THEODORE PIETRUS, Unit Supervisor,
South Shops, Emp. 4-17-39
ALEX PLODZIN, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 4-17-51
STANLEY RAVEN, Electrical Worker A,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 8-11-41
WALTER REMBACK, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 10-6-48
JOHN ROGERS, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 10-25-56
ROBERT ROESING, Supervisor,
West Shops, Emp. 1-22-36
NORBERT ROLNICKI, Substation Chief
Operator, West Shops, Emp„ 7-12-37
JOSEPH SARNECKI, Bus & Truck Mech.,
South Shops, Emp. 8-27-47
EDWARD SCHAEFER, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 9-8-41
THOIVUS SLATTERY, Upholsterer,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 10-11-48
RLTDOLPH SMAJO, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 10-24-52
ROBERT SMITH, Bus & Truck Mech.,
South Shops, Emp. 3-4-47
RAYMOND SPATZEK, Bus & Truck Mech.,
South Shops, Empo 11-20-61
GEORGE STRESKE, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 11-26-41
STEN STROBL.AD, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 5-31-45
DORIS SULLIVAN, Blind Case Clerk I,
Sales/Risk Management, Emp. 4-19-55
ALOIZE SZYMELL, Box Puller^
North Avenue, Emp. 4-21-43
GEORGE TORSON, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 8-20-56
CASIMER TUREK, Elec. Wrkr. Leader A,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 12-4-42
NORM.'VN VON KAENEL, Conductor,
West Section, Emp. 10-19-42
ROBERT WALTERS, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 5-22-46
DAVID WEINBERGER, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 7-5-45
ROBERT WHITNEY, Conductor,
North Section, Emp. 9-16-47
DONALD WILSON, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 7-22-46
DAVID WOODS, Bus Supervisor,
Beverly, Emp. 9-8-47
FRANK ZBROSKEWICH, Serv. Truck
Chauf., Transportation, Emp. 12-14-50
WALTER ZURAWSKI, Resident Instructor,
77th Street, Emp. 6-5-46
We're sorry. . .
In the August, 1979, issue of Transit
Newsj we inadvertently omitted the
name of the following retiree:
GEORGE WOODMORE, Conductor,
West Section, Emp. 12-22-47
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33
Number 1
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department: BUI Baxa, Acting Manager; Staff. Mel
Alexander, Christine Borcic, Kathy Byrne, Jack
Sowchin, Jeff Stern. Produced by the Adminis-
trative Services Unit under the direction of Charles
T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRAfMSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago
Illinois 60654. _
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
ESTHER ANDERSON, 70, Accounting,
Emp. 6-1-26, Died 11-23-79
ANTONIO ARNIERI, 69, Umits,
Emp. 9-20-28, Died 11-3-79
PLATO BIBBS, 70, District A,
Emp. 10-21-43, Died 11-15-79
WALTER BIRKER, 80, Limits,
Emp. 3-11-26, Died 11-13-79
GEORGE BONKOWSKI, 71, North Avenue,
Emp. 5-20-46, Died 11-4-79
STANLEY BUGAY, 85, North Section,
Emp. 6-26-19, Died 11-22-79
ROBERT CHRISTIAN, 72, Keeler,
Emp. 10-15-29, Died 11-15-79
EDWARD CORRIGAN, 77, West Section,
Emp. 3-2-46, Died 11-9-79
SAMUEL ERASE, 86, Maintenance,
Emp. 5-16-30, Died 10-27-79
ANDREW J. FLOOD, 78, Engineering,
Emp, 2-16-19, Died 11-30-79
JAMES GEORGE, 67, West Section,
Emp, 5-20-41, Died 11-29-79
FRED HEIDECKE, 85, West Section,
Emp. 5-3-15, Died 11-28-79
PATRICK HESTER, 89, Kedzie,
Emp. 8-14-22, Died 11-23-79
SAVERIO INTERRANTI, 89, Way &
Structures, Emp. 4-11-20, Died 11-17-79
JOHN JANKOWSKI, 70, Claims,
Emp. 8-26-26, Died 11-21-79
JAMES T. KELLEHER, 77, Lake Street,
Emp, 2-8-44, Died 11-2-79
WILLIAM KELLY, 52, North Avenue,
Emp, 10-5-47, Died 12-9-79
FREDERICK KNOERR, 83, Electrical,
Emp, 1-2-45, Died 11-13-79
LEON MALY, 66, Forest Glen,
Emp. 12-16-47, Died 9-10-79
ALFRED MEDNUS, 64, Archer,
Emp. 5-12-48, Died 11-8-79
PETER MICELI, 79, Engineering,
Emp. 11-13-30, Died 11-8-79
JOHN MOENICH, 96, atokie Shop,
Emp, 2-24-36, Died 11-27-79
FANNY RHODA, 85, North Section,
Emp. 9-11-47, Died 11-9-79
LYDIA RUCK, 82, West Section,
Emp, 9-19-44, Died 11-1-79
TONY RUDES, 86, Archer,
Emp, 11-8-13, Died 11-2-79
TOMMIE VINSON, 46, 69th Street,
Emp, 8-10-64, Died 11-1-79
SYLVESTER WALSH, 73, North Section,
Emp, 6-29-39, Died 11-23-79
JOHN WERSIC, 90, Lawndale,
Emp. 6-22-23, Died 4-11-79
ADAM WIELGOSZ, 66, Limits,
Emp. 1-25-45, Died 11-20-79
Service
anniversaries
in January
years
W. T. Henderson
Archer
35 years
V. J. Hartney, South Section
L. C. McGee Jr., 52nd Street
J. P. McGrail, Skokie Shop
J. J. Rossi, Maintenance
25 years
F. J. Black, Adm. Services
E. P. Blicharz, IVIethods & Standards
E. C. Carter, North Avenue
M. F. O'Connor, South Shops
G. J. Weathers, Near South Area
30 years
W. L. Eldridge, South Shops
M. J. Fahey, Foster Shops
E. A. Levandowski, Central Counting
C. A. Mathews, Rail North
J. W. Richardson, South Section
R. Suta, Far North Area
R. H. Welter, Howard/Kimball
D. Williams, South Section
T. H. Williams Jr., 77th Street
F. H. Zimmerman, Rail North
Mary Ann Allison, training manager. Avis Renta-Car Division, David
Rosanova, manager, RTA Consumer Services, Bernard Ford, general
manager, RTA, Roger Wood, manager. Management Services, Jess Barker,
instructor. Travel information Center, and Dennis Nazak, training specialist,
RTA, stand behind nine Travel Information representatives who partici-
pated in the two-day communications skills seminar held December 13-14
at the RTA Training Center. Displaying certificates recognizing their
achievements are (left to right, front): Brendan Gregg, Valerie Barker,
David Bourne, Odean Alexander, Irene Pastinsky, Doreen Horn, Mario
Tricoci, Michael Johnson and Catherine Haymaker.
JANUARY, 1980
15
Send us your ideas
Transit News wants to print your story, and we
urge all employes and retirees to submit story ideas.
Submissions to Transit News may fall under two cat-
egories:
Feature story ideas
(As appear in this issue on pages 1-3, 8-9, 10.)
Feature story ideas may include interesting facts
about the work of CTA departments and employes or
accomplishments in commimity service, hobbies or
other non-work activities by CTA employes or re-
tirees.
Short news items
(As appear in this issue on pages 7, bottom; 11; 15,
bottom.)
Short news items may include interesting and news-
worthy facts about CTA employes and retirees, or
their immediate family members, and announcements
of future events to be held by employe and retiree
groups. Short news items submitted with a photograph
will receive preferred treatment., We would like black
and white photos, but we can also print color photos
in black and white » Photos will be returned.
Deadlines
Feature ideas about future events must be received
by Transit News at least one month before the date of
the event.
Short news items annoimcing future events must be
received at least two months before the date of the
event.
Feature story ideas and short news items about on-
going activities or recent accomplishments may be
submitted at any time.
Transit News will maintain a file of all feature
story ideas and short news items submitted. Because
space is limited, all decisions concerning story selec-
tion and treatment will be made by the Transit News
staff.
All material sent to Transit News must include your
name, work location and work phone, home address and
home phone o
Send your ideas to: Transit News
CTA Public Affairs
Room 734
Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60654
You may phone in your ideas by calling 664-7200,
Extension 816 or Extension 2188.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPOnTA'TION CTH. LIBRARY
N0RTHWli1S'L'r:]RN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVErJUE
EVANSTON, IL 60201
TN
'TATION LIBRARY^-^
; 2 i9.qo
TERN UNIVERSITY
ten years ago
CTA celebrated the completion of one
of its largest modernization and ex-
pansion programs (left) as a new 2200
series rapid transit train broke through
the barrier at Logan Square, opening
the Kennedy rapid transit route on
Feb. 1, 1970.
On Sept. 28, 1969, (below) the first
phase was completed at the opening
of the Dan Ryan rapid transit route
at the 95th street terminal.
During the last ten years over 150
million rides have been taken on the
Kennedy route, and the Dan Ryan
route has provided over 310 million
rides.
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
FEBRUARY, 1980
Raleigh Mathis appointed
manager of Security
CTA Chairman Eugene M, Barnes announced the
appointment, on January 21, of Commander Raleigh
Mathis of the Chicago Police Department as Manager
of the CTA' s Securiiy Department. The appointment
is effective February 1.
"When I became the CTA Chairman, my personal
commitment to the people of Chicago and the people
throughout the CTA service area was to improve the
security for our riders and employees," said Barnes.
"This appointment is evidence of that commitment.
"We at the CTA consider ourselves fortunate to
have a man with such outstanding abilities and leader-
ship qualities to head our security effort," added
Bameso
Barnes said that the first responsibility he is
giving Commander Mathis is to "evaluate and then
restructure the CTA's security program."
Commander Mathis will continue CTA efforts to
improve liaison efforts with law enforcement agencies
in the area to develop a coordinated transit security
program.
"To stress how important the security of CTA
riders and employees is to me and the Authority,"
added Barnes, "Commander Mathis and the Security
Department will report directly to my office."
Commander Mathis has been a member of the
Chicago Police Department since 1959. Prior to this,
he was a police officer with the Chicago Park District
for five years,
Duiing his career with the Police Department, he
served as a Sergeant and Lieutenant in the Patrol
Division, Commanding Officer of Area No. 1 Youth
Division, and District Commander of the 3rd Police
Districto
In AprU, 1978, Commander Mathis was promoted
to Deputy Superintendent, Bureau of Commimity Ser-
vices. In this capacity, he was responsible for co-
ordinating and directing the Bureau's activities and
resources to provide police-community services, and
to recommend procedures to cultivate a workable re-
lationship between the Department and the community^
Chairman Barnes said that he was "especially
happy with the community Involvement experience" of
Mathis. "As the public has been learning since I took
over the Chairmanship of the CTA, I am interested in
heading the Authority in a direction of becoming more
responsive to the needs of our riders and the com-
mimities we serve; Commander Mathis shows this
same type of orientation," Barnes commented.
Commander Mathis' present assignment with the
Police Department is Commander and Chief Inspector
of the Inspection Division,
He has been the recipient of many awards and
honors. He received five Honorable Mentions for In-
vestigative Excellence from the Police Department
and received the Superintendent's Special Commenda-
tion for Outstanding Achievement for 1977.
In June, 1978, the Mayor and City Council pro-
claimed "Ralei^ Mathis Day in Chicago." And in
July, 1978, the Illinois State Senate passed a resolution
citing Mathis for his "Achievements, Excellence and
Superior Performance."
Commander Mathis lives in the South Shore com-
munity.
Chairman Barnes also referred to the decision to
set aside $43 million in Interstate Transfer Funds for
rapid transit security as additional evidence of CTA's
top management concern for protecting riders.
With these capital monies, the following improve-
ments will be made at CTA rapid transit stations:
closed-circuit television surveillance; improved light-
ing; two-way radio commimication; alarm bars; tele-
phones on all platforms with "911" emergency dialing,
and integration of all alarms (fire, intrusion, and
emergency).
Such improvements in security on the CTA are
nothing new to CTA Chairman Barnes, During his
five terms in the State Legislature as a Representative
of the 29th District from Chicago, he served as Chair-
man of a special Subcommittee of the House Committee
on Transportation which investigated and made rec-
ommendations concerning the problems of crime on
public mass transportation systems throughout Illi-
nois, but with particular emphasis on the situation
in Chicago,
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Francis J. Mullen
Margaret Conway
Charles Marble
Claims department realigned, promotions announced
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes announced a
major realignment in the CTA organization, effective
January 21, by transferring the Claims Department
from the Finance Division to the Law Department and
naming a new head of the Department.
The former secretary of the CTA Board, Francis
J, Mullen, an attorney and a 31-year employe of the
CTA and its predecessor, the Chicago Motor Coach
Company, was named director of the Claims Depart-
ment reporting to the CTA General Attorney.
In making the organizational change. Chairman
Barnes stated: 'We recognize our responsibility to
deal effectively and equitably with those people who
have just claims against the CTA. As with all of the
organizational changes taking place at the CTA, we
have one goal in mind and that is more efficient ser-
vice to the publico"
Chairman Barnes also announced two other ap-
pointments in the Claims Department. Charles Marble
was named superintendent of Claims Administration
and Miss Margaret Conway was named supervisor of
the Subrogation (Insurance Claims) Section.
Mullen, a graduate of Loyola University School of
Law, joined the former Chicago Motor Coach Com-
pany in 1949 as assistant claims manager. During
his career, he has held positions in the CTA's Law
and Claims Departments.
Mullen lives tn the Sauganash commimity.
Marble, first hired as a bus driver by the CTA in
1958, has worked as station clerk and accident clerk
in the Transportaticai Department. He formerly was
supervisor of Claims Management.
Marble is a resident of the Auburn Gresham
commtmity.
Miss Conway has been an employe of the CTA since
1958 and has worked in the Claims Department since
1968. Her last position was that of claims analyst.
Miss Conway lives in the Jefferson Park area.
John Donohue (right), physical security specialist. Security, received
a U.S. Department of Transportation citation from Thomas Boyle,
manager, Safety, at a recent Chicago Transit Board meeting honoring
him for his participation since 1977 in annual programs of the Trans-
portation Department's Transportation Safety Institute held in
Oklahoma City.
Robert F. Creson, institute director, wrote CTA Chairman Eugene
Barnes that Donohue's courses on "Facilities Protection" are "well
received by the students (from throughout the U.S.) who identify his
efforts as a major highlight of the 5-day course. He has an acute
awareness in the specific area of equipment and procedures for the
protection of physical facilities."
FEBRUARY, 1980
Plaster artwork
an off-time hobby
It's fun, creative, and rewarding, and you can do it
in your own home. This is what Beverly bus drivers
Charley Lane and X. L. Reed discovered about making
and painting plaster figures for decoration.
Both had been looking for something to do in their
spare time, and had seen and admired samples of the
art they chose to develop.
Today they make a variety of plaster objects for
their own enjoyment as well as to give or sell to rela-
tives or friends. Their workshop and "gallery" is in
Reed's basement on South LaSalle street in Roseland,
just over a mile from Lane' s home on Winston avenue.
There they meet on their days off to mix plaster,
pour the mixture into molds, remove figures already
hardened from the molds, and paint them to create
truly finished products.
Having started making their figures in earnest just
a year ago. Lane and Reed have now completed more
than 100 objects, and are constantly refining their
artwork and looking for new variations and art forms.
They sent away to Mississippi for their first set of
molds, which now include zodiac signs, large decora-
tive spoons, heads of an Asian man and woman, a bull
and matador, owls, falcons, floral displays and re-
ligious themes.
The two drivers find it helpful to work together.
When it's time to pour the plaster mixture into a
mold, it takes one person to hold the mold and the
other to pour and fasten the mold securely. When the
plaster hardens, they take turns brushing on the initial
coats of base paint and then carefully applying the
final decorative touches with acrylic latex.
One innovative idea the two developed in working
with the molds was to Insert straightened paper clips
into the wet plaster in such a way that they could be
used as built-in hangers once the completed figures
were ready for display. They also learned to place
triangular portions of real hangers into the large
figures of matadors and bulls to provide a stronger
framework and keep the edges from breaking offo
Lane and Reed are currently experimenting with
the production of an unusual form of picture frame in
which they set a photograph or picture directly onto a
flat wood surface before sealing it on permanently
with acrylic shellac.
As their enthusiasm grows with the completion of
each new object or the sale of another figure, the two
drivers can reflect on their good fortune in finding a
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Opposite page;
Beverly bus drivers- Charley Lane (left) and
X. L. Reed display some of the 100 plaster
figures they have made since they started
their hobby a year ago. Samples of their work
on display in Lane's church, in friends' homes,
and at a local business have attracted neighbor-
hood interest in their work.
Right above:
At work in his basement, Reed uses a deter-
gent box to hold a small mold in place as he
pours in the plaster mixture. The larger
molds require Lane's help at this stage of the
operation. The latex mold of a dog (fore-
ground) stands in front of a support used to
hold it in place.
Above :
On the "production line," Lane brushes on
a base coat of paint to prime a plaster figure
of a dog for the more artistic final paint
scheme that will be applied later.
Right:
Lane and Reed use acrylic paints to put the
final decorative touches on figures that will
be added to their stock of plaster objects
available for sale.
rewarding hobby, and being able to join forces to make
a success of it.
"It sure keeps me from wastii^ time," said Reedo
"Fd certainly rather be doing something useful like
this than just sitting around watching TV, We know
we've got something going when we get calls from
people who have seen our figures in church or in a
business place that displays them for us."
"We started this as a hobby — just to do something,"
adds Lane. "I really enjoy it. It helps me relax.
We're thinking about teaching our youngsters and
others in the neighborhood how to do something con-
structive like this next summer, when they've got
time on their hands. We'd like to show tiiem it can
pay to be creative."
Lane's sons — Charles, 16, and Rodney, 15 — have
already shown interest in their father's hobby. Reed's
children — Connie, 11, and Dexter, 7 — are still in the
observing stage, but they, too, are beginning to see
that plaster figures can serve as inexpensive gifts for
friends and family at Christmas and other occasions.
Any time they want to learn more about figure-
maldng, they know they can get plenty of paternal
guidance right in the basement of Reed's home, where
the two Mississippi-bom CTA veterans can be found
working on their hobby on almost any day off.
FEBRUARY, 1980
Frederick Moore (North Park
garage) was praised by Evelyn
Zagon, of Estes Avenue, who
"had the good fortune of being a
passenger on his #151 Sheridan
bus from downtown to Foster
Avenue. He was most courteous,
and, when asked a question, always
answered and gave information in
a most polite way. He called out
all the streets, mentioning well
ahead of time those he had been
asked to stop at by riders. He
was polite, helpful, and most
conscientious of every passen-
ger's welfare. I am a 'young'
old person, 77 years of age, and
can say it really made a pleasant
day riding in his bus."
Rex Runnels (West Section) was
commended by C. V. MacLellan,
of Cicero, who said, "Ever since
I can remember, I have ridden
the Douglas Park 'L' to and from
work in the Loop. Now I am
retired. Today I heard the most
beautiful and distinct voice sing
out, "We are approaching Western
Avenue,' and, after leaving the
station, 'Next stop will be Cali-
fornia.' The conductor did this
all the way from Washington to
54th Avenue. He takes pride
in his work. He is a professional.
I thanked him for an enjoyable
ride, and when I asked him for
his name and badge number,
his modest answer was, 'I am
here to serve you.' How re-
freshing! Again thanks for a
lovely trip."
commendation corner
Chester Filipek (Forest Glen garage) retired at the
end of 1979, but he will not be forgotten by Sharon
Pirzyk, of Elmwood Park, who was a regular rider on
his #80 Irving Park bus. "He is cheerful, informative,
and thoughtful of the needs of the public. I never once
encountered a driver who took such an interest in his
passengers. Many students and adults alike he knows
by their first names. He taught student drivers to
'Be nice to these people. They're my preferred cus-
tomers.' Most importantly, in five years his bus has
not varied my time of arrival at work by more than
five minutes, even in the worst weather and despite
construction problems on the street."
####
Mary Schmidtke (North Park garage) "was ex-
tremely courteous, conscientious, and considerate,"
according to Robert Breitzer, of Belmont avenue, a
rider on her #151 Sheridan bus. "She annoimced stops,
asked those standing on the steps to move up or out,
and checks for passengers between the doors before
pulling away. She allowed a man with a crutch ample
time to get off the bus. This operator starts up,
turns, and stops so smoothly that the bus feels like an
interurban vehicle. She probably saves fuel, tooo"
####
Rudolph Roberts (52nd Street garage) is the driver
of a #1 Drexel/Hyde Park bus that Carrie Young, of
South Lake Shore drive, has been "privileged to ride
with on frequent occasions. He is soft-spoken, re-
spectful, considerate and dependable. This driver is
never in too much of a hurry to wait for people rushing
to catch the bus. He shows particular consideration
to the older and handicapped people. It is refreshing
to see someone who genuinely cares about people who
need to be cared about."
####
Otto Houston (North Park garage) was congratulated
for doing a good job by Midge Ramsey, of Hartford,
Connecticut. "As a first-time visitor to Chicago, I
had the opportunity to ride with this driver on a #11
Lincoln bus. He was helpful, witty, informative,
pleasant, and probably one of the best public relations
representatives your company could have. Certainly
he represents you well with strangers in the city,
making a bus trip memorable — definitely a positive
experience. I was Impressed by his polish and con-
cern for those of us in his care."
####
Leon Washington (77th Street garage) was admired
by Helen Lange, of South Elizabeth street, who was a
rider on his 79th Street bus. "He greeted each per-
son witli a cheerful 'Good morning!' He told each
alighting passenger to watch his or her step, and
wished each a good day. This driver also called out
all stops, even the larger companies along the way.
He seemed to enjoy his job, and the good feeling was
contagious. It made a bright spot in the day for this
rider."
####
Nathaniel Lee Jr. (South Section), conductor on a
Lake/Dan Ryan train, was complimented by Maiy
Gillespie, of Oak Park. "In the evening, after a hard
day of work, it is very imexpected to hear someone so
nice. At some stops, he tells us the time and tem-
perature. At others he wishes all a good evening. If
It is raining, he reminds people to take their umbrel-
las. In this day when most people are not even polite.
It is refreshing to hear someone so courteous."
####
Willie James (North Park garage) was appreciated
by Mabel Nannen, of Schiller Park, for his handling of
a #151 Sheridan bus. "Not being familiar with tlie
route, I asked if he went down Michigan avenue. He
said, 'Yes, ma'am, I certainly do. Watch your step
and come aboard.' Throughout my ride from Addison
to Superior streets, this great driver called every stop
and cautioned every rider to be careful getting on or
off the bus. He answered everyone's questions with
complete and polite answers, pulled up to the curbs
at each stop, and never once slammed on the brakes."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating em-
ployes receiving commendations
recently were:
Earl Alleyne, Ashland Termi-
nal,
Sandra Bailey and James Ball,
both of 69th Street; Pedro Bal-
deras and Jimmy Boyd, both of
North Park; Steve Bell, Archer;
Danny Bishop and Jackie Brecken-
ridge, both of 77th Street; Everett
Brown, Forest Glen; and John
Brugess, Limits.
Sam Caccitolo, Philip Campa-
nella, and Edith Carr, all of For-
est Glen; Jean Cage, North Park;
John Cameron, Ashland Terminal;
Nathaniel Campbell Jr., North
Avenue; Juan Cintron, Felicia
Clower, and Gregory Groom, all of
Limits; and Raul Cisneros and
Stephen Conway, both of Archer.
Roosevelt Davis, Lawndale;
Bruno Diaz, Limits; Allen Dixon,
North Avenue; and Robert Dluger,
North Park.
Michael Fant, North Avenue;
Benjamin Farfan, Hugo Fernandez,
and Angel Flores, all of Forest
Glen; and James Farr and Claude
Punches, both of 69th Street.
Gabriele Gerbasi and Odell
Grai^er, both of Forest Glen; and
C. Griffin, 77th Street.
John Harris, Archer; John Har-
ris and Charlie Hill, both of Lawn-
dale; Hyman Harrison, Forest
Glen; Sand alio Hechavarria and
James Howland, both of North
Park; Clamie Herman, 77th Street;
and Thomas Houston, 69th Street.
John Isaac, Lawndale.
Willie James, North Park; Mary
Jerry, 77th Street; Henry Johnson,
69th Street; William Johnson and
Woodrow Johnson, both of Limits;
and David Jones, North Avenue„
James Kolstad, Beverly.
James Larry, 52nd Street; Jo-
seph Lazzara, Archer; and Jose
Leiva, Forest Glen.
Aurelio Mariduena, Kenneth
Martin, Sherman Martin, Na Im
Muhammad, and Anthony MuUozzi,
all of North Avenue; Daniel Mar-
tin, Jerry Miller, and Seymour
Motin, all of Forest Glen; and
Robert Martinez and Frederick
Moore, both of North Park.
William O'Brien, Beverly.
William Pappas and Phillip
Perricone, both of Forest Glen;
Juan Perez, Limits; and Michael
Powell, Howard/Kimball Termi-
nal.
Henry Radom, Forest Glen;
Vema Reed and Oliver Robertson,
both of Limits; John Richardson,
North Avenue; Robert Richardson,
North Park; Juan Rodriguez, Rail
System; and John Ross, 77th Street.
Joseph Salvato, Michael Schley-
er, Joseph Snead Jr., and Joe
Spears, all of Forest Glen; Manuel
Samaniego, Wilfred Spotwell, and
Frank Star Jr., all of North Park;
Arthur Springer, Beverly; and Vy-
tautas Stukelis, Archer.
Michael Tanasco, Howard/
Kimball Terminal ; Robert Thomas ;
North Park; William Thompson,
Archer; Johnny Trice, Limits; and
Alex Tschlniak and Jerry Turner,
both of North Avenue.
Arturo Valdez, North Park.
eleven Wardlow, Limits; Wil-
liam White, Forest Glen; Ethel
Williams, 77th Street; and Gary
Williams, North Park.
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest
Glen; and Charles Yoimg, Forest
Park Terminal,
promotions
Four former management/
professional interns. Transporta-
tion, have been promoted to as-
sistant superintendents within the
same department. In their new
positions, Mario McManus and
David Schaefer remain assigned to
Near North Area, Personnel;
James Zepp stays in Rail Service;
and Norman Herron moves within
Sv5)port Services to the Training
Center.
Also in Transportation, Wil-
liam Moore, former bus instructor.
Training Center, has become m/p
intern. Control Center, while An-
drew Borders, former bus ser-
vice supervisor, District C, has
been selected m/p intern. Far
South Area.
Robert Hasemann, former ga-
rage foreman. Limits, has been
chosen unit supervisor. Intern,
Automotive Vehicle Maintenance.
Mohammed Khan, former plan-
ning analyst, Transportation-Sup-
port Services, is now system
safety engineer. Safety. James
Kinahan, former bus repairer.
North Park, has been named tech-
nical research analyst. Human
Resources -Training/Development
Programs, Theodore Manuel,
former traffic checker. Opera-
tions Planning, has become per-
sonnel analyst. Human Resources-
Job Classification.
In Plant Maintenance, Johnnie
Fuller has been promoted from
janitor to janitor foreman. Ap-
pointed escalator servicemen in
the same section are George
O'Neill and Walter Brozek, both
former electrical workers, and
Robert Wrobel, former electri-
cian, all from within Plant Mainte-
nance; and Fred Newman, former
electrical worker. South Shops.
New in Plant Maintenance as
substation attendants are former
bus servicers Elliott Norman (77th
Street) and Joseph Marazzo (North
Park). Now serving as laborer.
Plant Maintenance, is Jimmie
Mathis, former driver, 77th Street.
In other job reassignments,
Kevin Reilly has moved from com-
bination clerk to senior combina-
tion clerk. Vehicle Maintenance;
Ruthie Poole, former ticket agent.
North Section, has become payables
utility clerk, Financial Services;
Ramon Gonzalez, former driver.
Forest Glen, has been selected
clerk. Transportation; and Joseph
Ramirez, former conductor. North
Section, has been named electrical
worker apprentice, SkoMe Shop.
FEBRUARY, 1980
Rescue on
the third rail
Motonnan Leonard Stewart and
Conductor Ambrus Crumby were
on their final southbound trip at
about 10 p.m., Monday, January
28th, when Stewart noticed a bun-
dle of clothes lying on the north-
bound track, just west of the Hal-
sted street station. As Stewart
pulled into the station, he realized
that the bimdle was actually a
person lying on the third rail.
Stewart alerted Crumby, and
they jumped off the train and ran
over to the victim. His arm and
leg were draped over the third
rail and burning. Crumby used the ncm-conductive
wooden handle of a sleet scraper to pry the victim's
arm off the rail while Stewart grabbed the man's
trouser cuff and rubber shoe heel. Together, they
lifted the man clear of the 600 volt rail.
The victim, later identified as Phillip Warren, was
still alive, but unconscious. Stewart returned to the
train and called the Control Center. He alerted Rail
Controller Frenchie Ellis to the incident. Crumby
remained with the victim and flagged down a north-
bound train.
In the Control Center, Assistant Superintendent
Joe Daquilante coordinated the emergency effort.
Power Controller Donnie Gardner cut power to the
Leonard Stewart
Ambrus Crumby
area. Rail Controller OUie Winston backed up Ellis.
The police and fire departments were called, and
paramedics quickly arrived at the scene.
Nineteen and one-half minutes later, Stewart and
Crumby resumed their final trip. Neither of them
realized how heroic their act had been until they ar-
rived back at the 95th street terminal and had time to
think about it. Both had risked their lives to save a
stranger. Their bravery and concern was, according
to Stewart, "simply doing what we knew we should,"
Twenty-year old Phillip Warren is alive today be-
cause of two courageous men knowing how to go above
and beyond the call of duty.
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes met with minority bankers in the
Chicago area to discuss future plans for CTA's involvement with com-
munity banks. Seated (left to right) are: Lonnie Radcliffe, assistant
vice-president, independence Bank; Paul Kole, manager, CTA General
Finance; Stanley W. Tate, senior vice-president. Highland Community
Bank; Barnes; Fred Cyr, president, Washington National Bank; Ernest
Collins, chairman of the board. Seaway National Bank; James T.
Hadley, senior vice-president. Community Bank of Lawndale, and
Samuel Miller, CTA Comptroller. Chicago Transit Authority staff in
attendance, standing (left to right): Robert Kren, administrative assist-
ant to the Chairman; Raymond Fleming, superintendent. Finance;
Betty B. Edwards, community news representative; William H. Mansker,
secretary, CTA Board, and Elda Leal, community news representative.
(GTA photo by Eric Blakely)
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Flag of U.S.S. Chicago
presented to Mayor
by Donald Ryan
January 30 is a date CTA electrician Donald M.
Ryan will never forget — for two very different reasons.
"I was a sliip's baker aboard the old U.S.S. Chicago,
one of the heavy cruisers taking part in the Battle of
Guadalcanal in World War II in the South Pacific. On
January 30, 1943, Japanese torpedoes slanamed into
the Chicago," Ryan recalled as if it were only yester-
day, instead of 37 years ago.
"I shinnled down some ropes from the listing deck
of the sinking ship and hit the water along with 1,100
other crew members. U.S. ships in the area quickly
picked us up out of the sea as the Chicago slid to its
watery grave." The sinking took the lives of 62 crew-
men.
On January 30, 1980, Ryan took part in a ceremony
in Mayor Byrne' s City Hall office. There he had the
honor of presenting the City of Chicago flag and the
ship's emblem of another U.S.S. Chicago to the mayor.
The flag and emblem belonged to the second U.S.So
Chicago commissioned in 1945 which served as a
guided missile cruiser.
"When the navy decided to decommission the
Chicago, I was invited to ride aboard its last trip
from Hawaii to San Diego," Ryan said of his trip late
last year. Ryan has served six years in the navy and
23 years in the naval reserve. He is a 30-year em-
Donald M. Ryan, CTA electrician and navy veteran, presents Chicago
city flag and emblem of U.S.S. Chicago to Mayor Byrne in her City
Hall office. (Photo courtesy Mayor's office)
ploye of the CTA and is assigned to the West Shops.
"On that last trip, Capt, Harold Lewis gave me the
flag of Chicago and the ship's emblem. The U.S.S.
Chicago is to be decommissioned in San Diego," said
Ryan.
When he presented the Chicago flag and ship's em-
blem to Mayor Byrne, Ryan said she expressed the
hqjethat Chicago's flag would one day fly atop another
ship named in honor of the city.
Pioneer Officers
Recently installed as officers of the
CTA Pioneers Retirement Organiza-
tion are, from left: Myles Harring-
ton, 2nd vice president; George
May, 1st vice president; Maynard
"Pinky" Moran, president; Walter
Steinbeiss, secretary, and Melvin
Horning, treasurer. Pioneers have
about 600 members. For more
information telephone 763-6379.
FEBRUARY, 1980
South Section R/T terminals celebrate retirements
More than 200 persons attended
the semi-annual CTAers South
Side Pensioners party January 13
in the Harris Y W C A, 6200 S.
Drexel blvd. They honored four
recent retirees Marvin Kissel and
Larry Belin, both conductors, 61st;
Walton Bell, motorman, 61st, and
John Kaltsas, conductor, Engle-
wood terminal.
Active CTAers joined retirees
in honoring the four new pension-
ers.
(CTA photos by Eric Blakely)
Retirees (from left) Marvin Kissel, conductor, 61st; John Kaltsas, conductor, Ashland; Larry Belin,
conductor, 61st, and Walton Bell, motorman, 61st.
Ardis Morris, acting superintendent. South
Section, mas master of ceremonies.
From left, Robert James, motorman, 95th, and Local 308 board mem-
ber; Ardis Morris; Frank Wsol, far south area superintendent; David
Martin, acting superintendent, near north area; James McLane, assistant
superintendent, 61st Street terminal; Robert Desvignes, area superin-
tendent. Training; Wilbert Spears, president. Local 308, and Clarence
Knox, vice-president. Local 308.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
From left, Mitchell Thomas, instructor, rail, South Section; Ed Green,
retired clerk, South Section, and Leonard Steward, motorman, 95th.
Albert Rakestraw (right), clerk. South Section, and Pharaoh (mother-
in-law) Cain, retired conductor, 61st.
IVIr. and Mrs. James McLane and their young 4-year-old friend, Corban
Harriston.
Ed Freeman, rail janitor, 61st Street, and Mrs. Charles Spears. Freeman
was program chairman for the event.
Charles Spears acted as disc-jockey, spinning all the latest tunes for
their dancing pleasure.
FEBRUARY, 1980
eta press box
Hope springs eternal
for Cubs and Sox
by W. B. Wolfan
The arrival of spring is normally associated with
the first robin and the swallows returning to Capis-
trano.
But for the dj'ed in the wool baseball fans, the
opening of the exhibition season is the leading indi-
cator that regular visits to Comiskey Park and Wrig-
ley Field are not very far off.
.\nd once again victory-hungry Cub and White Sox
fans will be cheering loudly for their favorites with
longing in their hearts for the pennant that somehow
seems to elude Chicago year after year.
The last time a flag waved from the center field
pole in a Chicago ball park was in 1959 when the Go-
Go White Sox won it all. It was a time when exuberant
city officials sounded the city's air raid siren during
a victory celebration, and had the people wondering
whether the enemy was at our front door.
Those Go-Go White Sox of "Little Looie" Aparicio
and Nelson Fox, Billy Pierce and Early Wynn and
Sherman Lollar, whose blazing speed on the bases was
one of the seven wonders of the American league,
thrilled this city to the very core. They were a good-
field, no- hit club which won games by one run on a
single, a walk, an infield out and a sacrifice fly, but
they were the darlings of all Chicago just the same.
For the Cubs, the pennant famine has lasted much
longer — 35 years since 1945.
But hope springs eternal at Addison and Clark and
Ernie Banks says, "Wait until we get 'em this year."
Thanks, Ernie, for that optimism.
The Cubs fell in line with the "get rid of the man-
ager" philosophy and let Herman Franks return to the
comforts of Utah, replacing "Happy Herman" with the
veteran baseball manager Preston Gomez. Many Cub
fans preferred Whitey Herzog of the Royals, a very
talented pilot who was also available, but Bob Kennedy
selected Gomez as his man.
The White Sox showed distinct improvement under
manager Tony LaRussa, and he will be at the controls
again for the South Siders.
Bill Veeck says things will be better on the South
Side. They should be, because Bill never sits still.
However, there will be no more disco debacles in
1980 after last year's wrecked ball park.
The Cubs should field a pretty decent ball club, with
big Dave Kingman' s bat and Bruce Sutter' s strong re-
lief arm.
Many people may have overlooked the fact the Cubs
did play in the strongest division of the majors with
the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates emerging
from it as the champions of the baseball world. That
division also includes Montreal, Philadelphia, and the
St. Louis Cardinals. The Expos and Phillies were
right there all last season, and there are some experts
who believe that the Phillies and Pete Rose could have
won it all if the team had not run into an unfortunate
series of crippling injuries last season. They cer-
tainly have the muscle.
The Expos are one of the most improved teams in
baseball. Look for them to cause trouble this year.
The White Sox will laimch their home season at
Comiskey Park against the American league cham-
pions, the Baltimore Orioles, on April 10.
The Cubs will battle the New York Mets on April
17 at Wrigley Field in their home inaugural.
The White Sox spring training preparations are held
in Sarasota, Florida, and the Cubs spring camp is in
Mesa, Arizona, a shift from Scottsdale.
The Cubs report a record ticket sale for the opener
and they have been selling them since early January.
There is reason for optimism on Chicago's South
Side this season.
The Sox did pretty well under La Russa after he
took over the reins from Don Kessinger late last year.
The team played ,500 ball under him, winning 27 and
losir^ 27 games.
Sox officials are high on pitcher Bill Atkinson, a
relief hurler who is expected to strengthen the mound
staff considerably. Atkinson won seven and lost seven
for the Montreal Expos before being acquired by the
White Sox.
There have been two coaching changes. Baseball
great Orlando Cepeda has been signed as an organi-
zation batting instructor, Cepeda will work with both
the parent club and minor leagues. Art Kusnyer, a
product of the Sox farm system, will assume duties as
bullpen coach for the South Siders,
Arrival of the Baltimore Orioles as the Sox's first
home opponent is expected to generate a sellout crowd.
A good start for the White Sox will help their at-
tendance immeasurably. And it couldn't happen to a
nicer guy than Bill Veeck and his many stockholders.
Young Michael Green, the son of Tommie Green II, Maintenance, is
shown practicing on the punching bag under the watchful eye of his
boxing coach, Clarence Griffin, at the Windy City Gym. Michael had
aspirations of participating in this year's Golden Gloves tournament,
but, at age 12, he is too young to enter. Michael, an exceptional
academic student at Sbarbaro school, doesn't plan to make boxing his
career. His main goal is to achieve a degree in political science -and
maybe become Mayor of Chicago.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Retirements
William Worcester
William Worcester, director of
schedules, Operations Planning,
retired Feb. 1. He celebrated his
retirement on Jan. 25 with a dinner
at Marina Cily.
Worcester's co-workers gave
him luggage and plenty of film for
all of the traveling he plans after
38 years of service with the CTA.
He began working in 1942 as a
traffic checker in Operations
Planning and worked his way up
through that department.
William Worcester holds up luggage that
fellow employes gave him as an incentive
to travel during his retirement. At left is
Walter Thomas.
(CTA photos by Eric Blakely)
Worcester is joined by his happy family at
his retirement party (left to right): his son
and daughter. Bob and Gretchen Worcester;
William Worcester and his wife LaVelle; his
daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Gary
Kirkwood, and his son. Bill Worcester, Jr.,
who works in CTA Operations Planning.
Michael Kristman
Michael A. Kristman, 62,
terminal vehicle repair foreman
of the Harlem shops, retired on
Jan. 1 after 38 years service
with the CTA and the Chicago
Rapid Transit Company, a prede-
cessor company to the CTA.
On Jan. 18 about 100 of Krist-
man's fellow workers, friends,
and relatives attended a retire-
mentparty in his honor in Michael' s
restaurant, 6218 W. Belmont av.
George Krambles, CTA execu-
tive director, presented Kristman
with a bronze plaque given by his
friends in the rail vehicle section.
Among his other gifts was a hand-
some gold pocket watch.
Kristman and his wife, Ruth,
plan to do some traveling. He also
plans to do some fishing and catch
up on his reading.
Joining Kristman are (from left) his son and
daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Michael H.
Kristman; his wife, Ruth; Kristman, his
daughter, Anna Maria, and Mr. and Mrs.
Michael Heil. Heil is a CTA retiree. Son
Michael is a duplicator operator in Adminis-
trative Services Department. Daughter
Anna Maria is a clerk in the Law Department.
(CTA photos by Bert Cadney)
George Krambles, CTA executive director,
presents Kristman with bronze plaque from
Kristman's friends in the rail vehicle section
of the Maintenance Department.
FEBRUARY, 1980
13
Retirements
Ralph Vernon
Sergeant Ralph Vernon cele-
brated his retirement after 32
years with CTA at a retirement
party held at Febo's restaurant on
Jan. 25.
After the eight-course family
style meal, Vernon was 'mugged'
by the Security Department, which
presented him with a set of hand-
made mugs engraved with his
security badge and name. Vernon
also received a commemorative
baton, his retirement star with
custom-made, monogrammed
leather case, and two plaques hon-
oring his service to the CTAo The
Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge
89, also presented him with gifts
in recognition of his service.
Vernon began as a bus driver
in 1948 and joined the security
force as a patrolman in 1959. He
was promoted to detective in 1966
and moved up to sergeant in 1975.
He will spend his well-deserved
free time hunting and fishing at
his vacation home in Michigan.
Wishing Sergeant Vernon a happy retirement
were, (left to right): Sgt. Al Springle; Patrol-
man Gary Presinak; Vernon; Sgt. George
Evans and Patrolman Bill Morose.
(CTA photos by Julius Brazil)
Director of Security Edward Mitchell presents
Sergeant Ralph Vernon with retirement
baton. Chief of Security Billy Butler (right)
kept a watchful eye on the proceeding.
Eugene Sullivan
Friends of Eugene Sullivan at-
tended a Jan. 30 retirement party
in his honor, marking the end of
his 14-year career at the CTA
Feb. 1.
Sullivan, 65, was principal li-
brary assistant and a staff member
of the CTA' s central files located
in Room 7-131. Central files
keeps materials used by more than
one CTA department.
Joining Sullivan in the Engineer-
ing Department's conference room
were his wife, Emesta, his son,
James, and his daughter, Florence.
Thomas Wolgemuth, manager,
Maintenance Department, repre-
senting CTA management, termed
Sullivan a "true gentleman and a
true gentle man" and thanked him
for his years of service.
Friends of Sullivan gave him a
leather flight bag for use on some
of the trips he and his family have
planned.
Sharing in Eugene Sullivan's retirement
celebration are (left to right) his wife Ernesta,
son James, and daughter Florence.
(CTA photos by Juhus Brazil)
Sullivan receives best wishes and congratula-
tions from Joseph Benson, director. Library
Services.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
HARRY ANDREWS, Foreman,
West Shops, Emp. 9-19-46
THEODORE CATTONI, Paper Cutter,
South Shops, Emp. 8-14-47
DAVID KISSANE, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 5-29-41
NORA KLEMCHUK, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 1-15-66
JOSEPH LUBAWY, Claims Representative,
Claims, Emp. 11-25-40
ROBERT McDIARMID, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 10-25-54
EDWIN ORACKI, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 1-11-46
CHARLIE POPE, Motorman,
Congress, Emp. 1-5-53
ALONZO PRUITT, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 2-6-47
THOMAS SKROKO, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 8-13-47
WALTER STASULAS, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 1-6-44
EUGENE SULLIVAN, Library Assistant,
Management Services, Emp. 3-1-66
EUGENE TRONVIG, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 8-15-46
RALPH VERNON, Security Officer,
Security, Emp. 8-30-48
ARTHUR VOSS, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 1-14-48
WILLIAM WORCESTER, Director,
Schedules, Emp. 4-6-42
DAVID YOUNG, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 7-12-45
JOHN ZDUNEK, Electrical Worker,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 3-31-50
DISABILITY PENSION
JOHN J. REDMOND, Shopman I,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 6-27-46
Jan. 1, 1980 Pensioners
ROBERT McCarthy, conductor.
Forest Park, Emp. 9-18-46
FRED RIGGINS, Supervisor,
District C, Emp. 3-22-48
JAMES ROBERTS, Superintendent,
Near North, Emp. 2-17-49
Oct 1, 1979 Pensioner
PAUL WHITEMON, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 2-18-60
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33
Number 2
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department: Bill Baxa, Acting Manager; Staff, Mel
Alexander, Christine Borcic, Kathy Byrne, Jack
Sowchin, Jeff Stern, Produced by the Adminis-
trative Services Unit under the direction of Charles
T. Zanin,
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
ROSCOE BABBITT, 75, Forest Glen,
Emp. 10-6-27, Died 12-24-79
EDWARD BARTKUS, 60, South Shops,
Emp. 6-4-47, Died 12-23-79
ADAM BEDNARZ, 83, South Shops,
Emp. 7-22-29, Died 12-30-79
JAY BOBERG, 84, Lawndale,
Emp. 5-19-21, Died 12-25-79
HERBERT BOYD, 36, Stores,
Emp. 12-20-65, Died 1-4-80
EDWARD BRECHEL, 83, Electrical,
Emp. 12-23-13, Died 12-7-79
ROBERT BUCKLEY, 81, Stores,
Emp. 6-21-16, Died 12-15-79
MICHAEL CANNON, 78, North Section,
Emp. 1-24-28, Died 12-14-79
DOMENICO CAPONIGRI, 92, Shops & Equip.
Emp. 5-11-21, Died 12-22-79
EDDIE DAVIS, 70, Stores,
Emp. 10-19-43, Died 12-27-79
JOSEPH DECKER, 72, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 7-17-29, Died 12-31-79
MARY DUNN, 89, South Section,
Emp. 5-13-25, Died 12-24-79
RAYMOND ESSIG, 77, Kedzie,
Emp. 12-3-28, Died 12-2-79
EMIL ESTVANK, 77, Engineering,
Emp. 7-6-20, Died 11-20-79
ELMER FREITAG, 75, North Avenue,
Emp. 2-27-36, Died 12-29-79
LEWIS GEISHEIMER, 67, Limits,
Emp« 1-12-37, Died 12-13-79
DANIEL GRIFFIN, 83, Electrical,
Emp. 10-23-34, Died 12-11-79
LOUIS JOHNSON, 38, West Shops,
Emp. 16-4-65, Died 1-17-80
ANTONIO LIBERTO, 80, Maintenance,
Emp. 6-30-43, Died 12-28-79
JOSEPH LUKSO, 64, South Shops,
Emp. 3-29-54, Died 12-1-79
RAYMOND LUSTRO, 67, Forest Glen,
Emp. 6-23-43, Died 12-24-79
CHARLES LYTHCKE, 61, Limits,
Emp. 11-21-46, Died 12-30-79
FRANK MARTIN, 94, Armltage,
Emp. 3-31-21, Died 12-9-79
HELEN McMAHON, 77, West Section,
Emp. 2-15-36, Died 12-4-79
THOMAS McPARTLAN, 60, South Shops,
Emp. 5-18-50, Died 12-31-79
JOHN MICHNICK, 80, Electrical,
Emp. 2-6-31, Died 12-14-79
JACOB MROZ, 94, Armitage,
Emp. 2-6-12, Died 12-12-79
FRED NAPRAVNK, 81, West Section,
Emp. 7-6-23, Died 12-15-79
FELK O'HARE, 78, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-3-29, Died 12-23-79
.ROSE O'SULLIVAN, 88, West Section,
Emp. 10-25-40, Died 5-1-79
WALTER POLLARD, 31, Jefferson Park,
Emp. 11-20-70, Died 1-17-80
KARL RAAB, 83, Shops & Equipment,
Emp. 10-5-20, Died 12-16-79
EDWARD SCHNEIDER, 74, North Avenue,
Emp. 5-5-42, Died 12-11-79
WILLIE SMITH, 40, Limits,
Emp. 8-22-66, Died 12-8-79
WILLIAM STRATTON, 70, South Section,
Emp, 10-12-44, Died 12-7-79
LEO TREFF, 73, Claim,
Emp. 5-24-34, Died 12-13-79
FERDINAND WASCHECK, 88, West Sect.,
Emp. 6-24-16, Died 12-13-79
Service
anniversaries
in February
40
years
R. M. Paolicchi
Maintenance
35 years
S. Pszczola, South Shops
25 years
J. C. Bell, Lawndale
W. J. Coyle, Maintenance
R. G. Daugherty, Materials Mgmt.
I. Farmer, South Shops
F. J. Halper, Electrical
C. W. Jagel, Skokie Shop
F. J. Kostrzewa Jr., Forest Glen
D. F. Lochirco, Archer
B. Longinott, Utility
30 years
M
Coyle, Skokie Shop
R
W. Gavrys, Electrical
D
J. Hartford, Archer
J. Hartig, Archer
H. Haynie, South Shops
Hruby, Lawndale
C. Kohler, Utility
S. Laily, Racine Shop
R
J. Madison, 52nd Street
M
W. Murphy, Rail South
M
Roche, South Shops
R
G. Rogers, District A
J.
R. Smith, 69th Street
T
J. Stepp Jr., Maintenance
R
J. Wiercioch, Howard/Kimball
FEBRUARY, 1980
75
Ride CTA to No. 1
You can ride the CTA to the doorstep of Cubs and White Sox
Parks, or to the Stadium to see the Bulls or Black Hawks, or to
Soldier Field to see the Bears. But how often can you ride the
CTA to see a No. 1 HOME team?
The De Paul University Blue Demon Basketball team is ranked
No. 1 in the nation. That's a brand new experience for most
Chicagoans. The undefeated Blue Demons, led by veteran coach
Ray Meyer, are easily expected to make it to the NCAA tourna-
ment in March. The tourney will take place in Indianapolis.
What really makes the Blue Demons special is that many of the
players are native Chicagoans who turned down offers from
schools like UCLA and LSU to stay at home and play in cold
Chicago. Mark Agguire, De Paul's leading scorer is a prime
example of a player who could have gone anywhere in the
country, but chose De Paul.
Many CTA employes have attended classes at either of the two
De Paul campuses. The main campus, where the Alumni Gym-
nasium is located, is on the North side at Belden and Sheffield.
The downtown campus, home of the schools of Law and Com-
merce, is located at Jackson and Wabash.
To get to a Blue Demon game, take either the Howard or Ravens-
wood "L" to Fullerton. Follow the crowd two blocks south
to Belden and celebrate Chicago's winners!
(CTA photo by Julius Brazil)
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago. Illinois 60654
Address Cotrection Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIDR;iRY
KORTHWEST:i]RN UNIVEi'iSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANS TON, IL ' 60201
George Krambles
:4n'5gP^'^^i
Above: Executive Director Krambles
gives his monthly update at CTA
Board meeting.
Left: In 1936 as an apprentice on his
first job with the Indiana Railroad, he
qualified as a motorman of electric
interurban trains.
Below: In 1976 as CTA General Man-
ager, he was at the controls to test
Chicago's newest rapid transit cars.
George Krambles, the CTA Executive Director who
retires April 1, has become a legend in his own time
as a renaissance man in transit, so proficient has he
been in so many different things.
By academic training, he is a professional engineer
with a degree in railway electrical engineering — a
degree which, unfortunately for the transit industry,
is no longer offered at the University of Illinois where
he was graduated with honors in 1936.
His years of high performance have brought out
many talents and have cast him in a variety of mean-
ingful roles. ..as an administrator, researcher and
planner, innovator, writer, lecturer, expert in graphic
arts, consultant and trouble shooter, project manager,
world traveler, and specialist in operations and ser-
vice.
Those who have worked closely with him also know
him as an unwavering perfectionist who, although very
demanding, was always fair and never asked anjd;hing
of others he couldn't do himself. He always sought
the very best for the CTA and its riders.
(Continued Page 2)
jia^raTfa
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
MARCH, 1980
Above: Krambles, shown here emerging from a
subway emergency exit at State street and Wacker
drive, "could be expected to show up at any time
and any place on the system."
Right: "What in the world is this?" he asl<s Mary
Boski, his administrative secretary.
Krambles admits to having several idiosyncrasies,
all for good reason and purpose.
As an administrator, he insisted upon processing
every matter as quickly as possible and then attaching
"a string to it to make sure it got done,"
With equal fervor, he made a precise written rec-
ord of every step taken in solving a problem and then
made certain that such documentation was properly
filed so that it could be retrieved at a moment's
notice.
With the able assistance of his administrative
secretary, Mary Boski, his office was so efficient
that on more than one occasion it served as a proving
ground for other CTA secretaries seeking higher
training.
His office clock was really only used to make cer-
tain that appointments were kept on time. The rest of
the CTA's general office in the Merchandise Mart
closed at a customary 4:30 p.m. Krambles was al-
ways at his desk imtil 6 p.m., or later, often on Satur-
days as well as weekdays.
Staff sessions in his office often went far beyond
the normal quitting time, in which case Krambles
usually assuaged any weariness by inviting partici-
pants to join him for Greek chicken at a nearby spa
where he always picked up the check.
Shortly after Krambles was appointed, on Feb. 5,
1976, as general manager (a title later changed to
executive director), one of the first to learn about his
Saturday working hours was Roy Colcord, a short,
wiry electrician assigned by an outside contractor to
the CTA floors.
Liking to work Saturdays when he wouldn't bother
anyone, Roy was busy on a special job of wiring the
CTA Board room for a public address system with
speakers in the ceiling. He had wiggled into a small
space between the drop-ceiling and the regular ceiling
when he heard a rustling below.
Suspecting an office prowler, Roy yelled through a
hole in the ceiling, "Who in the hell are you?"
"The general manager!" came back the reply.
"Who and where in the hell are you?"
Like so many others at the CTA, Roy learned that
Krambles could be expected to show up at any time
and any place on the system.
In recent years, he was apt to make his presence
known electronically — by his car radio or walkie-
talkie. His apartment in Oak Park overlooks the end
of the Lake street "L" line, and there have been times
he helped to clear up an operating problem simply by
looking out his window and using his walkie-talkie.
While he has also been expert in surface opera-
tions, his true love has been electric railways, the
elevated and subway system. Because of this, he has
traveled widely, in this and other countries, to in-
spect the systems, to serve as a consultant, and to
learn about new technology. It has also been his hobby,
and he holds the No, 1 membership card in the Central
Electric Railfans' Association, of which he was a co-
founder 41 years ago.
Why and when he became obsessed with electric
railways is uncertain. Others in his family had no
such interest. He has always ridden the "L," and he
thinks his first rides probably were when his parents
took him on the south-side line which was near their
home at 29th street and Caliunet avenue where he was
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
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bom on March 11, 1915.
After a brief move to "Greek town" in the Ravens-
wood community, the family moved farther north to
Rogers Park, near Rogers avenue and Sheridan road,
close to the Howard elevated line, which then was
also used by the North Shore interurban trains.
Krambles remembers distinctly seeing, at the age of
seven, the city's first all-steel elevated cars, con-
spicuous by their green and orange paint.
Half way through high school he decided to make
electric railways his career. After two years at Crane
Junior College, he had a choice between the Univer-
sity of Illinois at Urbana and Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute at Troy, N.Y., the only schools offering an
engineering specialty in electric railways.
It was an easy decision. The U. of I. was closer
to home, less expensive as a state university, and was
well known as a recruiting groimd for engineering
graduates by the Chicago Surface Lines and the Chi-
cago Rapid Transit Company, the two private com-
panies that later were to be acquired for the creation
of the Chicago Transit Authority as a public agency.
Upon graduation from the U. of I. in Jime of 1936,
which was still in the depths of the depression,
Krambles was unable to get a job in Chicago, but he
was hired as an apprentice at $70 a month by the
Indiana Railroad, operator of an electric interurban
system serving county seats almost from one end of
the Hoosier state to the other.
From June to December of that year, working first
in Indianapolis and then in Anderson, Krambles did a
little bit of everything. He toted packages in the
frei^t house, became a vinion member (on Oct. 1,
Krambles, who always took time out to
greet visitors, shows the new Control
Center to Samuel Insull, Jr.. retired elec-
tric railway executive whose father was
prominent in the development of the
electric utility industry. With Insull in
their Jan., 1978, visit to CTA were
William D. Middleton (left rear), a rail-
road historian, and Norman Carlson (right
rear) vice president and treasurer of the
Central Electric Railfans' Association.
1936) of the Amalgamated Association of Street,
Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employes of
America, worked as an electrical repairman on cars,
and qualified to drive trains.
So keen, however, was his desire to get back to
Chicago that he turned down a raise of $30 a month,
quit his job in Indiana, and sent a letter to Bemaird J.
Fallon, the top official of the North Shore interurban
line.
Fallon's response, dated Feb, 1, 1937, seems par-
ticularly significant because it shows how much in-
terest transit executives of that era took in recruiting
promising professional employes.
That letter from Fallon read in part:
"I am sorry to advise you that we have no opening
on the interurban line at the present time, but I have
talked about you with Mr. H. A. Johnson, General
Manager of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company, over
whose lines the interurbans operate, and I think if you
will call on htm he may be able to find something that
would be of interest to you in connection with this line."
Krambles obviously wasted no time in following up,
for two days after Fallon had sent the letter — on Feb.
3, 1937 — Krambles, at age of not quite 22, began his
Chicago transit career — as a "temporary employe"
classified as a student engineer„
Actually, Krambles was hired by the Chicago Rapid
Transit Company because of a crisis. Prophetically,
it was not to be the only time Krambles was to help
solve a crisis-oriented problem.
There had been a serious accident with fatalities
at the Granville station on the north elevated route.
A heavy North Shore interurban train had rammed a
MARCH, 1980
In the power supervisor's office of the Chicago Rapid Transit Company in the Edison Building, 72 W. Adams St., in 1941.
standing elevated train of wooden cars. The rear "L"
car was sheared in half, part falling off the embank-
ment right-of-way.
The regulatory Illinois Commerce Commission is-
sued an order for improving cars as a safely measure.
Skokie Shop, which had been closed because of hard
times, was reopened; and Krambles was among those
assigned to design improvements.
As the years have shown, that initial assignment
was to set, in large measure, the pattern of Krambles'
career. While he has carried out a great variety of
assignments, much of his work has been related to
improvements, in equipment, operations and service.
In 1938, the city began construction of the State
street subway; and engineers of the Rapid Transit
Company were given important assignments for this
first-of-its-kind project in Chicago. Among other
things, Krambles helped with plans for the third-rail
power distribution system.
You can imagine his elation on Oct. 17, 1943, when
he had the honor of turning on the power for the of-
ficial start of State street subway operations. In-
cidentally, Krambles was given the signal for the
power by George DeMent, who then was with the city's
Department of Subways and Superhighways and who
later was to serve as CTA Chairman.
Part of Krambles' work on the subway involved the
preparation of technical documents, one of which dealt
with "How To Splice Lead-Covered Cable and Rubber-
Insulated Cable." Besides his ability to handle highly
technical subjects, this document also pointed up
Krambles' artistic flair that went well beyond the en-
gineering requisite of being a draftsman. Illustrated
with drawings, the text consisted of 2,000 words in
hand lettering. Many times later, at the CTA,
Krambles' talent in graphic arts was reflected in
station signs, posters and other illustrated material.
During his early years with the Rapid Transit Com-
pany, one of his bosses was an especially hard task-
master, Harrison D. Wilson, distribution engineer in
the electrical department, whose exacting demands
were to stand Krambles in good stead for almost
everything that came afterwards.
For budget purposes, costs of electrical work had
to be analyzed and accurately computed in such terms
as so much money per foot. Completing his first as-
signment, Krambles submitted a brief memorandum
that consisted of little more than the cost figure.
"No!" exclaimed his boss, Wilson, tossing the
memo back at Krambles, apparently in disbelief.
"Why?" stammered Krambles.
"You find out," shot back Wilson.
The next day, Krambles returned, and again laid
the short memo with the cost figure on Wilson's desk.
"No!" shouted Wilsono
"Yes !" retorted Krambles, who then laid down a
second lengthy memorandum showing exactly how he
had arrived at the answer.
Tliat experience probably explains why Krambles
has always been so careful to docvmient everything. It
might well be a clue also to another Krambles idio-
syncrasy. An iimer-office memorandum, he feels,
should be short and to the point. If there is more
to be explained, that can just as well be done in an
attachment.
In keeping with this preference for conciseness,
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Right: In the staff engineer's office on Dec. 11, 1953,
Krambles, operations planning engineer, and Frank Misek,
engineering assistant, examine an engineering drawing.
Krambles has reduced, for biographical reference, his
many years of varied experience, professional af-
filiations and other activities to a single page.
In reference to his degree from the University of
Illinois, it is also noted that his baccalaureate thesis
was entitled the "Development of the Interurban Car"
and that he obtained additional credits in railway civil
and railway mechanical engineering.
His 43 years of experience in transit in Chicago
are summed up as follows:
— One year equipment engineering.
— One year engineering cost accounting and analysis.
— Six years power distribution, electrical control,
station lighting, and drainage and ventilation system
engineering.
— One year power system dispatching.
— Thirteen years operations planning, rapid transit
service control, system design, construction, im-
plementation and training, the integration of bus,
streetcar and rapid transit systems, streetcar-to-bus
conversion, equipment assignment planning, commu-
nity relations, and commission and management
hearings.
— Four years transportation operations and real-
time administration of bus and rapid transit service
over 150 routes «
— Two years federal demonstration project con-
struction, operation, administration and preparation
of reports (the Skokie Swift project).
— Seven years ui charge of system planning and
research as related to service.
— Two years in charge of transportation and ve-
hicle maintenance departments.
— Two years General Operations Manager.
— Four years General Manager and Executive
Director.
During all those years, there was hardly anything
of significance — particularly in the way of improve-
ments— that didn't have the Krambles imprint.
In the early 1950s, he was deeply involved in the
revamping of the rapid transit system for greater ef-
ficiency and for eliminating imnecessaiy duplication
of service with surface operations.
With no adverse effect on overall riding, the num-
ber of stations was reduced from 240 to the present
140 stations through the elimination of little-used lines
such as Kenwood, Normal Park, Humboldt Park,
Stockyards and Westchester and the outer end of the
Douglas. The skip-stop pattern of A and B stations
was instituted.
As a result, the average speed of trains was in-
creased considerably; and the reqmrement of rolling
stock was reduced from 1,600 cars to the present fleet
of 1,100.
Another major CTA development was that of the
all-electric rapid transit car with electrical braking,
as an application of the former P.C.C. (Green Hornet)
streetcar concept. Because of the electrical braking
and no need to pump up air for brakes, the CTA has
the only system for which cars can be started and
pulled immediately out of the yards.
Krambles also liad a hand In the CTA's big change
of conveiilng surface operations from streetcars to
motor buses, which took place over a 10-year period
ending in 1958. In this change, 100 off-street bus
terminals were created, with the CTA paying for the
MARCH, 1980
Above: ". . . and if I had had a broom, I would have swept up the place, too," he once
told the CTA Board. Photo taken at Dempster terminal of Skokie Swift, 1964.
Left: With new walkie-talkie, Krambles gives emergency orders from Control Center dur-
ing winter crisis in January of 1979. At his side is James Blaa, manager. Transportation.
land and other costs. This switch to all-bus operation
also was accompanied by the construction of three
new garages and other similar improvements.
Over many years, Krambles has had a significant
part in the development of a modem Operations Con-
trol Center for both buses and trains. In the last
several years, his zest for this project, involving
mostly the creation of radio commmiications, was not
unlike that of a boy over joyed with a new toy.
If Krambles were to be asked to pinpoint the hap-
piest moment of his career, the chances are he would
recall the time when Walter J. McCarter, the long-
time CTA General Manager, assigned him as project
manager to create the Skokie Swift, the non-stop
suburban shuttle service that was the nation's first
federally funded demonstration (experimental) project
in the rapid transit field.
On April 18, 1964, Krambles was almost beside
himself when he annoimced, "We're off on the world's
fastest rapid transit ride," as a three-car train left
the Howard terminal for the inaugural run over a five-
mile stretch of former North Shore interurban right-
of-way which the CTA had acquired for the new ser-
vice to Dempster street, Skokie.
With 26-year-old Bruce Anderson as the motorman,
that inaugural train reached a speed of 70 miles an
hour, completing the five miles in exactly 6 minutes,
a half minute less than the running time scheduled for
regular service which began two days later. (Earlier
Ed Mitchell had driven the first test train.)
So successful was Skokie Swift that two years later
the federal government sxiggested that the CTA refimd
some .$200,000 of a federal grant of ,$349,217 that had
been contributed to the demonstration project, although
the "feds" did not press the claim.
Now, in these times of inflation and deflated dol-
lars, it is hard to believe how little the Skokie Swift
project cost. The federal grant of $349,217 represent-
ed two-thirds of a net project cost of $523,825. The
remainiQg $174,608 of the net cost was split, with the
CTA paying $137,415 (26.2 percent) and the Village of
Skokie $37,193 (7.1 per cent). Federal funds then
could not be used for right-of-way acquisition, so the
CTA, which had also needed half of the right-of-way
for access to Skokie ShqD, paid all of a $1.7 million
cost for the five miles of the abandoned North Shore
routCo
The main objective of Skokie Swift, as a two-year
demonstration project, was to determine if good, fast
rapid transit trains could induce suburbanites to
abandon their automobiles in favor of mass transpor-
tation. Skokie Swift has been doing that very suc-
cessfully ever since, carrying more than 7,000 riders
a day.
The success of Skokie Swift brought Krambles
to the attention of editors and reporters who came to
know him as an excellent and ready source of informa-
tion on almost every phase of transito His answers to
questions could also be very imaginative and at the
same time very pragmatic.
For instance, in a Chicago Tribune article dated
June 17, 1970, he gave an especially graphic answer
to a question of whether Chicago's Loop could exist
without the CTA and the oilier public transportation
carriers, all of which carry nearly 85 per cent of the
people in and out of this downtown area.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
"We're off on the world's fastest rapid
transit ride," announces Krambles at the
start of the inaugural run, April 18,
1964, of Skokie Swift.
After the inaugural run of Skokie Swift. Front row, in uniform: Louis
Mueller, John Bork, Patrick O'Malley, Merrill Anthony, Larry Jelinek,
Edward Mitchell, Charles Banser, Bill Limanowski. Standing (left to
right): James Lahey, Harold Eichaker, Thomas Stiglic, George Riley,
"It would be an impossible situation," said
Krambles, "unless you had billions of dollars and
could tear down the Loop and start building again,"
Noting that automobiles on expressways carried an
average of only 1.4 persons per trip, he explained
that it would take 204,928 autos to carry the nearly
287,000 Loop-bound persons then using the CTA.
"To get those additional 204,928 autos downtown,
you would first have to build 136 additional in-bound
lanes of expressway, as compared with a present 30
in-bound lanes of expressways," he said.
"Then, to park those 204,928 autos there would have
to be 61 million square feet of new parking space.
That space is roughly equivalent to four times the
ground area of the presently defined Loop, as boimded
on the north and west by the river and on the south by
Roosevelt road.
"In other words, you would have to tear down all of
the buildings in this Loop area, create four levels of
parking over the whole area, and then build new build-
ings on top of this mass of four-level parking.
"But even if you were to do all that, it still wouldn't
work," he concluded. "No one probably would be able
to live because of the pollution."
Krambles' knack for distinct expression has been
shaipened by years of experience, both as a writer
and lecturer. His biographical listing names 10
vmiversities where he has participated in seminar
lectures, but he has spoken also to many other audi-
ences, both here and abroad.
For illustrating talks and technical papers, he can
draw upon his o\vn personal collections of thousands
of slides and photographs. His Oak Park apartment
Elmer Milz, John Zupko, Thomas Boyle, Marty Shannon, Leonard
Wiksten, Edward Heatter, Glen Anderson, John Brucker, Thomas Lyons,
Bruce Anderson, Les Reichard, Heinz Doering, Terry McGovern, Robert
Benny, C. J. (Bud) Buck, George Krambles, Robert Winther.
is crowded with file cabinets of reference material.
At the end of every year he has his accumulation of
subscription journals and periodicals bound in hard
covers by a professional bookbinder.
Secretaries in his office have had little use for
their shorthand skills, for, instead of dictating, he
has always written everything by hand, in a style
similar to that of an old-fashioned school teacher.
He has been a prolific writer since his early years
in the staff engineer's office. Technical documents
and reports on studies for in-house use have account-
ed for much of his writing. Because of this ability, he
also was given an extra job of editing reports and
papers written by other staff members.
For many years, he wrote with regular lead pencils.
In editing, however, he formed a habit of using a red
pencil for contrast.
His editing with a red pencil could be so profuse
that it would virtually obliterate the original text. A
staff assistant who had just gotten back some heavily
edited copy from Krambles was once heard mutter-
ing to himself, "Holy cow, what a bloody mess this is!"
About 10 years ago, his secretary, Mary BosM,
who liked to remember such occasions with a small
gift, gave Krambles a pen with red ink for his birth-
day. From then on, red ink became an exclusive
Krambles trademark. He used the red pen for every-
thing, including his succinct notations and instructions
on memos returned to his staff.
Other CTA executives took up the practice by using
colors such as green and brown, but Mary was the
only other person to use red ink. She explained that
she "got to be pretty good at imitating" Krambles'
MARCH, 1980
Left: The CTA's historic rapid transit train
(cars 4271 and 4272) was restored under
Krambles' direction in 1974. The train is often
used for chartered trips.
Below: Krambles (center) and Paul KadowakI
(right) superintendent. Bus Instruction, visit
Keifuku station in Kyoto, Japan, in 1975.
Bottom: Two international visitors, Andr^
Jacobs (second from left). Secretary General,
Union Internationale des Transports Publics,
and Roger Belin (third from left). Chairman
of the Board, Regie Autonome des Transports
Parisiens, are shown the Jefferson Park transit
center by Krambles on Sept. 9, 1976. At
left is Harold Geissenheimer, CTA General
Operations Manager.
hand and that by using red on notes to other offices
she "never failed to get a quick response."
It was a bit of irony that just as Krambles would
get accustomed to a certain red-ink pen the manu-
facturer would discontinue the model. After having
been frustrated by three such experiences of dis-
continued models, he ended up by simply using red-
ink refills with felt tips as pens.
By no means will retirement from the CTA mean
inactivity for Krambles. He is a member of many
professional organizations, and he is certain to re-
main active with such organizations as the American
Public Transit Association and the Union Ihtema-
tionale des Transports Publics.
Off and on over the years, he has carried out con-
sulting and troubleshooting assignments for other
transit and governmental agencies, in this and other
countries. He is especially proud, for instance, of
the help he once gave the Ministry of Transport of
Israel in the planning of a rail system for Tel Aviv.
He has now planned a busy schedule for himself
as a freelance consultant. On his retirement date of
April 1, he will be on his way in this endeavor — by
plane to Buenos Aires.
At the CTA, Krambles will leave behind many re-
membrances. SkoMe Swift will be remembered as
Krambles' project. Among many other things, he
should not be forgotten for the fine example he set in
dedication and loyalty to Chicago's transit system and
its employes and riders.
And he certainly will be remembered for his high
performance, for his demonstration of how important
professionalism is to a well-managed public trans-
portation system. The Krambles hallmark of pro-
fessionalism is there for all to follow.
By Tom Buck
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Ernie Banks
elected to
Chicago Sports
Hall of Fame
CTA Board member Ernie Banks has been elected
to Chicago's first sports Hall of Fame.
Banks, who was elected to major league baseball's
Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, N.Y., on the very first
ballot, attracted the largest number of votes cast by
more than 55,000 Chicagoans who participated in the
voting.
Banks received 36,503 votes to lead Dick Butkus
of the Chicago Bears with 33,679 in the voting for
those in pro sports.
Other individuals honored were Gale Sayers, Lou
Boudreau, Phil Cavarretta, George Halas, Bobby Hull,
Red Grange, Abe Saperstein and Charles A. Comiskey.
The amateurs honored were William "Iron Man"
Mclnnis, Ralph Metcalfe, Chick Evans, John Kinsella
and VVillye White.
Sam Miller (2d from right) manager, financial services, was feted at a
farewell party celebrating his retirement. Among the 65 persons
attending the Feb. 7 party in the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza were Miller's
wife, Fran, and his daughter and son in law, Marilyn and Bob Bizar.
Miller's friends and co-workers gave him a Nikon camera as a farewell
gift. Paul Kole, manager. General Finance, was master of ceremonies
for the party.
Chairman Eugene Barnes presented Tom and Mona Healy with an award
in recognition of their three years of volunteer service in employe
counseling programs. Healy is a clerk at North Park. His wife, Mona, is
an alcoholism counselor with the Catholic Charities Organization.
George Krambles Scholarship Fund
Executive Director George Krambles is retiring at
the end of March after contributing 43 years of ser-
vice to Chicago's public transportation and the entire
ransit industry. A scholarship fund is being estab-
ished in his honor to help deserving college students
prepare for a career in public transportation. Anyone
wishing to donate to the scholarship fund may com-
plete the form below and return it to the CTA. Do-
nations are taxdeductible and receipts will be provided.
GEORGE KRAMBLES SCHOLARSHIP FUND
I would like to donate $ .
Mail receipt to:
Name:
Address:.
to the George Krambles scholarship fund.*
Make checks payable to:
Paul Kole, G.K. Scholarship Fund
Chicago Transit Authority
P.O. Box 3555, Chicago, I L 60654
* Donations are tax deductible.
Receipts will be provided.
MARCH, 1980
Ice fantasy
by Aiello
Guiseppe Aiello, the son of
Salvatore Aiello, Maintenance,
West Shops, recently displayed 26
hand-carved ice sculptures at the
Daley Center Plaza. The display
was part of Winterfest.
Aiello became interested in ice
sculpture after working in a res-
taurant. He perfected his technique
at The Culinary Institute in Hyde
Park, New York.
He is an executive chef, con-
centrating in international cuisine
and classical baking. His sculpting
is not limited to ice; he also makes
carved butter sculpture and ban-
quet displays with all types of
food. Aiello has entered six ban-
quet display contests and walked
away with first prize three times.
Aiello begins his sculpting with
a large block of rectangular ice,
and then uses a chisel and knife to
create the statuary. His favorite
subjects are animals. A large
figure can take up to two hours to
create, while a small sculpture
takes 20 minutes.
Perhaps part of Aiello' s talent
is hereditary. His father, Sal-
vatore (Sam), practices woodcarv-
ing as a hobby. A native of Paler-
mo, Italy, the senior Aiello has
(Photo courtesy Mayor 's office)
Salvatore Aiello admires his son's sculpture
at the Daley Plaza display. The father and
son sometimes woodcarve together.
Guiseppe Aiello uses ice pick to carve detail
into sculpture.
(Photo courtesy Mayor's office)
been with the CTA for 12 of the 13
years he has been in the United
States.
When they get together, the
Aiellos sometimes carve together.
Salvatore creates dollhouses and
ecology boxes. They also do auto
repair work. Guiseppe is interest-
ed in all aspects of the food in-
dustry, and is currently Manager
of Catering for the Chicago Arch-
diocese Food Service.
at W
* *<
^
"^■r
1
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Left: James Blaa (right), manager, Transporta-
tion, welcomes (left to right) rail supervisor
Bernard Townsend, bus operator Edith Carr, and
motorman Eugene Palmer to 'A Day in CTA.'
Left below: Observing bus controller Edward
Reaux, as bus controller Derrick Robinson
(standing) guides them during their tour of
CTA's Control Center.
Center: Observing rail controllers Thomas
Hughes (left) and James Hightower.
Right: Learning about power distribution
from power supervisor William Rappold.
(CTA photos by Mike Hoffert)
Spending 'A Day in CTA'
Employes and management share views to make CTA better for riders
Two hundred employes of the Transportation and
Maintenance departments have had an overview of the
CTA that few employes of any organization or company
ever get. And they told their bosses what they thought
of the CTA.
They were members of the program "A Day in
CTA" and every CTA employe is eligible to partici-
pate. Some of the 200 chosen employes were selected
by their superintendents because they had outstanding
work records or had performed heroic deeds. Three
employes are chosen each month.
James Blaa, manager. Transportation, developed
the idea of "A Day in CTA" in 1976. At first the pro-
gram was open to Transportation department per-
sonnel. Later, Maintenance Department personnel
were made eligible for the day-long program held in
the CTA's Merchandise Mart headquarters.
Blaa ejq)lalned his idea for "A Day in CTA" this
way — "The CTA is a people-oriented organization and
the Transportation department, by its active role of
daily contact with the public, is directly connected to
the metropolitan area we serve.
"This program gives Transportation department
directors and me the opportunity to talk with our
supervisor-instructors, bus operators, motormen,
conductors, and collectors on an individual basis. In
discussing their day to day operations, we hear and
can act upon their concerns and suggestions. Because
of the large number of operating employes, one-to-one
contact is seldom possible.
"The program provides the participants with a
better understanding of the various sections of their
departments and how their functions interrelate. The
participants become familiar with other CTA depart-
ments and see how management responds to the poli-
cies as set by the CTA Board."
MARCH, 1980
Left, above: Receiving welcome from CTA Chairman Eugen
Barnes at board meeting.
Left: Sharing work experiences with Harold Geissenheime
(right), manager. General Operations.
Top: John Schwartz, acting superintendent, RTA Travc
Information Center, explains the work of Linda McElgir
travel information representative.
Above: Meeting Thomas Boyle, manager. Safety.
Participants for "A Day in CTA" arrive at CTA
headquarters at 0800 hours on the first Wednesday of
each month — the day when the CTA Board holds its
regular monthly meeting. They are met by one of
Blaa's special assistants and given an orientation of
their schedule for the day which will stretch up to 1500
hours before all is said and done.
After orientation, the three participants meet with
Blaa in his office. Blaa chats with the three partici-
pants about their jobs and exchanges ideas on various
topics of interest.
The three visitors then are given a tour of the
Control Center where they are introduced to the con-
trollers in the Center's three major areas — rail,
electric power, and bus operations. They are en-
couraged to ask questions, make suggestions, and get
a thorou^ imderstanding of this "bird's-eye view" of
the CTA's largest department — Transportation — the
people who are directing the people moving people.
Following their stay in the Control Center, they are
invited to attend the CTA Board meeting. Harold
Geissenheimer, manager. General Operations Division,
introduces the three visitors to CTA Chairman Eugene
Barnes and members of the CTA Board as the out-
standing employes who are spending "A Day in CTA."
The three visiting employes remain for the Board
meeting to learn how the CTA's staff and the Board
work together for the benefit of the CTA's 1 million
daily riders.
Following the Board meeting, the visitors join
Blaa, Edward Mitchell, director. Support Services, who
aided Blaa in creating "A Day in CTA," and the special
assistant for lunch and more exchanges of ideas.
Following lunch, the group is introduced to the
inner workings of the RTA Travel Information Center.
There they learn about the latest electronic aids used
by the Center's staff to help give travel directions for
persons using public transit In the six northeast Illi-
nois counties that make up the RTA service area.
At 1400 hours the groiqj visits the CTA's Executive
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Top: Edward Mitchell (right), director. Support Services, explains his group's
role in the Transportation department.
Above: George Krambles (right), executive director, explains features of model
of truck to be used on new rapid transit cars.
Offices where they exchange ideas with other "top
brass" of the Authority.
After this, they return to the Transportation de-
partment to meet with directors Edward Mitchell of
Support Services, Michael LaVelle of Service, Harry
Reddrick of Personnel, and a representative of the
Maintenance department. Each of the visitors meets
with a director in the visitor's field of operation for
an in-depth briefing and more exchanges of ideas,
comments, and suggestions. When this give-and-take
session is completed to the visitor's satisfaction, their
tour is completed unless they wish to visit another
section of the CTA for expanding their knowledge of
the Authority's operations.
"Thanks to 'A Day In CTA,' I think we have helped
broaden imderstanding, resolved some problems, and
improved the relationship between the operating and
maintenance members and the management-level
members of the CTAo Everyone — especially our
riders — benefits," Blaa concluded.
Three operating employes who were selected to
spend 'A Day in CTA' on March 5 shared their
opinions with Transit News at the end of the day.
Edith Carr, bus operator.
Forest Glen, was selected
for her outstanding driv-
ing ability and safety
record.
"I think everybody should be able to be in this pro-
gram. I never realized how much work was going
on here (in the Mart headquarters).
"Of everyone I saw and everyone I spoke with, I
like the Control Center best. It's wonderful how
the controllers have everything - well - under control.
They know how to handle a critical situation when
it happens, and they know how to correct it."
Bernard Townsend, rail
supervisor. South section,
was selected for his alert
action in reporting a
potentially dangerous
condition on Feb. 21,
after a derailed Chicago
and North Western rail-
way freight car damaged
a bridge support on the
Douglas route.
"I liked the CTA Board meeting. They are an active
board - they seem to want to know about everything
that's going on.
"I got the feeling that there was a lot of interest by
board members in the programs and proposals made
by the staff.
"I liked the interplay of ideas between the board
and staff."
Eugene Palmer, motor-
man. South section, was
selected because he aided
police in the apprehen-
sion of a pickpocket.
"I liked the Board meeting the best - they dealt with
a lot of things I thought the board members never
really got into.
"I liked the tour of the Control Center, and I like
how well organized the CTA's headquarters is - it's
a lot more organized than I thought."
MARCH, 1980
13
James Dolan (North Section) was
the conductor of a Howard/Jack-
son Park train that Mrs. K. Funa-
mura, of Magnolia avenue, was
riding one night with her children.
"A man got on who was very loud
and belligerent and had been
drinking. He sat in back of me,
put his arm around my neck,
and made advances. At this
point the conductor entered the
car. Without hesitation he came
up and asked what the problem
was. I told him my predicament,
and he tactfully asked the man to
leave or he would be forced to
call the police. The conductor
made sure he got off at the next
stop, then came back to ask if I
was all right. Please thank him
again for a job extremely well
done."
Pedro Balderas (North Park garage)
was commended by John Dres-
sier, of North Damen avenue, for
being "a most pleasant, courteous,
and efficient driver. From the
Loyola 'L' to Damen, where I
got off his #155 Devon bus, he
called out every street stop, and
waited just an extra minute for
a few older persons to get on.
He greeted everyone in a polite
manner and was a careful driver
in traffic. I have ridden with
him once before on this route,
and he was the same way then,
too. Riding with this driver
makes the trip satisfying."
commendation corner
James Bush (69th Street garage) was appreciated
by Wanda Parker, of Calumet avenue, for his courtesy
on a #55 Garfield bus. "There were several elderly
people getting on the bus, and he would assist them up
the steps. He also made sure they heard him so they
would not miss their stops. Overall and most im-
portant, he had a pleasant attitude that spread to the
others on his bus, I hope to see other drivers who
enjoy their jobs as much as he does because he was
able to change an otherwise dull day into a much
happier one for a lot of people."
#«#
Edgar MoUinedo (North Park garage) was praised
by Ethel Deno, of Sheffield avenue, for the way he
handled his #11 Lincoln bus. "As the bus started
north, I noticed that the driver called out each street,
and as we approached Belmont, he said very clearly
and distinctly, 'Belmont, 3200 North; Ashland, 1600
West.' I got off at 4200 Lincoln and happened to get
on the same bus later going south, and he was still
calling the streets the same way. He was very pleas-
ant and always stopped close to the curb so the pas-
sengers could get off or on without any trouble. It was
a pleasure riding with him."
####
Charles Yoimg (West Section) was the conductor of
a Douglas train that Valerie Stelman, of Berwyn, rode
one evening from the Loop to the terminal at 54th
avenue. "He made the ride seem like a vacation. He
called out every stop and announced transfer points.
I have not been taking the Douglas train very long, and
I am very grateful the CTA has a person so courteous,
kind, instructive, patient, and understanding working
in his position. He does an excellent job, and is a
credit to the CTA. Many riders would like to see him
on every train they take,"
####
Wanda Navarro (North Section), conductor of a
Howard train, was commended for "doing a fine job"
by Louis Epstein, of Rosemont avenue. "I marveled
at her ability to do the job, her promptness at reach-
ing the various positions she had to move to, and her
knowledge, not only of the stops, but of other routes
and information. What really impressed me was her
voice. Her voice over the intercom was clear, con-
cise, the perfect pitch, and her pronunciation was
beautiful. As an amateur radio operator, I know my
intercoms and radios. So, out of curiosity, I went to
other cars on the train and foimd her voice to be the
same throughout. Good luck to her,"
####
Alejandro Cepeda (Archer garage) was the driver
of a #99 Stevenson Express bus that Mrs. B. J. Den-
ham rode one afternoon rush period on her way home
to suburban Justice. "I foimd the driver to be a pro-
fessional at his job. He very efficiently and smoothly
drove through rush hour traffic on the Stevenson
Expressway, Cicero, and Archer avenues. Being a
constant rider on that route, I must comment on how
well he handled the bus under rush hour conditions."
####
James Howland (North Park garage) and William
Johnson (Limits garage) were thanked by Beverly Con-
roy, of North State street, "for recovery of my be-
longings and also for restoring my sense of pride and
feeling of well being with my fellow Chicagoans.
Driver #5481 (Howland) was observant and noticed
something amiss when the young man who boarded his
(#153 Wilson/Michigan) bus ahead of me turned and
got off. He insisted I check the flight bag I was car-
rying, and it was then that I became aware of my loss.
After I began to chase the thief, the second driver
(Johnson) jumped off and tackled him. Within minutes
they had police there, ..and all ended happily for me,"
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating em-
ployes receiving commendations
recently were:
Hasan Abdelqader, Archer;
Juan Alameda and Katie Avery,
both of North Avenue; and Rosa
Alfaro, Forest Glen.
Vernon Barney, Limits; James
Batups, 52nd Street; William
Bradshaw, 69th Street; James
Brooks, 77th Street; Edward
Brown, North Park; and Willie
Burton, Archer.
Jean Cage, North Park; John
Cameron, Ashland Terminal;
Philip Campanella, Forest Glen;
Carlos Castillo, Douglas/Con-
gress; and Pedro Coronado, North
Avenue.
Victor Davila and Armentha
Dawldns, both of North Park; Wil-
lie Davis, Rail System; Burnett
Devers, 69th Street; and Joseph
DiMartino, Forest Glen.
James Estes, Forest Glen.
Samuel Favre, North Park;
James Ferguson and Henry Fos-
ter, both of Forest Glen; and Ro-
land Fortier, Archer.
Josef a Garcia, Limits; David
Gaston and Mary Guerrero, both
of 69th Street; Edward Geddes Sr.,
77th Street; Corine Glaspie, West
Section; and Wallacene Good and
Odell Granger, both of Forest Glen.
Clifton Hall, 77th Street; Mary
Hall, 69th Street; Joseph Harris,
Archer; John Harris and Charlie
Hill, both of Lawndale; Lawrence
Hart, North Avenue; Leon Hegwood,
Howard/Kimball; and Joe Hodge,
North Park.
Joseph Jackson Jr. and Willie
James, both of North Park; Elvin
James, 77th Street; and Ducloux
Johnson, 52nd Street,
Assunta Kaya, Forest Glen; Jo-
seph Kelso, 69th Street; Hugh King,
North Avenue; and Robert Kremer,
North Park.
Marco Lara, Forest Glen;
James Lariy, 52nd Street; Fred
Lorenz, North Avenue; and Rob-
ert Lucas, Lawndale.
Verne Mahr, 77th Street; Rob-
ert Martinez and Edgar Mollinedo,
both of North Park; Alfredo Mas-
corro. North Avenue; Jeanette
Milltnes and Faye Murry, both of
Lawndale; Hermilo Montes, Lim-
its; and John Moutrey, Forest Glen.
Joe Nash, North Park; Brenda
Neely, Lawndale; and Steve Nel-
son and Hector Nieves, both of
Forest Glen.
Everett Odle, Forest Glen; and
Frederick Owens, 52nd Street.
Thomas Parker and Leonard
Peterson, both of North Park; and
Jerome Perdue, Limits.
Henry Radom and Porfirio Ro-
sales, both of Forest Glen; Oscar
Repelin and Rafael Rivera, both of
North Park; Anthony Reynolds,
Archer; and Charles Rutledge,
Limits.
Joseph Salvato and Jung Song,
both of Forest Glen; Mary Schmidt-
ke, Kenneth Simpson, Howard
Sneed, Frank Star Jr., and Carl
Suddeth, all of North Park; Tues-
day Simpson and Clydie Stuart,
both of Limits; and Robert Sos-
nowsM, 52nd Street.
Wendell Talbert, North Park;
Renee Thomas, 52nd Street; Al
Towns, 77th Street; and Geraldine
Tufano, West Section.
Edward UrbansM, Archer.
Luis Velasquez, Archer; Man-
uel Viruet, North Park; and John
Vogt, Beverly.
Jimmie Walker, North Avenue;
Mary Wallace, Reginald Williams,
and Arlis Wilson, all of North
Park; Cleveland White Jr., Lawn-
dale; and Mae Woodard, West
Section.
Jaques
Glen; and
Avenue.
Marvin Zabel and Joseph Zuker-
man, both of North Park.
Yezeguielian, Forest
Thelma Yoimg, North
Left: James Michael Person just might be a
future bus driver. The three year old son of
Darold J. Person, bus serviceman. Forest
Glen, and his wife Susan, and grandson of
retired bus operator Carl W. Person and his
wife Violet, loves to put on the coat and
hat and pretend that he is driving a bus.
Right: Ten year old Deathra Prince recently
signed a contract to do television commer-
cials, and possibly movies. Her talent was
spotted by her father, Afldale Prince, ticket
agent, 51st, as they were watching television.
"Deathra would Imitate the kids on t.v., and
one day she said 'Dad, I could do that.'
Being a proud father, I believed she could."
Deathra was selected from a group of 500
children auditioning for the job, which
Includes a three year contract. Her talents,
which Include singing, dancing and acting,
come naturally. Both of her parents sing,
and her mother, Dorothy Prince, has recorded
professionally.
1
i
E,
-:, ,J^ 4.
MARCH, 1980
15
CTA engineers save oil
clean up environment
If SAVAGALLONAGASAWEEK is a good idea, then
saving four thousand gallons of oil a year is an even
better idea^ The CTA has implemented this 'better
idea' in the form of two oil/water separators at the
North Park bus garage.
In addition to saving spilling and leaking diesel and
motor oil from going to waste, the new separators now
make the CTA meet the most stringent anti-pollution
guidelines.
The Municipal Sanitary District began complaining
about oil run-off into their canal in the mid-1970'So
The oil was coming from the bus service and parking
areas at the North Park garage. Many solutions were
attempted, such as small holding tanks and installa-
tion of oil absorbant materials in the drainage system,
but nothing seemed to work. These methods could not
meet the Sanitary District's maximum allowable
pollutant level of 1 5 parts per million.
A real solution had to be found after the Sanitary
District threatened to sue. Representatives from the
Engineering, Maintenance and Law Departments met
with the Sanitary District in 1977 to determine exactly
what type of device was needed.
The Mechanical Engineering Division designed the
project, which works by gravity. Involved in the de-
sign were George Millonas, manager. Engineering;
Chris Kalogeras, director. Plant Engineering; Ronald
Mazierka, superintendent. Mechanical Engineering;
George Gustafson, mechanical draftsman, and F. H,
F. H. Petzold, CTA project manager (right), and Daniel Collins, general
manager, Enquip, supervise the delivery of oil/water separators from
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Petzold, who was the project manager.
Additional work was performed by the Building-
Wirmg Design group and the Structural Engineering
section, and field construction of the separators was
directed by the Contract Construction section.
Oil and water from the bus service and parking
areas are carried through underground drains into
two collecting basins. The flow then enters two 40-
foot longcompartmentalized separators, where gravity
acts to pull the heavier water to the bottom as the
lighter oil rises to the top.
The oil goes into one of two 2,000 gallon storage
tanks, while the water flows into the sewer system,
through the Sanitary District treatment facility, and
then re-enters the river as clean water.
This system requires no moving parts, and the
only maintenance required is the pumping-out of the
oil-storage tanks twice a year. A yearly inspection
for sludge build-up and corrosion is also recom-
mended.
There are remote level gauges in the garage fore-
man's office to let personnel know when the storage
tanks are getting full. When the tanks are filled, the
oil is sold to a scavenger, who then recycles it.
Although the design for the facility was completed
by the end of 1978, work was delayed because the CTA
had to seek permission of the Army to excavate 10
feet of their adjoining property.
At the same time. Engineering was searching for
manufacturers able to build the separators to their
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Left above: The excavation took three
months. In addition to installing tanks,
ns and drainage lines, the contractor
re-opened old drains, installed oil level guages
and performed some electrical work.
Above: The new six foot deep city sewer is
connected to the separator. The wooden
forms around the pipes are in preparation
for the concrete implacements.
Left: The finished project is completely
underground. Access covers provide easy
entrance for maintenance inspectors, and
concrete curbing is the only clue to the fact
that the tanks and basins are there.
specification. Enquip Corporatirai of Tulsa, Oklahoma,
was selected for the task. The Nu-Way Contracting
Corporation of Chicago handled the excavation and in-
stallation.
The system, which had a final cost of $335,000, is
completely underground and cathodically protected to
prevent corrosion. It will last at least imtil the year
2005, and probably longer.
The separators can handle rainstorm accumulation
up to three-eighths of an inch per hour. Once the
Sanitary District's deep tunnel project is completed
there will be no overflow to the river at all.
With energy efficiency and pollution control be-
coming more important than ever, a pollution control
device of this type is part of a comprehensive system
being installed at the new Kedzie garage. Other
garages may also have oil/water separators installed
at a later date.
MARCH, 1980
17
Public safety
Once you win a Public Safety Award after a long
period without one, it's hard to give it up, so for the
second quarter in a row, 77th Street took top honors
for public safety in garage competition„
For the fourth quarter of 1979, 77th registered a
21 per cent decrease in traffic accidents compared to
its average during the same period over the previous
three years. Similarly, the garage's passenger ac-
cident frequency rate was 40 percent below its average
for the earlier quarters.
The last quarter of 1979 also saw Congress termi-
nal winning its first Public Safety Award of the year,
or its 18th prize since the inception of the program
in 1961. In maintaining its average of at least one
victory a year in competition among terminals. Con-
gress showed a 79 per cent reduction in its combined
traffic and accident frequency rate compared to the
record of previous fourth quarters.
It was a repeat performance at 77th Street, where drivers were joined in celebrating their
previous award by Tom Boyle, manager. Safety (wearing white shirt with tie) and Frank
Wsol, area superintendent. Far South (holding plaque).
James Blaa, manager. Transportation (center), was on
hand to congratulate Public Safety Award winners at
77th Street, including drivers Henry Martin (left) and
Charles Walker, who were given special recognition
certificates for being outstanding employes%
The warm glow of victory at Congress terminal is reflected in the smiles
of (left to right): James Blaa, manager. Transportation; Harold Geissen
heimer. General Operations Manager; Alex Wilson, assistant superinten
dent. Congress; Bennie Davis, motorman (holding plaque);Jim Morphew
legislative analyst, Illinois House of Representatives; Elliot Linne
assistant superintendent, Congress/Douglas; Mike Veltri, superintendent
Congress/Douglas; and John Bright, conductor. During the ceremony
Davis and Bright received certificates of special recognition.
Maintenance people who joined operating employes In celebrating
another safety award win at Congress included (left to right): car
repairers Jim Malloy and Ovidio Alaniz; John Cannella, terminal day
foreman; car repairers Sheldon Rita, Joseph Martinek, Veno Cox, and
Mike 0'Sullivan;car servicers Maude Lambert and Neftall Torres Jr.;
and car repairer Ed Jackson.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
WILLIAM BURNS, Box Puller,
52nd Street, Emp. 10-31-43
JOSEPH CITRO, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 2-28-52
CASIMIR DANEK, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 2-3-58
GENNARO FICO, Bus Servicer,
Beverly, Emp. 1-30-52
JAMES FULLER, Instructor,
77th Street, Emp. 4-27-46
PETER GAZA, Car Repairman A,
Kimball, Emp. 2-17-49
CHARLES GERHOS, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 2-25-46
JOHN GRIFFIN, Bus Repairer,
77th Street, Emp. 11-3-50
ZITA GYURICZA, Bill Clerk E,
Financial Services, Emp. 8-8-56
JOSEPH KAREL, Statistician,
Schedules, Emp. 5-4-42
ROOSEVELT KELLY, Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 10-15-51
JOHN KEPHART, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 12-22-75
JAMES LAHEY, Assistant Superintendent,
North Park, Emp. 3-4-46
IRVING LEWIN, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 4-26-48
NELLO LORENZI, Lineman Helper,
West Shops, Emp. 12-28-45
JAMES MADDEN, Special Investigator,
Blue Island, Emp. 11-21-59
WALTER MODJESKI, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 5-18-59
JOHN PUGH, Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 7-5-72
MELVIN TURNER, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 3-2-45
RICHARD WELTER, Switchman,
Kimball, Emp. 1-26-50
RICHARD WIERCIOCH, Switchman,
Howard, Emp. 2-17-50
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
WALTER ANDERSON, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 10-18-62
ISHAM HANDLEY, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 6-11-59
NESBIT MURDEN, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 2-24-48
HYBERT RICHARDSON, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 2-6-67
WALTER YOUNG, Collector,
Limits, Emp. 7-24-67
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33
Number 3
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA,
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department: Bill Baxa, Acting Manager: Staff, Mel
Alexander, Christine Borcic, Kathy Byrne, Jack
Sowchin, Jeff Stern, Produced by the Adminis-
trative Sen/ices Unit under the direction of Charles
T, Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P,0. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
FRANK ALDONIS, 86, Archer,
Emp. 2-13-17, Died 1-19-80
JOHN ANDERSON, 85, Limits,
Emp. 4-28-21, Died 1-10-80
RUDOLPH ANDERSON, 86, Forest Glen,
Emp. 1-21-21, Died 1-25-80
ESTHER BAUER, 74, Schedule,
Emp. 6-18-23, Died 12-21-79
SCOTT BROWNLOW, 73, Archer,
Emp. 11-11-26, Died 1-13-80
ANN DUNLEAVY, 70, West Section,
Emp. 7-30-46, Died 1-2-80
AMOS FAIRFIELD, 82, Desplaines,
Emp. 5-21-17, Died 12-2-79
THOMAS FAY, 80, Congress,
Emp. 8-4-43, Died 1-21-80
ANDREW FITZSIMONS, 75, Acootmting,
Emp. 2-2-42, Died 12-31-79
THOMAS GALVIN, 90, Kedzie,
Emp. 2-11-13, Died 1-2-80
GEORGE GARWOOD, 87, 77th Street,
Emp. 8-29-16, Died 1-21-80
ARTHUR HALFORD, 80, Lawndale,
Emp„ 6-17-26, Died 1-17-80
ROBERT HALLEY, 52, Archer,
Emp. 9-16-57, Died 2-5-80
HARRY J. HANSEN, 84, North Avenue,
Emp. 3-2-23, Died 1-12-80
JOHN HARTMAN, 65, North Avenue,
Emp. 2-2-53, Died 1-10-80
WALTER HAUTOP, 82, Keeler,
Emp. 6-6-25, Died 1-2-80
AGNES HOGAN, 82, North Section,
Emp. 2-27-23, Died 1-17-80
LOUIS HOY, 76, North SectiOT,
Emp. 11-1-33, Died 1-1-80
RITA HURLEY, 49, West Shops,
Emp. 9-23-69, Died 2-9-80
SAMUEL JONES, 57, Lawndale,
Emp. 8-22-47, Died 1-28-80
JOSEPH KOUDELKA, 85, Lawndale,
Emp. 8-18-36, Died 1-6-80
FRANK KRAWITZ, 88, Building,
Emp. 3-19-18, Died 1-17-80
ELIZABETH McELENEY, 95, West Sect.,
Emp. 6-18-18, Died 1-18-80
ISABEL McGINNIS, 80, General Office,
Emp. 6-24-18, Died 1-17-80
ERNEST PASCHKE, 79, Limits,
Emp. 2-1-26, Died 1-27-80
JAMES PAVONE, 86, Maintenance,
Emp. 10-3-18, Died 1-4-80
FRANK PIASECKI, 58, Forest Glen,
Emp. 2-19-47, Died 1-29-80
MARTIN PIERSON, 78, 77th Street,
Emp. 8-4-58, Died 1-3-80
HARRY RICHARDS, 56, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 3-10-69, Died 1-26-80
LEO ROSE, 64, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-2-59, Died 1-5-80
MICHAEL RUSS, 84, Wilson,
Emp. 2-11-24, Died
LEE SCHULTZ, 82, Douglas,
Emp. 3-13-14, Died 1-17-80
FRANK SOMMER, 71, 77ih Street,
Emp. 5-28-48, Died 1-13-80
LORENZO SPARACINO, 79, Wilson,
Emp. 8-27-29, Died 1-7-80
CHARLES TECHTMAN, 90, West Sect.,
Emp. 2-18-42, Died 1-5-80
March service
anniversaries
40
years
35 years
E, Banks, Beverly
J. F. Sanhamel
North Park
30 years
A
T. Anthony, Skokie Shop
J.
H.Austin, TABEC
J.
R. Barber, District D
M
L. Coari, Payroll
A
R. Deering, South Shops
G
E. Drey, South Shops
A
K. Haas, South Shops
J.
Hennelly, Kimball
A
Hodowanic, Skokie Shop
A
J. Joe, 69th Street
H
J. Kohler, Instruction
J.
W. Matthews, Ash land -6 1st
C
A. Myers, Campaign Rail
A
N. Rakestraw, Ash!and-61st
L
B, Ross, Instruction
P.
J. Sabadosa, 54th Shop
P.
J. Shackley, Howard/Kimball
M
Walker, Materials Payable
J.
J. Wirth, Maintenance
H
L.Woods, Utility
G
Wright, Accts. Receivable
We're sorry. . .
In the December, 1979, issue of Trans-
it News, we inadvertently misspelled the
following Death Notice:
BERNARD McBRIDE, 56, 69th St.,
Emp. 5-7-50, Died 10-21-79
25 years
C. Gray Jr., 69th Street
H. A, Means, 69th Street
C. A. Ortman, Forest Glen
C. E. Pollard, Engineering
B. E. Small, North Park
MARCH, 1980
19
YMCA offers pre-retirement planning workshops
"A successful and happy retirement doesn't just
happen. It requires planning," said Craig Heatter,
superintendent of Pensions. "Good planning takes
time. Give some thought to it now — whatever youi:
age."
To help CTA employes, and others, plan for their
retirement, the Central YMCA Community College is
offering Pre-Retirement Planning Workshops at three
locations starting in April. The college holds the
workshops six times a year.
The workshops meet one day a week for six weeks
and cover vital questions about home, financial plan-
ning, aging, legal affairs, keeping healthy and whether
to stay or move from Chicago.
Dr. Ruth Gallinot, director, Adult/Continuing Edu-
cation for the college, said the cost for the entire
program is only $20. For persons over 60, the fee is
$10. This includes registration and a kit of materials.
The workshops will be held in the following loca-
tions—Central YMCA Community College, 211 W.
Wacker dr., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays starting
April 7; West Suburban YMCA, LaGrange, to be held
from 7 to 9 p.md on Wednesdays starting April 9; and
at 202 S. State st., 6th floor, from noon to 2 p.m. on
Thursdays starting April 10.
"The Pre-Retirement Workshops sponsored by the
Central YMCA Commimity College can help our em-
ployes plan an important part of their lives — their
futures," Heatter said. "Retirement from the job
doesn't mean retirement from life.
'We think that attending the Pre-Retirement Plan-
ning Workshops can be an important first step to a
happy retirement."
For more information about the workshops and when
they are scheduled to be held later this year, tele-
phone the Central YMCA Community College at
984-8393.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVEVtSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVAIISTON, IL 60201
TN
New substations
increase efficiency
Most Chicagoans have been warned since childhood
not to go near the "hot" third rail at CTA tracks.
Hardly anyone can tell you how the third rail gets "hot"
in the first place.
Six hxmdred volts of power are thrust onto the third
rail from 34 electrical substations throughout the
rapid transit system. But the electrical charge must
go through many changes before it's ready to be used
for the third rail. The substations perform this
function.
A project to replace the 13 oldest substations be-
gan in 1975. They were divided into two groups. The
first group of seven were in service by 1978.
The brand new Kolmar substation is one of the
group of six remaining substations that are either in
service or under construction. Kolmar, which went
on-line in February, replaces the old and outdated
station housed next door in an old building owned by
Commonwealth Edison, The new station is sleek and
modem, with the latest in electrical equipment. All
of the new CTA substations are designed with economy
a priority. They need no personnel except for a
maintenance check once a week.
At the substations, 12,000 volts of AC current from
the electric company are channeled into two giant
transformers which reduce the voltage to 600. The
transformers are in an open-air courtyard. Since
they get very hot, they must be chemically cooled in
the summertime. The cooling system is included in
the transformer itself.
Once the voltage is reduced, the current must be
converted from AC type to DC type. This work is done
by machines in the main room of the substation called
rectifiers. This conversion is done because the third
rail only accepts DC type electricity, (cont., page 2)
The sleek lines of the new Kolmar substation are a great improvement
over those of the old building that It replaces.
The switch-gear box provides control of the substation by the Control
Center in the Merchandise Mart.
Enm^Siuiiiz&i
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
APRIL, 1980
Left: The Ridgeland substation has the same
sleek lines as Kolmar.
Below: Project manager Alfred Menanteaux
points out spare auxiliary rectifier.
Middle: Grounding cables and reactors are
located in the basement of the substation.
Bottom: Transformers in their outdoor court
yard are shielded from public access by brick
walls.
(CTA photos by Bert Cadney)
In the case of a power failure, Commonwealth
Edison has provided an emergency power supply that
switches into service automatically and lasts vintil the
normal power supply is restored.
With all of this power going in and out of the sta-
tion, Kolmar has plenty of circuit breakers and trips
to prevent overheating of the cables. Even the circuit
breakers have circuit breakers — called reactors. The
reactors are located in the basement of the substa-
tion. Loud crashing sounds heard periodically are the
restilt of the reactors absorbing gear switches that
would be too much for the more delicate circuit
breakers to handle.
Also in the basement is the grounding system for
the transformers. All of the cables carrying the
12,000 volts of power to the substation are encased
in concrete for safety purposes and in compliance
with the electrical codco
The delicacy and precision of the equipment in the
Kolmar substation requires clean, pure air„ To ac-
complish this, large air filters have been installed.
The filters attract and capture dust and dirt particles
in the substation.
Every switch at the substation is remotely moni-
tored and controlled from the Control Center down-
town in the Merchandise Mart. For example, emer-
gencies or irregularities on the tracks requiring iso-
lated power shut-offs are handled through the sub-
station by the power supervisor at the Control Center.
No one has to run to the substation to pull switches or
push buttons.
Preparations for landscaping on the outside of the
Kolmar substation have begun. Trees, grass, and
shrubs will soon be growing upon land that was a
garbage dump not too long ago.
Kolmar and the other five substations, Des Plaines,
Douglas, Kedzie, Ridgeland, and 54th avenue were all
designed by CTA's Electrical Engineering Depart-
ment under the direction of Manager George Millonas.
Engineers James Stewart, Joseph Siegal, and Mike
Kelly were involved in the design. Alfred Menanteaux
was the project manager.
Construction on all of the stations was performed
by the Maron Construction Company. Funds for the
multi-million dollar project were provided by local,
state, and federal governments.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Busy volunteer squeezes in job
Article by Michael Anderson. Photo by Carmen Reporto. Reprinted
with permission from The Chicago Sun-Times, March 10, 1980.
James Thomas finds just enough time to squeeze in
a job among his volvmteer activities.
He is coordinator for the Chicago Hearing Society's
weekly recreational club for deaf teen-agers. He is a
"big brother" to a deaf youth
and sees him several times a
month. As a Juvenile Court
volimteer, he works with first-
time offenders who have been
placed on probation. And
Thomas sits on the advisory
board of the Roseland Mental
Health Center.
Yes, he really does work
full-time. Thomas is in his 14th year with the CTA as
a rapid-transit motorman. He said his unusual work
schedule allows him time for his assorted public
service.
"My day with the CTA ends at 1:30 p.m.," Thomas
said. "I have the rest of the day to myselfc"
Thomas is one of 11 imsimg heroes chosen for the
Sun-Times Thomas Jefferson Awards for community
service from among hundreds of "good people" whose
names were submitted by the public.
The 36-year-old Thomas said his active life as a
volunteer grew out of an experience with his own
children, now ages 11 and 5.
He said that while working in one of his children's
cooperative nurseiy school, he took special interest
in a child who appeared withdrawn and imable to so-
cialize with the other children. The school's psychol-
ogist noted Thomas's instinctive skill. "She said I
had good gut reactions," he said.
Thomas then took courses at Kennedy-King College
in child development. He studied sign language at the
Hearing Society. And a volimteer was bom,
"I was just trying tobroaden my own perspectives,"
Thomas said. "If a parent had an exceptional child
and wanted help, I wanted to be able to help them."
His imique combination of concern and skills with
sign language enabled Thomas to become the city's
first volunteer with the Hearing Society when it began
its Big Brother/Big Sister program four years ago.
The skill has been of service on the job, too.
Thomas has been called to interpret conductors' an-
noxmcements for the benefit of deaf passengers.
Into an already busy life, Thomas plans to inject
new areas of volimteerism. He wants to serve the
elderly or the blind.
Thomas and the 10 other award winners will be
honored by the Sun- Times at a limcheon March 21 with
a bronze medallion bearing the Great Seal of the United
States. And he and the others will be considered for
one of five $1,000 national Jefferson Awards to be pre-
sented in Washington, D.C., in July by the American
Institute of Public Service.
Volunteer James Thomas, 36, uses sign language to talk to Eric Henton,
a student at the Loop YMCA.
Tuition aid plan
increased and simplified
The CTA's tuition aid plan for
reimbursing employes for their
college studies has been increased
and simplified.
"The reimbursement limit has
been increased from $500 to
$750 per school year (August 1
through July 31)," said Norine
Stratton, training coordinator in
the Training/Development pro-
grams section of the Human
Resources Department.
"The percentages of reimburse-
ment have been simplified," Ms.
Stratton said. "Under the new
simpUfied program, the CTA will
reimburse employes 100 per cent
for tuition for job related courses,
75 per cent for courses leading
to a bachelor's, an associate's, or master's degree in fields
related to work at the CTA, and 50 per cent for courses that
are CTA career related."
To be reimbursed, the employe must submit evidence
of earning a "C" grade or better, or satisfactory completion,
along with a tuition receipt, to Training/Development pro-
grams. Room 752. Merchandise Mart.
For more information, contact Ms. Stratton on extension
1283 in the Mart.
APRIL, 1980
Million Mile Club
One million miles is a long way
to drive without a Chargeable or
preventable accident. Operating a
bus in chaotic city traffic makes
the accomplishment even more
difficult.
However, 155 CTA bus opera-
tors accomplished this feat, and
11 of them have driven two mil-
lion miles! All 155 have been ad-
mitted to the National Safety Cottn-
cil's Million Mile Club.
Each operator received a per-
sonalized plaque commemorating
his accomplishment and a Million
Mile Club membership card. The
awards were given during cere-
monies held at eveiy garage. The
presentations were made by
Thomas Boyle, manager, Safety.
While it would be impossible
for a driver to actually drive one
million miles, a special formula
has been designed for the CTA.
Twenty-flve thousand working
hours, or 12 regular working
years, without a chargeable or
preventable accident, qualifies an
operator for membership.
The million mile membership
awards are now an annual event,
which should be good news for the
many operators only a few years
or months away from this tre-
mendous milestone.
The following is a list of CTA's
million mile drivers. (Two mil-
lion mile drivers are listed in
bold type.)
North Avenue garage (left to right): Curtis Jackson, Aioize W. Szymell, Anthony F. French,
Earlie L. Bryant, Francis Farrelly, Charles Treanor, George Thurman, Eugene R. Church, John
Herron, Anthony Kemp, Henry Smith, Louis E. Ford, Herbert W. Peterson, Adolphus Walker,
Alvin Kiszka, Bert V, Hukill, Theautry Snyder, Charles C. Hicks, Carl Waggoner, and Harry
Lindberg. Not shown: Paul Z. Fox, Michael F. McCarthy, Fred A. Methiesen, Hartwell C.
Onstott, and Robert Shea.
52nd Street garage (left to right): Leo Porter, Walter
Falls, Jr., James Batups, Lloyd Ferdinand, Theodore
Love, Jr., and Samuel E. Willianis.
Archer garage (left to right): Joseph Gorecki, John Grubusic, John
Hoyne, Walter Gibson, Willie Goldsby, Austion Woolfolk, and Roland
Fortier. Not shown: Raymond Burkhardt, James Degnan, John Fietko,
George Hamper, Jack Martin, John Noga, Denis O'Donoghue, Mickey
Reeder, Roy Rodgers, Richard Rossborough, James Short, Charles
Smith, Joseph Smok, and George Wallace.
69th Street garage (left to right): Edward J. Young, Laurance
Weathersby, William Wittstock, William A. Walter, John Singleton, and
Theodore I. Raymond, Jr. Not shown: Arthur E. Brown, Dennis W.
Coleman, Jr., Leonard Dake, George R. Ferguson, Roy F. Horning,
Joseph Kovatz, William A. Lawson, Wendell Slay, Jr., Hansel Smith,
and Earl P. Tinsey.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
North Park garage (left to right): Walter Ostrowski,
John Eiselt, Joseph Kmiec, and Walter Jentsch. Not
shown: Patrick Brown, Magnus Edgar, James Hall, II,
and Robert Johnson.
Lawndale garage (left to right): Raymond Fay, Edwin Celovsky, Robert demons, Harvey
Bey, James Fitchpatrick, James Bell, Robert Fenrick, Tomie Phillips, Willie Jackson, Willie
Webb, Roger Thompson, Walter Jones, Jonas Barnett, and Charles Lindsay.
Forest Glen garage (left to right): Joseph T. Mollo, Mitchell J. Szalwa, Alex S. Plodzin,
Thaddeus J. Zdeb, Henry F. Wisinski, Richard A. Wilson, John Tertz, Jr., Steve G. Gorski,
Howard R. Wilson, Teddy S. Pyzyna, Robert W. Adams, and Alvin E. Polowczyk. Not shown:
Arnold W. Campbell, Anthony M. DeMayo,Ted J. Galus, Clifford R. Last, Burgess F. Peterson,
and Adam Wolowiec.
Limits garage (left to right): Carl N. Lewis, Walter
Lemons, Jr., eleven Wardlow, and Richard Burrell.
Not shown: George J. Gart and John W. Miller.
77th Street garage (kneeling, left to right): Simmons S. Gibson,
Randolph E. Stewart, Wellington Henderson, and Daniel W. Montrel.
(Standing, left to right): Randolph Lewis, James Blaa (manager. Trans-
portation), James H. Stewart, Henry Martin (holding CTA Public
Safety Award presented earlier), Willie B. Robinson, Frank Riley, Jr.,
William N. Riley, and McClinton Porter, superintendent, 77th. Not
shown: Robert E. Bean, Walter Campbell, Burnell Dixon, William E.
Echols, Arthur S. Green, Wilburn L. Hester, Thomas Jackson, John
R. Jefferson, James Johnson, Luther B. Lee, Eleson E. Murphy, Percy
L. Riddick, Charles Rule, Jr., Benjamin Smith, William L. Walker, Jr.,
and Richard N.Walston.
Beverly garage (left to right): James Baker, Don Buck (manager. Safety,
RTA), Herbert Cobb, John W. Pendelton, Jewel Roberson, Lonnis
Rupert, Floyd Grajek, David Semmes, James Blaa (manager. Trans-
portation), and Earl Williams. Not shown: Harold Abrams, William
A. Burbatt, Booker T. Henry, Ernest Hunter, Edward Kisman, William
O'Brien, James Sankey, and Herbert Williams.
APRIL, 1980
Jean Cage (Limits garage) impres-
sed Alice Rybarczyk, of Ham-
mond, Indiana, who recently had
"the pleasurable experience of
riding with her on a #157 Street-
erville bus. In over 30 years of
using various commuting services,
I have never seen the equal of
this driver, whose skillful and
careful driving is complemented
by extreme courtesy, concern for
the safety and comfort of her
passengers, and considerate an-
nouncements of oncoming stops.
I, for one, find such service rare
in public service these days, and
feel it should be called to your
attention."
Rochell Benton Jr. (69th Street
garage) was appreciated by Helen
Kucera, of South Campbell Ave-
nue, for his consideration while
driving a #49 Western bus.
'This driver is a gentleman - one
who is solicitous of his passengers
- one who obviously cares. He is
friendly, cheerful, and - since I
am fortunate to catch his bus late
in the evening - a welcome sight.
He has the courtesy - when he
notices the eastbound Burlington
train at 18th and Western un-
loading passengers - to wait a few
seconds to permit us to catch his
bus. I have been particularly
grateful of this. This man is an
asset to the CTA."
commendation corner
VICTOR COLON (North Park garage) was the
driver of a #49 Western bus ridden by K, Begovich,
of Bloomington. "There was an elderly lady trying to
board at Chicago avenue. She couldn't get up the steps,
so this driver got up and helped her. The lady was
very thankful. When some high school students tried
to tear up a seat, the driver told them to sit correct-
ly or get off, and all complied^ I can say he really
deserves his pay because he takes pride in his job,
and that's the kind of people there are too few of in
this worlds"
####
HERMAN LLOYD (52nd Street garage) is consid-
ered "a delight to ride with" by Rosiland Baldwin, of
Jeffery boulevard, who was a passenger on his #6
Jeffery Express bus. "He was extremely pleasant and
courteous. He called stops and said, 'Watch your
step' and 'Have a pleasant evening.' This driver was
not only pleasant but a very good driver as well. On
one occasion some young people were playing their
radio. He was even courteous to them when he re-
quested that they 'please' turn off the radio and con-
cluded with a 'Thank you.' "
####
WILFRED DUPREE (North Park garage) was
praised by Marian Martin, of North Lake Shore drive,
who was a rider on his #151 Sheridan bus from Ad-
dison to Adams and State streetSo "I sat on the seat
right behind him. It is a most difficult line. Many
visitors to Chicago use it, etc. He received many
questions, and went out of his way to patiently answer
all of them efficiently and courteously. In my opinion
he was outstanding. I would like to see more drivers
as thoughtful and helpful as he is."
CLAUDETTE PANFIL (North Park garage) was
commended by Linda Coody, of North Troy street, who
was a rider on her #11 Lincoln bus. "I have ridden
with this driver for over six months. She is always
courteous and has a cheerful 'Hello!' She also calls
out all the stops and pulls up to the curb. Today she
helped an elderly lady off tiie bus. The woman was
upset that she was putting the driver out, but the driver
reassured her and was so nice. I know what she did
was common courtesy, but it is so refreshing to see
a smile nowadays."
####
TRAVIS DKON (77th Street garage) drew the at-
tention of Henrietta Seals, of South Carpenter street,
for the way he operated an early morning #24 Went-
worth bus. "This driver is courteous, he has a
friendly 'Good morning,' he tries his best, weather
permitting, to curb his bus, and he tries to be on time
and get his riders to work on timco It is refreshing to
ride his bus. I think this driver should be commend-
ed. He is a good representative for CTA."
####
ODELL GRANGER (Forest Glen garage) was given
credit for the way he drove his #80 Irving Park bus by
David Bohn, of Elaine place. "The driver was cheer-
ful and helpful to his passei^ers when faced with
slick roads and snarled traffic. The bus was very
crowded, the windows were steamed, and it was dif-
ficult to see the streets out the side windows, but this
driver loudly called out the stops so the passengers
would know when to get off. He also told them to
watch their step when getting off and wished those de-
parting to have a nice day, which indeed brightened
the day."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Jesse Owens,
champion of champions
This was a man— Jesse Owens, Ameri-
can. A bright symbol of hope in a pre-war
world shortly before the lights went out all
over Europe when the Nazis invaded Poland
in 1939.
Bom James Cleveland Owens (a teacher
tagged him permanently with the Jesse be-
cause of a misunderstanding involving his
initials of J.C.), the accomplishments of
Jesse Owens are without parallel in Olym-
pic history.
Berlin, 193 6, and Jesse Owens can never
be forgotten and the achievements of Owens
remain as vividly alive today as they were
44 years ago in the 1936 Olympiad.
Approximately one year earlier on May
25, 1935, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, the
slender bolt of lightning clad in the scarlet
and gray of Ohio State University, burst
onto the scene with what was probably the
greatest individual performance in the his-
tory of all sports.
Yet Jesse Owens was a modest, un-
assuming man whose philosophy of life was
to help others along the way. And help
others he did. During his entire lifetime.
He also fought and conquered obstacles
that do not exist for the rich sports heroes
of today and overcame those barriers with
the same intestinal fortitude that carried
him to amazing triumphs in Ann Arbor and
Berlin in 1935 and 1936.
This writer was covering sports in
Grand Rapids when word flashed over the
Associated Press wires that an Ohio State
sophomore named Owens had shattered
three world records and tied another in the
Big Ten track and field meet at Ann Arbor
hosted by the University of Michigan. It
all happened in less than one hour, but its
impact was d3Tiamite in the world of
athletic competition.
byW.B.Wolfan
Coaches Charles Hoyt of Michigan and
Larry Snyder of Ohio State expressed ab-
solute amazement at the performance of
the sophomore from Cleveland that after-
noon.
First Owens flew to victory in the 100-
yard dash in 9.4 seconds, tying the world
record. Bi the running broad jump, he
leaped 26 feet, 8 and one quaiier inches,
another world record.
Then in the 220-yard dash on a straight-
away course, Owens flashed home in 20,3
seconds, breaking the old world record by
three-tenths of a second.
Wrapping up his sensational day, Owens
scampered over the 220-yard low hurdles
in 22.6 seconds, another world record, over
the straightaway course (this event is no
longer contested). His time in the hurdles
was two-fifths of a second faster than the
previous record.
All tliose Big Ten records still stand.
This was the preview of what the world
would see in Berlin the following year as
stunned Nazi leaders and 125,000 spectators
looked on in the huge Olympic Stadium.
Jesse Owens captured three individual
events— the 100-meter dash in 10.2 seconds,
breaking both the Olympic and world rec-
ord, but it was disallowed because of a
wind behind his back; the 200 meters in
20.7 seconds, a world record around a
turn; then broad jumping over 26 feet for
the first time in Olympic history — another
record — and was the lead-off runner for
America's winning 400-meter relay team,
which also set a new Olympic and world
record.
Jesse Owens took home four gold medals
that day from Berlin and that performance
livesonasif it had happened only yesterday.
For a great part of his life, Owens
called Chicago homco In 1972, he moved
to Arizona to build a successful public
relations business.
He had done almost everything in the
way of jobs— from serving as a road rep-
resentative of the Harlem Globetrotters to
employment as a radio disc jockey and
promoting Black baseball.
Ernie Banks, the man they call Mr. Cub,
and himself a product of the Black baseball
leagues, recalls his long-standing friend-
ship with Owens :
"Jesse was a true friend, a great per-
son. I knew him for a long time and I am
proud to have been a lifelong friend of a
man I consider to be the greatest athlete I
have ever known."
A fitting tribute indeed from Ernie
Banks, recently enshrined at Cooperstown
as one of the greatest shortstops in the
history of major league baseball.
In Columbus, Ohio, Governor James
Rhodes praised Owens as "the greatest
sports figure of our time." It was from a
Cleveland high school that Owens went to
Ohio State.
The Olympic mile runner from Kansas,
Glenn Cunningham, was a teammate of
Owens on the 1936 U.S. Olympic team.
Cunningham's words of tribute to Owens
are particularly significant. He said:
"Jesse always tried to help others. He
was a down-to-earth person, genuine in
every way."
And to those of us who have had the
privilege of knowir^ Jesse Owens and all
the things he stood for, there is a imani-
mous consensus that he was a champion of
champions in every sense of the word, not
only in track and field but in the game of
life as well.
He was a man.
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating employes re-
ceiving commendations recently were:
Mohammed Ajami, Manuel Alvarez, and
Willie Arrington, all of North Park; Ed-
ward Anderson, Howard/Kimball; John An-
derson, West Section; and Josephine An-
derson, North Section.
John Banks Jr., North Avenue; Guido
Barrera, North Park; Sadie Brooks, Ar-
cher; and Robbie Brown, Limits.
John Cameron, Ashland Terminal; Ray
Clark, Lawndale; and Marcellus Cortez,
District D.
George Davenport, 77th Street; Arthur
DeLuna and Jose Diaz Jr., both of North
Avenue; and Wilfred Dupree, North Park.
Helen Edwards, North Section.
James Fitzgerald, Limits; and Salvador
Flores and Pauline Fry, both of North
Avenue.
Luis Garcia and Wallacene Good, both
of Forest Glen; James Gardner, North
Park; Johney Glnes Jr. and Jerry Green,
both of North Avenue; and George Gray and
Terrence Griffin, both of Archer.
John Harris, Lawndale; Chester Har-
ris, Walter Harris, and Carolyn Hawthorn,
all of North Park; and Michael Holtzclaw,
77th Street.
Carolyn Ivory, North Park.
Davis Jackson and Mary Jerry, both of
Limits; Willie James, North Park; and
Billie Jones, 77th Street.
Edward Kaminski, Archer.
William Lemke, Forest Glen.
Michael Maddox, Limits; Marvin Mar-
shall, Forest Park; Adolph Marth, Edgar
MoUinedo, and Leonard Morris, all of
North Park; Alfredo Mascorro, Carol
Miles, and Lura Mlnter, all of North Ave-
nue; Paul Michaels, Archer; Earl Miles,
Lawndale; and Howard Monroe, Beverly.
Kevin O' Flaherty, Forest Park.
France sea Pancewiecz, North Section;
and Charles Peterson, 77th Street.
William Ramos, Alice Richman, and
Curtis Rogers, all of North Park; Willie
Rochelle, 69th Street; and John Ross, 77th
Street.
Diego Santos-Rios, North Avenue; My-
lon Simpson, 69th Street; Tuesday Simpson
and Comelio Soto, both of Limits; Peter
Smith, 77th Street; Willie Smith and Mitch-
ell Szalwa, both of Forest Glen; James
Starkman, North Park; and Nathaniel Ste-
vens Jr., 52nd Street.
Eugene Taylor, Forest Park; and Wil-
bur Theise, Robert Thomas, and Donald
Trenda, all of North Park.
Efrain Villarreal, Howard/Kimball; and
Frank Viola, North Park.
Willie Walker, Archer; eleven Wardlow,
Darold Wardlow, and Leon White, all of
Limits; and William Wittstock, 69th Street.
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest Glen;
Charles Yoimg, Forest Park; and Preston
Young Jr., 69th Street.
Denice Zillender, 69th Street.
APRIL, 1980
Matthew Coyle
Frank Venezia
George Haenisch
Terrence McGuigan
Walter Thomas
promotions
Four major reassignments have been
made in Vehicle Maintenance. Matthew
Coyle, former supervisor. Rail Vehicle
Shops, has been appointed superintendent.
Rail Vehicle Terminals. Coyle, a 30-year
CTA veteran, began his career in Mainte-
nance as a car cleaner and repairer. He
was selected terminal instructor in 1964
and assistant foreman, Congress, in 1966.
In 1969 he became terminal foreman, Dan
Ryan, and, in 1975, imit supervisor.
Terminals. Coyle and his wife, Mary
Elizabeth, have t\vo sons and a daughter,
and live in the Clearing neighborhood on
the Southwest Side.
George Haenisch, supervisor. Bus Shops,
since 1977, has been named superintendent.
Rail Vehicle Shops. After starting with
CTA as a graduate trainee in 1970, Hae-
nisch was chosen technical services en-
gineer in 1972 and Methods/Standards
technician the following year. In 1974 he
was promoted to superintendent. Methods/
Standards. Haenisch and his wife, Arline,
make their home in Elmhurst with their
daughter and son.
Terrence McGuigan, Maintenance Sys-
tems coordinator for the past two years,
has become superintendent. Bus Garages.
McGuigan started with CTA as a bus clean-
er at Limits in 1962. A year later he was
chosen bus repairer, and. In 1967, garage
instructor. In 1969 he served as p.m. fore-
man at 52nd Street and at North Park be-
fore being named assistant foreman at 69th
Street the following year. He was selected
unit supervisor. Bus Garages, in 1975, and
unit supervisor. Vehicle Maintenance Shops,
in 1977. McGuigan, his wife, Karen, and
their daughter live in the Edison Park
neighborhood on the Northwest Side.
Frank Venezia, who worked two sum-
mers as an engineer trainee before joining
CTA permanently as a student engineer in
1967, has been appointed superintendent.
Bus Shops. He was selected development
engineer in 1968 and technical services
engineer in 1970 before becoming equip-
ment engineer in 1971, He had been su-
perintendent. Vehicle and Industrial De-
sign, since 1974. Venezia and his wife.
Mary, are the parents of twin sons and a
daughter, and make their home in Downers
Grove.
Walter Thomas has been appointed
director of Schedules, Operations Plan-
ning. Thomas, currently the second most
senior CTA employe, became a traffic
checker with the Chicago Surface Lines in
1935. In 1951 he was named assistant to
the superintendent. Schedules, and. In 1958,
statistical analyst. He was selected
schedule maker in 1963 and assistant su-
perintendent. Schedule Making, in 1972,
before being chosen superintendent. Sched-
ules Preparation in 1974. Thomas and his
wife, Freda, have a son and a daughter and
live in Libertyville.
Norman Oswald, supervisor. Schedule
Processing, since 1976, has been named
superintendent. Schedules Preparation.
Oswald started with CTA as a graduate
trainee in 1962 and became statistical as-
sistant. Schedules, four years later. Be-
ginning in 1970 he served for two years as
a traffic analyst. Research and Planning,
before returning to Schedules as a schedule
maker. Oswald and his wife, Kathleen, live
in Addison with a son and two daughters.
David Martin, superintendent. Rail
South, since 1978, has been appointed area
superintendent. Near North, Transporta-
tion. Martin started with CTA as an extra
guard in 1960, became a motorman the
following year, and was named traffic su-
pervisor and instructor in 1969. He was
selected line supervisor in 1971, relief
station superintendent in 1973, and as-
sistant superintendent two years later.
Martin, his wife, Evelyn, and their two
sons live in the Brainerd neighborhood on
the South Side.
Ardis Morris is the new superintendent,
95tli Street. He joined CTA as an extra
guard in 1952, becoming a motorman the
next year. He was chosen yard foreman in
1959 and traffic supervisor in 1968, before
being named an instructor the following
year. He was promoted to assistant sta-
tion superintendent. Forest Park, in 1974,
and was reassigned to Ashland in 1978.
Morris and his wife, Eugenia, make their
home in Avalon Park, on the South Side,
with their son Phillip, a part-time ticket
agent. South Section, and a daughter.
Sylvia. Another son, Ardis m, is a clerk.
South Section, and his wife, Betty, is an
agent instructor.
Michael Lacriola, the new superintend-
ent at Limits, joined the Surface Lines in
1947 as a streetcar conductor at Noble„
He became a traffic supervisor in 1967,
and an instructor in 1971. Lacriola was
promoted to assistant superintendent,
Kedzie, in 1974, and was reassigned to
North Avenue three years later. He and
his wife, Jean, live in the Jefferson Park
area on the Northwest Side with their
daughter, Doreen, a typist in the Public
Affairs Department.
Victor Johnson, former supervisor.
Data Processing and Inventory Operations,
is now superintendent. Data Processing/
Office Administration, Materials Manage-
ment. Johnson joined CTA as a file clerk.
Job Classification, in 1962. Two years
later he was named accoimting records
clerk, and, in 1966, programmer. Stores.
He became a systems analyst in 1971, and
unit supervisor. Stores, in 1975. Johnson
and his wife, Shirley, make their home in
Mundelein with two sons and a daughter.
Other changes in Materials Management
include the promotion of Edward Deles,
former instructor, to imit supervisor.
Records & Training, and the addition of
responsibilities for James Diasio as unit
supervisor. Computer Systems & Pro-
cedures,
In other job reassignments, Patricia
Mansker, former utility clerk, Law/Claims,
has been selected confidential office as-
sistant. Labor Relations. Tessa Gaines,
former assignment agent. Transportation,
has been appointed management/profes-
sional intern in the same department. Don-
na Pasquesi, former balance clerk, Finan-
cial Services, has been named systems
analyst, Datacenter.
In Transportation, Isaac Mathews, for-
mer switchman. West Section, has been
chosen yard foreman in the same location.
Four former bus drivers now serving as
traffic checkers. Operations Planning,
include: Artlmr Joe, 69th Street; John
Theus Jr., 77th Street; Jerald Denham and
Paul Daniels, Archer.
Selected bus and truck mechanics. South
Shops, from within Velilcle Maintenance
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
i. ^
David Martin
Normal Oswald
Ardis Morris
Victor Johnson
Michael Lacriola
are: Levell Stewart, former bus and truck
mechanic helper at the same location;
Thomas Borsellino, former bus repairer,
Archer; George Hollendoner Sr., former
tire repairer. Archer; and William Jacob,
former bus repairer, 77th Street.
Also at South Shops, Edward Pruitt has
moved from traveling material handler to
bus and truck mechanic helper, William
Sears has been promoted from bus handler
to shop inspector, and William Jennings,
former driver, 77th Street, has become
shop tractor operator. Elsewhere in
Vehicle Maintenance, former bus repairer
Dwayne Bose has been chosen car repairer.
Various.
In Plant Maintenance, David Wilson has
been reassigned from communication tech-
nician to testing engineer, while Robert
Boness has moved from laborer to building
inspector. In new positions as escalator
servicemen. Training Program, are Ken-
neth Bohn, former electrical worker, Sko-
Ide Shop, and Andre Bukowski, former car
repairer, Harlem.
Also in Plant Maintenance, Sidney Ed-
wards, former service truck chauffeur,
Transportation-Utility, has become iron-
worker helper; Junious Elder, former
South Section conductor, has been selected
boiler maintenance man; and Alton Flowers,
former driver, 77th Street, has been chosen
"B" helper.
Martha Brister, former ticket agent.
West Section, is now clerk/dispatcher.
Plant Maintenance. Donald Thicklin, for-
mer piincipal mail clerk. Management
Services, has been reassigned money
handler. Treasury. Simmons Gibson, for-
mer driver, 77th Street, is now special
mail delivery clerk. Management Services.
Lita Causey, former production record
clerk. Vehicle Maintenance- Production/
Supply Control, has been named road clerk.
Transportation- Utility.
TABEC instructor training graduates
Nine trainees have successfully com-
pleted the 40 hour TABEC Instructor
Training Program. They will soon be pre-
senting new maintenance programs to
garage and terminal personnel. This is
the first Instructor Training course to be
opened to all CTA employes.
The new graduates are: Richard Ca-
cini, station clerk; Michael Dain, bus re-
pairer; James Fiedler, car repairer;
Willie Fountain, bus repairer; Eddie Gil-
lis, switchman; Murray Johnson, car re-
pairer; Eddie Richards, stock clerk; Jack
Thompson, bus operator, and Timothy
Wester, car repairer.
Smiling faces at the TABEC graduation are: (Back row) Charles Town-
send, training specialist; Gillis; Stu Maginnis, director. Support Services;
Wester; Fiedler; Cacini; Richard Traversa, training coordinator; Thompson
and George Greco, training specialist. (Front row) Dain; Johnson;
Richards and Gordon Maly, TABEC unit supervisor.
APRIL, 1980
safety awards
The Maintenance Department's quarterly safety
award in Vehicle Maintenance competition is called
ZAP, for Zero Accident Program, and never before
have so many maintenance employes taken the theme
so literally as during the fourth quarter of 1979. At
four rail terminal shops and one garage there were
zero accidents reported during the entire quarter — a
record for first-place ties.
Winners among rail shops were Harlem, 54th Ave-
nue, Howard/Linden, and 61st/Racine. The accident-
free garage was 52nd Street. North Park also won a
ZAP award for having the lowest accident frequency
rate among garages in terms of the number of man-
hours worked. Second place awards were won by
Beverly garage and 98th Street shop.
Surrounding Unit Overhaul supervisor Richard Lorimer (holding plaque)
at Skokie Shop are gift certificate winners (left to right): Muzio Ficarella,
Gary Wilson, Lorimer, Ranchod Patel, Norman Chylinski, and Paul Pryor,
Jr., all electrical workers; Donald Ruroede, shopman; and Anello
Digianfilippo, final assembler.
Assistant foreman Johnnie Henderson shows ZAP award won by Howard
The night crew at 52nd Street was recognized for its role in winning ZAP shop crew at ceremony attended by Robert Flowers, area superintendent,
award held by Frank Brown, relief foreman (kneeling, left). At far right Rail Vehicle Maintenance (right of Henderson) and Larry Monaghan,
is Wes Morris, unit supervisor. Garages. supervisor. Rail Vehicle Terminals, South (right of Flowers).
Members of the day crew at 52nd Street gathered to celebrate their ZAP award with the person in
charge of keeping the buses running - - Burnett Henderson, garage superintendent (in tie next to bus).
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Another ZAP victory was celebrated
at 54th Avenue shop, where foreman
John Molloy (holding award) and his
crew were congratulated by Robert
Flowers, area superintendent. Rail
Vehicle Maintenance (in dark suit).
Spread out alongside a "Big Bend" bus, North Park maintenance people O'Connor, foreman, holds In front of Bill Scott, unit supervisor. Garages
show their pleasure over winning the ZAP safety award, which Phil (with tie).
Above: A few moments of relaxation and reflec-
tion are enjoyed by members of the Unit Rebuild
crew who won the quarterly safety award in com-
petition with other units at South Shops.
Left, above: Foreman Sheldon Rita displays
ZAP award won by Harlem shop for the fourth
quarter of 1979 in front of the group that made
it possible.
Left: Foreman Leon Fields (left, holding award)
takes part in award ceremonies at 61st Street shop
with a group that includes Matt Coyle, super-
intendent. Rail Vehicle Terminals (left of Fields),
and Henry Dickerson, unit supervisor (left of
Coyle). Behind Fields is Stu Maginnis, director.
Support Services, Maintenance.
APRIL, 1980
Retirements
Russell Gunderson
Russell Gunderson, chief clerk at Forest Glen
garage since 1974, retired April 1 after more than 44
years with CTA and the Chicago Surface Lines,
Kedzie, Lincoln, Division, and Devon, as well as Lawn-
dale, Limits, and North Avenue were among the sta-
tions he served as clerk longer than any current CTA
employe,
Gunderson joined the Surface Lines in 1935 after
attending Central "Y" and Northwestern University,
where he received a bachelor of science degree.
"When I started, we were working seven days a week,
10 hours a day. We made $125 a month, but in those
days you were glad just to have a job," he said,
"Fvebeen busy all my life, so I'm sure I'll be doing
something," Gunderson said about his future plans at
his retirement party March 31 at Forest Glen, He ex-
pects to do some wo]± around his home in Norwood
Park, on the Northwest Side, and at hiswife's family's
home in Grayslake, where he keeps a boat. Later on,
there will be some traveling, and in the meantime, the
Shrine Arab Patrol Marching Unit vrtll keep him in step.
Gunderson and his wife, Orrel, have two sons.
Randy and Bruce, and a granddaughter. Holly,
Right: In a more formal setting at the Mart, Russell Gunderson holds
the retirement packet he received from Harry Reddrick Jr. (right),
director, Personnel, Transportation, while Alex Johnson (left), area
superintendent. Central, and Joseph Vodvarka, superintendent. Ad-
ministration, offer their best wishes.
Top: Corned beef sandwiches, pickles, and a cake with his ever-present
cigar baked in were shared at Russell Gunderson's retirement party by
(left to right): Sam Girard, the new chief clerk at Forest Glen;
Gunderson; and clerks Bernard Mazalewski and Larry Miller.
Jacob Sumner
Jacob "Jake" Sumner, schedule
maker, Schedules department,
ended his 43-year career in public
transit on March 31 at a retire-
ment party in his honor,
Sumner beganhis career in 1937
as a mail clerk with the Chicago
Surface Lines, a predecessor com-
pany to the CTA.
He was feted by about 50 friends
and co-workers at a luncheon in
the M&M Club in the Merchandise
Mart.
Taking part in the program were
Harold Geissenheimer, General
Operations Manager, Harry
Hirsch, manager. Operations
Planning, and Walter Thomas,
director, Schedules department,
Sumner's friends and co-
workers presented him with a
fishing rod and reel as a farewell
gift. He plans to continue residing
in Westchester and do some
traveling.
Right: Jacob "Jake" Sumner (right) accepts
retirement wallet from Walter Thomas,
director. Schedules Department. Sumner
ended a 43-year career in public transit
as a schedule maker. He was honored at a
retirement party in the M&M Club.
Below: Jacob Sumner (center) is flanked
on the left by his son, Steven and Steven's
wife, Barbara, and Mrs. Jan Sumner. On
the right of Sumner are his sons Brian
and Donald.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Retirements
Joseph Karel
Nearly 60 persons helped
Joseph Karel celebrate his re-
tirement after 37 years with the
CTA and the Chicago Surface
Lines, a predecessor company to
the CTA. Karel was a statistician
in the Schedules section. .
The informal party was held
February 29 in the Schedules sec-
tion of the Operations Planning
department. Friends of Karel
gave him a "green" gift of money
for use in his greenhouse opera-
tions.
Walter Thomas, director.
Schedules, presented Karel with a
retirement wallet.
Karel began his transit career
as a traffic checker with the CSL
in 1942. He was promoted to
traffic clerk in 1945, schedules
clerk in 1950, and statistician in
1972.
Karel and his wife, Alice, have
three children. They live in West-
mont where Karel is in the com-
mercial greenhouse business.
Joseph Karel (right) is congratulated on his retirement by Walter Thomas, director. Schedules
section. Operations Planning department. Karel ended a 37-year transit career with the CTA
and the Chicago Surface Lines.
James Madden
James Madden, personnel in-
vestigator, Security department,
celebrated his retirement after 11
years with the CTA at a party in
his honor February 29 in the Se-
curity department's headquarters.
Fifty-five persons attended the
informal affair where Raleigh
Mathis, manager. Security, pre-
sented Madden with a retirement
wallet.
Friends of Madden presented
him with a $100 U.S. Savings Bond
as a farewell gift.
Madden' s wife, Joyce, attended
the party. Madden said he plans
to stay in Chicago for awhile be-
fore doing some traveling. The
Maddens live in the Woodlawn
community.
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James Madden (2nd from right) accepts retirement wallet from Raleigh Mathis, manager. Security,
at retirement party honoring Madden. At left is Thomas Biebel, superintendent. Investigations
Inspection; at right is Earl McGhee, area superintendent. Security Department.
APRIL, 1980
13
Retirements
Eileen Neurauter
Mrs. Eileen (Big Murph) Neurauter,
customer service representative in the
Public Affairs department, retired April 1
ending her 36-year career in public transit.
'Tm going out in style, honey," Murph
shouted over the din of the 250 persons at-
tending the open house held in her honor on
March 19 in the Public Affairs depart-
ment's conference room.
George Krambles, executive director,
representing Murph's many friends, pre-
sented the towering "Culture Bus Queen"
with a cash gift. Muiph also received a
toy Koala bear with a baby Koala bear cub
on its back ("I've always had a fondness
for toy bears," Murph confessed) and a
brick from Englewood High school, Murph's
alma mater.
Murph began her public transit career
in 1943 as a ticket agent with the Chicago
Rapid Transit company. A year later she
became an Accounting department clerk, a
job she held until 1969 when she became a
customer service representative.
We don't know what Eileen (Murph) Neurauter (center) said, but it really brought a hearty laugh
from Executive Director George Krambles (left), and Chairman Eugene M. Barnes at her retirement
party, March 19.
Murph, whose late husband, Rudy Neu-
rauter, was a CTA bus driver, lives in
Harwood Heights.
"Don't expect to find meat home, honey.
I've put on my traveling shoes and I'll be
on the move," Murph annoimced.
George B. Siler
Friends and co-workers attended a retirement "open house"
for Dr. George B. Siler, director. Medical depaitoient, on April
1 in the Placement department. Dr. Siler retired after being with
the CTA for eight years.
He and his wife, Lois, plan to share their time between their
home in Homewood and their vacation home in central Wisconsin.
SUer and his wife have four daughters. Two are Beloit (Wis.)
college students; the other two live in the northwest suburbs.
He joined the CTA after serving 21 years as plant physician
at the Standard Oil company refinery in Whiting, Ind,
SUer is a 1944 graduate of the Northwestern University
medical school.
Top: On hand to share in the festivities and wish Dr. George Siler a
happy retirement were, left to right: Mike Stroden, Eriinda Lapid, R.N.,
Dr. Siler and his wife, Lois, Brenda Alston, Kay Smith, Michele Hawkins,
Beverly Jackson and Earl Boyd.
Bottom: Executive Director George Krambles presents Dr. Siler with
his retirement portfolio.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
JOINING THE ranks of the retired on April 1
were the two employes pictured below who had
more than 40 years of service each with CTA
and its predecessor companies.
. GUNDERSON
44 Years
JOHN CHOLLY, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 8-11-47
DENNIS DRISIANE, Stock Clerk I,
West Shops, Emp. 5-5-47
BASIL DUKE, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 3-6-67
PAUL FIDANZE, Supervisor,
Security, Emp. 12-30-42
RUSSELL GUNDERSON, Chief Clerk,
Forest Glen, Emp. 7-10-35
GEORGE KRAMBLES, Executive Director,
Executive, Emp. 2-3-37
JOSEPH LUSCALZO, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 10-21-42
SAMXTEL MILLER, Manager,
Financial Services, Emp. 11-18-74
JOSEPH MOLLO, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 1-11-43
EILEEN J. NEURAUTER, Cust. Serv. Rep.,
Public Affairs, Emp. 10-12-43
JOHN NEWMAN, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 5-28-46
GEORGE SILER, Medical Director,
Medical, Emp. 11-22-71
EDWARD STEFFAN, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 12-6-45
JACOB SUMNER, Schedule Maker,
Schedules, Emp. 6-15-37
WILLIAM TIMMERMAN, Line Helper,
West Shops, Emp. 10-10-45
JOHN ULANSKE, Lineman,
West Shops, Emp. 4-3-47
JOSEPH VASA, Mobile Bus Repairman,
77th Street, Emp. 3-21-49
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
MICHAEL JULA, Bus Repairer,
77th Street, Emp. 9-11-46
GASPARE STABILE, Trackman,
West Shops, Emp. 7-3-68
PIETRO ACCETTURA, 79, Engineering,
Emp. 5-12-43, Died 2-7-80
BENJAMIN AMSTERDAM, 87, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-20-13, Died 2-7-80
JOHN ANDERSON, 88, Devon,
Emp. 12-30-19, Died 2-27-80
JOHN BERCK, 83, West Section,
Emp. 12-2-20, Died 2-25-80
NORA BROWN, 72, North Section,
Emp. 10-17-53, Died 2-4-80
GEORGE BURNS, 78, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-3-45, Died 2-3-80
HENRY CARTER, 63, 61st Street,
Emp. 11-7-53, Died 2-22-80
SAMUEL CASELMAN, 66, Campaign Area,
Emp. 10-8-45, Died 1-26-80
RAYMOND DAVIDSON, 65, South Shops,
Emp. 4-28-42, Died 2-15-80
EDWARD DEVTNE, 73, Purchasing,
Emp. 6-5-20, Died 2-14-80
FRANK DISCH, 68, Public Affairs,
Emp. 4-3-36, Died 2-26-80
PAUL DRAFZ, 87, Electrical,
Emp. 4-12-09, Died 2-26-80
ALBERT EVERS, 69, Forest Glen,
Emp. 8-14-41, Died 2-13-80
PRYDE FIELDS, 71, South Section,
Emp. 3-13-47, Died 2-17-80
EDWARD FISCHER, 77, North Avenue,
Emp. 10-1-28, Died 2-14-80
CARL FROOM, 86, Limits,
Emp. 4-23-29, Died 2-19-80
ROBERT HACKBARTH, 63, South Shops,
Emp. 9-21-36, Died 2-4-80
RICHARD HALLIGAN, 72, North Park,
Emp. 4-22-29, Died 2-15-80
NEMESIO HERNANDEZ, 39, North Ave.,
Emp. 9-21-72, Died 3-20-80
BARTOLOMEO MIRABELLA, 77, 69th St.,
Emp. 9-3-42, Died 2-27-80
JOHN MORLEY, 87, South Section,
Emp. 5-16-17, Died 2-26-80
FRANK MUCYNSKI, 80, Archer,
Emp. 1-9-29, Died 2-5-80
NICHOLAS MUENCHEN, 79, North Park,
Emp. 5-21-26, Died 2-5-80
JOSEPH MURPHY, 74, North Park,
Emp. 12-7-28, Died 2-26-80
CORNELIUS O'CONNOR, 65, Kedzie,
Emp. 2-16-43, Died 2-25-80
HERMAN OLSON, 76, West Section,
Emp. 2-6-43, Died 2-23-80
JESSE PEAK, 47, Maintenance,
Emp. 11-26-73, Died 3-23-80
LEO PORTER, 58, 52nd Street,
Emp. 3-19-53, Died 3-7-80
JOHN REGAN, 92, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-2-11, Died 2-27-80
FLOYD SCHRIEBER, 68, South Section,
Emp. 8-6-66, Died 2-25-80
WILLIAM SUSKE, 81, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-17-27, Died 2-3-80
OLLIE THOMAS, Sr., 60, West Shops,
Emp. 10-24-72, Died 2-8-80
PHILLIP WINNICK, 66, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 10-27-48, Died 2-11-80
Service
anniversaries
in April
35 years
F. W. Koziol, North Park
30 years
D. M. Allen, 69th Street
M. Cumberlander, Utility
M. J. Fabian, SI<ol<ie Shop
C. J. Frassico, Forest Glen
P. J.O'Sullivan, District D
M. Porter, 77th Street
A. Sonju, Forest Glen
T. M. Szewc, Electrical
R. E.Williams, Electrical
25 years
J. C. Johnson, Instruction
H. S. Malczewski, North Avenue
H. A. Piercy, North Park
E. Williams, Beverly
J. W. Woodson, Instruction
While vacationing recently at a friend's home in
Sun City, Arizona, Russ Warnstedt (left). Sug-
gestion Plan (75), discovered that an old friend
and former CTA employe now retired, George
Benshish, Internal Auditing (75), lived only
three blocks away. George and Russ had a
grand old time reminiscing about the "good old
days." George said he had been visited by two
other CTA retirees -John Gritis, Duplicating
(78), and Garr Francis, Photographic (73).
George says he would enjoy hearing from all
his CTA friends.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Number 4
Volume 33
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department: Bill Baxa, Acting Manager; Staff, Mel
Alexander, Christine Borcic, Kathy Byrne, Jack
Sowchin, Jeff Stern. Produced by the Adminis-
trative Services Unit under the direction of Charles
T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NBNS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
APRIL, 1980
15
WANTED
for the June issue of TRANSIT NEWS:
Pictures of high school or college students
graduating in 1980 who are sons or
daughters of CTA employees.
All pictures must be taken by a profes-
sional photographer and MUST be wallet
size. On the back of the picture, please
provide the student's full name and school
as well as the employee's name and work
location. Pictures will be returned.
Please submit pictures to: CTA TRANSIT
NEWS, Merchandise Mart, Room 742,
Chicago, I L 60654.
Deadline for Pictures - May 16, 1980
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO, 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1r3lO HINMAN AVENUE
EVAIISTON, IL 60201
TN
TRANSPOT^TATION imm
Building a
playground
under the 'L
There's a lot of concrete at the Cabrini-Green
housing project on the near north side. There are
also a lot of children who need more than concrete
and asphalt to play vipon. Living in this highly popu-
lated area, many of the children think of trees and
grass as things that only grow on television.
Yet, tucked tmdemeath the 'L' tracks between
Evergreen and Goethe is the beginning of a little
oasis of green that some children are developing for
themselves.
The CTA is playing a role in this project by leasing
the property underneath the right-of-way to the
children, ages 4 to 14, A "yard and garden" permit
has been issued, so now the area that the children
have worked so hard to develop will legally be theirs
for the duration of the lease.
This area, when completed, will be a picnic ground
and play area adjacent to a tennis court that the
children have already built.
These youngsters are all members of the Cabrini-
Green Community Sandlot Tennis Club. The club
spent much of last summer and fall cleaning out the
trash from imdemeath the 'L' structure. They re-
moved old tree stumps, branches, garbage; raked and
planted grass seeds. In all, over 60 tons of trash was
removed from the block long area.
The children have already painted the fence adja-
cent to their new picnic area. The club's president.
Captain Joseph Owen, in whose name the property will
be leased, says the children are eagerly awaiting
warm weather so that they can install picnic tables,
touch up their pauit job, and cut the grass.
(continued on page 2)
Top: As a Ravenswood train passes overhead, some children paint,
others play tennis on a court they built last year.
Middle: These two little girls seem to be enjoying their work.
Bottom: Spring Clean Up? Actually, this is just a touch-up. The
children cleared away 60 tons of rubbish last Autumn.
^ J, ii^^iTicTiw^rj;^
W I ^^1 FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
\^ liWl MAY, 1980
Above: Captain Owen and Merrltt Kotin, director, Keal
Estate, discuss underthe-'L'-improvements.
Right: Just before they got to work, Captain Owen and
members of the Cabrini-Green Community Sandlot Tennis
Club posed for a picture.
This community improvement project began in 1973
when Captain Owen's newsboy expressed an interest
in tennis, but had nowhere to play. Owen, a Director-
Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service and a re-
tired Army Lt. Colonel, not only gave lessons to the
newsboy and his friends, but taught them how to build
tennis courts from donated concrete and sando
Children gathered around Owen and his little
helpers, more out of curiosity than any interest in
tennis, but soon they joined the project and the club
was bom. Today, many large corporations, more
affluent tennis clubs, and individuals donate cash,
paint, and tennis supplies.
Owen's tennis technique concentrates on learning
to control the spin of the ball, and he designed tiny
rackets for the smaller children. Rackets are given
to all club members^
"Dues" for membership are "cleaning up; painting
up; fixing up; and passing five spin-the-ball tests."
While the club's main purpose is to provide good,
clean, constructive fim, it also keeps the children
occupied and out of trouble, while instilling a sense
of pride and accomplishment. Some of the youngsters
involved have gone on to college, often joining tennis
teams there.
The Cabrini group hopes to expand their imder the
' L' improvement this summer. The cliildren are
willing to put in the effort to bviild another play area.
In fact, they almost seem to enjoy building the sites
more than playing on them !
Owen received the Chicago Sun-Times Thomas
Jefferson Award this year, and the Robert F. Kennedy
Ripple of Hope award in 1978 for his tennis program.
He has also organized tennis, art, and music festivals
in all of the Cabrini area schools. Often in his imi-
form (Public Health Service Officers wear Navyimi-
forms), more than one child has confused him with the
captain of the Love Boat.
Middle: With one big reach, youngster puts the finishing touch on his
paint job.
Bottom: Youngsters brighten the 'L' structure with a fresh coat of
green paint.
The success of the program is attributed to the
fact that the children do everything themselves, and
regard the results as their own property. Since the
first year of the club, there has been very little
vandalism.
This summer, as the Ravenswood train nunbles
overhead, the yoimgsters of the Cabrini-Green public
housing property will have a tiny piece of the country
to picnic and play upon, just a little green space that
tiny children have worked hard to build for themselves.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Ms. Joby H. Berman was appointed
manager of the External Affairs Division
of the CTA, effective May 1, by Eugene M.
Barnes, CTA chairman. Ms. Berman for-
merly was the director of the Division of
Public Transportation of the Illinois De-
partment of Transportation.
The new Division of External Affairs is
being created to focus on the consumer
perspective and highlight the CTA's con-
cerns for its users. An aggressive mar-
keting program will be established to
match consumer needs with transit ser-
vices.
"The mission of the External Affairs
Division is to ensure that consumer needs
and interests are adequately addressed and
acted upon," said Barnes. "One of my
goals since coming to the CTA as chair-
man has been to be more responsive to the
needs and suggestions of our riders.
"We are placing strong emphasis on
consumer affairs and elevating its activities
to the department level. Ms. Berman, the
division manager, will report directly to
me," added Barnes.
"Ms. Berman brings to the CTA ex-
pertise in the public transit field. We are
happy that she is joining the CTA team,"
said Barnes.
As part of the organization of the Ex-
ternal Affairs Division, William Baxa was
named manager of the Public Affairs De-
partment.
Under the External Affairs Division are
three departments — Consumer Affairs,
Public Affairs, and Marketing.
Consumer Affairs
A new department has been established
dealing with community and customer re-
lations. This department will promote CTA
In the neighborhoods and with special user
markets by creating advocacy roles with
neighborhood organizations, students, sen-
ior citizens, and the handicapped. Activi-
ties will include the expansion of the sales
Ms. Joby H. Berman
appointed manager of
External Affairs Division
Bill Baxa named
manager of Public Affairs
Joby H. Berman
of special fare passes and other consumer
revenue promotions and broaden and im-
prove transit information to the riding
public.
Public Affairs
This department will coordinate media
relations with the press, radio and tele-
vision on all matters dealing with the CTA.
There will be a publications section to
oversee the monthly employe newspaper,
maps, and otlier special interest informa-
tion.
Marketing
A new department has been created
which will be responsible for market re-
search, service development, advertising,
and promotion. This department has yet
to be developed.
Ms. Berman comes to the CTA after
having been associated with the Illinois
Department of Transportation as director
of the Division of Public Transportation
for seven years.
In that capacity, she was responsible
for planning, developing, coordinating, and
implementing all of the state's transit
programs.
Major accomplishments included in-
volvement in the creation of the Regional
Transportation Authority, obtaining operat-
ing subsidies for all Illinois transit car-
riers, and she was a member of the nego-
tiating team that settled the five-year dis-
pute regarding the Chicago Crosstown Ex-
pressway.
From 1965 to 1971, Ms. Berman was a
city planner with the Chicago Committee
for Economic and Cultural Development.
In that capacity, she developed and managed
the first federally-funded public transpor-
tation demonstration project in Chicago
which was the CTA's O'Hare Express bus
service between the Jefferson Park rapid
transit terminal and the airport.
William Baxa
Ms. Berman has a degree in sociology
from the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor, and also has studied at Stanford
University, and Carnegie- Mellon Univer-
sity.
Ms. Berman holds memberships in the
American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials, Transportation
Research Board, American Public Transit
Association, American Society of Planning
Officials, and Who's Who in Govemmento
Ms. Berman, 41, is married and the
mother of three children.
William Baxa, who has been in the de-
partment for 22 years, started as a news-
writer and has held various positions
throughout his career. He was assistant
director. Public Information; director.
Public Information; director. Special
Projects, and most recently was acting
manager, Public Affairs.
Baxa, 53 , was graduated from St. Mary' s
College, Winona, Minnesota, and has studied
at Loyola and Northwestern Universities.
He is married and the father of five
children.
MAY, 1980
David Hardin honored by Chicago Police
Conductor David Hardin (West
Section) received tlie Citizen's Award
of the Chicago Pohce Department in
ceremonies held in pohce headquarters
April 16.
Hardin was cited for his part in
the capture and subsequent arrest on
January 7 of a purse snatcher. The
susfiect has a long record of of-
fenses, the police said.
Deputy Supt. Ira Harris, Bureau
of Community Services, made the
presentation in the crime laboratory
auditorium, 1121 S. State st.
The award was for Hardin's swift
response to the call for help from
the victim who chased the purse
snatcher from Hardin's westbound train
stopped at the Kedzie station on the
Lake street elevated route.
"It happened so fast, I didn't realize
the danger." Hardin said. "I heard
this woman's call for help and saw her
chasing a man from the train as he held
a woman's purse.
'I ran after the tleeing man, spun
him around, and pushed him against
the side of the train. The woman was
saying that the man had stolen her
purse.
■'Then I realized I didn't know
what I was going to do with him,
after I had him."
Just then Lawrence Butler, an
off-duty policeman, stepped up,
showed his badge to Hardin and took
custody of the suspect.
Hardin summoned additional police
Conductor David Hardin (from left). Police Deputy Supt. Ira Harris, and Policeman Lawrence
Butler at Chicago Police Department awards ceremony. Hardin and Butler received citations
from Harris for their part in capturing purse snatcher.
help from liis motorman's train phone.
Minutes later the train was on its way.
"This young man put his Ufe and
safety on the line in tliis effort,"
Harris told the audience at the
ceremony. "He voluntarily came to
the aid of a citizen needing help."
The citation states.
"This award is an expression of
appreciation for the assistance given
the Chicago Police Department in
apprehending criminals.
"This act is gratefully acknowledged
on behalf of the Chicago Police De-
partment and citizens of greater
Cliicago."
The citation is signed by Richard
J. Brzeczek. police superintendent.
Muraski, Venticinque named outstanding apprentices
Two CTA shop employes attending Washbume Trade
School of the Chicago Board of Education have received
Outstanding Apprentice Awards for 1980.
They are Martin Muraski, 20, sheet metal worker in
South Shops, and Martin Venticinque, 28, machinist in
Skokie Shop.
Both men received gold wrist watches and certificates of
achievement citing them for high grades and craftsmanship,
workmanship, safety, and human relations.
They were among 37 Washbume students honored at the
12th Annual Award Dinner sponsored by the Building
Trades Council, Buildmg Construction Employers' Associ-
ation, and the Chicago Board of Education.
The awards dinner was held April 1 1 in the Conrad
Hilton hotel.
Ralph D. Cusick, Washburne's director, said the awards
were for the students' abilities to recognize the aesthetic
value of quality work, their ability to do quality work with
skill and precision, their knowledge of safety and practices
of safe work habits, and their abihty to work well for and
with others.
Martin Muraski (right) receives congratulations in South Shops from
Frank Hecht (left) sheet metal shop union steward (now deceased),
and Ray Klaub, sheet metal foreman. Muraski holds plaque made for
him by his sheet metal shop teacher, Fred Schumacher.
Martin Venticinque (right) receives congratulations from Robert
Flowers, area superintendent, rail vehilcle maintenance, who heads
Skokie Shop.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
promotions
Mary Boski
Mary BosM, superintendent in
the Office of the Executive Direc-
tor since 1977, has been appointed
director, Forms/Records Manage-
ment, Management Services.
Boski joined CTA as a typist in
the Insurance Department in 1950.
She moved to the office of the As-
sistant Secretary in 1952 and be-
came administrative clerk. In-
spections and Security two years
later, serving as stenographer to
John E. Blare, executive assistant
to the General Manager. In 1964
Boski was assigned as adminis-
trative clerk to George Krambles
while he was Skokle Swift project
manager, moving to Research &
Planning in 1966. In 1972 she was
chosen secretarial assistant.
Operations, and, in 1975, executive
secretary /supervisor. General
Operations.
In other job reassignments,
Karen Domino, former unit su-
pervisor, Central Assignment,
has been selected assistant super-
intendent. Agents. Walter Alex-
ander, former station clerk, 69th
Street, and Joseph Grady, former
driver. Forest Glen, are now
management/professional interns.
Bus Service. Joseph Fucarino,
former carpenter. Plant Mainte-
nance, has been chosen unit su-
pervisor, Buildings & Grounds, in
the same section.
Gail Halleran, former steno-
grapher, Claims/Real Estate/
Sales, has been selected confi-
dential office assistant. Law.
Michael McGovem, former transit
professional trainee. Human
Resources -Training/Development
Programs, has been named system
safety monitor/inspector. Safety,
and, in Materials Management-
Procurement, Ilias Khan has
moved from buyer to procurement
engineero
In Transportation-West Section,
Charles White has been promoted
from conductor to yard foreman.
New in Transportation- Utility as
service truck chauffeurs are for-
mer bus drivers David Harris
(Lawndale) and Eddie Harris
(Beverly).
Former bus repairers now
serving as relief foremen. Vehicle
Maintenance-North Avenue, in-
clude James Williams (69th
Street), Daniel Ahem (Forest
Glen), and Bruce Norgard (North
Avenue). William Wilson, former
bus repairer. Campaign, is now
relief foreman, 69th Street, while
James Thompson, another former
bus repairer from the same lo-
cation, has been selected sub-
station attendant. Plant Mainte-
nance.
In Operations Planning, James
Teriy has moved from traffic
checker to traffic clerk. Marsha
Gochenour, former utility clerk.
Insurance & Pensions, has been
chosen statistical typist. Manage-
ment Services, and. In Materials
Management-Procurement, Cath-
erine Brady has been reassigned
from reception clerk to utility
clerk.
Left: Miss Tina Poulos, daughter of Motor-
man Antonio Poulos, Jefferson Park, and his
wife, Coula, was awarded a Bachelor of Arts
degree in communications design at University
of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus, on March 1 5.
Right: Congratulations to Operator William
Thompson, Archer, who has been named to
the National Dean's List while working
toward an associate's degree in Liberal Arts
at Richard J. Daley College. In 1978, Thomp-
son earned an associate's degree in Trans-
portation from Daley College.
MAY, 1980
Efrain Villareal (North section)
received praise from Esparanza
De Lara of Northwest Highway,
who rode on his Ravenswood
train. "I climbed aboard the "L"
in a very bad mood because I
was late for work. As I sat on
the seat, sleepy and tired, I heard
a dear, crisp, delightful voice
over the intercom saying the
stops; and every third stop he
would say 'Have a nice day'.
The smiles I saw around me were
enough to put my bad mood out
the window and wear a smile
myself, all due to one man's
effort!"
Ellis May (Archer garage) won
the heartfelt appreciation of the
family of Nathaniel Winters of
Keeler avenue for his quick
action when Mr. Winters became
ill on his Archer bus. "Our
father suddenly became III and
passed out near Western avenue.
The prompt action of the driver
in summoning the paramedics
resulted in his being released
from the hospital five hours
later. We are indeed grateful
for the happy ending."
commendation corner
HERMAN LLOYD (52nd Street garage) impressed
Edgar Prasse of Chicago, a rider on the #5 Jeffeiy
bus. "From the time people get on the bus to liie time
they get off, he is a model of complete courtesy. He
is patient with people fumbling for money as they get
cm, and reminds them to watch their step on alighting
from the bus. He not only calls all the streets but the
downtown hotels and theaters as well. This happens
in a clear and distinct voice, and driver #4668 is an
example of the CTA at its best. His effectiveness is
exceeded only by his courteous manner. My day al-
ways brightens when I catch him as my driver."
####
CONRAD WEIL (Forest Glen garage) was praised
by Helen Pasier of West Leland for his operation of
the #91 Austin bus. "Driver #3959 always has a big
smile and kind words for everyone, young or old. He
is jolly and everyone on the bus just loves this man. I
ride the bus with several others every morning, and he
makes the day for all of us. I could go on and on
about this terrific man, who should be nominated for
driver of the year ! "
####
ELLIE ELAM (69th Street garage) was called a
"remarkably exceptional operator" by Jon Osborne, a
passenger on her #55 Garfield bus. "She went out of
her way to be courteous to everyone who boarded the
bus, greeting people as they boarded the bus. When
one passenger refused to pay, the driver was stubborn,
but courteous, and the passenger eventually deposited
his fare. It was raining that day, and when we stopped
at a red light at Cottage Grove, a southbound bus be-
gan to pass by. She asked quickly if anyone wanted to
make a connection. Some passengers did, and the
driver signaled the other bus to wait. Several people
made their transfer without having to stand in the
rain. Tve seen courteous and efficient drivers be-
fore, but #7871 was outstanding."
####
CARL AIKENS (Archer garage) received favorable
comments from passenger Allen Eckert for his good
driving on the #15 Canal/Wacker bus. "Driver #4502
is not only constantly considerate of his passengers,
even imder the most trying of circimistaiices, he is
quite an expert driver and more than once it has been
through his efforts alone that accidents have been
avoided — accidents inspired by careless motorists,
particularly taxi drivers. Yet I have never seen him
become incensed or even mildly irritated. When pas-
sengers become surly or belligerent, his comments
are always respectful and courteous. It is a delight
to get off this bus and have his sincere 'Have a good
day' as a warm thought to carry along."
####
CHARLES YOUNG (Forest Park) was commended
by Albert Novak of West Addison, Chicago, who rode
on Yoimg's Jefferson Park train. "He is the first
conductor I have ever heard announcing the next stop
as the train pulled away from a station. He informs
the passengers that they are riding on a "B" train,
tells them what stops they will make and which ones
they will skip. If a passenger needs to transfer, he
or she is well informed ahead of time. It is a pleas-
ure to be a passenger of someone who is truly respect-
ful of his job and responsibilities."
####
WILLIAM JOHNSON (52nd Street garage) received
kind words from Mrs. R. B. Mitchell of East 33rd, a
passenger on his #1 Drexel route. "#6219 is a very
courteous driver. He always drives to the curb when
he picks up or drops off passengers, and advises
everyone to watch their step. He calls all bus numbers
and destinations at transfer points, and announces all
hospitals and other important buildings on the route.
A visitor to the city would never get lost while trav-
eling on this bus. He answers all questions with a
smile, making it a pleasure to travel with him. I hope
there will be more drivers like him."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating em-
ployes receiving commendations
recently were:
Byron Acker and Claudio Al-
varez, both of North Park.
Lerline Ball, 77th Street; Lar-
ry Bergquist and Nikola Blago-
jevic, both of Limits; Albert
Brown, 52nd Street; Everett
Brown, Forest Glen; and Willie
Brown, 69th Street.
Naomi Caldwell, 77th Street;
John Cameron, Ashland; Sergio
Candelaria, Limits; Leroy Carr,
NoiHi Park; and Tyree Cobb Jr.,
Forest Glen.
Samuel Davenport, North Park;
Thomas Dohoney, Forest Glen;
and Eugene Embry, Ashland.
Lynette Flowers and Verla
Friend, both of North Avenue.
Ted Galus and Wallacene Good,
both of Forest Glen; C. Griffin and
James Griffin m, both of 77th
Street; Terrence Griffin, Archer;
and Luis Gualdron, North Park.
Eldred Hall, North Park; and
George Hartwig, Forest Glen.
Henry Jackson, 69th Street;
Boy Jenkins Jr., Lawndale; Jo-
seph Johnson, Beverly; Richard
Jones, 77th Street; and Michael
Jordan, North Park.
James Kearney, North Park.
George Lantz, Forest Glen;
Nathaniel Lee Jr., Ashland; and
Ruben Lopez, North Park.
Kevin Majors and William Man-
deldove, both of Forest Glen; Jes-
se Marshall Jr., North Park; Al-
bert McCormick and Orville Mur-
ray, both of 77th Street; Earl
Miles, Lawndale; and Albert Mor-
rison, North Avenue.
Michael Nicholson, Beverly.
Daniel Olvera, Limits; and
Tommy Owens, North Avenue.
Claudette Panfil, North Park;
Emanuel Paul and Walter Poppe,
both of Forest Glen; Beverly Phil-
lips, 77th Street; Davis Price,
Howard/Kimball; and Bobbie Pru-
itt. South Section.
Lorenzo Ramos Jr. and Mar-
garet Robertson, both of Forest
Glen.
Tuesday Simpson, Limits; and
Eddie Smith, North Avenue o
Romulo Tamondong, North
Park.
Johnny Van and Richard Vaughn,
both of North Park; and Efrain
Villarreal, Howard/Kimball.
eleven Wardlow and Laurence
Whitney, both of Limits; Henderson
Williams and Loyce Wright, both
of Forest Glen; and Phillip Wood,
69th Street.
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest
Glen.
Joseph Zukerman, North Parkg
Wedding
mementos
When Dianne Weier, forms
designer. Forms Control/
Records Management, was a
teenager, her aunt had re-
ceived a unique bridal shower
gift that would be a prized
possession for many years
to come.
The gift was Dianne's
aunt's wedding invitation
which was trimmed in lace,
and decorated with minia-
ture flowers, a bible and
wedding rings, and enclosed
in a wooden picture frame.
Dianne was so thrilled with this that she decided to make
one for a friend who was getting married. This was the
beginning of a life-long, sentiment-filled hobby.
Now, as soon as Dianne receives a wedding invitation, she
begins planning the memento. The picture frame is chosen
according to the decor of the soon-to-be-newlywed's home,
the rings are selected by the silver or gold of the bride's
engagement ring, and the flowers vary according to the
season.
Dianne sews the lace, flowers and rings onto the invitation.
She designed the bible herself out of cardboard and gold ink.
It must be pasted on because it is too thick to be stitched.
The completed product is both beautiful and sentimental.
"Friends who have received them just love them," said
Dianne. "It's often the most personal wedding gift they
receive."
For Dianne, the best part of making the gift is seeing the
reaction of the recipient. Many of her friends at CTA have
received them, and some of them have asked Dianne to make
them for other friends.
Still, the mementos are so personahzed that they remain
very special to anyone lucky enough to receive one. Dianne
has had offers to produce them commercially, but she
refused, .saying that without the personal reaction she just
didn't feel the same amount of satisfaction.
MAY, 1980
QflCAGO TRANSIT AUTHosnY
Minority businesses
show their wares
The CTA participated in the 13th annual Chicago
Business Opportunity Fair at Expocenter/Chicago in
the Apparel Center on April 22nd and 23rd. The pur-
pose of the Fair is to provide opportunities for more
than 300 minority owned businesses to meet with and
explain their products to over 100 major corporations.
At the CTA booth, staff from Materials Manage-
ment and Himian Resources departments met with
representatives of small businesses. After describ-
ing their product or service, the businessmen or
women filled out an "Application for Placement on
Bidders' List" form for Material Management's use.
When bids for particular products are requested, the
firms will be notified. Other CTA staffers visited
sellers' booths for demonstrations of products, and
encouraged the business representatives to talk
shop' with the CTA.
Chairman Eugene Barnes visited the CTA booth
while attending the Fair. "The CTA's participation at
the Fair illustrates our responsibility to commimity
businesses," Barnes commented. "The interaction
and mutual support shown here is vital to the present
and future of both minority business and the CTA."
The Fair provides both minority businesses and
large corporations with lists of buyers and sellers,
including what types of goods and services the cor-
porations are seeking. The CTA was listed as seek-
ing vendors in 25 categories in such diverse fields as
plumbing, catering, and building contractors.
At the CTA booth, CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (center, standing)
discusses the fair with Marjorie Holmes (left) supervisor. Human Rela-
tions, and Mario Ochoa, Minority Business Enterprises Program co-
ordinator, both of the Human Resources department. Buyers Edward
Ahlbrand and Olivia Bradley (seated behind table) interview potential
bidders. (CTA photos by Bert Cadney)
Joe Cannon (left) general manager, and Nelson Carlo, president, of
Abbott Pipe and Supply Company, discuss possible business with
Mario Ochoa.
Sponsors of the Fair were the Chicago Regional
Purchasing Council, the Chicago Economic Develop-
ment Corporation, the Urban League, and the National
Economic Development Association.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Evanston phase 1: replace 17,000 ties
One of the CTA's oldest stretches of "L" tracks —
the 72-year-old Evanston branch between Howard
terminal in Chicago and Linden terminal in Wilmette-
-is being replaced.
The Sj-mile long right-of-way containing nearly
seven miles of tracks and more than 17,000 ties cur-
rently is luidergoing a $6.2 million renewal project
scheduled to be completed in 1982.
Roy Smith, sttperintendent, civil engineering, said
the first phase of theproject is imderway. T.P.I. Con-
struction Services, Inc., of Atlanta, Ga., is now re-
placing 17,000 timber ties from the Chicago avenue
overpass to the North Shore channel bridge in Evanston
at a cost of $1,5 million.
Later this year. Smith said, as T.P.I, completes
its work, the CTA's maintenance department will
renew the Evanston branch's grade crossings at Isa-
bella street in Evanston and Maple avenue in Wilmette.
In 1981, the CTA will replace the old joined rails
with about 33,000 feet of modem continuous welded
rails. This will give passengers a smoother, quieter
ridCo The route's third rails do not need to be re-
placed, Smith said.
In 1982, the CTA will replace the rails, ties, and
ballast on the right-of-way north from the North Shore
channel bridge to the entrance to the Linden terminal
yard.
Funds for the entire project come from federal and
state governments.
(CTA photo by Mike Hoffert)
On April 8, CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (second from left), and
CTA General Operations Manager Harold Geissenheimer (center),
toured the Control Center with visitors from the Urban Mass Trans-
portation Administration. At left is UMTA Administrator Theodore C.
Lutz, holding one of CTA's new radios that are used by rapid transit
train crew members. Second from right is UMTA Regional Director
Theodore G. Weigle Jr., and far right is Regional Chief, Transit Assist-
ance Division, D. J. Mitchell.
Joe Daqullante (left), assistant superintendent. Control Center, answers
questions from Alan Coleman (far right) and George Briggs (second
from right), visitors from the Merseyside Passenger Transport Execu-
tive in Liverpool, England. Also shown during the April 15 tour are
CTA General Operations Manager Harold Geissenheimer, CTA Trans-
portation Manager James Blaa, and bus controller Jack O'Conner.
Coleman and Briggs were studying CTA's computerized Vehicle Maint-
enance System while planning a similar system for use at Merseyside.
MAY, 1980
CTA generates interest at job fairs
Interest in the CTA has never
been higher, and evidence of this
is the overwhelming response to
the CTA' s employment information
booth at two job fairs held at the
Expocenter/ Chicago at the Apparel
Center in April,
More than 800 people expressed
an interest in working for the CTA
at the WVON Radio Job Fair and
the Women's '80 Expo. Applicants
ranged from Tin skilled and un-
employed individuals seeking
entry level positions to engineers,
financial analysts and attorneys.
Marjorie Holmes, supervisor,
Himian Resources, coordinator of
the program, attributed the high
level of interest among the pro-
fessional applicants to "CTA's
reputation as a company with good
security, stability, and benefits
providing equal opportunity.
These qualities attracted a lot of
professionals seeking a better
place to work."
Job-seekers filled out an em-
ployee profile listing their edu-
cational background, previous
work experience and related
skills. College students were
told of the co-operative trainee
and transit professional trainee
programs.
At the WVON Radio Job Fair
Chairman Barnes remarked that,
"By actively showing our interest
and need for qualified, new em-
ployees, the CTA ensures more
public input and broader horizons
for itself, as well as better pub-
lic service,"
Lena Phillips, Larry Murphy,
Rudy Mendez, Holmes and several
volimteers from the Human Re-
sources Department had two very
busy weekends at the fairs, and
during the weeks afterwards.
While the staff was actively seek-
ii^ engineers and financial ana-
lysts, everyone filling out an em-
ployee profile is being considered
for employment, and the staff
must now categorize each profile.
If an applicant is qualified, and
there is an opening available, the
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
profile is forwarded immediately
to placemento If the applicant is
qualified, but there is no opening
available in his or her field right
now, the profile is maintained in
the Human Relations file imtil an
opening comes up. Entry-level
bus and rail applications are sent
to Personnel. Each applicant will
receive a postcard informing him
or her of exactly what is being
done with the employment profile.
Opposite page, top: large crowds fill the
Apparel Center lobby before the WVON
Fair begins.
Left: Lena Phillips (left) and Marjorie
Holmes explain what types of CTA careers
are available to a large group of women.
Right: Holmes and Phillips accept a resume
from a prospective employee.
The great success of CTA's
involvement at these two job fairs
encourages participation in future
events of this type. Plans are now
being made for our participation in
a job fair sponsored by members
of the Hispanic commvinity, mak-
ing the CTA's talent pool even
bigger and better.
Above: Chairman Barnes greets a friend as
his daughter, Eugina, a freshman at Whitney
Young High School, observes the Human
Resources staff: Lena Phillips, Rudy Mendez
and Felipe Gonzalez.
MAY, 1980
With the melting of Chicago's snow at winter's end,
the fishing season starts heating up.
All anglers worth their lines and sinkers have al-
ready hooked their tackle boxes and rods from tinder
the Christmas decorations in attics, garages, or crawl
spaces and are getting ready to go after the really
big ones.
With the soaring gasoline prices these days, many
fishermen who once travelled hundreds of miles to
their favorite fishing spots are counting flieir coins
and thinking twice. Mother Nature and the Chicago
Park District have combined forces to help anglers
save their money and get plenty of fishing, because
all of the Park District's fishing locations can be
reached by CTA.
In addition to largemouth and smallmouth bass,
blueglU, bullheads, trout, perch, and catfish, there's
the fast-growing popularity of salmon fishing in Lake
Michigan. Thanks to the introduction of coho and
Chinook salmon to Lake Michigan a couple of years
ago, Chicago is becoming a "hot spot" for salmon
fishing — once limited to the nation's coastal waters.
These beauties can weigh from 9 up to 20 pounds.
The Chicago Park District has fishing piers along
the lakefront. There are fishing piers at the foot of
Farwell avenue in Loyola Park, at the ends of North
avenue and Montrose avenue in Lincoln Park, the
foot of 31st street in Bumham Park, and at the ends
of 59th and 63rd streets in Jackson Park. Fishing
also is available at park lagoons in Lincoln, Hum-
boldt, Garfield, Columbus, Douglas, Washington,
Jackson, Marquette, Sherman, and McKinley Parks.
For more information, telephone the Chicago Park
District at 294-2200.
In addition to Chicago Park District fishing lo-
cations, the Cook Coxmty Forest Preserve District
has 30 locations open on small lakes, sloughs, ponds,
quarries, lagoons, and the Des Plaines river. For
locations, types of fish available, regulations, and
Fishing pier at end of Montrose avenue in Lincoln parl<.
(Chicago Park District Photo)
directions, telephone the District's headquarters at
261-8400 or 366-9420.
State law requires fishermen between the ages of
15 and 65 to have a valid fishing license. The basic
license, good until March 31, 1981, costs $5.50; those
doing salmon fishing must have a $2.50 stamp affixed
to their license. The licenses and stamps can be
purchased at most sporting goods stores, from city
and village clerks, or the Illinois Department of Con-
sei^fation, Room 100, State of Illinois Building, 160
N. LaSalle street, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays
through Fridays. Persons over 65, disabled, or blind
are not required to have licenses. For information
about fishing licenses, telephone 793-2070.
Tlie Omnibus Society of America chartered a CTA "Big Bend" articu-
lated bus on Sunday, March 23, for a tour of the North and West sides
of Chicago, in celebration of the 10th birthday of Samantha Lynn
Kunz and the approximate first anniversary of articulated bus service
at CTA. Shown in photo, left to right: CTA General Operations
Manager Harold Geissenheimer, Samantha Lynn Kunz, her father,
Richard R. Kunz, who is a founder of the Omnibus Society of America,
and bus operator Delia Lee (52nd Street garage) who is holding a
birthday cake baked in the shape of an articulated bus.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
New home for
historic sculpture
Evanston's 33-year-old transit
historical marker has been brou^t out
from behind the wrought iron fence at
the Davis street "L" station and put
into the limelight — where it belongs.
The four-ton marker highlights the
entrance to the recently completed "L"
station where many passers-by have
paused to read the marker's metal
plaque.
"Here stood from 1886 to 1909 the
Davis street station of the Chicago,
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway com-
pany," the plaque reads in part. "The
right-of-way still owned by its succes-
sor the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul
and Pacific Railroad Company, was
leased by the North Western Elevated
Railroad Company in 1907 and was ele-
vated in 1908." The CTA later bought
the right-of-way.
Concluding the inscription, the
plaque reads. .."This marker was
erected by the railroad company as an
historical record of its contribution to
earlier transportation here.
"Approved 1947 by the Evanston Historical Society."
A spotlight moimted in the ceiling of the new sta-
tion's canopy will flood the marker with light at night.
"Our records show the historical marker, with its
1880s bas relief transit scene, was created by sculp-
tor Boris Gilbertson of Cornucopia, Wis., and paid for
by the railroad," said Mikell Darling, director of the
Evanston Historical Society.
The marker measures about 5 feet high, 5^ feet
wide, and is a foot thick. It stood on 10 square feet of
the embankment about 200 feet north of the station's
entrance. The marker belongs to the historical so-
ciety.
"About 10 years ago the iron fence from North-
western University was moved to the Davis street
station to separate the embankment from the side-
walk," Darling said.
The fence had to be cut open for removal of the
marker and then soldered closed.
Cost for placing the marker in the new station's en-
trance was part of the $324,700 federal grant given
for the modernization project.
The funding came from the UoS,, Department of
Commerce under a program of the Economic Develop-
ment Administration.
The grant had been a joint application by the
City of Evanston, Cook County government, and
the CTA.
The entrance at the recently modernized
Davis street 'L' station features Evan-
ston's 33-year-old historical marker
(shown above) commemorating the sta-
tion's origin as part of the Chicago,
Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway
company. (CTA photos by Bert Cadney)
MA^, 1980
13
General Office 1979-80 basketball champs
The 1979-80 CTA Basketball League
ended its season on Sunday, April 27, with
the General Office Jaguars meeting North
Avenue for the championship at Robichaux
Park Fieldhouse. Approximately 175 fans
turned out to root for their favorite team.
Culminating a very exciting season in
which 17 teams participated, the league
was divided into two divisions, American
and National. A total of 136 games were
played at the Washington Park Fieldhouse.
The General Office team, coached by
Arliss Jones, and the North Avenue team,
coached by Wade Simmons, provided the
fans with an exciting championship game.
The Jaguars were in complete control and
led all the way, beating North Avenue by a
score of 65-54.
Scoring leaders for General Office
were John Harvey with 28 points, and
Reggie Williams with 17. High scorers
for North Avenue were Allen Gordon with
13 and Alan Willis with 11.
In the consolation game, it was nip and
tuck all the way with Forest Glen edging
77th Street, 60-57.
(CTA photos by Julius Brazil)
Reggie Williams, G.O.,
points as Bob Jenkins,
if needed.
mps high for two Bob Jenkins, G.O., makes a clean block on shot
comes in to help by Allen Gordon, N. Ave., as John Harvey, 43,
Reggie Williams, 23, and Michael Reynolds, 33,
await the outcome.
Michael Reynolds, N. Ave., pulls down rebound
despite efforts of John Harvey, 43, as Phillip
Ross, 10, and Julius Nelson, 23, watch the play.
Allen Gordon, N. Ave., pulls down rebound
from the outstretched arms of Phillip Ross,
G.O., as Maurice Baker, 22, and Bob Jenkins, 7,
watch the action.
^ ^
Michael Reynolds, N. Ave., goes high for an easy layup as Allen Gordon, 32, Ron Tuck, 33, and
Reggie Williams, 23, look on.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
77th Street
Operators end
bowling season
With the ending of the 77th
Street Operators Bowling League
for the 1979-80 season, Friday's
Trooible, last year's champs, tri-
umphed again as the winners.
Finishing in second place were
the Close Encounters with the
Clippers and Archer Bandits third
and fourth, respectively.
Jeff Moore, a member of the
winning Friday's Trouble, was
named the most valuable bowler
of the year. He also led the league
with a 188 average.
League president, Booker By-
ers, expressed his thanks to all
the bowlers for an excellent season.
THE CHAMPS: Displaying their first place trophies are, kneeling (left to right): John Weather-
spoon, president and business agent. Local 241 ; Bill Thompson, and Calvin McCants. Standing
(left to right): Jeff Moore; Emery Gipson; J. C. White, and Levi Wardell.
Warren Julian
Ulysess Buck
Left: Elected officers for the 1979-80 season were, kneeling (left to
right): Earl Cooke, treasurer; Luther Lee, sergeant at arms, and Horace
Kemp, vice-president. Standing (left to right): Booker Byers, president,
and Jimmy Beatty, secretary.
Local 241 golf date set
Plans have been completed for the 14th annual
Local 241 golf tournament and banquet at the Cog
Hill Country Club, Lemont, IL., Saturday, July 5.
Tee-off will begin at 1000 hours and end at 1300
hours.
The cost of the tournament this year will be $20
for golf and banquet; $10 for golf or banquet only.
All retired employees who wish to play are welcome.
Contact Charles Hall at 341-1733 for reservations
and tee-off times.
MAY, 1980
15
CTA Retirees
Dinner-dance
The April 28 dinner dance of the CTA
Senior Citizens Retirement Organization
attracted 267 persons and was held in
Niko's restaurant, 7600 S. Harlem av.,
BridgevieWo
Highlighting the group's monthly meet-
ing was the music of Franlde Jay and his
orchestra, who played for their dancing
pleasure following dinner.
Joe Nolan, the organization's general
manager, said that membership is nearing
1,500 retirees from the CTA, West Towns,
and the former E\'anston Bus Company.
Edward Matthias (Forest Glen '66) and his wife, Florence (at left); right, Henry Kalata (Beverly 76)
and his wife, Arlyne, and her father, Al Gendreau (center).
Charles Haynes (69th 75) and his wife
Elizabeth.
Stanford Rogers (69th 77) and his wife, Grace (at left), Mrs. Arthur Porter (center) and Mrs.
Ernest Nelson (77th 78) and his wife, Evelyn. Katherine Ramsey.
Joseph Lacki (Maintenance 76) and his wife, Anthony Vidmont (South Shops 77) and his Joseph Partipilo (Transportation '67) and his
Ann. wife, Helen. wife, Florence.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Robert Stach retires after 40 years service
Robert Stach, assistant to the superin-
tendent of administration, Transportation
department, ended his 40-year career in
public transit April 24 when more than 150
friends and co-workers attended an open
house held in his honor in the Transporta-
tion department's main office in the Mer-
chandise Mart.
Stach started in 1940 as a clerk for the
Chicago Surface Lines, a predecessor
company to the CTAo In 1947 he was as-
signed as a clerk in theCTA's Transporta-
tion department where he coordinated ac-
tivities for garage clerks until his retire-
ment.
Joining Stach at the party was his wife,
Jeanette. Farewell gifts included a port-
able radio and a cash gift.
Stach and his wife have moved to their
new home in New Port Richey, Fla„ They
have two married dau^ters.
Robert Stach (center) receives gifts at an April 24 open house marking the end of his 40-year career
in public transit. Stach is joined by his wife, Jeanette, and Joseph Vodvarka, superintendent of
administration. The open house was held in the Transportation department's iVIerchandise Mart
headquarters.
Joseph Vasa (right) retired
April 1 ending his 33-year
career in public transit. Vasa
was a mobile bus repairer
headquartered at Limits garage.
Pictured with Vasa is his
longtime co-worker Keith
"Butch" Klein.
Library book sale offers bargains
Looking for a bargain ? The Friend s of
the Chicago Public Library and the City of
Chicago have over 200,000 of them in their
Book Sale in the Park on Jimel9, 20 and 21,
Mayor Jane M. Byrne is honorary chairman
of the sale which will be held Thursday
through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00
pjn. under two huge circus tents in Grant
Park at Randolph across from the CPL
Cultural Center. There will be continuous
entertainment, prizes and visits from well-
known authors.
The books are being donated to the sale
from the Library shelves, the public, pri-
vate libraries and major publishers. They
range from current affairs, fiction, juve-
nile, humanities, social sciences, science
and technology and the classics to mys-
teries and love stories. All books are in
good condition and will cost 50f for adult
books, and 25^ for children's books. There
is no admission charge and the sale is open
to the public.
To make these bargains available to the
public, the Library needs more books. If
you have some to donate, take them to the
nearest branch library or the circulation
desks at either the Cultural Center, 78
East Washington, or the Central Library,
at 425 North Michigan. Deliveries can also
be made to the South Shed of Navy Pier,
where the books will be housed before the
sale, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur-
days from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sun-
days from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Book pick-ups can be arranged for 50
or more hardcover books in good condition
by calling 269-2922 or 269-2809.
And, just as importantly, the Library
needs your time and skills to type, answer
phone calls, pass out flyers and posters,
write letters, sort books, set up and sell
books at the sale itself. To volunteer call
269-2922 or 269-2809.
"The fourth Library book sale is ex-
pected to earn $50,000 to $100,000 for
special projects sponsored by the Friends
of the Chicago Public Library," estimated
co-chairman Norma (Mrs. Alan) Harris
and Patty (Mrs. Patrick) Crowley. The last
sale provided $25,000 in seed money to in-
stall the acoustical systems in the Audi-
torium and Preston Bradley Hall of the
CPL Cultural Center.
Bargain hunters should arrive early at
the sale since long lines quickly form.
Parking is available in the Grant Park
undergrovmd garages.
MAY, 1980
17
Retirement, a family celebration
Herman Smith and John Wirtli,
CTA employes for more than 30
years, are more than brothers-in-
law — they're friends.
The men have taken their fam-
ilies on vacations together, cele-
brated holidays together with their
families, regularly play golf to-
gether, and they retired on the
same day — May 1 — but not to-
gether.
Smitli was an engineering as-
sistant in the Engineering Depart-
ment in the Merchandise Mart.
He has completed 33 years of ser-
vice with the CTA. His career
highlights include his work on de-
veloping the CTA's rapid transit
routes in the Dan Ryan, Eisen-
hower, and Kennedy expressways.
Wirth finished 30 years with
the CTA as a carpenter in West
Shops. Some of his finest projects
are radiator covers and book
cases for the office used by CTA
chairmen, book cases for the
Anthon Memorial Library, and
cabinets for bus controllers in the
Control Center.
Ir
Herman Smith (left) and John Wirth anticipating
'We have had a lot of great
times together — away from our
jobs," Smith said. "And we are
going to continue having great
times together," Wirth chimed in.
Both men have three grown
children. Wirth, who is a widow-
a happy retirement. (CTA photo hy Bert Cadiiey)
er, plans to join Smith and his
wife, Elizabeth, on vacation trips,
holiday get-togethers, and family
celebrations.
"We're a close family," Wirth
said, with justification, because
Smith's wife is Wirth' s sister.
Keeping in touch
To the Chicago Transit Authority
Board and Employes:
I want to express to you my deep
gratitude for the good things I've
enjoyed for 20 years, since my retire-
ment.
I have received an escalating monthly
pension, without any interruption. I
am enjoying a "pass" that permits me
to ride comfortably and freely about
Evanston and Chicago.
Your spirit of sharing and the con-
tinuous effort of everyone in all depart-
ments to improve and expand transpor-
tation efficiently and safely to all
people in Chicago and its environs;
that has made this possible, I know.
The CTA Transit News with its excel-
lent pictures, accounts of people in
various departments and their work,
news of cultural events and plans for
the future keep me well posted. The
January-February edition "Battling the
Winter of '79" is an heirloom item.
Wonderful!
Again, a thank you! With my unin-
terrupted interest and good wishes
to you all-
IVlarie Louise Pulliani
Gentlemen:
Paul G. Burandt, 88 years old. He
retired 24 years ago at age 65. He had
44 years and 9 months of service as a
conductor on the streetcars. Thirty-
seven years at Archer Terminal and the
balance at 69th and 77th Street Ter-
minals.
He has lived on the southwest side at
the same address for nearly 80 years.
He has two daughters. Annetta
Rueter and Elda Eichhorn.
He has four grandchildren and eight
great grandchildren.
His wife Anna died 8 years ago.
This picture was taken on Christmas
Day, December 25, 1979, at his grand-
daughter's home in Downers Grove,
Illinois.
He is a member of St. Andrew
Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Synod,
located at 37th and South Honore
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
He enjoys reading the Chicago Transit
News and anxiously waits for the
next issue.
He is thankful to the Good Lord for
all the blessings He has bestowed
on him.
Yours truly,
IVIrs. Elda Eichhorn
Paul G. Burandt
Dear Friend:
I started to work for the B&O Rail-
road in 1915. I got transferred to CTA
about 1920 and worked as a gateman
12 hours a day, seven days a week.
After that I got to be a conductor
until I was 65.
I am going to be 87 August 9. I lost
my wife last July. On July 8th of this
year we would have been married
58 years.
1 enjoyed working for the CTA,
Thank you.
Oscar Prietz
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
i3sr ]vcE]nvnoi^i.A.i^
BRUNO J. BILEK, Carpenter A,
South Shops, Emp. 4-23-47
EDWARD P. BLICHARZ , Supply Control .
Coord., Skokie Shop, Emp. 1-27-55
WILLIAM P. CASEY, Rail Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp, 9-13-65
CHARLES CIESUNSKI, Collector,
Forest Glen, Emp. 5-20-57
JOHN R. CIRILLO, Sheet Metel Worker,
West Shops, Emp. 5-25-45
MARTIN CUNNANE, Conductor,
Ashland, Emp. 8-23-48
VINCENT LOVE LADY, Supervisor,
District A, Emp. 12-1-50
RALPH PELUSO, Chauffeur,
Utility, Emp. 7-23-45
HERMAN E. SMITH, Engr. Asst. IH,
Engineering, Emp. 9-20-46
ROBERT STACK, Clerk V,
Transportation, Emp. 5-10-40
LAWRENCE STROUD, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 8-4-45
JOSEPH STWORA, Bus Repairer, **
Archer, Emp. 10-1-68
JOHN TRUNCALE, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 11-25-57
FRANCIS VAN GEENEN, Chauffeur,
Utility, Empo 4-17-41
ANTHONY VIRGILIO, Car Serviceman,
Kimball Shop, Emp. 2-26-60
JOHN J. WIRTH, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 3-3-50
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
HARRY BORIS, Bus Serviceman,
North Park, Emp. 3-11-63
LEWIS COMBS, Travel Information Cntr.,
Management Services, Emp. 2-3-66
STEPHEN J. CUNNINGHAM, Unit Supvr.,
Maintenance, Emp. 1-1-62
MICHAEL F. HACK, Operator, *
Forest Glen, Emp. 8-5-54
DEWEY HILL, Motorman,
61st Street, Emp. 4-10-52
JOSEPH MOORE, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 9-17-62
PETER NICOPOULOS, Operator, **
Forest Glen, Emp. 3-4-65
* Retired effective 3-1-80
**Retired effective 4-1-80
EDWIN ANDERSON, 71, North Avenue,
Emp. 11-2-33, Died 3-26-80
WILLIAM W. BALL, 85, Way & Struct.,
Emp. 5-5-36, Died 3-14-80
GEORGE BILLINGS, 96, 69th Street,
Emp. 2-5-07, Died 3-14-80
BEN E. BRUHNKE, 68, Archer,
Emp. 10-15-41, Died 2-9-80
MICHAEL BUCARO, 84, Way & Struct.,
Emp. 7-10-36, Died 3-20-80
EDGAR L. CRAIG, 93, West Shops,
Emp. 10-1-19, Died 3-1-80
VERA B. CRIDER, 82, Comptroller,
Emp. 10-1-25, Died 1-21-80
THOMAS J. DANIELS, 66, Beverly,
Emp. 3-4-42, Died 3-2-80
AMANDA DePERE, 80, Lake Street,
Emp. 2-1-43, Died 12-19-79
JOHN GIOVENCO, 90, Track,
Emp. 3-21-20, Died 3-4-80
HARRY HASLAM, 87, West Section,
Emp. 3-13-22, Died 3-27-80
MICHAEL J. HICKEY, 89, District A,
Emp. 8-12-13, Died 3-1-80
VELMA JACKSON, 36, 77th Street,
Emp. 8-1-74, Died 3-31-80
JULIUS JOHNSON, 53, West Section,
Emp. 10-15-53, Died 4-15-80
GEORGE W. KABON, 85, South Section,
Emp. 5-31-23, Died 3-9-80
EDWARD R. KARVANEK, 90, West Sect.,
Emp. 2-13-11, Died 3-29-80
NICHOLAS KRIER, 80, Logan,
Emp. 12-28-18, Died 2-22-80
ANTHONY MAZIARZ, 97, Devon,
Emp. 10-12-29, Died 3-5-80
PATRICK O'SHEA, 68, South Shops,
Emp. 10-24-47, Died 3-10-80
JESSE PEAK, 47, North Park,
Emp. 11-26-73, Died 3-23-80
WILLIAM THOMPSON, 87, Track,
Emp. 9-17-30, Died 3-14-80
WALLACE C. WEBER, 72, 77th Street,
Emp. 2-20-36, Died 3-3-80
Service
anniversaries
in l\/lay
40
years
R. A. Hodgetts
Engineering
30 years
G. M. Andersen, Equipment Design
J. N. Baker, Beverly
L. R. Both, North Park
J. Jackson Jr., Archer
W. J. Kanady, 69th Street
J. J. Labellarte, Despiaines
J. F. Lipka, Methods/Standards
T, McPartlan, Methods/Standards
W. L. Rakauskis, Utility
D. M. Ryan, Maintenance
N. P. Triffon, District B
35 years
D. V. Andriacchi, Archer
F. J. Gibasiewicz, Forest Glen
25 years
R
C. Dillard, Lawndale
W
J. Harris, Beverly
B
T. Henry, Beverly
J.
T. Lazzara, Grant Program
W
Lewis Jr., South Shops
J.
W. Moore, Maintenance
M
Powe, Maintenance
T.
A. Randolph, 52nd Street
R
M. Stuart, 77th Street
S.
R. Tillman, Maintenance
*:CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33
Number 5
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA,
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager. Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager. Transit
News Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Borcjc,
Kathy Byrne, Jack Sowchin, Jeff Stern, Produced
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direction of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others. $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS. Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
MOVING?
Please notify CTA TRANSIT NEWS by entering your new address below;
Badge/Payroll/Pension No.
(Street and Number)
Clip out and mail to: CTA TRANSIT NEWS. P. O. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
MAY, 1980
19
Culture Bus begins 4th season
Warmer temperatures, blossoming flowers, and returning mi-
grant birds remind us it's time for CTA's own harbinger of spring-
-the Culture Bus. The fourth season of Culture Bus operations
will begin May 18 with Sunday and holiday service from the Art
Institute to two dozen other cultural attractions on the South, North,
and West Sides, Scheduled to continue through the 19th of October,
Culture Bus tours include stops at such famous museums as the
Field Museimi of Natural History in Bumham Park.
The largest and most comprehensive display of Colombian gold
artifacts ever seen in the United States is on exhibit at the Field
Museum through July 6. The exhibit, called "Gold of El Dorado:
The Heritage of Colombia," includes more tlian 500 gold objects,
some as much as 1,000 years old, tliat were fashioned by Colombian
Indians.
Most of the objects came from graves that were overlooked by
Spanish Conquistadors and others who looted the Colombian coun-
tryside of much of its gold, beginning in the 16th Century. Colom-
bian gold work is considered among the finest and most technically
advanced in the worlds Indians from the region had mastered al-
most all the techniques known to the modem goldsmith. Most of
the artifacts are from collections of the Museo del Oro in the
Colombian capital, Bogota,
Two of more than 500 golden treasures in the
major exhibit, "Gold of El Dorado: The Heri-
tage of Colombia," on display at the Field
Museum of Natural History through July 6.
Above: Pendant, male figure with headdress.
Cast gold. Height 4-9/16 inches. Museo
del Oro.
Right: Lizard or alligator. Cast tumbaga (an
alloy made from gold and copper). Length
5-3/8 inches. Museo del Oro.
(Photos by Lee Boltin. Courtesy, American
Museum of Natural History.)
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTH. LIBRARY
northvje^Tilhn univeul;ity
1810 hinmam avenue
evaijston, il 60201
TN
FRANSPORTATiON LIBRARY
AUG 4 1980
URTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (right) amnounces new transit
security pilot training program and acl<nowledges the contributions
of Raleigh Mathis (left), CTA manager. Security, and Robert Kren
(center), special assistant to the chairman.
Chairman Barnes announces
transit security pilot training program
Chicago Transit Authority Chairman Eugene
M. Barnes recently announced a new transit secu-
rity pilot training program for rapid transit ticket
agents.
The program, to begin aroimd July 1, is in com-
pliance with a law developed and sponsored by Barnes
in the General Assembly last year. Barnes was chair-
man of a legislative subcommittee on crime on public
transportation.
The bill, signed into law by Governor Thompson
last fall, requires all mass transit employes dealing
with the public to receive anti-crime training for
personal safety. The law also established a State
Review Board to oversee and approve the security
programs.
"With the implementation of this pilot program the
CTA is taking the lead in employe security training,"
said Barnes. "As legislative sponsor of this bill, I
am especially proud to be Chairman of the CTA as we
implement the security training program."
The pilot program will involve about 10 per cent
of the ticket agents. The format includes videotapes
using real ticket agents and police in re-creations of
actual incidents of crime. The program also includes
pass-out materials, trainee discussions and some
security training exercises.
The project was developed by an eight-member
CTA committee. Members of the committee are
Ronald Bartkowicz, first general assistant attorney;
Harold Geissenheimer, manager. Operations; Fred
King, manager. Human Resources; Robert Kren,
special assistant to the chairman and chairman of
the committee; Raleigh Mathis, manager. Security,
and CTA's representative on the State Review Board;
Edward Mitchell, director. Support Services, Trans-
portation; Bill Sholdice, supervisor. Transportation
Training, Training/Development programs, and Leon
Wool, manager. Labor RelationSo
After evaluation of the pilot program by both the
CTA committee and the State Review Board, the
security training program will expand to include the
rest of the ticket agents, as well as bus operators,
conductors, and motormen.
6ta
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
JUNE, 1980
Transit Security System
begins pilot program
A unique transit security system was put into
preliminary operation on May 8th at Police Head-
quarters. The Chicago Transit Security System is an
electronic surveillance network designed to reduce
crime on rapid transit. The pilot program involves
four stations: 35ih Street, 40th and Indiana, 43rd
Street, and 55th Street. All are on the Englewood/
Jackson Park route.
Each station has nine closed-circuit television
cameras, which monitor the platforms, the stairwells,
and the ticket agent booth. These are supplemented
by push button alarms and emergency telephones.
Loudspeakers and microphones will provide on-site
two-way voice contact.
The entire system is centered at a nine screen
control console at the police communications center
at 11th and State. The system monitor will scan each
station for 11 seconds in continual succession. Emer-
gency alarms or calls automatically switch the console
monitors to the origin of the distress call.
"The transit security program is a major step
toward combatting violent crime on the CTA," said
Mayor Jane Mo Byrne. "Our goal is to expand the
pilot program and ensure the safety of every Chlcagoan
who depends on public transportation."
CTA Chairman Eugene Barnes described the new
security system as "..further evidence of CTA's
commitment to passenger safety and security."
Police Superintendent Richard Brzeczek called the
system ".o.the first step in the increased use of tech-
nology necessary for a police department in the 80' s."
He promised the continued investigation and implemen-
tation of technology to stem criminal attack.
The Chicago Department of Public Works guided
development funding of the program. Public Works
Commissioner Jerome Butler praised the cooperative
Inspecting the new CTA Security.Sys-
tem at Police Headquarters were
Mayor Jane M. Byrne, Superintendent
of Police Richard J. Brzeczek (right)
and Assistant Deputy Superintendent
Bill Miller. Miller (center) showed
the Mayor how the new pilot system
will make the CTA safer, by providing
increased security on the 'L' and sub-
way platforms through the use of
TV monitors and emergency phones.
(Photo courtesy of Mayor 's Office j
Pilot stations each equipped with nine
TV cameras , push button alarms, and
emergency telephones
spirit of the program. "The enthusiasm and coopera-
tion of the inter and intragovemmental consultants,
and private sector participants, made this complex
system a reality." Butler added, "It's good news for
all Chlcagoans, especially those who regularly use
public transportation."
The project's total cost is $1.7 million— funded
primarily through an 80 per cent federal grant from
the Urban Mass Transportation Administration. The
Illinois Department of Transportation provided 13
per cent of the cost with matching funds.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Betty Edwards
named director of
Community Relations
Mrs. Betty B. Edwards was appointed Director of
Community Relations for the Chicago Transit Author-
ity, effective June 2, by CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes.
As part of the reorganization of CTA, a new Divi-
sion of External Affairs was created under the man-
agement of Ms. JobyBerman, to encompass Consimier
Affairs, Public Affairs and Marketing.
Barnes noted that his new division was created to
focus on the consumer perspective and highlight the
CTA's concern for its users. "Its mission is to en-
sure that consumer needs and interests are adequately
addressed and acted upon," Barnes said.
"Ctae of my goals since coming to the CTA as
chairman has been to be more responsive to the needs
and suggestions of our riders," Barnes added.
The Community Relations area will be the CTA's
investment in establishing better commimications with
the community. The Community Relations repre-
sentatives will promote the CTA in the neighborhoods
and with special user markets by creating advocacy
roles with neighborhood organizations, students, sen-
ior citizens, and the handicapped.
Mrs. Edwards joined the CTA in June 1974 as a
Community News Representative in the Public Affairs
Department. She brought with her years of experience
and involvement in community activities from the
Chicago Urban League where she had been employed
for eight years as a special events coordinator.
Mrs. Edwards currently represents the CTA on
such boards as the Cosmopolitan Chamber of Com-
merce, the Chicago Urban Affairs Council, the Dun-
bar Vocational High School Advisoiy Council and the
University of Illinois Circle Campus Business Ad-
visory CouncU. She is also a member of the Chicago
Association of Media Women, Inc.
A former hi^ school teacher, Mrs. Edwards at-
tended St. Mary's of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indi-
ana, and Indiana University at Bloomington. She is a
Armando Almazan
appointed director of
l\/ledical Administration
CTA Chairman Eugene Mo Barnes annoimced the
appointment of Armando Almazan to be Director of
Medical Administration.
Almazan, a CTA trial lawyer whose appointment
becomes effective June 2, will head a medical staff
of three physicians, two registered nurses, three
medical technicians, a two-member employe counsel-
ing service staff, and two office staff members.
Almazan, 29, now is a member of the CTA's Law
Department.
"Mr. Almazan was selected as the best qualified
candidate to head the CTA's Medical Department,"
Barnes said.
"We selected him on the basis that the CTA now re-
quires a medical administrator with a legal back-
ground. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement
of Dr. George Siler.
"Mr. Almazan will be able to deal directly with
both the medical and legal aspects of the CTA's
12,500 employes," Barnes said.
Almazan, who is single and lives in Brixton Park,
joined the CTA's Law Department on August 8, 1979.
He earned his law degree from DePaul University in
1976.
From 1976 to 1979, Almazan was a staff attorney
with the Legal Assistance Foimdation's Pilsen neigh-
borhood office, 1661 S. Blue Island ave.
From 1974 to 1976, he worked as a law intern with
the foundation, headquartered at 343 S. Dearborn st.
Almazan was graduated from Harrison High School
in 1969 and attended Loop City College from 1969 to
1971. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology
from the University of Iowa in 1973.
He is a member of the Mexican-American Lawyers
Association, Chicago Bar Association, and the Illinois
State Bar Association.
native of Gary, Lidiana, and has been a resident of the
Chatham area in Chicago for the past 22 years.
JUNE, 1980
At 7:30 a.m., a class full of summer operators is wide awake and ready to learn.
College students train for summer jobs
After studying haixJ all year the average college
student is ready for a relaxing, carefree summer,
full of mom's home cooldng, visits with friends, and
a summer job. Probably the last thing he or she wants
is more hard work, irregular hours, and spending
Saturdays on the job, right?
Wrong. One of the most highly sought after jobs
each summer is that of CTA temporary operator, a
job involving irregular hours, substantial skill, and
sometimes weekend work. This summer is no excep-
tion, and about 800 students will be working as full-
time temporaries by July 1st. These 800 are only a
fraction of the number applying for the job.
While the job is a highly paid summer occupation,
it is also very demanding. According to Roger Tor-
bik, personnel administrator at the Limits Training
Center, most of the students rely upon the job to
finance their education. The program is not limited
to college students; many law and medical students
are paying their tuition by working at CTA each
summer. Some teachers are also hired. This reason
for applying was echoed by many of the students.
In April, applications and eligibility requirements
were sent to 45 schools all over the state. Students
at out of state colleges were sent information if they
requested it. Among the requirements for first- time
temps are two years minimimi driving experience
(automobile); full time college attendance, with at
least two years remaining in the degree program;
willingness to work a variety of days and hours; and
no traffic convictions while under the influence of
drugs or alcohol.
Many of the temporary operators are returning
for their second or third summer. Since they already
have field experience and need much less training,
they are given preference when they apply.
For novice temporaries, a full 15 day training
program begins at 7:30 a.m. with classroom instruc-
tion at the Limits Training Center. The students are
given hats and badge numbers, a brief orientation and
then lectured all day. Subjects this flrst day include
general responsibilities, fare structure, transfers,
courtesy, defensive driving and schedules.
If all of this seems like a lot for the first day, even
more amazing is the fact that they are tested on this
material on the third day of the course.
Instructor William Claiborne used slides and
stories to get the highlights across to his students.
The slides illustrated the different rates of fare,
while the stories gave the students methods of handling
Instructor William Claiborne emphasizes a point as he explains fare
box operation. (CTA photos by Julius Brazil)
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
A young driver checks rear view mirror as line instructor watches
where the bus is going.
commonplace problems such as old looking 11 year
olds. (Solution: Ask the child his year of birth — then
advise him to get a reduced fare riding card so he
won't have any more problems.)
The rookie operators have many questions, mostly
based upon problems they have seen as passengers.
One student asked about riders sneaking through the
back door and refusing to pay at heavy transfer points.
Claiborne explained that after politely asking them to
come forward and pay, the most effective solution was
to say, "This bus doesn't move until everyone pays
their way." The peer pressure of other riders eager
to get home or to work usually sends the troublemakers
to the farebox.
On the second day of training, students get behind
the wheel of a bus for the first time. They learn to
maneuver the bus around a pylon course, practice de-
fensive driving skills, sldd prevention, and generally
get used to the feeling of driving something three
times as large as anything they've ever driven be-
fore. The practice driving session takes place at
either the North Avenue or 77th Street garage.
The third day of instruction involves a test on the
information learned the two previous days. More
Left: Summer operator
Curtis IVIacMullen atten-
tively listens to the early
morning lecture.
Will he or won't he? Summer operators learn how to control skids
at North Avenue Garage.
lectures on defensive driving; use of the fire ex-
tinguisher; route maps; clerical work and a general
review comprise the rest of the day.
On the 4th and 5th days the temporaries are sent
to their home garages. After a brief orientation and
tour, they are set loose on the streets of Chicago.
The bus is not in service, and a line instructor who
is exceptionally qualified in bus operation rides along,
but the experience is both thrilling and a little un-
nerving.
For the next five days the novices get to practice
everything they've learned, both in the classroom and
in the field, imder the very close supervision of a line
instructor. The summe r temporaries drive in-service,
on regular routes from their home garage. After suc-
cessfully completing this task, it's back to the class-
room for discussion of any problems they may have
encountered, a few more lectures, and final exams.
While their exams are being graded, the new opera-
tors go back in service, again with a line instructor.
On the 15th day, if everything has gone well, the stu-
dents line up for uniform and license inspection by
their garage supervisor, take a final quiz, and become
full fledged student temporary bus operators.
Right: Three soon-to-be
operators gather around
the wheel as line instruc-
tor explains operation of
the bus.
JUNE, 1980
Barbara Wilkerson, 77th Street,
impressed Irmgard Speer of King
Drive, a passenger on her 4
Cottage Grove bus. "I am semi-
invalid, and have to take my
time In stepping onto the bus.
The driver was extremely cour-
teous and understanding, which
pleased me. I observed that
every passenger received the same
kind and friendly treatment. It
was pleasant to see the reaction
of the people. As we approached
Harrison street, a station wagon
cut in front of the bus. After
this dangerous automobile driver
cut so close, I thought she would
lose her pleasant attitude, but
she was just as calm and nice as
before. This lady deserves the
greatest compliment, please
convey It to her."
Operator Juan Mercado, North
Park, was commended by Edwin
Alvarez of Chicago for his quick
thinking and bravery. Alvarez
was being assaulted by two men
on a street corner when Mercado's
Kimball-Homan bus approached.
The operator jumped off the bus
and came to the rescue of
Alvarez. The assailants immed-
iately fled, and Alvarez credits
Mercado with perhaps saving
his life.
commendation corner
Lachester Drain, Limits, was praised by Richard
Hochman, a passenger on the 149 Stateliner route. "I
want you to know that driver #7981 was without doubt
the most knowledgeable, articulate, polite, friendliest
and helpful CTA bus driver I can ever recall in many
years of riding the CTA. I was really impressed with
his ability to give route and transfer information to
passengers along the way, and his manner in so doing.
I commended him personally as I departed, but would
like his personnel file to reflect this accolade."
####
Carl Lambert, North Park, was called "a most ex-
cellent bus operator" by Eilleen Witty of West School
street. Ms. Witty also said, "This man has been sim-
shineand blue sMes for all who ride his Damen avenue
bus. What a joy it is to catch his bus early in the
morning! His 'good morning', 'how are you', and 'have
a good day', are only a small part of his warm hospi-
tality. He has special words for regular riders, and
always has a smile. I wish we had more like him."
####
Operator Georgia Harris, North Park, was com-
plimented by Frances Maunter of West Birchwood, a
passenger on her 147 Sheridan bus. "Operator #9172
is a brave heroine. She rescued a little boy about
three years of age as he attempted to cross busy Sher-
idan Roado He was lost, and the driver called the pol-
ice. She also comforted this hysterical little boy tlntil
the police arrived. I really believe she saved his life."
####
Conductor John Cameron, South Section, received
credit from Fred Gauley, a rider on his North-South
train. "This young conductor was friendly, efficient
and courteous in announcing stops and transfers. He
made me feel that my welfare and safety was of con-
cern to him and the CTA. As passengers departed he
advised them to 'watch your step', and thanked them
for riding the CTA. John Cameron is an excellent
flesh and blood representative of the CTA, his attitude,
manifested in this form as a job well done."
####
Willie Borders, North Avenue, received thanks
from Kathleen Luttrell, a rider on his 131 Washington
route. "I inadvertantly left my purse on the bus. Need-
less to say, I was sure that I would never see it again.
However, thanks to Mr. Borders, my purse was re-
turned intact to the lost and found department. He
has helped me restore my faith in himian nature. It
is nice to see the CTA has men of such high integrity
and honesty."
####
Carlos Monroy, North Park, attracted the attention
of Loretta Donnelly of North Wayne, a passenger on
his 151 Sheridan bus. "I would like you to know how
patient he was with all of the senior citizens, es-
pecially one old lady with a walker. He got off the bus
and put her walker on, and then he helped her up. She
was only riding a few blocks to the grocery store,
where he helped her off. Operator #9632 is a real
gentleman. These days a little kindness goes a long
way. I'm getting old, too, and he really renewed my
faith in human nature."
####
Victoria Nesbitt, North Park, was commended by
Edith Lapidus of Devon ave., a rider on her 155 Devon
bus. "When I got on the bus she met me with a smile.
She was courteous and patient with all of the questions
asked of her. Some newly arrived Russians got on the
bus. They were having a difficult time with their
English, and the driver took the time to listen to them,
and answered them as best she could. I have ridden
on her bus before, and she is always nice to everyone."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating employes
receiving commendations recently
were:
HipoUto Abreu, North Avenue;
Armando Alvarez, North Park, and
Robert Anderson, Beverly.
Pedro Balderas, North Park;
Everett Brown and Deloyd Brown,
both of Forest Glen.
Jean Cage and Gregory Croom,
both of Limits; Naomi Caldwell,
77th Street; Curtis Cheung, Forest
Glen; John Cooper, District D; and
JacqueHne Cousin, Archer.
Hillard Derengowski and Gerald
Doherty, both of North Park; and
Herman Duffin and Emanuel Dupree,
both of Forest Glen.
Constantino Estrada, Forest Glen.
Eddie Figeuroa, North Park.
John Gibson, North Avenue; Corine
Glaspie, West Section; Domingo
Gonzales, Archer; Odell Granger,
Forest Glen; and B. T. Gregory, North
Park.
Eldred Hall, North Park. Hyman
Harrison, Forest Glen, Patricia
Hegwood, North Section; and Ric-
ardo Herrera, Archer.
Clyde Jackson Jr., Archer; Mary
Jerry, Woodrow Johnson and Betty
Jones, all of Limits; William Johnson
Jr. and Ronald Jones, both of 52nd
Street.
Edward Kaminski, Archer; and
Assunta Kaya, Forest Glen.
John Lemond and Ruben Lopez,
both of North Park; and Madeleine
Lyons, Archer.
John Mack, Lawndale; WilUam
Marsh, Archer; Michael Matas and
Alvin McDowell, both of Forest Glen;
Carol Miles and Na Im Muhammad,
both of North Avenue; Sylvester
Morgan, 69th Street; and Alice Mosely,
Limits.
Hector Nieves, Forest Glen.
Hartwell Onstott, North Avenue.
Vema Reed, Limits; and Jose
Roman, North Park.
Frank Serrano, North Avenue;
and Michael Schleyer and Joe Spears,
both of Forest Glen.
Earl Terry, Forest Glen; Samuel
Thornton, 77th Street; and Wilfredo
Torres, North Park.
Arturo Valdez, Johnny Van and
Jose Vega, all of North Park; and
Mario Vargas, Forest Glen.
William Walter and Ernest WilUams,
both of 69th Street; Wayne Wardlow
and Lowell Wilson, both of North
Avenue; Cleven Wardlow, Limits;
Charles Whitman Jr., Lawndale; and
ArUs Wilson, North Park.
Jacques Yezeguiehan, Forest Glen.
promotions
Ward Chamberlain, superintendent
of North Avenue garage since 1974,
has been appointed area superintend-
ent, Near South. Chamberlain began
his transit career as a conductor at
Lincoln in 1946. He became a bus
driver in 1951, and supervisor and in-
structor in 1957. In 1966 he was
named rehef station superintendent,
and, in 1970, assistant superintendent,
Lawndale. Chamberlain was selected
superintendent, Kedzie, in 1973. He
and his wife. Marge, Uve in the Lake-
view neighborhood and have a son and
a daughter and four grandchildren.
Raymond Colello, who joined CTA
as a streetcar conductor at Lawndale
in 1947, is now back at Lawndale as
superintendent. He became a bus
driver in 1955, and a supervisor four
years later. In 1969 Colello was
chosen instructor, and, in 1974, assist-
ant superintendent, 77th Street. Since
1978 he had been assistant superintend-
ent, Kedzie and Lawndale. Colello
and his wife, EUzabeth, have four
daughters, a son, and two grandchil-
dren, and make their home in Hinsdale,
Also in Transportation, five former
management/professional interns have
been appointed assistant superintend-
ents. The new appointees and their
assigned areas are; Benjamin McCruel
and Paul Singer, both Near North;
George Weathers and Alton Wilhams,
both Near South; and Lloyd St. James
Far South. New as an m/p intern is
William Jaycox, former driver. Forest
Glen.
In Operations Planning, Wilham
Stanley has been promoted from
schedule maker to supervisor, Schedule
Processing & Development, while in
Ward Chamberlain
Vehicle Maintenance, David Kowalski
has moved from unit supervisor.
Intern, to unit supervisor. Terminals.
New as station clerks in Trans-
portation are David Alexander, former
money handler. Treasury; Vivian
Robinson, former payroll clerk, Finan-
cial Services; Joe Lucas, former ticket
agent. West Section, and Guy Stut-
tley, former travel information rep-
resentative. Management Services. Now
serving as service truck chauffeurs.
Transportation - Utility, are Karl
Duncan, former driver, Beverly, and
Steven Kriss, former engine washer.
Forest Glen.
Marron Robinson, former driver.
Raymond Colello
69th Street, has been selected traffic
checker. Operations Planning. In
Management Services, John Dilworth
has moved from mail clerk to prin-
cipal mail clerk, while Carmen Parker,
former typist. Insurance & Pensions,
has become utUity clerk. Materials
Management.
Wilham Unwin, former electrical
worker apprentice. South Shops, has
been chosen steamfitter apprentice,
Plant Maintenance. New in Plant
Maintenance as substation attendant is
Robert Wilson, former conductor,
North Section. At Skokie Shop,
Leroy Hamilton has moved from unit
exchange clerk to shipping clerk.
JUNE, 1980
y ^^
High flying hobby
"Old boys have their playthings as well as young ones.
The difference is only in the price. "
Ben Franklin
Joe Kasper and Casimer (Casey) Strzynski, both of South
Shops, argree with Ben's old wise saying.
Both built model airplanes powered by wound-up rubber
bands when they were teenagers, and now, as mature adults,
they have returned to their teenage fascination with flight.
Instead of rubber bands in dollar airplane kits, both men
now build fuel powered, radio controlled model airplanes
having five-foot wingspans and costing about $500 each.
"This is a thrilling hobby, although it's expensive," ob-
served Strzynski, a machinist. "There's a challenge in
building these big models - - there's excitement in seeing
them soaring high into the sky under my radio control - -
there's the pleasure of getting out into the fresh air and
sunshine. It's a great substitute for the TV blahs."
Joe Kasper, a mechanic, has been building model
planes for several years, and he has earned an excellent
reputation in this exacting hobby. He said he built a model
plane for the son of Dick Butkus, TV personality and former
member of the Chicago Bears football team.
Kasper figured it takes from 75 to 100 hours to build a
radio controlled model airplane and have it ready for flight.
"The most difficult part of building a model is putting
the plastic covering on the wings, tail assembly, and fuse-
lage (body) of the model," Kasper said.
A completed model weighs about eight pounds and con-
tains a tiny one cylinder engine to drive the propeller, a fuel
tank with a capacity of up to 12 ounces (usually a blend of
castor oil, nitro, and methanol), a dry cell battery, and a
radio receiver to take signals from the ground-based radio
control unit.
"In order to fly radio controlled planes, a person must
have a radio license from the Federal Communications
Commission and hold a membership in the Academy of
Model Aeronautics," Kasper said.
Kasper belongs to the 50-member Radio Control Club
of Chicago with its flying field in the Kickapoo Woods
forest preserve at 145 th and Halsted streets near Riverdale.
Strzynski belongs to the Palos Flying Club of Palos Hills
which has 255 members and meets at its fiying field in
Morrill Meadow in the Palos Division forest preserve at 107th
street and Mannheim road near Palos Park.
"Our planes have horizontal distance radio control of up
to 400 feet and can soar up to a mile high. Some models
have speeds up to 1 20 miles an hour," Kasper said.
"In addition to the joy of flying our own hand-built
planes, we have an extra thrill - - aerial combat com-
petitions." In aerial combat, planes are equipped with paper
streamers on long strings attached to the combatants' tail
assemblies. Points (or "hits") are scored on the number of
inches of streamer cut off by propellers of the remote con-
trolled dog fighters in the sky. When an entire streamer is
destroyed, this is scored as a "kill" and the streamerless
plane is withdrawn from competition, Kasper explained.
In addition to combat competitions, clubs hold shows
where entrant's models are judged, pattern flying contests
are held, and trophies are awarded.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Top: Radio controlled aerial combatants
soar high into the sky in a dog fight
controlled by radio signals from the
ground. Cutting pieces off paper stream-
ers constitutes a "hit." When the entire
streamer is destroyed by the victor's
propeller, that is a "kill" and streamer-
less plane is withdrawn from combat
competition.
Opposite page: Joe Kasper (far left)
shows off his "Flying Leatherneck."
Casey Strzynski (left) proudly displays
his "Quick Fly III" (foreground) and a
training plane. The "Quick Fly III" won
a third place trophy for pattern flying
at the Orland Expo No. 1.
Above, right: Kasper, with radio control
transmitter in hand, directs flight of his
model plane.
Above: Radio controlled planes take on
an aura of excitement in flight. This
handsome biplane model is owned by
John Carney, past president of Radio
Control Club of Chicago.
Right: Some members of the Radio
Control Club of Chicago and admirers
with club members' planes. Joe Kasper
(fifth from left) is a long-time member
of the 25 year old club.
JUNE, 1980
ANDRE E. BARBER
MARSHA BECKETT
PETER BLAZEVICH
SHERYL A. BOND
PEDRO BORRERO JR.
RICHARD E. BOYD
Harlan H. S.
Lindblom H. S.
Hubbard H.S.
Austin H.S.
Juarez H.S.
Julian H. S.
Minnie Turner
Anthony Blazevich
Melvin Bond
Pedro Borrero Sr.
Marshall Boyd
Archer
North Section
Archer
Utility
Law
52nd Street
jAi
w^^**-
Gallery of June
Graduates
In CTA Families
Here are the proudest pictures
of the year identified by name,
school, parents and parent's
CTA work location.
DERRICK M. BUTLER
Howe Military Acad.
George M. Butler
BARBARA CAMPBELL
Elmhurst College
Govan Campbell
Lawndale
RUSSELL CECALA
Holy Cross H. S.
Joe J. Cecala
Internal Audit.
WILLIAM S. CHAMERLIK
Elk Grove H.S.
William C. Chamerlik
West Shops
RIAN M. CLIFFORD
SANDRA H. CONNORS
PATRICIA COPELAND
SHERRILYNN COUSIN
BRICK CRUSOE
DELLA DAUGHERTY
Bradley Univ.
Young H. S.
Notre Dame H, S.
Harper H. S.
Crane H. S.
Evanston T.H. S.
Patrick J. Clifford
Joseph L. Connors
David Copeland
Jacqueline Cousin
Lenora Crusoe
Rod Daugherty
Grant Property
Security
Lawndale
Archer
Lawndale
Materials Mgt.
KEITH DAUGHERTY
LEONARD DAVENPORT
KAREN DAVIS
DANIELLE DAYAN
TYNEITA DERANSBURG
MACK DE YOUNG
Evanston T. H. S.
Andrew H. S.
Mother McAuley
Crown Academy
Seton H. S.
Eisenhower H. S.
Rod Daugherty
Leonard Davenport
Ozie Davis
Albert Dayan
Lyie Deransburg
George De Young
Materials Mgt.
Skokie Shops
69th Street
Limits
Rail South
South Section
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
,r^
^ -V T.^
Vf
^|v,.'
MICHAEL P. DOYLE
Bremen H. S.
John P. Doyle
West Shops
DONNA ELLIS
St. Xavier Col.
Frenchie Ellis
Control Center
PEDRO EXPOSITO JR.
Gordon Tech H. S.
Pedro Exposito Sr.
Forest Glen
KATHLEEN M. FAHEY
Loyola Univ.
James M. Fahey
Rail North
STEPHANIE FARRELL
Westinghouse H. S
Robert H. Farrell
North Avenue
KATHLEEN FERGUSON
Mt. Assissi Acad.
Roger Ferguson
Beverly
^■Kjp'',fc
\
'i\ ,
THERESE FLAHERTY
Eisenhower H. S.
Edward P. Flaherty
Plant Maintenance
CHERISE M. FREEMAN
Tinlev Park H. S.
Howard Freeman
District B.
ANDREW GALUS
Quigley North
Ted J. Galus
Forest Glen
DWAYNE GASPARAITIS
Schaumburg H. S.
Vincent Gasparaitis
Signal
ROCHELLE GATHINGS
Jones Commercial
Maerine Gathings
61st Street
MARKC.GIERHAHN
Andrew H. S.
Don Gierhahn
Electrical
^ w
W:
MARIA GONZALES
Young H. S.
CHRISTINE GRAF
Steinmetz H. S
Peter J. Graf
Electro-Bay
LE DONNA D. GRAY
Chicago Voc. H. S.
Marsha Spires
Charter
DIANA GREATHOUSE
Hyde Pk. Acad.
Leroy Greathouse
52nd Street
ANGELA GUDGER
South Shore H. S
Anna M. Stewart
77th Street
ANGELA HAMB
First Lutheran H. S.
Raymond N. Hamb
Archer
TIMOTHY P. HART
Gordon Tech. H. S.
Raymond L. Hart
Engineering
TRACY C. HAYMON
Fenger H. S-
Peggy Haymon
Agent Supervisor
KEVIN HEFFERNAN
Holy Cross H. S.
Rod Heffernan
Revenue Acct.
DANIEL HIRSCH
Evanston T. H. S.
Harold Hirsch
Operations Plan.
KIMBERLY HUBBARD
Tilden H. S.
Arthur C. Hubbard
Instruction
JUNE, 1980
More
June
Graduates
DIANE E, IRWIN
St. Xavier Coll.
GERALD A. IRWIN
Young H. S.
James H. Irwin
Lawn dale
MONTRECAI ISAAC
Otha Isaac
North Park
ANGELAS. JACKSON
Harlan H. S.
Andrew Jackson
Beverly
RANDY J. JACKSON
Harlan H. S.
Andrew Jackson
Beverly
YVETTE JACKSON
DuSable H. S.
Arthur Jackson
63rd Street Yard
JILL A. JANKUS
Thornridge H. S.
John G. Jankus
South Shops
GREG JERACKI
St. Rita H. S.
Gerald Jeracki
Archer
GEORGE JOHNSON
So. Shore H. S.
Gersham Johnson
North Park
GERSHAM JOHNSON
So. Shore H. S.
Gersham Johnson
North Park
GRACE A. JOHNSON
So. Shore H. S.
Gersham Johnson
North Park
THEODORE JOHNSON
Texas Luther Col.
Joan Johnson
Analysis Systems
AMAURY JUAREZ
Jones Commercial
Felipe J. Bernal
69th Street
MARTHA JUAREZ
Von Steuben H. S.
Adilia Rosado
North Park
MARY KAHLFELDT
Downers Grove H. S.
George Kahlfeldt
SHAWN KIRBY
Mt. Carmel H. S.
George Kirby
Contract Const.
GREGORY E. KLEICH
Maine West H. S.
Kenneth Kleich
Electro-Bay
JAMES P. KMAN
Reavis H. S.
Thomas Kman
South Shops
STEVEN M. KROB
Andrew H. S.
Henry J. Krob
South Shops
KEVIN KUCHAN
Hubbard H. S.
Max R. Kuchan
South Shops
ELLEN B. KURATNIK
Evergreen Pk. H. S.
Donald M. Kuratnik
Archer
MARK D. KURATNIK
Brother Rice H. S.
Donald M. Kuratnik
Archer
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
MAUREEN LALLY
ROLANDO LAPID
JOYCE LAZZARA
DEBRALELAND
DONNA LEWIS
SUSAN LUEBECK
Bogan H. S.
Mather H. S.
Maine So. H. S.
Simeon H. S.
DePaul Univ.
Proviso West H.S.
Thomas S. Lally
Eriinda Lapid
Joseph Lazzara
James Leiand
Clinton Lewis
Hank Luebeck
61st/Racine
Medical
Grant Program
Jefferson Park
69th Street
Capital Dvlpt.
PETER MARSICO
WILLIAM E. MAY
TARITA MC CLURE
LETITIAMC CLURE
REGLA MELGAREJO
JACQUELINE MENSON
Taft H. S.
Thornton H. S.
Lmdblom H. S.
Immaculate Heart
St. Francis H. S.
Chicago Vocational
Salvatore Marsico
Lawrence E. May
Johnnie M. McClure
James L. Mc Curtis
Miriam Melgarejo
Thomas Menson
Forest Glen
95th Dan Ryan
Central Assignment
Forest Park
North Section
Beverly
BEVERLY MICHALSKI
FELICIA C. MILLER
DEBORAH MOORE
MICHAEL MOORE JR.
KIMBERLY MURPHY
PAMELA MURPHY
A. A. Stagg H. S.
Corliss H. S.
So. Shore H. S.
So. Shore H. S.
Madonna H. S.
Dunbar H. A.
Bernard Michalski
Adrian C. Miller
Michael J. Moore
Michael J. Moore
Barbara Murphy
Hattie Murphy
West Shops
West Section
Archer
Archer
North Avenue
Central
SALVATORE MUSCARELLO
St. Benedict H. S.
Salvatore Muscarello
North Park
HUMAMUSHTAQ
Roosevelt H. S.
Mushtaq Ahmad
Forest Glen
MICHAEL NELSON
Calumet H. S.
Howard Hill
69th Street
RICHARD NELSON JR.
Lane Tech. H. S.
Richard Nelson Sr.
Maintenance
DONNA NICOSIA
Bogan H. S.
Dominic Nicosia
98th Shop R. V. M,
TINA M. NIEMAN
Tinley Pk. H. S.
Stanley Nieman
South Shops
JUNE, 1980
13
More
June
Graduates
LAVERNE NORMAN
WILLIAM OLIVER
MALCOLM PASCHAL
LORI PEPPERS
Dunbar H. S.
Chicago Vocational
Cregier H. S.
Lindblom H. S.
John C. Norman
William Oliver
Viola Paschal
Frank Peppers
South Shops
District A
Lawndale
Training Center
LOURDES M. PEREZ
WESJ. PINCHOT
DAVID PLOMIN
MONICA F. PORTER
THOMAS C.PORTER
PANDY L. PURDIE
Immaculata H. S.
Case Western U.
Lane Tech. H, S.
Lindblom H.S.
Corliss H. S.
St.Willibrord
Rafael A. Perez
Wesley Pinchot
James Plomin
Albert Porter
Thomas E. Porter
Phillip Purdie
District C
Engineering
Kimball Shop
Claim
South Shops
Archer
MARC E. REAUX
CHERYL A. REMELE
TARAY RILEY
STEPHEN E. RISOt F
DIANE M. ROSS
JOSEPH A. RUGGIERO
St.Willibrord
Foreman H. S.
Hyde Park Acad.
NilesWest H S.
Tuskegee Inst
Evergreen Park H. S.
Edward Reaux
Joseph J. Remele
Frank Riley Jr.
William H. Risoff
Glenn A. Ross
Nick Ruggiero
Control Center
Forest Glen
77th Street
West Shops
P. S Control
CTA Board
GWENDOLYN SATTERFIELD KIM M. SCHAAF
Grinnelt College Nazareth Acad.
Willie Satterfield Cornelius Schaaf
Lawndale 54th Street Shop
DARRELL K.SIMS
Southern Univ.
Joyce M. Calhoun
77th Street
HAZEL C. SMITH
Gage Park H. S.
Dave Smith
Stores ■ South
JAMES A SMITH
Young H. S.
James A Smith
Schedules
MARK D. SMITH
De LaSalle
LeoW. Smith
South Shops
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NORMAN SMITH
Evanston T. H. S.
Oswald Smith
North Park
RUSSELL E.SMITH
Lindblom H. S.
John Smith
YVETTE STEWART
Lindblom H. S.
James H. Stewart
77th Street
DEBORAH SULLIVAN
Bloom Trail H. S.
Edward Sullivan
Beverly
DEBRINA THOMPSON
Unity H. S.
Donaldson Thompson
Storeroom 48
CECILY L. THUROW
Eisenhower H. S.
John M. Thurow
Central Counting
ANN M. TRITTHARDT
Fenton H. S.
Alvin Tritthardt
Forest Glen
ROB VALERIOUS
Homewood-Flossmoor
Robert Valerious
77th Street
DENG VERGES
St. Patrick H. S.
Spelio P. Verges
West Shops
SYLVIA L.WESTBROOK
Lindblom H. S.
Claudette West brook
South Section
GREGORY R.WHITE
Lindblom H. S.
Willie White
Control Center
ANTHONY E.WILLIAMS
Dunbar H. S.
Earl Williams
DARRYL L.WILLIAMS
LORENEWILSON
PAULLETTE WINDHAM
CHERYL D.WOODS
Simeon Vocational
Acad. Of Our Lady
South Shore H. S.
III. State Univ.
Russel J. Williams
Lorraine Chandler
AndrewW. Windham
John L.Woods
77th Street
South Section
77th Street
Agent Supervisor
KAJARIA A. YARBROUGH
Textbook Exchange to be offered
by Tuition Aid Plan
A textbook exchange program is being sponsored by the Tuition Aid
Plan.
Any employe interested in selling college or university textbooks used
in the past year should send the following inforination to the Tuition
Aid Plan/Textbook Exchange, room 752. Mart, by July 25th, 1980:
Employe's name and badge number
Home telephone number
College or University
Textbooks/Course Titles and number
This inforination will be used to prepare a hst of available books.
Employes wisliing a copy of the list should send their name, badge num-
ber, department and work location to the Tuition Aid Plan/Textbook
Exchange. Names for the mailing list must be received by August 6th,
1980.
NO INFORMATION WILL BE TAKEN BY TELEPHONE FOR
EITHER LIST
The textbook list will be inailed on August 11th, 1980. Employes are
responsible for all transactions, and are strongly reminded to check with
their college for any textbook changes that might have occurred.
Ronald J, Mazlarka superintendent.
Mechanical Engineering, received a
Master's Degree In Business Admin-
istration from Rosary College on
May 10. He Is a Registered Pro-
fessional Engineer and holds two
bachelor's degrees In Electrical
Engineering (1962) and Mechanical
Engineering (1960) from Chicago
Technical College.
JUNE, 1980
15
Public Service
Awards
Bus driver Roland Fortier
(Archer garage) received the
coveted Superior Public Service
Award for 1980 as the Outstanding
General Service Employe in
metropolitan Chicago,
Fortier received a plaque
during the May 8 awards luncheon
program in the Palmer House.
Six other CTA employes received
certificates for being finalists in
the 12th annual competitiono
They are Chris Kalogeras,
director, Plant Engineering, in the
Outstanding Executive Employe
Category; Donald Lemm, director.
Insurance, in the Outstanding Su-
pervisory Employe Category;
James Dudley, safety supervisor.
Maintenance, Frederick Mead,
imit supervisor, safety inspector/
investigations. Safety, and Claude
Stevens, principal safety analyst.
Transportation, in the Outstanding
Public Safety Employe Categoiy,
and Bemice Smith, executive
secretary. Maintenance, in the
Outstanding Clerical Employe
Category.
Showing their Superior Public Service awards are (from left): Chris Kalogeras, director. Plant
Engineering; Donald Lemm, director. Insurance Claude Stevens, principal safety analyst.
Transportation; Roland Fortier, bus driver. Archer, Frederick Mead, unit supervisor, safety
inspector/investigations. Safety; James Dudley, safety supervisor. Maintenance, and Bernlce
Smith, executive secretary. Maintenance.
Fortier was nominated for the
award because of his record of
having driven more than two mil-
lion miles without a chargeable
accident and he has proven to be a
model driver in every respect
during his career at the CTA. He
plans to retire later this year after
39 years in public transit.
Charles Marshall, president of
niuiois Bell Telephone company,
was moC, at the awards luncheon.
The Superior Public Service
Awards program is sponsored by
the City of Chicago, Chicago Board
of Education, City Colleges of
Chicago, Chicago Housing Author-
ity, Metropolitan Sanitary District
of Greater Chicago, Chicago Park
District, and the CTA.
Youth l\/lotivation participants honored
Nine CTA employes were honored
at a luncheon May 16th for their
participation in the 14th annual Em-
ployment Youth Motivation Program
sponsored by the Chicago Association
of Commerce and Industry.
The employes functioned as speak-
ers at high schools ail over the city,
giving motivational talks to minority
students.
Harriett Murphy, special projects
coordinator, Human Resources, was
CTA's personnel advisor for the pro-
gram. She selected employes who are
young enough for high school students
to emulate and from similar socio-
economic backgrounds. In this way,
the students perceived the CTA speak-
ers as role models.
Dan Kane, education coordinator,
Sales/Risk Management, was the CTA
chairperson for the event. His role
was to coordinate a year-long program
with Oak Park - River Forest High
School, organizing speakers from a
wide variety of companies.
\M
^tj
a *^' ft.
u
Dan Kane
The usual program includes 18
speakers divided into classroom groups.
The speakers discuss where they work,
how they got their job, and stressed
the importance of staying in school
and developing job skills. Much of
the program is open to question and
answer sessions.
All speakers attended orientation
sessions deaUng with public speaking
and typical student reactions to the
program. The speaker participants
were also given CTA and Employment
Youth Motivation Program fact sheets.
Each participant received a cer-
tificate of merit from the Association
of Commerce and Industry at the
luncheon held in their honor.
In addition to Kane and Murphy,
the employes honored were: Karen
Domino, agent supervisor. Transpor-
tation; Juanita Fields, office services
clerk. Support Services; Howard
Garrison, architectural designer, En-
gineering, Ervin Harris, artist. Human
Resources; Rudy Mendez, human rela-
tions speciahst. Human Resources;
Ronald Tuck, personnel analyst. Hu-
man Resources, and Mike Wisbrod,
civil engineer. Engineering.
76
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Retirees honored
George Krambles, retired CTA executive director, is congratulated by
IVIayor Jane IVI. Byrne on the occasion of his induction into the Chicago
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, on the evening of IVIay 27 at Preston
Bradley Hall in The Chicago Public Library Cultural Center. The award
was presented in recognition of his achievements and contributions
to the City of Chicago during his 43 year career, devoted to improving
Chicago's public transportation.
Jack H. Smith, nationally syndi-
cated columnist and former direc-
tor of publications and editor of
the CTA Quarterly (right), has
received a national distinguished
service award called the Evergreen,
from the National Association of
Mature People (NAMP).
Smith's column, "Time of Your
Life," is distributed nationwide
by United Feature Syndicate, and
he was recognized by NAMP for
"the best example of regular fea-
ture writing on the subject of
mature living with special emphasis
on the realties of retirement, con-
tinued contribution to society and
personal guidance."
"My honor in receiving this
Evergreen Award is deepened by
the gratitude I feel toward NAMP
for recognizing that mature people
are and can continue to be con-
structive, well-adjusted forces in neighborhood, community and nation-
al life, and not objects of pity or disuse," Smith said in his acceptance
speech.
"The Evergreen Award was created to honor individuals in various
fields of endeavor for their contributions to the American way of live,
and especially to recognize either outstanding achievements of older
Americans or contributions to the betterment and understanding of
mature living," said Richard E. Shepherd, executive secretary of the
national non-profit, educational organization.
Smith became editor and director of publications for the CTA
Quarterly in 1974 and served until 1977, when he retired and moved
to a retirement home in El Paso, Texas. He is 67.
Others receiving the award were comedian-actor George Burns and
Nelson Cruikshank, President Carter's counselor on aging.
Yvonne Howze
completes
apprenticeship
It took Yvonne Howze of South Shops four
years, but she has finally nailed down her
joumeyperson's papers.
Mrs. Howze will end her four-year ap-
prenticeship program in June and become a
joumeyperson in Local 1922, Chicago
District Council, United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners of America.
"She becomes about the 10th woman in
our district council which munbers about
30,000 carpenters," said Charles Svec, mill
representative of the union. Svec repre-
sents union members in shops.
William Miller, acting carpenter shop foreman.
South Shops, congratulates Mrs. Yvonne Howze
for completing her four-year carpenter's ap-
prenticeship.
Jorge Bolanos
In this special
letter we wish to
acknowledge the
benevolence of one
of your employes,
Jorge Bolanos, our
brother. We want
to publicly recog-
nize and thank htm
for all the econom-
ic and moral sup-
port he has pro-
vided us in our
personal develop-
ment as productive and useful citizens.
A social worker, an architect, and a
medical doctor are the result of his
many years of hard work and sacrifice.
Jorge's entire salary was used to
help us. His good humor and day to
day words of comfort provided the
necessary moral support.
He sacrificed his own studies be-
cause someone had to earn the daily
bread.
We are certain that the character-
istics which make Jorge a great son,
brother and family member also make
him an outstanding CTA employe.
We have run out of words to express
our gratitude. We dedicate our ac-
complishments to our brother, for it is
because of Jorge Bolanos that we have
been able to reach our goals.
Luis Armando Bolanos
Ruben Dario Bolanos
Celmira Bolanos
Group Travel
offers events
and discounts
Two Group Travel Program events
which proved to be very popular last year
will be held again this summer.
Illinois Railway Museum
On August 23, you can once again ride
the i-ails of yesteryear at the Illinois Rail-
way Museum in Union, 111. Last year's
visit featured movies, rides on historic
equipment, and a handcar race. (See
Transit News, September, 1979, page 8.)
Santa's Village
A Family Picnic at Santa's VUlage in-
cluding rides, games, prizes, and re-
freshments will take place on Sunday,
September 14. (See Transit News, July,
1979, page 4.)
Recreation Discounts
The Group Travel Program is also of-
fering discount programs for recreational
activities in the Chicago area. These in-
clude half-price tickets for Plitt and Rose
movie theatres, tickets for the Great
America amusement park discounted to
$8 from the normal price of $11, and "2 for
1" coupons for free rounds of golf at many
courses in the Chicago area, Indiana, and
Wisconsin.
For information about the above events
contact Ms. Harriett Murphy, special
projects coordinator. Human Resources,
Room 7-170, Mart, Ext. 751.
JUNE, 1980
17
safety awards
Two long time "also rans" for the CTA's Public Safety
Award finished first for the first quarter of 1980. The
winners are Forest Glen garage and the Kimball terminal
of the Ravenswood 'L' route.
Determination often leads to success - - that's the formula
used by the 600 drivers of the Forest Glen garage.
"The drivers of our 20 routes were trying extra hard
to top the other nine garages, and they did," said Hugh
Masterson, Forest Glen's superintendent.
Here are the winning statistics: A traffic accident rate of
3.73 per 100,000 miles of driving and a passenger accident
rate of 0.59 per 1 00,000 miles of driving.
Another reason for their determination - - not reflected
in the statistics - - Forest Glen hadn't won the Public Safety
Award since the second quarter of 1977.
Over the rail side, it was the 120 operating members of
the Kimball terminal who made a team effort to come in
with the winning average of the combined traffic and passen-
ger accident frequency of 0.25 for each 100,000 miles of
operation in the first quarter of 1980.
The award was a long time coming. Kimball hadn't won
the award since the first quarter of 1973.
"Now that we won the award, we're going to work hard
to keep it - - for a long time," vowed Bill Rooney, assistant
superintendent at Kimball.
Rooney presented Outstanding Employe of the Year
Awards to two Kimball operating employes, Lucretius Bell,
motorman, and Rodrigo Gonzalez, conductor.
Tom Boyle (left) manager. Safety Department, presents travelling
Public Safety Award plaque to Hugh Masterson, superintendent.
Forest Glen garage in informal ceremony May 7 at Forest Glen.
Herman Duffin (second from left) and Thaddeus Zbed (second from
right) display their special recognition certificates for being outstanding
employes. They are flanked by Henderson Williams (far left) and
Martin Delconte (far right) Local 241 union representatives.
Sense of satisfaction is seen on faces of Forest Glen drivers witnessing awards ceremony in their garage's train room.
Bill Rooney, (second from right) assistant superintendent, Kimball
terminal, accepts Safety Award plaque from Ed Henry, supervisor,
safety performance analysis. Safety, in Kimball terminal train room.
Joining the informal ceremony are (from left) James Blaa, manager.
Transportation; Patrick O'Malley, assistant superintendent, Howard
terminal, and at far right, William Limanowski, superintendent of
Howard and Kimball terminals.
Employes show their interest and pleasure during award ceremony
in Kimball's train room.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Angela Menson
runs like the wind
byW.B.Wolfan
Remember the name
Angela Menson— a young
lady destined for an out-
stajiding career in wo-
men's track and field and
perhaps an Olympic berth
when the U.S. resumes
competition in 1984.
The 16-year-old An-
gela,daughter of CTAbus
driver Thomas Menson of
Beverly garage, runs like
the proverbial wind for
Chicago Vocational High
School, She excels in the
individual dashes, the 100
and 220 and the relay
events and she has a
stack of medals to show
for her performances.
Angela's proudest possession is a gold medal in
recognition of noteworthy achievement in winning the
220-yard national jvmior title last August at UCLA in
the ARCO (Atlantic Richfield) Jesse Owens games,
competing against a field of entrants representing 14
states.
Angela says the "biggest thrill of her life" was the
day Jesse Owens awarded her the gold medal and auto-
graphed the case containing it.
Her father, who was an athlete himself in his
younger days, says that there isn't enough room on
the mantle for Angela's medals earned in the various
track meets sponsored by the Chicago Jvmior Chamber
of Commerce and the AAU Jvinior Olympics.
His daughter also competes during the simimer
months as a member of a church-sponsored track
club. She has competed in as many as four events in
a single day, a gruelling schedule for a youngster.
Her principal events include the 100 and 220 yard
dashes, the 440 yard run, and the 880 yard relay.
In this year's state prep track meet, Angela was
hampered by a pulled leg muscle, but still managed to
place in the 220 yard dash.
An excellent student, Angela is planning on attend-
ing college and, with the growing emphasis on women's
sports competition at the collegiate level, she un-
doubtedly will be a much sought after prospect for
women's track and field.
Track is not the only sport for Miss Menson, She
is an avid bowling devotee and knocks down the pins at
a highly creditable 142 average,
Angela, says her mother, Mrs. Mae Menson, is so
busy that the family usually sees her only at meal-
times. In addition to track, she is a prep squad cheer-
leader at her school,
"My daughter's energy is seemingly boundless,"
says Mrs. Menson, "She never stops. Angela has
loved competing in sports ever since she was a little
girl."
It is a safe prediction that Angela will emerge as a
top competitor in women's collegiate sports if she
keeps going as she has to date.
And the late Jesse Owens woidd be very proud of the
young girl he awarded that gold medal at UCLA in the
summer of 1979.
Owens has inspired many young people and Angela
Menson is a prime example of everything Jesse stood
for— the building of character through good sportsman-
ship, competition, and fellowship.
Ball field named
in honor of Banks
A baseball diamond in Rockford, Illinois, has been
named Ernie Banks Field in honor of the Chicago
Cubs' Hall of Fame stat who is a member of the
Chicago Transit Authority's Board,
Several thousand persons attended the event at
Roy Gale Park on May 17 for the dedication cere-
monies honoring Banks, who retired in 1971 but still
retains the glamour of his heyday as a Cub.
Banks was named to the Hall of Fame at Coopers-
town, N.Y., on the veiy first ballot by the Baseball
Writers Association of America, an honor distinctive
In itself.
For 19 seasons he was a magnificent competitor
for the Cubs — a two-time winner of the National
League's most valuable player award in consecutive
seasons, 1958 and 1959,
Banks hit 512 career home runs to tie for ninth
place with Eddie Mathews among the all time home
run leaders. He was a member of 13 National League
all-star teams and twice led the league in the runs
batted in column. In 1959 Banks made only 12 errors
as shortstop in 155 games.
The versatile Banks switched to first base in 1961,
and also made brief appearances at third and in the
outfield during his lengthy Cub career.
Jim Brydon of Rockford' s Barber-Coleman Cor-
poration, one of the committee members in charge of
the program, said :
"We decided to name one of Roy Gale Park's base-
ball fields in honor of Ernie because of all he has done
for youngsters. Ernie Banks Field is used mostly by
the small fry .for their baseball games, and from now
on will carry his name as a permanent tribute to him,"
Immediately after the dedication. Banks partici-
pated in a special clinic for the Little Leaguers.
Ernie, wearing his familiar Cub uniform with
No, 14 on his back, then signed hundreds of autographs.
It was an amazing tribute to the never-ending
popularily of a former athlete who hasn't played in a
ball game In nine years.
JUNE, 1980
19
It's Softball
time again
The CTA Sports Program opened its
1980 Softball season on Saturday, May 10,
and will continue through July.
This year the league will have lY teams,
di\'ided Into three divisions. East, West,
and Central. The teams participating are
(East): System Wide, Forest Glen, South
Shops, 308 Regulars, General Office, and
Renegades; (West): 77th Street, North
Avenue, Westside 'L', Limits, North Ave-
nue Repair, and North Park Breezers;
(Central): Archer, Beverly, 69th Street,
52nd Street, and Lawndale.
The games are played each Saturday
afternoon in Grant Park beginning at 4 p.m.
and 5:15 p.m.
The league this year is under the guid-
ance of Fred King, manager, Human Re-
sources, and John Smylie, coordinator of
the Softball league.
Here are some exciting action shots of
the games played on Saturday, May 24.
(CTA photos by Julius Brazil)
20
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Retirements
Bill Parrillo
Fifty-five persons attended a May
23 retirement dinner honoring William
Parrillo in the M & M club in the
Merchandise Mart. Parrillo, director
of Budget/Planning, Financial Services
department, ended his 38-year career
in public transit.
Jay DeFranco, comptroller, was
M. C. at the dinner. He presented
Parrillo with a cash gift from Parrillo's
friends and co-workers.
Parrillo also received an unusual
gift - - his very old, outmoded, mechan-
ical adding machine. To add luster
to his memories, the faithful machine
was bronzed - - another gift from his
friends and co-workers.
Parrillo began his career in 1942
as a junior clerk with the Chicago
Rapid Transit company, a predecessor
company to the CTA.
Parrillo and his wife, Teresa, have
four grown children.
The Parrillos live on the northwest
side, and plan to do some traveling.
Parrillo said he plans to continue his
stamp collecting hobby.
William Parrillo, director of Budget/Planning, Financial Services department, admires his faithful
old adding machine the CTA retired along with Parrillo. Friends had the machine bronzed as a
gift to him. Standing is Jay DeFranco, CTA comptroller.
Lenny Lohn
Leonard (Lenny) Lohn ended his
37-year pubUc transit career at an
open house farewell party May 22
in the Training/Development programs
section in the Merchandise Mart.
Lohn retired as the section's
training services clerk.
More than 100 friends and co-
workers attended the party. Frank
Johnson, director, Training/Develop-
ment programs section, was M. C. at
the informal affair. Johnson presented
Lohn with a gold wrist watch and cash
gifts from Lohn's friends. Lohn's
wife, Julia, attended the open house.
Lohn began his public transit
career in 1943 as a motorman with
the Chicago Surface Lines, a prede-
cessor company to the CTA.
Lohn and his wife have three
grown children and will make their
new home in Tampa, Fla.
Leonard (Lenny) Lohn, with perennial pipe in his mouth, accepts his retirement papers from
Frank Johnson, director, Training/Development programs section, as Lohn's wife, Julia, looks on.
Presentation was made at May 22 open house honoring Lohn.
JUNE, 1980
21
CTA Pioneers
Mother's-Day dance
More than 400 persons attended the
May 13 Mother's Day luncheon dance party
of the CTA Koneers retirement organiza-
tion in the Golden Flame restaurant, Hig-
gins road and Nagle avenue.
Maynard "Pinky" Moran ('73 Control
Center), the Picmeers' president, said the
Mother's Day program had one of the larg-
est attendance in the organization's five-
year history. The Pioneers have about 600
members.
The Pioneers meet for lunch at 12:30
pjn. on the second Tuesday of each month
in the Golden Flame.
Moran said two more Ladies' day meet-
ings are scheduled by the Pioneers — Sep-
tember 9 and a Christmas party on De-
cember 9. fCTA photos by Mike Hoffert)
Oscar Peterson (Transportation '77) and his wife,
77) and his wife, Nellie.
Frances, at left, and Rene Biard (Forest Glen
Joseph Brzoski (Skokie Shop '74) and his
wife, Lillian.
Charles DeCook
wife, Florence.
(North Park '75) and his Stanley Turek (Limits 75) at left, and his friend, Mrs. Marge Koschaike, and Whitey Laatsch
(General Office '75).
Robert Ciesza (North Park 72) and his wife. Patrick Smith (North Avenue '68) and his Charles "Moe" Pearson (Forest Glen 77) and
Emelia. wife, Ellen. his wife, Blanche.
22
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
irr :M:E]i^oi^i.A.nvn
PETER BARRETT, Laborer,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 2-7-56
JOHN BEHOF, Assembler,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 1-20-67
DANIEL BRODIE, Car Repairman A,
Wilson Shop, Emp. 3-5-47
TONY CALABRESE, Truck Chauffeur,
West Shops, Emp. 4-18-41
OZANE FARMER, Carpenter,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 2-18-74
WILLIE S. HARVEY, Collector,
77th Street, Emp. 4-19-48
MOSES JOHNSON, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 1-25-54
WILLIAM LAMAR, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 5-17-54
WILLIAM LANE, Rail Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 8-1-57
LEONARD LOHN, Training Service Clerk,
Human Resources, Emp, 8-22-42
WILLIAM MARSH , Operator,
Archer, Emp. 4-28-47
LEROY MARSHALL, Janitor,
West Shops, Emp. 9-5-57
STANLEY MAZUREK, Upholsterer,
South Shops, Emp. 11-9-45
JAMES O'SHAUGHNESSY, Shopman I,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 12-20-50
WILLIAM PARRILLO, Director,
Financial Services, Emp. 10-6-41
ROBERT PENDLETON, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 2-11-57
GEORGE VAN NEVEL, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 5-9-46
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
WALTER R. HABAS, Collector,
Limits, Empo 2-16-59
ROBERT E. HODGES, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 2-6-67
THOMAS J. AMES, 87, South Section,
Emp. 4-25-19, Died 3-23-80
HARRY ANDERSON, 58, Maintenance,
Emp. 6-10-46, Died 4-16-80
GEORGE E. CARLSON, 68, North Avenue,
Emp. 3-27-29, Died 4-2-80
WILSON V. COLEMAN, 64, Security,
Emp. 1-8-45, Died 4-7-80
JOHN COLLINS, 54, Vehicle Maintenance,
Emp. 4-27-53, Died 4-11-80
STEPHEN COLLINS, 72, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-19-41, Died 4-16-80
ANITA DOUGLAS, 31, North Avenue,
Emp. 12-21-78, Died 5-5-80
RUDOLPH DRZK, 69, Investigations,
Emp. 3-1-27, Died 4-13-80
THOMAS DWYER, 69, 52nd Street,
Emp. 8-8-42, Died 4-6-80
TOMMIE EDWARDS, 62, Central Assign.,
Emp. 8-15-52, Died 4-16-80
DOROTHY HARRIS, 49, North Section,
Emp. 10-22-69, Died 5-13-80
WESLEY HAYNES, 47, North Avenue,
Emp. 6-26-58, Died 4-1-80
FRANCIS J. HECHT, 46, South Shops,
Emp, 4-28-69, Died 4-23-80
ARTHUR KALVELAGE, 84, Wilson,
Emp. 6-19-30, Died 4-6-80
BENJAMIN E. KAMKA, 70, Forest Glen,
Emp. 10-25-33, Died 4-12-80
JOSEPH KINAHAN, 66, Human Resources,
Emp. 10-15-48, Died 4-7-80
HARRY J. LAWRENCE, 78, Claim,
Emp, 2-2-42, Died 4-25-80
LEE LANGHAM, 34, West Shops,
Emp. 6-17-68, Died 5-7-80
FRANK J. LOESER, 91, 77th Street,
Emp. 9-8-25, Died 4-20-80
JAMES MALONEY, 80, North Park,
Emp. 10-28-24, Died 4-27-80
MICHAEL McCORMACK, 81, Kimball,
Emp. 4-29-29, Died 2-25-80
Service
anniversaries
in June
40 years
35 years
R. H. Daren, Medical
30 years
f^ ji
^
T. Love Jr., 52nd Street
J. P Marshall, 52nd Street
W. Onysio, Skokie Shop
H. Reddrick Jr., Transportation
E. L. Springer, North Park
E.W.White Jr., District C
25 years
E. J. McSweeney
Security
W. F. Fox
Forest Glen
0. W. BIgnchard, District A
L. Brown, Lawndale
J. D. Hill, 69th Street
H. S. Jackson, 69th Street
M. Keating, Methods/Standards
E. G. Reid, Maintenance
1. J. Williams, District A
JOHN MEYERS, 87, North Park,
Emp. 3-19-43, Died 4-30-80
VICTOR MICETIC, 66, North Park,
Emp. 5-2-36, Died 4-25-80
WILLIAM MORAN, 77, North Avenue,
Emp. 8-23-23, Died 3-26-80
JOSEPH MULREE, 83, Construction,
Emp. 5-18-14, Died 4-29-80
ARTHUR SCHALK, 67, Kedzie,
Emp. 9-26-40, Died 4-17-80
RUDOLPH SCHOENHERR, 81, Lake,
Emp. 6-29-44, Died 3-28-80
CHARLES SCHUMAKER, 72, Electrical,
Emp. 11-24-30, Died 4-16-80
CHARLES SHEEHY, 71, North Avenue,
Emp. 8-11-41, Died 4-21-80
SAMUEL TRICHE, 66, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-6-44, Died 4-29-80
THOMAS VINTAN, 78, Wilson,
Emp. 2-1-29, Died 4-14-80
LUKE WHITE, 94, 77th Street,
Emp, 5-26-20, Died 4-18-80
WALTER G. WIEBE, 78, Forest Glen,
Emp. 3-7-29, Died 4-3-80
Frank Wsol (left). Far South area superin-
tendent, while on vacation in Oceanside, Calif.,
visited with Tom Screen, former superintendent
69th Street Garage, now retired. Tom sends
his regards to all his CTA friends.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33
Number 6
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA,
bv the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager. Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager. Transit
News Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Borcic,
Kathy Byrne, Jack Sowchin, Jeff Stern. Produced
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direction of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
JUNE, 1980
23
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Culture Bus off
to a good season
Sunday, May 18, was cloudy and cool,
but it was also International Museum Day,
and CTA marked the occasion by inaugurating
its 1980 CXilture Bus service to the South,
North and West Sides, serving more than
two dozen cultural attractions.
Despite a bicycle race that temporarily
blocked the traditional boarding point at the
Art Institute, loyal Culture Bus riders found
their way to the buses with guidance from
CTA.s beacon of Culture Bus enthusiasm - -
Eileen "Big Murph" Neurauter.
Through Memorial Day Weekend, when
sunny skies returned, more than 7,100 rides
had been taken, and CTA's fourth Culture
Bus season was off to a start that gave the
Art Institute Uons something to roar about.
Culture Bus riders boarding at the Art Institute (top),
being welcomed by CTA retiree and volunteer hostess
Eileen "Murph" Neurauter (middle), and sightseeing
through the large window of a "Big Bend" articulated
bus, while enjoying the commentary by volunteer
Ron Weslow (CTA Training/Development programs)
on the Culture Bus South route driven by Ruby
Bolden, Archer garage.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 802I
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NOllTHWESTEUN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANS TON, IL 60201
TN
CTA Monthly Pass commercial makes debut
EVANS: "When I wanna move real fast, I fade back and throw a pass.'
JIGGETTS: "When I ride I do the same, no fumble for change with a
pass, my CTA pass."
"When I wanna go to town, the CTA takes me around.
I don't need change to ride the range, 'cause I head 'em
off with a pass, my CTA pass."
A new CTA television commercial is making its debut.
Produced by Haddon Advertising, Inc., it features
Vince Evans and Dan Jiggetts of the Chicago Bears,
an actress playing the part of a ticket agent, and an
actor portraying an urban cowboy. The commercial
is designed to create wider awareness of the Monthly
Pass program and demonstrate the convenience of
using the pass.
rR/AAISPORIATiON KSRAR? ^' p^"« '» '^'^ '°"9"
S£P 3 0 ]9e0
bta
TRANSIT NEWS
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
AUGUST, 1980
students prepare for careers in transportation
The CTA is helping college
students obtain the training needed
for successful careers in the
transportation industry.
This summer 11 students from
the Illinois Institute of Technology,
University of Illinois at both Chi-
cago Circle and Urbana campuses.
University of Indiana, and New
Mexico State University are closer
to their academic and career
goals as a result of the CTA's
participation in the Cooperative
Education program which is ad-
ministered by the Training/De-
velopment Programs section,
Hiiman Resources department.
Called co-ops, these students
of engineering, computer science,
and transportation alternate 12-16
weeks of full-time work and aca-
demic study. The program gives
them an opportunity to apply aca-
demic theory to practical job slt-
uaticms.
At West Shops 21-year-old
Kevin Manley of the University of
Illinois, Urbana is helping with
structural evaluations of rapid
transit stations as engineers de-
termine maintenance require-
ments. Manley, a civil engineer-
ing major, is supervised by civil
engineer Stan-Lee Kaderbeck,
Track/Structures, an IIT alumnus
and former co-op who joined the
CTA as a career employe four
years ago.
Superintendent of Power and
Way Walter Gaedtke (Track/
Structures), recalling his own co-
op experience as a student at Pur-
due University, said the program
is an excellent method of intro-
ducing students to their chosen
career fields.
"It gives the student a chance
to get a good look at every aspect
of the field and helps him to make
good decisions about his future,"
said Gaedtke.
Jamison Rappeport, a senior at
IIT majoring in mechanical en-
gineering, is also assigned to West
Shops xmder the supervision of Syed
Hussalni, a mechanical engineer.
"Being a co-op gives me good
reason to enroll in many of the
Kevin Manley, left, a civil engineering student at the University of Illinois, Urbana, gets on-the-job
training in structural evaluation. His mentor, a former co-op, is Stan-Lee Kaderbeck, a civil
engineer from West Shops who joined CTA after graduating from the program at Illinois Institute
of Technology four years ago.
courses I have had because it
means having the knowledge to do
specific jobs which I am assigned
here," said Rappeport.
His work experience at CTA
will also make him immediately
eligible to take the professional
engineers examination to become
a registered engineer after he re-
ceives his bachelor of science
degree.
Rappeport received a scholar-
ship last semester for a paper he
had written on transportation. His
plans for the future include ob-
taining a masters degree before
leaving UT.
Rappeport and 21 -year-old
Stanley Kuramoto have been par-
ticipants in the co-op program
longer than most of the students in
this work period. Both have re-
turned to CTA five times and could
return yet another period.
Kuramoto, Richard Chong, and
Jean Khuon are among the com-
puter science students at IIT who
are assigned to the CTA Data
Center. All joined the co-op pro-
gram because they believe the CTA
experience will put them well
ahead of their contemporaries.
Said Kuramoto, "The co-op
program has helped me acquire
academic knowledge much faster
and made things a lot clearer for
me in the classroom."
Echoing those thoughts, 18-
year-old Richard Chong, said,
"What I've learned herein my first
work period is definitely higher
level than what I've encountered so
far at school." Arlene Jenny,
Data Center superintendent, calls
her co-op students "eager bea-
vers." "I have nothing but good to
say about these yoimg people. They
are very conscientious and we
plan to get more of them," said
Jenny.
Dennis Early, 25, a junior in
industrial engineering at IIT, is
busy updating storage efficiency in
materials management. "My work
here enables me to apply the
methods of random sampling as
well as motion and time measure-
ments. These are subjects which
were stressed in the classroom,
but now I'm putting them to prac-
tical use for the first time," said
Early.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
The 1980 Outstanding Employer Award was presented recently to the
CTA at the fourth annual Illinois Institute of Technology Cooperative
Education-Student Workshop and luncheon held on the I IT campus.
Nomination for the award was made by co-op students working for the
CTA during their full-time work periods. A letter of nomination was
written by Michael Martys, an electrical engineering student who
returns to the CTA this month to begin his second work period. Ac-
cepting the award for the CTA is Mrs. Norine Stratton, training
coordinator and liasion for co-op students. Presenting Mrs. Stratton
(second from right) with the plaque is Dr. Thomas L. Martin Jr. (left),
president, NT. Co-op students on hand to offer congratulations were
Mache Readus, Michael Martys, Stanley Kuramoto, Dennis Early, and
Paul Sheridan.
In the Transportation depart-
ment, meanwhile, 20-year-old
Richard Degman, a senior and
transportation major at Indiana
University, has had a very busy
summer in his first work period
as a co-op. His experience has
included work as a ticket agent and
a conductor with a final assign-
ment in Methods and Standards.
Terrence Grant, a senior at the
University of Illinois Circle cam-
pus, is completing his third work
period with an assignment in
Routes and Systems. The 28-year-
old Coast Guard veteran's plans
include a masters degree in trans-
portation engineering or urban
planning.
Mike Navarro, a sophomore at
the University of Illinois Urbana
campus in his first work period
with Equipment Design, Engineer-
ing department, is involved in
studies related to problems of the
handicapped.
Classifying bus imderframe
maintenance jobs is the special
project for Marshall Issen, 20-
year-old University of Illinois
junior assigned to South Shops in
his second work period. He ex-
pects to begin his third work period
in January.
Traveling from the great south-
west to Chicago and the CTA as a
co-op is James Cobum, a senior at
New Mexico State University in
Las Cruces. The 25-year-old Co-
bum is assigned to SkoMe Shops
to study rail maintenance proce-
dures and functions, and to pre-
pare a bulletin on rebuilt motors
and time sequence.
Each student will be evaluated
at the end of the work period by
their supervisors, and copies of the
evaluation will be sent to their
colleges. In turn, the schools will
also send the CTA copies of the
students' grades for the semesters
they return to full-time classroom
work.
Mrs. Ruth Lebron, senior financial
analyst in the Budget department
obtained her Master's Degree in Busi-
ness Administration, majoring in Finance,
from DePaul University, during a gradua-
tion ceremony that took place at the
Civic Opera House on June 15, 1980.
Mrs. Lebron joined the CTA in Septem-
ber, 1977, as a financial analyst. Con-
gratulations on her accomplishment!
AUGUST, 1980
Barnes nominated for APTA office
Eugene M. Barnes
CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes was unanimously elected
by the nominating committee to be
the Vice President for Govern-
ment Affairs of the American Pub-
lic Transit Association (APTA).
APTA, headquartered in Wash-
ingtcn, D.C., is an association
representing the transit industry
with more than 300 systems as
members in the United States,
Canada, and Mexico.
Ratification by the membership
of APTA will take place at the an-
nual meeting in San Diego, Cali-
fornia, in October.
As Vice President for Govern-
ment Affairs, Barnes will repre-
sent the transit industry on all
legislative and regulatory matters.
He will oversee the committees of
elderly and handicapped, legis-
lation, and planning and policy. In
light of the present status of fed-
eral transit legislation both APTA
and Chicago will benefit from
Barnes' selection.
The Vice President for Govern-
ment Affairs is a member of the
Executive Committee of APTA.
Summertime Cliicago entertains commuters
Summertime Chicago returned
to entertain CTA riders for the
second time around beginning
July 15. The performers made
their first appearance last year.
Quartets of harmony, finger-
snapping groups and one-man or
woman acts, all apart of the care-
free entertainment, greeted com-
muters at rush hour on 'L' plat-
forms and busy bus stops in the
Loop and elsewhere.
Fifty- five youthful street artists
were staged by Mayor Byrne's
Office of Special Events to help
break the monotony of nash hour
travel. Again it was a big success
as riders enthusiastically ap-
plauded performances.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Different Stroke
Gary Coleman, star of NBC-TV'j
"Different Strokes," appeared on a
chartered CTA train on July 21,
during the filming of a 20th Cen-
tury Fox feature film "A Guy
Could Get Killed Out There."
Panf ils perform in Royal Danish Ballet
The mother and daughter of North Park Garage bus
operator Claudette Panfil were part of the Royal
Danish Ballet cast appearing recently at the Chicago
Civic Opera House.
Ms. Helen Panfil, formerly a dancer with a New
York troiipe, and her seven-year old granddaughter,
Lisa Helene, a student at the Betsy HerskLnd School in
Chicago, were selected from more than 400 people who
auditioned for parts in the ballet.
Ms. Panfil, one of four women appearing in the
performance, was cast in the role of a peasant woman
tending her dying son in the production of the legendary
William Tell's "Folktale." Lisa Helene, one of 25
children in the ballet, was cast as a troll.
It was the first U.S. appearance of the Danish Bal-
let since 1920. Accompanying the troupe was Prince
Gorge of Denmark.
Helen Panfil, right, prepares for rehearsal of Royal Danish
Ballet at Chicago Civic Opera House while other per-
formers leave dressing room.
Lisa Helene who played a troll in the production of William Tell's "Folktale," gets
special attention in the dressing room from a backstage helper in foreground. Her grand-
mother, left, is also giving her assistance.
AUGUST, 1980
Eddie Smith (North Avenue
Garage) was the subject of a
letter from Georgia Meezall, of
Carroll Avenue, that was signed
by 26 other riders on a #16
Lake bus. "This is to let you
know how much we think of
driver #6256. He is polite,
courteous and considerate. He
takes the blunt end of every-
thing people complain about,
and he always leaves the passen-
gers laughing. 1 have written
before, so that is why the other
passengers asked me to write
again. I would have gotten more
signatures, but had to get off
at my stop. With more drivers
like him, it would always be a
pleasure to ride CTA."
Robert Spann (North Park
Garage) "tries very hard to
make things right," according
to Paula Carney, of Marine
Drive. "Driver #5289 is pleas-
ant, patient, helpful, and un-
failingly kind to everyone. He
is also very knowledgeable about
the routes and connections to
other bus lines. I frequently
have been on his #151 Sheridan
bus on my way to work. His
cheerful 'Good Morning' and
pleasant attitude make the day
a little brighter for everyone
he encounters. Not long ago
I was on the bus when he was
training a new driver. He had
such a nice way of explaining
things to the new man. What
a pleasure to have such a
teacher."
commendation corner
Ricardo Leiva (Forest Glen Garage) was admired by I. W.
Emmerich, of Hersiiey, Pennsylvania, for the way he treated
riders on his #64 Foster/Lawrence bus. "As a visitor, I had
the pleasure of riding several times on his bus between
Jefferson Park and Delphia Street. A person might not be
in a happy mood when they board the bus, but after the
greeting they receive from his driver, they all have a big
smile on their faces. When I compUmented him on his
actions, he said, 'I just treat people the way I would like
them to treat me.' You are fortunate indeed to have this
fine person as one of your drivers."
Charla Morgan (North Avenue Garage) was regarded as
"just fantastic" by Ruth Schaeffer, of North Lake Shore
Drive, who rode her #76 Diversey bus one afternoon rush
period. "Apparently there had been some equipment
trouble, causing the CTA to shift their drivers. I must
comphment driver #6647 for her cool demeanor in spite
of pushing crowds and people who just wouldn't cooperate
by moving to the back of the bus. The heat didn't help the
tempers of the travelers, either. Through it all, she was
absolutely the most pleasant driver, and maintained a sense
of humor."
Daniel Joseph (North Park Garage) was noticed by Ruth
Mank, of North Sheridan Road, a rider on his #147 Outer
Drive Express bus. "The driver was courteous and patient
with each person who boarded the bus. When we arrived
at Oak Street, riders began to ask him questions as to how
to get to certain places and which buses to take, and he
answered them all cheerfully and in detail. He was repeat-
edly asked the same questions, and each time he answered
with patience and courtesy."
Theodore Cachampis (North Park Garage) won the approval
of V. M. Paxson, of North Lake Shore Drive, who boarded
his #151 Sheridan bus one afternoon rush period at Washing-
ton and State Streets. "I was sitting on the first seat by the
door and was able to observe this young man's smUe of
greeting, his helpful answers to everyone's questions, and
his 'Take care' or 'Be careful' as each one left the bus. He
momentarily entered into conviviality with some conven-
tioneers who boarded on Michigan Avenue and who were
most appreciative when he made sure they got off at their
hotel. He certainly was a cheerful, helpful driver."
Wade Montgomery (69th Street Garage) was appreciated by
Marie Hagamann, of South Troy Street, for his courtesy
while driving a #63 63rd Street bus. "During the ride I
noted that he was very kind and considerate to every person
who got on or off, telhng people to take their time, be care-
ful, and have a good day. I believe that this man should be
commended for his excellent service to the pubUc. I wish
there were more like him. I am an elderly person and do
appreciate this service."
Keith Rosche (North Avenue Garage) caught the attention
of Nina Blasi, of Belmont Avenue, who was riding his #77
Belmont bus with her small son. "I don't recall ever meet-
ing a more conscientious driver. He had a kind word for
each person entering the bus. There were many senior
citizens getting on and off, and he greeted each one and
seemed to know most of their names. You could see their
faces Light up because of his asking how they were feeling
and telling them he was glad to see them. Even the teen-
agers he kept in line with a firm, kind word so they
couldn't help but want to behave. The CTA can truly be
proud to have him as an employe."
Joseph Stilwell (Limits Garage) was the driver of a #145
Wilson/Michigan Local bus that Mrs. Max Volk rode home
one Sunday evening from Ohio and Michigan to Belmont
Avenue. "Because of the new routes, most of the passengers
seemed confused and asked the driver many questions about
their stops. Although he was asked the same questions
repeatedly, he answered each one courteously, pleasantly,
and with great concern, as though he was hearing it for the
first time. Such patience is a virtue."
Nathaniel Stevens Jr. (52nd Street Garage) was compliment-
ed by Martha Jenious, of Indiana Avenue, for the way he
handled his #38 Indiana bus. "Mr. Stevens is a kind gentle-
man, nice to everybody on the route. His appearance is
always neat. What makes him look better is that he's so
good from within. I feel that when a person is as outstand-
ing as he is, he should be told while he can still enjoy it.
I feel you should hire more high-standard type of people
like Mr. Stevens. The people of South Commons and resi-
dents of the Near South Side say it is a pleasure to board
the bus on days when he is driving."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating employes re-
ceiving commendations recently were:
Rosa Alfaro and Drake Atkins, both of
Forest Glen; and Claudio Alvarez, North
Park.
Milton Bills, North Avenue; JoeBrionez,
Forest Glen; Herbert Bryant, 77th Street;
and Mary Butler, NortB Park.
Theodore Cachampis, Leroy Carr, and
Luke Costanza, all of North Park; John
Came rrai, Ashland; Denise Cherry, Limits;
Ray Clark, Lawndale; and Donald Cole,
69th Street.
Butros Daoud, North Park; Jesus Davi-
la, Robert Dulaitis, and Emanuel Dupree,
all of Forest Glen; and Edlow Dunn, How-
ard/Kimball.
Cecil Eichelberger, North Park; Albert
Elgar, North Avenue; and James Estes,
Forest Glen.
James Fitzgerald, Limits.
Georgia Harris, North Park; and Mi-
chael Holtzclaw, 77th Street.
Mary Jerry, Limits; and Rudolph John-
son, Beverly.
Robert Kremer, North Park.
Nathaniel Lee Jr., Ashland; John Le-
mond and Jesus Limas, both of North Park;
and Melvin Little Jr., North Avenue.
Frank Marshall, Limits; Angel Marti-
nez, North Park; Hue Maxwell, 52nd Street;
Robert McCarthy, Forest Park; Charles
McGee, Archer; Curtis McMullan II, Bev-
erly; and Jerry Miller, Forest Glen.
James Panoutsos and Charles Preschel,
both of Forest Glen; Rafael Pelayo, Ar-
cher; Curtis Phillips, Beverly; Michael
Poindexter, 77th Street; and Effie Porter,
52nd Street.
Leonard Quinlan, North Park.
Billy Ragsdale, Kenneth Richards, and
Alvin Ross Jr., all of 52nd Street; David
Rejmer, North Park; Annie Rice, Limits;
and Dwight Rogers, 77th Street.
Jaime Sandoval and Cornell Springs,
both of Archer; Adalino Santiago, Nora
Scott, and Leslie Stephenson, all of North
Avenue; Jimmie Smith and Robert Smith,
both of Forest Glen; and Willie Mae Sur-
les, 77th Street.
Edward Townsend, 69th Street.
Jimmie Walker, North Avenue; Mary
Wallace, Leroy Ward, and Maurice Willis,
all of North Park; Vaddie Weekly and Jes-
sie Wilson, both of 52nd Street; Charles
West, Howard/Kimball; Homer Wilkerson,
77th Street; and William Williamson Jr.,
69th Street.
Florence Salus
Robert Cassidy
Michael Yedinak
promotions
Florence Salus has been appointed superinten-
dent. Vehicle Maintenance Personnel. She
joined CTA in 1977 as a clerk/stenographer,
Maintenance/Office Procedures, after serving for
15 years with the Railway Express Agency at
O'Hare Airport. In 1978 Salus became a secre-
tarial stenographer and then executive secretary/
supervisor, General Operations. Later in 1978
she was selected personnel relations administra-
tor, Vehicle Maintenance, and, the following
year, supervisor, Instruction/Personnel in the
same department. Salus has two sons and a
daughter, and makes her home in Wheaton.
Two former material handling specialists in
Materials Management - Stores have been named
superintendents. Storerooms. Robert Cassidy.
now superintendent. Storerooms North, came
to CTA in 1975 from Atlanta, where he had
been the manager of a shoe distribution center.
Previously, he had been the assistant regional
manager of a nationwide distribution service,
also in Atlanta. Cassidy and his wife, Joan,
Uve in Vernon Hills, and are the parents of five
daughters and four sons.
Michael Yedinak, the new superintendent of
Storerooms South, was a foreman of storerooms
with the Stewart-Warner Corp. before joining
CTA in 1978. He and his wife, Dorothy, have
two sons and two daughters and live in the
Logan Square neighborhood on the Northwest
Side.
Three former management/professional in-
terns have been chosen assistant superintendents
by the Transportation Department. Jerry
Johnson remains in the Personnel Section as
assistant superintendent, Near South. Robert
Julun moves from Personnel to Bus Service,
while Michael Marren remains in Bus Service
assigned to District B.
Charles O'Connor, former bus service supervi-
sor, District D, has been named m/p intern.
Near North. Now serving as m/p interns in the
Control Center are Daryl Lampkins, former
transit professional trainee. Human Resources -
Training/Development Programs, and McRayfield
Caldwell, former rail service supervisor, Rail
District South.
Also in Transportation, WilUam Demitro,
former conductor. West Section, has been
chosen yard foreman in the same section, and
Hilteray McGhee Jr., former driver. Limits, has
been reassigned as a station clerk, Bus System.
Selected senior financial analysts, Financial
Services, are Joan Johnson, former financial
analyst in the same section, and James Rose,
former internal auditor, Internal Auditing.
Susan Walker, former planner. Operations
Planning, is now statistical analyst. Sales/ Risk
Management. Michael Brennan, former pensions
administration coordinator, has been chosen
supervisor, Pensions Administration.
Arthur J. Thomas has moved from blind case
clerk to claims analyst, Law/Claims. Anna M.
Kristman, former utihty clerk. Law, has been
named confidential office assistant, Real Estate.
In Vehicle Maintenance. South Shops, Leonard
Wiencek has been reassigned from shop clerk
to maintenance system coordinator, and Alfred
Haas has been promoted from carpenter fore-
man to unit supervisor. Bus Shops.
Eleven recently selected bus and truck
mechanics at South Shops include Elmer Herron
and Willie Allums, both former bus and truck
mechanic helpers, and Gary Machonga, former
bus and truck mechanic apprentice at the same
location; William Foley, former service truck
chauffeur. Transportation - Utility; and Syed
Qadri, former bus servicer, Lawndale.
Others are former bus repairers Charles
Koch, Jae Kim, and PhilUp Riesterer, all from
Limits; John Gamer Jr., Beverly; Terrald Dills,
77th Street; and James Hedin, Forest Glen.
New as a carpenter apprentice at South Shops
is CharUe Zigler, former bus servicer, 77th
Street. Fred Mussari, sheet metal worker, has
moved from South Shops to Plant Maintenance.
Now serving as electrical worker apprentices,
Skokie Shop, are Antonio Morales, former bus
servicer, Limits, and Phihp Lamont, former
conductor. North Section. Former drivers
Theodis Bankston, Archer, and Clarence
Simmons, Beverly, have been named service
truck chauffeurs. Transportation - Utility.
Donald Wells, former bus servicer, 77th Street,
is now a "B" helper, Plant Maintenance.
Henry Brown, former driver, 69th Street,
has been selected payroll clerk, Financial Ser-
vices. James Thomas Jr., former conductor,
North Section, is now treasury utility clerk.
Treasury. Margaret Whirity, formerly an un-
assigned clerk/typist. Human Resources, Em-
ployment & Placement, has been chosen utility
clerk, Law/Claims.
In a new job as utihty clerk. Law, is Jean
Smith, former suggestion records clerk. Human
Resources - Job Classification. Her position has
been taken by Ellen Kosinski, former clerk/
stenographer. Insurance & Pensions. Mary
Garcia, former typist. Transportation - Howard,
is now utility clerk. Insurance & Pensions.
Barbara Burton, former typist. Insurance &
Pensions,' has become utility clerk. Materials
Management. Candace Fitzgerald , former clerk/
stenographer, Financial Services, has been
selected administrafive safety clerk, Safety.
AUGUST, 1980
Massive weekend effort
at Desplaines terminal
CTA management continues to applaud some 100
employes for the swiftness In which the new transit
center at Desplaines terminal in Forest Park was
converted to a permanent station.
Project Manager Wesley Pinchot said workmen of
the Engineering and Maintenance departments de-
voted approximately 2,000 man hours to the special
track changeover process which began at 10 p.m.
Friday, Jime 27 and was completed by 2 a.m. on Mon-
day, June 30.
Track, third rail, signal and communication work-
ers removed approximately 300 feet of temporary
track, power and signals, and installed another 300
feet to make the permanent track connection to the
new terminal.
In addition to moving track, building and groimd
crews relocated office facilities which included of-
fices for the terminal superintendent, clerk and train
room as well as the ticket agent's work area.
Commenting on the special weekend effort. General
Operations Manager Harold Geissenheimer said, "Even
though workers were interrupted early Saturday morn-
ing by a heavy storm which lasted for about four hours,
they worked around the clock to get the job done over
the three-day period; therefore, our riders on the
Congress line experienced only a minimum of service
disruption. It was a job well done."
The new contemporary designed terminal consists
of a bi-level station and a terminal building con-
structed of concrete, steel and glass.
At its upper level is a 425 foot long platform which
is 28 feet wide, and it is covered by a flat canopy-type
roof which is 432 feet long and 80 feet wide. The
overhang of the roof covers the tracks on each side.
Bearing a striking resemblance to McCormick Place, the new transit
center at Desplaines terminal In Forest Park consists of a bi-level
station and terminal building constructed of concrete, steel and glass.
The roof is supported by columns on the outside of
the tracks and has a space frame design similar to
that used for the roof of McCormick Place.
The enclosed lower level of the station has a booth
for two agents, turnstiles and other fare controls, two
treadle-operated escalators, stairways and con-
cession areas.
The upper level platform includes such passenger
comforts as Infrared heating lamps and three 16-foot
long windbreaks. Another passenger convenience is
the new parking lot which accommodates 330 auto-
Spiking a tie under a running rail in the Desplaines yard at Forest
Park where engineers and maintenance department crews put in ap-
proximately 2,000 man hours during the special track changeover.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Using the rail-mounted crane, workers lay track and ties to the outer
yard lead at Desplaines terminal as installation of permanent track,
power and signals is completed.
mobiles, and a kiss 'n' ride area located to the south
of the building.
The south entrance will also serve riders trans-
ferring to and from RTA West Towns suburban buses,
and the transit center will have a Greyhoimd ticket
office.
Yet to be completed is the terminal's turnaround
area for CTA feeder buses. The north temporary
platform will be removed and track and structure de-
molished so that a north bus turnaround may be con-
structed. Pinchot said construction of the turnaround
is expected to get underway in approximately six
months.
Cost of the new transit center is in excess of
$5 million. It is jointly funded by the Urban Mass
Transportation Administration and the Illinois De-
partment of Transportation.
The previous station at Desplaines had been a
temporary facility since the Eisenhower rapid transit
route was opened in 1958 as the first of Chicago's
pioneering concept of incorporating rail transit in the
median strip of expressways.
When Alfredo Barrios Jr. arrived June 27,
1980, weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces,
his welcoming committee included five
sisters. Alfredo Sr., a driver from Archer
garage, and his wife, Maria, are filled with
excitement over the arrival of the new
little one who was born at McNeal
Memorial hospital in Berwyn.
Connection is welded to the Loop track as changeover process gets underway.
AUGUST, 1980
stained glass artistry
Roberta Bemadel is an apprentice
machinist who helps repair heavy axles of
rapid transit cars in SkoMe Shop.
Roberta Bemadel is an artist of ex-
qiiisite talent and patience who fashions
pieces of stained glass into objects and
scenes of delicate beauty in her Evanston
apartment.
"When you think of it," Roberta said as
she labored at her home work bench,
"creating in stained glass and repairing
700-pound 'L' car axles have somethings
in common.
"Both serve mankind — the one with
beauty to satisfy our artistic desires — and
the other with utility to help tal<:e us from
one place to another — perhaps to serve our
need to make a living."
Roberta and her son, Michael, 13, share
an interest in art. He does baby sitting
after school to earn money for art and de-
sign classes in the Evanston Art Center.
"Michael does a lot of my design work
for me," she said. "That gives me more
time to work with the stained glass, copper
wire, and soldering gun. We make a great
team," Roberta beamed.
"Most of our work is done at cost for
our friends at the CTA or my union, the
International Association of Machinists
and Aerospace Workers."
Roberta joined the CTA in 1978 and
hopes to receive her union joumeyperson's
papers next year.
"I love my work in Skolde Shop, I love
my hobby with stained glass. Both are
satisfying to me."
Top: "Arizona Sunrise" in yellows, blues, greens, and
purples, 12" X 38".
Middle: Roberta Bernadel cutting glass in her home
workshop in Evanston.
Bottom: 30" diameter enlargement of Machinists Union
logo requires 40 pieces of hand cut glass.
10
Clockwise from above:
Tropical parrot in red, yellow, green, blues, amber, and light brown,
12" high in 9" circle.
Victorian transom window in purples, yellows, greens, and whites,
12" X 36".
Desert scene in yellow, gold, red, green, and tan, 12" x 18".
Crusaders' quatrofoil design from 14th century in yellow, amber, and
brown, 20" x 20".
Handsome stained glass lamp shade adds charm to metal lamp base, and
"candlestick telephone" completes nostalgic scene on small table in
corner of Roberta's living room.
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safety awards
The Maintenance department's
safety group recently began a new
semi-annual safety contest for
Plant Maintenance employes to en-
courage their efforts to reduce
personal injuries on the job.
This latest safety contest, con-
ducted by Jeff SapinsM, safety
specialist, includes two areas.
Power and Way and Buildings and
Grounds,
In Power and Way are Track and
Structure, Power Distribution, and
Signal- Radio/Telephone. In Build-
ings and Groimds are Electrical/
Mechanical Maintenance, Rail
Janitors, and General Maintenance.
Sapinski conducted awards pre-
sentations Jime 17-20 at the Plant
Maintenance areas at West Shops,
Wilson Avenue, 61st and Calumet,
and 77th Street.
The winner in the Power and
Way area was the Track and Struc-
ture area supervised by Pat Mc-
Carthy. In the Buildings and
Grounds area, Electrical/Mech-
anical Maintenance area super-
vised by Gordon Brady was the
winner.
Len Wiksten, director. Plant Maintenance,
presents Zero Accident Program plaque to
Robert Stavinga, representing Pat McCarthy,
supervisor. Track and Structure section.
Presentation was In Wilson Avenue Plant
Maintenance area.
Right: Gordon Brady (left), supervisor,
Electrical/Mechanical maintenance section,
receives Zero Accident Program plaque from
Director Wiksten at 77th Street.
Below: South side Electrical/Mechanical
maintenance employes display their awards
with obvious pride. Other Maintenance
Department members joined the winners at
77th for their picture.
72
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Members of North side Track and Structure section are joined by
other Maintenance Department members for "family portrait" at
Wilson Avenue.
^
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Glenn Knerr (kneeling), and (from left) John Ray, Arthur Palmer,
Darrel Nelson and George Burgess at 61st and Calumet Plant Mainten-
ance area award presentation.
Maintenance Manager Tom Wolgemuth (second from left), congrat-
ulates Director Wiksten for Plant Maintenance section employes win-
ning safety awards from Greater Chicago Safety Council. At left is
Ted Szewc, supervisor, and at right is Walter Hallford, superintendent,
both of Plant Maintenance. This special award was made in West Shops.
North side Track and Structure members view award ceremony with obvious pleasure.
AUGUST, 1980
13
Posing for this picture prior to tee-off time of Local 241 golf tourna-
ment at Cog Hill are, left to right: Ken Norton, guest; George Hagen,
guest; Bill Norton, guest; Jack Thompson, Beverly; Derrell Norton,
North Avenue; Willie Jett, 77th Street; Charles Hall, financial secretary-
treasurer. Local 241; Felix Robinson, Security; Bob Zeblick, guest;
John Durnell, Beverly; Al Strickland, Local 241; Bob Legg, retired,
and Homer Reed, North Park.
Jo and James Walsh, Labor Relations, and Beverly Jackson,
Employe Counseling, consented to have their pictures
taken if we promised not to tell their scores. We kept our
promise as it was too high to count.
Guest of John Weatherspoon, president. Local 241, from Amalgamated Bank tees off.
At the tee is James Kelley, as his partners Leonard Block, Larry Thompson and Fran
Hearn check his form.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Checking in for their tee-off time are, stand-
ing, left to right: Tom Banks, 77th Street;
Willie Jett, 77th Street; Al Brubach, retired;
Bill McCarthy, Beverly; Felix Robinson,
Security; Eddie O'Rourke, Local 241, and
Ralph Bellamy, 77th Street. Sitting, left to
right: Tim O'Rourke, Claims; John Moore,
South Shops, and Horace Browning, touma-
ment coordinator from North Avenue.
Pulling the first number in the drawing for the television set is Erica
Edwards, the daughter of James Edwards, Local 241 board member
from North Avenue, as John Weatherspoon, left, president of Local
241, her sister, Pam, and Tim O'Rourke look on.
To make sure he wouldn't miss the cup. Rich Guidice, RTA, and Mike
Stroden, Employe Counseling, put their clubs down as a guideline for
Chuck Andersen, Insurance. You guessed it - - he missed.
Winner of this year's tournament was Walter
Robertson (second from left), the guest of
Charles Bridges, North Avenue. At left is
Charles Hall, financial secretary-treasurer.
Local 241; Tim O'Mahony, recording secre-
tary. Local 241, and John Weatherspoon,
president, Local 241.
AUGUST, 1980
15
DM
m
^^
MB.
f^ .
New fueling
facility opens
at 77th Street
Fueling buses qiiickly and
cleaning them of refuse left by the
previous day's riders are impor-
tant features of the CTA's bus
operations.
A $1.4 million bus fueling,
cleaning, and fuel storage complex
recently was completed at the 77th
Street garage to help speed this
important part of service to CTA
riders.
This modem brick, steel, and
glass structure can handle six
buses at a time for speedy fueling
and quick clearing out of refuse.
The new building replaces a
four bus structure that was about
30 years old, imsightly, and in-
efficient.
"The clearing of refuse imder
the old system was noisy, and of-
ten swept-up papers and refuse
escaped into the surrounding area,"
explained F. H. Petzold, the pro-
ject's manager. Petzold is an
engineer in the Plant Engineering
section of the Engineering depart-
ment.
"With the new system, sweepers
using brooms sweep the refuse
through the bus's front door that
opens into a cleaning cabinet. The
sweepers close the cabinet doors
with the refuse inside and suction
equipment draws the refuse at 70
miles-an-hour into a refuse com-
pactor.
"The compactor reduces 100
cubic yards of loose refuse into 20
cubic yards of condensed material.
"The refuse system then places
the condensed material into closed.
Above: New six bay fueling and cleaning facility that protects environment and has soundproofing
to control unnecessary noise.
Below: Bus is positioned by cleaning cabinet that takes refuse on a 70-mile-an-hour ride to a
compactor that reduces 100-cubic yards of trash into 20-cubic yard portions for removal in
closed containers.
industrial refuse containers for
removal to the city's disposal
site," Petzold said.
The new fueling facility also
contains a water, oil, and diesel
fuel separator system to help
eliminate contaminants in the cily' s
sewer system.
This new building has a two-
story-high center area 25 feet
wide and 60 feet long containing
electrical and mechanical equip-
ment rooms. These rooms are
heavily insulated to lessen noise
pollution.
The new structure has an over-
all length of 180 feet and is 80 feet
deep. It is part of a complex that
has an above-ground expanded and
modified diesel fuel storage tank
system capable of holding 84,000
gallons.
In addition, there is a new un-
derground gasoline storage tank
system that holds up to 20,000
gallons. Completing the storage
facilities is an 18,000 gallai new
engine oil tank system.
Working with Petzold indesign-
ing the project was the consulting
firm of John Dolio & Associates
of Chicago.
Funding came from federal and
state governments.
The Alfred Pauls (he's an attorney
in our Law Department) are solicit-
ing the special prayers of everyone
for the beneift of their 11 -month
old son, Daniel, who is gravely ill.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
South Section
honors retirees
The Semi-Armual Retirement
party sponsored by the South Sec-
tion attracted about 150 persons to
the event staged in Harris YWCA,
6200 S. Drexel blvd., July 6.
The party honored recent South
Section retirees Walter Loftlin,
conductor, 61st Street, and Martin
Cunnane, conductor, 63rd/Ashland.
James Moss, conductor, 63rd/
Ashland, and Dewey Hill, motor-
man, 61st Street, other honored
retirees, were unable to attend.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Loftlin (left) and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Cunnane.
^^^^Hfir^i^j^^^^^Ki
P^B ' 8
^^^^^^^Mi
m;-:-J^:fMl
B/ ^ 1
Samuel A. Charles (left), motorman; Walter Loftlin, and David
Curry, assistant superintendent, Ashland terminal, enjoy a good
laugh together.
Mr. and Mrs. Pharoah Cain. Cain, who retired in 1970, was out to
enjoy the festivities.
Assistant Superintendent Ardis Morris, South Section, is flanked by
Martin Cunnane (left) and Walter Loftlin, who display watches present-
ed to them.
Edward Freeman (left), rail janitor, 61st Street, and Mrs. Sarah Spears
pose happily while her husband, Charles, mans the turntable spinning
records for the party.
Mr. and Mrs. Moses F. Ashley Sr. and their family.
AUGUST, 1980
17
Seniors' picnic
About 250 adults and children
frolicked in the sun at the 4th an-
nual picnic sponsored by the CTA
Senior Citizens Retirement Or-
ganization on July 12.
The outdoor event was held in
the National Grove No. 2 Forest
Preserve in North Riverside.
Members of the picnic com-
mittee handed out more than 100
door prizes to adults and 80 prizes
to children, and passed out 450
rolls of candy, 300 key chains, and
200 ball point pens. Picnic com-
mittee members were Harold
Burda, Jack Kalka, Pete Dowdall
and Clarence Lind.
Music for dancing was provided
by Frankie Jay and his orchestra
with accordion accompaniment by
Mrs. Lucille Kocmoud.
Mr. and Mrs. Lad Jagos (left) and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Satzke, enjoy a relaxing moment at the
picnic. Jagos is a 1976 retiree; Satzke retired in 1968.
Top left: Frankie Jay (accordionist) and
drummer play for picnic participants. In the
background is Clarence Lind, picnic com-
mittee member.
Bottom left: Couple dances to the music's
rhythm at the picnic's pavillion. Mrs. Joe
Nolan, wife of the organization's general
manager, strums her ukulele to the beat of
the music.
Above: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Burda helped
collect many of the prizes given at the picnic.
Burda was a member of the picnic committee.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Service anniversaries in August
35 years
Stanley F. SadowskI, North Avenue
Herman J. Semon, Maintenance
Michael Clemente, District 0
Anthony P. DIbenedetto, Utility
Tanzel R. Govan, 52nd Street
Raymond J. Horoszko, North Avenue
Aaron J. Swoope, 98th Shop
Mario Tricoci, Travel Info. Ctr.
Edward J. Whiting, Electrical
Ed»/in J. Witek, North Avenue
Joseph P. Zaiud, Electrical
NEW PENSIONERS
ROBERT JASINSKI, Supv., Bus Service,
Forest Glen, Emp. 1-23-58
CHESTER MICHALEC, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 3-2-61
30 years
Chester J. Majerowlc, Maintenance
Joseph J. Mauro, Maintenance
Raymond J. Bieniasz, Power
Michael P. Connolly, Skokie Shop
Raymond MichalskI, Maintenance
Joseph v. Tunzi Jr., Transportation
John L. Williams, Electrical
25 years
Robert R. Chambers, Control Center
Bart B. Davis, Forest Glen
Christopher Gilbert Jr., Forest Glen
David D. Hinman, Near North Area
Alex Janito, Limits
Raymond Jones, Ashland/95th
Jesse L. Jumper, Stores/South
Andrew M. Lee, Forest Glen
Raymond A. Lugiai, Bus Service
Octavia Perrin, South Section
Curiey B. Russell, 77th Street
Semial L. Siggers, Racine Shop
John P. Smith, Claims
Thomas J. Staunton, Maintenance
Pensioners note:
New riding card
pictures being taken
for 1981 -82-83
Retired CTA employees wanting to receive a 1981-
82-83 Identification Card must have their photo-
graphs taken at the locations listed below.
The CTA photographer will be taking photos fiom
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the dates shown.
To avoid long waiting lines, photos are scheduled to
be taken alphabetically by last name. Please note
the dates set aside for you. If you cannot come in
on your scheduled dale, we will photograph you at
any of the other scheduled times.
NORTH AVE. STATION - 4801 W. North Ave.
Last Name
beginning with
A - G - Tuesday, September 30
H - O - Wednesday, October 1
P - Z Thursday, October 2
ARCHER STATION - 2600 W. Pershing Rd.
A-G
H-0
Tuesday, October 7
Wednesday, October 8
Thursday, October 9
To identify yourself you must bring your present
I.D. Card if you have one. Those who are unable to
come at the above specified times will be given
another opportunity at a later date to be announced
in the Transit News.
NO PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE TAKEN AT THE
MERCHANDISE MART AT THIS TIME
Top left: Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dappen (Limits,
1974).
Bottom left: Mr. and Mrs. Joe McNamara
(Archer, 1966).
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
WILLIE DRAKE JR., Ticket Agent,
Assignment Office, Emp. 11-11-66
SHERMAN MARTIN, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 9-29-66
DEBRL^ MYLES, Ticket Agent,
Central Assignment, Emp. 10-29-69
JOSEPH SMOK, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 11-28-45
I3Sr I^^E3VEOR,IA.3S/a:
STEPHEN DALTON, 83, West Section,
Emp. 9-30-26, Died 6-18-80
JOE DWORTZ, 70, 77th Street,
Emp. 8-11-47, Died 5-10-80
JOHN GUSHING, 84, Property Accoimting,
Emp. 11-7-21, Died 6-1-80
HARRY ESSINGTON, 90, Electrical,
Emp. 4-11-17, Died 6-13-80
HERMAN HODO, 77, North Section,
Emp. 1-14-44, Died 6-22-80
WILLIAM HOOVER, 71, Electrical,
Emp. 1-20-36, Died 6-2-80
CHARLES HURTIENNE, 72, North Sect.,
Emp. 12-27-46, Died 6-1-80
ARTHUR MILLER, 61, Forest Glen,
Emp. 8-15-47, Died 5-31-80
MELVIN MORRIS, 86, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-28-26, Died 6-25-80
CHARLES RAGAUSKI, 96, Kedzie,
Emp. 12-16-09, Died 6-30-80
JAMES RICHARDSON, 66, Kedzie,
Emp. 11-9-36, Died 6-8-80
STANLEY ROMANOSKY, 64, South Shops,
Emp. 8-3-53, Died 6-25-80
EDWARD STAMBORSKI, 67, Harlem,
Emp. 10-20-44, Died 5-30-80
BEN VALENT, 56, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 12-8-76, Died 7-10-80
REINHOLD WENZEL, 67, Limits,
Emp. 4-14-43, Died 6-4-80
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33
Numbers
Published for employes and retirees of the CTA,
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager. Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager. Transit
News Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Borcic,
Jack Sowchin, Jeff Stern, Rick Willis. Produced
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direaion of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employes. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
AUGUST, 1980
19
Junior Museum mural decorates 'L' platform
A mural of Grant Park and the Chicago skyline, painted by children
working in the Junior Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago, has
been installed in the Adams/Wabash Loop elevated station.
A CTA general maintenance crew, headed by Sam DeVuono of the
West Shops area, installed the mural to identify the station for riders,
particularly out-of-towners, as the Art Institute stop. Coordinating
the project for the CTA were Margaret Maier and Robert Aldworth of
the Passenger Controls/Graphics section. Operations Planning.
A second mural similar to the one at the CTA station currently is
on view in the Junior Museum.
Painted in bright colors, the mural measures 6 feet by 24 feet and
consists of three panels. The young artists, who range in age from 7 to
12 years old, spent three successive Saturdays in May working on the
mural in the Junior Museum.
Robert G. Edelman, preparator at the museum, who supervised the
activity, said approximately 75 children of members of the Art Insti-
tute participated in the project which was sponsored by the Junior
Museum Committee of the Women's Board of the Art Institute.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY,
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EV.iNSTON, IL 60201
TN
129
156
151
151
126
126
Van Buren
OCT 2 7 IQQn 129 NW/Franklin
^ I llJdU 151 Sheridan
verse flow routes
diana
126 Jackson
38
1261
129
Reverse flow bus lanes
improve Loop service
Reverse-flow bus lanes were introduced on Adams Street
and Jackson Boulevard August 31, providing east- and
westbound riders at the south end of the Loop with the same
improved service that riders on State Street have been en-
joying since the Transit Mall was opened almost one year ago.
The reverse lanes were created by the City of Chicago as a
means of improving air quality in the downtown area, a
change that was mandated by the U.S. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency. Giving buses their own exclusive lane elimi-
nates parking on one side of the street and permits aU traffic
to move faster, resulting in less vehicle idling and, therefore,
less pollution.
The idea of having exclusive bus lanes originated in Harris-
burg, Pennsylvania, some 30 years ago, and has since been
adopted by many cities, including Chicago, in one form or
another. Besides the State Street Transit Mall, special bus
lanes have been used in the 63rd and Halsted shopping
district; on Washington Street in the Loop; along Canal
between Harrison and Polk; and in front of both the North
Western and Union railroad stations.
Under the new system, #38 Indiana, #151 Sheridan, and
#129 NW/Franklin rush period buses, which previously
competed with other westbound traffic on Adams, now
operate west in the north curb lane of Jackson.
They have been joined by #126 Jackson buses which
formerly used Van Buren west from Michigan. The #126's
return to Van Buren from Jackson at Franklin in order to
serve the U.S. Post Office. Local #156 LaSalle buses now
also use Jackson westbound from LaSalle.
The new terminal area for buses using the reverse-flow
lane of Jackson is on Jefferson Street between Jackson and
Adams. These buses now make pickups from Union Station
along the south curb of Adams on both the west and east
sides of Canal Street.
The reverse lanes on both Adams and Jackson have been
set off from other traffic lanes by double yellow lines,
"Buses Only" and diamond symbols that warn other drivers
to stay away. Traffic Ughts have been adjusted to provide
the same signals for buses as for traffic heading in the op-
posite direction. And pedestrian crossings in the curb lanes
used by buses are marked "Look Left For Buses."
w*H^|sr£«N mmm
156 LaSalle
CTA buses operating eastbound on Adams street on the reverse flow
bus lane on September 2. The auto behind the second bus is a Chicago
Police squad car helping to establish the exclusive use by buses during
the first business day of operation.
eta
mm
tSSi
\^\wm
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
SEPTEMBER, 1980
Cited for
outstanding
performance
Most CTA bus operators and other
frontline transportation personnel sel-
dom have an opportunity to see what
activities at CTA headquarters in the
Merchandise Mart influence their lives
as well as street operations.
Employes who are cited for out-
standing performance, however, merit
"A Day at CTA" a visit to the
general office to see how the trans-
portation system works. The day
includes attending a board meeting
where introductions are made, a visit
to the control center, the travel
center, and various other departments
within the CTA, a picture taking
session, lunch and a roundtable dis-
cussion, and a handsome certificate
to commemorate the event.
When Nicholas Triffon, a bus super-
visor for District B, and Amy Grant, a
rapid transit ticket agent supervisor in
the Central Assignment office were
commended by Transportation Man-
ager J. R. Blaa last month, they were
selected to be recipients of this special
honor and were feted recently by
Transportation department hosts.
Triffon was cited for saving the
morning for commuters on July 21
as he took direct action after severe
thunderstorms had caused flooding of
the viaduct at Kenton avenue on the
Douglas rapid transit route, making it
impassable for rail service.
Earlier the Chicago Fire Depart-
ment had indicated that firemen
would provide a pumper to clear the
water, but the location of the viaduct
Amy Grant
made it difficult for firemen to attack
the problem.
It was 5 a.m. when Triffon and a
co-worker discovered the viaduct
which he said was flooded all over.
"We had been in the area for a while
checking out the problem," said the
30-year CTA employe who joined
B District 12 years ago.
Donning liis hip boots, he waded
into the water at Cermak and Kenton
where he pulled two covers, and
cleared another of debris allowing
the water to recede below the level of
the third rail, thus service was restored
prior to the beginning of the morning
rush hour.
"We work together in our district,"
said Triffon. "As far as we are con-
cerned there is no difference between
bus and rail, it's all the same com-
pany," he said.
Amy Grant, a 24-year employe, was
Nicholas Triffon
cited after she rescued a 70-year old
woman from the rapid transit tracks
at Washington and Madison streets
in the State street subway.
Ms. Grant said after she was alerted
to the elderly woman on the tracks by
her screams, she asked another pas-
senger on the platform to talk to the
woman and try to keep her from
moving toward the third rail.
Then she ran up the stairs where
she instructed the ticket agent to call
the control center and have the power
on the northbound tracks cut off and
have assistance sent to the area.
Next she descended the stairs and
jumped onto the tracks to help the
woman onto the platform.
"It was quite a feat," said John
Zupko, superintendent of agents.
"Amy disregarded her own safety to
help this poor woman, and we are
very proud of her."
CTA employees honored
by Heart Association
Paul J. Kole, controller, Chicago Transit
Authority (left) accepts an appreciation
plaque presented to the CTA employees for
participation in the Combined Appeal Plan,
from Chicago Heart Association Business
Division Heart Fund Chairman John A.
Sivright. The CTA employees were among
businesses and volunteers honored during
the annual awards luncheon of the Business
Division at The Harris Trust and Savings
Bank July 31. Kole also serves as CHA's
treasurer.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (left) and six state representatives
view work of bus controller Joseph Stumpfel as described to them by
Michael LaVelle, director. Service, Transportation Department, in
the control center. Representatives are (from Barnes' left) John S.
Matijevich, North Chicago; Ted E. Leverenz, Maywood; Richard
Mautino, Spring Valley; Jim McPike, Alton; E. J. "Zeke" Giorgi, Rock-
ford, and Michael McClain, Quincy. Harold H. Geissenheimer, General
Operations manager, is in background.
State representatives
tour CTA facilities
Six state representatives from suburban and down-
state communities toured CTA facilities on August 25
as the guests of Chairman Eugene M. Barnes and ex-
pressed their admiration for the CTA' s operations and
employees.
The representatives are Ted F, Leverenz, May-
wood; John S. Matijevich, North Chicago; E.J. "Zeke"
Giorgi, Rockford; Richard A. Mautino, Spring Valley;
Michael F. McClain, Quincy, and Jim McPIke, Alton.
Barnes led the six representatives on a tour of the
control center, a ride on a 'Big Bend' bus, an 'L' ride
from the Clark/Lake station to 79 station on the Lake-
Dan Ryan route, and a motorized tour of the giant
South Shops and 77th street bus garage complex.
In the South Shqjs, the representatives expressed
surprise that the CTA employees do so much of the re-
pair work on our buses. Others found it interesting
that many employees spend over 30 years at the CTA,
and that some families have a tradition of two or three
generations working in Chicago transit.
After the tour, Barnes, a former state representa-
tive himself, said his visitors expressed amazement
at the vast scope of the CTA's operations.
"They told me they never realized how big an area
the CTA covers, said it was 'mind boggling' the way
we provide 2.3 million rides each weekday and 24-hour
Representatives ride in turntable section of a 'Big Bend' bus. The
group was joined by Thomas Wolgemuth, manager. Maintenance, in
background.
service to our riders.
"Most of all," Barnes said, "the representatives
said they were impressed by our employees' dedica-
tion to their duties and their obvious pleasure in per-
forming their tasks.
"Most downstate legislators have not seen the
CTA's operations as these representatives have done."
Barnes said he plans to invite other legislators to
tour the CTA so they too could learn how large and
diverse the CTA is and why it requires a large amount
of public funding.
SEPTEMBER, 1980
N
Jud Lawrie
appointed
Budget
manager
Jud Lawrie was recently ap-
pointed Manager of the CTA's
newly reorganized Budget Depart-
ment by Chairman Eugene M,
Barnes.
Lawrie will be responsible for
budget development, multi-year
budget planning and management,
and program analysis.
Lawrie returns to the CTA
after having spent four years as
Manager of Operations Planning at
the Regional Transportation Au-
thority (RTA). In 1975 he was
Director of the Office of Research
for the CTA.
He previously served as a
transportation consultant to the
Illinois General Assembly, As-
sociate Director of the RTA Citi-
zens Committee for Better Trans-
portation, and Director of the Mass
Transportation Office at the Illi-
nois Department of Transportation.
Lawrie has a Master of Busi-
ness Administration degree from
the University of Chicago and a
Bachelor of Business Administra-
tion degree from Baylor Univer-
sity, Waco, Texas.
Quick response proves effective
during 16th street emergency
Like the well-drilled crew of a
Navy ship in wartime, CTA personnel
have learned to respond quickly and
effectively to the rapid transit version
of the call to "General Quarters."
The alarm was sounded at 10:20
a.m. Monday, August 1 1 , for an emer-
gency on the North-South and Dan
Ryan structure near 16th Street.
There, parts of a derrick being carried
on a freight train passing below struck
and protruded up through the struc-
ture, disabling a Lake/Dan Ryan train
traveling above.
Within minutes the call to "battle
stations" was sounded through the
"internal intercom system" that aUows
instant communication from the
Control Center. A command post
was set up in the Control Center to
coordinate the activities of all depart-
ments that would be involved in
evacuation procedures and the res-
toration of service.
Harold Geissenheimer, General
Operations Manager, said of the re-
sponse to the emergency, "CTA has
become an expert in crisis management.
We have been tested. Over the past
five years our people have been called
upon to do things they never did
before. When the incident at 16th
Street occurred, we implemented our
emergency procedures - - and they
worked!"
Immediate rescue efforts were led
by W. Edward Nash, assistant district
superintendent, South Rail District,
who was riding in the first car of the
disabled train. After calming riders
through announcements over the train's
speaker system, Nash helped motor-
man Thomas Blaney and conductor
Scott Givens evacuate them onto a
Howard-bound Mainline train that was
halted on the adjacent track.
At the same time, other employees
and firemen helped riders from other
trains that were stranded when power
was cut. And when on-the-scene
inspection indicated that service could
not be restored until special supports
could be built to strengthen the struc-
ture, trains were turned back at 35th
and Roosevelt on the Mainline, and at
35 th and Adams/Wabash on the Lake/
Dan Ryan.
To close the gap in service, an
emergency bus shuttle was organized.
One bus route was set up to carry
Lake/Dan Ryan riders between 35th
and Adams/Wabash, where trains from
Harlem were returning west using the
outer Loop. Another shuttle route was
estabhshed to carry riders south
through the Loop along State Street
to 35th on the Mainline. From an
initial 27 buses, this service was ex-
panded to 104 buses by the afternoon
rush period.
To keep the public informed about
service developments, the Pubhc Affairs
department maintained frequent con-
tact with the news media, while volun-
teers from the General Office, under
the direction of Operations Planning,
notified riders directly at subway and
'L' stations and other strategic points
in the Loop.
Meanwhile, ironworkers and other
maintenance personnel rushed to the
scene of the emergency to build tem-
porary supports under the damaged
structure to make it safe for rail traffic.
By the start of the Tuesday morning
rush period, service on the North-
South Mainline had already been re-
stored.
Service had to be cut again after
the Wednesday evening rush period in
order to rebuild the temporary
supports in such a way that one of the
blocked freight line tracks could be
reopened. This work was completed in
time for the Thursday morning rush
period, when service was completely
restored on both the North-South
Mainline and the Lake/Dan Ryan.
The final phase of the emergency
is expected to come in November,
when a specially fabricated, 72-foot-
long girder will be installed to replace
the one that was damaged.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Board approves purchase
of 125 articulated buses
A CTA articulated bus was a star attraction of the Englewood Back to
School Parade on August 30, featuring window decorations produced
by the Community Relations staff and exterior signs by the Passenger
Controls/Graphics section. Operations Planning. Chairman Barnes
was among city dignitaries who attended the parade.
At its regular monthly meeting on September 3, the
Chicago Transit Board authorized the purchase of 125
articulated buses at a contract price of $33,731,250
($269,850 each).
Similar to the 20 'Big Bend' articulated buses that
have been in operation at CTA for over a year and a
half, the new diesel powered buses consist of two sec-
tions connected by bellows-like panels and a turntable
which coordinate turning movements. The buses will
have 65 seats, with a maxtmimi capacity, including
standees, of 130 riders. The wide two way front door
with center grab rail, as on current 'Big Bends', will
provide fast boarding and exiting of passengers.
Several important new features are included in this
purchase:
— The buses will have a wheel chair lift built into
the rear door where the steps will convert into a lift
platform. Three seats near the rear door will fold
back to make room for the wheel chair.
— The first step will be only 12 and three-quarter
inches from the ground, as compared with 14 and one-
half inches on thepresent articulated buses and 13 and
one-half inches on standard CTA buses.
— A back-up ventilation system consisting of four
power vents in the roof will supplement the air con-
ditioning.
"The CTA has been operating 20 similar articulated
buses since February of 1979. As part of our test
program, the buses were operated on various heavily
traveled routes throughout the city and proved to be
fully adaptable and cost efficient," said CTA Chairman
Eugene M. Barnes,
The contract for the buses is to be let to M.A.N.
Truck and Bus Corporation, the only bidder. The
buses will be built in both the U.S. and Germany (53
per cent in the U.S.). Currently, there are no manu-
facturers of articulated buses in the U.S.
The buses will be purchased with an Interstate
Transfer Grant from the federal government (85
per cent) and an Illinois state grant (15 per cent).
Delivery of the 125 buses is scheduled to start in
April, 1982, and be completed in January, 1983.
Many thanks . . .
To my former fellow employees at the Mart and the
CTA Pioneers Retirement Club: many thanks for your
get-well cards, flowers and phone calls. I am now home
recovering from a triple by-pass operation on my heart.
Your well wishes helped my recovery, which was a slow
process.
Gratefully,
Russ Warnstedt
SEPTEMBER, 1980
Dora Martin (Forest Glen Garage)
was praised by Rosalie Schultz,
of North Kedzie avenue, "for the
fine job she is doing" on her #152
Addison bus. "This driver was
very courteous and helpful, and
she had a lively, generous know-
ledge of her route. She was able
to help passengers find not only
their streets, but also particular
locations along those streets and
the best ways of reaching them.
Best of all, this driver had a sense
of humor that kept things in
proportion. She was obviously
not just grinding along making a
living. It was more like she was
adventuring along making a life.
And I for one was glad to be on
board with her."
Ronald Gray Sr. (Beverly Garage)
was complimented by Henri Dela-
coeur, of East 95th street, for his
handling of a #34 South Michigan
bus. "While riding with this driver
from the 95th street terminal to
112th street, I was impressed
with his smooth, skillful negotia-
tion of the bus, his courtesy
toward riders and to other drivers,
and his emphasis on safety. After
40 years of involvement with
several phases of transportation, I
feel I am qualified to make this
assessment. Please congratulate
this employee and let him know
that skill, courtesy, and a bit of
extra effort will always be appre-
ciated and recognized."
commendation corner
Lloyd Winston (North Park Garage) was the driver of a
#22 Clark bus that Bruce Priebe rode one hot summer
evening on his way to an office on Diversey Parkway. "I
have never met any employee who was so pleasant and took
so much pride in his job pleasing his passengers. Everyone
was greeted with a pleasant smile and 'Good evening,' and
when a blind man got on the bus, he took extra care in
boarding him and his dog. All this took place in abnormal
95-degree weather when tempers are bound to flare and
people tend to be cross. Please compliment this man on a
job well done. He surely does deserve it."
Edna Lomax (69th Street Garage) won the approval of
Annette Lemke, of North Pulaski road, for the way she
handled illegal boarders on her #9 Ashland bus. "At Madi-
son, she asked three men if they were going to come up
front and pay their fares. When they failed to respond after
she asked again, she stopped the bus, picked up her phone,
and alerted CTA downtown. The men got off. Later, two
other men entered througli the rear door, and again she
asked them to bring their fares up front. They did, but she
was ready with her phone just in case. She is a good driver
who keeps alert and doesn't tolerate freeloaders."
Robert Baker (Forest Glen Garage) "makes the whole
CTA shine," according to John Kepler, who rode his #92
Foster bus to work on North Francisco avenue. "This morn-
ing he greeted me and other passengers with a warm 'Good
morning.' He called street names clearly before each stop.
When an elderly gentleman boarded, the driver was very
careful starting up so as not to cause the man to lose his
balance. When two passengers getting off a northbound
I\ilaski bus obviously could not make it across the street in
time to transfer to our bus, the driver stopped after crossing
Pulaski to allow them to board. I appreciate this man's
attitude toward his job."
Vytautas Stukelis (Archer Garage) was commended by
John Cisarik, of South Melvina avenue, for his courtesy while
driving a #62 Archer bus one hot Sunday afternoon. In a
letter to the editor that appeared in the Chicago Tribune,
Cisarik said, "The bus driver was one of the most pleasant
I've ever encountered on the CTA. He answered questions
about the Sunday fares, thanked people for showing him
their CTA passes of super transfers, and was generally courte-
ous despite the heat and the fact that he was driving into the
glare of the sun. I'm sure no one has struck a medal for
courtesy yet, but this driver ought to be in line for an award."
Jesse Bolian (North Park Garage) was the subject of a
letter from Howard Peschke, of Southgate, Michigan, who
was a passenger on his #151 Sheridan bus while visiting
Chicago. "He was courteous and helpful to the riders, and
he handled the bus so well that the ride was smooth and
comfortable. This included starts and stops. I Uved in
Chicago for three years and utilized the transit system every
day, and this is the first time I have been so impressed with
a driver that I wanted to sit down and write a letter about it.
As long as the CTA has drivers like this one they can be
proud."
John Brugess (Limits Garage) "made bus riding a pleasure,"
according to Ralph Scheu, an attorney with offices on West
Washington street, who was a rider on his #36 Broadway
bus. "He greeted each passenger with a 'Good morning,'
started smoothly, and drove carefully and rapidly without
speeding. He stopped without jarring, watched for potential
riders approaching the stops so they would not miss the bus,
and called out the street names loudly and distinctly. He
also was mindful of traffic, stayed in the bus lane where
possible, and stopped as near to the curb as possible. He
even had a farewell greeting, such as 'Have a nice day, now.'
He is to be commended highly."
John Aasen (Forest Glen Garage) was appreciated by Mrs.
James Penney, of Tliorndale avenue, for his consideration
whUe rerouting his #84 Peterson bus. "Our driver was
unable to turn north into Kenmore because of a super-sized
moving van that was blocking the street. Aware that people
were waiting to board the bus at the 'L,' he flagged down a
passing squad car and asked them to notify the crowd to
meet our bus at Broadway. He also alerted an eastbound
driver so that he, too, could make adjustments. Some riders
were quick to voice their anger about the inconvenience,
but our driver remained cool, calm and friendly. I was
impressed by his excellent attitude."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating employes re-
ceiving commendations recently were:
Thomas Abel Jr. and Jeff Anderson,
both of Limits; Christopher Adams and
Pedro Alicea, both of North Avenue; Rosa
Alfaro, Forest Glen; and Curtis Anderson
and David Arreguln, both of North Park,
William Banks, North Avenue; Johnny
Banks and Dorothy Bamer, both of 77th
Street; Evelyn Betts, West Section; Jesse
Bolian, Michael Boyk, and Anthony Borrelli,
all of North Park; and Emanuel Bolarinwa,
Robbie Brown, and John Brugess, all of
Limits.
Jean Cage, Jose Canales, and Robert
Cossom, all of Limits; Theodore Cachamp-
is, Griz Craig, and David Curry, all of
North Park; John Cameron, Ashland/95th;
and Maria Clark, 77th Street.
Marie Daniels and Lynn Davis, both of
Limits ; Dwane Davy and Frederick Douglas,
both of North Park; Edmimd Daddezio,
ElectraDeAlba, and Hector De Jesus, all of
North Avenue; and Rogers Dean, Lawndale.
Steve Feller, Albert Fields, and Bryon
Franklin, all of North Park; and Henry
Fields, North Avenue.
Joe Gill, Jeffrey Gresser, and Terrence
Griffin, all of Archer; Julio Garcia, Howard/
Kimball; and Matthew Grayson, 69th Street.
R. L. Hampton, Archer; Leo Hara, North
Park; Larry Harper and Lawrence Hart,
both of North Avenue; and Marvin Harris
and Frank Hruby, both of Lawndale.
Michael Jackson, 69th Street; Melvin
Jefferies and William Johnson Jr., both of
52nd Street; and Jennifer Johnson, North
Section.
Martin Kane, Howard/Kimball; David
Kelly, North Park; and James Kolstad,
Beverly.
James Larry, 52nd Street; Robert Lay
and Leblanc Ledree, both of Limits; Char-
lie Lee, North Section; Alpha Lambert,
77th Street; Charley Lane, Beverly; Claud-
ioLombardi, Forest Glen; and Tulio Lopez,
North Park.
Adolph Marth, Angel Martinez, Aubrey
McGregor, Michael McGuill, and Edgar
MoUinedo, all of North Park; Ellis May,
Archer; Abraham McKeiver, 69th Street;
Elnora McKenzie, West Section; Francisco
Medrano, Forest Park; Gustavo Meza and
Faye Murry, both of Limits; Isaias Molina
and Robert Moyer.bothof Forest Glen; and
Johnny Moore, Lawndale.
Dianna Owens, Noilh Park.
John Palaggi Jr., 77th Street; Santiago
Pantoja, Campaign Area; Isaac Price,
Lawndale; and Rlcardo Puerto, Douglas/
Congress.
Robert Quattrocki, Douglas/Congress.
Mattie Raines and Anthony Reynolds,
both of North Avenue; Leslie Randall,
Limits; Richard Roma, North Park; and
Joseph Rossie, Central District.
Santiago Sanchez and Robert Surita, both
of 77th Street; Kenneth Simpson, Joseph
Smoot, and Leroy Starr, all of North Park;
James Sloan, 52nd Street; Joseph Stilwell,
Limits; and Angelo Sturino, Howard/Kim-
ball.
Wendell Talbert, North Park; Henry
Terry, Lawndale; and Barbara Thomas,
West Section.
Francisco Valle, North Avenue; and
Frank Viola, North Park.
Peter Willemsen, Maurice Willis, and
Lloyd Winston, all of North Park; Abner
Williams Jr. and Barbara Williams, both
of Limits; Edward Williams and Oliver
Wilson Jr., both of North Avenue; Monroe
Williams, Beverly; Theodore Williams,
77th Street; and Royal Woolfolk, Archer.
Raymond Castrogiovanni
Raymond Castrogiovanni has been ap-
pointed superintendent. Contract Construc-
tion, Engineering. He formerly served as
supervisor. Construction Inspection, in the
same department. Castrogiovanni joined
CTA in 1974 as a construction inspector.
Previously he was a construction super-
intendent for general contractors. He and
his wife, Evelyn, have five sons and live in
the Garfield Ridge neighborhood on the
Southwest Side.
Two new assistant superintendents have
been named by the Transportation Depart-
ment. John Blum is assigned to the Ser-
vice section, where he formerly was a
management/professional intern. Isaac
Clark, former m/p intern, Persoimel, is
now assistant superintendent. Far South.
In Vehicle Maintenance, Michael Vas-
quez, former xmit supervisor. Terminals,
has been selected supervisor. Rail Vehicle
Terminals. New as tmit supervisors, in-
tern, are Matthew Mantia, former garage
assistant foreman, 77th Street, and Emanu-
el Porter, former garage night foreman,
Kedzie/Lawndale.
Anthony Ambut, former training co-
ordinator. Human Resources-Training/
Development Programs, is now communi-
cations coordinator in the same section.
In Vehicle Maintenance-Methods/Standards,
George Michaud has moved from materials
coordinator to supply control coordinator.
Four new travel information representa-
tives are now working in the Travel Infor-
mation Center: Samuel Highsmith, former
traffic checker. Operations Planning; Rob-
ert Dennis and James Nimn Jr., both for-
mer drivers. Archer; and Sterling Tharp
Jr., former driver, 52nd Street.
In new positions as service truck chauf-
feurs, Transportation-Utility, are George
Rivera, former driver. North Park, and
Scott Maginnis, former security officer.
Security.
Now serving as painter apprentices.
South Shops, are Robert Kuropas, former
carpenter apprentice at the same location,
and Richard Chacon, former bus servicer.
Archer. Thurman Collier, former stock
clerk. Materials Management-Stores, has
become a painter helper. South Shops, while
Booker Taylor, former janitor. Plant
Maintenance, has been selected painter "A".
Also in Vehicle Maintenance at South
Shops are four recently chosen laborers:
Roberto Pagan and Bruce Johnson, both
former drivers, 77th Street; Judy Reno,
former janitor. Plant Maintenance; and Guy
Hillock, former bus servicer. Archer.
In Plant Maintenance, Luigi Lombardi
and Salvatore Fontanetta, both former
trackmen, have become "B" helpers. Wil-
lie Haskell, former blacksmith/welder,
South Shops, has moved to Plant Mainte-
nance as an electrical and acetylene welder.
James Stephen, former payroll clerk.
Payroll, and Reimar Pielstron, former
travel information representative. Travel
Information Center, have been selected
field audit clerks, Financial Services-
Internal Auditing. Within Financial Ser-
vices, Alex Fritzler has moved from pay-
roll clerk to bill clerk.
Charles Haynes has been reassigned
from unit exchange clerk to production
clerk at South Shops, while David Perez
has made the same change at SkoMe Shop.
Ronald Scott, former driver, 69th Street,
has been chosen training services clerk,
Hxunan Resources-Training/Development
Programs.
Grace Winfrey, formerly unassigned.
Human Resources-Employment/Placement,
is now treasury utility clerk. Treasury.
Catherine Brady has been promoted from
utility clerk I, Materials Management, to
utility clerk n. Law File Administration.
Loretta Adams, former typist, Financial
Services, has become utility clerk. Insur-
ance & Pensions. Patricia Baker, former
stenographer H, Law, and Maria Benitez,
former stenographer I, Engineering, are
now both stenographer n's. Engineering.
SEPTEMBER, 1980
New rail
supervisors
Eight new rail service supervisors
have joined the supervisor pool after
completing an extensive training pro-
gram that places special emphasis on
trouble-shooting and restoration of
service techniques.
The training included 14 formal
sessions and 40 hours of rail supervisor
experience under the guidance of
other supervisors. There were also
tours to familiarize trainees with the
entire rail system and instruction in
the operation of various types of
equipment.
Ed Mitchell, director, Support Ser-
vices, was in charge of the training,
which was also taken by six General
Office personnel whose knowledge of
rail procedures was considered helpful
in carrying out their jobs.
Wilbert Matthews, one of the new
supervisors, said of the training, "I
think it got down to basics. It also
helped me utilize the skills I had
acquired as motorman, conductor and
towerman." He added, "I liked learn-
ing about how and why things are
done in an emergency, as well as how
to deal with other personnel."
Julio Diaz commented, "It has been
a very good experience. I will continue
to do my best and hope to have other
opportunities to move ahead in my
career at CTA."
Ellis Sansing reported. "I think the
instruction was very thorough, and
that the instructors went out of their
way to make sure we understood
everything. I appreciated the emphasis
Displaying certificates recognizing their completion of supervisor training are (seated left to right):
Julio Diaz, EIree Jones, James Colles, and John McEnaney. Standing are (left to right): Ivory
Davis, Ellis Sansing, Corinthian Brunt, and Wilbert Matthews.
on dealing with employees as people
instead of just badges. It's a serious
job."
According to John McEnaney, "Now
I have a better understanding of how
the company operates. I learned a
great deal about trouble-shooting and
restoration of service, though you
never know enough. I'll keep trying to
gain more knowledge on the job."
Elree Jones said she was qualified
in all positions in rail, including yard
foreman, but that the training was
"interesting and comprehensive. I feel
I can handle just about anything, now,
and that I have a good rapport with
the personnel. I enjoyed the experience
of going through the entire rail system
and seeing the subways from portal
to portal."
Corinthian Brunt believes, "I really
accomplished something. Before this,
I wasn't familiar with the yards and
switching. Now I don't think there's
any problem out there I can't deal
with. I think we had a great group of
instructors."
Ivory Davis regarded the training as
"a prerequisite for getting into instruc-
tion and perhaps becoming a superin-
tendent some day. I've certainly
broadened my view of transportation
and strengthened my knowledge of
trouble-shooting. It also taught me
some things I didn't know about the
work of a towerman, switchman, and
yard foreman."
James Colles suggested, "There's
always something more to learn about
restoration of service and trouble-
shooting. The training taught me how
to deal with the problems that can
come up, and gave me a real feeling
for what's going on out in the system."
^ n o O ^
i
L
First group to complete an eight-week Material Handling and
Warehousing course sponsored by Materials Management Depart-
ment include (from left, standing) Robert Gorz, stock clerk. West
Shops; Eugene Magad, course instructor; Richard Smith, stock
clerk. South Shops; John Gurrieri, stock clerk, Skokie Shop;
Lawrence Jones, stock clerk. South Shops; Lawrence Tischer, stock
clerk. Lower Yard; David Bremer, stock clerk. Merchandise Mart;
Rowland Sykes, stock clerk. South Shops, and Fred Krawczyk,
stock clerk. West Shops. Seated (from left) are James Quails,
order control clerk. Merchandise Mart; Martha Hallock, secretary.
Merchandise Mart; Dorothy Harmon, salvage control clerk. Mer-
chandise Mart; Terry Carroll, stock clerk. South Shops; Billie
Thompson, stock clerk, Skokie Shop, and Donald Powell, stock
clerk. South Shops. Ed Deles, unit supervisor. Records and Train-
ing, Materials Management, and coordinator for the course, said
that approximately 120 department members are slated to take
the course, which is conducted by Eugene Magad and Associates,
consultants to the warehousing industry.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Return trip to yesteryear
Approximately 300 employees, retirees, and guests en-
joyed a return trip to yesteryear at the Illinois Railway
Museum in Union, Illinois, on Saturday, August 23. The
second annual CTA Day was sponsored by the CTA Group
Travel Program in conjunction with the museum. Attrac-
tions included rides on historic equipment, restoration and
signals tours, movies, and hand car rides.
For more information about Group Travel Program
events, contact Ms. Harriett Murphy, special projects co-
ordinator, Human Resources department. Room 7-170,
Mart, ext. 75 1 .
Enjoying the festivities was Pensioner John Gritis (Reproduction '78),
and his wife, Rosemary, and Pensioner Pat Gill (West Shops 76), and
his wife, Grace.
Pensioner Ray Zielinski (North Avenue '77), pilots #144, Pullman
vintage 1908, last operated out of 77th Street.
Scott and Eric Swanson enjoyed the old steam engine with their father,
Paul (Maintenance).
Mary and Joe Repplinger, now retired,
enjoyed the outing.
Gordon Balazs (Transportation) helps his
grandson, Brian, off the steps of the old
railroad coach, as his wife, Georgiana,
awaits her turn.
James Larry (52nd Street), and his wife,
Janie, and children, Jason, Jeremy and
Jennifer, enjoyed a streetcar ride.
Q
kH
'9
: ■
g^g^^ii^
t 1
P^
Alvin Rohde (North Avenue) enjoyed the
day with his friend. Vera Gutzman.
SEPTEMBER, 1980
Cover girls
return for
Monthly Pass
commercial
When motorman D. J. Sweeney came
in to have his photo taken for a com-
mendation in 1948, he treated his two
daughters, Eileen and KatliJeen, to a
trip downtown.
Sweeney was being commended for
stopping his elevated train early one
morning after he spotted a burning
bam in a neighborhood of frame
houses. He blew his train whistle for
several minutes, waking the people in
the neighborhood who put out the
fire before it could spread.
During the commendation photo
session, the CTA photographer also
photographed Sweeney with his daugh-
ters. He sent copies to Sweeney and
kept a file copy.
When the Transit News staff checked
the photo files for feature ideas for the
December, 1950, issue, they discovered
the photo of Sweeney and his daugh-
ters. Eileen and Kathleen then ap-
peared on the cover of the magazine
and were featured in a monthly column
caUed "TO THE LADIES . . . from
Joan." The column told how to make
Christmas decorations at home, using
photos taken in the Sweeney home.
Thirty years later in July, 1980,
Eileen and Kathleen and their daugh-
ters acted as extras during the filming
of the CTA Monthly Pass commercial.
Eileen and her husband James
Peters, a Chicago fireman, live on the
northwest side with their four children
Jimmy, 18, Kevin, 17, Maureen, 14,
and Sheila, 10.
Kathleen and her husband William
Keogh, a real estate developer for the
Homart division of Sears, Roebuck,
& Co., live in Park Ridge, IlUnois, with
their two daughters Colleen, 10, and
Catherine, 9.
Motorman D. J. Sweeney retired in
1965. He spent part of each year with
the Peters in Chicago and the rest of
each year with the Keoghs who then
lived in Phoenix, Arizona. After
Sweeney's death in 1978, the Keoghs
moved to Park Ridge.
Eileen and Kathleen were thrilled to
be extras in the Monthly Pass commer-
cial, because it brought back many
fond memories of their father and their
many friends in other CTA families.
The December, 1950, Transit News cover featured Eileen Sweeney, age 9, and Kathleen Sweeney,
age 10, holding their home made Christmas decorations.
Taking a break during the filming of the Monthly Pass commercial are Eileen (Sweeney) Peters
(left) and her daughters Sheila (left), age 10, and Maureen (center), age 14, and Kathleen (Sweeney)
Keogh (right) with her daughters Catherine, age 9, and Colleen, age 10 (far right).
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
CTA deposits funds in minority banks
More than $5 million just released
to the Chicago Transit Authority has
been deposited in seven of Chicago's
minority banking institutions. Chair-
man Barnes said the funds were placed
in short-term investments with a maxi-
mum maturity not exceeding 3 1 days.
Recipients of the money were:
Seaway National Bank, 645 East 87th
street; Highland Bank, 1701 West
87th street; Independence Bank, 7936
South Cottage Grove avenue; Union
National Bank, 1 1 108 South Michigan
avenue; Community Bank of Lawn-
dale, 807 South Homan avenue;
Washington National Bank, 2525
North Kedzie; and Morgan Park
Savings and Loan, 10859 South
Halsted.
"We have started this program of
banking in the neighborhoods be-
cause the CTA wants to invest in the
communities we serve," said Chairman
Barnes, "and the CTA has funneled a
total of $71 million in short-term
investments to minority banking insti-
tutions since January."
The CTA has allocated 10 percent
of all its funds for placement in the
Community Banking program, a spe-
cial minority business effort estab-
lished by Chairman Barnes.
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes signs checl(S totaling more than $5 million which were placed
in short-term investments with seven of Chicago's minority banks. Present for the event were,
from left, Ernest Collins, chairman. Seaway National Bank; Miss Adele White, managing director,
Morgan Park Savings and Loan, and Stanley W. Tate, senior vice president. Highland Bank. Repre-
senting other banking institutions sharing In the Community Banking program, but not present
for the signing, were Lonnie Radcliff, assistant vice president. Independence Bank; Charles Wells,
president. Union National Bank; James T. Hadley, senior vice president. Community Bank of
Lawndale, and Frank Cyr, president, Washington National Bank.
Saving for the future with
deferred compensation
The CTA Deferred Compensation plan is now two years
old. Since inception, CTA employees have invested
$6,727,340 in the program. The current value of the fund is
approximately $6,820,000 and an additional $288,000 have
been paid out in benefits to participating employees. The
gain over contributions are approximately $400,000.
For those of you who have not recently focused on our
Deferred Compensation plan, an annual contribution of the
lesser of 25% of salary of $7,500 is permitted by law. Con-
tributions reduce your salary for purposes of determining
the amount of Federal and State income tax you must cur-
rently pay. These funds are taxed, later, at the time you
make your withdrawals.
The CTA program offers an employee a variety of ways to
have your funds invested: (a) guaranteed investments where
your principal is absolutely safe and you earn a high rate of
interest, and (b) investments in a combination of stocks
and/or bonds which fluctuate in value from day to day.
The companies that have been providing tax investment
and life insurance options for the plan are Capitol Life
(savings). Fidelity (life), Great-West (savings), Lincoln
National (investments), and T. Rowe Price (investments).
Two recent developments should be of interest to many of
our employees. Fidelity Security will now guarantee issue
to $10,000 of life insurance to anyone age 50 or under. The
T. Rowe Price Money Market Fund is now available as an
option for those interested in placing a portion of their funds
into a fluctuating investment.
Congratulations to Giles Liddeil who earned his Associ-
ate Arts degree from Truman College in August, with an
emphasis on human behavior. He is now attending
Northeastern University studying transportation, en-
vironment, and human behavior, and also is on the
Board of Governors' program there.
Deferred Compensation is one of the few remaining legiti-
mate tax deferrals available. If you have the desire and
capacity to save money, you owe it to yourself to examine
the opportunities available under the CTA program.
For more details, call our Administrator, Intangible
Marketing, Inc., at 263-1662.
SEPTEMBER, 1980
public safety awards
With a rate 25 per cent lower than the entire surface
system, Archer garage finished first in the CTA Public Safety
Award for the second quarter of 1 980.
The winning statistics were: A traffic accident rate of
4.02 per 1 00,000 miles of driving, and a passenger accident
rate of 0.53 per 100,000 miles of driving. This was 55
per cent lower than the entire surface system rate.
Congress terminal took the rail award with a winning
average of a combined traffic and passenger accident fre-
quency of 0.314, or one accident for every 300,000 miles
of operation, for the second quarter of 1980.
Joe Steinbach (left), superintendent. Archer garage, receives second
quarter Public Safety Award plaque from Ed Henry, supervisor. Safety
Peformance and Analysis, as James Blaa, manager, Transportation,
looks on.
Tom Boyle (center), manager. Safety, presents second quarter rail
Public Safety Award plaque to Mike Veltri, superintendent. Congress,
as Transportation manager Blaa smiles with approval.
Transportation manager Blaa is flanked by William Spencer (left), and
Jake Reed who display Outstanding Employee awards they received.
Leonia Butler (left), and Thomas Castro proudly display the Outstand-
ing Employee awards certificate presented to them.
Showing their satisfaction for being number one are Archer operators
(left to right): Edith Sellers, Ernest Leaks, Victoria Chess, Renardo
Coleman and Mitchell Austin.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Fans pin hopes on
1980 Bears
By W. B. Wolfan
The football season is upon us once again, and a
championship-hungiy Chicago sports fandom is pinning
its hopes on the 1980 Chicago Bears and general man-
ager Jim Fink's master plan to rebuild the Bear
dynasty that once ruled pro football with an iron hand.
Only the old-timers can remember the mighty
Bears of yesteryear when the so-called Monsters
romped over the Washington Redskins, 73 to 0, in the
championship playoff game of 1941.
There have been many heroes in the glorious past,
George McAfee, Sid Luckman, Bronco Nagurski, Red
Grange, Beattie Feathers, Bill Hewitt, to name just a
few. But in professional football as it is played today,
the past is mere nostalgia. The burning question is
"What have you done for us lately?"
There is no question, however, about the greatness
of former Bear teams that dominated the National
Football League. They played fundamental football
with massive power plays for Coach George Halas.
Credit should go where credit is due, and those old-
time Bears were winners in every way.
It was back in 1963 when the last Chicago Bear
championship team defeated the New York Giants, 14
to 10, the sixth and last championship for George
Halas in his 36th year as coach of the team 17 years
ago.
The year was 1921 when the Decatur Staleys moved
to Cubs Park in Chicago from Decatur, Illinois, and
Halas began the long-time era of champions that com-
mands perhaps the most loyal football following in the
land.
A year later, in 1922, the Staleys became the Chi-
cago Bears and the American Professional Football
Association underwent the name change that endures
today— the National Football League.
There are many factors to be taken into considera-
tion in any given pro football season, particularly this
year.
The 1979 Bears' whirlwind finish with seven vic-
tories in their final eight games and a playoff berth
had the home fan constituency in a state of euphoria
last winter that has carried over into this year.
Much depends upon the good health of one of the
wonder football players of this century, Walter Payton.
This writer has seen quite a few of the great stars
in action during a long sports writing career— includ-
ing Tom Harmon of Michigan, George McAfee and
Gale Sayers of the Bears, Glenn Davis of the Army,
and O. J. Simpson, but will have to say without hesi-
tation that Walter Payton is as good, perhaps better
than, any of that distinguished list of elusive break-
away runners— a truly great and electrifying football
player who can break a game open at any time.
We have a friend who captained the Wolverines of
Neill Armstrong
Head Coach
Chicago Bears
(Photo Courtesy
Chicago Bears)
Michigan many years ago. He says his most memo-
rable moment was a prone position on the ground as
Red Grange galloped by him for five touchdowns in 12
minutes. This individual rates Payton in the same
category as Grange— a rugged competitor who plays
as well "hurt" as he does when in perfect health.
Last year Payton, despite a painful shoulder in-
jury, wrai his fourth consecutive NFC rushing title with
1610 yards, a magnificent performance.
Whoever said "As goes Payton, so go the Bears,"
knew what he was talking about. He is the ball club.
However, under Coach Armstrong, the Bears have im-
proved one hundred per cent defensively. So has the
offensive line, and that helps Payton.
Much depends on the passing game to give Payton
needed relief from his rushing duties. If the passing
game clicks, the Bears will make the playoffs. But
October is not when Division titles are decidedo So
the Bear hopes will hinge on the November-December
stretch drive. Their schedule is much tougher this
year than last, and Tampa and Detroit will have a lot
to say about the Divisional flag before the season is
over.
In the overall pro picture, the two principal con-
tenders in the AFC Central Division, Pittsburgh's
Champion Steelers and the Houston Oilers (with Ken
Stabler at the controls), appear to have the two strong-
est teams in all pro football. This writer is betting
on the Steelers to take it all again.
Roger Staubach's departure from the Dallas Cow-
boys obviously will make it a wide open race in the
NFC Eastern Division. The Los Angeles Rams look
like repeaters in the NFC West, a solid tough football
team in every department.
In the AFC West and the AFC East Divisions, it's
anybody's guess. A big year for Steve Grogan could
give the New England Patriots a playoff berth. This
writer favors Dan Fouts and the San Diego Chargers in
the AFC West, but don't sell the Denver Broncos or
the Seattle Seahawks short. Both clubs have the
ability to spring a major upset.
On to the Super Bowl !
SEPTEMBER. 1980
13
Retirements
Norman Graver
An informal reception honoring
Norman Graver of the Methods and
Standards section was held in the
Transportation department office
on August 29 at the Merchandise
Mart as he joined pensioners after
34 years of service.
Prior to joining the Transpor-
tation department in November
1974, Graver served in the Security
department as an investigator, as-
sistant superintendent, and super-
intendent.
Friends and co-workers pre-
sented him with golf equipment,
a cash gift, and other items for
his personal enjoyment. Present
for the occasion was his daughter,
Bonnie.
The former security chief be-
gan his public transit career in
1946 in the Claims department.
Harvey McClinton, left, superintendent. Methods and Standards section. Transportation depart-
ment, presents Norman Graver with a pensioner kit at informal reception held recently in the
Transportation department. The occasion marked the end of Graver's 34-year career in transit.
Hector Rocourt
Hector G. Rocourt, senior
bookkeeper. Insurance and Pen-
sions, ended his 17-year career
with CTA when he retired on
September 1.
Hector was feted with a surprise
farewell party given by his co-
workers on August 26 in the Pen-
sion Department in the Merchan-
dise Mart. Craig Heatter, direc-
tor. Pensions, presented him with
a barometer, a gift from his co-
workers.
Hector began his career with
CTA in June, 1963, as a bookkeeper
in the Pension Department. Prior
to coming to CTA, he had worked
in the same capacity with the In-
tematicaial Harvester company and
U.S. Steel.
Hector will make his new home
in Pompano Beach, Florida, where
the barometer will come in handy.
Hector Rocourt (center) is flanked by the ladies who surprised him with his farewell retirement
party. Left to right: Irma Muniz, Phyllis Skutnik, Dorothy Etscheid and Patricia Hoff.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
MICHAEL CLEMENTE, Supervisor,
District D, Emp. 8-1-45
ERNESTO GARCIA, Trackman,
Maintenance, Emp. 5-28-75
NORMAN GRAVER, Analyst,
Transportation, Emp, 11-19-46
JOHN MURNANE, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 5-15-44
MILAN PLACKO, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 5-22-58
VICTOR PRIOLO, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 3-11-46
HECTOR ROCOURT, Senior Bookkeeper,
Insurance/Pensions, Emp. 6-10-63
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
LEON DAVIS, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 10-3-66
JOHN W. JOHNSON, Safety Coordinator,
Safety, Emp. 8-4-71
ROBERT JOHNSON, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 9-17-53
CALVIN SMITH, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 5-26-69
Pensioners note:
New riding card
pictures for
1981-82-83
The CTA photographer has been taking photographs
for your new identification cards, as announced in
last month's Transit News:
NORTH AVENUE STATION 4801 W. North Ave.
Last Name
beginning with
A — G Tuesday, September 30
H - O - Wednesday, October 1
P - Z - Thursday, October 2
ARCHER STATION - 2600 W. Pershing Rd.
A — G • Tuesday, October 7
H - O ■ Wednesday, October 8
P - Z - Thursday, October 9
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
If you missed the photo sessions above, you can still
have your photo taken at the following location
and time:
CTA Photographic Department
Room 7-189
Merchandise Mart
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Any weekday after
October 15, 1980
No ID cards can be sent out unless the pensioner
has had a new photo taken.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volu
;33
Number 9
Published for employes and retirees of the CTA,
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager. Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager. Transit
Nev»s Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Sorcic,
Jack Sowchin, Jeff Stern, Rick Wrilis. Produced
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direction of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employes. Annual subscription price to
others, S2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734.
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
I3Sr l^:Hlls/LOFtXJ^lS/L
WANDA BEKIER, 56, Accotmting,
Emp. 8-17-44, Died 7-30-80
TONY BOGETICH, 68, Maintenance,
Emp. 9-3-41, Died 7-14-80
WALTER BOTH, 64, Forest Glen,
Emp. 10-7-46, Died 7-29-80
MARVIN BRINSON, 61, 61st Street,
Emp. 5-9-51, Died 7-22-80
PAUL BURANDT, 88, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-5-12, Died 7-20-80
JOHN BUTHMAN, 81, Lawrence,
Emp. 4-24-23, Died 7-17-80
WILLIAM L. COLEMAN, 44, 52nd Street,
Emp. 6-11-62, Died 7-28-80
STEVE CUCULICH, 90, Way & Structs.,
Emp. 8-3-20, Died 7-29-80
JOSEPH DOBIAS, 83, Lawndale,
Emp. 7-11-23, Died 7-29-80
DANIEL DOLAN, 81, Loomis,
Emp. 4-16-43, Died 7-24-80
RUEBEN EKLIND, 88, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-8-25, Died 7-15-80
FRANK GALEK, 67, Beverly,
Emp. 10-28-48, Died 7-12-80
EDWARD GLONKE, 75, Keeler,
Emp. 5-26-47, Died 7-16-80
WILLLAM HASKINS, 64, Maintenance,
Emp. 2-6-51, Died 7-14-80
ROBERT HENGL, 80, Treasury,
Emp. 6-19-23, Died 6-23-80
WILLIAM JENNINGS, 72, Beverly,
Emp. 7-5-44, Died 7-28-80
ADDISON JONES, 78, Reproduction,
Emp. 10-9-33, Died 7-2-80
FRANK JONES, 75, Electrical,
Emp. 6-1-22, Died 7-10-80
VERNON KEENE, 72, North Section,
Emp. 7-7-37, Died 7-27-80
THOMAS LACEY, 82, Office Services,
Emp. 3-18-41, Died 7-5-80
PETER MARREN, 73, Way & Structures,
Emp. 3-26-29, Died 7-25-80
JEROME MORIARTY, 68, South Shops,
Emp. 11-21-47, Died 7-10-80
VIDEL RODRIGUEZ, 31, North Section,
Emp. 10-25-74, Died 8-8-80
MICHAEL ROVELLA, 69, Archer,
Emp. 9-17-43, Died 7-12-80
NICHOLAS RUPP, 71, North Park,
Emp. 8-21-41, Died 7-8-80
WILLIAM SCHRAM, 69, Claims,
Emp. 2-25-37, Died 7-31-80
ROBERT M. SEDLACK, 77, Schedules,
Emp. 6-18-23, Died 7-7-80
DANIEL SEMINERIO, 70, Building,
Emp. 10-11-41, Died 7-8-80
ALFRED SOIBERG, 91, 69th Street,
Emp. 5-18-09, Died 7-12-80
BEN VALENT, 56, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 12-8-76, Died 7-10-80
JOHN P. WALSH, 72, Archer,
Emp. 7-8-43, Died 7-20-80
ANDREW WIATER, 86, West Shops,
Emp. 6-28-26, Died 7-7-80
STANLEY ZALE, 74, North Park,
Emp. 10-15-45, Died 7-31-80
Service
anniversaries
in September
45 years
Walter Thomas
Schedules
Albert C. Lathouwers
Payroll
40 years
Paul J. Minogue, Maintenartce
35 years
James T. Degnan, Archer
Ivo F. Dipiero, Skokie Shop
Frank J. Fehlh, Electrical
John I. Newman, South Shops
William A. Witkus, Forest Glen
William F. Wittstock, 69th Street
30 years
Robert S. Barrett, Skokie Shop
Jesse Cross, Racine Shop
Henry Dickerson, Skokie Shop
Charles Ferrante, Utility
John V. Filarski, North Park
Francis P. Gallagher, North Park
Edwin C. Kennedy, Skokie Shop
Steve Kudelka Jr., Maintenance
Henry F. Laws, Instruction
Joseph M. Marek, North Park
Gary A. Olsen, Skokie Shop
William A. Patterson, 77th Street
Leon M. Poe, South Shops
Royal E. Reed, 52nd Street
John A. Shanahan, 61st Street Shop
25 years
Mel Alexander, Public Affairs
John A. Anderson, 69th Street
Fred L. Bassett, North Avenue
Dennis C. Dobbyn, Electrical
Bert V. Hukill, North Avenue
Albert Porter, Claims
Rosemary Roberson, Transportation
Eddie Smith, North Avenue
Theautry Snyder, North Avenue
June R. VanCamp, Real Estate
Theodore Williams, Maintenance
SEPTEMBER, 1980
15
H
Just a
reminder
The photos on this page are just a
few examples taken from feature
stories about employees and retirees
that have appeared in Transit News
during the last nine months. All of
the stories were suggested by employ-
ees and retirees or their friends and
associates.
Transit News is your magazine, and
we would like to print your story, too.
If you or an employee or retiree that
you know do intersting community
work or have an interesting hobby or
talent, or if you think that a project
or function of your department would
be of interest to other employees and
retirees, send a brief explanation of
your story idea to:
Transit News
CTA Public Affairs
Room 742
Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, Illinois 60654
or phone; 664-7200,
ext. 816or ext. 2188
Please include a telephone number
where we can call you during business
hours (8:00AM-4:30 PM). We will
assign a writer and a photographer to
cover your story if it is selected for
publication.
Engineers save oil, March, 1980. Plant sale, December, 1979.
Train collectors, July, 1980.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Conection Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, IL 60201
TN
The Mother Bus was on hand during the entire 13-day run of Chicago-
Fest, servicing buses that brought thousands of festgoers to Navy Pier.
UUV
Mother Bus takes care of j^r own
„.iji
tfi
Like a mother hen taking care of its chicks, CTA's "Mother
Bus" "feeds" and "comforts" buses that congregate in large
numbers away from their home stations.
The idea for a Mother Bus, which is officially designated a
"Mobile Repair Unit," came from Dick Schneider, area
superintendent. Automotive Vehicle Maintenance. He saw
it as an answer to the need to service buses that had been in
extended service and which were then used to carry crowds
attending special events.
"When you have a whole bunch of buses put into special
service after being out on the street, there could be a need
for extra fuel or minor repairs," Schneider said. "And, when
you shuttle big crowds around, you're sure to have an in-
terior cleanup job on your hands, too. That's what this
bus is for."
The Mother Bus is now a regular feature at ChicagoFest,
at all Chicago Bears home games, and anywhere else large
numbers of buses are assembled. It carries two 125-gallon
fuel tanks with hoses to refuel thirsty buses on the spot, as
well as individual barrels of engine oil and torque fluid. It
also has a work bench with a vise to handle minor mechanical
repairs, and tools and equipment for fixing or cleaning buses.
The Mother Bus concept was put into practice at the time
of ChicagoFest 1979, when seats were removed from an old
out-of-service bus, and barrels of fuel, engine oU, and torque
fluid were loaded on board for use as needed in the bus
assembly area at Navy Pier. The present, specially outfitted
Flxible bus was placed in service for the first time during
the visit of Pope John Paul II last October.
The bus is staffed with from two to four maintenance
people from the Campaign Area under the direction of Jim
Schultz, assistant foreman. A portable radio keeps the crew
in contact with the Control Center and supervisory per-
sonnel.
While a number of maintenance people served on the
Mother Bus during the 13 days of ChicagoFest 1980, bus
repairers Sam Washington, John Finley, Joe Dixon, and
Jon Rucker were regulars who were almost constantly on
the job. The white-painted bus with black markings is
generally kept at North Park garage.
All available space is put to good use on the Mother Bus. Work bench
straddles tank for engine oil. Cart carries a 5-gallon tank of torque oil.
eta
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
OCTOBER, 1980
CTA offers Health Maintenance Plan
On November 1, 1980, CTA will open a 30-day en-
rollment period for eligible employees to choose
either to join a Health Maintenance Organization,
HMO for short, or to maintain their present com-
prehensive medical coverage xinder Travelers Com-
prehensive Medical Plan.
If an employee elects to continue with Travelers,
his health coverage will remain exactly the same.
However, if an employee chooses to join one of the
six HMOs offered, his HMO coverage becom&s ef-
fective on January 1, 1981, and his Travelers' cover-
age will remain In effect until that time.
What is HMO?
An HMO provides health care on a prepayment
basis — with emphasis on comprehensive, preventative
treatment, A set monthly fee is paid in advance, and
then all necessary services are provided. Enrollment
is voluntary. Each enrollee in the HMO plan selects
a physician to serve as his "family" doctor. However,
complete services — including referrals to specialists,
lab services, and hospital services — are provided.
Most types of services do not reqmre claim forms.
How much will HMO cost?
The HMO plan is an alternative to the present com-
prehensive medical plan. Therefore, the CTA will
contribute the same amount toward the cost of the
HMO as it does for the Comprehensive Medical Plan.
If the cost of the HMO plan is more, the employee will
pay the difference through payroll deductions.
Is there a choice of HMO plans?
Yes. SLx HMOs will be available to eligible CTA
employees. They are: Anchor, HAP, Intergroup,
Michael Reese, Northcare, and Roosevelt.
How does an employee enroll?
An enrollment package will be given to each em-
ployee at his work location near the end of October.
This package will contain:
• A general brochure giving more information about
HMOs.
• A sheet showing a comparison of benefits under
HMOs and the Comprehensive Medical Plan.
• Specific rate information.
• Brochures from each of the six participating HMOs.
• An enrollment card.
• Payroll deduction authorization card.
Every employee must complete the front of the en-
rollment card and return it to the Insurance Depart-
ment. An employee will choose either to enroll in an
HMO plan or to continue the present insurance plan.
If he chooses HMO coverage, he must complete the
back of the card also. This selection will be in effect
for at least one year.
Will dental coverage be affected?
The Dental Plan will not be affected. The HMO
coverage will not provide dental services. An em-
ployee will continue to obtain the services from his
dentist and be reimbursed, just as in the past.
For more information
Posters providing the telephone numbers of each
HMO will be placed at each work location, and repre-
sentatives of the individual HMOs will be visiting each
location as well.
Employees are urged to use all the resources avail-
able to choose the best health plan.
CTA Chairman Eugene Barnes, second from
right, hosts a tour of the CTA control center
during the recent visit of IVIs. Susan Young,
right, director. Division of Public Transporta-
tion, Illinois Department of Transportation.
Joining the tour were, from left, Ms. Helen
Goodkin, CTA advisor for the handicapped;
Harold H. Geissenheimer, General Operations
manager; Ms. Joby Berman, manager, External
Affairs division, and James Blaa, manager.
Transportation department.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
CTA celebrates Mexican Independence Day
When Chicago's Mexican com-
munity observed the 170th anni-
versary of Mexico's independence
on September 13, the CTA was well
represented.
CTA employees of Mexican
heritage joined the parade along
Michigan avenue with a beautiful
float commemorating the start of
Mexico's War of Independence
with Spain in 1810. The float was
sponsored by Local 241 of the
Amalgamated Transit Union.
The CTA's "Mini bus" and an
articulated bus were also included
in the parade. The float, "Mini
bus," and articulated bus also
were in the Little Village parade
along 26th street earlier the same
day.
Among CTA employees partici-
pating in the day's festivities were
Agustin Martinez, Archer garage,
driver of the articulated bus;
Electra de Alba and Maria Her-
nandez, North Avenue garage;
Heriberto Nino, Archer garage;
Nidya Rodriguez, Accounting de-
partment, and Elda Leal, Public
Affairs.
This colorful float was sponsored by Local 241 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Ready to join
the parade were, from left. Union President John Weatherspoon; Secretary-Treasurer Charles Hail,
Frank Koziel, executive board member, North Park garage, and Leonard Morris, executive board
member, 69th Street garage. On the float (seated) are Electra de Alba and Maria Hernandez, bus
operators from North Avenue garage. Playing the guitar, right, is Francisco Flores, bus operator.
Archer Avenue garage, and an unidentified employee in the background.
Children and supervisors from the Home of the Child, a day care center
in the Pilsen area, enjoy the novelty of the CTA "Mini bus." Ms.
Electra de Alba, left, bus operator assigned to North Avenue garage,
greets them.
The "Mini bus" was a big hit with everyone. The man at right, portray-
ing Cuauhtemoc, the last Aztec ruler of Mexico and defender of the
Aztec Capitol Tenochitlan, now Mexico City, stands by in regalia ready
to check out the little bus. Local 241 float and articulated bus followed
the "Mini bus" in the parade.
OCTOBER, 1980
CTA revisits
Santa's Village
Nearly 1,000 persons partici-
pated in the second annual "Old
Fashion Family Day" picnic at
Santa's Village in Dundee on
September 14.
The outing was sponsored by
the CTA Group Travel Program
for employees, retirees and mem-
bers of their families, "Eveiything
went off as planned," said Mrs,
Harriett Murphy, special projects
coordinator in the department of
Hximan Resources. "There was
plenty of tasty food, excellent
prizes, and everybody had a good
time."
Harold Burda, who retired from
service in the CTA Property Ac-
counting section in 1974, agreed
that the picnic was very success-
ful. "We could have had many
more people out, especially sen-
ior citizens," said Burda.
"It was a great picnic because
it was well planned," said Burda,
who promised he would return for
future outings.
The numerous amusement park
rides were a big hit with the chil-
dren as well as the artistic touch
of Christine Sterner, a makeup
The lines were long at check-In time.
artist from Loyola University
Theater group, who amused yoimg-
sters by painting their faces.
Susan Pudelek, a mime from
the Loyola University drama de-
partment, provided entertainment
throughout the day. Picnic revel-
ers also witnessed an astounding
example of guessing when nine-
year old Maria Benitez estimated
that a gallon jar on display at the
park contained 1,079 jelly beans
when it actually held 1,078 of the
little pieces of candy. As a re-
ward she got to keep the candy.
Mrs. Murphy, picnic coordina-
tor, was assisted by several
others who helped to make the oc-
casion a success. Working in
various capacities at the picnic
grounds were Fred King, manager,
Himian Resources; Carol Hardy
and Larry Murphy, also of Human
Resources; George West, Sched-
ules; Norris Larson, Claims;
Judith Leavell, Beverly garage;
Officer Eddie Paschal, Security,
and Ron Tuck, Job Classification.
Larry Murphy was very busy at the gate selling raffle tickets. Tom
Czech, Job Classification, his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Nikki
and Katy, made this one of their first stops.
Christine Steiner, makeup artist from Loyola University, applies her
talent by painting the face of John Paschal while his sister, Kuwana,
waits her turn.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Tops in the guessing game was nine-year old Maria Benitez, right, who
estimated that 1,079 jelly beans were in the big jar, only one more
than the actual count. Maria is congratulated by mimer Susan Pudeiek
of Loyola University; Harriett Murphy, project coordinator, and Fred
King, manager. Human Resources.
Brenda Sparks and Sharon Maxon dig in at the refreshment table while
others check out the morsels and wait for a chance to sample them
as well.
The picnic meant fun with the grandchildren for Earl Rogers, Forest Glen repair, and
his wife, Lottie. Enjoying this moment also were Bethany, Robert and Cathleen Hoffert.
Nothing like old-fashioned ice cream push-ups to keep a trio of little ones busy. Testing
their taste buds with the yummy goodies are Colleen, Jeffrey and Megan Mroz, the
children of Gerald Mroz, Internal Auditing.
India Peel, daughter of Ronald Peel, Operations Plan-
ning, and "Dino," the trusty Flintstone character, take
a respite from the action to enjoy a tasty ice cream treat.
OCTOBER. 1980
Charles Whitman Jr. (Lawndale
Garage) is regarded by M.
Pivonl(a, of Allport Street, as
"one of the fine bus drivers you
have on the 18th Street line. He
goes out of his way to treat
everybody with consideration --
women with children in their
arms and older people with
canes, of whom I am one. He
does not pull away if he sees
you can't run for the bus, and
gives you a pleasant smile. My
thanks to him and you for a
fine bus driver."
Ralph Lindquist (Archer Garage)
was the driver of a #15 Canal/
Wacker bus that K. D. Jonynas
took on the way home to South
Rockwell Avenue. "It was my
true pleasure and good fortune
to board this driver's bus. He
was pleasant and considerate to
ail riders, and patiently explained
any and all queries. I could
catalog the variety of kindnesses
extended by this driver. He is
like a breath of much-needed
fresh air. His decency and ex-
cellence as a human being and
driver can serve as an example
to all."
commendation corner
Gerald Tamborello (North Section) has the respect of
Jeff Schacht, an industry official who works on Clybourn
Avenue. "I just wanted to express my satisfaction and
gratification for the courtesy and efficiency of agent #962
at the North and Clybourn station. When I pass through
this station after work, there are three lines of people rushing
through the turnstiles. Tliis gentleman always smOes and
says hello, no matter what the problems or conditions. He
is in a class by himself. Thanks for the hospitality on the
CTA."
Royal Woolfolk (Archer Garage) "makes taking public
transportation a real treat," according to Donetta Home,
who works in Elmhurst. "It is not often that 1 get into the
city or ride public transportation. However, while downtown
on company business, I had the distinct pleasure of boarding
his #129 bus. I was not sure of which bus to take to get
back to the North Western station. Fortunately, driver
#8979 was extremely helpful and courteous. While on his
bus, I saw that he treated all riders with respect and polite-
ness. It was a real pleasure to know that there are some
people serving the public who are still sincere and doing a
spectacular job."
James Estes (Forest Glen Garage) was described by Pauline
Moennich, who works on north Western Avenue, as "the
wonderful driver I encountered" on a #81 Lawrence bus
heading east from the Jefferson Park terminal. "It was a
pleasure on such a hot, humid morning, when everyone was
crabby, to have a cheerful, pleasant driver calling off every
stop, telling the passengers to 'Watch your step,' and even
exchanging a few words with a smile. It's seldom we see
such a person in this day and age when everyone thinks the
world owes them a living. He made my day, and I am sure
many other riders felt the same way."
Raul Lopez (North Park Garage) was praised by Christina
Barri, of Lakewood Avenue, for his "thoughtfulness and
consideration" concerning an injured girl along his #151
Sheridan bus route. "This child apparently had been hit by
a car while roller skating. There were no police around, nor
was there an ambulance in sight. Your driver used his bus
phone to report the incident. None of the bus passengers
minded the few seconds he took to see that something was
done, and I think everyone appreciated his concern. After
a police car arrived on the scene, we drove on. I thought
you should know about this young man's actions."
Arthur Campbell and Robert Smith (Forest Glen Garage)
were thanked by L. F. Byers, of Lamed Avenue, for their
courtesy while driving #80 Irving Park buses. "I am slightly
deaf, and was talking to another rider about transfers when
driver #9672 (Campbell) offered some information that was
a great help to all, explaining in detaO what the CTA is doing
for the seniors. At the same time he did a great job handling
the bus, contending with drivers cutting in and out, trucks
double-parking, unloading, etc. Returning home later,
driver #7334 (Smith) called every stop clearly so that even
myself, being a little deaf, could hear."
Lynval Thompson (52nd Street Garage) was appreciated
by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Downs, of Stony Island Avenue, for
his conduct while driving a #1 Drexel/Hyde Park bus. "A
man who was waiting at our bus stop started cursing every-
body there. As the driver opened the door, the man wanted
to know where he had been and began cursing him, too.
The driver asked him in a most courteous manner to stop,
but he went on and on. When the passenger heard the
driver's foreign accent, he told him he was a refugee and
should not say anything, tlireatening to report him to CTA
and the mayor. The driver acted carefully and cautiously,
and did not lose his temper during this terrible ordeal. We
thank him."
Robert DIuger (North Park Garage) was commended by
Mr. and Mrs. Bror Johansson, of Clifton Avenue, for his
courtesy while driving a #22 Clark bus. "This driver waited
for us to get on the bus instead of driving aliead, as some
other drivers do. He caUed out the names of the streets and
was extremely courteous at all times. We told him we had
a 'verbal carnation' for him, and here it is. We recommend
him very highly, for he assuredly deserves it."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently were:
Maria Acevedo, North Section; Christo-
pher Adams, North Avenue; Robert Adams,
69th Street; Amparo Alvarez, Bertil An-
derson, and Albert Armes, all of North
Park; and Delbert Ashford, Limits.
Pedro Balderas, Brenda Berry, Carmen
Betances, and Jesse Bolian, all of North
Park; Thomas Baloue, Archer; Michael
Batts, Adonis Berrios, and Everett Brown,
all of Forest Glen; Vera Beckley, 52nd
Street; John Brugess, Limits; and James
Bush, G9th Street.
Jean Cage and Juanita Clark, both of
Limits; Ignacio Campos, Noel Castro,
Michael Collymore, Jackie Coots, and Griz
Craig, all of North Park; Lindsey Carney,
Howard/Kimball; Witherspoon Carr, 52nd
Street; Lawrence Carter, 77th Street; Ty-
ree Cobb Jr., Forest Glen; and Clarence
Cubic, North Avenue.
Albert Dayan, Limits; Electra de Alba,
North Avenue; and Dante Deza, North Park.
Dwaine Elliott, Limits; Bruce Ellison,
North Park; and Wilbert Ellison, North
Avenue.
Rosetta Flowers, North Section.
Ronald Gipson, 52nd Street; Albert
Graham Jr. and Mildred Grover, both of
69th Street; Odell Granger, Hans-Dieter
Gruenert, and Peter Guidizi, all of Forest
Glen; Noble Graves, Limits; and Jeffrey
Gresser and Terrence Griffin, both of
Archer.
Rogers Harmon and Booker Howard,
both of Lawndale; Larry Harper, North
Avenue; Walter Harris, North Park; and
Irving Henderson, Beverly.
Steve Ingram, Douglas/Congress.
Earl Jenkins, Beverly; Carole Johnson,
69th Street; and John Johnson, North Ave-
nue.
Frank Ketter, Limits; and Robert Krem-
er. North Park.
Ricardo Leiva and Teresa Lopez, both
of Forest Glen; and Robert Lucas, Lawn-
dale.
Charles Martin, 52nd Street; Frederick
Moore, North Park; and Linda Murray,
77th Street.
Doris O'Neal, Ashland Terminal; and
Robert O'Neal, Lawndale.
Daniel Poelinitz, North Avenue; and
Victor Priolo, Limits.
William Rice, 52nd Street; John Rich-
ardson, North Avenue; Dedric Roberts,
Ashland Terminal; Jack Robinson, Limits;
Adilia Rosado, North Park; and John Ross,
77th Street.
Angelo Santana, 69th Street; Vera Smith
and Vytautas Stukelis, both of Archer; An-
gelo Sturino, Howard/Kimball; Willie Mae
Surles, 77th Street; and David Swain,
Limits.
Jesse Teriy, 77th Street.
Richard Vaughn and Sergio Villanueva,
both of North Park,
Dennis Walker, North Avenue; Johnnie
Washington, Archer; Vaddie Weekly, 52nd
Street; Welbom Williams, Forest Glen;
William Williams, Limits; Maurice Willis
and Lloyd Winston, both of North Park; and
Bartholomew Wurtzebach, Howard/Kimball.
Jacques Yezeguiellan, Forest Glen.
Edward Zamiar and Joseph Zukerman,
both of North Park.
promotions
John Schwartz has been appointed su-
perintendent of the Travel Information
Center, where he had been acting super-
intendent since February. Schwartz joined
the Chicago Surface Lines as an Inside
mail clerk in 1942. After military ser-
vice during World War n, he returned to
work as a timekeeper in Maintenance be-
fore becoming a record clerk and shop
clerk. Schwartz was selected analyst.
Methods and Procedures, in 1962, moving
up to administrative analyst before being
chosen coordinator. Office Services, m
1970. In 1974 he was promoted to super-
intendent. Office Services, and, in 1978,
he was named special projects coordinator.
Management Services. Schwartz lives in
the downtown lakefront area.
Walter Keevil is now superintendent.
Electric Vehicle Design, Engineering. He
had been supervisor in the same section
since 1974. Keevil started with CTA in
1968 as a development engineer. He was
selected technical services engineer in
1970, and equipment engineer a year later,
before being named senior technical ser-
vices engineer in 1972. Keevil makes his
home in Evanston.
Bhuplndar Mallhi has been named su-
perintendent. Motor Vehicle Design, En-
gineering, MalUii began his CTA career
in 1971 as a technical services engineer
in the Mainten;mce Department, having
previously served as a major in the Indian
Army Corps of Engineers. In 1973 he was
chosen equipment engineer, Engineering,
and, in 1974, he became supervisor. Motor
Vehicle Design. He and his wife, Neeta,
have two sons and live in Downers Grove.
Cynthia Florence, former imit super-
I
John Schwartz Waltei
visor, Agents, has been selected assistant
superintendent, Transportation-Personnel,
Near North Area. In Plant Maintenance,
David Allen and William Chrishon have
been promoted from janitor foremen to unit
supervisors. Rapid Transit Janitors.
Constance Brabec, former stenographer.
Security, and Rosemary Brady, former
material control clerk. Plant Maintenance,
have been chosen confidential office as-
sistants. Security. Named to a similar
position in General Finance is Ana Maria
DelRivero, formerly unassigned, Human
Resources-Employment & Placement.
In Operations Planning, Napoleon Turn-
er has been promoted from traffic checker
to traffic clerk, while James Patterson,
former driver, Archer, has been chosen
traffic checker. Lucie Bleers, former
payables and material utility clerk, Finan-
cial Services, and Steven Schroeder, for-
mer file clerk. Law, have been selected
treasury utility clerks. Treasury. In Law/
Keevil Bhupindar Mallhi
Claims, Loma Apple ton has moved from
utilify clerk I to utility clerk H.
Carolyn Browne, former typist. Main-
tenance, has been appointed electronic
keyboard operator. Management Services.
Beverly Montgomery, former ticket agent.
West Section, has become payroll clerk,
Financial Services. Artemia Martinez,
formerly an unassigned clerk tjTDlst, Hu-
man Resources-Employment & Placement,
is now typist. Insurance & Pensions.
At Skokie Shop, David Weatherspoon,
former laborer, has been named unit ex-
change clerk. New at Skokie Shop as a
blacksmith/welder apprentice is John
Laffey Jr., former bus repairer. North
Park, and, as a laborer, Thomas Newell,
former boiler maintenance man, Plant
Maintenimce, Glenn Knerr, former track-
man, is now a "B" helper In Plant Main-
ten;mcc. O. G. Scroggins, former driver,
Beverly, has become shop tractor opera-
tor. South Shops.
OCTOBER. 1980
Sixty billion transfers in sixty-three years
The 63-year-old press (top photo) as it looked in 1919 when it was two years old, and as it looks
today (above), has produced more than 60 billion transfers.
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Pressman Hank Siuba gives press a shot of blue ink as press prints its daily supply of more than
two million transfers.
Sixty BILLION transfers.
That's one heck of a lot of
transfers.
Sixty-three years.
That's one heck of a long time.
Put the number of transfers to-
gether with the niunber of years
and you get the picture of one of
public transportation's most pro-
ductive— and endurable machines
— the CTA's transfer printing
press in the South Shops.
Standing alongside the rotary
web press in the print shop, Ed
Mesldmen, shop foreman, said the
printing press has been in the print
shop longer than anyone — or any-
thing— currently in the shop.
"We know from old records the
press came to the shop, then owned
by the Chicago Surface Lines, a
predecessor to the CTA, in 1917,
just in the middle of World War I.
"And based on the old records,
in addition to our present records,
we have figured this press has
printed something more than 60
billion transfers," Me ski men said.
He has been with the CTA 29
years, 19 years in the print shop.
Over the years, the press has
had many of its worn-out parts re-
placed. The manufacturer of the
press went out of business years
ago, so the CTA fabricates re-
placement parts to keep the old
timer hiunming.
It prints an average of 2,500,000
to 3,500,000 transfers a day. Its
yearly output is an average of 628
million transfers.
"During World War n, when
transfers were free, this old press
used to go three shifts a day.
Transfers were free until 1961,"
Mesldmen said.
The old press uses three col-
ors — black, red, and blue. It can
use another color, if the CTA
wants another one.
"The press prints nine different
types of transfers used throughout
the CTA on weekdays, Saturdays,
and Sundays," he said.
"The transfers are printed on
sheets containing 78 individually
nvunbered and dated transfers.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
These sheets come from 1,000
pound rolls of transfer paper
measuring 33 and l/8th inches
wide. A roll can produce 3,000
sheets for a total of 1,014,000
transfers."
James Gilliland, stitch clerk,
is in charge of the paper stock
room that can hold up to 132 rolls.
Gilliland, who has been in the print
shop for 29 years, uses a mobile
carrier to bring the rolls to the
press.
Hank Siuba, pressman, over-
sees the operations of the old
press. Siuba has been in the print
shop 30 years. His helper is as-
sistant pressman Vincent Bran-
caccio.
Stacks of 100 finished sheets go
from the press to paper cutter
John Davis, who cuts and trims the
transfers into rows and sends them
to Mrs. Dorothy KalwasinsM, a
stitcher who has been in the shop
20 years.
Mrs. KalwasinsM stitches 100
correctly nimabered and dated
transfers in a row, 13 books at a
time, on her 25-year-old stitching
machine.
She sends the rows of transfers
to Toby Warmack, a paper cutter
who cuts the 13 joined books into
separate books for shipping.
Warmack sends the books to
bindery workers Mrs. Mary Ann
Artis, Robert Sladky, Felix Harper,
Mrs. Margaret Ellison and Mrs.
Tillie Moore, bindery worker
leader and assistant shop fore-
man.
They pack the transfers in
boxes and prepare them for truck
shipment to the CTA's 10 bus
garages.
Three other bindery workers
prepare \mstitched transfers for
shipment to nine rapid transit
terminals. They are Mrs. Wil-
moth Simpson, Mrs. Margaret
Zajac, and Mrs. Roberta Lewis.
The print shop prepares trans-
fers at least a month in advance.
The old printing press is kept
in top running condition by two
South Shops tool makers, Ron
Jareckas and Tony Polich of the
machine shop. In addition to keep-
ing the old press finely tuned, they
also maintain and repair the other
machines in the print shop.
MesMmen said the print shop
has a second transfer printing
press.
"That press — it's only 25
years old — is used when the old
timer is periodically torn down
•for preventative maintenance and
repair," MesMmen said.
Asked how long he expects the
old press to keep going, MesMmen
shrugged and said, philosophically,
probably longer than any of us.
Mrs. Margaret Zajac (left) and Mrs. Wilmoth Simpson, bindery workers,
prepare unstitched transfers for shipment to rapid transit terminals for
use by ticket agents and conductors.
Mrs. Dorothy Kalwasinski, stitcher, cuts stacks into rows of 13 books
of 100 transfers each.
Ron Jareckas, machine shop tool maker, repairs stitching machine.
Jareckas and Tony Polich, also a tool maker, keep all print shop
machines in running order.
Toby Warmack, paper cutter, slices stitched and joined books into
transfer size--5-3/8 inches long, 2-1/4 inches wide.
OCTOBER, 1980
ZAP Awards
For some groups, winning gets to
be a happy habit.
Members of the 61st-Racine rail
veliicle maintenance terminals are
ecstatic after their fourth consecutive
Vehicle Maintenance Zero Accident
Program safety award. Their latest
award was for the second competi-
tion period for 1980.
Other rail division winners for the
second quarter were Harlem terminal,
which took its third consecutive
first place finish, and the vehicle
overhaul section in Skokie Shop,
which won its second top safety
award this year.
The crews at Howard street-Linden
avenue terminals were also first place
winners in the rail vehicle division.
The automotive vehicle division
first place winners were 52nd street
garage, 77th street garage, and the
Unit Rebuild section at South Shops.
Forest Glen garage and 98 th Rail
Vehicle Maintenance terminal took
second place awards for the compe-
tition in April. May, and June.
Sheldon Rita (left), rail foreman, Harlem terminal, receives the first place Vehicle Maintenance
Zero Accident Program safety award from Larry Monaghan, terminals supervisor. Kevin Rayburg
of Safety Department, views ceremony.
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Above: CIcso Williams (left), assistant
rail foreman, and Frank Steen, car repairer,
both if 61st-Racine terminals display safety
awards their group won for the fourth
consecutive time.
Top Left: Chuck Kubal (right), day fore-
man, 52nd Street garage, accepts first
place safety award and congratulations
from Don Sturenfeldt, supervisor, south
garages.
Bottom Left: Henry Dickerson (left), rail
unit supervisor, presents second place
safety award to Dominic Nicosia (center),
assistant foreman, and Joe Campbell, car
repairer, both of 98th rail terminal.
70
CIA TRANSIT NEWS
Harlem terminal rail maintenance employees are joined by Malntenace
Department's safety section personnel (at right) for photo marking
employees' first place finish in safety competition for second con-
secutive quarter.
Right: Night shift employees at 61st-Racine
rail terminals who helped win safety award
are (from left) Sam Stimage, car repairer;
Jerry Armstrong and Dorthea Brown, car
servicers; Steve Butler and Ulysee Nelson,
car repairers, and Oscar Irby, car servicer.
OCTOBER, 1980
Charles Nelson, TennisFest doubles champ
Charles Nelson
Winners in the second Sun-
Times TennisFest championship
matches at Mid-Town courts
September 14 included CTA bus
operator Charles Nelson who is
assigned to Archer garage.
The 29-year old Nelson and his
partner, Carl Lugg, garnered the
first place trophy in the third di-
vision of the men's doubles as they
defeated opponents Bob Pomplimi
and Larry Sayler 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
Nelson and his partner each re-
ceived a one-week vacation for two
at a tennis resort in Colony Beach,
Til.
~^^*
Charles Nelson, first place winner in the Chicago Sun-Times second annual TennisFest doubles
championship matches at Mid-Town courts, demonstrates the form that enabled him and his
partner, Carl Lugg, to garner the first place trophy.
Fla. The Nelson- Lugg duo earned
berths in the championship games
after winning four matches in the
locals, three in the regionals, and
three in Mid-Town.
As a contender in the men's
singles, Nelson swept the locals,
but was defeated in the first round
of the regional matches. The lo-
cal matches began August 15.
Niva Oghigian named lEC president
Niva Oghigian
Niva Oghigian, a project leader
in the CTA Datacenter at the Mer-
chandise Mart, has been named
president of the Illinois Engineer-
ing Coxmcil. She is the first wo-
man to hold the office in the or-
ganization's 41-year history.
The Illinois Engineering Council
represents 19 principal engineer-
ing societies in the State. Its pur-
pose is to influence public opinion,
legislation, and government ap-
pointments related to engineering
matters as well as the engineering
profession.
Ms. Oghigian is a graduate of
the University of Illinois with
bachelor and master degrees in
electrical engineering, and was
named Outstanding Woman in Il-
linois in 1975. She joined the
CTA in November of that year and
currently is developing a computer
system to aid in preparing bus
schedule reports.
Prior to her recent appoint-
ment as president of the council,
Ms. Oghigian was president of the
Chicago Regional Section of the
Society of Women Engineers, and
has been the society's representa-
tive on the Illinois Engineering
Council since 1974.
She also has served for the past
six years on the executive com-
mittee and board of directors of the
University of Illinois Alumni As-
sociation.
n
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Sports benefit
305 youngsters
by W. B. Wolfan
Working with 305 youngsters, ages 6-15, in the
Rosemoor Community baseball league this past sum-
mer, has been a "rewarding experience" for Ernest
Sawyer, administrative assistant to CTA Chairman
Eugene Barnes.
It was particularly satisfactory, says Sawyer, when
"our Rosemoor Community All-Star teams won the
Chicago- Rockford Championships in two divisions
(Little League for ages 9-12, and the Pony League,
ages 13-15 years).
"Our young All-Stars defeated the Rockford All-
Stars in games played at Ernie Banks Field in Rock-
ford. The baseball diamond there was named in honor
of the Cubs' Hall of Famer Banks, a member of the
CTA Board."
One of the most important accomplishments of the
Rosemoor Commvmity baseball program is providing
a tutoring system in mathematics and reading for the
boys during the summer.
Those who participate in school sports and other
activities such as Boy Scouts and Science Clubs re-
ceive points and special awards for their efforts.
This program also extends into church activities and
has proven a strong incentive for the yotmgsters.
Also popular are 2-week camping trips during the
Slimmer on Lake Michigan. During the winter months,
the Rosemoor Community Organization offices are
open for special tutoring services.
Sawyer deems it a real privilege to work with the
youngsters who were honored at the Rosemoor Com-
mimity baseball league awards banquet on Sunday,
Oct. 12, at the "66 Room."
The important goal of taking part in sports in the
formative years, according to Sawyer, is the team
discipline that breeds the necessary Initiative and de-
sire to acquire a good education.
He says, "I made education my top priority after
spending three years in the Army which included a
tour of duty with the 4th Infantry Division in Viet Nam.
I returned to Northwestern University to earn my
degree in urban policy and planning.
"I am firmly convinced that sports can benefit edu-
cation if one's priorities are evaluated properly. I try
to teach the young athlete that an education represents
insurance for a lifetime in contrast to a career in pro
sports where the odds are astronomical against making
the grade— about the same percentage as making it
big In show business.
"But competition was wonderful while it lasted for
me— those four sports in high school and three years
in the Army provided a beneficial experience for
teaming to accomplish meaningful goals."
Sawyer's Little League activities will continue next
year with the second of a home and home championship
series against the Rockford teams to be played in
Chicago.
Bob Schageman
retires
At an informal reception held in
Passenger Controls/Graphics sec-
tion, Operations Planning depart-
ment, on September 30, Robert C.
Schageman retired after more than
43 years of service.
Schageman began his career as
a North Section ticket agent on
January 28, 1937. On February 9,
1953, he was promoted to distribu-
tion clerk, Electrical department,
and served there untilJuly 8,1957,
when he joined the Engineering de-
partment as a transit technician.
He ended his long and faithful ca-
reer as a transit technician in
Passenger Controls/Graphics sec-
tion.
Friends and co-workers pre-
sented Schageman with a cash gift.
Attending the happy occasion was
his wife, Mary.
John O'Connor (left), director. Passenger Controls/Graphics, presents retirement
Bob Schageman while his wife, Mary, and George Macek.supervisor.graphics producti
portfolio to
on, look on.
OCTOBER, 1980
13
Joins retirement roll after 36 years service
"Most of the fellows I started out
with have passed on," the big man said
as he settled comfortably in the chair
near the desk.
"Just me and one other fellow on
this picture left now," he said^handing
the photograph across the desk and
pointing to the image of himself
standing among the 14 uniformed
Chicago Motor Coach company drivers.
Obed Leon Bullitt was reminiscing
about his 36 years as a bus driver which
he started June 27, 1944, and ended
October 1, 1980, when he joined the
long roll of CTA pensioners. His last
assignment was with Beverly garage.
He had also worked at both the 77th
Street and 52nd Street garages.
"I've driven every kind of bus there
is," said Bullitt as he recalled his days of
service on the Grove double deck bus,
the stick shift, the Green Hornet and
the Pullman red streetcar.
Besides the photograph Bullitt's
mementos included two safety award
pins which were worn on the uniform
Obed Leon Bullitt, standing fourth from left, began his career as a driver with this group of Chicago
Motor Coach drivers who assembled for this portrait in 1944. Bullitt (inset) as he looks today.
in the early days. They were presented
to him in his second and third years as
a driver. He had also kept an old
Chicago Motor Coach company riding
pass as well as a copy of the physician's
certificate of examination which he
received on the day of his employment.
A northsider, Bullitt plans to enjoy
his retirement in Chicago.
Police commend youth for bravery
The 16-year old son of
Human Resources Minority
Business Enterprise Coordin-
ator Mario Ochoa has been
commended by the Chicago
Pohce department for
bravery.
Sergio Ochoa, a senior at
Lane Tech high school, re-
ceived a letter from 23rd
District Commander Emil
G. Giese in which he was
praised for diving into Lake
Michigan and attempting to
pull a blind man to safety on
September 1 1 .
Commander Giese said al-
though young Ochoa's attempt to save the man was un-
successful, the youth's willingness to try under dangerous
circumstances was highly commendable.
The letter said in part, "...Your concern for a fellow
citizen and personal involvement in this incident have not
gone unnoticed, and it is my privilege to thank you on behalf
of the Chicago Police department for the courage you have
demonstrated. ..."
HATA Christmas party
The Hispanic American Transportation Association is planning
its fourth annual Christmas party for Saturday, December 6,
1980, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the 14th floor of the Holiday Inn
Mart Plaza, 350 North Orleans.
All CTA employees are invited to join the festivities. Dona-
tion is $12 per person. The program will include dancing and
entertainment, as well as door prizes and free hors d'oeuvres.
Call Jose Flores at 7280035 for ticket information or contact
Maria Benitez, Felipe Gonzalez, Rudy Mendez, or Elda Leal.
August 17 was a memorable day for Mr. and Mrs. Sidney E. Duke, as
they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Duke, who worked
as an operator out of Forest Glen garage, retired on January 1, 1960,
after more than 31 years of service.
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Mr. and Mrs. James Collins Hood
of Ellisville, Mississippi, celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary on
July 13. The celebration was
commemorated as the couple re-
newed their marriage vows in a
ceremony conducted by the Rev.
James Twiner of the Mt. Zion
Methodist church. In a particular-
ly nostalgic mood, the couple
drove to the church in a 1930
Ford, reminiscent of the period
In which they were wed 50 years
ago. Hood retired as a West
Section motorman on April 1,
1976, after more than 34 years
of service.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
insr nvnE]3N/fl:oi^i.A.i^
JOINING THE ranks
of the retired on Octo-
ber 1, was ROBERT
SCHAGEMAN, who
had 43 years of service
with CTA and its pre-
decessor companies.
JESSE CROSS, Car Repairer,
Racine Terminal, Emp. 9-13-50
JULIAN DZIAK, Plumber,
Maintenance, Emp. 8-8-47
ROL.AND FORTIER, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 7-22-41
BERTRAND FREEMAN, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 9-11-51
ALVm HUBBARD, Foreman,
52nd Street, Emp. 11-3-49
BENJAMIN KOSIEK, Car Cleaner,
98th Shop, Emp. 8-15-41
WOODROVV OWENS, Bus Servicer,
Forest Glen, Emp. 2-5-54
ROBERT SCHAGEMAN, Transit Tech. V,
Operations Planning, Emp. 1-28-37
WALTER SMOKOWSKI, Janitor,
Forest Glen, Emp. 6-1-73
PHILIP UPCHURCH, Operator,
Kedzie, Emp. 1-26-56
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
OBED BULLITT, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 7-10-44
ALLISON DeBONNETT, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 8-13-62
MICHELI FERRANTELLI, Trackman,
West Shops, Emp. 2-5-68
CHRIS JACKSON, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 12-21-72
EUGENE JOHNSON, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 9-15-60
GEORGE KADERABEK, Repairer,
Forest Glen, Emp. 3-1-66
DONALD QUINN, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 3-17-60
MICHAEL SCHRAMM, Carpenter,
South Shops, Emp. 4-9-47
CLARENCE TYLER, Repairer,
Kedzie, Emp. 3-11-68
; CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 33 Number 10
Published for employes and retirees of the CTA,
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager. Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department. Sill Baxa, Manager. Transit
News Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Borcic,
Jack Somchin, Jeff Stern. Rick Willis. Produced
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direction of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employes. Annual subscription price to
others, S2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
CLARENCE AD.AMS, 00, Instruction,
Emp. 1-26-53, Died 8-15-80
ROBERT ANDERSON, 35, Beverly,
Emp. 6-9-66, Died 8-24-80
JOHN APPELT, 67, Archer,
Emp, 8-21-41, Died 8-24-80
JACOB BODEM, 90, West Section,
Emp. 1-14-36, Died 8-14-80
REINHOLD BREITENBACK, 80, 61st Street,
Emp. 11-27-18, Died 8-21-80
FR.-\NK CnCAS, 90, Beverly,
Emp. 7-30-43, Died 8-14-80
ADA CLARK, 85, North Section,
Emp. 1-7-19, Died 8-28-80
MARTIN CONWAY, 74, Beverly,
Emp. 1-8-43, Died 8-19-80
WILLIAM CUMMANE, 78, Stores,
Emp. 8-23-26, Died 8-7-80
RUDOLPH DAVIS, 71, 98th Shop,
Emp. 9-16-41, Died 8-12-80
CARL FISCHER, 75, South Section,
Emp. 8-11-48, Died 8-1-80
ANGELO GOUNDAS, 96, 69th Street,
Emp. 1-30-29, Died 8-28-80
DONALD GRAY, 56, North Avenue,
Emp. 1-10-66, Died 8-22-80
HERBERT HERZFELDT, 80, West Sect.,
Emp. 5-2-42, Died 8-16-80
JOSEPH HUDALE, 66, Campaign Area,
Emp. 12-16-47, Died 8-18-80
HARRY JABLONSKI, 69, Limits,
Emp. 12-30-54, Died 8-4-80
MARION KIENTZLE, 84, West Section,
Emp. 2-14-44, Died 7-31-80
EDWARD KRAMER, 74, North Avenue,
Emp. 10-20-28, Died 8-20-80
WALTER LEAVELL, 38, Human Resources,
Emp. 8-4-77, Died 8-31-80
ISAAC MOTTEN, 56, 69th Street,
Emp. 10-15-53, Died 9-5-80
WILLIAM NEUSON, 85, Howard,
Emp. 3-20-18, Died 8-4-80
MICHAEL NILAND, 81, Way & Structs.,
Emp. 7-19-28, Died 8-21-80
WARREN ODOM, 58, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-18-48, Died 8-22-80
RICHARD O'GORMAN, 71, Utility,
Emp. 9-15-41, Died 8-27-80
EDWARD OLSEN, 80, 69th Street,
Emp. 12-15-25, Died 8-16-80
EDWARD PYTLEWICZ, 69, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-29-40, Died 8-22-80
WILLL\M SCHMIDT, 86, 77th Street,
Emp. 12-1-20, Died 7-14-80
RICHARD STANTON, 67, Rail Supervision,
Emp. 7-1-42, Died 8-28-80
DENIS SULLIVAN, 74, 77th Street,
Emp. 5-1-43, Died 8-25-80
LEONARD TROJANOWSKI, 67, South Shops,
Emp. 2-14-39, Died 8-1-80
LOUIS URBON, 69, North Avenue,
Emp. 9-6-55, Died 8-14-80
ISAAC WOODS Sr., 61, South Shops,
Emp. 1-21-45, Died 8-23-80
Service
anniversaries
in October
40 years
35 years
^
7f
■^ ^/
fw^ f^i>»
Edward E. Berndt, District B
Rudolph Chucan, Skokie Shop
Frank D. Corbett, Schedules
John F. Gamperl, 69th Street
Thaddeus M. Lesniak, Skokie Shop
Charles H. Luepke, North Avenue
George E. Schultz, Maintenance
25 years
Alan R. Downing, Maintenance
Charles Dunkins, Maintenance
Anthony Espinosa, North Avenue
Luther B. Lee, 77th Street
Worthy B. Mattox, Rail South
Viola E. Meyer, Payroll
Charles J. Spears, Ashland/95th
James A. White, 69th Street
Robert J. Johnson
North Park
John J. Cichorski, Utility
William C. Dunn
Electrical
30 years
Martin Hennessy, Skokie Shop
Edward A. O'Brien, North Park
John G. Pelzman, Beverly
Jake Reed Jr., Archer
Thomas F. Spencer, 77th Street
PENSIONERS -
There is still time for you to have your
riding card picture taken at the following
location:
CTA Photographic Department
Room 7-189
Merchandise Mart
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Mon. Fri.)
No ID cards can be sent out unless the
pensioner has had a new photo taken.
OCTOBER, 1980
15
^yULL
Bus 8499 returns to service
Bus 8499, placed in the CTA historical collection in 1974 due
to its one-of-a-kind status, was returned to revenue service this
summer on the 32-West S'Vst route.
It presently serves the 89-Northeastern Illinois University
route, and is expected to continue indefinitely on similar limited
routes.
The bus was taken out of moth balls in June as more than
1,000 diesel engines in the CTA fleet were sidelined. Thanks to
a comprehensive engine overhaul program, however, CTA bus
availability has nearly returned to normal.
The design of bus 8499 combined the body of a standard
40-foot propane bus of both the 8000 and 8200 series along
with the then newly designed FIxible "New Look" front end
which includes the larger windows.
In the early sixties, this "collectors item had a variety of
experimental propane engines, but has been equipped with a
standard V6 71 Detroit diesel engine since 1966.
Although buses powered with liquid propane gas played a
major role in the movement of CTA passengers for a quarter of
a century, the demise of CTA's fleet of 1,700 propane buses
was triggered when manufacturers discontinued producing
propane engines, and propane fuel became more expensive.
The first propane buses were delivered to the CTA in 1950
when propane was considered a surplus fuel and was priced
considerably less than the then more expensive diesel and gaso-
line fuels.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, IL 60201
TN
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NEW PENSIONERS
JAMES ANDORRA, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 7-10-46
TOMMIE BASKIN, Car Repairer,
61st Street, Emp, 7-3-51
VICTOR FERRARESI, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 10-6-48
HARRY FORBES, Collector,
North Avenue, Emp. 6-30-43
LAFAYETTE GARMONY, Operator,
52nd Street, Emp. 2-19-46
WILLIAM GARVIN, Box Puller,
77th Street, Emp. 8-21-51
WILBERT SIMPSON, Clerk,
61st Street, Emp. 1-17-49
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
HANS FOIT, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 3-25-57
IRVING RICH MAN, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 2-12-51
MARION WATSON, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 3-5-53
Service
anniversaries
in November
35 years
Albert E. Brandt, Electrical
George W. Christensen, Electrical
Vernon W. Dietrich, Douglas/Congress
Roy W. Erickson, Howard/Kimball
John N. Friedman, Maintenance
Howard R. Josetti, Limits
Frank J. Kleich Jr., Howard/Kimball
John S. Kloska, Jefferson Park
George J. Laica, Internal Auditing
Herbert Lowenstein, Transportation
Joseph H. McNamara, South Shops
Harold C. Sohepler, Forest Glen
Raymond J. Trezjse, Near South Area
George F. Wallace, Archer
Thaddeus S. Wojclak, Archer
i3sr i^/a:E3vioR,i^^3va:
CARL CARLSON, 72, Archer,
Emp. 8-18-37, Died 9-4-80
EDWIN CELOVSKY, 63, Lawndale,
Emp. 5-16-46, Died 10-9-80
GEORGE CLARK, 55, West Section,
Emp. 1-16-51, Died 9-28-80
JAMES CORBETT, 77, North Avenue,
Emp. 2-28-24, Died 9-5-80
JULIAN CZELESKI, 97, Cottage Grove,
Emp. 9-19-18, Died 8-20-80
SALVATORE DiTOMOSO, 74, West Sect.,
Emp. 9-14-26, Died 9-20-80
JAMES FOLEY, 61, South Section,
Emp. 12-31-47, Died 9-29-80
PATRICK GILL, 73, Way & Structures,
Emp. 9-19-44, Died 9-20-80
HENRY GOETZ, 71, Transportation,
Emp. 2-4-36, Died 9-6-80
TED HILDEBRANT, 77, Keeler,
Emp. 1-14-24, Died 9-7-80
JOHN JORDAN, 63, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-7-52, Died 10-3-80
ANDREW KLICH, 70, West Section,
Emp. 8-24-37, Died 9-7-80
JOVA KOVAC, 90, Way & Structures,
Emp. 6-1-25, Died 8-16-80
VERONICA KREUSCH, 83, North Sect.,
Emp. 4-12-37, Died 7-25-80
EDWARD KURTZ, 75, Transportation,
Emp. 9-21-26, Died 9-1-80
JACK LAUBINGER, 56, South Shops,
Emp. 9-28-48, Died 9-24-80
THOMAS LONERGAN, 89, Lawndale,
Emp. 8-16-16, Died 9-6-80
ALFRED LUNDQUIST, 87, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-27-10, Died 9-24-80
JOHN MADDEN, 86, Way & Structures,
Emp. 1-12-12, Died 9-11-80
MICHAEL McDERMOTT, 74, Claim,
Emp. 3-3-36, Died 9-25-80
ROBERT McKENDRY, 92, North Section,
Emp. 12-30-11, Died 9-25-80
JAMES McMAHON, 87, 69th Street,
Emp. 9-4-26, Died 9-28-80
EDWARD MELANT, 70, Archer,
Emp. 9-20-45, Died 9-12-80
ARTHUR MUELLER, 79, Accounting,
Emp. 4-26-20, Died 9-18-80
EMMET NOLAN, 79, Shops & Equipment,
Emp. 8-30-21, Died 9-11-80
PETE PETERSON, 68, Transportation,
Emp. 1-22-41, Died 9-20-80
GEORGE PIERSON, 79, North Park,
Emp. 6-16-24, Died 9-24-80
ERVIN REINKE, 78, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-16-26, Died 9-4-80
CARL SCHEUERMANN, 72, South Sect.,
Emp. 7-1-42, Died 9-26-80
HERMAN SMITH, 62, Engineering,
Emp. 9-20-46, Died 9-10-80
NAPOLEON SMITH, 76, 77th Street,
Emp. 11-30-43, Died 9-1-80
THOMAS HURLEY, 60, 77th Street,
Emp. 6-16-48, Died 9-20-80
ANTHONY WISNIEWSKI, 68, Archer,
Emp. 8-13-41, Died 9-15-80
30 years
Anello Digianfillippo, Skokie Shops
Gary Elliott, South Shops
Charles Gage, Utility
Joan Georgeson, Personnel
Homer Harris, Schedules
Eugene F. Jankowski, Skokie Shops
Bartholomew McGrath, Ashland/95th
Charlie L. Moore, Douglas/Congress
Arthur R. Paige, Archer
Asher R. Reid, West Section
Ervin G. Schultz, North Park
Owen White, 69th Street
John B. Wojnicki, Archer
25 years
Harold G. Sober, Forest Glen
Sidney Edward Jr., Utility
Thomas E. McCue, Claims
CORRECTION: September anniversaries
35 YEARS
Read:
Frank J. Fehlh, Electrical
Should read:
John F. Fehlhaber, Electrical
Preparing to tee off at Hickory Hill Country
Club were (left to right) Pensioners Carl Gibes,
Tom Stiglic and Ray Pryor. We're sorry to
report that shortly after this picture was taken,
Pryor passed away.
^^^^ CTA TRANSIT NEWl
Volume 33
Published for employes and retirees of the
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H Ben
Manager. Editorial and graphics by th
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager. Tr;
News Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Bo
Jack Sowchrn, Jeff Stern, Rick Willis. Prodi
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direction of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employes. Annual subscription price to
others. 32. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago.
Illmois 60654.
NOVEMBER, 1980
27
additional eta calendars
available at $2 each
The CTA is making its 1 98 1 historical
calendars available without charge to
CTA employes and retirees as the
November issue of Transit News. In
addition, calendars will be distributed
to CTA offices, garages and other work
locations.
Because of the interest in the histori-
cal calendars, the CTA also is making a
limited supply available for sale at $2
each (including mailing costs). For ad-
ditional copies, make checks payable to
the Chicago Transit Authority , and send
to CTA Calendar, P. O. Box 3555,
Chicago, IL 60654.
Published by the Public Affairs Department
and the Administrative Services Unit
of the Chicago Transit Authority
P.O. Box 3555
Chicago, I L 60654
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANS TON, IL 60201
TN
Customized
transit
KORTHWESTERN UNI
A beautifully graphic and brightly colored salute to
Chicago and customizing is attracting a lot of attention
on the #149 Stateliner route.
The CTA "Custom Bus" was unveiled by Mayor
Jane M. Byrne and CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes
at Daley Center Plaza on November 13. Famous car
customizer Harry Willett designed the bus as a pro-
motional vehicle and exhibit for the International
World of Wheels Custom Car Show held at McCormick
Place from November 21 through 23.
The Custom Bus will operate in regular service,
and will be used by CTA at the American Public
Transit Association Show (APTA), scheduled to meet
in Chicago during the fall of 1981. «
At the unveiling of the CTA Custom Bus on Daley Center Plaza, CTA
Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (left) and Mayor Jane M. Byrne, congratu-
late customizer Harry Willett for the eye-catching paint job that he
applied to a CTA bus.
eta
hi;yilJkTI¥^ra7f.i
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
DECEMBER, 1980
' I just knew
it had to
be done '
A 38-year old bus operator with
training In rescue procedures was
the hero in a near-dro\vTiing inci-
dent in the Chicago River, Novem-
ber 4, after a woman jumped from
the Wells Street bridge.
Willie Lawler, a 13-year CTA
veteran, was driving his #1 Hyde
Park bus west on Wacker en route
to the North Western station about
7:30 a.m. when he saw a large
crowd of people at the bridge along
Wells Street. He stopped to in-
vestigate and saw the woman in the
water.
He immediately removed his
shoes, sweater and tie, ran to the
lower level, and jumped into the
water in an aaempt to rescue the
woman, who said that she did not
want any help.
"I talked to her so she would
calm down," said Lawler. Finally,
a policeman also jixmped in to as-
sist in the rescue effort and they
both talked to the woman. "When
the fire boat got close enough, we
grabbed her and pushed her
aboard," Lawler said.
Asked what thoughts were going through his mind
when he saw the woman in the water, Lawler said, "I
didn't think about it. I just knew it had to be done, so
I did it."
The quiet, unassuming Lawler said he was trained
as a life guard in his native Alabama when he was a
youth.
Lawler was commended for his heroic act by
Chairman Barnes and the CTA Board at their regular
monthly meeting on November 5.
CTA bus driver Willie Lawler (left foreground in top photo) helps the
woman board a fireboat in the Chicago river near Wells street, ending
an heroic rescue effort. The next day Chairman Barnes commends
Lawler at the CTA Board meeting.
© Chicago Sun-Times, 19S0/R.B. Leffingwell.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Naomi Tillman
appointed manager of
Consumer Services
Naomi L. Tillman has been appointed
manager of the CTA Consumer Services
Department by Chairman Eugene M. Barnes.
In announcing her appointment, Barnes
said, "Bringing Mrs. Tillman to the CTA
emphasizes our goal for the CTA to be
more responsive to the needs and sugges-
tions of our riders."
Mrs. Tillman, who has an extensive
background in social work, was Director
of the Office of State Guardian of the Illi-
nois Guardianship and Advocacy Commis-
sion prior to joining the CTA.
Mrs. Tillman, as manager of the Con-
sumer Services Department, will report to
Ms. Joby H. Berman, manager of the Ex-
ternal Affairs Division, which was created
earlier this year by Chairman Barnes. She
will direct the Commxmify Relations sec-
tion dealing with neighborhood and group
services and the riding needs of senior
citizens, the handicapped , and students; and
she also will direct the Customer Rela-
tions section which encompasses customer
assistance, complaints, and commenda-
tions, monthly pass sales, charter sales,
and the travel information center.
Prior to working for the state, Mrs.
Tillman served as Associate Director for
Government Affairs of the United Way of
Metropolitan Chicago from 1977 to 1979.
From 1972 to 1977, with the Council for
Community Services in Metropolitan Chi-
cago, she was Director of the Public Af-
fairs Department and Assistant Director
for Services for the Impaired Aged Pro-
gram.
Mrs. Tillman has done extensive work
in the social work field with Jane Addams
Graduate School of Social Work at the Uni-
versity of Illinois; the Welfare Council of
Metropolitan Chicago; School of Social
Service Administration at the University
of Chicago, and the Association for Fam-
ily Living.
Mrs. Tillman, who lives in the Hyde
Park commimity, earned her Bachelor of
Arts degree in social work at Hunter Col-
lege, N.Y., and a Master of Social Work
degree at the University of Illinois.
Marjorie Holmes
named director of
Human Relations
Ms. Marjorie M. Holmes, a near north
side resident, has been promoted to Direc-
tor of Human Relations in the Human Re-
sources Department. Ms. Holmes pre-
viously was a supervisor in the department.
As supervisor, she helped design the
CTA's Affirmative Action Program to en-
sure that minorities have their share in
the CTA's employment and business op-
portunities.
Ms. Holmes is secretary and board
member of the Chicago Area Association
for Affirmative Action and Compliance.
Ms. Holmes and her daughter, Ljmdel,
are members of the Shiloh Missionary
Baptist Church, 4840 S. Dorchester av.
She is superintendent of the church's Sun-
day school program, serves as organist,
and is an announcer on the church's radio
program on station WXFM.
She earned her Bachelor and Master's
degrees in Business Administration at
Roosevelt University where she teaches
evening classes In business administration.
Ms. Holmes joined the CTA in 1970 as
a clerk-typist. In 1974 she joined the Hu-
man Resources Department and served as
a human relations specialist.
Prior to joining the CTA, Ms. Holmes
served as secretary to syndicated news-
paper columnist Ann Landers.
CTA cooperated with the
Chicago Crime Commis-
sion by posting "Ignoring
crime is criminal" car
cards in trains and buses
in observance of Chicago-
land Law Enforcement
Week, Nov. 8-15. Placing
the first cards in a CTA
bus were (left to right):
Eugene M. Barnes, CTA
Chairman; Philip Wayne
Hummer, President, Chi-
cago Crime Commission,
Raleigh Mathis, Manager
of Security, CTA, and
Gail Melick, 1980 Chair-
man of Chicagoland Law
Enforcement Week and
Executive Vice President
of Continental Illinois
National Bank.
Jack Sowchin
named director of
Publications
Jack Sowchin, graphics specialist in the
CTA's Public Affairs Department, hasbeen
promoted to Director of Publications.
Sowchin' s appointment was announced by
Ms. Joby H. Berman, Manager, External
Affairs Division.
Sowchin joined the CTA in 1974 as a
graphics specialist, designing publications
issued by the Public Affairs Department.
These publications included CTA's route
map; Transit News; a calendar featuring
historic transit photos; Culture Bus bro-
chures, and special event leaflets.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree
in visual design in 1970 from the Illinois
Institute of Technology.
From 1970 to 1972 Sowchin managed
various sections of a precision photo-
graphic reconnaissance laboratory while a
member of the U.S. Air Force, and from
1972 to 1973 he worked in a design office
in Denver, Colorado.
He lives on Chicago's far northwest side
near O'Hare International Airport, holds a
commercial pilot's license, and is a mem-
ber of the Art Directors Club of Chicago
and the Mid-States Industrial Photographers
Association.
DECEMBER, 1980
From scrap to
artistic treasure
One man's trash can become another
man's treasure - - with some artistic
effort.
Tony Gasparovich, 69-year-old CTA
retiree, is a sculptor in scrap metals,
and anything else that catches his
fancy.
Working with his trusty soldering
gun on his kitchen table, Gasparovich
converts junk into all sorts of "coDec-
tibles" figures for adorning tables,
mantels, and walls.
"It all began in 1964 when our
daughter, Antoinette brought back
hand made metal figures from Mexico
and proudly showed them to my
wife. Ann. and myself," Gasparovich
said in his Downers Grove home.
"I thought to myself it would be
easy to make dupUcates of those
figures. At the time I was an elec-
trician at the CTA and had my own
tools at home," he said.
So he sat down at his kitchen table
with a box of scrap metal and his
trusty soldering gun and sure enough,
it was easy to do.
He's been making all sorts of soldered
figures ever since.
Gasparovich retired from the South
Shops in 1973. But the word "retired"
doesn't fit Gasparovich.
"Like I said, I started this as a hobby
in 1964. Friends and acquaintances
began buying some of the figures I
made on my kitchen table.
"Finally, my wife interested me in
entering a local art show. My welded
figures, mostly comical types, were
extremely popular.
"From 1964 I was working two jobs,
so to speak. One was at the CTA's
South Shops, and the other, after work,
was at my kitchen table with my
soldering gun, metal cutters, soldering
wire, and paints for finishes.
"So when I retired from the CTA in
1973, I retired to my second job. I've
shown my works in a number of art
shows, mostly in the southside, south
suburban, and west suburban areas."
Gasparovich has made hundreds of
various figures.
"The buyers seem to like the comical
ones best, although I've done a number
of serious works which have attracted a
lot of attention," he said.
How long does he plan to work at
his art?
"As long as my eyes and my hands
will let me," Gasparovich said.
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CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Clockwise, from top left: • Street scene
reminiscent of an outdoor cafe that
Gasparovich visited while on vacation in
Yugoslavia; 48-inches long, 18-inches high.
It weighs 12 pounds and took three months
to create. • Tony Gasparovich creates a
figure from soldering wire with his trusty
soldering gun at his kitchen table. • Two
men of war windjammers were made from a
couple of 2 X 4's, wooden dowels, string
and paints. Smaller ship is 19-inches long,
17-inches high; larger vessel is 33-inches
long and 24-inches high, and took two months
to complete. • "Bronco Buster" is fashioned
from soldering wire and Tony's talent for
creating motion in metal. • "Mexican
Musicians" lamp base was inspired by the
first figures Tony created. • "This Won't
Hurt - • Much" is a comic scene created
after a visit to his dentist's office. • "High
Wheeler and Not-So-High-Wheeler" catches
the attention of many art fair visitors.
• "Flower Girl Reading a Book" was fashion-
ed from tin scraps, soldering wire and Tony's
lively imagination. • "Persistent Nurse-
Resistant Patient" depicts humorous hospital
scene. • Delicate "Butterflies on Daisies"
demonstrates Tony's ability to copy nature
in metal and paints.
DECEMBER, 1980
Eduardo Alvarez (Forest Glen
Garage) impressed William Kap-
linski, of Plainfield avenue, with
his handling of passengers on a
«152 Addison bus. "All school
children were asked to show
their CTA passes. There were
gripes, but I believe this is more
than proper, since others riding
at reduced fares must display a
card. At Central, some children
tried to enter the rear door. The
driver noticed this and asked
them to get off the bus or bring
him their transfers. I believe
more drivers should take this
same attitude. After all, they
are in charge of the situation.
Also, the passengers must under-
stand they are in a public vehicle
and must abide by the rules."
Vaddie Weekly (52nd Street
Garage) was the driver of a *6
Jeffery Express bus that Frances
Bentley took from the Loop to
her home on South Hyde Park
boulevard. "I would like to
comment on her courtesy,
thoughtfulness, and excellent
drivingskills. This driver watched
for the people who asked that
a stop be called, and even turned
to see that they alighted at the
right stop. When several elderly
people got on along State Street,
she turned and requested people
using the side seats to give the
older people their seats. She
came right to the curb for every
stop, had something pleasant to
say to everyone, and made the
ride more comfortable than it
might otherwise have been."
commendation corner
Eddie Burton (North Park Garage) was appreciated by
Berenice Bradley, of East 101st street, for his handling of a
#146 Marine/Michigan Express that was rerouted because of
a parade in the Loop. "I didn't know where we were actually
headed and asked many questions. The driver acted neither
annoyed nor impatient. I later heard him answer any number
of questions from other confused riders in the same patient,
courteous and kind manner. When we were waiting to turn
into Michigan from Lake street, a group of people ran up to
the bus door. He pointed to the stop on Michigan and
then waited for them after he made the turn."
Alma Williams (Lawndale Garage) was complimented by
Mrs. Ann Jones, of South Homan avenue, who was a rider
on her #82 Kimball/Homan bus. "She is a very polite and
pleasant person to ride with. She always smiles and says
'Good morning,' and she waits while elderly passengers board
and get off the bus. Also, she helps them with their packages.
Her manner of responding to passengers' inquiries was
superior and in a pleasant tone of voice. She gives good
directions, and I sincerely think she deserves a commen-
dation."
Willie James (North Park Garage) earned the attention of
Mary Lou Emmerick, of Downers Grove, who only recently
began working downtown. "He drives the #151 Sheridan
bus from Union Station. This gentleman is a real pleasure to
ride with. He never fails to caution persons boarding the bus
to watch their step. He always calls out the streets, and is
one of the friendliest people I've met downtown. He even
thanks people for riding. He is a real asset to your company,
and I wanted you to know how much I and other riders
appreciate his thoughtfulness."
Eugene White f52nd Street Garage) was singled out by
Elizabeth Burford, of Blackstone avenue, for his performance
on a #1 Drexel/Hyde Park bus. "Not only was he compe-
tent, driving with evident care and control at the many cor-
ners on that run, but he also answered a number of questions
from passengers pleasantly. The high point was when he
helped a blind woman loaded with packages off the bus and
safely to the sidewalk. Wlien we left the bus, he wished us
a 'Good day' with a smile. Such a driver can really be a fine
P.R. man for the CTA. He helped me keep my faith in the
essential goodness of mankind--a real morale-raiser."
Denise Cherry (Limits Garage) was admired by Virginia
Reed, of North Lake Shore drive, for her manner of driving
#36 Broadway and other buses. "It has been my pleasure
to ride with her several times, and she has never failed to be
courteous, kind, thoughtful and pleasant. Aside from all of
that, she is an excellent driver. Never have I seen her slam
on the brakes and toss passengers quickly to the back. There
are a lot of old ladies and gentlemen who are grateful for this
common courtesy."
Dianna Owens (North Park Garage) was thanked by
Minnie Jakoves, of North Sheridan Road, for upholding
senior citizen seating priorities on her #22 Clark bus. "I
am a semi-crippled senior citizen, and was sitting near the
door. All the seats around me were occupied by young
people. The bus was loaded when an old lady with a broken
wrist and cane and two bags got on. No one would give her
a seat. I was ready to give her mine when this angel of a
lady driver turned and asked the young man next to me to
give up his seat because he was in the senior section. He
got up and the old lady sat down."
Clarence Speights (North Avenue Garage) has the respect
of Mrs. C. H. Williams, of Gladys avenue, "for doing an
outstanding job" as the driver of a #126 Jackson bus. "He
consistently keeps a timely schedule, which enables me to
connect with other buses. I ride with him five days a week,
and 1 am always on time when he is the driver. Mr. Speights
does a wonderful job and should be rewarded for his cour-
teous behavior and consideration for the working woman."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Walter Kenerson (77th Street
Garage) is "a beautiful person"
in the eyes of Josephine Mc-
Millan, of Indiana avenue. "I
have been riding on his (#3
King Drive) bus for almost
three years now, and I have
always found him to be very
courteous, cheerful, and helpful
to the passengers. On one oc-
casion, an elderly lady boarded
the bus carrying what seemed to
be a very heavy shopping bag.
He stopped the bus to assist her.
I marveled at the compassion
and concern shown by this fine
gentleman. I think he should
receive recognition for his out-
standing talent in dealing with
the public, along with his love
and concern for humanity."
Darrell Lee (North Section),
conductor on a Douglas-Milwau-
kee train, was called "an asset
to our city and the CTA system"
by Mrs. L. C. Weeks, of North
Neva avenue. "His type can give
strangers to our city as well
as natives a very favorable im-
pression. He is personable,
clear-speaking, and very courte-
ous. He greeted passengers (at
Jefferson Park) with a "Welcome
aboard the Douglas-Milwaukee
'B' train. The next stop is Irving
Park. No smoking or radio play-
ing while aboard.' He said this
not in a commanding voice or
snide manner. One knew these
things were not permissible. At
each station he announced the
cross-connections to clarify any
doublts or confusion a rider
might have."
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commendation corner
James Larry (52nd Street Garage) was regarded as "the
most courteous, pleasant person I have ever had the pleasure
to ride with" by Mrs. D. J. Foley, of Indiana avenue. "Every
passenger who boarded his (#38 Indiana) bus was greeted
with a warm 'Good morning,' and he wished each who de-
parted a 'Good day.' He was not only a gentleman, but
was also a very safe and good driver. He is an excellent
representative of CTA. I'm sure a lot of other riders feel
the same as I do about him."
John Cameron (South Section) was called "a conductor
who goes the 'extra mile' in doing his job" by Mrs. Myma
Williams, of Paxton avenue. "It is a pleasure to ride on the
(Lake/Dan Ryan) train with him. He calls out all the stops
in a clear manner, and also in a very efficient way he lets us
know of the connecting lines to transfer to for the different
points of interest. I also like the way he goes about making
sure that the passengers are out of the way of the doors
opening and closing. His manner of handling his job is very
professional."
James Fitzgerald (Limits Garage) was praised for his
"courtesy, skilled driving, and efficiency" on a #145 Wilson/
Michigan Express bus by Marvyn Womack, who works on
North Sheridan Road. "Because I recently arrived in Chicago
from Kentucky and am not yet familiar with the 'big city,'
it was most helpful to be able to hear distinctly the names of
streets, which this driver called out loud and clear. As a
victim of recent foot surgery, I likewise appreciated his
smooth handling of his bus during evening rush-hour traffic.
His pleasant 'Have a nice evening' as I got off his vehicle was
yet another reason I decided to write."
Rex Runnels (West Section) was noticed by James Sheri-
dan, who has offices on South LaSalle street, for the way he
handled his duties as conductor of a Douglas-Milwaukee
train. "Today I was delighted to hear someone fluently
call out each stop of our 'B' train. He not only announced
the stops, but also every possible transfer and train change.
He was neatly dressed, extremely courteous, and made my
ride and that of my fellow passengers delightful."
VirgO Dean (Limits Garage) won the approval of Catherine
Curren, of Lake Bluff, for his efforts to help a sick rider on
liis #151 Sheridan bus. "At about Lake Street an elderly
man across from us was seized with what appeared to be a
heart attack or stroke. The driver responded promptly and
efficiently, calling in for help and curbing the bus, and
then trying to help the man. He maintained his calm, and,
above all, he was kind. He stayed with the man until the
Fire Department paramedics arrived, and then got out of
the way. Please tell the driver he is appreciated."
Luis Rizo (North Avenue Garage) was commended by
Mrs. Frances Maciaszek, of North Latrobe avenue, for his
courtesy while driving a #65 Grand bus. "A nicer person
I've never met. He is never in a hurry to beat the lights,
and waits until everyone is safely aboard his bus. When he
stops to pick you up, he comes clear up to the curb, which
makes it easier for us older people to get aboard. I can't
say enough about this polite man, but I hope you can give
him a pat on the back, which he so richly deserves."
Gordon Woods (Lawndale Garage) was the driver of a
#58 Ogden/Randolph bus that Frederick Bartlett, of Stony
Island avenue, rode twice in two days. "He very courteously
answered my questions and helped me a lot by doing so.
Unknowingly. I dropped my eyeglasses on the bus. When I
discovered my loss, I telephoned CTA to try to get my
glasses back. The next morning, by sheer chance, I got on
another #58 bus with the same driver. He took a long look
at me and asked if I'd lost some glasses. He said he'd found
them and turned them in to his garage. I just wanted you to
know how much I appreciated his courtesy, kindness, and
consideration."
DECEMBER; 1980
Thanks - - for a job well done
Among other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently were:
Rosa Alfaro, Forest Glen; and Curtis
Anderson, North Park.
Esau Bailey and Andrew Butler, both of
77th Street; Jaime Benavides, North Park;
Nikola Blagojevic and Stephan Butler, both
of Limits; Booker Bolton, Amie Brown,
and Jose Burgos, all of North Avenue; Rob-
ert Braxton Jr., Alphonso Brooks, and
Bobbie Brown, all of Lawndale; and Julia
Brousek, West Section.
Jean Cage and Jose Canales, both of
Limits; Bennie Caridine, North Avenue;
Leroy Carr and Tomas Citron, both of
North Park; Delois Carter, Forest Glen;
Willie Cochran, Dewitt Coleman, and Law-
rence Craig, all of Archer; and Clyde Cole-
man, Jefferson Park.
Jose Davila and Electra DeAlba, both of
North Avenue; Phillip Davila, Javier DeLa-
Rosa, Robert Devitt, and Wilfred Dupree,
all of North Park; Roberto Diaz and La-
chester Drain, both of Limits; Herman
Duffin, Forest Glen; and Odell Duffin, 77th
Street.
Patricia Edwards, 77th Street; and
Bruce Ellison and Raphael Emery, both of
North Park.
Frank Findlay and William Franklin,
both of District A.
Albert Gamer, Jesus Gonzalez Jr., and
Leonardo Gutierrez, all of North Park; and
Tyrone Garrett, Archer.
Maurice Hanna, Limits; William Har-
ris Jr., 77th Street; Henry Hinkle, 69th
Street; and Mark Hislop and Ronald Hop-
kins, both of North Park.
Hayvvood Jackson, North Avenue; Wil-
liam Jackson, Lawndale; Lawrence Jarecki,
Forest Glen; John Jimenez, North Park;
Allen Johnson, Howard/Kimball; Ducloux
Johnson, 52nd Street; and Eddie Johnson,
77th Street.
Karie Kareem and Joseph Kmiec, both
of North Park.
Fred Labem and Melvin Little Jr., both
of North Avenue; Ricardo Leiva and John
Lovasz, both of Forest Glen; and John Le-
mond. North Park.
Terry Mancini and Mario Merendon,
both of Forest Glen; Adolph Marth, Victor
Medunycia, Stan Mihajlovic, Marshall Mil-
ler, Edgar Mollinedo, and Frederick
Moore, all of North Park; Gustavo Meza
and Faye Murry, both of Limits; Kenneth
Mlxon, 77th Street; and Robert Mumbower,
North Avenue.
Robert Nelson, North Avenue.
Delbert Oliver, 69th Street.
Charlie Parham and Effie Porter, both
of 52nd Street; Robert Patterson, Forest
Glen; John Pendleton, Beverly; Arney
Phillips, Douglas/Congress; and Larry
Polk, Archer.
Billy Ragsdale, 52nd Street; Emelio
Ramos, Rene Rivera, Curtis Rogers, and
Jose Roman, all of North Park; Annie Rice,
Oliver Robertson, and Jack Robinson, all
of Limits; and George Rivera, Forest Glen,
Eddie Sanders, 52nd Street; Adalino
Santiago and Willie Stewart, both of North
Avenue; Irene Scroggins, Beverly; Larry
Shelton, Pablo Silva, and David Swain, all
of Limits ; Dorothy Smith and Joseph Smoot,
both of North Park; Ronald Stefinsky, Ar-
cher; and Mitchell Szalwa, Forest Glen.
Frances Thomas and Eddie Traylor m,
both of North Park; Willie Thomas, Archer;
Horst Tietz, Forest Glen; Thaddeus Tuck-
er, Limits; and John Turner, 69th Street.
Francisco Valle and Juris Vitands, both
of North Avenue; and Johnny Van, North
Park.
James Walls, James White and Phillip
Wood, 69th Street; Leroy Ward, Peter
Willemsen, and Felicia Woods, all of North
Park; Wayne Wardlow and Alfred Williams,
both of North Avenue; and George Weiland,
Archer.
Charles Young, Forest Park.
Joseph Zukerman, North Park.
promotions
Edward Levan-
dowski, fare box co-
ordinator, Treasury,
since 1975, has been
appointed superin-
tendent. Central
Counting. Levan-
dowski joined CTA
in 1950 as a motor-
man at North Avenue,
becoming a bus
driver shortly there-
after. He was named
supervisor. District Levandowski
C, In 1959, and traffic supervisor a year
later. He also served as a bus instructor,
and was assigned to the Training Center in
1964. Levandowski and his wife, Margaret
Jean, have two sons and four grandchildren,
and make their home in Franklin Park.
One of their sons, Edward Jr., is a garage
instructor at Lawndale.
In other jobreassignments, four former
unit supervisors, Agents, have been named
assistant superintendents. Agent Sviper-
visors. They are Jacqueline Borcic, Shir-
ley McClure, Delia Richards, and Jimmie
Seymour.
New as management/professional in-
terns. Transportation, are former bus
service supervisors Robert Bravi (District
B) and Samuel Smith Jr. (District D), and
Thomas Wilson, former bus instructor,
North Instruction.
Promoted to new positions from within
Financial Sei-vices are Virginia Wendorf,
former internal auditor, now senior finan-
cial analyst; Nancy Pranckus, former
methods and procedures analyst, now ac-
counting systems analyst; and James Fio-
rito, former valuation technician, now ac-
counting specialist.
Gregory Nagle, former accounting
specialist, Financial Services, has been
selected financial analyst. Insurance &
Pensions; Hosseinali Khalvati, former
driver. North Park, has become methods
and standards engineer. South Shops; and,
in Plant Maintenance, Syed Hussaini has
been promoted from mechanical engineer
n to mechanical engineer HI.
Now serving as training coordinators,
Human Resources-Training/Development
Programs, are Juanita Fields, former of-
fice equipment clerk. Management Services,
and Colleen Cannon, former reception
clerk. Materials Management. Carol
Musto, former job classification clerk.
Human Resources-Job Classification, has
been chosen confidential office assistant.
Labor Relations.
Roosevelt Graham, former driver, 69th
Street, has been appointed travel informa-
tion representative. Travel Information
Center. Lynn Bretz, former principal
placement clerk. Human Resources-Em-
ployment & Placement, has been named
general clerk, Skokie Shop.
In Financial Services, Josephine O'Kray
has moved from payroll relief clerk. Pay-
roll, to revenue records clerk. Revenue
Accounting. Brenda Alston, former medi-
cal technician. Medical, has been selected
payroll clerk, Financial Services. Emer-
son Lee, former driver. Archer, has been
chosen unit exchange clerk. South Shops.
Three new utility clerks have been as-
signed to the Law Department: Gloria
Mosqueda, former stenographer, Financial
Services; Ellen Koslnski, former sugges-
tion records clerk. Human Resources-Job
Classification; and Mary Garcia, former
typist, Transportation-Howard. JoCarol
Huston, former agent. West Section, has
become typist, Financial Services, and
Hermellnda Morales, formerly unassigned
clerk-typist. Human Resources-Employ-
ment & Placement, is now typist. Mainte-
nance.
Ernesto Antonio, former engineering
assistant, Engineering, has been selected
testing engineer. Plant Maintenance. Jorge
Bolanos, former agent. North Section, has
become electrical worker apprentice.
South Shops. At Skokie Shop, Michael Fa-
bian has moved from assembler helper to
blacksmith/welder apprentice.
Edward Sayles, former driver. Archer,
and Dennis Arendt, former bus repairer,
North Park, have been chosen service
truck chauffeurs, Transportation-Utility.
In Plant Maintenance, John Rebacz has been
promoted from blacksmith/welder to tool
fire blacksmith.
Diane Hymon, former driver. Limits,
has been reassigned to bindery worker.
South Shops. Scott Stone, carpenter, has
moved from South Shops to Plant Mainte-
nance, while Armando Martinez, laborer,
formerly at South Shops, is now in the same
position at Skokie Shop.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Representatives from six transit companies met with CTA management
to share information on special transportation provisions for elderly
and handicapped transit riders in their cities. CTA officials at the
center table hosting this session were, from left: Harold Hirsch,
manager. Operations Planning; Harold H, Geissenheimer, General
Operations Manager; William Mansker, secretary, CTA Board, and
Ernest Sawyer, special assistant to the Chairman.
Peer group review aids E & H service planning
Pending federal legislation concern-
ing the needs of elderly and handi-
capped riders prompted a meeting of
CTA management with peers from six
transit areas in similar operating envir-
onments who already provide service
for this special class of riders.
The two-day October meeting con-
vened in Chicago, and was funded by
the Urban Mass Transportation Admin-
istration. Sharing information on
transportation programs now underway
for elderly and disabled citizens were
representatives from Boston, Cleveland,
Denver, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St.
Paul, and Pittsburgh.
Harold H. Geissenheimer, General
Operations Manager, who chaired the
peer group review and studied the
special services of the other systems,
said, "We invited them to come and
share their information with us be-
cause we wanted to benefit from their
experience in this totally new concept
of transportation. We did not want
to re-invent a transportation serivce.
Thus, we felt that the peer group
review was an important step in the
planning process."
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes
also visited systems in Cleveland and
Pittsburgh and met personally with
the peer group to learn of their ex-
periences. The meeting was coordina-
ted by Barbara Colwell and Anthony
Borcic of the Human Resources de-
partment's Training/Development pro-
grams section.
Since that meeting, the CTA, in con-
junction with the Chicago Area Trans-
portation Study, has announced a
proposed alternative compUance plan
that provides for hft-equipped mini-
bus service throughout Chicago on a
demand-response basis. The plan
includes making 28 rapid transit
stations accessible with elevators or
ramps and purchasing full-size buses
with hfts.
Chairman Barnes said the proposed
' Alternative Compliance Plan ' which
provides more than the law requires.
will commence in September 1981
with 20 lift-equipped buses.
In connection with plans to imple-
ment this city-wide service, the CTA
Transportation department has named
Isaac Beal, assistant superintendent
at 69th Street garage, to be superinten-
dent of transportation service for the
elderly and handicapped.
Under Beal, the new section will
provide special accommodations for
elderly and handicapped riders includ-
ing door-to-door service.
Presently, Beal is gathering informa-
tion on the proposed program through
seminars and other in-service training,
and meeting with special interest
groups for the elderly and handicapped.
He joined the CTA in 1959 as a
bus operator and was appointed assis-
tant superintendent in 1974. His CTA
career has also included a stint as
instructor at the Limits Training
Center, as well as a Central District
supervisor.
Beal and his wife, the former Maude
William Wong
Baker, are the parents of two daugh-
ters, both students at Lindbloom high
school.
Another appointee named in connec-
tion with the Elderly and Handicapped
Services program is Wilham Wong,
named bus supervisor. Bus Garages, and
assigned to coordinate the Maintenance
department's special services for the
elderly and handicapped. He is also
meeting with special interest groups
on program proposals.
Wong has held various supervisory
posts in the Transportation department
since joining the CTA in 1967 as a bus
serviceman. His most recent super-
visory responsibility was a unit super-
visor, Intern-Automotive.
He has also observed and instructed
employees in bus garages and rail
terminals, and worked as administra-
tive assistant to the general operations
manager.
Wong and his wife, Pat, are also the
parents of two daughters.
DECEMBER, 1980
Looking for the
racer's edge
Art Filip's fondest wish was that
Mayor Jane Byrne's proposal for a
July Fourth "Grand Prix" auto race
down Michigan avenue next summer
would get the green flag.
The CTA Jefferson Park yard fore-
man hoped he would have the oppor-
tunity to don his helmet and other
racing garb, strap on his sleek, super
fast Lola 360 Formula Atlantic road
racer and bum to the finish line before
a crowd of Chicago racing fans.
Although the Mayor recently can-
celled plans for this summer's race,
Filip is preparing for an exciting racing
season. The 20-year CTA veteran plans
to spend the winter overhauling his
racer and getting it ready for the June
Sprints in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
"We will tear the car down and check
everything. Even the paint will be
stripped as we look for tolerances."
When Filip says "we," he means his
whole family will become involved in
the project. "Oh yes," he insisted,
"its a family thing, that's the only way.
"My family gets involved in each
event that I race. We make it an out-
ing. Often we camp out at the race
site." His wife Shirley, the team
manager, works in the pit or at the
paddock alongside their sons, Jon, 22,
Douglas, 18, and Nick, 19, who is also
a racer, and their daughter, Doraine,
age 13.
Every step taken by Art and the
family crew is recorded to give him
up-to-the-minute data of the car's
performance, and the subsequent main-
tenance.
"We spend a lot of time working
on the car, trying to improve its time at
the finish line. You know, its all a
matter of who can out fox whom,"
he said. "You search, and search, and
search for the trick that makes you just
a little faster than the next guy; that's
where the fun really is."
His Lola 360 is 1 ,035 pounds of
aluminum and fiberglas. "We've done
everything to get the weight down as
much as possible, including replacing
the regular battery with a smaller
garden tractor battery. The only thing
left now is for me to drop to about
180 pounds," he said, referring to his
own body weight.
Filip's 225 pounds, his driving
techniques, the engineering of the car,
the fuel mixture, and the tire pressure,
all play a role in the amount of time
it takes him to get to the finish line.
Unlike most race drivers, Filip is
not as concerned about winning, at
least winning big, as he is about finish-
ing a race. He has zoomed around
some of America's most famous tracks
at speeds in excess of 165 miles per
Jefferson Park yard foreman. Art Filip checks out a train before it leaves the yard with the same
concern he gives his road racer before he enters a competition. His Lola 360 Formula Atlantic
road racer, previously owned by racer Paul Kelleher, is shown speeding down the track at the June
Sprints in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, with Filip at the wheel.
hour with the best of the well known
racers guys like Mario Andretti,
Tony Bettenhauser, and Bobby Unser.
"These guys race all the time while
I only get to the track about four or
five times a year, so winning really
isn't a big thing with me. I'm happy if
I finish," Filip said. However, his
co-workers at Jefferson Park are
anxious for him to win since he has
promised them a party when it happens.
"I enjoy the charisma that goes with
racing," said Filip. "Getting the car
ready for the big event, and being there
with other racing people is really what
it is all about. After all, the race itself
is over in about an hour," he said.
FiUp has been driving race cars since
he was a teenager. First it was stock
cars. In the late 50's Art Filip com-
peted at Meadowdale raceway in
Carpentersville, a track that disap-
peared when real estate developers
moved into the area. Later he raced
at Soldier Field until his enthusiasm
for stockcars waned and he turned to
road racing.
"In all my racing I've never had a
win came close once, but I didn't
finish the race," he recalled. "I was
running second at Elkhart when the
engine developed some problems and
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
wmmmmmmmmmm
h^^'^^-^-^'
that was that. I was out of the race."
Road racing has to be a safe sport,
or the Filips wouldn't allow their son,
Nick, to emulate his father. The
younger Filip is every bit as enthusi-
astic about the sport as his father, and,
under Art's tutelage, he has developed
into an excellent driver. "He qualified
his first time on the track, heating out
a nine-year veteran at Elkhart. He
shows tremendous potential," Art said
proudly.
MUe for mOe, road racing is safer
than driving on the expressway. A
racer knows that erratic driving can
cost him Ms hcense and put him out
of the sport for good. "So," said Filip,
"we don't take risks because we enjoy
racing and we respect each other as
drivers."
Although race drivers are observant
of the rules and respect each other, as
FUip points out, their machines are
also built with a number of safety
factors considered and they are cap-
able of absorbing a tremendous amount
of shock.
Among the safety features included
is a layer of foam on top of the fuel
supply to prevent an explosion in case
of a rear end collision. The clothing
worn by the driver is designed to resist
heat or flame for a minimum of 30
seconds, which gives the 'comer
workers' those people stationed at
various intervals along the track - - -
time to rescue the driver in case of
a fire.
As a race driver, Filip says, if you're
keeping score or making comparisons,
he figures he's about 13th or some-
where in the second 10. "I enjoy the
sport and I'll keep on driving until the
old reflexes and vision start to go,"
said Filip. "I figure it will be time to
hang it up then."
What has he accomphshed on the
track? Well, says Filip, "Fve driven
with the best of them and I've finished
with the best of them, and that's all
anybody who drives occasionally could
ask. It makes us equal.
Left: Nick Filip checks out his racer after it
was overhauled.
Right: This is the final moment before the
race gets underway. Filip says the only thing
now is to "go fast and hope it lasts." (Photo
by Marty Grannan)
DECEMBER, 1980
Mexican officials tour
CTA facilities
On Wednesday, October 29th, CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes, General Operations Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer,
Operations Planning Manager Harold Hirsch, and other CTA
employees welcomed a group of Me.xican Legislators and
Officers of the Federal District Department of Mexico.
The Mexican visitors were members of a study commis-
sion, which toured major U.S. cities including Washington,
New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Their objective was
to learn about the financing, planning, and methods of opera-
tion of the public services, and to obtain information regard-
ing problems and solutions in urban development.
Tlie group's itinerary, which included a visit to CTA
facilities, was coordinated by Pat Vidri, Administrative
Assistant to Mayor Byrne, and the Mexican Consulate in
Chicago. Distinguished guests included the following Mexi-
can Congressmen: Joaquin Alvarez Ordonez, Miguel Angel
Camposeco, Rodolfo Siller Rodriguez and Mrs. Siller Rod-
riguez, Enrique Haboc Soriano, Francisco Javier Aponte,
Cuauhtemoc Amezcua Dromundo, Hiran Escudero, Manuel
Terrazas Guerrero and Carlos Sanchez Cardenas. Repre-
sentatives of the Federal District Department were; Luis
Dominguez Pomerente, Cesar Herrera, Javier Caraveo and
Carlos Stephen, Jr. The group was accompanied by inter-
preters Mario Reynoso and Ernesto Aguilar.
At 9 a.m., the group was greeted by CTA officials at the
Randolph and Wells elevated station, where they boarded a
special Lake-Dan Ryan train for a tour to the 63rd Street
station. Harold Hirsch described the main points of interest
in the city, and his comments were translated into Spanish
by Miguel Barron, the conductor on the train.
After the rail tour, a reception was held in the CTA board
room. Diane Garcia, who recently joined CTA as a con-
fidential office assistant in the Chairman's Office, opened
the reception program by welcoming the guests in Spanish
and introducing them to the audience. Chairman Barnes
expressed his appreciation for their interest in CTA and
reiterated his willingness to assist them in every way pos-
sible in learning the operation of our system. His remarks
were simultaneously translated into Spanish by interpreter
Mario Reynoso.
The program also featured the presentation of "The Urban
Challenge," a videotape produced by the Training/Develop-
ment programs section of the Human Resources department.
Elda Leal of Public Affairs addressed the audience in Spanish,
Top left: At the Merchandise Mart station, interpreter Mario Reynoso
(left). General Operations Manager Harold Geissenheimer (second from
left), and Chairman Eugene Barnes (right), thank Conductor Miguel
Barron (center, left) and Motorman Francisco Martinez for the excel-
lent service provided during the tour. Barron's simultaneous Spanish
translation over the train speakers of Harold Hirsch's tour commentary
was especially appreciated by the visitors.
Above: Joby Berman (right), manager. External Affairs, and Diane
Garcia, confidential office assistant, Chairman's Office, applaud remarks
by Mexican Congressman Enrique Haboc Soriano, as interpreter Mario
Reynoso (left) looks on.
John Schwartz (seated), superintendent. Travel Information Center,
demonstrates operation of a travel information representative's con-
sole.
introducing Ms. Joby Berman, manager. External Affairs
Division, and briefly described the areas of responsibility of
her division. Coffee and Mexican sweet roUs were served at
the end of the program.
A group of CTA employees of Mexican descent attended
the reception at the Chairman's invitation. This enabled the
visitors to meet employees and feel "at home" while learning
about CTA operations.
At the conclusion of the tour, which also included the
Control Center and the Travel Information Center, the dele-
gation thanked the CTA for a warm welcome and expressed
admiration for our advanced public transportation system
and well organized operations.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
CTA honored by Chicago Urban League
CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes was the recipient of a
Chicago Urban League Certificate
of Appreciation in recognition of
his chairmanship of the 1980 Chi-
cago Urban League membership
fund drive.
James E. Taylor, the Chicago
Urban League's vice president of
Program and Field Operations,
presented the award to Chairman
Barnes followingthe organization' s
annual October business meeting.
As head of the 1980 member-
ship drive effort. Chairman
Barnes also presented 47 similar
awards to campaign workers in-
cluding CTA Board Member Ernie
Banks, and the Rev. Frederick
Randall, a driver assigned to the
77th Street Garage.
Banks was given recognition
for his participation as the drive's
Sports Committee co-chairman.
Randall, who joined the CTA in
March 1966, is pastor of the Lake
Shore Center of Truth. He was
presented a certificate in recog-
nition of his staimch support of the
Chicago Urban League, which ul-
timately led to League member-
ship for his entire congregation.
The Rev. Frederick Randall gets a warm reception from CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes at
annual meeting of the Chicago Urban League. The CTA driver encouraged his entire congregation
to support the Urban League membership drive.
CTA Chairman Barnes accepts a certificate of appreciation from
Chicago Urban League Vice-President James E. Taylor at annual awards
program.
Sports Committee co-chairman Ernie Banks, accepting congratulations
from Taylor, was among CTA people given recognition for participation
with the annual membership drive.
DECEMBER, 1980
13
Enrique Gonzalez
earns citizenship
Enrique Gonzalez, a bilingual (English-Spanish)
travel information representative, became a U.S.
citizen on Wednesday, October 29. His wife. Maxima
Irene, obtained her citizenship two days later.
Gonzalez, a native from Havana, Cuba, who im-
migrated to the U.S. in August, 1973, joined CTA in
1975 as a bus cleaner. SLx months later he became a
repairman at the 77th Street garage, after passing his
training with a 95 per cent average. During that
period, he attended school in the mornings to improve
his English and obtain his GED diploma. He has been
working as a bilingual travel information representa-
tive since October, 1976, where he is considered to
be a valuable employee.
In 1979, in recognition of his dedication and out-
standing motivation to excel, Gonzalez was nominated
by the CTA to the Superior Public Service Award
Program under the category of Outstanding Clerical
Employee. The program is a means of bringing to the
attention of the public the high caliber of devoted em-
ployees in public service.
Gonzalez's next goal is to obtain a degree in
Business x\dministration. He recently started a cor-
respondence course through the LaSalle Extension
University of Chicago.
Proud new citizen Enrique Gonzalez (center) receives congratulations
from John Schwartz, superintendent. Travel Information Center, and
Naomi Tillman, manager. Consumer Services, during a reception held in
his honor in the Travel Information Center.
Gonzalez and his wife, who were professional radio
announcers and actors in Cuba and Russia before im-
migrating to the U.S., have participated in commer-
cials for the Spanish media in Chicago^ They are also
active members of the Covenant Churches of America.
911 platform telephone
aids in rescue effort
Qmck thinking by the son of a
CTA retiree may have saved the
life of a rider who fell on the
tracks of the Lake Street elevated
structure September 24. Harry
Brooks, whose father \vlth the
same name retired as a personnel
investigator in 1976, said that when
he reached the eastbound platform
at Halsted near midnight, he no-
ticed a pair of shoes.
Moments later a barefoot man
appeared from the stairway op-
posite the one Brooks had used,
stumbled across the platform, and
fell onto the tracks. In the distance
off to the west. Brooks could see
the lights of an oncoming train.
He knew he would have to act
quickly if the man was to be saved.
Brooks looked around and saw
one of the new public telephones
that have been installed at rapid
transit station platforms. He
picked it up and called directly to
the power supervisor's desk in the
CTA Control Center in the Mer-
chandise Mart, telling power con-
troller John Angelo about the
emergency.,
While instructing rail control-
ler Frenchie Ellis to alert the
crews on approaching trains, An-
gelo cut power for both east and
westbound trains. Brooks, mean-
while, jimiped down to track level
to tiy to lead the errant rider to
safety.
Instead of responding to Brooks'
offer of help, however, the man
struggled with him and caught his
feet in a gratingo Soon South Rail
District supervisor Sidney Ed-
wards and intern Johnny Holifield
arrived on the scene to complete
the rescue effort, and, once the
Harry Brooks
drama ended. Brooks took the first
eastboimd train home for a well-
earned night's rest.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Remodeled Granville
station dedicated
The new Granville station on the North-South rapid
transit route was opened to the public following the
dedication of the facility by Mayor Jane M. Byrne and
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes on November 11.
The new station, which cost $1,731,000, provides
riders with modern facilities and conveniences, in-
cluding protection from rain and snow, bright lighting,
an escalator, and an elevator for handicapped persons.
The new concrete platform is 530 feet long and 12
feet wide. The tubular steel canopy extends the length
of the platform and is 23 feet wide to cover both the
platform and the trains.
The platform has three 18-foot long windbreaks
with steel frames and tempered glass wallSo The
windbreak nearest the escalator, stairwell, and ele-
vator has four passenger-operated infra-red heaters.
The street-level station building on the south side
of Granville replaces the original 63-year old station.
The front of the station facing Granville has a 45-
foot long entrance of stainless steel-trimmed glass
doors and glass walls for maximum visibility into the
station from the street.
Walls of the station building are of white glazed
brick with speckles of black. In addition to the ticket
agent's booth, there are four coin-operated turnstiles,
and two turnstiles controlled by the agent for access
by the handicapped.
The elevator, connecting the station with the train
platform, has three walls of glass and will accommo-
date one wheelchair and several standing persons.
A public address system has been installed in the
station building and on the platfomi for broadcasting
rider information.
Granville platform features modern backlit graphics and passenger
controlled infrared heaters.
^M
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Mayor Byrne and Chairman Barnes welcome the press to the station
opening.
Ground level improvements include clear view from street, new turn-
stiles, and an elevator for handicapped riders, shown at right.
The station was built by Ross, Lynn, and Norman
Construction Company, of Skolde, and designed by
Dubin, Dubin, Black & Moutoussamy, of Chicago.
Funding for the project was provided by the federal
and state governments.
DECEMBER, 1980
15
safety awards
Top winners for the third quarter, 1980 CTA Public
Safety Awards for operating personnel were Forest Glen
garage and the Harlem-Lake 'L' terminal.
Forest Glen isn't a stranger to the award. The garage
received the award in the first quarter of 1980 only to see
it won by the Archer garage in the second quarter.
Since the safety award program began in 1961, Forest
Glen has held the coveted Interstation Safety Contest plaque
10 times.
The Interstation Safety Contest plaque in the trainroom
of the Harlem-Lake terminal for the third quarter, 1980,
is a ffleasant sight for crew personnel. They last won the
award for the first quarter, 1979.
For the terminal's old timers, the plaque is like an old
friend. This terminal has held the plaque 17 times since
the contest began in 1961 .
Bus operators John Kurinec (left) and Emmit Beard receive Outstand-
ing Employee Award and congratulations from Harry Reddrick,
director. Transportation Personnel.
Ed Henry (2nd from left), supervisor, safety performance analysis, Safety, presents Interstation
Safety Contest award plaque to Hugh Masterson, superintendent. Forest Glen garage. Joining
in the ceremony are John Bork (left), assistant superintendent, and Ed Weston (right), assistant
superintendent, Forest Glen.
Superintendent Stanley Christ (right), Harlem-
Lake terminal, receives Interstation Safety
Contest award plaque for the third quarter,
1980, from Thomas Boyle, manager. Safety.
Surface Lines retirees
please note
Retired streetcar motormen or conductors who live
in the San Diego - Los Angeles area may be surprised
to learn there is someone nearby who Is anxious to hear
their tales of adventure on the rails. Howard Browne,
a novelist living in Carlsbad, California, Is working on
a book in which one of the characters is a Chicago
Surface Lines conductor in the 1920's and '30's, and
he wants to learn more about the job and times in
which streetcars were the mainstay of Chicago's trans-
portation system.
You can call Browne collect at Area Code 714-
436-0790, or write him at 3303 La Costa Avenue,
Carlsbad, CA 90028.
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Special Recognition Award recipients Conductor Robert Crawford
(left), and Motorman Cleo Griffin (right), smile with appreciation
after receiving awards from Michael LaVelle, director. Transportation
Service, at ceremony in Harlem-Lake terminal train room.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Ronald Utiey
named Master of
Masonic Lodge
CTA bus operator Ronald C.
Utley, assigned to the Forest Glen
garage, has been named Worship-
ful Master of the West Irving-
Blair Lodge 271, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons.
Utley and other lodge officers
were installed in office in a cere-
mony conducted last month at the
Arlington Heights Masonic Temple,
1104 S. Arlington Heights Road.
Participating as installing of-
ficers were CTA retirees Russell
E. Gimderson, marshal; William L.
Woebel, chaplain; Rodger Reed,
secretary, and William Powell,
senior deacon.
Ronald C. Utley, left, is congratulated after being installed as Worshipful Master of West Irving-
Blair Lodge 271 AF&AM by George Chandler, Worshipful Master of Union Park Lodge 610.
Chandler is a machinist assigned to the frog shop. West Shops.
Worshipful Brother William L. Woebel, chaplain, left, and Utley kneel
in prayer before the investiture ceremony.
Worshipful Brother Mort Simpson, past master and installing officer,
crowns Utley with the top hat which is symbolic of his office.
Officiating at last month's investiture of officers were past masters William Powell, senior deacon;
Rodger Reed, secretary; Mort Simpson, installing officer; Russell E. Gunderson, marshal, and
William L. Woebel, chaplain. All except Simpson are CTA retirees.
The worshipful master and Mrs. Maria Utley.
DECEMBER, 1980
17
CTA Sports opens
1981 basketball season
The CTA Basketball League opened its 1980-81
season on Sunday, November 2, at the Washington
Park Fieldhouse, 55th and King Drive with 13 teams
participating.
The first games of the season started \vith 77th
Street downing North Park #1, 51-35; West Side 'L'
edging out 69th Street, 48-42; North Avenue beating
North Park #2, 59-51, and General Office defeating
South Shops, 60-41.
Games are played each Sunday morning (until
Christmas) starting at 9:30 a.m., and each Tuesday
and Thursday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. Everyone
is invited to come out and root for their favorite team.
Top right: E. Burkes, West Side 'L' goes high to tal<e rebound away
from Jones of 69th Street.
Right: W. Baker, North Park, grabs rebound as other team members
watch.
Bottom left: B. Jenkins, General Office, out jumps R. Parrish, South
Shops, for the tip-off.
Bottom right: J. Harvey, 43, and J. Millbrook, 30, General Office, out
muscle South Shop player for rebound.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
THOMAS DUNLEAVY, Motorman,
Forest Park, Emp. 7-6-50
DAVID FISHER, Utility Clerk,
Security, Emp. 11-18-57
CHARLES LOWERY, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 11-17-48
FRED MORGAN, Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 11-6-69
WILLIAM MOUNT, Motorman,
South Section, Emp. 3-8-47
WANTTA NAMYST, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 11-10-56
CHARLES ROBINSON, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 1-10-56
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
JESSE COLBERT, Car Repairer,
98th Street, Emp. 7-24-69
CHARLES DAVIS, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 1-23-51
LAWRENCE LATHAM, Foot Collector,
Transportation, Emp. 2-24-67
HERBERT SLACK, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 6-23-58
Sailing in Mobile Bay down Alabama way is
Pensioner Joe Osterberger who fishes for shrimp
and other edible denizens of the deep. Joe, who
retired on March 1, 1974, as a security super-
visor II, looks as if he just stepped out of the
pages of Moby Dick. Our thanks to Russ
Warnstedt for submitting this picture to Transit
News.
"CTA TRANSIT NEWS '
Volume 33 Number 12
Published for employes and retirees of the CTA,
bv the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager. Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager. Transit
News Staff: Mel Alexander, Christine Borcic,
Jack Sowchin, Jeff Stern, Rick Willis. Produced
by the Administrative Services Unit under the
direction of Charles T. Zanin.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employes. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
SOL BERLIN, 72, Kedzie,
Emp. 3-5-45, Died 10-1-80
SUSAN BLACK, 80, South Section,
Emp. 1-6-19, Died 9-5-80
ELMER BLOOM, 87, Devon,
Emp. 4-28-23, Died 9-23-80
JOSEPH BOZINOVICH, 84, West Shops,
Emp. .5-10-21, Died 10-28-80
THOMAS BROWN, 70, South Section,
Emp. 2-28-57, Died 10-29-80
ELES CADICHON, 44, Way & Structures,
Emp. 2-8-68, Died 11-4-80
THOMAS CARMODY, 59, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-30-78, Died 10-19-80
MICHAEL COMISKEY, 64, Investigations,
Emp. 3-23-49, Died 11-13-80
THOMAS CONLON, 83, South Shops,
Emp. 6-11-13, Died 10-2-80
LEON DAVIS, 54, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-3-66, Died 10-10-80
VINCE DONOHUE, 53, Oper's Planning,
Emp. 5-15-47, Died 10-12-80
EMMA DOUGLAS, 86, South Section,
Emp. 10-23-46, Died 10-27-80
MICHAEL DUHIG, 85, Blue Island,
Emp. 7-21-26, Died 10-15-80
CHARLES FUTTERER, 92, 77th Street,
Emp. 12-11-24, Died 10-12-80
LEO GALLAGHER, 87, Stores,
Emp. 2-20-28, Died 9-14-80
VINCENZO GARITI, 75, Forest Glen,
Emp. 5-1-36, Died 10-17-80
JOSEPH HENDERSON, 71, Archer,
Emp. 3-30-37, Died 9-29-80
MICHAEL KALAL, 87, Lawndale,
Emp, 8-24-18, Died 10-26-80
ANDREW KARIOLICH, 71, North Park,
Emp. 11-22-30, Died 10-12-80
FRANK KONCZAL, 76, 69th Street,
Emp. 4-14-26, Died 10-17-80
ANTONINO LAZZARA, 83, Track,
Emp. 6-3-22, Died 10-17-80
MICHAEL LENIHAN, 83, 77th Street,
Emp. 4-21-43, Died 10-9-80
JOSEPH MATERN, 83, 77th Street,
Emp. 12-1-22, Died 10-22-80
STANLEY MATURO, 51, Harlem,
Emp. 5-26-48, Died 11-6-80
PATRICK O'BOYE, 78, 77th Street,
Empo 9-3-42, Died 10-16-80
ADOLPH OLSON, 70, South Shops,
Emp. 3-31-42, Died 10-10-80
RAYMOND PRYOR, 68, South Shops,
Emp. 2-18-36, Died 10-18-80
JAMES SCANLON, 73, Kedzie,
Emp. 8-19-42, Died 10-13-80
LADDIE SMACH, 76, West Shops,
Emp. 10-22-26, Died 10-25-80
JAMES SMITH, 64, West Shops,
Emp. 3-13-51, Died 10-15-80
FRANK SPICUZZA, 73, West Section,
Emp. 3-13-44, Died 10-25-80
WALTER SPONHOLZ, 85, Kedzie,
Emp. 3-16-23, Died 10-12-80
JOSEPH STEPNK, 88, South Shops,
Emp. 9-12-23, Died 10-2-80
WALTER SUBAITIS, 84, West Shops,
Emp. 4-14-23, Died 10-28-80
NELSON TICE, 66, Limits,
Emp. 9-20-46, Died 10-29-80
JAMES WHITLOCK, 78, West Section,
Emp. 10-4-26, Died 10-9-80
STAFFORD WINFRITH, 74, Forest Park,
Emp. 5-15-51, Died 10-16-80
Service
anniversaries
1 in December
35 years
40 years
George R. Duszynski, Forest Glen
Edward K. Graetz, Howard/Kimball
Raymond Graham, North Avenue
William J. Lemke, Forest Glen
Ray J. Noakes, Schedules
Gerald Phillips, Skokie Shop
#^
,6-
^'^
<T
^
/
>.,
1
Eg
r^
30 years
Michael J. Veltri
Near South Area
Leo L. Targosz, Congress
Stanley M. Zielinski
Ashland/95th
James Batups, 69th Street
Mary J. Boski, Forms/Records
Francis L. Brady, Employment
John Devine, Stores/South
Joseph Kilcullen, Stores/South
Melvin E. Link, Instruction
Arthur C. Loman, Ashland/95th
John B. Mitchell, Ashland/95th
Adele M. Monson, Forms Design
Martin N. Reynolds, Howard/Kimball
Willie D. Sudduth, 98th Shop
Joseph A. Vodvarka, Transportation
Edward J. Weston, Far North Area
25 years
Elvin J. Carey, Service
James Moore, Utility
DECEMBER, 1980
19
rui /
wishing
you a
l-lappy
New Year
My family and I extend to you and your loved ones our best wishes for
healiii and happiness in 1981 and the years ahead.
The new year presents a challenge to all of us as our nation continues
to wage a battle on energy, with our chief objective being self-sufficiency.
I am confident that through our continued dedication to conservation, and
the exploration and development of our natural resources, we will win
this energy war.
While all of us at the CTA are striving to meet the energy challenge,
we must not let the technical aspects of this great effort overshadow the
human element. Let us remember that our ultimate responsibility is to
our patrons. We are certain to have increasingly more riders in 1981, as
more and more of our citizens recognize in this new year, the need to
conserve our resources and to strive for energy independence in this
decade.
One of my personal goals for the new year is to insure that each CTA
employee realizes the importance of his or her individual effort in pro-
viding the best possible service to our riders.
The addition of new equipment to our rolling stock, more moderniza-
tion of facilities through capital development, as well as the continued
growth of the individual monthly pass sales program, already a highlight
in the consumer area, are among the accomplishments for which we are
striving in the new year.
High priority in 1981 will be given to the continued development of a
program to serve our elderly and handicapped citizens, so that no mem-
ber of the public will be denied access to our public transportation system.
We are working fervently toward this goal as well as toward the con-
tinued development of a transit security program, which I am certain will
be a model for others.
Moreover, we are working intensely to be gracious hosts at the best
convention ever in the history of the American Public Transit Association,
when It meets in Chicago In October 1981.
We began this decade with great strides forward. As we face the new
year, let us resolve to go further and faster pulling together.
Happy New3^ar,
:ugene M. Barnes, Chairman
Chicago Transit Authority
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMrr No. 802t
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, IL 60201
:ta stps RO&PBO
"f
i^ m
Harlem terminal sets new
maintenance safety recor
Accidents are costly to individual emf
well as to the company, so a year without an accident
or even one lost man-hour is a record any working
group can be proud of. It's certainly worth a free
lunch, which is what the maintenance crew at Harlem
terminal got for taking literally the meaning of CTA's
Zero Accident Program (ZAP) for four quarters in a
row.
The lunch resulted from a "gentleman's agreement"
that was made after Harlem won its second consecutive
quarterly award last spring. At that time car repairer
Frank Chiapetta confidently assured Jim Dudley, su-
pervisor. Maintenance Safety, that he and his col-
leagues would take the ZAP award for the next two
quarters, if not longer. "Will you buy us lunch if we
do?" he asked Dudley.
"Sure I will," was Dudley's response, never antici-
pating that he would have to make good on his agree-
ment. After all, no maintenance crew in the 10-year
history of the program had ever gone a whole year
without a personal injury.
The proud smiles and satisfied appetites of Har-
lem's crew December 15, however, proved that the
"impossible" could be accomplished when the effort
was made. And the effort that gave Harlem the ZAP
award for four consecutive quarters involved real
teamwork by Chiapetta and 43 other maintenance
T
t'-y
"^«ji
Ihares the limelight with maintenance management in
the bay at Harlem terminal after the lunch they were given for working
faurxiya(t£rs in a row without a personal injury.
people at Harlem, headed by Sheldon Rita, foreman.
a,will have 35 years of service in May, said
iH^oiter personal protective equipment, such
as safety glasses and shoes, have no value tmless they're
used. "They're meant to be worn," he said, "and we've
had good cooperation from all our people in keeping them
on while working." (Cont'd Page 2)
An early Christmas lunch was included in the festivities at Harlem terminal,
where Tom Wolgemuth (left), manager. Maintenance, presented Sheldon
Rita, dayforeman, with ZAP award for employee safety.
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
JANUARY, 1981
Maintenance safety (continued)
Sharing first-place honors with Harlem in the third
quarter of 1980 was the other end of the Lake/Dan
Ryan maintenance operation — 98th Street, which com-
pleted four quarters in a row with a prize of either
first or second place. On the bus side it was Limits
that had a perfect record, with no injuries reported,
while 69th Street won a first-place prize for having
the least number of injuries among garage crews.
Competition within each shop area produced awards
for Unit Eebuild at South Shops and Unit Overhaul at
Skokie Shop. Within Plant Maintenance, Signal, Radio
& Telephone won the award in the Power & Way area
of competition, while Rail Janitors took first place in
the Buildings & Grounds area.
Fried chicken, mostaccioli, Italian sausage,
potato and macaroni salads, a relish tray and
cookies were among the items enjoyed by
maintenance people at Harlem for achieving
their unique safety record.
Top left: Receiving a congratulatory handshake from Tom Gecan (left),
supervisor. North Side Garages, Jim Ward, day foreman, accepts ZAP
award for Limits garage, which recorded no personal injuries for the
third quarter of 1980.
Top right: Len Wiksten (right), director. Plant Maintenance, presents
the safety award for the Buildings & Grounds area of Plant Maintenance
to Leonard Beatty, supervisor. Rail Janitors, in ceremony at Madison/
Wabash.
Bottom left: At South Shops, Nick Simonetti (right), unit supervisor,
accepts the second safety award in a row for the Unit Rebuild section
from Frank Venezia, superintendent. Bus Shops.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Merchandise gift certificates, windshield scrap-
ers, and CTA golf hats were among the
prizes distributed at ceremonies marl<ing
Harlem terminal's fourth quarterly ZAP
award in a row.
Left: Hoseha Johnson (center), day foreman,
holds the first place ZAP award won by the
69th Street garage maintenance team for its
outstanding safety record in the third quarter
of 1980.
Below: Surrounded by the people who made
It happen, Dick Lorimer (center with tie and
sweater), unit supervisor, receives safety
award for Unit Overhaul section at Skokie
from George Haenisch, superintendent,
Skokie Shop.
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Ted Szewc (right), supervisor. Signals, Radio & Telephone, accepts
safety award won by his section within the Power & Way area of Plant
Maintenance from Stu Maginnis, director, Maintenance-Support
Services.
Aaron Swoope, day fore-
man, addresses members of
the 98th Street maintenance
crew to thank them for
their efforts in winning the
ZAP award in rail compe-
tition for the third quarter
of 1980.
JANUARY, 1981
Chairman's report
Legislation,
Budget,
Capital
Development
We look forward to many successful endeavors for
1981, as we prepare to meet with members of the fed-
eral legislature and the Reagan Administration in
Washington this month to discuss the feasibility of in-
creased federal mass transit funding.
As vice president of governmental affairs for the
American Public Transit Association, it is my hope
that the new Congress will prove sympathetic to the
needs of public transportation by adopting transit
legislation that favors increased operating assistance,
A bill, passed by the Congress in early December,
but failed in the Senate, would have authorized a higher
level of operating assistance for mass transit. We
were very fortunate to have had some input in this
proposal when we convened with APTA officials in
November, and subsequently met with legislative
representatives in Washington. Thus, strategy for the
success of this important bill is first on our Washing-
ton agenda with the 97th Congress.
We at the CTA would benefit handsomely from this
legislation, particularly as we strive to meet the
growing demands for Increased service. Foremost in
this effort is our development of a program for
serving the elderly and handicapped.
Although we are insisting on a tight, hold-the-line
budget to eliminate or curtail all but the most neces-
sary expenses, we will continue to provide the public
with good, dependable service, and we will realize our
goal of meeting the special transportation needs of
senior citizens and handicapped riders.
This spring, we expect to break ground for the much
needed enclosed bus garage at Kedzie avenue and
Van Buren street. We also expect to complete land
acquisition for the site at 103rd street and Stony Is-
land avenue where we plan to build another garage
facility.
In other capital developments we will be working
with the City of Chicago to develop a plan for the re-
habilitation of our Loop elevated structures and
stations.
I want to assure you that each employee is impor-
tant to us in the successful development of our 1981
public transportation program. We will succeed as
we work together.
Honesty praised
Kimberly Ray, 14, accepts Special Recognition Award from Chair-
man Eugene iVI. Barnes at CTA Board meeting, January 7. Miss Ray
turned in $90 that she found on a CTA bus, November 6, which the
rightful owner later claimed at the 77th Street Garage. Her good deed
brought Miss Ray much deserved praise from the news media.
Continental Divide
© 1980, Universal City Studios, Inc.
John Belushi returned to Chicago recently for four weeks of filming
during the production of "Continental Divide," a romantic comedy
from Universal Studios. Two days were spent filming on the CTA at the
Madison/Wabash 'L' station and the State/Lake subway station. In the
film Belushi plays a Sun-Times columnist who travels to the Rocky
Mountains to interview a beautiful ornithologist played by Blair Brown.
Belushi, a native Chicagoan, recently appeared before the cameras in
Chicago during the filming of his box office hit "Blues Brothers."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Michael I. Brady
joins CTA Board
Michael I. Brady
James J. McDonough
Michael I. Brady has been named to a seven-year
post on the Chicago Transit Authority board by Mayor
Jane M. Byrne.
Brady and his wife Patricia have 10 children and re-
side in the West Rogers Park area, where he is also
the 49th Ward Democratic committeeman. Brady
succeeds former Streets and Sanitation commissioner
James J. McDonough who had served more than five
years on the CTA board.
The new board member was both a state represent-
ative and a state senator, and later served in the Byrne
administration as the mayor's legislative liaison.
McDonough, predecessor to Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes, was appointed in September, 1975, by the late
Mayor Richard J. Daley to fill the unexpired term of
Milton Pikarsky, former board chairman. Members
of the board honored the retiring McDonough with the
following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION
to
JAMES J. Mcdonough
WHEREAS, Mr. James J. McDonough, who served
as a Member of this Board for the past five years is now
leaving his office ; and
WHEREAS, During his term he served as Chairman
of the Authority; and
WHEREAS, Through his leadership and direction,
the Authority has become a forerunner of many innovative
transit services; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding
abilities and exceptional achievements Mr. McDonough has
held positions with the City of Chicago, the American Public
Transit Association and the International Union of Public
Transport and continues to hold office and actively partici-
pate in many transit oriented public organizations; now
therefore:
BE IT RESOLVED That the Members of the
Chicago Transit Board and all the employees of the Chicago
Transit Authority extend their heart-felt appreciation to
James J. McDonough for his untiring dedication to the
Chicago Transit Authority and the citizens of the metro-
pohtan area;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDThat this resolution
be spread of record upon the minutes of this meeting and
that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to
Mr. McDonough.
Adopted by the
Chicago Transit Board
7 January, 1981
JANUARY, 1981
The CTA's most recently qualified ticket agent supervisors show off
Certificates signifying that they have completed an extensive training
program encompassing approximately 80 hours of formal classroom
sessions and practical field experience. The new supervisors are:
Seated (from left), Ossie Graham, Katherine Robinson, Martha Turner,
and Lealie Hinton. Standing (from left), Theodore Caruthers, Judith
O'Neill, Joyce Johnson, Linda Woods, Effie Alexander, Maria Quin-
tanar, Betty Rice, and Amos Williams.
Ticket agent supervisors graduate
Thirteen new ticket agent supervisors
have joined the supervisor pool after
completing an extensive training pro-
gram emphasizing standards for inter-
personal relations.
The training, all done on the stu-
dents' own time, included 40 hours of
formal sessions, and approximately 40
hours of field training in agent supervi-
sor experiences under the guidance of
other supervisors. Edward Mitchell,
director, Support Services, was in
charge of the three month training
program.
Graduating with top honors was
Joyce Johnson, a North Side ticket
agent, who completed the training with
an average of 92.5. The minimum
score required for completion was 80,
according to Robert Desvignes, area
superintendent of instruction.
Others receiving certificates were:
Betty Rice, Katherine Robinson, Linda
Woods, and Effie Alexander, West
Side agents; Judith O'Neill, North Side
agent; Amos Williams, West Side agent;
Maria Quintanar, Central Assignment
office; Theodore Caruthers, South Side
agent; Ossie Graham, Antonio Narvaez,
and Martha Turner, West Side agents,
and Lealie Hinton, South Side agent.
Mitchell told the graduates, "We
have not just filled jobs with bodies,
but with competent people who have
demonstrated that they can do the job.
We congratulate you for your efforts."
Ernest Sawyer, administrative assist-
ant to CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes, told the graduates, "The chair-
man is proud of the accomplishments
that you have made in this endeavor
and he is cognizant of the fact that
you've spent your own time in this
training program. Tliere will be room
for upward movement for you."
Later the chairman appeared to ex-
press his personal appreciation to the
graduates.
Harry Reddrick, director of per-
sonnel. Transportation, reiterated the
upward movement possibilities by tel-
ling the graduates that this first level of
supervision "opens the door to un-
limited opportunities."
Harold H. Geissenheimer, General
Operations Manager, also emphasized
that openings for advancement to the
new agent supervisors would be avail-
able to anyone who wants them.
"There is room for you to go anywhere
you want to go," he said.
Transportation Manager James Blaa
told the class, "We feel that we are
Number One because of the dedicated
people who work for us. We appreciate
your efforts in this program and we
congratulate you."
a personal view
The grass is just as green on one
side of the fence as it is on the
other when you're comparing gen-
eral office and field assignments,
according to ticket agent Martha
Turner, a former switchboard op-
erator.
Turner is a recent graduate of
the three mon-th intensive training
program for ticket agent supervi-
sors and was assigned to the pool
of supervisors along with other
graduates.
She joined the CTA in 1 969 as a
ticket agent, but after five years,
the former long distance telephone
operator left the Transportation
department to work on the CTA
switchboard because, as she said,
"It was considered prestigious to
work in the general office."
Turner said that she wanted to
return to the Transportation de-
partment because of its many
opportunities for advancement . . .
"although," she said "my job in
the Merchandise Mart was most
enjoyable."
Since returning to work as a
ticket agent. Turner said that every-
one slie has met has worked hard
to help her get settled in her new
job. "There is so much to learn,
but I know that working as a ticket
agent now will help me to be a
better agent supervisor," she said.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
PENSIONERS NOTE:
Direct deposit
of pension checks
As a result of the arbitration proceedings between
Locals 241 and 308 of the Amalgamated Transit Union
and the Chicago Transit Authority, a joint Union-Man-
agement Committee was established to study the feas-
ibility of direct deposit of pension checks to a bank or
savings and loan„
After careful deliberation, the Committee unani-
mously agreed to approve direct deposit of retired
employees' pension checks, effective February 1,
1981.
A retired employee must make a request fordirect
depositforms in writing to the Secretary of the Retire-
ment Allowance Committee. The forms must be com-
pleted in triplicate. One copy should be retained by
the employee; one copy goes to the retired employee's
bank; and the original must be returned to the Secre-
tary's Office.
Direct deposit forms must be in the Secretary's
Office on or before the tenth of the month in which the
check will be deposited.
For your convenience a direct deposit coupon has
been included in this edition of the Transit News. If
you wish to participate in this program, fill out the
coupon and return it to the Secretary of the Retire-
ment Allowance Committee, Room 7-107, Merchandise
Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654.
RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE COMMFTTEE MEMBERS
Richard Goldman
Timothy O'Mahony
John Weatherspoon
Clarence Knox
Ernest Langosch
William A. Ashley
Sal Bianchi
James Gallagher
Paul Kole
Robert Kren
*Ama]gamated Transit Union
Local 241*
Local 241*
Local 241*
Local 308*
Representing Employees Not
Members of 241 & 308
CTA
CTA
CTA
CTA
CTA
ALTERNATE MEMBERS
Leonard Morris
James Edwards
Charles Hall
Hugh Hegarty
Al Kasmer
Craig Heatter
Clare Glenn
Leon Wool
Jay De Franco
William Mansker
Local 241*
Local 241*
Local 241*
Local 308*
Representing Employees Not
Members of 241 & 308
CTA
CTA
CTA
CTA
CTA
CUT ALONG DOTTED LINE
TO:
Secretary, Retirement Allowance Committee
Chicago Transit Authority - Room 7-107
Merchandise Mart Plaza - P.O. Box 3555
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Please provide the following retired employee with the forms for direct deposit of his/her pension check.
(Please print or type.)
Name of Retired Employee:
Retirement Number:
Address :
Telephone Number:
Area Code Telephone Number
CTA - RETIREMENT PLAN FOR CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY EMPLOYEES.
JANUARY, 1981
Peter Willemsen (North Park
Garage) won the gratitude of
Lillian Serpico, who works in
Oak Brook, for the way he op-
erated a #22 Clark bus. "He
was neatly groomed, patient
with boarding passengers who
were elderly, answered questions
courteously, and called every
intersection as we approached it.
He handled the bus extremely
well in and out of traffic. I had
to ask him several questions,
which he answered clearly and
courteously. I realize he must
be an exceptionally well-quali-
fied person to be a line instruc-
tor, but his whole demeanor and
attitude were so outstanding, I
felt he should be recognized. He
Is a great credit to CTA."
Gregory Wallace (69th Street
Garage) was the driver of a #67
67/69/71 bus ridden by Mellow-
neice Springfield, of South Her-
mitage Avenue. "At Conage
Grove and 67th there was a
group of elderly people alighting
a northbound Cottage Grove bus.
Our driver waited for them to
cross the street and board his
bus. He was very efficient in
announcing the stops and punch-
ing transfers. He made me feel
that my welfare and safety were
of his concern and that of the
CTA. As passengers alighted the
bus he advised them to "Watch
your step.' He is an excellent
representative of the CTA and
has a pleasant attitude."
commendation corner
Ronald Coleman (Lawndale Garage) was complimented by
Samuel Crawford, of Harbor Drive, for his helpfulness while
driving a #60 Blue Island/26 bus. "1 recently moved to
Chicago from Texas, where public transportation has not yet
been fully implemented. I admit that I was a bit apprehen-
sive about boarding the bus, never having ridden a pubhc
bus in my 3 1 years. I was very pleasantly surprised when I
spoke to the driver. He was one of the most friendly, cour-
teous and helpful persons I have ever encountered. He made
my first bus ride a most enjoyable one. His behavior speaks
very well for CTA and the City of Chicago."
BUly Ragsdale (52nd Street Garage) was praised by Mrs.
R. M. Johnston, of Glencoe, for alerting her to pickpockets
on his #1 Drexel/Hyde Park bus. "I boarded his crowded
bus across from Marshall Field's. There was a line getting on.
There were also two teenagers 'pulling an act' to get my
wallet out of my purse. The driver shouted, 'Lady, watch
your purse!' I didn't know it was my purse that was being
picked, but I turned around to see my purse wide open and
a hand therein. The two young men ran as soon as the driver
yelled. Otherwise, I would be trying to duplicate 12 cards
and to explain the loss of three receipts. This man's caring
for his passengers is certainly to be praised."
Georgia Gayden (Limits Garage) was appreciated by
Cynthia Brown, of Belmont Avenue, for her "sensible and
courteous handling of an intoxicated man" on her #145
Wilson/Michigan bus. "He initially told her he had to look
for his transfer, and then took a seat. A few minutes later
she asked if he had found it. He responded that he had not,
but became somewhat hostile. He hesitated a bit longer and
she asked him to pay his fare. He then came forward to do
so, but became verbally abusive, spouting sexual and racial
insults. I feel she was courageous in handling the respon-
sibilities of her job properly without aggravating a difficult
situation."
Booker Bolton (North Avenue Garage) was commended by
Lleanore Knaus, of Rice Street, who is an early morning rider
on his #66 Chicago bus. "He calls out the streets, says
'Good morning,' and, when you get off, he tells you to have
a good day. He doesn't pull out from under your feet to
make a liglit. He even knows where most of us get off. Just
last week a lady was going to get off a block ahead (of her
regular stop), and he asked why. She was daydreaming and
thanked him. Everybody likes to ride his bus, and if he is
off he is kidded about it. I am a senior citizen and still work,
and I like to see such a good driver."
Richard Goodman (52nd Street Garage) is missed by
Sandra Tucker, of Cheltenham Place, who used to ride his
#1 Drexel/Hyde Park bus. "He greeted each passenger with
a pleasant 'Good morning' and/or a warm smile . He became
acquainted with his regular riders in a short time, and made
note if one of them missed riding with him upon the pas-
senger's return. He placed some warmth in the coldness
that usually results from the anonymity of riding buses and
trains, but without becoming effusive. He always maintained
control of himself, the situation, and his image as a goodwill
emissary. His attitude was a positive one, and he handled
each situation in a positive manner."
Samuel Bellmon (Limits Garage) was thanked by Mrs.
Mildred Pomerantz, who works on West Jackson Boulevard,
for his courtesy whUe driving a #37 Sedgwick bus. "Almost
every day I ride his bus. One day it was drizzling, and he
was at the comer and had the light to go, but he saw I was
across the street. He knows I have trouble with my right
foot, so he stopped directly across from the comer I was on
and let me on the bus. He is always so kind and courteous,
and I will never forget this gesture. I reaUy wanted you to
know how much I appreciated his concem and kindness."
Bruce Ellison (North Park Garage) eamed the approval of
Mrs. Jessie Geraghty, of Greenleaf Avenue, "for the excep-
tional service and courtesy" he exhibited while driving a
#147 Outer Drive Express bus. "I, along with many others
on the bus, was impressed by, and appreciative of the fine
treatment he gave riders at all times. This driver was not
only courteous and helpful, but also efficient and know-
ledgeable in the performance of his duties. He is a credit to
your organization, for not only does he do his job well, he
also seemed to like what he was doing, and made people feel
good by the time they reached their destinations."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently
were:
Taysir Abdullah and Carl Ai-
kens, both of Archer; Rosa Alfaro,
Forest Glen; and David Arreguin,
North Park.
Curtis Banks and Edward Bar-
ry, both of North Avenue ; Nathan-
iel Barton, Steve Brooks, and
Richard Brown, all of 52nd Street;
Samuel Bevelle and Eddie Burton,
both of North Park; Elvin Boone,
77th Street; and John Brugess,
Limits.
Jean Cage and Sergio Candela-
ria,bothof Limits; John Cameron,
Ashland Terminal; Will Candy Jr.
and Ray Clark, both of Lawndale;
Lawrence Carter and Leroy Car-
ter, both of 77th Street; and Byung-
Yup Choi, Luke Costanza, and Griz
Craig, all of North Park.
Victor Davila and Leon Davis,
both of North Park; Electra de
Alba and Richard Dorsch, both of
Nortii Avenue; and Virgil Dean and
Lachester Drain, both of Limits.
Eddie Elliott and Ophelia Ellis,
both of 77th Street; and Bruce El-
lison, North Park.
Atsia Fair, 77th Street; Eddie
Figueroa, North Park; and James
Fitzgerald, Limits.
Daniel Galarza and Hugo Gal-
vey,both of North Park; Wallacene
Good, Forest Glen; Richard Good-
man, 52nd Street; and George Gray,
Lawndale.
Otis Hampton and James Haw-
thorne, both of Limits; Paulette
Hardeman, Forest Glen; Joseph
Henderson, 52nd Street; Felix
Hernandez and Marshall Herron,
both of North Avenue; Peyton Hi^-
tower, 77th Street; and Joe Hodge
and James Rowland, both of North
Park.
Michelle James, 69th Street;
Willie James, North Park; Arthur
Jamegan, Douglas/Congress;
Jaime Jimenez, Forest Glen; and
Betty Jones and Bernardino Jua-
rez, both of Limits.
Gustav Kappertz, Forest Glen;
Gary Kearl and George Knox, both
of Lawndale; Richard Kelley, North
Avenue; Richard Kobylecky, Ar-
cher; and James Kolstad, Beverly.
Willie Lawler Jr., 52nd Street;
Walter Lemons Jr., Limits; Jesus
Limas, North Park; Alexander
Love, Norlh Avenue; Robert Lucas,
Lawndale; and George Lyons, Ar-
cher.
Adolph Marth, Francis Mc-
Keman, Euloglo Mendez, Edgar
Mollinedo, and Luis Montalvo, all
of North Park; Charles Martin,
52nd Street; June Martin, West
Section; Michael Maxwell and Lar-
ry Miller, both of 69th Street; Rob-
ert McCoy, North Park; Betty Mc-
Math, Archer; Antonio Mendez,
Limits; Abraham Morgan, North
Avenue; and Sheila Myers, 77th
Street.
Jose Naranjo, North Park; and
Anthony Nicholson, North Section.
Willie Owens, Archer.
Fanny Patton, Archer; Fred-
erick Pepke, Limits; Charles
Peterson, 77th Street; and Rein-
hard Poetz, Forest Glen.
Celia Rincones, 52nd Street;
Rene Rivera, Charles Roberts, and
Curtis Rogers, all of North Park;
Angelo Rodriguez, Limits; Jose
Roman and Charles Rose H, both of
Howard/Kimball; and Edward
Ross, Lawndale.
Hattle Sandrella, Howard/
Kimball; Jorge Sed and Kenneth
Simpson, both of North Park; Frank
Serrano and Ruth Smith, both of
North Avenue; and Ralford Steele,
Ronald Steflnsky, and Vyiautas
Stukells, all of Archer,
Eugene Taylor, Forest Park;
Paul Thomas, 69th Street; Edward
Tiemey,West Section; Willie Tur-
ner, North Park; and Mamie
Twine, North Section.
Johnny Van, North Park; and
James Vaughn Jr. and Juris Vi-
tands, both of North Avenue.
Robert Walker, Early Watson
Jr., and Parmela Willis, all of
Archer; Karen Williams, 69th
Street; and Richard Williams Jr.,
Lawndale.
Jacques Yezegulelian, Forest
Glen; Reginald Young, Lawndale;
and Thelma Young, North Avenue.
Edward Zamiar, North Park.
promotions
Cordell Surrett, former unit
supervisor. Intern, Rail Vehicle
Maintenance, has been appointed
unit supervisor. Terminals, in the
same department. Alfred Pierce,
former bus service supervisor.
District A, has been named man-
agement/professional intern,
Transportation-Control Center.
Frenchle Ellis, former con-
troller. Control Center, has be-
come principal safety analyst,
Transportation-Support Services.
Also in Transportation, Arliss
Jones, former rail service super-
visor. Rail District South, has
been selected methods/standards
analyst, Support Services.
In Operations Planning, James
Smith has been reassigned from
traffic checker to traffic clerk,
while Donald Bruno has moved
from transit technician III to
transit technician V. Judy Stroud,
former typist. Operations Plan-
ning, is now job classification
clerk. Human Resources-Job
Classification.
New in Plant Maintenance as a
testing engineer is Artemio Sison,
former electrical design engineer.
Engineering. Ronnie Harper, who
was a blacksmith/welder at South
Shops, is now in the same position
in Plant Maintenance. Don Hoard,
former stock clerk. Materials
Management-Stores, has been
named material coordinator, Sko-
kie Shop.
Also at Skolde, Kathy Fabry,
former typist, has become ad-
ministrative secretary. In In-
surance & Pensions, Gloria Sim-
mons has moved from typist to
utility clerk. Barbara Neeland,
former utility clerk. Materials
Management, has been selected
claims investigation clerk, Law-
Claims, and Irene Klein, former
stenographer I, Operations Plan-
ning, is now stenographer II,
Financial Services/Assistant
Comptroller-Accounting & Analy-
JANUARY, 1981
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Grupo Folklorico de Colombia dancers provided entertainment for
holiday revelers.
Hispanic employees
Rainy weather did not appear to hinder party goers,
or dampen spirits as approximately 350 CTA em-
ployees and guests turned out December 6 for the
fourth annual Hispanic American Transportation As-
sociation Christmas party at the Holiday Inn Apparel
Center.
Plenty of good music provided for dancing by La
Noctambula Orchestra, and the Grupo Folklorico of
Columbia entertainers, regaled in splendor in their
brightly colored costumes, set the mood of gaiety for
the evening.
While revelers feasted on a tasty repast of Swedish
meat balls, egg rolls, cheese, assorted relishes, fruit
and other refreshments. Master of Ceremonies En-
rique Gonzalez of the Travel Information Center, and
Electra de Alba, a bus operator from North Avenue
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Members of the program committee, seated, were Ruth Lebron, Accounting department, and
Jose Flores, Transportation department, HATA president. Standing from left are Rudy Mendez,
Human Relations; Joe Valtierra, Operations Planning; Elda Leal, Public Affairs; Maria Elena
Frias and Omar Colon, Claims department.
Joe Valtierra and Rose Mary Ruiz of the
Engineering department were among party
goers enjoying the dance music provided by
La Noctambula Orchestra.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
host Christmas party
Grupo Folklorico de Columbia varied their costumes as they con-
tinued to demonstrate dances with that south of the border flavor.
garage, presided over the distribution of door prizes
with help from the audience.
Prizes included an AM-FM eight track stereo sys-
tem, several certificates for dinner at some of Chi-
cago's well known restaurants, and two subscriptions
to La Raza, an Hispanic publication.
Special guests attending the HATA party were Cook
County Commissioner Irene Hernandez and her daugh-
ter, Irene, and Peter Nimo of WGN-TV, producer of
Charlando, an Hispanic oriented talk show.
The program committee included Ruth Lebron,
Accounting department; HATA president Jose Flores,
and Joe Valtierra, Transportation department; Rudy
Mendez, Human Relations; Elda Leal, Public Affairs;
Maria Elena Frias and Omar Colon, Claims depart-
ment, and Felipe Gonzalez, Placement section.
Cook County Commissioner Irene Hernandez (seated fourth from
left), and her daughter, Irene, were among guests attending the HATA
Christmas party. Others are Bertha and Celso Castellanos, and Mrs.
Mario Ochoa. Standing are Elda Leal, CTA Public Affairs, and Peter
Nuno, WGN-TV.
Ms. Virginia Martinez, attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense
and Education Foundation, was the lucky winner of the evening's
most coveted door prize, an eight track stereo system. Making the
presentation from the stage are Enrique Gonzalez and Electra de Alba.
JANUARY, 1981
Training center emphasizes learning by doing
Because it takes a large number of skilled per-
sonnel to maintain CTA vehicles and facilities,
training is an essential part of CTA's maintenance
operation.
The CTA Maintenance Training Center, located in
one bay of Lawndale Garage (3925 W. Cermak), is the
base of operation for this training.
Almost all maintenance personnel attend entry level
training programs at this location. In addition, re-
fresher or follow-up training is conducted at the cen-
ter and other field locations. In all of the training
programs conducted by the center's staff of 30, there
is heavy emphasis on 'hands on' Instruction. ..where
the trainee learns by performing the task in which he
or she is being trained. This emphasis is essential
to putting productive workers on the job, the training
staff believes.
Training aids ranging from mock-ups and actual
equipment to slides, videotape and filmstrips are used
to inject the realism required for this type of instruc-
tion.
Training sessions range from entry level programs
for bus and car servicers and repairmen to appren-
tice and foreman training programs. All of the main-
tenance instructors attend an intensive training pro-
gram when starting out as Instructors, as well as at-
tending refresher training programs after becoming
instmctors.
The lengUi of training varies from a half hour to 240
hours, depending on the subject being discussed and the
number of students involved. Although Instructors at
MTC have a varied backgroimd, the one subject com-
mon to all is vehicle maintenance.
The training center provides trainees with every
opportunity for the most thorough, practical and up to
date training possible.
Frank Holton, Jr., rail instructor, demon-
strates a point on rail car repair through the
use of a mock-up.
Bus Instructor James Austin, right, conducts
a class on the mechanics and techniques of
air conditioner compression for buses.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Above: Students learn by doing in this bay
at the Lawndale IVIaintenance Training center.
Two buses in need of repair await the arrival
of new trainees.
Left: While most MTC instruction is an
'on-the-job situation', there are some class-
room sessions as evidenced by these students
in a class on rear door wiring.
JANUARY, 1981
13
Holiday parties spread joy throughout system
An "epidemic"' of holiday joy broke
out in the garages, terminals, and de-
partments of the CTA.
The only known treatment for this
happy condition is a total participation
by the "afflicted" persons in the plan-
ning, preparation, or enjoyment of a
holiday party.
Even after taking part in a holiday
party, recovery from exposure to
holiday joy is never complete. The
happy feeling manifests itself at birth-
days, anniversaries. Mother's day.
Father's day, and even on the Fourth
of July.
Sometimes a "victim" of holiday
joy is gripped by a happy feeling for
no apparent reason. That's when it's
time for a party.
Here are some examples of holiday
parties held by CTA employees.
The women drivers of 69th Street
garage and other women employees
prepared and served a Thanksgiving
buffet to more than 500 persons on
November 20 in the garage's train
room. Their menu included eiglit
turkeys with stuffing, four glazed hams,
32 pounds of fried chicken, 25 pounds
of sausage, plus sauerkraut, chitter-
lings, sliced cold meats, mustard and
turnip greens, green beans, potato
salad, a variety of pies, cookies, and
punch.
More than 350 persons attended a
Christmas party in the train room of
Lawndale garage on December 12, said
Assistant Superintendent Clark L.
Carter.
Carter and a committee of 1 1 drivers
prepared a southern style buffet
featuring six turkeys with com bread
dressing, five hams, collard and mustard
greens, com bread, tossed salad, maca-
roni and cheese, soft drinks, and coffee.
Jenipher Finger (from left), supervisor, and bus drivers Jean Martin, Ruth Gill and Mary Williams,
were among a number of women on the serving line at the fourth annual Thanksgiving buffet in
69th Street garage on November 20 where more than 500 persons were served.
Carter's culinary contribution to the
party was his Louisiana Creole dressing
made from a shrimp base.
About 200 employees and their
families of the North Park garage
gathered in the Northwest Builders'
Hall, 4848 N. Central ave., on Decem-
ber 12 for a Christmas party starting
at 8 p.m., said Assistant Superintendent
Jack Hester.
The family-style dinner featured ham,
chicken. Polish sausage and sauerkraut,
vegetables, and dessert.
Drivers Cecil Eichelberger and William
Beene spun records on a phonograph
and three men and three women
drivers gave a fashion show. The party
was planned by a committee headed
by drivers Homer Reed and Frank
Koziol, both board members of Local
24 1 . Door prizes also were awarded.
About 115 members of Archer
garage had a December 18 Christmas
party starting at noon in the train
room. A committee of eight headed
by driver James Carson prepared and
served a buffet of four turkeys, two
hams, 40 chickens, vegetables, 20
pounds of Polish sausage with sauer-
kraut, Hawaiian salad, shrimp salad,
soft drinks, and coffee.
Archer garage employees at December 18 Christmas party are (from
left) James Carson, Virginia Enriquez, Josie Harris, Ruth Atkins, Luvina
Allen, Vera Smith, Gloria Richmond, Florinda Orcasitas, Mary Frazier,
and Frances Smith.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Employees at Beverly garage observed the
Christmas season in gourmet fashion at their
party. Waiting to dish out mounds of tasty
food which they prepared for the occasion
are (from left) Lois Fuqua, Gloria Matticx,
Patricia Kennedy, Valray Mcintosh, Maxine
Holt, Thelma Moore, Linda Downing, and
Dellaree Blackwell.
Bus operator Milton Lee takes time out of his busy schedule to make
his way through the buffet line at Archer garage and enjoy a Christmas
feast.
Sharing the good time as he refreshes himself at the beverage fountain
is bus operator John Pendleton.
Everybody enjoyed themselves, even this
little tot - - as evidenced by that look of
satisfaction.
Ladies on the serving line at Beverly garage made sure each person had an ample serving as em-
ployees celebrated the Yuletide season in grand style.
JANUARY, 1981
15
So you think you're
a good bus driver-
but are you CTA's best?
Now you have a chance to prove just how good you are
because the CTA is going to have its own Bus Roadeo, and
the winner wUl be CTA's entrant in the International Bus
Roadeo sponsored by the American Public Transit Associa-
tion (APTA).
Endorsing the CTA Bus Roadeo, General Operations
Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer commented, "The Roadeo
is a worthwhile addition to CTA's ongoing support of pro-
grams which develop pride among our operating employees
and demonstrate their liigh performance standards to the
public."
Roadeo schedule
From Feb. 9 to Feb. 23. bus drivers can request Roadeo
entry forms from their garage superintendents.
From March 15 to March 21, written tests will be ad-
ministered to qualified applicants.
Beginning the weekend of April 4, Roadeos will be held
for each garage on Saturdays and Sundays, except Easter
Sunday, April 19. These Roadeos will include uniform
inspection, pre-puUout check quiz, and driving competition.
Winners from each garage will then compete against other
garages in area competitions during July.
During August or September, the CTA Bus Roadeo will
be held, and the 20 finalists from the area will compete for
the honor of being CTA's best bus driver and entrant in the
APTA International Bus Roadeo.
Prizes
The following prizes will be awarded at the final CTA
Bus Roadeo:
The 1st place winner will receive a trophy and an all-
expenses paid four-day, three night trip for two to Toronto,
Canada.
The 2nd place winner will receive a trophy and a $500.00
U.S. Savings Bond, and will take the place of the winner if
the winner is not available for the International Bus Roadeo.
The 3rd place winner will receive a trophy and a $200.00
U.S. Savings Bond.
The 4th place winner wUl receive a trophy and a $100.00
U.S. Savings Bond.
The twenty winners of area competition wUl each receive
a pair of dinner-theatre tickets. Additionally, these twenty
winners will each receive a CTA Bus Roadeo commemorative
belt buckle.
The 120 winners of the garage level competition will each
receive a pair of motion picture theatre tickets, in addition
to Special Recognition certificates.
The 1st place winner at each of the 10 garages will re-
ceive a First Place Winner - Garage trophy.
Who may enter
The CTA Bus Roadeo is open to any full-time permanent
bus operator who;
• had at least two years continuous service as of the date
of entry
• worked as a bus operator during at least eleven (11) of
the twelve (12) months preceding date of contest entry
• worked as a bus operator a minimum of two hundred
(200) days during the twelve (12) months preceding
date of contest entry
eta
• has a valid 'C or 'D' drivers license
• has a work record that meets the following eligibility
criteria.
Eligibility criteria
In addition to the points listed under 'Who may enter,' to
be accepted as a contestant, the individual must during the
twelve (12) months preceding date of entry have had :
• no chargeable accidents.
• no suspensions.
• no chargeable passenger complaints.
• no uniform violations.
• no railroad crossing violations.
• no more than two (2) FULL misses.
• no more than two (2) sick entries.
• no more than seven (7) minor violations.
Disqualification
Any entrant who does not continue to meet the eligibility
criteria during the life of this contest shall be automatically
disquaUfied.
Tlie Eligibility Subcommittee of tlie CTA Roadeo Com-
mittee will handle any inquiry regarding eligibility.
Volunteers needed
All non-operafing CTA employees are encouraged to
volunteer as judges or scorekeepers at various CTA Bus
Roadeo events. Approximately fifteen (15) judges will be
needed for each event. Representatives from government
agencies will judge the final competition (e.g., Chicago
Police Department, Secretary of State, etc.).
For more information
Watch your bulletin board for CTA Roadeo posters and
CTA Transit News for Roadeo news.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Pioneers elect
1981 officers
The CTA Pioneers Retirement
Organization named Maynard
(Pinky) Moran as its president at
the Pioneers' combined Christmas
party-5th anniversary luncheon
meeting on December 9 in the
Golden Flame restaurant, Nagle
avenue and Higgins road.
More than 500 persons attend-
ed the program. Moran said it
was the Pioneers' largest gather-
ing.
In addition to Moran, George
May was named 1st vice-president,
Myles Harrington, 2nd vice-pres-
ident, Warren Scholl, secretary,
and Walter Steinbeiss, treasurer.
The Pioneers honored two past
presidents for their work in build-
ing the organization. They are
Frank Laske, the first president,
and William Pinasco, the second
president. Each received an en-
graved plaque.
The Pioneers meet the second
Tuesday of each month at 12:30
p.m. in the Golden Flame Restau-
rant. Their Ladies Day parties
in 1981 will be held on February
10- Valentine's day; May 12- Moth-
er's day; September 8-Back to
School; and December 8- Christmas
party.
New officers of CTA Pioneers for 1981 are (from left), Walter Steinbeiss, treasurer; Warren Scholl,
secretary; IVIaynard (Pinl<v) Moran, president; George IVIay, Istvice-president, and IVIyles Harrington,
2nd vice-president.
Frank Laske (second from left), and William Pinasco (second from right), past presidents of CTA
Pioneers received engraved plaques honoring them for their outstanding service. Ben Tausch,
former A.T.U. Local 241 board member (at far left) and President-elect Maynard (Pinky) Moran
(at far right) congratulate award recipients.
Mrs.. Delores Duff, a utility clerk in the
Purchasing department. Materials Manage-
ment, died Tuesday, December 16, 1980, at
Roseland Community hospital following a
brief illness. She was 43.
A CTA employee since April 7, 1975, she
was the wife of Norwood Duff, a veteran CTA
employee in the Administrative Services unit.
Management Services department. During her
brief CTA career Mrs. Duff's smile exempli-
fied the caring, love, friendship, and respect
which she held for everyone she encountered.
Besides her husband, she is survived by two
daughters, Debora Anne and Ellenore Michelle.
Percy L. Passmore, 59, an RTA travel
information agent, died Tuesday, December
23, 1980, at the Chicago Osteopathic hospital
after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Passmore, of Carbondale, joined the
CTA in 1954 as a bus operator and was
assigned to the 69th Street garage. The
veteran employee became a CTA telephone
switchboard operator in 1966 and subse-
quently joined the travel center.
He is survived by two sons and a daughter.
JANUARY, 1981
17
Retirements
William Schweitzer
Frank Zeiger (left). Assistant Superintendent, Beverly
garage, and William Schweitzer, Superintendent, Beverly
garage, at retirement dinner party honoring Schweitzer.
About 130 co-workers and friends attended the December 5
event in the Sabre Room Restaurant, Hickory Hills.
Schweitzer, 62, ended his 34-year career in public transit.
Among the gifts he received were a wrist watch, a U. S.
Savings Bond, and cash.
Schweitzer and his wife, Eva, will continue to live in their
South Holland home during his retirement.
Charles Drozda
Charles Drozda, 62 (right), transfer clerk. Operations Plan-
ning department, was feted by about 100 friends and co-
workers at a retirement open house in his honor December
18. Stephen Legler (left), director. Routes and Systems
section, presented Drozda with a gold pocket watch and
chain from all of his friends. Drozda also received a cash
gift. He ended a 38-year career in public transit in December
and he and his wife. Marge, plan to do some traveling and
keep their home for now in suburban Hodgkins.
Joseph Trosper
Walter Garbo
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Joseph Trosper (right), rail supervisor, receives farewell
handshake from Carl Bradley, towerman, at the December 19
retirement party for Trosper in the Englewood terminal
train room. Trosper, 64, ended his 39-year career in public
transit. About 30 persons attended the party where Trosper
received a cash gift from co-workers and friends. He and
his wife, Viola, are planning to move from the Marquette
Park area to Rockford, III.
Walter Garbo (second from left), rail supervisor. Linden
terminal, gets farewell handshake from Michael LaVelle,
Director of Service, Transportation Department. Garbo, 62,
ended his 42-year career in public transit at a party in the
Linden terminal train room on December 18, attended by
approximately 75 persons. Joining Garbo and LaVelle at
the informal farewell ceremony are Vernon Burgess (right
of Garbo), assistant north district superintendent, and
Arthur Johnson, north district superintendent. Garbo re-
ceived a cash gift and citation of appreciation from friends
and co-workers. He and his wife, Virginia, have moved from
Skokie to San Diego, Cal.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Manny Wenger Joseph Daugird
Manny Wenger (left), 64, Assistant Superintendent, and
Joseph Daugird, 62, Terminal Board Supervisor, both of the
Transportation Department's Far North District, cut a cake
honoring their retirements. About 100 persons attended the
open house party honoring the men in the Forest Glen garage
lunchroom on December 23. Wenger was a bus controller
in the control center for many years. He ends a 33-year
career. Daugird served 34 years in public transit. Friends
and co-workers gave Daugird a cash gift while Wenger re-
ceived a U.S. Savings Bond. Wenger and his wife, Florence,
plan to move to Effingham, III., from their northwest side
home. Daugird and his wife, Lottie, plan to continue living
in their northwest side home.
Oliver Johnson
Oliver Johnson, 59, (right) and James Blaa, Manager, Trans-
portation Department, at December 23 retirement party for
Johnson, Superintendent, Utility Section, who ended his
39-year career in public transit. About 150 persons attended
the party in the Utility Section's office in West Shops where
Johnson received an engraved gold pocket watch with gold
chain and a cash gift from friends and co-workers. He and
his wife, Ruth, will stay in their northwest side home and
do some traveling.
Julia Willem Waters
Henry Ziolkowski
Julie Willem Waters, 66, Seniority Clerk, Transportation De-
partment, ended her 33-year career with the CTA at a Decem-
ber 30 open house retirement party in the Transportation
Department's central office. She is joined in this picture
by Edward Mitchell, Director, Support Services. About 100
persons attended the party where she received gifts of
clothing and cash from her friends and co-workers. She and
her husband, Daniel, live in the Edison Park community.
William Moser (left). Superintendent, Far North area, and
Henry Ziolkowski, assistant superintendent bid farewell at
Ziolkowski's retirement. Ziolkowski, 57, ended 35 years of
CTA service and was the recipient of a cash gift from co-
workers at an informal retirement party at Forest Glen
garage. He and his wife, Mary, plan to move from their
northwest side home to Sun City, Ariz.
JANUARY, 1981
19
Retirements
Edward Hess
Edward Hess, project controller in Grant Programming, be-
came that department's first retiree, January 1, after 44 years
of CTA service.
He began his career at West Shops with the Chicago
Surface Lines, one of CTA's predecessor companies, in 1936.
Hess' retirement was observed with a luncheon, December 16,
at the M&M Club in the Merchandise Mart. Approximately
40 persons attended the event.
Ronald Luczak, manager. Grant Programming, Henry
Luebeck and Jim Blanchard presented Hess with several
gifts of merchandise.
Worthy Mattox
T
Worthy Mattox (left), 63, traffic supervisor, receives retire-
ment papers from Ludwig Scheuerle, district superintendent,
at a December 23 open house in the South Rail District
office, Randolph and Wells. About 50 persons attended the
party where Mattox ended his 25-year career with the CTA.
He received a cash gift from the South Rail District. Mattox
and his wife, Annie, plan to continue living in their home in
the Lawndale community.
Beatrice Susman
Henry Zych Edward Witek
Alvin Rohde
Beatrice Susman, unit supervisor for office procedures and
budget, Skokie Shop, accepts cash gift from co-workers
presented by James Pankonen (right), director. Vehicle
Maintenance. Robert Flowers, superintendent, Skokie Shop,
joins informal ceremony. Party for Miss Susman was held
December 10 in Skokie Shop for more than 80 persons. She
ended her 27-year career with the CTA and has moved from
DesPlaines to Cape Coral, Fla. In addition to cash. Miss
Susman received other gifts.
Feted at retirement party in North Avenue garage December
18 were Henry Zych (left), 59, with 38 years service; Edward
Witek (center), 61, with 35 years service; and Alvin Rohde,
56, with 33 years service. About 85 persons attended the
party to honor Zych, chief clerk, and Witek and Rohde, both
clerks. Friends and co-workers gave the men initialed gold
pocket watches with gold chains and cash gifts. Arthur
Tabel, garage superintendent, made the presentations. Zych
and his wife, Tessie, plan to remain in their northwest side
home; Witek and his wife, Lillian, plan to leave their home
in Villa Park for retirement in Arkansas. Rohde plans to
leave his northwest side home to retire in Elkhorn, Wis.
20
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
David Fisher
David Fisher, 62, (light colored suit) receives gifts from
William O'Brien (right), acting superintendent. Security,
at Fisher's November 21 retirement party in the Blue Island
garage. Joining the informal ceremony are Fisher's wife,
Edwina, and Raleight Mathis, manager. Security. Fisher, a
utility clerk, completed 23 years service. He received a
digital clock radio and a cash gift from his friends and co-
workers at the party that attracted about 70 persons. Fisher
and his wife live in the South Shore area and plan to do
some traveling during his retirement.
Lawrence Miller
Lawrence Miller (left), 55, station clerk at Forest Glen
garage, is congratulated upon his retirement after 35 years
of CTA service by Hugh Masterson, superintendent at Forest
Glen. Miller received a cash gift from co-workers at an
informal party marking the occasion. He and his wife, lola,
plan to move from their home in Kildeer, near Lake Zurich,
to New Port Ritchie, Fla.
Walter Barbour
Peter Cleary
John Wojnicki
Archer garage bus servicers Peter Cleary (left), 64, and John
Wojnicki (far right), 62, with James Byrne, day foreman.
Archer repair shop at December 31 retirement open house
in Archer garage. More than 35 persons attended. Also
honored at the open house was Walter Barbour (left photo),
57, 'B' electrician. Cleary had 32 years service while Wojnicki
and Barbour each had 30 years service with the CTA. Each
of the honorees received a cash gift from their friends and
co-workers. Cleary and his wife, Eileen; Wojnicki and his
wife, Clara, and Barbour and his wife, Alvina, plan to spend
their retirement in their homes on the southwest side.
JANUARY, 1981
21
JOINING THE
ranks of the re-
tired on Jan. 1
were the five em-
ployees pictured
here who had 40
or more years of
service each with
CTA and its prede-
cessor companies.
NEW PENSIONERS
ANTHONY T. ANTHONY, Electrical Worker,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 3-27-50
GEORGE J. ARENDT, Electrical Worker,
Skokie Shop. Emp. 10-24-47
ROBERT J. ARENDT, Electrical Worker,
South Shops, Emp. 12-28-42
CHARLES BAREISHIS, Machinist,
South Shops. Emp. 3-30-46
JAMES BATUPS, Operator,
52nd Street, Emp. 12-26-50
ANDREW S. BEDOE, Shopman I,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 10-10-47
CARLE. BENGSTON. Operator,
Forest Glen. Emp. 9-1746
JOSEPH BILLIS, Schedule Maker,
Schedules, Emp. 4-25-47
ARCHIE BRAGG, Yard Foreman,
Jefferson Park. Emp. 12-20-49
CHESTER J. BUJNOWSKL Electrical Foreman,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 9-2046
JAMES E. CASEY, Bus Repairer,
69th Street, Emp. 9-24-51
SALVATORE R. CICERO, Machinist Foreman,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 10-18-41
PETER CLEARY, Bus Cleaner,
Archer. Emp. 1-20-48
MALACHl COWLING, Operator
77th Street, Emp. 9-22-47
FRANK CROUSE, Carpenter,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 5-21-42
JULIUS W. DAIN, Supt. Methods/Standards,
South Shops, Emp. 24-37
LUCAS L. DANIELE, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 4-146
JOSEPH J. DAUGIRD, Supervisor,
District D, Emp. 5-2546
1 V^
^K^ X.,^^2g^^V
C. DEWINE
40 Years
E. A. HESS
44 Years
CARL DE WINE, Conductor,
North Section, Emp. 3-540
ANTHONY P. DI BENEDETTO, Chauffeur,
West Shops, Emp. 8-1345
CHARLES A. DROZDA, Transfer Clerk,
Operations Planning, Emp. 1 2-1242
ROY W. ERICKSON, Conductor,
Kimball, Emp. 11-6-45
ROBERT B. FENRICK, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 3-16-53
MARCUS J. FIORE, Motorman,
Forest Park, Emp. 8-1541
GEORGE J. GACEK, Bus Repairer,
69th Street, Emp. 8-2247
WALTER T. GARBO, Supervisor,
North Section, Emp. 2-1942
JOHN R. GOUDIE, Bus Repairer,
77th Street, Emp. 6446
RUSSELL GROD, Collector.
77th Street, Emp. 7-948
HOWARD J. HALVERSON, Bus Repairman,
North Park, Emp. 6-1247
GEORGE V. HARTWIG, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 10-1948
JOHN HENNELLY. Car Repairer,
Kimball Shop, Emp. 3-10-50
EDWIN A. HESS, Project Controller,
Grant Programming, Emp. 3-5-36
ROY F. HORNING, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 1-1643
ALLEN H. JACKSON, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 4-24-51
EDWARD JENKINS, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 12-748
FRANK B. JENKINS, Assignment Qerk,
Security, Emp. 5-348
OLIVER W. JOHNSON, Superintendent,
West Shops, Emp. 4-941
RAYMOND JOHNSON, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 1-2947
Anyone can build a giant TV screen for less than $200
says Morris Burda, a CTA retiree who makes his home in
Daytona Beach, Fla. Burda, holding son Adam, says
video games and tapes may also be enhanced by connect-
^^■P" CTA TRANSIT N
Volume 34
Published for employees and retir^
by the External Affairs Division. J^
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa. Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Vabush
Produced by the Administrative Services'!
Charles T. Zanin, Director,
Distributed free of charge to all active and r
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago
Illinois 60664.
ing them to a stereo or high fidelity component. He's
willing to share his know-how just for the asking, and
urges CTAers to write him for information at 719-B So.
Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Fla. 32014. The former
ticket agent. West section, retired in 1975 after 23 years
of service.
J, LAMONT V. J. RACANELLI
43 Years 43 Years
BERNARD A. JONES, Lineman,
West Shops, Emp. 6-2948
JAMES JONES, Carpenter,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 9-22-52
JOE A. JONES. Operator,
North Park, Emp. 4-8-57
JOHN R. KALINOWSKI, Bus & Truck Spec,
South Shops, Emp. 10-2447
GEORGE L. KARRISON, Conductor,
Douglas, Emp. 3-1842
PETER P. KLISEWICZ, Motorman,
Desplaines. Emp. 6-2244
RAYMOND H. KRAMER, Operator
52nd Street, Emp. 8-1843
JAMES LAMONT, Electrical Maint.,
South Shops, Emp. 6-16-37
WILLIAM J. LEMKE, Operator,
ForestGlen, Emp. 8-1941
JOHN R. MAHONEY, Box Puller,
Beverly, Emp. 9-646
WORTHY B. MATTOX, Supervisor,
South Section, Emp. 10-27-55
JOSEPH J. MAURO, Bricklayer,
West Shops, Emp. 8-3-50
LUTHER C. MC GEE, Operator,
52nd Street, Emp. 1-2545
WALTER J. MC KAY. Car Repairman,
Linden Shop, Emp. 9-3047
LAWRENCE R. MILLER, Clerk,
Forest Glen, Emp. 5-846
ADAM M. MODELSKI, Towerman,
61st Street, Emp. 1-2242
RAYMOND MOSK, Box Puller,
Forest Glen, Emp. 6-2347
EDWARD A. MROZEK, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 7-1248
JOHN NOGA, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 5448
NATHAN C. ODOM, Janitor,
West Shops, Emp. 9-10-53
FREDERICK J. OLSEN, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 5-1942
JOHN P. OLSZEWSKI, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 10-2543
JOHN A. O'MALLEY, Car Servicer,
Linden Shop, Emp. 10-20-69
EDWARD PALA, Bus Reparer,
77th Street, Emp. 3-1947
CHRIST PANTOS, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 5-2146
WILLIAM A PATTERSON, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 9-28-50
DENNIS PIERCE, Engine Washer,
69th Street, Emp. 10-3147
WALTER C. POST, Asst. Foreman,
South Shops, Emp. 6-2446
WALTER PROSEN, Superintendent,
Archer, Emp. 6-2046
ROBERT C. QUETSCHKE, Ind. Safety Anal.,
Transportation, Emp. 4-141
VITO J. RACANELLI, Foreman,
West Shops, Emp. 5-14-37
ALVIN D. RHODE. Clerk,
North Avenue, Emp. 1-2147
22
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
ANTON C. RIGLER, Lineman,
West Shops, Emp. 4-646
MICHAEL ROCHE, Bus/Truck Mech.,
South Shops, Emp. 2-25-50
JOSEPH J. ROSSIE, Supervisor,
Central District, Emp. 2-547
WALTER L. ROWIN. Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 3-3-53
EUGENE S. RYMKE, Technician,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 6-23-36
HAROLD C. SCHEPLER, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 1 1-23-45
WILLIAM A. SCHWEITZER, Superintendent,
Beverly, Emp. 3-21-46
FRANK A. SIPICH, Chauffeur,
UtiUty, Emp. 11-8-41
JACKSON D. SMITH JR., Collector.
77th Street, Emp. 2-7-47
ANTON SONJU, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 4-14-50
ROGER O. STEELE, Operator
North Avenue, Emp. 6-12-46
FRANK W. STOLARZ, Carpenter Foreman,
South Shops, Emp. 7-2442
BEATRICE SUSMAN, Unit Supervisor,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 3-4-53
HAROLD TAIT, Electric Worker A,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 2-242
WILBUR G. THEISE, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 9-16-53
BONITA R. THOMPSON, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 5-12-71
JOSEPH R. TROSPER, Supervisor,
61st Street, Emp. 2-1942
GEORGE H. WARD, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 2-24-48
PAUL M. WARD, Janitor,
West Shops. Emp. 5-1848
ERWIN K. WEICHMANN, Foreman/Axle,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 8-1 1-47
MANNY WENGER. Asst. Superintendent,
ForstGlen, Emp. 1-648
OWEN WHITE, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 1 1-14-50
THEODORE J. WILCOP, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 12-946
JULIE S.WILLEM, Clerk I,
Transportation, Emp. 5-547
HORACE A. WILLS, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 11-2-53
HENRY F. WISINSKI, Operator,
Forst Glen, Emp. 1-1546
EDWIN J. WITEK, Clerk,
North Avenue, Emp. 8-2145
WILLIAM F. WITTSTOCK, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 9-645
JOHN B. WOJNICKI, Bus Servicer,
Archer, Emp. 11-13-50
EDWARD J. YOUNG, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 8-14-41
STEPHEN J, ZAHORA, Stock Clerk I,
Stores South, Emp. 3-22-54
HENRY F. ZIOLKOWSKI, Asst. Supt.,
Forest Glen, Emp. 12-2947
HENRY W. ZYCH, Chief Clerk,
North Avenue, Emp. 4-22-43
DISABIUTY RETIREMENTS
JOE L. BOGAN, Collector,
North Avenue, Emp. 8-17-67
CHESTER W. JAGEL, Shopman,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 2-24-55
EARTHON G. JOHNSON, Conductor,
95th Street, Emp. 8-27-56
WESLEY M, MORRIS, Unit Supervisor,
North Avenue, Emp. 34-57
PHYLLIS E. PHILLIPS, Ticket Agent,
South Section, Emp. 4-22-70
THOMAS D. SULZER, Supervisor I,
Security, Emp. 2-6-61
iint iviE]nyEOR,i^A.nvE
EDMUND BELL, 59, North Avenue,
Emp. 12-2-54, Died 12-3-80
WILLIAM E. CERKAN, 64, Limits,
Emp. 1-2044, Died 10-31-80
PETER E. CONRATHS, 83, 77th Street,
Emp. 6-30-15, Died 11-21-80
ANGELO CONSENTINO, 75, Congress,
Emp. 6-25-46, Died 11-1-80
CARROLL COOPER, 39, 69th Street,
Emp. 11-5-73, Died 12-8-80
JOSEPH F. DIGIOVANNI, 66, North Park
Emp. 4-23-29, Died 11-21-80
CHARLES P. DONAHUE, 84, West Section,
Emp. 6-25-25, Died 11-12-80
DELORES DUFF, 43, Materials Management,
Emp. 4-7-75, Died 12-16-80
OARY ELLIOTT, 60, South Shops,
Emp. 11-20-50, Died 11-16-80
ANTHONY J. GLOSA, 81, Transportation,
Emp. 4-19-23, Died 11-11-80
THOMAS GORDON, 79, 77th Street,
Emp. 9-10-42, Died
CARL D. GUSTAFSON, 74, North Section,
Emp. 10-2045, Died 1 1-13-80
ARTHUR P. HANSEL, 73, Electrical,
Emp. 3-18-30, Died 11-12-80
ROY R. HARNISH, 85, Transportation,
Emp. 2-21-29, Died 11-5-80
LESTER INSTONE, 83, Transportation,
Emp. 1-25-23, Died 11-15-80
LEONARD T. JOLLY, 7 1 , 69th Street,
Emp. 7-2646, Died 11-10-80
EDWARD KRATZKE, 70, Forest Glen,
Emp. 8-1 142, Died 11-21-80
GEORGE KUENSTLE,66, Transportation,
Emp. 12-2845, Died 10-28-80
OLIVER M. LANG, 72, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 1-8-49, Died 11-22-80
ALBERT W. MASULIS, 68, North Avenue,
Emp. 2-1-39, Died 11-13-80
CARSON B. MATHEWS, 62, Beverly,
Emp. 10-31-47, Died 11-23-80
FRANK NARINO, 60, West Section,
Emp. 8-9-78, Died 11-30-80
ARTHUR L. OLDHAM, 78, Transportation
Emp. 6-24-37, Died 1 1-6-80
THOMAS J. ROGERS, 85, 69th Street,
Emp. 12-14-26, Died 11-15-80
CLARENCE J. SCHULTZ, 64, Maintenance,
Emp. 5-147, Died 11-14-80
SAMUEL A. SERENO, 88, Way & Structures,
Emp. 7-2341, Died 11-13-80
THOMAS J. SHEEHY, 76, North Avenue,
Emp. 6-27-28, Died 11-9-80
NORMAN SHILVOCK, 74, Forest Glen,
Emp. 1-19-45, Died 11-4-80
ZBIGNIEW SIKORA, 56, South Shops,
Emp. 4-1-68, Died 12-3-80
GEORGE W. SINGER, 74, Limits,
Emp, 3-1-23, Died 11-27-80
ANTHONY VIRGILIO, 65, Shops & Equip.,
Emp. 2-26-60, Died 11-27-80
JOSEPH P. WILCYNSKI, 64, North Avenue,
Emp. 11-1442, Died 11-22-80
EDWARD WILBERSCHEID, 89, Limits,
Emp. 5-1 1-09, Died 11-1-80
STEVE ZITTMAN, 71, South Shops,
Emp. 8-642, Died 11-1-80
Service
anniversaries
in January
40
years
Marjorie M. Organ
Payroll
35 years
30 years
John J. Hennessy
Claims
Harry G. Asher, Jefferson Park
Frank Bonk, Electrical
Ward H, Chamberlain, Near South
Joseph L. Connors, Security
Joseph DeMarco, Skokie Shop
Farrell E. Gallagher, 69th Street
Johnnie L. Henderson, 61st Street
Donald J. Karl, Beverly
Francis C. Leguire, District A
Joseph L. Markos, Jefferson Park
Edward F. IVIizerocki, Wilson Shop
John J. Mornar, Central Counting
Joseph F. Motyka, Forest Glen
Thomas J. O'Connor, Kedzie
Sterling A. Onan, North Park
Terence P. Regan, North Avenue
Ronald D. Roy, District C
Thomas M, Schwartz, Ashland/95th
Charles F. Semen, Electrical
Dale E. Somsel, North Park
Arthur C, Tabel, North Avenue
John Tertz Jr., Forest Glen
George R. Derose, North Avenue
Joseph A. Fano, Skokie Shop
Ruth F. Havlik, Operations Planning
James H, Irwin, Lawndale
Leon T. Leroy Jr., 52nd Street
Stanley J. Lupina, Utility
Dennis J. O'Leary, South Shops
Thomas G. Popek, Engineering
Charles D. Rowell, Lawndale
Bert Steward, Racine Shop
William J. Teufel, Utility
25 years
Edward W. Burnitz, Forest Glen
Frank J. Connolly, North Park
Albert L. Godbold, Electrical
Edward J. Levy, 77th Street
Melvin Lindsey Jr., 77th Street
Herman F. Miles, Control Center
Mezell L. Williams, Maintenance
JANUARY, 1981
23
^/7/ ^(^f^
Vision care enrollment period extended
The initial enrollment period for the Vision Care
Plan, the latest fringe benefit for CTA employees and
dependents, has been extended to February 28, 1981.
The extended enrollment is offered to reach em-
ployees who may have missed an earlier opportunity
to sign up. The coverage is retroactive to June 1,
1980.
Under the plan, a portion of all expenses will be
defrayed for eye examinations conducted by a regis-
tered physician or optometrist of the patient's choice,
as well as a portion of the cost for lenses and frames
which may be prescribed.
The individual employee's share of the premium
cost is less than $0.50 per month, less than $2.00 per
month for an entire family, and is handled through
payroll deduction. The employee's small out-of-
pocket share is made possible because the CTA is
paying 50 per cent of the individual employee's pre-
mium from Jvme 1 through December 31, 1980, and 75
per cent of this cost beginning January 1, 1981, the
CTA Insurance department announced.
The plan calls for the employee to pay all of the
premium for dependents. Employees are being en-
couraged to participate in this new program recom-
mended under the CTA' s benefits package. The pro-
gram is being administered by Vision Health Manage-
ment Systems, Inc.
Detailed information on the Vision Care Plan, as
well as payroll deduction cards, will be provided
through department supervisors for each enrollee.
Additional information on the new benefit plan is also
available by calling the Insurance department's Vision
Care Hot Line at 661-1592.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, IL - 60201
TN
l^-l r-^^^
NGRTIiW£ST^
Owen Terry
James O. Hannah
CTA employees perform acts of gallantry
Acts of gallantry are frequent among CTA per-
sonnel as exemplified by the recent heroic deeds of
two employees.
Bus Operator Owen Terry of the North Park garage,
has been credited with the January 28 rescue of a
woman who was being attacked by a man in a parking
lot along Kimball avenue,
Teriy said he was northbound on Kimball when he
heard a woman screaming. "A guy had this lady down
on the ground in the parking lot. I knew I had to save
her," Terry said. "There is just too much of that going
on."
He stopped his bus in mid-block, and he ran toward
the man who had grabbed liie lady by the throat and was
punching her in the face. The assailant fled, but Terry
cornered him in the parking lot and, with the aid of his
haK dozen passenge r s , held the man until police arrived .
In another act of heroism occurring January 22, the
alertness of Rail Janitor James O. Hannah at the
Lake/Randolph mezzanine in the Washington station of
the State street subway where he was working, brought
quick relief for a woman who was accosted by a purse
snatcher, as well as the immediate arrest of a suspect.
Rushing to respond to the woman' s call for help,
Hannah saw a man running up the stairs with her
purse. He chased the suspected purse snatcher,
cornered him in a nearby alley, and made him hand
over the woman's purse and the wallet which he had
removed from the purse.
Hannah then escorted the man out of the alley to
State street where police took him into custody.
Both employees have been recommended for com-
mendations for their heroic deeds.
Mechanic Ray Kura, bus engine overhaul section. South
Shops, rebuilds a used cylinder head for its return to operating
for another estimated 250,000 miles. New program in section
has boosted output of repaired engines. For full story and more
pictures, turn to page 8.
eta
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
FEBRUARY, 1981
Chairman's report
Engineers Week,
APIA Affairs,
New UMTA
Administrator
As engineers across the nation observed the 30th
anniversary of National Engineers Week February 22-
28, various technological innovations which, since
1947, have enabled CTA to forge ahead in the transit
industry, are good reasons for us to give special rec-
ognition to our CTA engineers.
Engineers employed by CTA over the years have
worked steadily to make mass transportation more
efficient. Continuous improvement of service to the
public has always been our mission. In this regard,
the efforts of our engineers continue to benefit us.
We applaud them for their success and appreciate
their role in this great partnership which we all share
in providing good public transportation for Chicagoans.
It was in this same spirit that we met in Washing-
ton in January with the American Public Transit As-
sociaticm Governmental Affairs committee, where as
vice president, I presided.
Our purpose was to regroup the 1981 legislative
committee and to activate various subcommittees,
which will develop position papers for programs of
special interest to the transportation industry for pre-
sentation to the Congress.
The subcommittee formed will develop statements
for APTA on rail systems, procurement, federal al-
locattons, federal procedure, elderly and handicapped
transportation, bus systems, bus system-small/urban-
rural. These subcommittees will report to the full
committee, March 9, at APTA's annual legislative
conference in Washington.
It was our pleasure, during this visit to Washington,
to meet with the Urban Mass Transportation Ad-
ministrator designate, Arthur E. Teel, Jr. He as-
sured us that, "the greatest potential for saving money
and reducing oil imports may be achieved through
public transportation's ability to provide alternate
transportation choices for work trips."
We appreciate Mr. Teel' s candor, and look forward
to other opportunities to work with him as we con-
tinue to develop successful transportation programs
for the 80s.
It is my fervent belief that we will succeed as we
work together.
9
Volunteer judges
needed for Bus
Roadeo events
Non-operating CTA employees are being asked to
participate as judges in the CTA Bus Roadeo events
which will begin the weekend of April 4, The Roadeo
will be held for each garage on Saturdays and Sun-
days, except Easter Sunday, April 19.
The events will include uniform inspection pre-
pullout check quiz, and driving competition. Winners
from each garage wdll then compete against each other
in area competitions during the month of July.
Management, professional and other non-operating
personnel wishing to volvuiteer as judges for these
events should contact Lonnie Hill in the training
center at 477-1369, or 549-1540. Volimteers may
also call Bill Mooney in the Merchandise Mart at
ext. 4132.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
City House - -
Home Improvement Fair
Chicago's popular City House — Home Improve-
ment Fair, will be held March 27 through 29 in Mc-
Cormick Place West (Donnelley Hall), 23rd street and
King drive.
More than 50,000 persons are e:^ected to attend
this year's event at the fair's new site where about
400 exhibitors will have displays and "how to" demon-
strations.
Bob Vila, star of WTTW-Channel 11' s This Old
House TV series, and Clem Labine, editor of the
Old-House Journal and old house restoration com-
mentator on WBBM radio, will be among the featured
personalities at the tiiree-day fair.
On Friday (Preview Day), March 27, the fair will
be open from noon to 9 p.m. Admission on Friday
will be $2o
On Saturday, March 28, the hours will be from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, March 29, the fair
runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission on Saturday
and Sunday will be $3. Senior citizens (over age 65)
and children under 12 will be admitted free on all
three days.
A $1 discoimt admission coupon will be available
at many hardware and home improvement stores.
"The City House Fair," Labine told his Old-House
Journal readers, "is the only restoration show with
national significance. The exhibits are devoted to
restoration and sensitive rehabilitation. Although
many of the exhibits are from the Chicago area, many
other exhibitors are companies that sell nationally."
City House is sponsored by the City of Chicago and
is presented by the city's Department of Housing and
the Commission on Chicago Historical and Architec-
tural Landmarks.
In addition to commercial and noncommercial
View of aisle of home improvement idea displays in City House, home
improvement fair. (Photo Courtesy of City House)
craftsmen and fabricators, there will be displays by
financial institutions and real estate firms, preserva-
tion organizations, neighborhood, city, state, and
federal agencies.
Persons attending the fair will be asked to submit
names of persons or organizations they think have
done a significant home remodeling or renovation
project in the last 12 months, said Edward T. Jeske,
director of City House. Photographs of the work done
should accompany each application.
Entrants will be judged later and an awards cere-
mony will beheld this summer. Jeske said the contest
will be open imtil May 31.
This discount coupon will allow the
bearer $1 off the regular admission price
of $3 to patrons of City House, the
home improvement fair at McCormIck
Place West set for March 27-29, 1981 .
CUT ALONG DOTTED LINE
CITY MOUSIE
A HOME IMPROVEMENT FAIR
McCormick Place West - Donnelley Hall
MARCH 27-29, 1981
$ I DISCOUNT COUPON
FRIDAY Noon to 9 p.m.
SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.
SUNDAY 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
REGULAR ADMISSION $3.00
SAVE $1.00
WITH THIS COUPON
CITY OF CHICAGO ■ JANE M. BYRNE, MAYOR
E*resented by the Department of Housing and the
Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks
FEBRUARY, 1981
34 receive certificates as bus service instructors
Bus Service instruction re-
ceived a major boost in manpower
January 13 when one of the largest
groups of instructors in CTA his-
tory graduated after completing an
88-hour training program.
Thirty-four former bus drivers
who later served as line instruc-
tors or supervisors, accepted
their training certificates at cere-
monies in the CTA board room, in-
cluding the first two women to
qualify for bus instruction posi-
tions. They will be involved not
only in training new drivers, but
also in observing or retraining
current drivers whose bus handl-
ing techniques are monitored at
least twice a year.
Addressing the first bus in-
structor graduates in three years.
General Operations Manager Har-
old Geissenheimer said, "The
public's expectation of service has
increased recently, due mainly to
fare increases, and in the era
we're now in, action tends to stand
out. You have an obligation now to
do something for your friends,
neighbors, and relatives in train-
ii^ new drivers on how to serve
our riders."
Ed Mitchell, director, Support
Services, urged the graduates, "If
you need help, don't hesitate to call
on others." Regarding the pos-
sibility of further advancement in
their CTA careers he added, 'We'll
take you as far as your potential
will take you."
Graduating with the highest
marks in the class was Timothy
Graves, who said, "This is my
second time around. I didn't make
it the first time, but then I went
back and tried to study hard enough
so I wouldn't have to take it again.
I got a lot of encouragement from
my wife.
"The idea of helping people
seemed to be the emphasis all
through the training period. I
think this will make me better able
to be of service to the drivers. I
feel I can make a difference on the
street because of the way I've been
instructed."
Milton Holland, who joined CTA
Displaying graduation certificates are (left to right) Robert Newman, Aaron Crockett Jr., Lydia
Lewis, and Everett IVIcBride, shown here with instructor Arthur Bennett (right).
Gathered around instructor Charles Hodges (second from right) are bus instructor graduates (left
to right) William Reese, Lawrence Robinson, James Washington, Curtis McEwen, and
Gary Wallace Jr.
Taking part in graduation day festivities were (left to right) instructor Joseph Lasinski and gradu-
ates Wayne Williams, Willie Otis, James Cruthird, and Timothy Graves.
in 1975 after graduating from
Grinnell College, in Iowa, said his
instructor training helped him be-
come more knowledgeable of the
company and its functions. "I
don't want to miss an5d;hlng. I see
this as a natural progression to-
ward management. It' s what I was
hoping for when I started.
"Fm eager to learn and accept
the challenges before me. The
training has given me confidence
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Instructor Nathaniel Payne (right) looks
approvingly at bus instructor graduates (left
to right) Ellice Marshall, Ben Jeffries, Lawrin
Riles, Willie McFall, and Efrain Malave.
Instructor John McClain (third from right)
shares graduation limelight with (left to right)
Milton Rolland, Edward Willis, Tom Elerby Jr.,
James Robinson, and Brantley Handspike.
that I can compete successfully
and make decisions. It has also
helped me understand why some
rules and regulations I had to fol-
low as a driver were necessary."
Lydia Lewis, one of the first
two female instructor graduates,
said, "Beii^ aline instructor in the
supervisoiy pool, I did my best to
help the drivers through. After
completing this training, I feel I
can be of more help to them. I
also have empathy for the older
passengers and will be able to pass
that on to (he drivers. I think I'm
going to enjoy this as much as
being a supervisor. I still enjoy
driving."
Efrain Malave, who has been
with the CTA 5^ years, said, "I
wanted the company to get better
benefit from me and to provide
more for my family. Being able
to step in front of a class and in-
struct students and prepare pre-
sentations is not easy. But in
working with new and older opera-
tors and finding out what they need
to learn through line riding, I
figure I can really help them out."
According to graduate William
Nash, "Completing this course has
given me a more positive aim as
an individual. I feel I am more
qualified now to do a better job for
the company. I'd like to enter the
m/p intern program next. I think
anyone going into management
should get into this program first
so they can understand pro-
cedures."
Relaxing after the graduation speechmaking are (left to right) instructor Nathaniel Payne and
graduates Jesse Burns, James White, William Nash, Walter Young, and Edward Watkins.
All smiles after graduation ceremony are (left to right) Mostafa Poustinchian, McKlnley Palmer,
Alfred Pierce, Allen Summerset, and John Hafford, posing with instructor Arthur Bennett.
FEBRUARY, 1981
Lawrence Hart (North Avenue
Garage) was praised by Edward
Staniszewski, of North Natchez
Avenue, in a letter that was
signed by seven other riders on
Hart's #86 North/Narragansett
bus. "This gentleman is an
exceptional bus driver due to the
fact that he is very polite, cour-
teous, and respectful toward
young and old alike. He makes
the ride of all his passengers
relaxed and enjoyable. Rain or
shine, everyone is greeted with a
'Good morning.' It seems like
he is always on schedule, there-
fore, never leaves anyone behind.
He should be commended for a
job well done."
Blanca Torres (Forest Glen Gar-
age) "really is a sweet lady,"
according to Regina Kleman, of
Roscoe Street, who Is a frequent
rider on her #78 Montrose bus.
"She is very courteous and
really knows her route. She also
calls the street names and helps
older people get on the bus. One
Sunday she did a magnificent
job of telling three riders to stop
smoking. When she used her
good manners and common
sense talking to them, they ac-
cepted the fact they were com-
miting a violation and got off
the bus peacefully. She is an
excellent driver, and what I like
most is that she always curbs
the bus."
commendation corner
Roger Steele (North Avenue Garage) was commended by
Danny Velazquez, of Cambridge Avenue, for being "a good,
courteous, and friendly driver" on the #77 Belmont route.
"At 7 o'clock in the morning he is always cheerful, bright,
and ever accommodating to his hurried passengers. Just his
smile and overall attitude help us riders begin our day with a
pleasant feeling toward our fellow human beings. It was
with great loss and disappointment that 1 heard Mr. Steele is
soon to retire. His kind attitude and smile will be greatly
missed by all of us who have become so accustomed to his
fine service. God bless him in many years of retirement."
Wilhe Wilkes (North Park Garage) was the driver of a
#151 Sheridan bus that Catherine Watson, of Riverside, took
on her way to Union Station. "I wish to commend driver
#4370 for the courtesies he extended to the passengers.
Even more important, in my estimation, was the way he
handled the bus. At no time did he show impatience with
pedestrians and other drivers. As he approached an inter-
section he made sure he could clear it on the green light
before proceeding. He waved other bus drivers ahead of him
away from the curb so they could get into the flow of
traffic. I consider him outstanding."
Joseph Gale (Forest Glen Garage) was thanked by Ger-
trude Bhtstein, of North Mozart Street, for his courtesy while
driving a #84 Peterson bus. "What a wonderful way to start
a new day! Driver #8690 is by far one of the most courteous
and pleasant individuals I have ever had the privilege of
riding with. His smUe as one boards the bus says, 'What can
I do to make your day a Uttle more pleasant?' and the
courtesy he extends to his passengers is exemplary and-
should be copied by other drivers. The other passengers
agree with me and we do our best to ride with him whenever
possible. He gets our vote for 'Driver of the Year!' "
Sergio Candelaria (Limits Garage) did "a fine job" driving
a #151 Sheridan bus that was ridden by C. Hilliard, who
maintains a box at the Loop Post Office. "In all the heavy
crowds on State Street and the extra traffic on Michigan
Avenue, he was consistently courteous, helpful, and pleasant
to all. He answered many questions and gave clear directions
to a number of bewildered passengers, and he did this aU in
a manner that reassured them and made them feel com-
fortable. And with all this, he still operated his bus so as to
give his passengers a smooth ride. It was a pleasure to ride
with him."
Wendell Talbert (North Park Garage) was appreciated by
Dr. Phillip Nieburg, of the Washington, D.C., Department of
Human Services, who rode his #11 Lincoln bus while on a
business trip to Chicago. "He renewed my faith in bus driv-
ers. He smiled, was polite to all passengers, was especially
courteous with the elderly passengers (including waiting
patiently), and took pains to warn them about the dangers
of other vehicles when stepping off the bus. I do extensive
traveling around the United States and spend a lot of time
on pubUc vehicles. This driver is clearly a credit to CTA and
the City of Chicago."
Jeremiah Ballard (69th Street Garage) was described as
"an extremely courteous and pleasant young man" by
Vema Leathers, of St. Lawrence Avenue, who was a rider
on his #9 Ashland bus. "When he reached an intersection
where another bus line crossed, he looked very carefully to
make sure that passengers alighting from other buses could
make the connection with his bus. I was most impressed
with his alertness and unfailing courtesy. I might add that
each passenger he helped was very courteous in thanking
him. Can you believe it? It was a very pleasant ride that
cold morning, and he was responsible for it."
Lawren Stanfill (West Section), ticket agent at Oak Park
on the Lake/Dan Ryan route, caught the attention of Joan
Adamson, of Oak Park, for her courtesy to riders. "WhUe
waiting to pay my fare, an elderly lady ahead of me was
trying to get to Chicago Reed Hospital. She apparently
had gotten the wrong information previously. The agent
said she would call Travel Information and find out for the
lady. When she gave the lady directions, she wrote them
down and even gave her a map with the bus number circled.
When the lady thanked her, she said, 'That's alright, miss.
That's what I'm here for.' "
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
other qperating employees receiving commenda-
tions recently were:
Elvin Boone, 77th Street; Dwayne Borom and John
Brugess, both of Limits; and Junior Broadbent, North
Park.
Jean Cage, Limits; John Cameron, Ashland Termi-
nal; Ramon Clark, Forest Glen; Ray Clark, Lawndale;
and Oracle Curtis, 69th Street.
Robert Dluger, Noiiii Park; James Doss, 77th
Street; and Michael Doss, Forest Glen.
John Eason and Raphael Emery, both of North Park.
Granville Fields, 69th Street; Willie Fitzpatrick,
North Park; Roberto Flores, North Avenue; and Paul
Franks, 77th Street.
Hugo Galvez and Leonard Gibbs m, both of North
Park; Wallacene Good, Forest Glen; and Howard
Green, Beverly.
Niki Hansen, Forest Glen; Willie Harmon and Ed-
ward Head Jr., both of 77th Street; Sandalio Hechavar-
ria. North Park; Janice Henderson and Howard Hill,
both of 69th Street; and Charles HoUey, Beverly.
Jackqueline Jackson, Lawndale.
Martin Kane, Howard/Kimball; Hosseinali Khalvati,
North Park; Denis Kippes, Limits; George Knox,
Lawndale; and John Kurinec, Forest Glen.
David Lewis, North Park; and OrvanLyles, Archer.
Sherman Martin, Kermit Mitchell Jr., and Richard
Moore, all of North Avenue; Daniel Martin and Thomas
Meagher, both of Forest Glen; Angel Martinez, Edgar
Mollinedo, and Nelson Morales, all of North Park;
Alan Mathis, West Section; and Hugh McGhee, Limits.
George Neal, North Park; Gerald Nelson, 77th
Street; and Hector Nieves, Forest Glen.
Harold Pierce Sr. and Reinhard Poetz, both of
Forest Glen; and Donnell Prater, Limits.
Leonard Quinlan, North Park.
Vema Reed and Pablo Rosario, both of Limits;
Jesus Rivera, North Park; and Felix Rodriguez, For-
est Glen.
Burt Schwartz and Ralph Strickland, both of Forest
Glen; Pablo Silva and Lopaz Swain, both of Limits;
Joseph Slaughter and Richard Snyder, both of North
Park; Salvador Soto and Ronald Stefinsky, both of
Archer; Helen Steams, 77th Street; and Edward Sul-
livan, Beverly.
Charles Talley, Archer.
Billy Walker, Forest Glen; eleven Wardlow and
Hazel Warren, Limits; Harvey White, 69th Street; and
Patricia Williams, North Park.
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest Glen.
Frank Zanazaro, Forest Glen; and Joseph Zuker-
man. North Park.
promotions
Donald Budoff has been
appointed superintendent,
Storerooms, Materials Man-
agement. Budoff joined
CIA in 1957 as a file
clerk in Job Classification.
In 1959 he became ad-
dressograph operator.
Stores, and a year later,
stock clerk in the same
section. Budoff was chosen
supervisor of Storerooms,
Materials Management, in
1974. He and his wife,
Karon, have two daughters
and a son, and make their
home in Lockport.
Linda Bremer, former
secretarial stenographer.
Public Affairs, has been named executive secretary/supervisor,
reporting to the manager of the External Affairs Division.
In other job reassignments, five former management/pro-
fessional interns have been selected assistant superintendents
in the Transportation Department. Johnny HoUfield is now
assistant superintendent. Service, while, in Personnel, Mary
Beth Cobleigh and Michael Sanchez have been assigned Far
North; RosaUo Garcia, Near North; and Charlene McFadden,
Near South.
Also new as assistant superintendent is Eugene Hill, for-
mer supervisory chauffeur, UtUity, who was promoted with-
in the same section. Recently named m/p interns in Trans-
portation were Walter Thomas, former driver. Forest Glen;
James Daugherty, former rail instructor; and Aaron Hender-
son, former bus service supervisor.
In Security, George Garland, former personnel investigator,
has been appointed unit supervisor, Personnel Investigations.
In Financial Services/Internal Auditing, Marcelo Reyes
has been promoted from field audit clerk to internal auditor,
while in Budget, Emmet Gonder has been reassigned from
financial analyst to senior budget analyst. Louise Muhr,
former accounts payable clerk, Financial Services, is now
statistical analyst. Materials Management.
Now serving as special projects analysts, Materials Manage-
ment - Stores, are Henry Farley, former stock clerk in the
same section, and Charles Ripke, former procurement analyst.
Procurement. Also in Procurement, Edward Hosty Jr.
has moved from procurement analyst to buyer.
Patrick Hastings, former conductor. West Section,' has
become yard foreman in the same section. Three former
bus repairers have been selected relief garage foremen. In
their new Vehicle Maintenance positions, Norman Whiten-
hQl and Randall Dunaj remain at 77th Street and North
Park, respectively, while Henry Gauthier moves from Beverly
to Archer.
Also in Vehicle Maintenance, John Ruddle, former bus
repairer. North Avenue, has been chosen resident instruc-
tor, Tire Repair, and John Ward, former bus servicer, Forest
Glen, has become bus repairer. Various. Two former drivers
at North Park have been selected laborers: John Eason at
Skokie Shop, and William Robinson at South Shops.
Calvin Conner, former driver, Beverly, is now unit ex-
change clerk. South Shops, while, in Financial Services -
Payroll, Phyllis Shields has been reassigned from payroll
clerk to payroll relief clerk. Michele Hawkins, former clerk.
Human Resources - Medical, has been selected suggestion
records clerk. Job Classification.
FEBRUARY, 1981
The finished product is ready for another round of service. Checldng
it out are (left to right), Rudy Goode, foreman; Nick Simonetti, unit
Engine rebuild
production up 100%
Nick Simonetti, unit supervisor of the engine re-
build section at South Shops, seems to have mastered
the art of getting the most out of people.
Since November, production in the engine rebuild
section has increased 100 per cent without having to
add personnel.
When bus engine failures reached epidemic propor-
tions late last year, outside engine repair shops were
contracted to help with the workload as CTA mechanics
struggled to keep pace with demands. However, the
best efforts to get ahead of the problem failed, and
Simonetti, with the support of Frank Venezia, the de-
partment's superintendent, went on the attack„
A time and motion study was conducted, and when
all the facts were compiled, the engine rebuild shop
was closed for two months while Simonetti and Venezia
re-organized.
"We found that our mechanics were using a lot of
wasted motion by sometimes having to leave their
work areas to get replacement parts or tools to com-
plete a project. This would slow down the work flow,"
Simonetti said.
To eliminate the problem, Simonetti ordered modi-
supervisor; Franl< Venezia, superintendent, and Walter Street, shop
leader.
fied engine stands, part carts, and part wagons for
each of the six work stations. He assigned an ex-
pediter to keep the carts and the wagons filled with
the nuts, bolts, washers, screws and other parapherna-
lia, as well as the major replacement parts and tools
necessary.
Valve refacing is done by Stanley Chudoba.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Applying his skills to work on the cylinder head assembly is John James.
Mechanics Walter Wheeler (left), and Leslie Ballard are busy getting
the gear train sub unit assembly in order.
"We don't want themechajiics to have to leave their
area unnecessarily. We want them to have all of the
COTiveniences so that they can get the job done,"
Simonetti said.
An engine is returned to the shop for an overhaul
approximately every 250,000 miles, he said. The
process begins with a check list which each mechanic
follows as the big V-8 engine arrives at his work lo-
cation.
Simonetti explained that each mechanic gets a dif-
ferent engine eveiy four hours, which means each
worker will see two engines per day. Jobs in the shop
are switched around frequently to avoid monotony
among the shop creWo Since the rebuild shop re-
opened its doors in November, its 25 mechanics have
overhauled more than 100 bus engines which have been
returned to service.
"We have had 100 per cent cooperation from the
foreman, the shop leader, and the entire crew," said
Simonetti. "This is what it takes to get the job done.
We are very proud of what is being accomplished as we
continue to catch up with production demands," he said.
Vince Roofe begins the engine overhaul process at station 1 in the
Engine Rebuild section at South Shops.
V-8 bus engines are locked onto modified engine stands for easy access.
Syed Qadri, mechanic at station 4 in the Rebuild section, accomplishes
his part of the job with ease.
FEBRUARY, 1981
Ron Baker elected
president ITDA
Ron Baker, superin-
tendent. Operations
Training, Training/De-
velopment Programs,
Human Resources de-
partment, has been elect-
ed president of the Illinois
Training & Development
Association (TTDA). With
a membership of over
800, the association is
the second largest chapter
of the nationwide Ameri-
can Society for Training
& Development, a pro-
fessional group of train-
ing and development
practitioners and directors.
The purpose of the ITDA is to contribute to a better
utilization of human ability and potential in business,
industry and government. In his new position. Baker's
objectives for 1981 are improving the association's
bi-monthly newsletter, bringing allied groups in the
trainingfleld closer together, and working to standard-
ize training techniques in the profession.
Baker joined CTA in 1964 after working three sum-
mers as a temporary driver at North Avenue. Before
entering management training he served in operating,
supervisory, and management positions in both bus
and rail operations.
Auditor is named
to NABA office
Janice 'Jae' Rowell,
an auditor assigned to the
CTA Internal Auditing
depailment, has been
named corresponding
secretary of the National
Association of Black Ac-
countants, Inc., Chicago
Chapter. She is also a
member of their scholar-
ship committee.
The National Associa-
tion of Black Accountants,
Inc. was founded in New
York in 1969 to promote
the training and develop-
ment of minorities in ac-
counting. Its purposes are to encourage minorities to
pursue careers in accounting, to provide assistance
and education for its members, and to serve as a
vehicle to career opportunities.
Ms. Rowell, a member of NABA for three years,
said that her goal is to see that more rainorities be-
come aware of the organization, and that its member-
ship and scholarship fund increase.
Ms. Rowell holds a bachelor of science degree in
accounting from Southern Illinois University, and has
partially completed examinations to qualify as a
certified public accountant. A native of Chicago, she
joined the CTA in June, 1980.
IIVIPORTANT
NOTICE
Employee
Change of Address
for Transit News
Beginning with the March, 1981, issue of Transit
News, all magazines mailed to employees will be
addressed by computer, using the address that
appears on your W-2 Income Tax Form. If you
do not receive your March issue, you must submit
a new EMPLOYEE CHANGE OF ADDRESS form
(CTA Form 8431) which is available from your
department head at your work location.
Veterans note:
Lapsed insurance
policies do not
earn dividends
A recent aimouncement from the Veterans Ad-
mdnistration says the VA does not pay dividends
on lapsed insurance policies.
A dividend hoax being circulated by various
organizations including some veterans groups,
promises that veterans of World War II may col-
lect a dividend based on their service even If they
have not kept their policies in force.
However, the VA emphasizes that veterans are
being misinformed. Official looking forms are
being distributed and signed by a non-existent VA
official. Questions should be directed to the
Veterans Administration, 536 S. Clark Street,
Chicago, or call 353-4076.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Our lives are studded with milestones and markers signi-
fying places in time where something significant happened
to us. Of all the markers we use, none is repeated more
often than the last stroke of midnight on December 31- -the
end of one year which we know and the start of another
of which we know nothing but hope.
A group of CTA employees gave Transit News their most
important accomplishments in 1980 - - significant markers
to them.
Labor Day weekend was a great time for J. M. Driver, rail
janitor foreman. "I enjoyed a delightful time with many
friends and my classmates at the reunion of the 1954 grad-
uates of Liberty High School in Etta, Miss. We had a great
time at a dinner-dance in the Holiday Inn at Oxford, Miss.,
and again at a wonderful picnic. We shared stories of our
experiences and accomplishments we had since we left
high school."
It took an accident with serious injuries on July 15 to
help Mrs. Barbara Dixon, agent assignment office clerk, to
convince her husband, Bill, to give up his motorcycle in
1980. "He loved riding his motorcycle, even though his
hobby filled me with fears for his safety. After he recovered
from his injuries he gave up his machine - - and I now have
peace of mind for his well being."
"The birth of our first son on May 2 changed my life in
many ways," said Sergio Guifarro, bus driver. North Avenue
garage. "Before his birth I was careless with money and
somewhat disorganized. But now I have definite goals
because of my great responsibility to provide the very best
for him. And I feel like a new person since he was bom.
Becoming a father was the greatest experience for me."
Bus driver Tony Zenner of North Avenue garage said
purchasing a burned-out building next to his home early
last year was more significant than he reahzed at the time.
"The price of this abandoned two flat was so attractive I
couldn't resist a bargain. But it took a lot of hard work
and money to rehabilitate the building. Looking back on
my project, now rented to two families, I feel very satis-
fied and I think all the work, money, and frustration were
worth while."
"I don't think I'll ever forget the delightful four-week
auto trip through the midwest and west coast states and
Canada. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery and took plenty
of pictures," said Mollis Lewis Jr., bus driver. North Avenue
garage.
Robert Adler, travel information agent, marked October 6
as a major milestone in the lives of his family. "That was
the day we moved into our own home - - our first home.
It's on the Northwest Side."
January 7 was move-in-day for bus driver Esteban Ueras
of North Avenue garage. "After renting in Chicago for 1 1
years, we saved enough money to buy a home on north
Pulaski road. Buying and moving into our own home was
the most fulfilling experience I had in 1980."
Mrs. Beverly J. Catherine, payables utility clerk, Financial
Services/Operations, said, "The most exhilarating thing that
has happened to me this year is my renewed faith in Christ.
This has been made possible through my spiritual experience
with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Through my
revelation in God, I have become a more loving, compassion-
ate and understanding human being, and I have been able
to endure my challenges at CTA. For each day here is truly
a beginning to a new avenue of life's unexpected demands."
Determination nets BA degree
for working mother
Nothing good was
ever accomplished
without enthusiasm
which is the genius of
sincerity, a fact well
knovra to Juanita Fields,
training coordinator,
Training / Development
section, Human Re-
sources department.
Ms, Fields sub-
merged herself last
year in the pursuit of a
Bachelor of Arts de-
gree in Applied Behav-
iorial Science from the
National College of Edu-
cation in Evanston. Through her determination and
readiness to apply herself to her work and her studies.
Juanita earned her degree and was graduated with
honors.
Subsequently, she advanced to her present job from
the office of Management Services where she worked
as equipment clerk.
The successful pursuit of her bachelors degree
began in 1970, two years after joining the CTA as
a ticket agent. It was then that she completed the high
school GED and enrolled at Malcolm X College where
she earned an Associate of Arts degree and was in-
spired to enter the National College of Education,
Looking back on her struggle, Juanita said, "It took
me 10 years to reach my goal because there were so
many difficult periods. I had to cope with the respon-
sibilities of raising two small children as well as ro-
tating shifts which sometimes conflicted with class-
room schedules, but it was worth every minute of it."
Noting that she is very pleased v/ith her work,
Juanita said she wants to enhance her skills further
by pursuing a masters degree, but plans to enjoy some
leisure before returning to school.
"Now, I'm going to enjoy my family and a few pas-
times such as bowling, teimis, swimming and bike rid-
ing for a while," she said.
FEBRUARY, 1981
Second group to complete an eight-week Material Handling and Ware-
housing course sponsored by Materials Management Department in-
clude (from left), Eugene Magad, course instructor; John Williams,
laborer. West Shops; Lester Speights, stock clerk. South Shops;
Donaldson Thompson, Laborer, Lower Yard; Sam Ellis, order control
derk. Merchandise Mart; Walter Griffin, stock clerk. South Shops;
William Cantwell, laborer. West Shops; David Knoerr, stock derk,
Skokie Shop; William Tucker, stock clerk. South Shops; James
McMahon, stock clerk, Skokie Shop; Michael Reynolds, stock clerk.
South Shops; William Blinstrub, order control clerk. Merchandise
Mart; Oliver Green, stock clerk. South Shops; Edward Hosty, procure-
ment analyst. South Shops, and John Perry Jones, stock derk. Mer-
chandise Mart. The department's 120 members are scheduled to take
the course conducted by Eugene Magad and Associates, consultants
to the warehousing industry. Ed Deles, unit supervisor. Records and
Training, Materials Management Department, is coordinator for the
course.
Petty Officer Second Class Joseph V. Beenn, the son of CTA bus opera-
tor Angel Beenn, Archer garage, was recently graduated with honors
from the Great Lakes Naval Training center and is assigned to the
Communications school, San Diego, Calif., where he is in training as a
radioman. Another son, Michael, was honorably discharged from the
Navy last month after four years of service.
i
i
.m^^m
••*l
*^m
1
ifef
Irma N. Muniz (CTA Pension section), and her husband, Juan, obser-
ved the first anniversary of the birth of their son, Alexander Silverheart
Muniz, November 27, 1980. The occasion was marked by a birthday
party attended by family and friends.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Yesterday's dream,
Tomorrow's greatness
By W. B. Wolfan
Coach Ray Meyer and his DePaul Blue Demons are
one Chicago sports team that symbolizes the greatness
of yesterday and the glory of the present.
The Blue Demons represent collegiate basketball
at its very best and this season is no exception. Skill,
incentive and aggressive play are De Paul's trade-
marks on the basketball court.
The Blue Demons are what Chicago sports fans cry
out for so desperately— a winner.
DePaul will be right there when the NCAA title is
decided at the end of the season.
The Blue Demons will benefit from a setback or
two. Sometimes that setback makes or breaks a ball
club. Ray Meyer says that it often is a good thing be-
cause overconfidence is destroyed and defeat is good
for the soul.
The Blue Demons are well equipped to be NCAA
champions.
Terry Cummings and Teddy Grubbs have come
along after a slow start. Cummings had an injured
hand when the season got underway, but now his shoot-
ing and rebounding are more than living up to expec-
tations.
Skip Dillard and Clyde Bradshaw have been out-
standing. Especially notable is Dillard's outside
shooting. Grubbs' base line jvimp shots have given the
opposition chronic headaches all season, and are
definitely a big factor in DePaul' s versatile offense.
But there is another principal reason in DePaul' s
success that should not be overlooked. Coach Meyer
can always turn loose his star forward, MarkAguirre,
if the team shows a sluggish effort, which, of course,
happens to all teams.
Turning Aguirre loose is like exploding a guided
missile. Early in the season, Mark yielded to Coach
Meyer's wishes for greater teamplay, guarding his
man and feeding liie ball to his teammates. This
change in Aguirre' s basketball life style was rewarding
to Coach Meyer although it meant a decrease in point
scoring for the 21 -year old player.
There is no question about it. If Aguirre goes on a
scoring rampage, it fires up the entire team. Some-
times it is absolutely necessary to instill such mo-
mentum, and that is what makes victories possible.
The pros will tell you that the team with the momen-
tum comes home a winner most of the time.
This year DePaul has excellent bench strength,
particularly in Brett Burkholder and Bernard Randolph.
As long as its first five remain healthy, however,
DePaul cannot miss being a prime contender for the
NCAA title, which in thelong run, is what really counts.
Mark Aguirre
(Photo courtesy DePaul University)
Before the season began this reporter visited a
DePaul practice session at Alumni Hall as the guest
of Coach Meyer. This business of playing winning
basketball is a serious one in DePaul workouts, and the
67-year old Meyer brooks no loafing in those tightly
orchestrated drills. It's an intensive workout that has
no rest periods, and the observer is impressed with
Meyer's method of handling the drills. The players
work hard and the results show up at game time. A
veteran coach told us long ago that "the fact that you
have the horses doesn't always guarantee victory."
Ray Meyer's tough coaching makes the difference
for DePaul. There is no doubt about it. Ray knows
how to get the best out of his players with inspirational
leadership and many years of knowledge of every facet
of basketball. He never lets up in instilling his play-
ers with the incentive to go all-out for victory.
FEBRUARY, 1981
13
Retirement
Robert Quetschke
Robert C. Quetschke, 61, industrial safety analyst
in the Support Services section, Transportation de-
partment, retired January 1 after 39 years of service.
More than 150 persons honored Quetschke at a
dinner given in his honor at Robert and Allen's Re-
gency Inn. The occasion also marked the 38th wedding
anniversary for Quetschke and his wife, June.
Quetschke joined the Chicago Surface Lines, pred-
ecessor to the CTA, on April 1, 1941, as a station
clerk at Lincoln depot, a facility now used for storage
by the City of Chicago.
Following the outbreak of World War II, he was in-
ducted into the U.S. Navy where he served imtil 1945.
He then returned to the CSL to restime duties as a
station relief clerk at Armitage and Division. In 1951
he moved to the Transportation department's geneiral
office as a clerk, and in 1961 he was named training
assistant.
He was later appointed assistant to the superin-
tendent of operating stations, named manpower plan-
ning budget analyst in 1974, and industrial safety
analyst in 1977.
The Quetschkes will retain their residence in
suburban Norridge and will travel occasionally.
Robert C. Quetschke, CTA industrial safety analyst, and his wife,
June, as they appeared at a dinner January 16 honoring Quetschke
upon his retirement after 39 years of service. The event also marked
their 38th wedding anniversary.
CTA retiree Russell Warnstedt displays his
coin collection which took secqnd place at
the recent Oak Park Coin Club show. Warn-
stedt, president of the club, used the old
street car photos on display here to draw
attention to his bus token display. The for-
mer CTA suggestion coordinator retired in
1975 after 39 years of service.
Keeping young in the sun, CTA retirees
Daniel Browne (left) and Patrick Benton
send word they would enjoy having friends
write or stop by when they're in Tucson.
Browne, 80, retired in 1965 after working
at Armitage, 77th Street, 69th Street, and
North Avenue. He likes exploring the Arizona
deserts and mountains, and keeps in shape
doing chin-ups. Benton, 86, retired in 1960
from 77th Street, and is a champion shuffle-
board player, with many trophies to his
credit. Dan and his wife, Margaret, live next
door to Pat and his wife, Edna, at Green
Meadows, 1135 W. Prince Rd., Tucson,
AZ 85705.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur D. Stahl celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary October 26, 1980.
Family and friends attended a party in their
honor at Glen Maker Hall, Chicago Ridge,
III., where they reside. Stahl retired August 1,
1975, after 32 years of CTA service which
included assignments in the Transportation
and Stores departments.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
JOINING THE ranks
of the retired on Feb-
ruary 1 wasANTHONY
B. GRABSKI who had
more than 41 years of
service with CTA and
its predecessor com-
panies.
WALTER T. BARBOUR, B Electrician,
West Shops, Emp. 1-17-47
ARDELL W. BLACK, Traffic Checker,
Schedules, Emp. 4-10-46
ALBERT A. DUCKETT, Car Repairer A,
61st Street, Emp. 9-30-69
ANTHONY B. GRABSKI, Motorman,
Howard, Emp. 6-27-39
LEONARD C. HESS, Superintendent,
Grant Program & Adm., Emp. 11-13-72
KIRBY HOUSTON, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 4-25-57
BENNIE J. JARMUS, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 8-29-47
GEORGE J. KUBIN, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 12-7-53
LEONARD R. MARX, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 12-20-66
ROBERT J. MUELLER, Machinist Ldr.,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 4-16-47
MICHAEL PACHOLIK, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 1-28-54
EDWARD C. PETERSEN, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 5-31-46
ROBERT J. SALMEN Jr., Operator,
North Park, Emp. 10-12-56
BERT STEWARD, Car Servicer,
Racine Shop, Emp. 1-22-51
LAWRENCE VANDERHORST, Elect. Wkr.,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 1-12-43
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
ERNESTINE M. HENKE, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 3-4-67
EDWARD P. O'ROURKE, I.D. Coordinator,
External Affairs, Emp. 6-25-51
PAULA A. TURNER, Assignment Agent,
Central Assignment, Emp. 6-21-72
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Number 2
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H, Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leai,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Produced by the Administrative Services Unit,
Charles T. Zanin, Director.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
JULIUS E. BARKLEY, 87, 77th Street,
Emp. 12-30-13, Died 12-18-80
WILLIAM J. BOURKE, 8 I.Kimball,
Emp. 11-3^3, Died 12-10-80
HERBERT V. CALLAHAN, 80, North Sect.,
Emp. 3-23-34, Died 12-11-80
MICHAEL CARR, 82, 69th Street,
Emp. 9-19-36, Died 12-29-80
RICHARD CAWLEY, 77. 69th Street,
Emp. 10-18-27, Died 12-24-80
NORA CRONIN, 74, Claims,
Emp. 6-22-42, Died 12-18-80
MARY DOYLE, 74, West Section,
Emp. 3-13-45. Died 12-24-80
EMIL DROBNEY, 66, Archer,
Emp. 10-M5.Died 11-24-80
URIEL DUKES. 55, Electrical,
Emp. 2-10-72, Died 12-27-80
CHARLES J. EARNSHAW, 88, South Sect.,
Emp. 2-22-24, Died 12-23-80
LEONARDO GUTIERREZ, 35, North Park,
Emp. 6-15-78, Died 1-9-81
CHARLES HAYES, 69, 69th Street,
Emp. 2-2448. Died 12-17-80
JOHN HOFFERT, 70. Electrical,
Emp. 11-18-36, Died 12-30-80
RAYMOND HORNBECK, 7 1 , Kedzie,
Emp. 8-1 1-42. Died 12-16-80
LONNIE JOHNSON, 52, Lawndale,
Emp. 2-19-59, Died 1-7-81
ROBERT JOHNSON, 85, Way & Struct.,
Emp. 9-17-30, Died 11-8-80
JOHN KACHLIK, 80, Transportation,
Emp. 12-15-42, Died 12-22-80
EDWARD KAZMIERCZAK, 63, Limits,
Emp. 8-2-48. Died 12-28-80
JOHN KIRBY, 85, Kedzie.
Emp. 1-26-23. Died 12-28-80
FRANK LESZCZYNSKI, 69, Lawndale,
Emp. 11-18-42, Died 12-26-80
PAUL LOCASSIO, 57, District C,
Emp. 2-10-55, Died 12-23-80
JAMES MARREN, 8 1 , Transportation,
Emp. 3-6-24, Died 12-3-80
DANIEL McGRORY, 88, West Section,
Emp. 1-30-31, Died 12-31-80
HELEN B. McGUlRK, 91, Transportation,
Emp. 8-6-37, Died 12-20-80
EUGENE METZ, 72, Limits,
Emp. 8-31-36, Died 12-4-80
WILLIAM MICHALIK. 77, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 11-2046, Died 12-30-80
RAY NOAKES, 57, Schedules,
Emp. 12445, Died 1-3-81
JAMES NOONE, 76, Stores,
Emp. 5442, Died 12-21-80
PERCY PASSMORE, 59, Travel Info. Ctr.,
Emp. 6-10-54. Died 12-22-80
PHILLIP PELUSO. 89, Maintenance,
Emp. 4-24-20. Died 12-13-80
ROBERT PRICE, 65, 52nd Street,
Emp. 1-2747, Died 11-27-80
JOSEPH PROCHNIAK, 75, West Section,
Emp. 3-29-24, Died 12-19-80
PETER REBECCA, 76, Lawndale,
Emp. 9-342. Died 12-3-80
JOHN RUSNAK. 70, Maintenance,
Emp. 4-1343, Died 12-18-80
JOHN SARES, 88. Forest Glen,
Emp. 12-5-28, Died 12-8-80
TONY SCARDINA, 69, Kedzie,
Emp. 7-1447, Died 12-18-80
ARTHUR TAGGART, 36, North Avenue,
Emp. 9-14-70. Died 12-18-80
ROBERT TAGGART, 84, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-27-22. Died 12-7-80
JOHN VIHANEK, 75, Maintenance,
Emp. 5-21-23, Died 12-3-80
JOSEPH WILL, 70, Beverly,
Emp. 1-9-34, Died 12-15-80
MICHAEL YEDINAK, 91 , South Shops,
Fmp. 8-16-23, Died 12-2-80
Service
anniversaries
in February
30 years
40
years
James E. McCoy
Real Estate
35 years
Richard Dickerson, 69th Street
Charles V. Dugo, Electrical
John HaIko Jr., 69th Street
George G, Hatchett, Bus Service
Patrick J. Kenny, Electrical
Frank S. Lipinski, Forest Glen
John T. McCrea, Instruction
Stanley S. Michalec, Utility
William P. Rafferty, South Shops
John M. Thurow, Central Counting
Frank R. Zampetti, Des Plaines
25 years
Valon A. Brown, Archer
Otwa Clemens, 69th Street
Clifford Coleman, Maintenance
Stanley E, Brown, Forest Glen
Horace C, Chatman, Beverly
Wilbur C, Cooley, Ashland/95th
Eugene Corker, South Shops
Horace C. Crawford, Maintenance
Michael A. Doll, Electrical
Peter Duffy, Stores South
Junius Echols, 77th Street
Charles Edwards, Archer
Walter Falls Jr„ 52nd Street
Dalton J. Gilllland, Stores South
William P. Hooper, Lawndale
William J, Hunter, Forest Park
McKinley Jackson, Maintenance
John Levanovic, District B
Lenro Lumpkin, 77th Street
John J. McDermott, Skokie Shop
Howard McMillan, Utility
John C, Miller, Utility
Arthur Mines Sr., Beverly
Bryant H. Paxton, Skokie Shop
William E. Payne, Ashland/95th
Robert L. Poellnitz, Utility
Samuel A. Pollock, Ashland/95th
James W. Quinn, North Park
Randolph G. Robinson, 77th Street
Abraham Scarbrough, Bus Service
Albert Silins, Kimball
James W. Simmons, Ashland/95th
James W. Sims, District A
Earl P. Singleton, Ashland/95th
Henry R. Stuba, Print Shop
Donald W, Sparks, North Park
Cleodis Foston, Archer
Frank Goudeau, 69th Street
Bartholomew F, Kantak, Instruction
Sam Thomas, 69th Street
Herbert Williams, 69th Street
FEBRUARY, 1981
15
The first four of 300 rapid transit cars are to be delivered
to the CTA by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pa., in
the spring.
These cars, ordered in 1978, have stainless steel bodies
with a horizontal band of charcoal gray at window level.
Under the gray will be two-inch bands of red, white, and
blue.
While these cars will closely resemble the 2400 series
Boeing cars, there will be two important new features. In
150 of the cars, there will be a fold-up seat behind the
motorman's cab to allow a wheel chair rider to be secured
to the car. Also, the end door sills are shortened to discour-
age persons from boarding and riding between cars.
The new cars will be the 2600 series and each car will
undergo 600 hours of testing in passenger service before
they get the CTA's approval. The CTA has an option to
order up to another 300 of the cars from the Budd
Company.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHVyESTERIJ UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EV.VNSTON, IL 60?01
TN
.^^^MlZX-
Learning by doing
South Shops volunteers
help Explorer Scouts
Thirty craftsmen at South Shops are volunteers in
a special scouting program designed to give high
school students a career awareness in four areas of
special interest.
Some 138 young men and women from various hi^
schools throughout the City of Chicago have joined
Explorer Scout Post 9777, sponsored by the CTA.
The scouts meet two hours at South Shops twice
each month throughout the school year to learn skills
in automotive mechanics, welding, electricity, and
carpentry, and receive firsthand knowledge of their
career choices as they participate in a project to build
a miniature articulated bus.
The committee organizing the project included
Thomas Wolgemuth, manager of Maintenance, serving
as project chairman; Frank Sprovieri, carpenter
leader, advisor; and Willie Wong, unit supervisor of
bus garages, management coordinator. Committee
members are Frank Venezia, area superintendent, bus
shops; and Dick Schneider, superintendent, automotive
maintenance.
The body shapes up as pieces fall into place.
CTA welder Fred Kerr (left, wearing glasses).
Supervising the job is
A scout tacks seat covering firmly in place with a helping hand from
Bob Mandujano (left), upholsterer at South Shops.
dta
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
MARCH, 1981
TOP: William Lewis, paint shop foreman (plaid shirt), directs his
special attention to student working with silk screening as others
observe. ABOVE LEFT: Last-minute adjustments are made on old
Volunteers at South Shops participating as advisors
are Fred Kerr and Robert McClelland, welders; Rob-
ert Brown, Marshall Coleman, Harry HoUendoner, Al
Zielinski, Henry Krob, William Miller, Bill Savarino,
and Larry Hughey, carpenters.
Other tradesmen volunteers are Casimir Noga and
Marty Muraski, tinners; Jerry Walter, mechanic
motor which will supply power for bus. ABOVE RIGHT: John
Kurgan, upholstery foreman, is very cautious as he guides student in
the use of a sewing machine during stitching of upholstery.
foreman; Jake Weber, mechanic; Kenneth Brawner,
machinist; Alfred L. Haas, unit supervisor, body
shop; Robert Lee, field service engineer; Dan Badon,
engineer; John Garner, electrician foreman; Don
Freebairn, and Leon Griffin, electricians.
Also volunteering their time with the scouts are
John Kurgan, upholsterer foreman; Bob Mandujano,
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
TOP: Learning to scrounge, scouts examine an old sweeper as they
look for salvageable parts that may be used in the miniature articulated
bus they will build. ABOVE LEFT: "This looks about right," aspiring
and William Stallworth, upholsterers; William Lewis,
paint shop foreman; James Haynie, Kenneth Pott,
DeLord Hatcher, and John Seay, painters.
The special scouting program is sponsored by the
Chicago Area Council Exploring Division, Boy Scouts
of America, working in cooperation with the Chicago
Board of Education. Explorer Executive Robert
young carpenters are assured by CTA mentor Bob Brown. ABOVE
RIGHT: Step by step, scouts put miniature bus together. CTA's
Marty Muraski (right), a tinner, watches as this trio cuts out frame.
Battle m said students were recruited for the program
through a career survey conducted throughout the
city's high schools. The students were then invited
by CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes to become mem-
bers of the Career Exploring program based on their
career preferences.
MARCH, 1981
Chairman's report
We're proud
of safest year
accomplishment
If there has ever been a doubt that CTA operating
personnel are among the finest in the nation, it was
surely laid to rest by the report that 1980 was found
to be the safest year in CTA history.
Certainly we are not surprised by this report since
we know that our drivers and trainmen constantly
strive for perfection in the performance of their jobs.
They also have been trained by some of the most ca-
pable instructors in the transit industry — people who
have come from the ranks, are experienced, and
highly motivated. This puts Chicago in the forefront
nationally in its safety profile.
Although traffic and other conditions of travel are
more challenging today than ever before, we have
persevered to improve upon the tremendous record of
low accident operation accomplished in 1976, our pre-
vious safest year.
This year, we have totaled in excess of 133 million
miles of bus and rail operation with an accident fre-
quency rate of only 5.7 per 100,000 miles, a decrease
of 12 per cent from four years ago.
This is even more gratifying when one considers
that we netted a savings of $2 million in claims alone.
The amount of money saved in potential workman's
compensation is incalculable as are the savings netted
in the cost of repair and replacement of CTA vehicles
and other property.
We have long recognized that safety is a primary
COTicem of the riding public, and we want to make
every effort to provide the public with continued as-
surance that their welfare is our foremost concern.
The attention devoted to safety by all of our people in
the Transportation and Safety departments has been
outstanding.
We are very proud of our 1980 record. It is proof
positive that CTA employees are united as a team,
concerned and dedicated to safety, and that we are
continuing to pull together.
CTA Board approves
$15 monthly passes for
elderly and handicapped
The CTA Board recently approved a $15 discounted
monthly pass for the elderly and handicapped riders
to go on sale for the month of March.
"We are pleased to offer our elderly and handi-
capped riders a monthly pass for the first time that is
good for unlimited riding," said Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes.
The passes for the month of March were sold only
at CTA bus garages and rapid transit terminal offices
from Feb. 24 through Mar. 7, between 8 a.m. and
6 p.m., and at the CTA's Cashier's office on the
seventh floor (Room 7-160) of the Merchandise Mart
Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The passes will be sold at other locations in future
months as arrangements are finalized.
The elderly and handicapped will be reqmred to
show the "Special Users" senior citizen and handi-
capped identification card when purchasing the month-
ly pass and each time the pass is used for riding a bus
or rapid transit train.
The CTA elderly and handicapped pass, as well as
the $35 monthly pass, is good on any CTA bus or
rapid transit train and on RTA suburban buses be-
ginning March 1.
Carrying
the mail
The Mobile Post Office Society
is preparing monographs of all
cities that had streetcar railway
post offices, of which Chicago is
one.
If any of the oldtimers remem-
ber schedules, dates of operation,
contractors, routes, equipment
and substations used by the old
streetcars which carried mail,
please contact Ray Fleming, a
member of the society, by letter.
Address your letter to Ray
Fleming, CTA, Merchandise Mart
Plaza, P. O. Box 3555, Room 7-158,
Chicago, IL 60654. Mr. Fleming
will send acknowledgements.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Suggestions
Norman Millies, signal main-
tainer at West Shops who received
$2,125 last year from the Em-
ployee Suggestion Plan for devis-
ing a method of rebuilding cab
signal receiver coils for rapid
transit cars, has earned an ad-
ditional $1,000 from the Plan be-
cause of intangible companywide
benefits still being derived from
his suggestion. Damaged or
burned out coil vinits previously
were discarded because it was
thought they could not be recon-
ditioned for reuse.
Besides the cash awards, Mil-
lies has received a plaque from
the National Association of Sug-
gestion Systems in nationwide
recognition of his achievement.
Millies, who will retire later this
year, has been a CTA employee
since 1941.
Charles Small, electrical work-
er at South Shops, has received a cash prize of $250
for making a shift solenoid tester and general function
tester to check shifting circuits on 1000, 7400, and 9000
series buses. Anthony Citro, car repairer. Forest
Park, earned $100 for developing a jack to install
blower motors and shxmts into rapid transit cars.
A cash award of $75 was given to Terry Bemero,
electrical worker, Skokie Shop, for suggesting that
CTA make its own wiring harnesses for 2400 series
rapid transit cars rather than buy them. John Vidas,
mechanic. South Shops, received $50 for devisuig a
new procedure for installing control arm bushings into
CTA autos, and an equal amount was earned by John
Cannella, day foreman. Congress, for developing a
frame to allow one man to install blower fan units
safely into rapid transit cars.
Over the past several months, the Suggestion Plan
has distributed Honorable Mention cash awards of $10
each to Richard Pytlewicz, system safety monitor.
Safety; Lonester Cowens, rail service supervisor.
Rail District South; Joan Lomax, central files co-
ordinator, Forms/Records Management; and Amy
Horn, travel information representative. Consumer
Services.
Other $10 winners included Joe Howard, conductor,
South Section; drivers Rudy Boffro (Forest Glen) and
Phyllis McCoy (Lawndale); Daniel Hart and Michael
Keele, electrical workers at Skokie and South Shops,
respectively; Harold Haarz, bus repairer. Forest
Glen, and Lawrence Jareckas, machinist. South Shops.
Dianne Weier, varilypist. Forms Design, received
A plaque from the National Association of Suggestion Systems was presented to Norman Millies
(second from left), signal maintainer, West Shops, by Bill Piatt, director. Job Classification, Human
Resources, at ceremony attended by Tom Wolgemuth (left), manager. Maintenance, and Ted
Szewc, supervisor. Signal, Radio & Telephone Maintenance.
Charles Small (left), electrical worker. South Shops, accepts a check
for $250 from Frank Venezia, superintendent. Bus Shops, for his
award-winning suggestion involving the development of a circuit tester
for buses.
$70 in cash for two Honorable Mentions in addition to
one she was awarded earlier in 1980, while both Ken-
neth Pott, painter at South Shops, and Russ Wamstedt,
retired, each earned $45 for their first two Honorable
Mentions of the year. William Wilson, night foreman.
North Avenue, received a $20 safety award and an ad-
ditional $35 for a second Honorable Mention.
MARCH, 1981
I
Phillip Davila (North Park garage)
received a "salute" from Mrs.
Victor Hirsch, of North Sheridan
Road, who said it was "a pleasure
to ride with him" on his #136
Sheridan/LaSalle Express bus.
"He Is a credit to the CTA. He
Is a sensitive, polite, courteous
man. Never offers any comment
that wouldn't be suited to a
gentleman. He Is prompt, and
you could set your clock by his
pickup. He brings his bus to
the curb, and waits when he sees
some elderly person coming to
the bus. He always says, 'Be
careful' and 'Have a good day.' "
John Schoeps (North Section)
was the conductor of a Ravens-
wood train that Marie Franclscus,
of Cornelia Avenue, took down-
town from a crowded station at
Southport. "On the train was
a most pleasant, courteous and
patient conductor. With the
cold weather and grumpy riders,
he had every reason to be the
same. But he waited for the few
stragglers running up the stairs
and didn't dose the doors In
their faces, and was most pleas-
ant to everyone. More ex-
periences like this would make It
easier to accept the 80-cent
fare. He Is to be congratulated."
commendation corner
Eldred Hall (North Park garage) was called "one of the
kindest, most compassionate, alert, and hard-working bus
operators in CTA service" by Louise (Goodrich, of South
Oakley Avenue, who was a rider on his #49 Western bus.
"He is exceptionally courteous and goes out of his way in
the performance of his duties. One evening he assisted a
blind passenger who had boarded the wrong bus. He curbed
his bus and placed her in the right position to catch the bus
she needed. This driver is truly an asset to your company.
As a daily rider, it makes me feel good to know there is still
concern for the rider."
Samuel Lambert (77th Street garage) is the driver of a
#28 Stony Island bus that Janis Jarvon, of Emerald Avenue,
rides on Sundays. "He is always cheerful, and Ukes to
brighten up passengers if they look like they're down. One
day he really had to have patience due to the fact that the
bus had gotten crowded, and there were two blind people
who got on by mistake. When the driver got to 63rd Street,
he put the blind people on a Drexel/Hyde Park bus, which I
thought was very courteous of him. I am very glad to see
the CTA pitch in and help."
Henderson Williams (Forest Glen garage) was praised by
Roman Kopec, of North Hermitage Avenue, for the way he
handled riders on his #81 Lawrence bus. "He assisted an
elderiy, handicapped lady aboard, and then very courteously
requested a youngster to vacate the seat reserved for the
elderly so she could sit down. He saw a teenager smoking
in the rear of the bus and courteously asked him to put it
out, which resulted in immediate compliance. When a group
of Hispanic matrons boarding with pre-school children
momentarily blocked exiting riders, he again controlled the
situation, and no one lost their composure."
Charles Roberts (North Park garage) caught the attention
of Robert Limoges, of Wheeling, for his "exemplary conduct"
while driving a #11 Lincoln bus. "He unfailingly shows a
sincere concern for the safety, well-being, and convenience
of his passengers. He will wait for those who are running for
the bus from a side street, yet he manges to stay close to
schedule. He also acts courteously toward other drivers on
the street. His treatment of passengers is friendly and cour-
teous, and is consistent regardless of the sex, age, or race of
the person involved. He is an outstanding driver."
Jean Cage (Limits garage) is "extraordinary" in the eyes
of NataUe Styer, of Deerfield, who was a rider on her #36
Broadway bus. "She is competent and dedicated to her
job - - seeing that people who needed help were assisted,
keeping her eyes open to every situation, etc. Thanks to her,
my sister and I avoided a potential pickpocket whom she had
her eyes on in the rearview mirror. She had us change our
seats, although at the time we didn't know why, and we are
very grateful. In these days when so many don't seem to
care, she was like a breath of fresh air, restoring our faith
in human nature."
DeWitt Coleman (Archer garage) was commended for
"his fine performance and professional attitude" by Mildred
Oberszkalski. of Bridgeview, a regular morning rider on his
#99 Stevenson Express bus. "He is not only a fine pro-
fessional in what he does, but seems to be sincerely con-
cerned with his passengers' safety and comfort. He is very
dependable, and we can always count on arriving at our
destinations on time. But most important of all, he never
fails to be pleasant and offer a smUe, which is especially nice
first thing in the morning, considering it may be your only
pleasant experience of the day."
Willie James (North Park garage) was the subject of a
letter from Mrs. M. J. Kelsey, of Granville Avenue, who was
a rider on his #151 Sheridan bus. "Seldom do 1 write a
letter of commendation or otherwise, but I must tell you
what a pleasure it was to ride his bus. He was unfailingly
polite to everybody, old or young, black or white. He
answered all questions for information in an understandable
manner and patiently, no matter how involved the questions.
He called out the stops clearly, and he knew them all. I hope
to have other pleasant rides with #5399."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently
were:
Shahid Abdullah, 77th Street;
Maria Ace vedo. North Section; and
Porfirio Andino, Forest Glen.
Eddie Baines, Lawndale; Pedro
Balderas and Aubrey Brown, both
of North Park; Richard Bender and
Michael Bowman, both of Forest
Glen; and Edward Bibbs, North
Avenue.
John Cameron, Ashland Termi-
nal; Sergio Candelaria, Limits;
Nathan Clark, North Avenue; and
Valerie Coleman, 52nd Street.
Raymond Dreier, North Avenue;
Marcelo Droira, Forest Glen; and
Thomas Dunn, Archer,
William Echols, 77th Street.
Hubert Fincher and Willard
Frieb, both of North Park; and
Karl Fleming, 77th Street.
Ernest Garland, Ashland Term-
inal; Leonard Gibbs EI and Juan
Graciani, both of North Park;
George Grafer, Forest Glen; Keith
Griffin, 69th Street; and Terrence
Griffin, Archer.
Georgia Harris and Joe Hodge,
both of North Park; and John Har-
vey and Joseph Henderson, both of
52nd Street.
Frank James and Edgar Jeffrey,
both of Forest Glen; Boyd John-
son, North Avenue; Ducloux John-
son, 52nd Street; Sandra Johnson,
69th Street; and Michael Jordan,
North Park.
Karie Kareem and Charles Kin-
nard, both of North Park; Assunta
Kaya, Forest Glen; and John
Kirsch, Howard/Kimball.
Clifford Last, Ricardo Leiva,
and Teresa Lopez, all of Forest
Glen; and Sammy Lee Jr., Howard/
Kimball.
Dora Martin and Manharlal
Mody, both of Forest Glen; Al-
fredo Mascorro, North Avenue;
Ellis May, Archer; William Mc-
Cotiy Jr., 69th Street; Minnie Mc-
Gee, Lawndale; and Roland Micha-
lak, West Section.
Carlos Ortiz, Howard/Kimball.
John Paczkowski, Archer; and
Harold Pierce Sr.,Aida Pleas, and
Gordon Purtell, all of Forest Glen.
Annie Rice, Limits; Andrew
Robinson, Howard/Kimball; and
Toval Rolston, Forest Park.
Clara Sala, West Section; Thom-
as Shera, Central Assignment Of-
fice; James Simpson, North Park;
Jackie Smith and Robert Surita,
both of 77th Street; Robert Smith,
Forest Glen; Ruth Smith, North
Avenue; and William Spencer,
Archer.
Owen Teriy, North Park; and
Johnny Trice, Limits.
Arturo Valdez, North Park.
Jimmie Walker, Elbert Wat-
kins, and James White, all of
North Avenue; Willie Wilkes,
North Park; and Ethel Wilson,
Archer.
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest
Glen; and Carrieatta Young, 52nd
Street.
Joseph Zukerman, North Park.
promotions
W. Edw. Nash, assistant su-
perintendent. Service, South Sec-
tion, since 1976, has been named
superintendent. Agent Supervisors,
Near North. Nash, who joined CTA
as an extra trainman in 1949,
served as switchman and tower-
man before being selected super-
visor. West District, in 1959. He
became a traffic supervisor in
1960, district supervisor in 1969,
and district superintendent in 1972.
Nash and his wife, Blanche, have
two sons and two daughters, and
live in Park Manor on the South
Side.
William Moore, former man-
agement professional intern in
both the Service and Personnel
sections of the Transportation De-
partment, has been appointed as-
sistant superintendent. Near South.
New as station clerks in Trans-
portation are Brendan Gregg, for-
mer travel information repre-
sentative. Consumer Services, and
Reuben Thomas, former driver,
Lawndale.
In other job reassignments,
Michael Brogan, former general
ledger systems coordinator, Fi-
nancial Services, has become
senior budget analyst. Budget, and
James Fiorito, former accounting
specialist, Financial Services,
has been named project controller.
Grant Programming. Richard
Sandberg, former program de-
velopment analyst. Grant Pro-
gramming, is now capital pro-
gram coordinator. Engineering.
William Barber and Albert
Samaska Jr., both machinists,
have been reassigned from South
Shops to Plant Maintenance. Jesus
Nunez, former car servicer, Wil-
son, has been selected assembler
helper, Skokie Shop. Mattie Per-
kins, former car servicer, Des-
plaines, has become switchboard
operator. Consumer Services/
Customer Relations.
Marsha Robinson, former
clerk/stenographer. Insurance &
Pensions, is now stenographer.
Operations Planning. Amarilis
Figueroa, formerly unassigned.
Human Resources, has been chosen
typist, Insurance & Pensions.
MARCH, 1981
Reason to celebrate
10 ceieoraie
1980 was the safest year in CTA history
's have a maior in- i 7""^ ~~~~ rr
Instructors have a major in-
fluence on the way bus operators
and trainmen operate their equip-
ment, so it should be no surprise
that when 1980 was found to be the
safest year in CTA history, the
Instruction Area of the Trans-
portation Department saw reason
to celebrate.
Bob Desvignes, area superin-
tendent. Instruction, made sure all
85 instructors were invited to a
coffee and rolls get-together at
the Instruction "school" at Limits
garage so he, James Blaa, man-
ager. Transportation, and others
could express their personal
thanks for a job truly well done.
The final figures show that
there were 14 per cent or 1,280
fewer traffic and passenger ac-
cidents in 1980 than in CTA's
previously safest year — 1976. In
all, there were 7,551 accidents
per 133,843,000 miles of bus and
rail operation in 1980, for an ac-
cident frequency rate of only 5.7
per 100,000 miles — down 12 per
cent from 1976.
It was in 1980 that Bus Instruc-
tion instituted a task force with
the goal of concentrating on par-
ticularly hazardous streets to ob-
serve and instruct operators on
how to avoid accidents. Instructors
also strove to ride as observers
with every operator or trainman
at least twice and preferably four
times during the year.
"The emphasis on observation
and the task force concept ap-
parently paid off," Desvignes said
in reflecting upon the year's suc-
cess. 'We're also seeing a better
attitude among operators and a
lower turnover of both operators
and instructors, which means we're
getting more experienced people
out on the streets."
Charles Hodges, one of the 57
bus instructors imder the super-
vision of Paul Kadowaki, super-
intendent, noted, "One of the things
we worked on most this past year
was attitude. Once you have the
proper attitude, your performance
On hand for the "Safest Year" celebration at the Training Center were (standing, left to right):
Lonnie Hill, superintendent, Training Center; Bob Desvignes, area superintendent. Instruction;
bus instructors Thomas Artison and IVIaurice O'Donnell Sr.; James Blaa, manager. Transportation;
Paul Kadowaki, superintendent. Bus Instruction; and bus instructors Joe Lasinski, Dan Noncek,
and John Hoff Jr.
Almost all bus, rail, and agent instructors were at the Training Center for the pep talk, coffee, and
rolls provided by the Instruction Area in appreciation for their role in making 1980 CTA's safest
year ever. Joining them at right, front row, is Claude Stevens, principal safety analyst. Trans-
portation Safety.
will be better, and you'll even feel
better. When you're fighting
everybody — on the street or in the
bus — you're much more tired at
the end of the day."
Joe Lasinski, instructor. South,
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
safety awards
Public safety awards for the
fourth quarter of 1980 were won
by Lawndale garage and Congress
terminal. Lawndale took first
place with a traffic accident fre-
quency rate that was 6 per cent
lower than the system-wide aver-
age, and a passenger accident
rate 35 percent lower. Both rates
are based on 100,000 miles of
operation.
Among rail terminals. Con-
gress earned its second award of
1980 with a combined traffic and
passenger accident frequency rate
that was 53 per cent less than the
system-wide average. The fourth
quarter award was also the 21st
such win by Congress in the 20
years since inception of the Pub-
lic Safety awards program.
Ray Colello (left), superintendent, Lawndale, prepares to accept fourth quarter Public Safety
award from Tom Boyle, manager. Safety, at ceremony attended by Harry Reddrick (second from
left), director. Transportation Personnel, and Clark Carter, assistant superintendent, Lawndale.
During Public Safety award ceremonies at
Congress terminal, motorman Edward Mulvi-
hill (left), and conductor Rosie Lofton re-
ceived outstanding employee certificates from
James Blaa (second from left), manager.
Transportation, and congratulations from
Mike Veltri, superintendent, Congress/Douglas.
added, "Courtesy controls the at-
mosphere on your bus. And any
operator who is courteous to his
passengers will be a safe driver
as well."
Wilson Hart Jr., one of a team
of 25 rail instructors reporting
to Bob Janz, superintendent, said,
"We're out now in greater num-
bers making observations. We
can tell where a motorman may
need extra instruction by the feel
of the train as much as by visual
observation. We'll let a motor-
man or conductor know what's
wrong when we reach the end of the
run so they can correct their mis-
takes right away."
Henry Hooks, rail instructor.
North, pointed out, "We used to
say, 'Don't do it,' when we were
trying to instruct an operator.
Now we go into detail and explain
why something should or shotold not
be done. Also, most operators look
to instructors now as friends.
They know we're there to help
them."
Arthur Bennett, key instructor
at the Training Center, stunmed
up the philosophy behind instruc-
tion technique when he said,
"You've got to have the proper
attitude toward other people and
your job. Without that, you can't
get anywhere. I tiy to make sure
our instructors stress attitude and
courtesy as a top priority for all
operators."
MARCH, 1981
Painting is
first love for
talented driver
There is nothing more splendid than
an accomphshed work of art, nor any-
thing more satisfying to an artisan than
to be lost in his work.
Randolph George Robinson's home
on south Harvard Avenue is a gallery
of beauty, which represents hours of
solitude spent in Robinson's basement
studio where he paints images of life
onto canvas.
Although he never finished high
school, Robinson is a multifaceted
talent. He is an accomphshed photog-
rapher, a musician, a poet, and has
tried Itis hand at short story writing.
He is also a skOled carpenter as evi-
denced by much of the remodeUng in
his home, including his studio. How-
ever, Robinson's first love is painting.
He picked up his first paint brush
38 years ago, eight years before he be-
gan driving a CTA bus. "I was intro-
duced to painting by Allen C. Smith,
another painter who also drives a bus,"
said Robinson.
"I met Smitty when we were both
assigned to the 477th Bomber Group
at Godman Field, Kentucky, where
we served under Colonel B. O. Davis
Jr. (now a retired Air Force General),"
said Robinson.
"He was such a good artist that the
unit picked him to paint designs on
our aircraft. After we got to be friends,
he encouraged me to take up painting,"
said Robinson.
In 1947, a year after leaving the
Army Air Corps, Robinson studied sign
painting at Superior Sign School, a
Chicago institution that closed long
ago. "It was one of the best schools
in the business," Robinson recalled.
Four years later, he joined the
CTA, but continued to paint in his
spare time. Later on, his creative
genius led to experiments in oil paint-
ing.
Most notable among his works of
reaUst themes, which may be seen
decorating the walls throughout his
home, is a painting of the late Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. looking
over into "the promised land" from a
mountain top. In another, the civil
rights leader is depicted as the drum
major leading the parade of life. "Dr.
King always talked about being the
drum major. I have simply tried to
show him in that role in this work,"
said the bus driver artist.
His paintings also include a life
style portrait of himself and his six
children together as a musical aggrega-
tion. Robinson plays the clarinet,
piano and guitar, and his children are
also amateur musicians. "When my
Alone in his studio, Randolph George Robinson (inset) brings his images to life on canvas.
children were quite young, I bought
them musical instruments as a means
of keeping them busy. It cost me a
lot of money, but it saved me a lot of
money as well," said Robinson.
His seemingly tireless energy keeps
him busy creating. During a layover,
he spends his time writing poetry. At
other times, he's thinking about a work
of art and deciding how to put it on
canvas.
"I am never bored witli what I do.
I enjoy painting, and I do it strictly for
my own enjoyment. I never sell my
work," he said.
A widower, the 58-year-old Robin-
son shares his comfortable bungalow
with his children and his mother-in-
law. He is assigned to the 77th Street
garage, only minutes from his home.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Robinson's painting of the
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr., (opposite page) depicts the
slain civil rights leader as a
drum major leading the parade
for social justice. • Dr. King's
oft quoted 1968 speech is also
demonstrated (left) as he looks
from the mountain top. •
(Clockwise, from right) "The
Clarinet Player," a glass etching,
represents the artist himself.
He plays the clarinet, guitar
and piano. • The full length
painting of the late Mrs. Jean
Robinson, wife of the bus
driver artist, has a prominent
place among his works in the
family room. • One of his few
abstracts, Robinson calls this
conversation piece "Oblivion."
• Robinson's conception of
travel between life and death
to the world beyond.
MARCH, 1981
ABOVE: Contractor's crane whittles down
bay of 70-year-old Kedzie garage. Contractor
said he had buyers all over the country for
old garage's bricks known to builders as
"Old Chicago bricks" and used for decorative
purposes. LEFT: All bus movement within
the garage will be by left hand turns as shown
in this interior view of the building.
Kedzie is first in
Bid opening has been scheduled
for late April on the multi-million
dollar Kedzie garage facility at
South Kedzie between Jackson
boulevard and West Van Buren
street.
The new structure, slated for
completion in 1984, will replace
the old Kedzie carhouse which was
erected on the same site in 1910,
and demolished in July 1980 due to
its obsolete facilities and struc-
tural deterioration.
The new garage will be a more
comfortable facility with modem
equipment for employees which is
expected to increase efficiency for
both the Transportation and Main-
tenance departments.
All maintenance, parking, and
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
A view of the proposed Kedzie garage looking west from Kedzie avenue.
All buses will enter and exit the garage from Kedzie avenue.
second generation garages
ABOVE: Model of new Kedzie garage as seen from Jackson
boulevard. All buses will be parked inside of garage to help
prolong vehicle life, save energy, and provide ease of maintenance.
Building will have staff offices and employee facilities.
other service functions of vehicles
will be contained within the new
garage, thereby reducing noise and
exhaust pollution levels in the im-
mediate residential area. In ad-
dition, all movement within the
garage will be accomplished by left
turns which CTA engineers said
will insure maximum safety.
F. H. Petzold, CTA project
manager for the new garage, said
that indoor parking will eliminate
the need for idling of engines dur-
ing winter months, thus netting a
substantial saving of fuel consump-
tion, as well as the elimination of
noise. The garage is designed to
accommodate 250 vehicles, and
650 personnel. The garage design
was managed by George Millonas,
manager. Engineering, and Chris
Kalogeras, director, plant main-
tenance.
Another environmental benefit
of the new garage will stem from
the electrical and mechanical
heating and ventilation system
designed to save energy. Petz-
old said exhaust air will be
channeled to a system which
will extract heat from exhaust air
and then use it to preheat outside
air brought into the building. Such
a recovery system will mean a
saving of energy, Petzold said.
The new garage will include an
80,000-gallon imderground diesel
fuel storage facility. The build-
ing's drainage system will also be
separated into sanitary, roof
drainage, and shop floor drainage
systems. The latter will be
treated to meet established stand-
ards for discharge to the city
sewer system.
The garage will include offices
for the superintendent and assist-
ant superintendent, the area su-
perintendent, a report room, gen-
eral clerk's area, a small class-
room, district office, instructor's
office, medical examining/all-
purpose room, and a space for the
credit union.
A safety feature in the new
garage will be the inclusion of
several independent sprinkler
systems throughout the building as
well as a deluge system which,
when activated, would flood the
MARCH, 1981
13
The Van Buren street facade compliments the neighborhood by appear-
ing to be a series of separate buildings, rather than a block-long mono-
lithic structure.
entire bus service area. Petz-
old said the Kedzie garage ex-
ceeds the requirements set by the
Chicago Fire Prevention Bureau,
and the City of Chicago.
Harold H. Geissenheimer, Gen-
eral Operations Manager, said,
"We have worked very hard with
our consultants to develop a garage
that is operationally efficient,
provides improved facilities for
our employees, and is a signifi-
cant addition to the neighborhood."
Geissenheimer said that be-
cause buses at Kedzie will be
parked in an enclosed facility they
will be warmer, and will lose
minimum time leaving the garage
during the winter months, thus
bringing improved seini.ce to more
than 200,000 west and south side
riders daily.
Construction of the new Kedzie
garage was given priority in rec-
ommendations from DeLeuw
Gather and company, consulting
engineers and planners, in their
bus garage standardization and re-
habilitation study done for the CTA.
The facility was designed by
Lester B. Kiiight and Associates,
Inc. The new building is being
funded by the Illinois Department
of Transportation, and the Urban
Mass Transportaticm Administra-
tion.
Patricia Neeka, 16, daughter of Stanley
Neeka, superintendent of architectural draft-
ing in the Plant Engineering Department,
helped serenade President Reagan at the White
House April 2 as a member of the Boling-
brook High School Marching Band.
The band was one of 50 which visited the
White House in Washington before partici-
pating in the capital's annual Cherry Blossom
Festival. Miss Neeka, a flutist in the 145-
member band, helped raise about $30,000
to cover the band's travel and accommodation
expenses.
Laurie Rowbottom, 18, a senior at Rolling
Meadows High School, and daughter of
Harold Rowbottom, special projects repre-
sentative. Street Traffic section. Operations
Planning department, was winner of the
National Honor Society's Leadership award.
School officials making the announcement
last month said the award was presented to
Miss Rowbottom for the second quarter In
recognition of her outstanding work as
editor of the student newspaper. The Pacer.
The honoree's name was engraved on a
special plaque which is on display in the
school library. She will also receive a small
trophy at the General Award's Night program
set for May 7.
Miss Rowbottom is an Illinois State scholar,
and plans to pursue studies In journalism.
1
1
s
1
p
n
m
1
r
. :•'--
1
Mario Tricoci, travel information repre-
sentative. Is proud of his bachelor son, Mario
J., who helped deliver a baby on Valentine's
day in Forest Park.
The younger Tricoci, 26, is a member of
the Forest Park fire department. He and his
partner, Don Cheval, were summoned to the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sievert on the
morning of February 14, where Mrs. Sievert
was giving birth.
Tricoci, who has received training as a
paramedic, assisted the new mother and her
newborn son, Joshua.
Joshua is the Sievert's first child and,
according to records, the first child delivered
by members of the Forest Park fire depart-
ment.
Mother and child were taken to Loyola
hospital by the Forest Park fire department,
where both were pronounced in good con-
dition.
u
CIA TRANSIT NEWS
Damaged girder replaced on North-South route
About 50 structural workers
from West Shops replaced a dam-
aged 15-ton steel girder on the
North-South 'L' route bridge at
16th and State streets on the last
two weekends in February.
The project halted through ser-
vice on the Howard-Englewood-
Jackson Park route while the
damaged girder was removed on
the first weekend and the new
girder was bolted into place on
the second weekend.
'L' riders were shuttled on
CTA buses between 35th and
Roosevelt stations during the
structural repair work.
The girder, measuring 72 feet
long and six feet high, was dam-
aged on August 11, 1980, by an
oversized oil rig being hauled on a
Soo Line railroad flatcar on the
Illinois Central Gulf railroad
tracks which pass under the CTA's
bridge.
Temporary shoring under the
bridge provided secure support
until the new girder was fabri-
cated. The new girder was hauled
by truck to the CTA's North-South
elevated route at Cermak road.
Workers there helped move the
huge steel component from the
street to CTA flatcars with the aid
of a giant crane for the three-
quarter mile trip to the bridge.
The damaged girder previously
was hauled by the flatcars to Cer-
mak and placed on a truck by the
big crane.
Directing the work of the 50
men from various West Shops
sections were James Johnson,
unit supervisor, structural maint-
enance; Patrick McCarthy, su-
pervisor, tracks and structures;
Stanley Kaderbek, civil engineer,
and William Strozewski, general
foreman, iron workers.
New girder, measuring 72-feet long and six-
feet high, was bolted into place. Through
service on North-South 'L' route was inter-
rupted on two weekends for the project.
Shuttle buses served 'L' riders between
Roosevelt and 35th street stations during
repair project. In background is a train on
Lake-Dan Ryan route which was not in-
terrupted.
Cut-out portion of damaged 15-ton girder on North-South 'L' route bridge at 16th and State
streets is lifted out of place for removal from location. Steel girder was damaged last summer by
an over sized oil rig hauled by flat car on the railroad under the CTA bridge.
MARCH, 1981
15
ZAP Awards
Vehicle Maintenance crews at
Forest Glen ended 1980 just as
they began it — by winning first
place in the quarterly Zero Ac-
cident Program (ZAP) safety con-
test among garages. Forest Glen
also took a second place ZAP
award during the second quarter of
the year. Beverly came in second
during the fourth quarter.
First place in rail terminal
competition was taken by Wilson
Shop. Second place went to 98th
Street, which managed to win a
prize during each period of 1980,
including first-place finishes in
the first and third quarters.
Other ZAP award winners in the
final quarter of 1980 were Mech-
anical Area at South Shops and Ve-
hicle Overhaul at Skokie Shop.
Looking like he's just survived a long drought, Jim Plomin (right), day foreman, accepts Wilson
Shop's first quarterly safety award in many moons from Jim Dudley, supervisor. Maintenance
Safety.
George Wylie (right), acting unit supervisor.
Vehicle Overhaul, holds plaque presented
to him by Stu Maginnis, director. Mainten-
ance Support Services, for his area's first-
place finish in the safety contest at Skokie
Shop.
Jim Forrestal (left), unit supervisor, checks
to make sure they spelled Mechanical Area
correctly on plaque he received from Jim
Pankonen, director. Vehicle Maintenance,
after his crew won fourth quarter safety
award in competition among units at South
Shops.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Sharing the spotlight with Matt Coyle (center), superintendent, Rail
Terminals, are car repairers (left to right) John Neely, Mike Cochran,
James Ogletree, and Charles Nelson, who display gift certificates.
Trying harder but enjoying a second-place
finish In the ZAP contest with undiminished
enthusiasm are (left to right) Beverly combi-
nation clerk Charles Modock Jr. and bus
repairers Jack Gavin and Gerald Dziuba.
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First place in the ZAP contest among garages
for the fourth quarter of 1980 went to
Forest Glen, where gift certificates were won
by bus repairers (left to right) Gus Sanfllippo,
Jerry Rochette, Bob Heneghan, and Andy
Fagiolo.
MARCH, 1981
17
New cafeteria offers
pleasant dining
atmosphere
"We have planned the new CTA cafeteria service
and facility in the Merchandise Mart so that all CTA
employees who work in the Mart, or who are visiting
the Mart, will be attracted to its varied menu, at-
tractive prices, and pleasant decor," said Roger D.
Wood, manager. Management Services.
The new, enlarged cafeteria is operated by the
Tri-B Vending Service company of Chicago vmder a
10-year non-subsidized contract with the CTA.
"The vendor has also provided all of the furnish-
ings, and helped finance the enlargement of the cafe-
teria site. After 10 years, the cafeteria's furnish-
ings and equipment revert to the CTA," Wood said.
Under terms of the agreement, Tri-R Vending will
not raise the prices, or lower the quantity of serv-
ings without the approval of the CTA. Tri-R Vending
was among seven vendors investigated by Management
Services.
The new cafeteria's oyster white walls with burnt
orange, brown, and gold accents in the soffets, tables,
chairs, floor tiles, and carpeting create a pleasant
atmosphere for enjoying a limch or coffee break.
"The Tri-R menu will be on a four-week cycle,"
Wood explained. "They will not repeat main entrees
more often than every four weeks so as to provide an
attractive and varied menu for the cafeteria's daily
clientele."
Also, Tri-R has assumed full responsibility for
proper preparation, handling, and service of break-
fast and limcheon meals, and for providing 24-hour
vending machine service in the cafeteria.
Daily menus include a variety of salads, sand-
wiches, fresh and frozen vegetables and main entrees.
Bread and butter will be included in the prices of
most meals.
Entrees include roast roxmd of choice beef au jus,
braised short ribs of beef jardiniere, chili con came
over elbow macaroni, broiled brisket of beef, potted
Swiss steak, yankee pot roast, hot beef sandwich with
natural gravy, porcupine meat balls, spaghetti with
meat sauce, and beef chop suey with rice, to name a
few.
Also, a variety of soups, cold desserts, pies, pud-
dings, and cookies are available.
Fun food items include deep dish pizza, egg rolls,
tamales, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quiche, when
specially featured.
Fresh fruit and a selection of dietary and health
foods are part of the daily menu.
Special promotional meals will be served near or
on holidays, and occasionally during the regular work
week, to create added menu interest.
The new cafeteria seats 230 diners in 3,900 square
feet of space. The former cafeteria accommodated
150 operators eligible to
compete in Bus Roadeo
The CTA Bus Roadeo eligibUity committee received
333 applications from operators wishing to compete in the
CTA Bus Roadeo. The committee found 150 of the appli-
cants eligible to compete in the contest. The following is
a listing by Garage of the number of applications received
and the number of apphcations approved.
Operators
Operators
Garage
That Applied
Eligible
to Compete
Beverly
15
8
77th
35
21
69th
6
4
52nd
25
6
Archer
12
10
Lawndale
16
8
North Avenue
87
33
Limits
45
23
North Park
65
21
Forest Glen
27
16
Total
333
150
During the week of March 15, the operators participated
in the first phase of the competition, a written test concern-
ing defensive driving, standard operating procedures, and
equipment troubleshooting.
134 diners. The new facility also has a reserved
dining room for catered parties and meetings, and the
Tri-R staff can provide catering service for such
gatherings. Wood said.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
BRIDGET T. BARRETT, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 1-16-60
JAMES BROZ, Carpenter Foreman,
West Shops, Emp. 3-27-58
JOSEPH J. BULIK, Inspector,
Blue Island, Emp. 11-1-72
JOHN A. CANNELLA, Foreman,
Desplaines, Emp. 5-20-+6
JOHN J. CICHORSKI, Chauffeur,
Utility, Emp. 10-2340
RICHARD W. GAVRYS, Signal Maint.,
West Shops, Emp. 2-2-50
CLIFFORD L. HOWARD, Janitor,
Maintenance. Emp. 9-2447
JOSHUA JAMES, Mechanic.
South Shops, Emp. 12-2248
JOHN C. KOHLER, Chauffeur,
Utility. Emp. 2-28-50
JOHN J. MC DERMOTT, Machinist,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 2-28-5 1
EDWARD F. MENZEL, Lineman,
West Shops, Emp. 10-1647
PATRICK QUINLIVAN. Bus Repairer,
Beverly, Emp. 10-1047
GENEVIEVE S. RUSIN. Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 9-2244
ALOIS F. RYKACZEWSKl, Ticket Agent,
West Section. Emp. 8-3-53
DISABILTTY RETIREMENTS
WILLIAM A. ATHANS, CoUector,
Howard/KimbaU, Emp. 1 1-10-67
EDWARD H. DILLINGHAM III, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 5-18-70
GEORGE E. HENKE, Rail Clerk,
Howard/Kimball, Emp. 10-28-63
WILLIAM F. MINCEY, Box Puller,
North Park, Emp. 8-21-51
LE ROY O. NELSON, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 4-22-54
ELSIE V. OLSON, Ticket Agent,
North Section. Emp. 3-29-67
Service
anniversaries
in i\/larch
40 years
Alexander Fritzler
North Park
John E. Cannon
Accounting
Robert S. Shea
North Avenue
William J. Rappold
Control Center
35 years
Leroy E. Conklin, North Park
John S. Fietko, Archer
Fred H. Frieb, West Section
Joseph L. Grojean, Bus Service
Alex C. Johnson, Transportation
Frank Katkus, Forest Glen
John F. Leahy, Control Center
William K. Mobley, Administration
Victor J. Priolo, Limits
Malcolm Simpson, Maintenance
Walter IVI. Zawacki, Maintenance
Thaddeus Zdeb, Forest Glen
Francis E. Zeiger, Beverly
30 years
John F. Bork, Forest Glen
Rufus E. Cleveland, Congress
Patrick J. Clifford, Grant Property
Herbert D. Dillard, Ashland/95th
Edward T. Dural, Maintenance
Carl R. Hickman, Training Center
Olson Jackson, North Avenue
John J. Milan, Douglas
Benjamin Perkins, 77th Street
David Smith, Stores South
Jerome T. Walker, Ashland/95th
25 years
George W. Frailey, Maintenance
Alfred Berry, Maintenance
Willie L. Burch, District C
John D. Davis, Print Shop
Elwood Flowers, Ashland/95th
Earl H. Haskell, 98th Shop
Perry W. Liddell, Maintenance
Pedro R. Ramos, Maintenance
Luis Velez, Maintenance
iint 3VCEis/i:oR>i.A.i^/a:
DAVID BENSON, 38, South Section,
Emp. 4-23-64. Died 1-17-81
JOSEPH B. BRADTKE. 83, Howard,
Emp. 24-27, Died 1-7-81
LESTER K. BREITWEISER, 84, Transportation,
Emp. 12-16-24, Died 1-9-81
WALTER CICIURA, 61 . North Park,
Emp. 1-13-71. Died 1-21-81
HERBERT COBB, 5 1 , Beverly,
Emp. 10-26-53. Died 2-1-81
BRUNO B. CZANSTKOWSKI, 72, Electrical,
Emp. 11-9-31, Died 1-24-81
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Number 3
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Produced by the Administrative Services Unit,
Charles T. Zanin, Director.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, S2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
JOHN S. DANEK, 71, South Section.
Emp. 9-645. Died 1-10-81
RAYMOND J. DROPE JR.. 66. 77th Street.
Emp. 4-242. Died 1-1-81
NORA D. ELWARD. 81 , Transportation,
Emp. 10-2043, Died 12-14-80
LESTER B. FARBER, 79, Electrical,
Emp. 1-2543, Died 1-9-81
HUGH FISHER, 89, Stores,
Emp. 4-7-13, Died 1-1-81
PATRICK FITZGERALD, 79, 69th Street,
Emp. 2-1 1-27, Died 1-29-81
JOHN P. GILLESPIE, 87, Schedule,
Emp. 12-9-19, Died 1-31-81
FRANK GUTTl LLA, 8 1 , BuUding,
Emp. 4-2043, Died 1-27-81
STEVEN W. HANDY, 70, Transportation,
Emp. 8-2245, Died 1-7-81
ALVIN J. HOOKER, 83, Shops & Equipment,
Emp. 12-31-24, Died 1-14-81
ANDREW F HUEMMER, 7 1 , Archer,
Emp. 9-342, Died 1-23-81
BYRON E. ISEMINGER, 73, Beverly,
Emp. 10-19-33, Died 1-18-81
KENNETH W. JOHNSON, 74, Forest Glen,
Emp. 5-2947. Died 1-24-81
SVEN A. JOHNSON, 79, North Avenue,
Emp. 6-1243, Died 1-13-81
PERICLES JONES, 91 , North Section
Emp. 2-2845, Died 5-1 1-80
CHARLES T. KEHOE. 82, South Section,
Emp. 9-24-26, Died 1-10-81
ROOSEVELT KELLY, 63, Maintenance,
Emp. 10-15-51, Died 1-25-81
STANLEY R.LUKASZEWSKl, 68, Maintenance,
Emp. 4-2842. Died 1-24-81
CHARLES A. MATTHES, 78, Archer,
Emp. 12-3-24, Died 1-25-81
JOHN J. MC CARTHY, 74, Transportation,
Emp. 2-26-34, Died 1-23-81
THOMAS J. MC GRANE, 72, South Section,
Emp. 11-10-36. Died 12-30-80
CHARLES PORTER. 57. Maintenance,
Emp. 4-24-74, Died 1-22-81
ANGELO P. PRASSOS, 87, Archer,
Emp. 8-5-23, Died 1-19-81
THOMAS E. PURTELL, 82, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-9-22, Died 1-19-81
JOSEPH M. SCHALER, 8 1 , North Section,
Emp. 9-16-22. Died 12-31-80
MICHAEL SCHURKO. 79, Archer,
Emp. 3-20-28, Died 11-10-80
CLARENCE W. SINES, 70, Transportation.
Emp. 11-3044. Died 11-16-80
ALBIN B. SKONIECZNY, 7 1 , North Avenue,
Emp. 9-342. Died 1-26-81
THOMAS L. SORRISSO. 76, Track,
Emp. 7-1 742, Died 1-8-81
ANDREW R. STOLTMAN, 74, Transportation,
Emp. 10-5-36, Died 1-12-81
AGNES E. SULLIVAN, 79, Transportation,
Emp. 4-2343, Died 1-21-81
MICHAEL SULLIVAN. 85, Transportation,
Emp. 3-15-26. Died 1-8-81
ADAM H. WAAS, 7 1 , West Section,
Emp. 9-2340, Died 1-3-81
HERBERT L. WILSON, 77, North Park,
Emp. 2-6-30, Died 1-26-81
MARCH, 1981
19
Transit News mailing enters computer age
Beginning with this issue. Transit News is con-
verting to a computerized addressing system for
magazines mailed to employees. If you do not re-
ceive your Transit News in the mail, you must make
sure that CTA has your correct home mailing address.
If the address listed on your recently mailed W-2
Income Tax form is not your correct home address,
please fill out CTA Form 8431, Employee Change of
Address, to insure that the company has your correct
address and that you will receive all important mail,
including the Transit News.
CTA Form 8431, Employee Change of Address, can
be obtained from your superintendent or department
head, and it must be submitted every time you change
your address as soon as you know that you are going
to move. This will insure that the change is made by
the time you move into your new residence.
This new addressing system is a cooperative effort
of the Administrative Services Unit, the CTA Data
Center, and Public Affairs, and it will insure that
Transit News is mailed with the most up-to-date and
complete address list possible.
In the near future, we will also begin computer
addressing of Transit News for retirees, but the list
of paid subscribers will continue to be maintained
manually.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHrCAGO. ILL.
-Sn.
Security videotape ^^^ ^^
premieres for bus operators
AiOfv (^\)JLKo}'i<- VaiV^i^.^^ >'>/b«|/-i?#v),
The :^ord Granada was tailing the eastboimd bus
along 79th street as it lumbered in heavy traffic.
Obviously impatient, the motorist blew his horn in-
cessantly as he began to weave alongside the bus, oc-
casionally pulling out to peek around its comer, hop-
ing for a chance to zip past it soon.
The Ford, a toy-sized vehicle in comparison to the
bus, was traveling so close that it looked like it might
smash into the bus at any moment.
As the operator of the bus pulled to the curb at
Union street to discharge passengers, the car swerved
in front of the larger vehicle, blocking its path. The
motorist, now in a rage, hauled his 200-plus pounds
out of the car hurling insults. Brandishing a big,
heavy flashlight, he rushed around to the operator's
side of the bus and viciously smashed the window.
As the operator ducked to protect his face from
flying glass, the angry motorist rushed to the door
where he boarded to attack the operator... .
What would you have done if you had been the bus
operator?
Pickpockets like nothing better than a crowded bus stop. Work-
ing as a team, bus instructor Clarence Junkins passes the wallet
of an unsuspecting rider, played by Erv Harris of Training/
Development programs, to Willie Herron, also a bus instructor.
Others in the scene are: Sam Johnson, bus instructor (seated);
Jim Kinahan; Daisy Valdez;Linda Martinez and Deb Cash.
Fortunately, this videotaped vignette was only a
re-enactment based on case studies of incidents which
required CTA employees to deal with such situations.
After many months of planning and evaluation, the
Transportation department, with the aid of the Train-
ing/Development programs section. Human Resources
department, has a security orientation program de-
signed especially for bus operators.
It provides them with alternative courses of action
in critical situations that run the gamut from sharing
the streets with impatient motorists to being victim-
ized by armed robbers. Six vignettes are included in
this new segment.
Thejjus operator security orientation is the second
s\je^J^ a program designed to inform employees about
(Continued Page 2)
~U:
:-/l.
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
APRIL, 1981
Margie Laboy, a member of the pickpocket team, sets up the victim,
played by Erv Harris, as she drops her change on the floor of the
bus . . .
. . . and Clarence Junkins makes a clean lift of Erv's wallet as they
board a bus at Clark and Wisconsin. Driver must decide what action to
take as crime against a passenger is committed.
the general CTA security policy.
A previous orientation designed for
ticket agents was released follow-
ing a pilot review last summer. A
pilot program is also being con-
ducted at 77th Street and North
Avenue garages for the bus secu-
rity orientation before it is re-
leased to garages system-wide.
Although there are no right or
wrong answers to be derived from
the security orientation, bus op-
erators participating in the pilot
program have suggested responses
for each situation which are as
varied as the situations them-
selves.
Discussion concerned such
common occurrences as a rider
refusing to pay a fare after pre-
senting a transfer which was five
hours late. Should an operator
make an issue of the matter or
forget about it? An incident of
this nature is minor compared to
what happens in the next vignette
as two armed robbers board a
westbound Roosevelt road bus at
Jefferson.
The alert operator manages to
trip the silent alarm as the gun-
man watching her diverts his at-
tention momentarily to one of the
passengers. The operator's calm
coUectiveness enables her to ac-
curately recall the description of
the two offenders, as well as the
getaway vehicle waiting for them.
In another scene, the operator
of an eastboimd Grand avenue bus
is observed in his handling of a
problem with a drunk who wakes
up making threatening remarks
after realizing that he has gone
past his intended stop.
Other segments deal with pick-
pockets and the operator' s respon-
sibility for extending emergency
aid when a member of the public
needs assistance. All of these
re-enactments are tailored es-
pecially for CTA bus operators,
although the CTA security pro-
gram could be a model for other
transit properties since it is the
first of its kind in the nation, ac-
cording to CTA Chairman Eugene
M. Barnes.
The frequency of such inci-
dents as depicted in the videotape
and discussed in small group ses-
sions, as well as the growing
public concern for the safety of
riders on public transportation,
has prompted an even greater em-
phasis on transit security.
The program is being struc-
tured to comply with the mandates
of Illinois House Bill 1804, which
requires security orientation and
training for public transportation
employees. Any necessary re-
visions in the bus security ori-
entation will be made as it is
evaluated.
William Thompson, assistant
superintendent for instruction,
said that employees have responded
enthusiastically to the pilot pro-
gram at 77th Street. "We want
our people to know that they are
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Drunks can be a problem as demonstrated by William Mooney, acting
superintendent, Planning/Programs, Transportation department. The
wary passenger is Lena Phillips, Training/Development programs.
not alone when they are out on the
streets," Thompson said. He
added that the security orientation
is not designed to discuss rules
and regulations, but courses of
action open to bus operators in
real life situations.
Amalgamated Transit Union
Local 241 President John Wea—
therspoon called the bus security
orientation a "good constructive
program." Weatherspoon gave the
program his endorsement after
reviewing ito
CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes, himself a former bus op-
erator, introduces the segment for
bus operators emphasizing the
importance of the program to the
security of the employee and the
safety of CTA riders.
Lynn Drake of Training/Development pro-
grants, is the irate motorist taking his ven-
geance as he smashes the window of this east-
bound 79th street bus during filming of bus
operator security orientation videotape.
APRIL, 1981
A first class
production
Although the Training/Development
programs section of Human Resources
is not exactly in the motion picture or
television industry, CTA employees are
getting a first-class videotape from a
team that put heart into the recent
"Bus Operator Security" tape.
The tape itself hardly gives a clue
about the real work that went into the
production of this instructional tool
now being used by the Transportation
department in a pilot program.
Martha Koch, communications co-
ordinator for Training/Development,
who acted as director of the videotape
portion of the Bus Operator Security
program, said although the videotape
runs just 27 minutes with only six
scenes, the production spanned a
much longer period of time.
The need to shoot the same scene
from several different angles, un-
favorable weather conditions, sched-
uling of necessary equipment, and
retakes all contributed to the time
spent.
The cast, assembled from all areas
of the CTA, brought out their hidden
talent to become convincing actors
and actresses.
Performing as seasoned veterans,
they were frequently asked to repeat
action until the right take was ob-
tained. While it meant constantly
standing only inches away from hot
TV lights of 1000 watts, members of
the cast worked with a spirit of co-
operation and fun.
The crew borrowed an electrical
generator from Utility at West Shops
which provided the power necessary
for the television lights. Electrician
Tony Rigler, who retired in Novem-
ber, helped the crew pull the more
than 12,000 watts of electricity from
the generator which was necessary for
videotaping.
The camera was able to get a "bird's
eye view" of 79th street, thanks to
an aerial basket, called the cherry
picker, which was also borrowed from
Utility. From the air, viewers of the
program will see a tailgater, played
by Lynn Drake, of Training/Develop-
ment, close on the bumper of a bus
which is being driven by a worried
operator, Maurice Willis.
To illustrate the taUgater's vantage,
the camera was mounted on the front
bumper of a station wagon and was
anchored by a special camera support
which was designed and built by
Vehicle Maintenance.
Bus Instructors Willie Herron and
Clarence Junkins were the pickpockets
in the "Crime Against a Passenger"
segment of the tape, while bus opera-
tor Margie LaBoy acted as the passen-
ger decoy. The trio performed the
"hit" on victim Ervin Harris, a training
aids technician in Training/Develop-
ment. The scene was shot at the bus
turnaround near Clark and Wisconsin.
During the taping of the "Fare
Dispute" scene at Chicago State Uni-
versity, cameraman Michael McNamara
was strapped into an electronic device
called a "steadicam," a large mechani-
cal spring-loaded "arm" which supports
the weight of a camera, a heavy steel
box housing a television monitor and
camera controls, and a body unit of
steel and padding which securely
buckles the whole thing to the camera-
man.
Actors used in this scene are stu-
dents in television from Gordon Tech-
nical high school who were interested
in learning about video production.
The "Minimal Threat" scene with
acting superintendent WUliam Mooney
of the Transportation department, is
perhaps the one scene that would cause
the motion picture industry to give
the videotape a rating of "PG."
Mooney played the drunk who gave
the bus operator a hard time. A good
method actor, his costume was the
epitome of clothing worn by a charac-
ter of that ilk. On his way to shoot
the scene, Mooney stopped long
enough to smear mud on his clothing,
rip his shirt, and stuff an empty Uquor
bottle into his back pocket for a little
reality.
His big frame was slouched in a seat
as though he were asleep. His gruff
manner, and a few choice words for
the operator made it a most believable
scene.
The "Armed Robbery" scene was
reported to be the longest and most
complicated one in the whole program.
Moses Ashley and Rosemary Barnett
of the Transportation department, and
Ron Scott of Training/Development,
were the culprits in this night scene.
Ashley and Scott, packing handguns,
boarded at Roosevelt and Jefferson
where they "robbed" the passengers,
also played by CTA employees. Bar-
nett drove the getaway car.
In one shot, the camera was placed
in the middle of Roosevelt road to get
a wide angle shot of the bus at the stop.
Dialogue from inside the bus had to be
microphoned, and cables strung out to
the tape recorder, which was also out
in the street near the camera.
Sound man Tony Ambut, Training/
Development, performed some classic
audio feats. Ambut placed two micro-
Michael Babiarz (right), a television student at
Gordon Technical high school, argues with
bus operator Carmen Betances (above) about
a late transfer in the fare dispute scene. Others
are soundman Tony Ambut, left, and director
Martha Koch.
phones in position to pick up the voice
of tlie bus operator, Dianna Owens,
as well as the voices of all the passen-
gers.
Other feats required Ambut to hold
a microphone from the back of a mov-
ing station wagon with one hand while
holding on with the other, cUmb to
the top of the bus and tape micro-
phones to the exit doors, and crawl
under a car to catch the sound of its
motor idling.
On the last night of taping the
robbery scene, Koch said an in-service
bus passed the location of the video-
taping and passengers were sure they
were witnessing a real crime in action,
although all operators on Roosevelt
road had been forwamed.
"The passengers only had eyes for
the .38 Smith and Wesson pistols,"
said Koch.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Long hours,
enthusiastic efforts,
produce tape
"The combined efforts of many peo-
ple from several departments were the
key to our success in producing the
videotape portion of the Bus Operator
Security program," commented Robert
Bizar, superintendent, Administrative
Training/Training Services in the Train-
ing/Development programs section of
the Human Resources department.
Bizar, who acted as production co-
ordinator, added that the video produc-
tion crew and all others concerned
devoted long hours and unwavering
enthusiasm to this special project.
Others in the Training/Development
section team were supervisor. Trans-
portation Training, Bill Sholdice, who
was the project manager for the entire
program, and also co-producer of the
videotape with superintendent. Opera-
tions Training, Ron Baker; communica-
tions coordinator Martha Koch, video
crew director; procedures/training co-
ordinator Michael McNamara, camera-
man; and communications coordinator
Tony Ambut, audio technician. Elec-
trician Anton Rigler, a lineman from
the Plant Maintenance department,
was also a member of the production
crew. Rigler retired in November.
Members of the cast were: Thomas
Anderson, Methods/Standards; Moses
Ashley, rail instruction; and Robert
Aviles, North Avenue.
Rosemary Barnett, Transportation,
Methods/Standards; Carmen Betances,
North Park ; Constance Brabec, Security
(Blue Island); and Gary Butler, Security.
Alice Carter, Lawndale; Robert
Chambers, Control Center; Allen Cor-
bin, 77th Street; Lawrence Craig,
Archer; and Richard Crites, Limits.
F. Lynn Drake, Training/Develop-
ment Programs.
Walter Falls, 52nd Street; and
Cynthia Florence, Near North Area.
Joseph Gonzalez, North Avenue;
Robert Graham, Rail Instruction; and
Delores Griffin, Lawndale.
Erv Harris, Training/Development
Programs; and Willie Herron, Limits
Training Center.
R. C. Jackson, Security; Clarence
Junkins, Training Center; and Candido
Jimenez, Security.
James Kinahan, Training/Develop-
ment Programs.
Margie LaBoy, North Avenue; and
Shelby Lester, 52nd Street.
Linda Martinez, Training/ Develop-
ment Programs; Shirley McClure, Trans-
portation; Robert Miller, Archer; Ron-
ald Mitchell, 69th Street; William
Mooney, Transportation, Methods/
Standards; William Moore, Far South
Area; and Betty Morris, West Section.
Anthony Novakovich, Security.
Dianna Owens, North Park.
Lena Phillips, Training/Development
Programs; and Edward Poche, Dis-
trict B.
John Ramirez, North Park; and
Eugenio Rivera, North Avenue.
Ronald Scott, Training/Development
Programs.
Martin Troglia, Limits.
Daisy Valdez, Administrative Ser-
vices.
John Wallace, Control Center; Ezel
Wiley, Archer; Willard Willette, Archer;
Maurice WUlis, North Park; and Austion
WoolfoUc, Archer.
James Yancey, 52nd Street.
Non-CTA cast members included:
Bill Artz and Michael Babiarz, Gordon
Technical high school; Deb Cash,
Northwestern University; and Chicago
PoUce Officers Agene Beach and Max
Navia.
CTA personnel who assisted in the
development and production of the
security program in various other
capacities were: Julius Brazil, Ad-
ministrative Services.
Raymond Colello, Kedzie; and Wil-
liam Crocker. Maintenance.
Robert Desvignes, Transportation.
Norman Herron Jr., Transportation;
and Elonzo Hill, Transportation.
Sam Felton Johnson, Bus Instruction
(South).
Paul Kadowaki, Transportation.
Michael LaVelle, Transportation; and
Melvin Link, Bus Instruction (North).
Earline McGee, 69th Street; Virginia
McGraw, Operations; Terrence McGui-
gan. Vehicle Maintenance; Janet
McI^in, Security; Edward Mitchell,
Transportation; and Walter D. Moore,
Maintenance.
John Perkins, Limits Training Center.
Vito Racanelli, Plant Maintenance.
Richard Schneider, Vehicle Mainten-
ance (Skokie); and Jack Sowchin,
External Affairs.
William Thompson, Bus Instruction
(South).
Frank Venezia, Vehicle Maintenance
(South Shops).
Paul Wallace, Security; Len Wiksten,
Plant Maintenance; and Richard Willis,
External Affairs.
APRIL, 1981
Training complies
with State law
The CTA's Security Training
program is believed to be the first
of its type in the public transpor-
tation industry.
The program was designed to
comply with the Public Transit
Employee Training Programs Act,
a new Illinois law sponsored by
Chairman Eugene M. Barnes when
he was a member of the State
General Assembly.
The law requires security ori-
entation and training for all public
transportation operating employ-
ees in seven areas which include
assaults upon personnel, crimes
against passengers, recognition of
dangerous behavior, hostage
situations, commimication, identi-
fication of assailants, and em-
ployee fear.
The CTA Security Training
program could serve as a model
for other transit properties, par-
ticularly since similar legislation
has recently been introduced in
the U.S. Congress by Represen-
tative Elizabeth R. Holtzman (D-
N.Y.) indicating that security
training may soon be required of
all mass transit carriers in the
country.
A committee on CTA security
orientation, headed by Robert
Kren, administrative special as-
sistant to Chairman Barnes, and
comprised of representatives
from various departments, has
planned separate, but parallel
programs for ticket agents, bus
operators, and trainmen.
Kren said the pilot program for
ticket agents introduced last sum-
mer was the instrument used to
validate the training. Discussion
leaders for the program, as well
as for the current bus operator
security program, were chosen
from the ranks of Transportation
department employees who have
had several years of experience.
Changes in the ticket agent pro-
gram were made as a result of in-
put from employees who partici-
pated in the pilot program. Like-
wise, the participation of emplpy-
William Moore plays the hit-and-run victim in this late night scene on "Community Responsibility"
from the Bus Operator Security orientation videotape. Moore, a member of the Transportation
department, is an assistant superintendent. Near South Area.
ees is vital to the bus operator
segment to assure that the pro-
gram is realistic and relevant,
Kren noted.
Discussion in each orientation
is based on audio-visual presen-
tations and printed materials. An
exercise in identification of as-
sailants is also conducted.
The audio- visual materials
used include videotapes in which
several incidents involving CTA
employees have been recreated.
A general information brochure on
security equipment and personnel,
and a new form, the "Offender
Description Card," were also de-
veloped.
After viewing a videotape re-
enactment of an armed robbery,
participants in the orientation are
asked to complete the Offender
Description Card. Information on
the cards is then compared with a
detailed videotaped description of
the offender.
The pilot program for presen-
tation to bus operators is approx-
imately two and a half hours long,
depending upon the length of dis-
cussion by participants.
The videotapes for both ticket
agents and bus operator segments
were produced entirely in-house.
The scripts were based on CTA
and Chicago Police department
reports.
Videotape filming and editing,
composition and recording of the
musical score, and sound mixing
were accomplished by CTA per-
sonnel. The cast was composed
almost entirely of CTA employees
with some assistance from mem-
bers of the Chicago Police depart-
ment and students from Gordon
Technical high school.
Bus operators are encouraged
to participate in the pilot program,
and assist the committee in its
evaluation. A third segment is
being planned for trainmen.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Chairman's report
Security training,
Federal budget cuts
We are very proud of the fine bus operator security
training program developed by the Training/Develop-
ment programs section of our Human Resources de-
partment.
We want to encourage all of our bus operators to
take an active part in this pilot program which was
tailored especially for them. Preceding pages in this
issue of the Transit News present in detail this sec-
ond phase of an excellent security training program,
which we believe to be the first of its type in the pub-
lic transportation industry.
We have every reason to anticipate that the CTA
will be a model for other transit properties. The CTA
security training program was designed to comply with
an Illinois law which we sponsored during our tenure
in the General Assembly. Similar legislaticai recently
introduced in the U.S. Congress further suggests that
security training may indeed soon be required of mass
transit carriers nationwide. We are proud, there-
fore, to be trend setters in transit security training for
the rest of the country.
As a former bus operator myself, I am well aware
of the importance of safety and security to our em-
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis (center)
discusses transit issues with CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (left)
and other transit officials in a meeting in Washington.
ployees. Likewise, we cannot over-emphasize its
importance to our riders. Certainly, this program
needs your input and your evaluation to assure its
relevance.
Meanwhile, I would like to share with you our re-
cent ejqierience in Washington as we met with the
newly appointed Secretary of Transportation, Drew
Lewis, to discuss President Reagan's proposed budget
cuts for transit.
We shared with Mr. Lewis and other federal of-
ficials our concerns regarding the impact of such cuts
on the entire industry, and particularly the CTA. The
CTA presently receives about $60 million in operating
assistance annually from the federal government.
Loss of this money would place an even larger funding
burden on our financial situation.
We also expressed our concern that the President's
budget reductions could jeopardize the planned ex-
tension of the proposed rapid transit line to the south-
west side of Chicago if capital funds are curtailed.
However, we were assured by Secretary Lewis that
engineering and technical studies should go forward
for rail projects, such as the southwest side rail ex-
tension, in anticipation of future funds becoming avail-
able.
Contrary to the rationale of the President's budget
cuts, federal support for mass transit is an investment
in a crucial component of our urban business activity.
APRIL, 1981
Reuben Fleming (52nd Street
garage) was observed by Mrs.
Bernyce Clark, of Drexel Boule-
vard, who said she was a regular
evening rider on his #1 Drexel/
Hyde Park bus. "This young
man has a very courteous atti-
tude toward everyone who
boards his bus, and he always
has a smile. He shows patience
in giving directions, and if he
sees someone running for the
bus, he will stop a second to
wait for them. I commend him
as being 'Mr. Courteous,' and
consider him an excellent exam-
ple for his coworkers. May we
have more like him?"
Amy Augustus (La wndale garage)
was praised by Mrs. S. Laitsch,
of Cicero, for her courtesy while
driving a #25 West Cermak
bus. "I had the good fortune
to be a passenger on a CTA bus
driven by a young woman who
was not only an expert driver,
but the most courteous, friendly,
smiling, and helpful driver that I
have seen in a long time. Her
job is not an easy one because
I'm sure that many passengers
are not easy to be pleasant to,
but she certainly 'killed them
with kindness.' She is a credit
to your company image."
commendation comer
Ronald Hackworth Jr. (Archer garage) was complimented
by Catherine Murphy, who works on South Riverside Plaza
and was a rider on his #61 Archer/Franklin Express bus.
"This morning started out rainy, and the bus was packed
with wet people. Normally, in a situation like this, everyone
on the bus would be grumpy and complaining. However,
driver #7492 was especially considerate to people, and made
everyone feel better. Because of his pleasant attitude, every-
one was joking instead of complaining. He started my morn-
ing out right, and probably other people were in a better
mood, too, due to his friendliness."
Mohamed Yousef (Limits garage) impressed Mary Barkley,
of Annandale, Minnesota, with his courtesy and patience
while driving a #145 Wilson/Michigan bus. "One night
while in Chicago recently on a business trip, I was lost in
the city. Your driver #7815 explained to me where I was
and how to reach my destination. Not only was he pleasant
to me, but he seemed considerate of all the passengers in
general. His attitude is an asset to the CTA and the city
of Chicago."
Raymond Mieszowski (North Park garage) was admired
by Diane Miller, of Columbia Avenue, for the way he handled
an abusive passenger on his #96 Lunt/Touhy bus. "A woman
passenger climbed onto the bus and began to insult the CTA,
the services available through the CTA, and the bus driver.
Your driver #4547 continued to be courteous through a
barrage of verbal abuse. Certainly no one deserves this type
of treatment. His impressive conduct was a credit to your
organization and an example of fine personal integrity."
Herbert Bryant (77th Street garage) caught the attention
of Danny Velazquez, of Cambridge Avenue, who considers
himself "lucky to have him" on the #8 Halsted route.
"Always, in rain, shine, sleet, snow, whatever the weather, he
is a pleasure to ride with. He cheers one up almost imme-
diately upon entering the bus. He is thoughtful, kind, and
considerate of his passengers, and is patient. He's never in
too big of a hurry 'to keep on schedule' that he can't wait
a moment if he sees someone running to catch the bus.
To us regulars, such a wonderful attitude is greatly appre-
ciated and admired."
John Lenore (North Avenue garage) won the approval
of Alice McCormack, of Melrose Street, who is an early
morning rider on his # 77 Belmont bus. "He always has
a smUe, and his regulars riders greet him with a 'Good
morning." You can always depend on him to be on time.
He will even look for you if you're not at your stop, and
wiD wait if he sees you trying to cross the street. He
drives carefully and seems to enjoy his job. I wish more
of the drivers were like him."
Larry Malone (Archer garage) was the driver of a #62
Archer bus that Donna Baker, of West 48th Street, took
downtown one Saturday. "I boarded the bus at Archer
and Kostner, and had the pleasure of riding with one of
the most courteous drivers I had ever had. What impress-
ed me most was his patience and pleasent manners with the
elderly people boarding the bus. He would wait for them
to board the bus, talk pleasently to them when they asked
for the 20th time what street we were stopping at next,
and when they left the bus, he waited quietly while it took
them a little extra time to make the stairs."
Pearlie WUhams (North Park garage) was commended
by Marshall Sutton, who has offices on North Michigan,
for the way she handled a #147 Outer Drive Express bus.
"The driver was extremely courteous to everyone who
entered of left the bus, despite the bad weather. She
was kind enough to puU into the curb for passengers to
get on and off. She at one time avoided a car that skidded
crosswise directly in front of the bus, and in all, at no time
was she jolting the passengers around by starting or stop-
ping too quickly. All this goes to show that we do have
some fine individuals driving for the CTA."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently
were:
Willie Allen, Archer; Jose Al-
meida, Forest Glen; and Nelson
Anderson, Ashland Terminal.
Pedro Balderas, North Park;
Fitz Bariffe, Limits; Rosarita
Betts, North Avenue; Susan Bras-
ewicz. Archer; and Albert Brown,
52nd Street.
Jean Cage and Marvin Coving-
ton, both of Limits; Tomas Cintron
and Andrew Correa, both of North
Park; and Tyree Cobb Jr., Forest
Glen.
Jose Davila, North Avenue; and
Wilfred Dupree, North Park.
James Fitzgerald and Allan
Frazier, both of Limits.
Joseph Gale, Forest Glen; and
Fahmi Ghouleh, Limits.
Melton Harris and Chester
Hendrix, both of 77th Street; Peg-
gy Haymon, West Section; Herbert
Hodge and Ollie Hoskins, both of
Archer; and Joe Hodge and James
Howland, both of North Park.
Marlene landolo, North Park.
Zeke Jagst, Walter Jentsch,
Charles Johnson, and Arthur Joy,
all of North Park; and George
Jones, North Avenue.
Jose Leiva and Herman Loza-
da, both of Forest Glen; Tilmon
Lloyd Jr., Lawndale; and Marcos
Luevano Jr., Archer.
Earl Miles, Lawndale; Newton
Mojica, Forest Glen; and Ardis
Morris III, Howard /KimbalL
Frederick Pepke, Limits; and
James Pruett Jr., 77th Street.
Edward Sanello and Willie
Stewart, both of North Avenue;
Frederick Schein, Howard/Kim-
ball; Learline Shaw, 69th Street;
Michael Shelton, 52nd Street; J.C.
Skipper Jr. and Glenn Steude, both
of North Park; Eleanor Smiley,
West Section; Linda Stewart, 77th
Street; and Edward Strugalla,
Lawndal&o
Fernando Torres, Lawndale.
Arturo Valdez, North Park.
Jimmie Walker, North Avenue;
Lonnie Walker, 77th Street; and
Gary Williams, North Park.
promotions
Joseph Grojean, former assistant
superintendent, District B, has been
appointed superintendent. District D,
Transportation. Grojean, who joined
the Chicago Surface Lines as a streetcar
conductor at Blue Island in 1946,
became a bus operator at Archer in
1947, and was named supervisor. Dis-
trict A, in 1959. He served as relief
district supervisor in 1970 before
being selected district supervisor in
1972 and assistant superintendent in
1974. Grojean and his wife, Anna
Rita, have two sons and a daughter,
and make their home in Orland Park.
J. C. White, assistant superintendent
at 77th Street since 1978, has been
named superintendent, 69th Street
garage. White began his transit career
as a bus operator at 77th Street in
1947. He became a supervisor in
District B in 1960, and an instructor.
Surface, in 1968. In 1947, White
was selected assistant superintendent.
Far South Area, and in that capacity
served at 69th Street, Beverly, and
77th Street garages. White and his
wife, Emily, are the parents of two
daughters and a son, and live in the
Chatham community on the South
Side.
In other job reassignments, John
Meneghini, former buyer, has been
chosen supervisor. Buyers, Materials
Management. June Lett, former
stenographer. Vehicle Maintenance -
South Shops, is now executive secre-
tary. Consumer Services.
Charles Taylor, former operator.
Joseph Grojean
69th Street, and Charles Smith, former
ticket agent. West Section, have been
selected travel information representa-
tives. Consumer Services - Customer
Relations. In Operations Planning,
Vernon Coleman has been promoted
from traffic clerk to principal traffic
clerk. Schedules, while Neal St. John
has moved from junior transit tech-
nician to transit technician 111.
Three new money handlers have
been named by Treasury - Central
Counting: James Williams Jr. and
Thomas Robinson, both former opera-
tors, 77th Street; and Jackie Brecken-
ridge, formerly unassigned, Human
Resources - Employment & Placement.
In Vehicle Maintenance, Rafael Reyes,
former bus repairer. North Avenue,
has been chosen bus and truck mechan-
ic apprentice, South Shops.
J. C. White
Sean Scott, former terminal com-
bination clerk. Vehicle Maintenance -
Methods & Standards, is now field
audit clerk, Financial Services - In-
ternal Auditing. New as utility clerks,
Materials Management, are former
clerk typists Henrine Robertson (Human
Resources - Employment & Placement)
and Sharon Kollaritsch (Operations
Planning).
Joanne Boettin, former accounts
payable clerk, Financial Services -
Materials & Payables, is now office
equipment clerk. Management Ser-
vices - Administrative Services. Walter
Lemons Jr., former operator. Limits,
has been named transportation clerk.
Transportation. Graciela Gallardo,
former utility clerk, Insurance &
Pensions, has become clerk. Human
Resources - Medical.
APRIL, 1981
Rocky Mountain artist
paints Chicago canyons
Don Van Horn is an artist living in the shadows of
the towering Rocky mountains in Colorado Springs
where he is a biology professor at the University of
Colorado.
With all that splendid scenery around him. Van
Horn dreams of the time when he can again visit the
man-made canyons of Chicago and capture "the spirit,
the energy, and artistic beauty of the CTA's Loop
elevated stations and structure," that keeps calling
him away from Colorado.
On his last visit to Chicago, Van Horn presented
the CTA with photos of five of his paintings that he
completed on his visits over the years.
"Maybe it takes an artist's perception, especially
one who is visiting and not involved in earning a living
at the time, to appreciate the Loop structure," Van
Horn said.
"In its own way, the Loop 'L' ranks alongside of
San Francisco's cable cars, the Paris Metro, and
Boston's streetcars as being fascinating to artists,"
he said. Van Horn takes slide photos and paints from
them.
"Because the photos and paintings range from 1962
to the present, some of the paintings may look dif-
ferent. That's because the stations' color schemes
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Opposite top: Painting of 'L ' tracks on Wabash avenue looking
south from Randolph street. Van Horn painted 29 by 22-inch water
color in January, 1980, from a May 28, 1979,slide. Painting was accept-
ed for Rocky Mountain National Watermedia exhibit and received a
top award. This painting was also exhibited in the Springfield, II. , Fine
Arts Association show.
Opposite bottom: Water color of Madison/Wabash station looking
west from Michigan avenue. Van Horn took photo in 1962, completed
30 by 22-inch canvas in May, 1976. Painting won first prize in Rocky
Mouirtain National Watermedia Exhibition in 1977.
Above: Water color measuring 18 by 14-inches of Quincy /Wells station
looking south along Wells street from Adams street.
Top Right: Madison/Wabash station looking south along Wabash
avenue to Madison street. Water color was completed in January,
1980, accepted in show by Watercolor, USA, 1980, and sold to a
patron.
Bottom Right: The La SalleA/an Buren station looking south on
LaSalle street. Water color was painted during July and August, 197EI
and has been traded by Van Horn.
may have changed."
Writing from his home in Colorado Springs, Van
Horn said he is "currently working on a painting of
the Quincy/Wells 'L' station (as viewed east along
Quincy street from Franklin) and thus far it looks
like it should turn out well.
"I am hopeful of making a spring trip (May) to
Chicago.. o" he added.
APRIL, 1981
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
six employees cited for outstanding performance were April
honorees with 'A Day in CTA.'
The honorees' visit to the general office included attending a
board meeting, a visit to the control center, the travel center
and other departments, a picture-taking session, lunch at the
Merchandise Mart's M&M Club, and a roundtable discussion with
management. Each employee also received a certificate of ap-
preciation.
Lois Faqua
Lois Faqua, bus operator assigned to
Beverly garage, was honored with 'A Day
in CTA' for her excellent record of pro-
viding riders with safe and courteous ser-
vice.
"I really appreciated the visit to the
control center because it helped me to
understand the communication system, and
revealed just how quickly the CTA can be
in touch with its operators. Before my
visit, I had an entirely different concept of
how things are done."
Ivory Davis
Ivory Davis, a rail supervisor assigned
to the South Rail District, was feted for
his quick response when a fire developed
imder a car of a Dan Ryan train while he
was riding in the head car. Davis man-
aged to get to a passenger door, pull the
emergency handle and assist passengers to
safety.
"I enjoyed the whole day spent in the
general office," said Davis, who added that
he especially enjoyed attending the board
meeting. "Everybody should have such an
opportunity. I think it would boost morale."
James O. Hannah
James O. Hannah, rail janitor at Lake/
Randolph station, distinguished himself by
an act of heroism in which he apprehended
a man who snatched a purse from an elder-
ly woman at the Lake/Randolph mezzanine
in the Washington station of the State Street
subway. Thanks to Hannah, the purse was
returned and the suspect arrested.
"I enjoyed everything, and I appreciate
the fact that management is honoring us.
As for what I did to be honored, I just
didn't have time to think about it. The
lady was screaming, and I came to her
aid. I enjoy working for the CTA," he
added.
Kevin O'Connor
Kevin O'Connor, a bus serviceman as-
signed to North Avenue garage, distin-
guished himself with an excellent work
record. "I enjoyed the whole day, and I
appreciate the hcjiors given us. I especial-
ly enjoyed visiting the control center, and
all of the other activities."
Anthony Rojas
Anthony Rojas, a car repairman at 98th
Street shop, was treated to 'A Day in CTA'
to give him an opportunity to see a different
aspect of the CTA qjeration.
A recent member of the CTA family,
Rojas said, "I enjoyed the visit to the con-
trol room."
Jose Roman
Jose Roman, a conductor assigned to
Kimball terminal, was recommended to
spend 'A Day in CTA' because of his ex-
cellent work record, his attention to duty
and courtesy to CTA riders.
"I enjoyed the entire day spent in the
general office," commented Roman.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Welcome to a new citizen
Lawrence S. Paek, community news representative in the
Public Affairs department, celebrated St. Patrick's Day,
1981, by becoming an American citizen. Paek, who came to
Chicago from South Korea in 1975, received his papers at
a ceremony in the Dirksen Federal Building presided over by
U.S. District Court Judge James B. Moran.
Until March 17, Pack's first name had been Sok, and his
wife, who has taken the name Judy, was called Ok. "We
decided to take the opportunity (of the swearing in) to be-
come a little more American," Paek said. "You can imagine
the confusion my wife's first name has caused. I picked
'Lawrence' because it was the name of an American soldier
who helped me in Korea."
Paek, 43, was bom and raised in Pyong An Bookdo pro-
vince, which is now part of North Korea. During the mass
flight of refugees caused by the Korean War, he became
separated from his family, and hasn't seen his parents or
younger brother or sister since. He spent his last 16 years
in Korea working as a civUian in public affairs and press
relations for the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division.
A miracle of sorts has brought added joy to the Park
Ridge home where Paek lives with his wife and three children.
After years of trying to contact an older brother he had not
heard from since World War II, Paek received a letter from
him recently, indicating he has spent all the intervening years
working in Harbin. China.
With communication apparently made possible by im-
proved relations between China and the U.S., Lawrence Paek
now hopes to find a way to share the benefits of American
citizenship with his brother, Sok Chin Paek, by having a
family reunion on the free soO of his adopted homeland.
Raleigh Mathis elected to board
of National Conference
of Christians and Jews
Raleigh Mathis, man-
ager, Security depart-
ment, recently was elect-
ed to the board of the Na-
tional Conference of
Christians and Jews
(NCCJ), Chicago and Illi-
nois region, at a meeting
in the Palmer House.
Also elected to the
board with Mathis were
Judge Jerome Lemer,
Cook County Circuit
court; Harold L. Miller,
board chairman. First
Condominium Develop-
ment CO.; and Richard D. Ostrow, managing partner,
Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather & Geraldson.
Following his election, Mathis was the guest
speaker at the joint meeting of the NCCJ Midlands
chapter and the Omaha Bar Association in their
"Issues in Justice Seminar" held in Omaha, Nebraska.
Marian Bergersen, Midlands chapter regional
director, expressed her organization's appreciation
in a letter to Chairman Eugene Barnes.
"We would like to extend to you and to the Chicago
Transit Authority our sincere thanks for sharing
Raleigh Mathis with us," Bergersen wrote. "He is an
eloquent and sincere speaker who is at his best when
Procurement engineer Kahn
to get MBA degree
I. A. (Al) Khan, pro-
curement engineer for
Materials Management,
has completed require-
ments for the Master of
Business Administration
degree, majoring in fi-
nance at Loyola Univer-
sity.
He will be awarded the
degree at the university's
May commencement ex-
ercise. Khan also holds
a certificate as a Certi-
fied Purchasing Manager
which he earned in 1979,
two years after he joined the CTA as a buyer. He was
promoted to procurement engineer last year.
Khan holds bachelor of science degrees in mech-
anical engineering and mathematics, both earned at
Madras LTniversity, India. He studied production
management for 18 months in Czechoslovakia.
Khan and his family which includes his wife, Nas-
reen, an 11-year-old son, and a 4-year-old daughter,
came to the United States in 1973, and later became
naturalized citizens.
reacting spontaneously. The response of those groups
and individuals who had an opportunity to participate
in discussion with Raleigh was extremely pesitive."
APRIL, 1981
13
CTA receives
lighting award
Robert Turek (left), executive vice presi-
dent. Electric Association of Chicago,
presents association's annual Award of
Merit for Lighting Excellence to the CTA.
Accepting the award are Joseph Siegal
(center), superintendent, power and wiring,
and Patrick Murphy, supervisor, wiring and
design, both of the Engineering department.
Award was made at April 1 CTA Board
meeting.
The award honors the CTA for its new
lighting installations at the Lake street
' L ' stations at State, Clark, Clinton,
Ashland, and Halsted and Ravenswood
' L ' stations at Chicago and the l^rchandise
Mart. Siegal and Murphy led the team that
designed and installed the new lighting
systems. Turek said it was the first time
the CTA won the award in its 17-year
history.
The third group to complete an eight-week Material Handling and
Warehousing course sponsored by Materials Management department
includes, standing (from left): Charles Bennett, stock derk. South
Shops; Lee Walker, stock clerk. Merchandise Mart; Donnelly Miles,
stock clerk. South Shops; Eugene Eason, laborer. Lower Yard; Eugene
Magad, course instructor; S. T. Lucas, mobile equipment operator.
Stores North; Douglas Muller, stock clerk, Skokie Shop; Andrew
Cunningham, stock clerk. South Shops; Donna O'Connor, secretary.
Merchandise Mart, and John Murray, laborer. Lower Yard. Seated
(from left): Henry Farley, special projects analyst. Stores North;
Charles Ripke, special projects analyst. Stores South; Anthony
DiGiovanni, order control clerk. Merchandise Mart; Daniel McRed-
mond, laborer, Skokie Shop; Kenneth McCrea, stock clerk. South
Shops, and Yvonne Ward, procurement analyst. West Shops.
Useful information
Partial view of popular U.S. Government
Printing Office bookstore in room 1463 in
Dirksen Federal Building, 219 S. Dearborn
St. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. More than 2,000
low cost publications are available in the
store. The GPO's 23,000 other publications
may be ordered at the store, said Mrs. Vivian
Searles, bookstore manager.
The publications in the book store range
over a wide variety of subjects. For instance,
there's Money Saving Main Dishes, 48 pages,
80 cents; Research on the Effects of Tele-
vision Advertising on Children, 229 pages,
$5.50; The Green Scene - Care and Mainten-
ance of Common Household and Office
Plants, 60 pages, $1.20; Railroad Maps of the
United States, 112 pages, $2.60; Where to
Write for Marriage, Divorce, Birth and Death
Records in the United States, $1.25 for each
subject; and The Black Presence in the Era
of the American Revolution, 1770-1800,
70 pages, $2.85.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
no&sso
Driving competition for 115 people who have suc-
cessfully completed the written test will be conducted
April 26, and May 3 at 77th Street and Forest Glen
garages.
First place trophies for winners in the garage
competitions will be presented at each garage at a
later date. Each participant will also receive a
certificate as well as movie theater tickets. Roadeo
finals are slated for August 23 at Soldier Field.
Foadeo update information will continue to be
posted at each garage throughout the event.
Atlanta fund drive
The urge to help bring to an end the string of more
than 20 child murders in Atlanta prompted four CTA
women to conduct a fund drive among their fellow em-
ployees.
From March 5 to March 13, the women collected
$1,239 which was sent, by checks, to the Atlanta
Missing Children's fund to be used by Atlanta officials
in the search for those responsible for the attacks on
the children of that Georgia city.
The women are Ms. CoUette Edmonds, clerk, Man-
agement Services department; Ms. Bosemary Bamett,
special assistant to the manager, Transportation de-
partment; Ms. Kim Roach, clerk, Claims department,
and Mrs. Jean Redd, secretary. West Shops.
Each donor received green and black lapel ribbons
to signify their concern for the Atlanta tragedies,
Ms. Edmonds said she decided to help when her
husband, Walter, sent a check to the fund.
"I felt sure there were many people at the CTA
who felt the way I did about these crimes, and I men-
tioned it to the other women who joined in the effort.
We all say 'thank you for your concern' to those who
gave," Ms. Edmonds said.
These three Forest Glen operators are pictured on the sunny beach in
Acapuico, Mexico. It is an annual trel( for them and their wives who
vacation there each February. They are (left to right): George Duszyn-
ski, Anthony DeMayo and John Kurinec.
CTA Chairman Eugene Barnes recently cut the yellow ribbon officially
opening CTA's new cafeteria in the Merchandise Mart. Joining Chair-
man Barnes in the brief ceremony are (from [eft) Ms. Joby Berman,
manager. External Affairs division; Paul Kole, manager. General Finance
division; Ernest Sawyer, special assistant to the Chairman; Roger Wood,
manager. Management Services department, and General Operations
Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer.
APRIL, 1981
15
CTA Sports
77th Street and Lawndale champions
The 1980-81 CTA Basketball
League ended its season on Fri-
day, March 6, at Washington Park
Fieldhouse with the 77th Street
Streakers meeting North Avenue
for the championship.
Qilminating a very exciting
season in which 13 teams parti-
cipated, the league was divided
into two divisions — American and
National. Coordinator for the
league was Will Williams.
The 77th Street team, coached
by Henry Ragsdale, provided the
fans with an exciting champion-
ship game. The Streakers were in
fine form beating North Avenue by
a score of 65-55. Tyrone Brown
of the Streakers was voted "Most
Valuable Player" for the tourna-
ment.
In the playoffs for the cham-
pionship in the Volleyball League,
Lawndale, which had not lost a
game during the regular season,
was the ultimate winner. In the
playoffs they lost their first game
to 308, but in the final game to
determine the champion, Lawndale
beat 308 by a score of 15-8.
All games were played at
Washington Park Fieldhouse.
Dianna Caston was the coordinator
for the league in which ei^t teams
participated.
THE CHAMPS: The 77th Street Streakers
are, kneeling (left to right): superintendent
J. C. White, John Ross, Henry Ragsdale, Ty-
rone Brown and Dwight Rogers. Standing
(left to right): John Riouse, Wade Jones,
Clarence Davis, Paul Campbell, Mickey
Harris, Earl Pope, Eugene Tate, M. Lambert
and McClinton Porter, superintendent, 77th
Street.
Big John Riouse (54), 77th Street, and Willie Baker (1), North Avenue,
jump for tipoff in championship game.
North Avenue's Mike Reynolds (13), and Rick James (44), 77th Street,
battle for rebound as Mickey Harris and Paul Campbell look on.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
THE CHAMPS: The Lawndale volleyball
team are (seated): Richard Williams. Kneel-
ing (left to right): Vera Tucker, Julia Adams
and Hugh McGee. Standing (left to right):
Assistant superintendent Clark Carter, Carol
Turner, Malbernice Simmons, Johnny Moore,
Johnny Sherrod, Doris Nailor, Johnny Cole-
man, Mary Rodgers and Alfonso Brooks. Not
pictured are Dorothy Bentley and Jeanette
Millanes.
Above left: Richard Williams, Lawndale,
takes a sitting position as he watches his shot
go over the net. Al Brooks (left) and John
Koldan watch the action.
Above: Debbie Jones, 308, returns a shot as
John Koldan (5), Jose Neris (12) and Alvin
Martin take in the action.
Left: Crystal Stevenson (13), and Richard
Williams battle for the shot at the top of
the net.
APRIL, 1981
17
A streetcar family looks back
Streetcars were the mainstay of
public transportation in Chicago for
more than 60 years, and contributed
greatly to the development of the city
by providing convenient, low-cost tran-
sit between residential neighborhoods
and business and industrial districts
throughout the area.
Harry Daniel Soreghen Jr., who
retired from CTA in 1977 after 40
years' service, was part of a transit
family that helped build muscle in
the "City of the Big Shoulders" by
carrying generations of Chicagoans to
their jobs on public conveyances. His
grandfather, Daniel Soreghen, began
operating horsecars on Sedgwick Street
in 1879.
Harry's father, Harry Sr., operated
streetcars and work equipment for the
Chicago Railways Co., the Chicago
Surface Lines, and CTA from 1908
until his retirement in 1952. A photo-
graphic record of the traction vehicles
that he and other family members
served on has been reproduced here
as a reminder of Chicago's legacy of
street transportation.
Harry Soreghen Jr. joined the Sur-
face Lines as a shop and equipment
clerk at North Avenue in 1937, and
became a streetcar motorman in 1941.
He later served as a supervisor and
drove one of the first radio cars in the
Loop. He operated buses from 1952
until he became a medical technician
in 1963. Harry and his wife, Marion,
live in the Forest Glen neighborhood
on the Northwest Side.
Harry Soreghen Jr.
Looking out the back of this Chicago Union
Traction Co. mail car at Lawndale is conduc-
tor Robert McLean, who later became Harry
Soreghen Jr.'s father-in-law.
Above left: Harry Soreghen Sr. (right) operated this open Chicago
Railways Co. streetcar on Montrose between Broddway ana Knox
Avenue, where this picturb mias taken.
Above: In this summertime 1909 shot, Soreghen (right) waits for water
from a hydrant to fill the 3,000-gallon tank on a sprinkler car that was
used to wet down streets that had not yet been paved.
Left: Around 1915, Soreghen (right) operated this "bowling alley"
streetcar on Montrose for Chicago Railways. The car got its nickname
from the arrangement of the seats, which faced inward from the win-
dows.
78
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
iint is/l:e:is/lcd:e^xj^is/l
DOMINICK ANDRIACCHI, Box Puller,
Archer, Emp. 5-10-45
EDWIN ARMSTRONG, Conductor,
South Section, Emp. 8-3-53
CHARLES GERARD, Machinist,
South Shops, Emp. 6-21-46
STANLEY GRZYWNA, Mechanic,
South Shops, Emp. 10-24-47
LLOYD HOLMGREN, Towerman,
Jefferson Park, Emp. 1-28-48
HENRY KOLAR, Bus & Truck Spec,
South Shops, Emp. 3-16-53
EDWARD KUROWSKI, Machinist,
West Shops, Emp. 11-24-41
JOHN F. UPKA, Unit Supervisor,
South Shops, Emp. 5-8-50
HENRY MALCZEWSKI, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 4-4-55
JAMES MATTHEWS, Conductor,
North Section, Emp. 3-2-50
WILLL\M O'BRIEN, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 7-19-48
ASHER REID, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 11-16-50
WILLIAM RYE, Supervisor,
District A, Emp. 4-21-58
MILES WESELY, Switchman,
Douglas Park, Emp. 1-20-48
GILBERT WILSON, Conductor,
Howard, Emp. 3-20-42
DISABUTY RETIREMENTS
EMANUEL BLUE Jr., Chauffeur,
Utility, Emp. 7-27-64
WILLLi\M BRIGHT, Car Servicer,
Howard, Emp. 7-26-66
ROBERT McNEIL, Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 1-21-76
ALEJANDRO REYES, Bus Servicer,
52nd Street, Emp. 5-8-70
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Number 4
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers; Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Produced by the Administrative Services Unit,
Charles T. Zanin, Director.
Distributed free of charge to alt active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others. $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
JOHN ALTENBACH, 73, North Park,
Emp. 11-24-36, Died 1-1-81
WALTER AMBROSE, 72, Forest Glen,
Emp. 4-26-45, Died 2-8-81
SIDNEY ANDERSON, 75, 77th Street,
Emp. 12-18-33, Died 2-23-81
IVY BLOYD, 94, Kedzie,
Emp. 9-11-22, Died 2-3-81
ARTHUR BRINDLEY, 71, North Avenue,
Emp. 1-31-34, Died 2-26-81
W. J. BROPHY, 68, South Section,
Emp. 6-2-42, Died 2-5-81
JOHN BURKE, 78, Limits,
Emp. 2-19-35, Died 2-20-81
PETER CARPING, 77, Utility,
Emp. 4-23-28, Died 2-21-81
CHARLES ELLIOTT, 87, North Section,
Emp. 8-15-18, Died 2-18-81
JOHN FOLEY, 61 , 77th Street,
Emp. 6-9-58, Died 2-10-81
FRANK GRIES, 73, Forest Glen,
Emp. 2-24-43, Died 2-16-81
WALTER HALLFORD, 74, Shops & Equip.
Emp. 2-16-35, Died 2-14-81
JAMES JOEFFREY, 68, General Office,
Emp. 6-20-76, Died 2-11-81
ALFRED KALISZ, 57, North Park,
Emp. 4-9-51, Died 2-19-81
EDWARD KOLAR, 73, West Section,
Emp. 10-28-24, Died 2-14-81
STEVE KOZMA, 72, West Section,
Emp. 4-8-29, Died 2-5-81
ANTON KRUCKY, 93, Devon,
Emp. 12-21-43, Died 2-1-81
VITO LORUSSO, 81, Kedzie,
Emp. 2-17-43, Died 2-23-81
JOHN McGEE, 76, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 4-10-29, Died 2-12-81
KATHLEEN McINERNEY, 84, South Sect.,
Emp. 7-14-39, Died 2-23-81 '
MARIE McINERNEY, 74, Loop,
Emp. 6-2-36, Died 2-4-81
PATRICK McQUAID, 75, Kedzie,
Emp. 8-31-36, Died 2-10-81
PETER MIASO, 70, Kedzie,
Emp. 4-28-43, Died 2-18-81
GRACE MOUNTS, 65, West Section,
Emp. 5-23-59, Died 2-25-81
ROBERT MUMBOWER, 38, North Avenue,
Emp. 5-13-76, Died 2-13-81
JOHN O'CONNOR, 84, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-22-23, Died 2-19-81
JOSEPH OLBRECHT, 91, Transportation,
Emp. 5-9-16, Died 1-22-81
MARK PARE, 78, South Shops,
Emp. 10-3-21, Died 2-1-81
FRANK PISCITELLO, 89, Way & Structs.,
Emp. 5-12-36, Died 2-13-81
EDWARD RICKER, 74, Beverly,
Emp. 3-6-29, Died 2-7-81
GERARD ROSSELJONG, 52, North Park,
Emp. 5-20-60, Died 2-4-81
WILLIAM SAUNDERS, 78, 61st Street,
Emp, 10-26-29, Died 2-15-81
ANTHONY SWEENEY, 85, Surface,
Emp. 7-27-21, Died 2-11-81
JAMES WATT, 82, South Section,
Emp. 8-13-26, Died 2-3-81
Service
anniversaries
in April
40
years
Lester R. Rage
Forest Glen
35 years
Elmer F. Briskey, North Avenue
James H. Burklow, Insurance
Vernon Coleman, Schedules
Patrick J. Garrity, Forest Glen
Arthur G. Maxwell, Maintenance
Orlando J. Menicucci, Howard/Kimball
Ray A. Spakowski, North Avenue
Frank Spitalli, Utility
Herbert A. Strauch, Archer
Russell C. Strohacker, District B
Francis A. Swiontek, Forest Glen
John E. Theis, South Shops
James H. Walsh, Labor Relations
30 years
25 years
Louis F. Berry, North Avenue
Elijah Brown, Maintenance
George A. Lahorl, 77th Street
Charles W. Hodges, Instruction
Lawrence E. May, Ashland/95th
Zane S. McBay, Relief Clerk
Carlos R. Pitts, Maintenance
Sammie L. Anderson, Instruction
Harvey G. Bey, Lawndale
Donald E. Crandall, Electrical
Clinton Donley, 61st Street
Howard J. Gobernatz, Electrical
Chester T. Mazur, Methods/Standards
James L. McCarty, 77th Street
Richard F. Morrow, 77th Street
George N. Robinson, 77th Street
Theodore Vernon, Ashland/95th
Herbert H. Williams, 77th Street
Woodrow Wallace, Forest Park
Doris Yost, Payroll
APRIL, 1981
19
WANTED
for the June issue of TRANSIT NEWS:
Pictures of high school or college students
graduating in 1981 who are sons or
daughters of CTA employees.
All pictures must be taken by a profes-
sional photographer and MUST be wallet
size. On the back of the picture, please
provide the student's full name and school
as well as the employee's name and work
location. Pictures will be returned.
Please submit pictures to: CTA TRANSIT
NEWS, Merchandise Mart, Room 742,
Chicago, IL 60654.
Deadline for Pictures - May 15, 1981
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555. Chicago, Illinois 60654
Addfess Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANS TON, IL 60201
TN
JUL
New rapid transit cars
make debut on Loopwckf HWEsiEirSfiiiT^
Mayor Jane M. Byrne cuts the ribbon marking the debut of the first
V two of 3DD new rapid transit cars (2600-series) to be delivered to the
CTA. Arhong dignitaries aboard the train were CTA Chairman Eugene
M. Barnes, left, and William I. Wilson, General Manager of the Railway
pany, Philadelphia, manufacturers.
Mayor Jane M. Byrne and CTA Chairman Eugene
M. Barnes introduced the first of two of the 2600-
series CTA rapid transit cars with an inaugural ride
around the Loop on April 3.
The mayor officiated at the ribbon cutting cere-
mony as the train was pulled into the platform at
Randolph and Wells, where both she and Chairman
Barnes greeted Chicagoans who were on hand to in-
spect the new cars.
The CTA has purchased 300 of the lightweight, air-
conditioned cars at a total cost of $133,288,500. Fund-
ing for the new cars is being provided by federal and
state governments, with 80 per cent coming from the
Urban Mass Transportation Administration of the U.S.
Department of Transportation, and 20 per cent from
the Illinois Department of Transportation.
More than a third of the money for the purchase
was provided for in the transportation agreement
negotiated between Mayor Byrne and Governor James
R. Thompson in the summer of 1979.
"My administration is committed to improving
Chicago's excellent and vital mass transportation,"
Mayor Byrne said. "The purchase of these new rapid
transit cars is just one of many significant actions we
are taking to upgrade the city's transportation net-
work. In the very near future, work will begin which
will modernize the Loop elevated and renovate the
State street subway. Along with equipment and struc-
tural improvements, there also will be continuing
improvements for rider security and comfort."
The first four of the new rapid transit cars will
tmdergo two months (600 hours) of testing in revenue
passenger service prior to the start of delivery of the
other cars. The delivery of the remaining 296 cars
will begin in the fall of this year and is expected to be
completed early in 1984.
CTA Chairman Barnes said, "The delivery of these
300 cars will give CTA riders a total of 812 air-
conditicHied cars, which is more than two-thirds of the
total active fleet. The new cars will replace those that
(Continued Page 2)
y
eta
EEQISIKIIIZS
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
MAY, 1981
are over 30 years old and will provide additional cars
for the O'Hare rapid transit extension being built by
the City of Chicago.
"The cars have been designed with the passenger's
safety and comfort in mind," Barnes said.
Built by The Budd company of Philadelphia, the
cars have stainless steel exteriors accented by red,
white, and blue striping, as a reminder of the colors
of our nation and the City of Chicago.
The interiors have a dusky walnut woodgrain pat-
tern on the lower side walls, beige upper walls, and
off-white ceilings.
The seats have brown and orange padded cushions
in contoured fiberglass shells. Each pair of cars has
92 seats, and each "A" car of the two-car pair has
one seat which folds to accommodate a wheelchair.
Harold H. Geissenheimer, General Operations
Manager, said the wheelchair locks automatically
when it is backed into the locking device. The device
is equipped with an easy release handle which is acti-
vated when it is lifted. A wheelchair access logo is
displayed both on the inside and outside of the car.
Geissenheimer added that current construction of
elevators at such key stations as Loyola, Granville,
Desplaines, Western on the Ravenswood, 79th street
and proposed stations in the Loop, Polk street, and the
O'Hare extension will provide easy access to rapid
transit service for handicapped persons.
Sliding doors provide 50 inches of clearance for
boarding and alighting. On the outside of each car
are four speakers, and there are six ceiling speakers
inside the cars.
Other features of the new cars include substantial-
ly reduced noise and vibration levels, and an air com-
fort system designed to maintain a temperature of
65 degrees in winter and 72 degrees in summer.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Top left: Robert Aldworth, graphics design supervisor, and IVIargaret Maier,
graphics designer, tal<e the motorman's view as the train stands at Randolph
and Wells before departing for its inaugural run around the Loop. The two
Operations Planning employees were primarily responsible for the sign on
front of train heralding the first of the new cars.
Bottom left: Chairman Barnes assists Mayor Byrne in removing ribbon from
the new rapid transit car.
Above: The first of the 2600 series rapid transit cars shown here on the
Lake Street route have begun two months (600 hours) of testing in revenue
service.
Below: Chairman Barnes and General Operations Manager Harold H.
Geissenheimer examine seat which folds giving access to wheelchair locking
device, and folds back to provide normal seating (right photo).
MAY. 1981
Meeting to discuss plans for tlie 1981 APTA convention in Chicago are CTA Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes (left); Arthur Teele Jr. (right), UMTA administrator; Clarence M. Pendleton Jr. (left, rear).
Chairman, San Diego (Cal.) Transit Corporation, and Ernest R. Sawyer (right, rear). Chairman
Barnes' administrative assistant.
Gathered in the Johnson Publishing Company's offices, 820 S. Michigan Av., on April 9 were
(from left): Danny Lawwon of Marketing Sales Unlimited, Houston, Texas; Tom Neusom, Chair-
man, Southern California Rapid Transit District, Los Angeles; CTA Chairman Barnes; Chairman
Pendleton of San Diego; John Johnson, president, Johnson Publishing Company; Ernest Sawyer,
Chairman Barnes' administrative assistant; the Rev. Jerry A. Moore Jr., vice chairman, Washington
(D.C) Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; UMTA Administrator Teele, and John F. Potts, senior
vice president, ATE Management & Service Company, Washington.
Chairman's report
Bus
Roadeo
Seldom has there been a program
more beneficial to CTA and its em-
ployees than the Bus Roadeo which we
are now conducting.
I am very proud of the men and
women who have taken the time and
interest to be a part of this fine pro-
gram, and I congratulate them for
their participation and extend to them
my support. I wish each of the partici-
pants the best of success in this effort.
It was an honor for each contestant to
be selected because the criteria for
participation required an excellent
work record.
The Bus Roadeo is an opportunity
for CTA bus operators to demonstrate
their skills and to build esprit de corps.
Surely the competition will promote a
sense of professionalism on the part of
every CTA contestant. The results of
this Bus Roadeo will prove to be far-
reaching in terms of testing the skills
of our bus operators in open compe-
tition in both practical and academic
performance.
The Bus Roadeo is also a good way
to determine just how we measure up
against transit companies across the
nation. We all look forward to giving
our utmost support to the operator
who wins the local competition on
August 23, and we know that this
operator will represent the CTA very
well at the APTA International Bus
Roadeo in October.
I am extremely proud to have
initiated CTA competition in the Bus
Roadeo during this administration, and
I am grateful for the support of our
Local 241, ATU, in helping us establish
this first for CTA.
I am particularly proud of our own
Bus Roadeo committee which has
worked so very hard to accomplish the
Bus Roadeo, as well as the slate of
volunteers who continue to sacrifice
their weekends to serve as judges for
this event.
Perhaps, most important of all, is
the fact that the Bus Roadeo demon-
strates to our passengers, through the
publicity generated, that we have an
ongoing commitment to continuously
improve ourselves and the service we
provide.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
eta
f- BUS
The preliminary driving com-
petition for the CTA Bus Roadeo
was held at 77th Street and Forest
Glen garages on two consecutive
Sundays, April 26 and May 3. Bus
operators, who had successfully
completed written testing in March,
competed on a course which re-
quired precision driving and
maneuvering of their vehicles. A
full report on the Bus Roadeo will
be featured in the June issue of
Transit News, including award
presentations to garage winners
and selection of the 20 finalists
who will compete in the CTA Bus
Roadeo finals at Soldier Field on
August 23.
MAY, 1981
Bartholomew Wurtzebach of
North Section was the con-
ductor on an Evanston Express
train that Walter Suhaka, of
Prospect Heights, rode down-
town one day while visiting
Chicago. "I was not accustomed
to the routes available for my
return to Evanston. I asked the
conductor for directions. He was
very helpful and courteous, not
only to me, but to other people
on the train that seemed to be
confused. I also noticed that
when he spoke into the public
address system, he took his time
to speak clearly. I understood
every word that was said and
knew when to get off. I think he
should be commended for his
super performance."
Wylie Webb (77th Street garage)
is appreciated by Catherine
Piaskowy, of Green Bay Avenue,
a frequent rider on his #30
South Chicago bus. "In all the
years I've been one of his
passengers, I know I could
always rely on him to be right
on time, regardless of the
weather, and sure of a pleasant
ride to 69th Street. It's a plea-
sure to encounter someone with
a cheerful word for each passen-
ger every morning. I'm sure all
who ride with him feel as I do.
This driver has been doing a
super public relations job for
the CTA. He should be very
highly praised for helping to
improve the CTA image."
commendation corner
George Neal (North Park garage) was thanked for
his "alertness and concern" early one evening by
Mae Callahan, a rider on his #147 Outer Drive Ex-
press bus who works on West Monroe Street. "As I
was boarding the bus, a girl pushed ahead of me, el-
bowing me to one side, and then hollered to someone
on the sidewalk. At this point the driver called to me
that a man was taking my purse. I immediately
grabbed for the purse; then the girl dashed off the
bus, and she and the man rushed away. There was no
policeman aroimd at the time. Without the assistance
of the driver, I no doubt would have lost my purse."
####
Ephriam Mauldin (69th Street garage) was called
"one of the best drivers I have had the privilege to
ride with" by Loretta Sweeten, of South Paulina Street,
who was a rider on his #63 63rd bus. "He is con-
siderate, courteous and friendly. He waits for the
senior citizens ahd has a very good relationship with
teenage riders, which is a feat only a few can claim.
Public transportation is vital to me, as I don't drive.
Some mornings when I don't feel like going to work,
his 'Good morning' seems to make the day a little
brighter. He generates a good feeling in everyone, and
it is a pleasure to ride with him."
####
John Brugess (Limits garage) provided service on
his #36 Broadway bus that was "so outstanding that I
thought you should know about it," wrote Janet Rig-
gans, of North Dearborn Street. "He was courteous
and polite to everyone, and in many cases said 'Thank
you.' When needed, he told passengers just how to
reach their destinations — where to transfer and the
number of the bus they should take — and he clearly
called the streets."
####
Sylvester Ermon (77th Street garage) was described
as a "dedicated and committed employee" by Mrs.
Anna Robinson, of South LaSalle Street, who was a
rider on his #29 State bus. "I saw in the performance
of his duties many beautiful lessons being taught by
him. The young were taught to pay their way and not
to cheat. The seniors were given that special some-
thing that makes them feel they are still cared about
by society. The handicapped were helped. The 'not
too sure' were assured they were not really lost. All
in all, he is a great driver."
####
Charles Young (West Section) made an impression
on Mrs. Diane Zydlo, of North Keeler Avenue, for the
way he kept riders informed during a delay on a
Congress-Milwaukee train. "He announced there
would be a delay and reported the time we were sitting
every five minutes. When the problem was over, our
conductor annoimced that we would be leaving mo-
mentarily. We made two stops, and at Lake Transfer
he announced that the train would be going express to
Logan Square. He apologized for this inconvenience,
and wished everyone getting off a pleasant day, any-
way. He was a very kind and considerate man. He
smiled a lot, and was very pleasant in the face of
adversity."
####
Lenzie Alford (North Avenue garage) was com-
plimented by Betty Hawkins, of Sedgwick Street, for
his courtesy while driving a #72 North bus. "He is so
very nice to everyone, yoimg and old, male and fe-
male. Whatever questions you have he answers. He
always looks into his miiTor to make sure everybody
is on his bus before he drives off. And he is always
there (on time). I wish there were more like him.
Most of all, I like the way he treats the older people.
It means so much to them. With the fare being so
high, kindness means so much."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently
were:
Maria Agnew, Limits; and Len-
zie Alford, North Avenue.
Fatima Beymuhammed, Archer;
Joe Brlonez, Forest Glen; Imelda
Brown, North Park; and Earl Bur-
ress, 69th Street.
Jean Cage, Sergio Candelaria,
and Queen Childs, all of Limits;
Leroy Carr and William Cummins,
both of Forest Glen; John Chand-
ler, 77th Street; and Andrew Cor-
rea, North Park.
Melvin Davis, Forest Glen;
Jerry Dubin, North Avenue; Lola
Ducree, North Section; and Wil-
fred Dupree, North Park.
Patricia Edwards, 77th Street.
Henry Fields, North Avenue;
and David Foster, 77th Street.
Leon Gaddyand Columbus Gray
Jr., both of 69th Street; Tyrone
Garrett and Abraham Garron Jr.,
both of Archer; Milton Gaylord
and Edgar Griffin Jr., both of
North Avenue; and B. T. Gregory,
North Park.
Hugh Haynes, North Avenue;
Cecelia Hendrickson and Large
Hooker, both of Forest Glen; Joe
Horace, 77th Street; and James
Howland, North Park.
Ryuji Inada, North Park.
Gene Jackson, 77th Street; and
William Johnson Jr., 52nd Street.
Robert Lay, Limits; Nathaniel
Lee Jr., Ashland Terminal; Ricar-
do Leiva, Forest Glen; and William
Lowery, 77th Street.
John Mahnke and Joseph Mitria,
both of Forest Glen; Joseph Ma-
loney, Archer; Adolph Marth, An-
gel Martinez, Victor Matos, Angel
Mojica, and Bobby Myles, all of
North Park; Larita McFall, West
Section; Earl Mealing Jr., Limits;
and Arthur Mines Sr., Beverly.
Martha Pace and Orval Porter,
both of Lawndale; Van Penn Jr.,
North Avenue; John Planthaber,
Forest Glen; Thornton Poole,
North Section; and Alvin Potts Jr.,
52nd Street.
Billy Ragsdale and Alvin Ross
Jr., both of 52nd Street; William
Ramos, North Park; George Ri-
vera, Lucy Rivera, Severo Rod-
riguez, and Robert Rook, all of
Forest Glen; and Jose Roman,
Howard/Kimball.
Kenneth Simpson, North Park;
Dennis Smith, Howard /Kimball;
Harrison Smith, Archer; Joe
Spears, Forest Glen; Barbara
Sullivan, North Avenue; and
Thomas Swoope, 77th Street.
Owen Terry, North Park; and
Edward Tribue Jr., Ashland
Terminal.
Mitchell Van Cleave and Clar-
ence Van Middlesworth, both of
North Park.
Dorothy Walton, Limits; Quen-
tin Wilmingtcxi, North Park; and
Howard Wilson, Forest Glen.
promotions
Claire Glenn, director of Fi-
nancial Reporting & Analysis,
Financial Services, since 1977,
has been appointed assistant
comptroller. Accounting & Analy-
sis. Glenn joined CTA as an ac-
coimting specialist in 1974, moving
to director, Financial Analysis,
later the same year. She pre-
viously was director of accounting
for the City of Chicago's Depart-
ment of Public Works. Glenn and
her husband, Frederick, have two
sons and make their home in Ar-
lington Heights.
In Treasury-Central Counting,
Robert McCombs, former money
handler, has been named assistant
superintendent. Central Counting.
In Vehicle Maintenance, Michael
Hennessy has been promoted from
assistant garage foreman, 77th
Street, to unit si^jervisor. Bus
Garages North.
James Whittley, former senior
storekeeper. Materials Manage-
ment-Stores, is now supervisor.
Storerooms, Stores-West. New in
Materials Management as pro-
curement engineers are Zaven
Guediguian, former industrial
engineer. Plant Maintenance, and
Henry Deutsch, former methods
& standards engineer. Vehicle
Maintenance- Skokie Shop.
Marguerite Longo, former
stenographer. Operations Plan-
ning, has been selected confiden-
tial office assistant, Engineering,
the same position that Joanne
Pietrowski has attained in Human
Resources-Employment after pre-
viously serving there as recep-
tionist.
Husein Suleiman, former bus
operator. Forest Glen, has been
chosen bi-lingual travel informa-
tion representative. Consumer
Services-Customer Relations.
Carl Brown, former ticket agent.
West Section, is now station clerk,
Transportation-Bus System.
Joseph Larry, former bus op-
erator, 77th Street, has been ap-
pointed bus & truck mechanic ap-
prentice. South Shops, while Mau-
rice Sims, former operator, Bev-
erly, has become a carpenter at
Skokie Shop. Also at Skokie Shop,
John Ferlito, former trackman.
Plant Maintenance, is now serving
as unit exchange clerk.
Patricia Banks, former ticket
agent. West Section, has been se-
lected medical technician. Human
Resources-Medical. In other
Human Resources reassignments,
Corrine Camasta has moved from
call director operator to place-
ment clerk, Employment & Place-
ment, while Karen Bankston, for-
mer typist, Transportation-Des-
plaines, has become utility clerk.
Employment & Placement.
Donald Person, former bus
servicer. Forest Glen, has been
named payroll clerk, Financial
Services- Payroll. Virginia Wolfe,
former clerk typist, Datacenter,
is now typist. Operations Planning-
Schedules.
MAY. 1981
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
Six employees cited for outstanding performance were
May honorees with "A Day in CTA."
The honorees" visit to the general office included attend-
ing a board meeting, a visit to the control center and the
travel information center as well as other departments, a
picture-taking session, lunch at the Merchandise Mart M&M
Club, and a round-table discussion with management. Each
employee also received a certificate of appreciation.
Stanley Cureton
Stanley Cureton, who joined CTA
in 1979, has also earned three commen-
dations in connection with property
and life saving deeds, including his
heroic action in rescuing a person from
the tracks at Belmont station last year.
Said Cureton, "I appreciated the
opportunity to attend the CTA board
meeting for a personal view of how the
company's business is conducted."
Nathan Roudez
Nathan Roudez, a District D bus
supervisor, hailed the occasion to visit
the general office as "... a welcome
opportunity to understand more about
the technical aspects of people moving
people." Roudez, who joined CTA in
1968, said he found the travel infor-
mation center "...a fascinating place
full of mini-second replays of valuable
information."
Joan Sagalow
"I appreciated the opportunity to
visit the control center as well as the
travel information center," said Joan
Sagalow, a foot collector from Howard
terminal. Ms. Sagalow joined the CTA
in 1979 and has distinguished herself in
a very short time with an outstanding
work record and attention to duty
while providing security and transport
of CTA cash receipts.
Earl Miles
Lawndale bus operator Earl Miles
said he found every aspect of his day at
the Merchandise Mart outstanding. "I
particularly enjoyed the opportunity to
attend the board meeting," said Miles
who was interviewed on a special
report by WMAQ-TV's "On Q" re-
porter on April 4. Miles was also fea-
tured last December on WBBM-TV's
"Two on Two."
Joe Busoemi
Trackman Joe Buscemi who joined
CTA 21 years ago said, "I enjoyed
everything. It was all special to me."
Buscemi has a near perfect work
record, and is a dedicated and consci-
entious employee. He is known by
many in the Maintenance department
as a "one man track gang."
Juan Gonzalez
Juan Gonzalez whose team work
with Stanley Cureton in extinguishing
smoldering debris at Wilson Shop and
averted a possible disaster in January,
was also among the honorees.
"I have enjoyed this day, but most
of all I have enjoyed visiting the travel
information and control centers," said
Gonzalez, an employee of three years
service who was recently assigned to
Howard. He has received three com-
mendations for outstanding perform-
ance.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
other operating employees re-
ceiving commendations recently
were:
Maria Agnew, Limits; and Len-
zie Alford, North Avenue.
Fatima Beymnhammed, Archer;
Joe Brionez, Forest Glen; Imelda
Brown, North Park; and Earl Bur-
ress, 69th Street.
Jean Cage, Sergio Candelaria,
and Queen Childs, all of Limits;
Leroy Carr and William Cummins,
both of Forest Glen; John Chand-
ler, 77th Street; and Andrew Cor-
rea. North Park.
Melvin Davis, Forest Glen;
Jerry Dubin, North Avenue; Lola
Ducree, North Section; and Wil-
fred Dupree, North Park.
Patricia Edwards, 77th Street.
Henry Fields, North Avenue;
and David Foster, 77th Street.
Leon Gaddyand Columbus Gray
Jr., both of 69th Street; Tyrone
Garrett and Abraham Garron Jr.,
both of Archer; Milton Gaylord
and Edgar Griffin Jr., both of
North Avenue; and B. T. Gregory,
North Park.
Hugh Haynes, North Avenue;
Cecelia Hendrickson and Large
Hooker, both of Forest Glen; Joe
Horace, 77th Street; and James
Howland, North Park.
Ryuji Inada, North Park.
Gene Jackson, 77th Street; and
William Johnson Jr., 52nd Street.
Robert Lay, Limits; Nathaniel
Lee Jr., Ashland Terminal; Ricar-
do Leiva, Forest Glen; and William
Lowery, 77th Street.
John Mahnke and Joseph Mitria,
both of Forest Glen; Joseph Ma-
loney, Archer; Adolph Marth, An-
gel Martinez, Victor Matos, Angel
Mojica, and Bobby Myles, all of
North Park; Larita McFall, West
Section; Earl Mealing Jr., Limits;
and Arthur Mines Sr., Beverly.
Martha Pace and Orval Porter,
both of Lawndale; Van Penn Jr.,
North Avenue; John Planthaber,
Forest Glen; Thornton Poole,
North Section; and Alvin Potts Jr.,
52nd Street.
Billy Ragsdale and Alvin Ross
Jr., both of 52nd Street; William
Ramos, North Park; George Ri-
vera, Lucy Rivera, Severe Rod-
riguez, and Robert Rook, all of
Forest Glen; and Jose Roman,
Howard/Kimball.
Kenneth Simpson, North Park;
Dennis Smith, Howard /Kimball;
Harrison Smith, Archer; Joe
Spears, Forest Glen; Barbara
Sullivan, North Avenue; and
Thomas Swoope, 77th Street.
Owen Terry, North Park; and
Edward Tribue Jr., Ashland
Terminal.
Mitchell Van Cleave and Clar-
ence Van Middle sworth, both of
North Park.
Dorothy Walton, Limits; Quen-
tin Wilmingtcm, North Park; and
Howard Wilson, Forest Glen.
promotions
Claire Glenn, director of Fi-
nancial Reporting & Analysis,
Financial Services, since 1977,
has been appointed assistant
comptroller, Accoimting & Analy-
sis. Glenn joined CTA as an ac-
counting specialist in 1974, moving
to director, Financial Analysis,
later the same year. She pre-
viously was director of accounting
for the City of Chicago's Depart-
ment of Public Works. Glenn and
her husband, Frederick, have two
sons and make their home in Ar-
lington Heights.
In Treasury- Central Counting,
Robert McCombs, former money
handler, has been named assistant
superintendent. Central Coimting.
In Vehicle Maintenance, Michael
Hennessy has been promoted from
assistant garage foreman, 77th
Street, to unit svpeivisor, Bus
Garages North.
James Whittley, former senior
storekeeper. Materials Manage-
ment-Stores, is now supervisor,
Storerooms, Stores- West. New in
Materials Management as pro-
curement engineers are Zaven
Guediguian, former industrial
engineer. Plant Maintenance, and
Henry Deutsch, former methods
& standards engineer. Vehicle
Maintenance-Skokie Shop.
Marguerite Longo, former
stenographer, C^erations Plan-
ning, has been selected confiden-
tial office assistant. Engineering,
the same position tiiat Joanne
Pietrowski has attained in Human
Resources-Emplojrment after pre-
viously serving there as recep-
tionist.
Husein Suleiman, former bus
operator. Forest Glen, has been
chosen bi-lingual travel informa-
tion representative. Consumer
Services-Customer Relations.
Carl Brown, former ticket agent.
West Section, is now station clerk,
Transportation-Bus System.
Joseph Larry, former bus op-
erator, 77th Street, has been ap-
pointed bus & truck mechanic ap-
prentice. South Shops, while Mau-
rice Sims, former operator, Bev-
erly, has become a carpenter at
SkoMe Shop. Also at Skokie Shop,
John Ferlito, former trackman.
Plant Maintenance, is now serving
as unit exchange clerk.
Patricia Banks, former ticket
agent. West Section, has been se-
lected medical technician, Hiunan
Resources-Medical. In other
Human Resources reassignments,
Corrine Camasta has moved from
call director operator to place-
ment clerk. Employment & Place-
ment, while Karen Bankston, for-
mer typist, Transportation-Des-
plaines, has become utility clerk.
Employment & Placement.
Donald Person, former bus
servicer. Forest Glen, has been
named payroll clerk, Financial
Services- Payroll. Virginia Wolfe,
former clerk typist, Datacenter,
is now typist. Operations Plannlng-
Schedules.
MAY, 1981
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
Six employees cited for outstanding performance were
May honorees with "A Day in CTA."
The honorees' visit to the general office included attend-
ing a board meeting, a visit to the control center and the
travel information center as well as other departments, a
picture-taking session, lunch at the Merchandise Mart M&M
Club, and a round-table discussion with management. Each
employee also received a certificate of appreciation.
Stanley Cureton
Stanley Cureton, who joined CTA
in 1979, has also earned three commen-
dations in connection with property
and life saving deeds, including his
heroic action in rescuing a person from
the tracks at Belmont station last year.
Said Cureton, "I appreciated the
opportunity to attend the CTA board
meeting for a personal view of how the
company's business is conducted,"
Nathan Roudez
Nathan Roudez, a District D bus
supervisor, hailed the occasion to visit
the general office as "... a welcome
opportunity to understand more about
the technical aspects of people moving
people." Roudez, who joined CTA in
1968, said he found the travel infor-
mation center "...a fascinating place
full of mini-second replays of valuable
information."
Joan Sagalow
"I appreciated the opportunity to
visit the control center as well as the
travel information center," said Joan
Sagalow, a foot collector from Howard
terminal. Ms. Sagalow joined the CTA
in 1 979 and has distinguished herself in
a very short time with an outstanding
work record and attention to duty
while providing security and transport
of CTA cash receipts.
Earl Miles
Lawndale bus operator Earl Miles
said he found every aspect of his day at
the Merchandise Mart outstanding. "I
particularly enjoyed the opportunity to
attend the board meeting," said Miles
who was interviewed on a special
report by WMAQ-TV's "On Q" re-
porter on April 4. Miles was also fea-
tured last December on WBBM-TV's
"Two on Two."
Joe Buscemi
Trackman Joe Buscemi who joined
CTA 21 years ago said, "I enjoyed
everything. It was all special to me."
Buscemi has a near perfect work
record, and is a dedicated and consci-
entious employee. He is known by
many in the Maintenance department
as a "one man track gang."
Juan Gonzalez
Juan Gonzalez whose team work
with Stanley Cureton in extinguishing
smoldering debris at Wilson Shop and
averted a possible disaster in January,
was also among the honorees.
"I have enjoyed this day, but most
of aU I have enjoyed visiting the travel
information and control centers," said
Gonzalez, an employee of three years
service who was recently assigned to
Howard. He has received three com-
mendations for outstanding perform-
ance.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Congratulations,
Explorers
Congratulations are in order for
138 young men and women who com-
pleted a special Explorer Scouting
program on April 1 5 . The high school
students developed career awareness
through firsthand experience in auto
mechanics, welding, electricity, and
carpentry-all under the careful guid-
ance of 30 volunteer advisors from
South Shops (see Transit News. March,
1981).
The focal point of the program was
the construction of an articulated
mini-bus. The beautifully detailed
replica of CTA's 'Big Bend' buses, made
from scrap and donated materials, is
powered by a one-cylinder gasoline
engine and features operational head-
lights, tailUghts, turn signals, and side
marker lights. The students also refur-
bished two motorized shop carts
donated by vendors, decorating one
with a scalloped paint job and cus-
tomizing the other with a body
fabricated from sheet metal to resemble
the front end of a Flxible bus. And,
working in the sUk screen shop, the
students produced T-shirts bearing the
Explorer Scout logo and a drawing of
an articulated bus as a memento of the
program.
After certificates were presented to
Top Photo: Explorer Scouts display their workmanship before receiving graduation certificates
from General Operations Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer, seated in articulated mini-bus. Seated
in the shop cart at right are District General Manager Derek C. Fisk, London Transport, and his
wife, Audrey, who were visiting CTA facilities.
Above: Members of the project organizing committee were (left to right): Willie Wong, unit super-
visor, bus garages; Dick Schneider, area superintendent, automotive vehicle maintenance; Tom
Wolgemuth, manager. Maintenance; Frank Venezia, superintendent, bus shops; Explorer Executive
Robert Battle ill, and Frank Sprovieri, carpenter leader. South Shops.
Below: A team of 30 South Shops employees advised the scouts throughout the program.
the students and advisors, everyone
enjoyed hamburgers and soft drinks in
the South Shops lunch room.
Representing CTA Chairman
Eugene M. Barnes, General Operations
Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer
thanked the scouts and volunteer
advisors for their participation and
said, "CTA is proud to have partici-
pated in this worthwhile program,
which provided practical training and
career motivation to a fine group of
young people."
Attending the graduation as guents
of Mr. Geissenheimer during their visit
to CTA were Watling District (London
Transport) District General Manager
Derek C. Fisk and his wife Audrey.
MAY, 1981
Superior Public Service Award winners
Two CTA employees were
among 12 persons honored at the
13th Annual Superior Public Ser-
vice Awards luncheon on April 30
in the Palmer House.
They are Len Wiksten, director.
Plant Maintenance, Maintenance
department, named Outstanding
Executive Employee, and Thomas
E. Alfred, vehicle maintenance
systems clerk. South Shops, named
Outstanding Clerical Employee.
The annual competition is held
for employees of the City of Chi-
cago, County of Cook, Chicago
Park District, Metropolitan Sani-
tary District, City Colleges of
Chicago, the Chicago Board of
Education, Chicago Housing Au-
thority, and the Chicago Transit
Authority.
Two other CTA employees re-
ceived certificates as finalists.
They are Claude R. Stevens Jr.,
principal safety analyst. Support
Services Section, Transportation
department, a finalist in the Public
Safety Category, and Willie Law-
ler Jr., bus operator, 52nd Street
garage. Transportation depart-
ment, a finalist in the General
Services Category.
Top right: Len Wiksten, director. Plant Main-
tenance, Maintenance department, accepts
"Outstanding Executive Employee" plaque
from Barbara Proctor, president. Proctor &
Gardner Advertising Company, at 13th Annu-
al Public Service Awards luncheon April 30
in Palmer House.
Center: Thomas E. Alfred (left), vehicle
maintenance systems clerk. South Shops,
displays his "Outstanding Clerical Employee"
plaque with E. J. Evans, supervisor. Office
Procedures & Budget, South Shops. Evans
submitted Alfred's name in nomination for
the coveted award.
Bottom right: Harold Geissenheimer (left).
General Operations Manager, and Nick
Ruggiero (right), CTA Board member
representing Chairman Barnes, join Willie
Lawler Jr., bus operator, 52nd Street garage
(left of Ruggiero), and Frenchie Ellis, princi-
pal safety analyst, substituting for Claude R.
Stevens Jr., principal safety analyst, who was
unable to attend the awards luncheon. Lawler
and Stevens received finalist certificates in
the competition.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
M
Congratulations,
Explorers
Congratulations are in order for
1 38 young men and women who com-
pleted a special Explorer Scouting
program on April 15. The high school
students developed career awareness
through firsthand experience in auto
mechanics, welding, electricity, and
carpentry-all under the careful guid-
ance of 30 volunteer advisors from
South Shops (see Transit News. March,
1981).
The focal point of the program was
the construction of an articulated
mini-bus. The beautifully detailed
replica of CTA's 'Big Bend' buses, made
from scrap and donated materials, is
powered by a one-cylinder gasoline
engine and features operational head-
Ughts, taillights, turn signals, and side
marker lights. The students also refur-
bished two motorized shop carts
donated by vendors, decorating one
with a scalloped paint job and cus-
tomizing the other with a body
fabricated from sheet metal to resemble
the front end of a Flxible bus. And,
working in the silk screen shop, the
students produced T-shirts bearing the
Explorer Scout logo and a drawing of
an articulated bus as a memento of the
program.
After certificates were presented to
Top Photo: Explorer Scouts display their workmanship before receiving graduation certificates
from General Operations Manager Harold H. Geissenhelmer, seated In articulated mini-bus. Seated
in the shop cart at right are District General Manager Derek C. Fisk, London Transport, and his
wife, Audrey, who were visiting CTA facilities.
Above: Members of the project organizing committee were (left to right): Willie Wong, unit super-
visor, bus garages; Dick Schneider, area superintendent, automotive vehicle maintenance; Tom
Wolgemuth, manager. Maintenance; Frank Venezia, superintendent, bus shops; Explorer Executive
Robert Battle III, and Frank Sprovieri, carpenter leader. South Shops.
Below: A team of 30 South Shops employees advised the scouts throughout the program.
the students and advisors, everyone
enjoyed hamburgers and soft drinks in
the South Shops lunch room.
Representing CTA Chairman
Eugene M. Barnes, General Operations
Manager Harold H. Geissenhelmer
thanked the scouts and volunteer
advisors for their participation and
said, "CTA is proud to have partici-
pated in this worthwhile program,
which provided practical training and
career motivation to a fine group of
young people."
Attending the graduation as guents
of Mr. Geissenhelmer during their visit
to CTA were WatUng District (London
Transport) District General Manager
Derek C. Fisk and his wife Audrey.
MAY, 1981
Superior Public Service Award winners
Two CTA employees were
among 12 persons honored at the
13th Annual Superior Public Ser-
vice Awards luncheon on April 30
in the Palmer House.
They are Len Wiksten, director.
Plant Maintenance, Maintenance
department, named Outstanding
Executive Employee, and Thomas
E. Alfred, vehicle maintenance
systems clerk. South Shops, named
Outstanding Clerical Employee.
The annual competition is held
for employees of the City of Chi-
cago, County of Cook, Chicago
Park District, Metropolitan Sani-
tary District, City Colleges of
Chicago, the Chicago Board of
Education, Chicago Housing Au-
thority, and the Chicago Transit
Authority.
Two other CTA employees re-
ceived certificates as finalists.
They are Claude R. Stevens Jr.,
principal safety analyst. Support
Services Section, Transportation
department, a finalist in the P>ublic
Safety Category, and Willie Law-
ler Jr., bus operator, 52nd Street
garage. Transportation depart-
ment, a finalist in the General
Services Category.
Top right; Len Wiksten, director. Plant Main-
tenance, IVIaintenance department, accepts
"Outstanding Executive Employee" plaque
from Barbara Proctor, president. Proctor &
Gardner Advertising Company, at 13th Annu-
al Public Service Awards luncheon April 30
in Palmer House.
Center: Thomas E. Alfred (left), vehicle
maintenance systems clerk. South Shops,
displays his "Outstanding Clerical Employee"
plaque with E. J. Evans, supervisor. Office
Procedures & Budget, South Shops. Evans
submitted Alfred's name in nomination for
the coveted award.
Bottom right: Harold Geissenheimer (left).
General Operations Manager, and Nick
Ruggiero (right), CTA Board member
representing Chairman Barnes, join Willie
Lawler Jr., bus operator, 52nd Street garage
(left of Ruggiero), and Frenchie Ellis, princi-
pal safety analyst, substituting for Claude R.
Stevens Jr., principal safety analyst, who was
unable to attend the awards luncheon. Lawler
and Stevens received finalist certificates in
the competition.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Maintenance
gears up for
'Big Bend' buses
The Maintenance department
has started gearing up for the ar-
rival of the 125 "Big Bend " buses
in 1982 on order from the M.A.N.
Truck and Bus Corporation with
U.S. headquarters in Southfield,
Mich., and a manufacturing plant
in Cleveland, North Carolina.
"We want to have our mainte-
nance instructors and training
materials completely up to date
when these new buses arrive,"
said Stuart Maginnis, director,
support services. Maintenance
depaiimient.
Sixteen persons took part in a
nine-day maintenance and repair
training program in the Mainte-
nance Training Center. The ses-
sions were conducted by Eric
Horder and Wilfried Klauer,
MJ^..N. service representatives,
for seven days. For two days, the
participants were instructed by
Phil Sandburg of the Trane com-
pany on air conditioning, and Tom
Phillips of the Wabasto company on
heating of the big buses.
The 16 persons were: Mainte-
nance Training Center instructors
Richard Cacini, Roger Clemens,
Michael Dain, Kenneth Polan,
Richard Guinn, Jamie Morales,
Redus Miller, and John Thompson.
Also, bus repairmen James
Miller (77th Street garage); Rick
Meyer (North Park garage), and
Antone Shimkus (Archer garage);
James Klnahan, training coordina-
tor, and Lena Phillips, transit
professional trainee. Training/
Development programs, both of
the Human Resources department;
Jerry Killman, technical service
technician, Methods and Standards
section, and Jim Haworth, field
service engineer, both of the
Maintenance department, and
Clarence Riley, equipment tech-
nician, Engineering department.
During the nine-day program,
the participants were urged to ask
all questions regarding various
Above: Rick Meyer (from left). North Park garage bus repairer; Wilfried Klauer, M.A.N, service
representative; James Miller, 77th Street garage bus repairer, and Eric Horder, M.A.N, representa-
tive, discuss draining six gallon capacity automatic transmission of "Big Bend" bus in training
session in Maintenance Training Center.
Below: Redus Miller (from left). Maintenance Training Center instructor; Wilfried Klauer, M.A.N,
service representative; Richard Guinn and Roger Clemens, Maintenance Training Center instruct-
ors, and Lena Phillips, transit professional trainee. Human Resources department, go over
procedures for muffler installation on big buses.
aspects of the maintenance and
operation of the buses from the
road to the roof, from bumper to
bumper.
The CTA's current fleet of 20
M.A.N, buses are kept at 77th
Street, North Park, and Archer
garages.
MAY, 1981
Scouting is
a family affair
Bus operator Leonard E. Sims
is a dedicated member of the Boy
Scouts of America, and 10 other
members of his family are also
affiliated with theB.S.A.'s Midway
district and with Boy Scout Troop
500, headquartered in St. Peter's
Lutheran church, 7400 S. Michigan
av.
Sims, 34, is a line instructor
at the North Avenue garage. He
has been employed by the CTA for
11 years.
He has been in the Boy Scouts
for 20 years. Sims joined as an
eight-year-old Cub Scout Bob Cat
and remained in Scouting for a
number of years, dropped out, then
returned.
At present, Sims is commis-
sioner of the Midway district com-
prised of 74 Boy Scout troops and
Cub Scout packs, with a member-
ship of more than 1,200 South Side
yoimgsters.
Like many adult scout leaders,
Sims has come up through the
ranks. Along the way he has
garnered many of Scouting' s high-
est honors for his excellent work
and leadership, as a scout and as
an adult leader.
He has served as cubmaster,
scoutmaster, camping chairman.
Explorer Scout advisor, and scout
commissioner.
Sims has recently earned the
Silver Beaver badge, the Chicago
Area Council's highest award, and
the B.S.A. Wood badge.
Although he serves as district
commissioner, Sims stays close to
Troop 500 where he serves as
scoutmaster.
This troop, according to the
B.S.A.'s Chicago Area Council, is
considered among the highest
ranking troops in the council.
"Getting members of my family
interested in scouting wasn't very
difficult," Sims said. "Once they
saw my enthusiasm for scouting,
they became attracted to the many
different activities for adults that
scouting has to offer."
Sims' wife, Essie, is a district
imit commissioner; his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sims, are
committee members for Troop
500; his sister, Mrs. Barbara
Lockett, is a troop commissioner;
his other sister, Charlesetta, is a
district unit commissioner; his
brother, Myron, is a troop adult
leader; Myron's wife, Denise, is a
district unit commissioner; his
daughter, Monica, is an Explorer
Scout; and his son, Edward, and his
nephew, Michael, are Life Scouts,
one rank below the coveted title of
Eagle Scout.
Sinis has received yet another
honor for his scouting leadership.
He has been named scoutmaster
for the National Jamboree troop
of the Chicago Area Council. He
will be one of eight adult leaders
and 72 Jamboree troop scouts to
participate in the 10th National
Scout Jamboree at Fort Hill,
Fredericksburg, Virginia, July 29
to August 5.
More than 300,000 scouts and
adult leaders, from all 50 states
and world-wide scouting associa-
tions, will take part in the event.
Hospital volunteer
earns 3000 hour pin
Weekends for Sophie Reynolds of the Schedule de-
partment are dedicated to hospital volimteer work. In
the past 10 years she has devoted nearly 4,000 hours
of service at Holy Cross Hospital,
Her volimteer service which began September 21,
1971, earned her the 3000 Hour Golden Pin which was
presented at the hospital's annual February Sweet-
heart Sunday program in honor of volunteers.
Working a six and a half hour volunteer day, Sophie
begins each Saturday at Holy Cross at 2:30 p.m. on
the Information desk where she hands out passes to
visitors, answers telephones and delivers flowers,
candies and other gifts to patients. She also helps by
serving as a translator for Polish speaking patients
and visitors.
"I look forward to my volunteer work on weekends,
because I feel that no amovmt of money for any job
would give me the satisfaction which I have enjoyed
throughout the years at the hospital," commented
Sophie.
A member of the Holy Cross Hospital staff pins a corsage on Sophie
Reynolds of the CTA Schedule department who was among honorees
at the hospital's annual Sweetheart Sunday program. Mrs. Reynolds
received the 3,000 hour pin for accumulated hospital service since
September 21,1971.
Hospital service is not the first time Sophie Rey-
nolds has ever volunteered for duty. In 1943, she
raised her hand in allegiance and defense of the na-
tion as a member of the U.S. Navy where she served
for two and a half years.
Sophie, who joined the CTA on August 1, 1973, is
the mother of two sons and has five grandchildren.
Her son, Michael, is a stock clerk in Storeroom 57
at South Shops.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Frenchie Ellis has role
in stage production
Hometown ties and CTA talent
were combined in a play produced
recently that has a message for
everyone. The Greenville Mis-
sissippi Club of Chicago staged the
play as one of several fund-
raising events held each year to
provide scholarships for Green-
ville high school graduates going
on to college.
Frenchie Ellis, principal safety
analyst, Methods/Standards,
Transportatiai department, not
only acted in the play, but also
helped design and build the set.
Ellis studied drama at Colimibia
College after joining CTA more
than 30 years ago, but this was his
first stage role. "It was a lot of
work and took a lot of time, but I
enjoyed it," he said.
Christine Houston, former CTA
ticket agent and now a full-time
TV playwright working for Norman
Lear Productions, wrote and
directed the play, which was en-
titled "I Love You Nana." Houston,
whose husband, Ike, is a motor-
man, West Section, did the play as
a favor to Claydia Phillips, a friend
and one-time teacher at Kennedy
King College, who had the starring
role.
The theme of "I Love You Nana"
concerns the tendency of young
people to forget about older fam-
ily members and to want to push
them aside. It presents the mes-
sage that, regardless of how old a
person gets, he can always find a
way to help a younger person, and
should be a welcome member of
any family.
"I don't want to run your life,"
one of the older players says in a
key line, "I just want to be a part
of it."
Ellis said the play, which was
presented twice in the Greenville
group's clubhouse on West 119th
Street, drew a capacity crowd, and
provided over $900 for the club's
scholarship fund. He said it may
be produced again later this year
in Chicago and Gary.
Violette Brooks
joins library
Former Leo High School librarian
Violette Brooks has joined the
staff of the CTA library in the
Merchandise Mart. She holds a
bachelor of arts degree from Illi-
nois State University at Normal, a
master of arts degree from Gov-
ernors State University at Park
Forest South, 111., and is a mem-
ber of both the American and Illi-
nois Library Associations. Ms.
Brooks is membership chair-
person of the Children's Reading
Round Table, an organization
which promotes reading among
children and adolescents. She is
a volunteer with the Chicago Urban
League as well as the NAACP, and
is a member of the women's
chorus of the St. Mark United
Methodist Church of Chicago. She
is also the resource person for the
church school.
Bob Chambers (left), controller, gave a
special briefing on CTA control room pro-
cedures to visitors from the Industrial
College of the Armed Forces who parti-
cipated in a special CTA Technical Insti-
tute recently. The military students were
reviewing the operation of several transpor-
tation agencies across the country as part
of a special curriculum on transportation
which is offered at the College located in
Washington. Attending the briefing were
(from left): Colonel Norbert D. Grabowski
and Lieutenant Colonel George B. J. Dibble,
U.S. Army; Lieutenant Colonel John W. Haley
and Colonel Stanley J. Glod, U.S. Army
Reserve; George J. Donovan, GS-15, U.S.
Navy, and Lieutenant Colonel Rudolph H.
Ehrenberg, U.S. Army.
MAY, 1981
13
Machine shop foreman installed as lodge officer
Ernest L. Johnson, CTA ma-
chine shop foreman, South Shops,
has been installed as Worshipful
Master of Garden City Lodge No.
59, Free and Accepted Masons.
Johnson, who is a 32nd degree
mason, is also a member of the
Arabic Temple Shrine No. 44,
Knight Templar, Royal Arch, Royal
and Select Masters; president of
the choir at Mt. Olive AME church
where he also serves as a steward,
member of Gresham Community
Coimcil, and a first sergeant with
the U.S. Army Reserve. He also
holds the position of captain of the
Arabic Temple No. 44 Drill Patrol.
Other CTA employees elected
to office with Johnson were James
R. House, foreman, Skokie Shops,
Junior Warden, and Lawrence A.
Watts, operator, 69th Street ga-
rage, secretary.
Garden City Lodge No. 59,
which received its charter in 1900,
has been the Masonic home for
numerous CTA employees for
many years. Current members
include Tobbie P. Gowans, black-
smith. South Shops, worshipful
master from 1976 to 1977; Levell
Nichols, foreman. South Shops;
Installed as officers of Garden City Lodge No. 59, Free and Accepted Masons were (from left):
Marvin Ward, Senior Warden; Ernest L. Johnson, machine shop foreman. South Shops, Worship-
ful Master, and James House, foreman, Skokie truck shop. Junior Warden.
Charles Dickerson, electrician.
South Shops; Levell Stewart, mech-
anic. South Shops; Juan McClellan,
operator, 77th Street garage;
Thomas Washington, operator,
69th Street garage, and Walter
King, carpenter. West Shops.
Worshipful Master Johnson re-
sides on the South Side with his
wife, Pauline, and two daughters,
Cilicia Ann and Luctricia Marie,
Robert Martinez, North Park garage bus operator, holds plaque pre-
sented to him by the Chicago Police department for his three years of
participation in the police department's Beat Representative program in
the 14th District. Program volunteers work closely with the police
department at the community level in the prevention of crime. On hand
for the presentation were (from left): Erskine Moore, director. Beat
Representative program; Sergeant Ben Martinez, Chicago Police Depart-
ment Public Relations, 14th District; Martinez; Sera Cruz, coordinator.
Beat Program, 14th District; and Ira Harris, Deputy Superintendent,
Bureau of Community Services, Chicago Police department. Martinez
joined the CTA in December, 1975.
Do
il ^ww yyc QQQ c
Bode Obafunwa, chairman of the Lagos (Nigeria) State Metro Line,
pauses for a look at substation supervisory control units during a recent
CTA visit. Conducting the tour through the control center were Jerry
Johnson (left), superintendent, control center, and Harold H. Geissen-
heimer (right) General Operations Manager.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
EDWARD J. COLLINS, Painter,
Skokle Shop, Emp. 9-18-53
VERNON W. DIETRICH, Conductor,
Douglas, Emp. 11-28-45
IRA FARMER Sr., Carpenter,
South Shops, Emp. 2-17-55
JESSIE GILLIAM, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 4-7-48
WILMA C. HASS, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 7-1-67
CLARENCE M. HEARNS, Conductor,
South Section, Emp. 10-13-48
JOHN W. JAMES, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 1-13-47
EDWIN C. KENNEDY, Carpenter,
Skokle Shop, Emp. 9-22-50
CHESTER T. MAZUR, Combination Clerk,
Harlem Shop, Emp. 4-9-51
JAMES L. Mccarty, operator,
77th Street, Emp. 4-3-51
ALBIN PAWLICKI, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 2-18-57
DONALD E. STUCKENBERG, Box Puller,
Archer, Emp. 7-13-59
MARION SUTHERLAND, Keypunch Opr.,
Datacenter, Emp. 3-19-59
DISABIUTY RETIREMENTS
BENJAMIN JACOBS, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 7-1-68
JOSEPH J. KASPER, Bus & Truck Mech.,
South Shops, Emp. 3-31-69
Service anniversaries in IVIay
40 years
Nick K. Simonetti
South Shops
Chester C. Zielinski
South Shops
Sigtnund E. Dobosiewicz
Electrical
Jerry P. Dubin
North Avenue
Elmer P. Aust, Maintenance
iisT nvcEnvcoR.i.A.nvn
BARBARA ANDERSEN, 84, Claim,
Emp. 3-7-18, Died 2-24-81
HARRY ASHER, 62, Jefferson Park,
Emp. 1-25-46, Died 4-10-81
WALTER BAROWSKY, 72, Beverly,
Emp. 11-11-27, Died 3-6-81
VALENTINE BLICKHAHN, 89, Limits,
Emp. 2-20-43, Died 3-14-81
EDWARD BOEHM, 78, West Section,
Emp. 7-2-20, Died 3-28-81
PATRICK CARROLL, 91, 61st Street,
Emp. 4-1-20, Died 3-29-81
ELMER CHAPMAN, 78, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-8-34, Died 3-23-81
MAURICE CONNORS, 59, Treasury,
Emp. 1-23-46, Died 3-6-81
ARTHUR DAVIS, 53, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-2-56, Died 3-15-81
ELLIS HANDLEY, 88, Lawndale,
Emp. 8-13-13, Died 3-22-81
OSCAR HERRING, 44, 69th Street,
Emp. 3-14-77, Died 4-13-81
THEODORE HUBBARD, 56, West Shops,
Emp. 2-22-54, Died 4-1-81
EUGENE LACY, 64, North Park,
Emp. 1-9-58, Died 3-27-81
WILLIAM LANE, 58, Maintenance,
Emp. 8-1-57, Died 3-5-81
PHILLIP LEAHY, 58, Schedules,
Emp. 7-1-41, Died 3-19-81
HOWARD LOWING, 70, North Section,
Emp. 8-19-36, Died 3-30-81
JAMES MOSS, 56, South Section,
Emp. 12-10-48, Died 3-23-81
MARVIN MULCONREY, 80, Archer,
Emp. 5-5-21, Died 3-28-81
FRANCIS NEUBAUER, 64, North Avenue,
Emp. 7-6-48, Died 3-10-81
ALFRED NORRIS, 71, South Shops,
Emp. 8-28-41, Died 3-18-81
HAROLD PEDERSEN, 84, West Section,
Emp. 3-17-14, Died 3-2-81
FRANCIS PIERSON, 75, Beverly,
Emp. 10-26-28, Died 3-15-81
THOMAS RAMON, 50, Forest Glen,
Emp. 3-17-77, Died 3-25-81
WALTER REYMOND, 82, Kimball,
Emp. 12-30-44, Died 3-31-81
JOSEPH SCHUMACHER, 88, South Sect.,
Emp. 8-4-13, Died 1-27-81
WALTER SERZOW, 83, Skokle Shop,
Emp. 1-1-25, Died 3-3-81
JOSEPH SULLIVAN, 74, 77th Street,
Emp. 11-7-44, Died 3-29-81
MICHAEL VIRGILIO, 72, Engineering,
Emp. 7-17-35, Died 2-26-81
JOHN WAGNER, 80, West Section,
Emp. 7-26-18, Died 3-9-81
WALTER W. WARNER, 78, Forest Glen,
Emp. 10-6-27, Died 3-1-81
35 years
James F. Brennan, Schedules
Robert J. Busam, Forest Glen
Edwin S. Celovsky, Lawndale
Anthony M. DeMayo, Forest Glen
Sam J. Girard, Forest Glen
Elmer C. Johnson, Kimball
John Kippes, North Park
Edward C. Korbus, Archer
John A. Kurinec, Forest Glen
Nick D. Lacorcia, Stores North
George G. Noonan, North Park
George F. Ochotnecki, Lawndale
Vito L. Palumbo, Maintenance
Sheldon M. Rita, Harlem
Robert C. Sosnowski, 52nd Street
Joseph G. Steinbach, Archer
Mathew Szarek, Utility
John F. Tiffy, Central Bus District
Wylie D. Webb, 77th Street
George J. Welling, Beverly
Edwin T. Wojdyla, District D
Eugene A. Wrobel, Schedules
Frank A. Wsol, Far South Area
John Zupko, Near North Area
30 years
Joseph E. Atkins, 52nd Street
Carl J. Bradley, Ashland/95th
Walter Campbell, 77th Street
Calvin L. Coursey, Electrical
K. C. Davison, Ashland/95th
Richard H. Hammonds, Maintenance
Benny J. Herron, Lawndale
Robert N. Hormel, Electrical
George M. Isdale, Utility
William F. Jones, Maintenance
Gerald Mallory, District A
James Mincey Jr., District A
William Monroe, Beverly
Frank Riley Jr., 77th Street
Gabriel G. Schiazza, District D
Ray L. Smith, 98th Shop
Chester Urban, Schedules
Tellis Walker Jr., Instruction
Samuel E. Williams, 52nd Street
Gordon Woods, Lawndale
25 years
Myrtle M. Apitz, West Section
Luther L. Gaston, Electrical
Sam Johnson, North Avenue
Michael Leavy, Howard/Kimball
Caesar Trent, Beverly
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Numbers
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Typesetting and printing provided by the Manage-
ment Services Department.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, $2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago.
Illinois 60654. .^Mtl
MAY, 1981
15
Coffee Pars
promote safety
Coffee Pars have been part of
the Safety tradition at CTA for
many years. They have helped to
make it a winning tradition by
providing an incentive to produce
a good safety record.
In March 1981, 77th Street ga-
rage set a new all-time low for the
number of traffic and passenger
accidents in any month. 77th
Street joins Beverly and Limits
garages who accomplished this
feat in February 1981.
The Safety department buys
coffee for all operating personnel
whenever a garage or terminal
establishes a new accident low.
This minute expenditure has paid
off in reduced claim costs. Last
Tom Boyle, manager. Safety, points to sign congratulating 77th Street garage for establishing a
new all-time low traffic and passenger accident record at their garage during March, 1981. Bus
operators enjoying coffee provided by the Safety department are (left to right): Homer Wilkerson,
Walter Kenerson, James Clark, Robbie Johnson and Frederick Burkes.
year (1980) nine bus garages and
two rail terminals established
new accident low pars. These ac-
complishments were instrumental
in establishing the CTA's safest
year in 1980.
CHICAGO TRAMSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555. Chicago. Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUi']
EVANSTON, IL 60201
TN
^rri
>f^
^ J
Q TRANSPORTATION LIBRARY
AUG 0 4 198]
N0RTHWEST£I<?3 UNiVERSITV
eta svs no^isso
The back half of the Bus Roadeo course at 77th Street.
Buses demonstrate (from background) the right turn,
curbing, 'Y' backing maneuver, left turn, and discretionary
stop.
A forest of orange pylons cast an eerie reflected
glow in the dim light, and the crisp early morning air
was charged with anticipation. The day of the com-
petition was at hand.
Volunteer judges from every division of the com-
pany, wearing bright blue and white hats, took their
positions, and the contest was about to begin.
As the contestants approached, the driving course
defined by the pylons began to appear much more
difficult, because all the competitors were driving
40-foot CTA buses. During these two Sundays (April
26 and May 3) at Forest Glen and 77th Street bus
garages, 101 of the CTA's finest bus operators would
compete in the first annual CTA Bus Roadeo Contest.
All the operators had survived a difficult selection
procedure. A thorough records review had narrowed
the field from 333 applicants to 155 contestants with
excellent driving records. During the week of March
15, a difficult written test concerning defensive driv-
ing, CTA standard operating procedures, and equip-
ment troubleshooting had left 101 operators eligible
for competition.
Although time would be a factor on the driving
course, much more importance was given to pre-
cision driving. Contestants were penalized for going
off course, touching pylons or tennis balls, and making
more shifts than necessary to complete each ma-
neuver correctly. There was a seven minute time
limit, but the time clock only ran when the buses were
in motion, since contestants were often required to
stop while the accuracy of their maneuvers was
measured.
Most of the contestants easily completed the first
two maneuvers, a serpentine or zig-zag and an offset
street. Both maneuvers required precise changes of
direction with close vehicle clearance.
(Continued Page 2)
y
eta
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
JUNE, 1981
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes visited the
two Roadeo locations and met with Roadeo
Committee members. Chairman Barnes mea-
sures the clearance at the back of the bus in
the left-hand 'Y' maneuver. Observing, from
left, are Willie Wong, assistant manager of the
77th Street competition; Paul Kadowaki,
Roadeo co-chairman; Norm Herron, assistant
manager, 77th Street competition; Bill Thom-
pson, manager of the 77th Street competition;
Elonzo Hill, Roadeo co-chairman; Ed Mit-
chell, director of Support Services; John Mc-
Lain, assistant chairman. Equipment Sub-
committee; Barnes; James Blaa, manager.
Transportation, and Bob Desvignes, Awards
and Finance Subcommittee chairman.
eta svs
Next, the rear dual clearance
maneuver proved to be very diffi-
cult. Contestants were required
to drive the bus so that the right
rear dual wheels would pass be-
tween two rows of five tennis balls,
and the space between the two rows
was only slightly larger than the
width of a set of rear dual wheels.
A demanding right turn with
minimum clearance then led to a
curbing or passenger stop. The
contestants had to drive around
5 5- gallon drums representing a
parked vehicle and curb the bus
within the distance of a simulated
bus stop. Front wheel clearance
from the curb had to be 6 inches
or less, rear wheel clearance 15
inches or less.
The next challenge was the right
half of the 'Y' backing maneuver.
Contestants drove their buses just
past two rows of closely spaced
pylons which extended out from the
course at a right angle to the
right, backed their buses in a right
turn to enter between the rows of
pylons, and stopped with the back
of their buses within 36 inches of
an end pylon centered between the
two rows. During the driving com-
petition many pylons were dis-
placed and points lost at the 'Y'
problem, and it was not unusual to
see a bus backing up with four or
five pylons compressed between
the rear bumper and rear wheels.
After carefully exiting the right
hand 'Y' , contestants negotiated
a minimum clearance left hand
turn and circled around the back
half of the course. Then they per-
formed a second curbing and a left
hand 'Y' maneuver.
Leaving the left hand Y' , the
run to the finish was all that re-
mained. The contestants acceler-
ated to a required minimum speed
of 20 m.p.h., as measured by a
Cook County Sheriff's policeman's
radar gun. They entered the de-
creasing clearance, two rows of
pylons which began widely spaced
Judy and Robert Reno, both laborers at South Shops, measure curbing clearance.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
ABOVE: Craig Lang (second from right), assistant manager of the Forest Glen competi-
tion, leads judges to assigned positions on Roadeo course. RIGHT: Mary Manoni, Roadeo
Committee secretary/scorekeeper, and Elliot Linne, assistant superintendent, Congress-
Douglas, register contestants at scoring table.
but converged in a 'V toward the
end pylon, where a judgement stop
was required within 6 inches of
the end pylon.
After all the pylons were col-
lected and the scores were tallied,
20 operators emerged as winners
of the preliminary driving com-
petition. (Winners and their com-
ments are featured on pages 6 and
7.) They will compete at the CTA
Bus Roadeo Finals at Soldier Field
on August 23.
At the finals, the first place
winner will receive a trophy and
an all expense paid trip for two to
ToroQto, Canada. This operator
will also be CTA's representative
at the American Public Transit
Association's (APT A) International
Bus Roadeo, which will be held in
the Chicago area, October 8-10, In
conjunction with the APT A Con-
vention.
The second place winner will
receive a trophy and a $500 U.S.
Savings Bond, and will take the
place of the winner if the winner is
not available for the International
Bus Roadeo.
The third place winner will re-
ceive a trophy and a $200 U.S.
Luther Lewis, top winner at Beverly garage
with 595 points, displays his first place plaque
as his wife, Dorothy, and children, Lateki and
Soraya, share the spotlight. Standing with the
honoree and his family are Transportation
Manager James Blaa, left, and Director of Per-
sonnel, Transportation, Harry Reddrick.
Savings Bond.
The fourth place winner will re-
ceive a trophy and a $100 U.S.
Savings Bond.
The 20 winners of the pre-
liminary driving competition will
receive a pair of dinner-theatre
tickets and a CTA Bus Roadeo
commemorative belt buckle and
belt. Also, the 10 winners from
these 20 who had the highest score
from each of CTA's 10 bus garages
have each received a First Place
Winner-Garage plaque.
The operators who competed in
the preliminary driving competi-
tion have each received a pair of
motion picture theatre tickets, a
Special Recognition certificate,
and a CTA Bus Roadeo hat.
The CTA Bus Roadeo Com-
mittee, headed by co-chairmen
Paul KadowaM and Elonzo Hill,
also presented mementos to all of
the volunteers who donated their
time to the Roadeo as Committee
members, subcommittee chair-
men, judges, scorekeepers, and
workers at the Bus Roadeo events.
These included CTA Bus Roadeo
hats and CTA Bus Roadeo Judge
belt buckles. (See "Putting it all
together" on page 5.)
A CTA Bus Roadeo awards
dinner will be held on October 2,
at the M&M Club in the Mer-
chandise Mart, where the Winning
Circle 20 and the 1st through 4th
place winners in the CTA Bus
Roadeo Finals will be honored.
JUNE, 1981
Bill Thompson (4th from right),
manager of the 77th Street com-
petition, leads contestants on a
walk through the course.
Louis Bieniek, instructor. Forest Glen, logs in starting order numbers
which were drawn from a hat by contestants.
Melvin Link, manager of the Forest Glen competition, gives last minute
briefing to contestants.
Clarence Junkins (left) issues equipment to judges Robert Reno,
laborer. South Shops, and Beverly Jackson, employee counselor.
Human Resources.
Art Bennett, instructor. Limits Training Center, and Anita Curtis,
director. Employment and Placement, were scorekeepers at 77th
Street.
FAR LEFT: Joe Daquilante (left), assis-
tant superintendent. Control Center, and
Ken Polen, instructor. Maintenance Train-
ing Center, measure clearance from pylon
at discretionary stop at end of course.
LEFT: Radar speed checks of the ap-
proach to the discretionary stop (mini-
mum 20 m.p.h.) were provided by Ser-
geant Manfred W. Braun and other mem-
bers of the Cook County Sheriff's Police
Department.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Putting it
all together
Putting a Bus Roadeo together requires
people who know how to organize and in-
struct which is why Elonzo Hill and Paul
Kadowaki were selected as co-chairmen of the
Bus Roadeo committee.
Hill is superintendent of the training
center at Limits garage, and Kadowaki is
superintendent of bus instruction. Support
Services Director Edward Mitchell who re-
commended the appointments to Transpor-
tation Manager James Blaa, praised the two,
along with Robert Desvignes, area superin-
tendent of instruction, for the superb manner
in which they handled their assignments.
As finance and awards subcommittee
chairman, Desvignes was responsible for the
prizes awarded to winners as well as caps,
belts, buckles and other paraphernalia that
went to all Roadeo participants.
Other subcommittee chairmen were:
Wilham Mooney, volunteers; Norman Herron,
information and pubUcity; Kelsey King,
material and equipment, assisted by John
McClain: Mike Lacriola and Mel Link, co-
chairmen, entry and eligibility; William
Thompson, site committee; Louis Sanford,
assistant, finance and awards; Mary Manoni,
recording secretary. Ronald Baker, Robert
Bizar and Jack Sowchin were also commit-
tee members.
"Anytime there is a job that somebody
wants to pass on to someone else, they
usually call on Junior to do it.. .take out the
garbage, run an errand, etc," said Mitchell.
"At CTA, Support Services is Junior.
We are the glue that holds everything else
together. We are about the business of taking
care of business, and we had a lot of very fine
people who helped us put this Roadeo to-
gether," he added.
In the Transportation department kudos
also went to Transportation Manager James
Blaa who initiated the idea, and Harry Red-
drick, director, personnel.
A total of 93 volunteer judges from a
variety of CTA work locations joined the
Roadeo committee in helping to make the
event a success. The list includes: Walter
Alexander, assistant superintendent/controller
I, Transportation; Robert Barnes, Mainten-
ance; John Batzel, controller. Transportation;
Howard Benn, supervisor, Facihties Planning,
Operations Planning; Robert Bravi, assistant
superintendent/controller I, Transportation;
Robert Brown, laborer, Maintenance; Richard
Cacini, instructor, Maintenance; McRayfield
Caldwell, assistant superintendent/controller
I, Transportation, and Dan Chorak, instructor,
Maintenance.
Other judges were: Anita Curtis, director,
Human Resources; Beverly Jackson, Human
Resources; Joe Daquilante, assistant superin-
tendent. Transportation; Juanita Eden,
Human Resources; Lampton Evans, assistant
superintendent/controller I, Transportation;
Michael Flores, bus operator; Tessa Gaines,
assistant superintendent, Transportation; John
Gaul, planner II, Operations Planning; Jim
Gebis, motor vehicle equipment engineer,
Engineering. Another member of the Engine-
ering department working as a judge was
Craig Lang, project plan/budget coordinator.
Other Maintenance department personnel
were: George Greco, Maintenance training
specialist; Leon Griffith, South Shops; Rich-
ard Guinn, instructor; Al Haas, unit super-
visor; Delord Hatcher, painter and finisher,
"A" leader; Diane Hyman, Jerry Killman,
South Shops; Tom Kohler, electrical en-
gineer; William Lambert, unit supervisor,
bus garages; Robert Lee, field services en-
gineer; Gordon Maly, unit supervisor, in-
struction; Peter Manos, industrial engineer
III; Matt Mantia, unit supervisor; Terry
McGuigan, superintendent, bus garages; Don
Moy, architectural engineer II; Robert
O'Donley, technical services; Walter Paszyna,
technical draftsman; Ken Pott, James Rappe-
port. Judy Reno, Robert Reno; Richard
Schneider, area superintendent. Automotive
Vehicle Maintenance; Ed Schumaker,
Methods/Standards, engineer II, and John
Seay.
Maintenance department also included:
Joe Simonetti, Nick Simonetti, unit super-
visor, South Shops; Frank Sprovieri; Frank
Venezia, superintendent, bus shops; William
Wilson, foreman, 52nd Street garage, and
Willie Wong, unit supervisor, South Shops.
Others from the Transportation depart-
ment were: Aaron Henderson, assistant
superintendent/controller I; Patricia Hodges,
assignment agent; Kelsey King, Methods/
Standards analyst; Michael Lacriola, superin-
tendent. Limits; Daryl Lampkins, assistant
superintendent/controller I; Mel Link, assis-
tant superintendent, instruction. North Ave-
nue; Elliot Linne, assistant superintendent.
Near North area; Henry Mosby, laborer,
Utility; Charles O'Connor, Alfred Pierce,
William Piatt, Walter Thomas, Daniel Villan-
ueva, Floyd Williams, Thomas Wilson, Miles
Smith, and Anthony Smith, all assistant
superintendent/controller I. Others were Nor-
man Herron, assistant superintendent. Limits
Training Center; Louis Sanford, analyst; Ed
Henry, superintendent, Safety; William Shol-
dice, supervisor, Training/Development pro-
grams; Steve Stark, Operations Planning;
Marilyn Mancini, executive secretary. Chair-
man's office, and Mary Manoni, analyst,
Training/Development programs, score
keeper.
Instructors who were involved were:
Thomas Artison, Art Bennett, Joseph Ben-
nett, Lou Bieniek, Sal CarbonelU, Prestal
Carnes, Charles Clark, Elijah Coleman, Karen
Eden, Wilbert Gerrish, Willie Herron, Charles
Hodges, Frank Jones, Harvey Jones, Wilham
Jones, Samuel Johnson, Clarence Junkins,
Bart Kamtak, Richard Lane, Joseph Lasin-
ski, Arthur Lee, Theodore Mack, EUice Mar-
shall, John McClain, Billy McKnight, William
Nash, Lee Oak, John Perkins, Allen Summer-
set, Joseph Valrierra, Edward Watkins, Myron
Woods, and John Woodson.
Kelsey King, assistant manager of the Forest Glen competition and
Equipment and Material Subcommittee chairman. Insured that there
would be enough of everything, from pylons and tennis balls to pencils
and scratch pads, to keep the Roadeo going.
Jim KInahan (left), technical training coordinator, Training/Develop-
ment programs, works as a scorekeeper with score marshalls Wilbert
Gerrish, rail Instructor, and Karen Eden, agent Instructor, both of the
Transportation department.
JUNE, 1981
^
^^K^ 5^79^
9
V/^^
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^x""
Orval Porter — Lawndale (Fin-
ished first with 639 points) "Its
beautiful to be in the top 20. It
was a tough course, but a good
driver could handle it."
Eddie Johnson — 77th Street
(Finished second with 605
points) 'The Roadeo is a good
morale booster. It gives the em-
ployee a target to shoot for, and
it makes everybody work to
keep their record dean."
Winning Circle '20'
Best in CTA
Bus Roadeo winners
"I think anything we can do to get recognition for our employees
is good. I hope we will make an outstanding showing at the inter-
national competition."
-James Blaa, Manager, Transportation
"It was wonderful to see the operators' families and friends en-
couraging them throughout the Bus Roadeo competition. We
hope to see a large turnout at Soldier Field on August 23 when
the best of CTA vie for the championship."
-Harold H. Geissenheimer, General Operations Manager
Robert Richardson — North
Park (Finished third with 603
points) "I entered this contest
with the confidence that I could
win with God's help."
Luther Lewis — Beverly (Fin-
ished fourth with 595 points)
"Although it was a very chal-
lenging obstacle course, I put
God first in my endeavors,
hoping to place in the top 20
and take the number one garage
prize."
Willie Whisenton — Limits (Fin-
ished fifth with 585 points)
"We should have more activi-
ties of this type. This is a real
morale booster and definitely
something to which we can look
forward."
Gilbert Singleton, Jr. — Archer
(Finished sixth with 580 points)
"I think the Roadeo is a great
idea, and I'm looking forward to
being first in the next competi-
tion."
Tommy Ross — Forest Glen
(Finished seventh with 575
points) 'This was really a great
challenge and very interesting.
I'm looking forward to the
August 23 competition."
Lee Hazelwood, Jr. — 77th
Street (Finished eighth with 569
points) "The Roadeo is an idea
that gives the operators incen-
tive. We need more of this be-
cause it's good for morale, and its
good public relations."
Edward Urbanski —Archer (Fin-
ished ninth with 566 points)
"Being in the Roadeo is an
honor. I appreciate the chance
to represent the garage, and I'm
looking forward to further parti-
cipation."
Martin Troglia — Limits (Fin-
ished 10th with 558 points)
"You really find out what you
know about a bus in an event
like this. It's one heck of a good
course. I thought I'd be in the
top 20 because I take pride in
my job."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
"It was a dream come true, and it was nice to see our operators
participating in the Roadeo and enjoying the competition. It
was also good to have so many volunteers from various depart-
ments demonstrating CTA teamwork."
-Paul Kadowaki, CTA Bus Roadeo Co-Chairman
"Our objectives, which were to recognize the operator, increase
morale, and promote safety and professionalism, have been
accomplished beyond our most optimistic expectations."
-Elonzo Hill, CTA Bus Roadeo Co-Chairman
"I'm very proud of our people and appreciate their efforts in
meeting the stringent requirements qualifying them for the
Roadeo, and for their outstanding performance. Thanks for
making us look good."
Harry Reddrick, Director Personnel/Transportation
"You'd have to participate in order to appreciate what they went
through."
Edward Mitchell, Director, Support Services
Jonas Barnett-Lawndale (Finish-
ed 11th with 552 points) "I en-
joyed participating in the Roa-
deo. The 'Y' backing was about
the toughest part, but it was
good experience. I look for-
ward to the final competition."
James Sernek — Archer (Fin-
ished 12th with 549 points)
"The bus Roadeo means that
management is recognizing us
which makes the operators feel
important. I look forward to the
next level of competition."
Jessie Witherspoon — 52nd
Street (Finished 13th with 547
points) "Besides being a lot of
fun, the bus Roadeo helps to
improve driving habits, and
makes you more alert. I believe
in trying everything for improve-
ment. If one guy can do it, so
can I."
Booker Bolton — North Avenue
(Finished 14th with 546 points)
"We should have been doing
this a long time ago because
competition is something we
always need. This is really a lot
of fun."
James Mayes - 69th Street
(Finished 15th with 542 points)
"The Roadeo is really nice. It
takes the support of your wife
to be successful in an event like
this. I plan to go all the way."
Fred Bassett — North Avenue
(Finished 16th with 540 points)
"This is one of the greatest
events that ever happened at
CTA. I have wanted to get in-
volved in a bus Roadeo since I
first read about it in the union
paper in 1979. I think its a great
motivator."
Marilyn Reyes — North Park
(Finished 17th with 539 points
tying with 18th place) "I en-
tered with confidence that I
would be a winner. I'm looking
forward to the August 23 com-
petition with a view to being a
winner."
Curtis Pollard - 52nd Street
(Finished 18th with 539 points)
"This is really a great idea. It
might help some people strai-
ghten up a bit."
Harvey Becker — North Avenue
(Finished 19th with 538 points)
"The Roadeo is an interesting
experience. I'm enthusiastic
about the next round of com-
petition."
David James, Jr. - North Ave-
nue (Finished 20th with 535
points) "It was a challenge and
a real honor to compete with
people who have been around
for a while. I'm a new comer
with three years in the com-
pany."
JUNE, 1981
Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (extreme left), APTA vice president.
Governmental Affairs, looks on approvingly as APTA President Leo-
nard Ronis (right) presents transit's case before U.S. Senate subcom-
Chairman's Report
APTA recommends
block grant
There have been many anxious moments in the wake
of speculation on the plight of public transportation,
particularly as it relates to the CTA. At the same
time, continuing efforts are being made to find relief.
Most recently, the American Public Transit As-
sociation, where I serve as vice president for Gov-
ernmental Affairs, appeared before the Senate sub-
committee on Housing and Urban Affairs. Our pur-
pose was to serve notice of the damage being done to
the public transit system and to warn of its certain
collapse should Congress push through major Trans-
portation Act amendments that would curtail the fund-
ing of operating expenditures.
Fare hikes alone will not pay the rising costs,
neither will shifting the tax burden achieve the de-
sired result. Public transit, like police, fire pro-
mittee on Housing and Urban Affairs. Other APTA officials were (left),
John C. Pingree, Salt Lake City, and William Blue of Flint, Mich.
tection, sanitation, and public schools, is provided as
a service and should be funded as such.
Accordingly, APTA recommends that Craigress
adopt a block grant approach to the distribution of both
capital and operating assistance. Not only would this
method of fimding provide the CTA flexibility to de-
termine how the money is spent, but it is also in keep-
ing with the philosophy of the Reagan Administration.
The new attitude is to let State, local and other unit
governments work out their own problems without in-
terference from the federal level.
Surely it is very baffling to all of us, but to ponder
the situation only adds grey hair which hardly helps
anyone. I am urging each of you to continue in the ex-
cellent cooperative and constructive spirit in which
you have carried on since the crisis developed.
As men and women of the CTA, let us conserve our
energies and employ them for the more useful purpose
of continuing to provide the best possible service to
the riding public.
Crisis may come, and crisis may go, but one thing
is certain, "People moving people" means we'll always
need you to make it work.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Employees honored with *A Day in CTA'
Homage was paid to six employees with 'A Day in CTA'
as they visited the general office and received special recog-
nition from the CTA board at its regular June session.
The six were treated to a visit to the control center,
travel center and other CTA departments, a picture-taking
session, lunch at the Merchandise Mart's M&M Club, and a
round table discussion with management.
Among the employees were three maintenance personnel
assigned to Limits garage who alerted the occupants of a
burning building and helped them evacuate safely. The fire
occurred on May 7 at approximately 2:45 a.m. as CTA
acting foreman Thomas Pemberton was checking buses
parked on the Limits lot. Three other honorees are mem-
bers of the Transportation department.
Thomas Pemberton
Thomas Pemberton, acting foreman
of the Automotive Vehicle Mainten-
ance section of the Maintenance depart-
ment, joined CTA in 1973.
"Most people in the garage never
get to see how this system really works.
The most interesting aspect of visiting
the general office was the control
center. It's interesting to know how it
works."
Patricia Williams
Bus Operator Patricia Williams of
North Park garage, given recognition
for the competent manner in which she
assisted a rider whose purse was stolen
on her Sheridan Road bus on April 24,
was intrigued by the "close-knit" com-
munications between departments in
the general office. Noted Ms.WilUams,
"All the departments are working toge-
ther to help operating employees do
their jobs better."
"It felt good standing up before the
audience at the board meeting. Just the
fact that somebody said thank you for
a good job was really a good feeling. I
appreciated it."
Dwyer Williams
"We are a team that enjoys working
together. I think the most interesting
thing about being here however, is
meeting the people who are really over
the Maintenance department. I also
appreciated the board meeting because
after wit!»8sing what went on, one
realizes that it is pot all glamour."
Bus Operator Robert Martinez,
North Park garage, is also a beat repre-
sentative for the Chicago PoUce depart-
ment's 14th District. He was honored
recently by the PoUce department for
his outstanding work in .the com-
munity. Martinez was amazed by the
number of daily calls handled in the
Travel Information center, and im-
pressed by controllers' efforts to work
with bus operators. "A lot of good
things are going on in the Mart which
all of the operating employees should
be able to see," said Martinez.
Rafael Presto
Rafael Presto, a conductor at 54th
on the Douglas, chased would-be
robbers recently as they left his train,
causing them to drop the wallet they
had taken. Impressed by opportunities
for advancement. Presto said, "I've
seen so many people who started as bus
operators or trainmen, and have now
worked their way up. With hard work,
you can be anywhere you want to be
in the company."
JUNE, 1981
Earl Miles (Lawndale garage)
should be commended for "his
excellent service" while driving a
#58 Ogden/Randolph bus, ac-
cording to Kevin Foster, of
West End Avenue. "The minute
anyone boarded his bus, he
would greet them in a friendly
manner. He would talk to the
passengers, trying to cheer them
up, and on a day as hot as this,
we needed all the cheering up
we could get. This driver seems
to care how his passengers feels,
and he apologized for two things
he had absolutely no control
over -- the bumps in the road
and the heat on the bus. This
showed he did indeed want to
give the public the best possible
service."
Roland Michalak, agent at Jack-
son in the State Street subway,
was praised for his quick offer
of assistance by Raymond Fried-
lander, of Lunt Avenue, who
suffered a circulatory accident
near his ticket booth. "He was
helpful, courteous and tactful.
He offered me his chair, called
the paramedics, and I waited
seated until the ambulance ar-
rived to take me to the hospital.
After several days in the hos-
pital, I was sent home to re-
cover. I just want to tell you
how grateful I am to the agent
who perhaps saved my life in
this emergency. It is good to
know in these times that there
are some great people, too, in
this world."
commendation corner
Tereso Morquecho (North Park garage) won the approval
of Ruth Schaeffer, of North Lake Shore Drive, for his action
in helping a pedestrian who fell on the street near his #151
Sheridan bus. "At Oak and Michigan, an elderly lady attemp-
ting to cross the street lost her footing and fell into the path
of oncoming traffic. Most people went about their business
without stopping to lend a hand. Your driver brought the bus
to a halt, stepped off, and very carefully, with compassion,
lifted the lady to her feet, stopped traffic, and with the help
of another gentleman, saw her safely to the other side of the
street."
Lawrence Jackson (North Section) was the conductor of
an Englewood/Howard train that Anne Cambal, of Evanston,
was riding one afternoon. "A man with a child sleeping next
to him woke the child and beat him. Some of the passengers
tried to stop the beating, but the man failed to respond
normally. The conductor arrived quickly, and he calmly tried
to prevent the man from further abusing the boy. He also
radioed for the police. He made further efforts to distract the
man and held the train until the police arrived. I believe his
quick-thinking actions should be recognized."
Bobby Bradley (52nd Street garage) was complimented
by Nancy Ross, of Everett Avenue, for his consideration
when she fainted on his #6 Jeffery Express bus. "The bus
was hot and crowded. I was standing at the front near the
driver. As we entered Balbo from Lake Shore Drive, I knew
I was going to faint. I told the driver, and he quickly pulled
over to get me some air. The next thing I remember, I was
lying on the grass next to the bus. The driver used his brief-
case for a pillow under my head, and he stayed with me until
the ambulance came. He was very conscientious and showed
a genuine interest in my well-being."
Jacques Yezeguielian (Forest Glen garage) was thanked
by Mary Krai, of Delphia Street, for helping her mother on
his #64 Foster/Lawrence bus. "While she was paying her
fare at Jefferson Park, she was jostled by a young man who
got on and was asking directions. After he got off, my
mother noticed that her change purse was missing. She re-
ported this to the driver, who went with her to the next bus,
where the suspected man had taken a seat. He told the man
to give my mother her purse, which amazingly he did. Your
driver should be commended for extending himself beyond
his duties and helping a senior citizen."
Nathaniel Lee Jr. (South Section) was the conductor of a
Lake/Dan Ryan train that Mrs. T. W. CasseU, of Oak Park,
rode one day to the Loop. "This young man brings many
smiles to his riders' faces, and creates an air of camaraderie
on the train with his passengers. He is courteous and plea-
sant, and informs his passengers of the condition of the plat-
forms - shppery when wet, etc. He gives a time report, and,
above all, thanks his passengers for riding the CTA. He cer-
tainly can set a precedent, and if more conductors responded
in kind, the public would be better served."
James Ball (Lawndale garage) impressed Predrag Ivan-
ovich, of South St. Louis Avenue, with the way he handled
riders on his #60 Blue Island/26 bus. "He asked every rider
paying with a dollar bill to unfold it. He told a passenger who
boarded with a lighted cigarette that smoking was not per-
mitted on the bus, and the passenger complied. He told a
rider who came from the back of the bus requesting a trans-
fer that transfers are issued only at the time of boarding and
paying the fare. When a lady boarded with a transfer and
asked for it back, he told her 'Lady, you have only three
minutes until it expires,' but gave it back."
John Zupko (North Section) made it "a pleasure to ride
the Evanston Express," according to Gary Schmitz, who
works on North Michigan Avenue. "What made the ride
special was the conductor's pleasant manner, sense of humor,
and obviously genuine affection for his riders. When one
rider, especially pleased by his attitude, asked why he went
out of his way for people, he responded that with fares going
up, he felt it was only proper that he make a special effort to
treat his riders with kindness. He again demonstrated his
compassion by stopping the train as it left the Merchandise
Mart to give a small boy the glove he left behind."
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Charles Agnew, Forest Glen
John Alessi, Forest Glen
Nelson Anderson, Ashland
Sandor Barath, District D
Adello Bianchini, Howard/Kimball
Robbie Brown, Limits
Jean Cage, Limits
Sergio Candelaria, Limits
Byung-Yup Choi, North Park
John Christner, Forest Glen
Patricia Cobb, North Park
Jacqueline Cousin, Archer
Martin Damore, Douglas/Congress
Rogers Dean, Lawndale
Guillermo DelRio, North Park
aarence Dougan, Beverly
Herman Duffin, Forest Glen
Sylvester Ermon, 77th Street
David Evans, North Park
James Gaines, 52nd Street
James Gordon, Ashland
George Grafer, Forest Glen
Gary Gray, Howard/Kimball
Keith Griffin, 69th Street
Terrence Griffin, Limits
Mary Guice, North Park
Sharon Hampton, South Section
Willie Hampton, Lawndale
Chester Harris, North Park
Georgia Harris, North Park
John Harris, Lawndale
Walter Harris, North Park
Willie Harria Jr., North Avenue
Lawrence Hart, North Avenue
CeceUa Hendrickson, Forest Glen
Therese Hennessy, Forest Glen
Peyton Hightower, 77th Street
Ralph Howard, North Avenue
Michael Jackson, 69th Street
Ronald Jackson, 77th Street
Zeke Jagst, North Park
Willie Johnson, North Avenue
William Knight, North Park
Michael Kozlowski, North Park
Robert Kremer, North Park
Ricardo Leiva, Forest Glen
John Lemond, North Park
Robert Longbey, 69th Street
Rafael Lopez, Forest Glen
Edwin Mahan, Howard/KimbaU
Michael Maines, Forest Glen
Kevin Majors, North Park
Madaline Martin, North Park
Robert Martinez, North Park
James McDonald, Lawndale
Valray Mcintosh, Beverly
A. D. Merrick, North Avenue
Lianne Merrill, 69th Street
Edgar MolUnedo, North Park
Abraham Morgan, North Avenue
Sylvester Morgan, 69th Street
Daniel Olvera, Limits
Willie Otis, District A
Billy Ragsdale, 52nd Street
Clyde Randolph, 52nd Street
Joseph Reed, Plant Maintenance
Employees who received commendations
during the last month.
Leon Richmond, Lawndale
Sherman Robinson, North Avenue
Ivan Rodez, Limits
David Rosenthal, North Park
Michael Shelton, North Park
Kenneth Simpson, North Park
Herbert Slack, North Avenue
Robert Smith, 77th Street
WilUe Stubbs, Lawndale
Wendell Talbert, North Park
Edward Tierney, West Section
Emilio Torres, Limits
Wilson Torres, Limits
Arturo Valdez, North Park
Mitchell VanCleave, North Park
Garrett Vaught, 77th Street
Darold Wardlow, Limits
Fredrick White, North Park
Ceo la Williams, 52nd Street
Henderson Williams, Forest Glen
Russell WilUams, Ashland
Isaiah Williams Jr., Archer
Janie Yarbrough, Lawndale
We apologize to bus operator Michael
Shelton, North Park, who received
commendations during February, 1981
and July, 1980. His name was inadver-
tently omitted from the commendation
list in those issues.
promotions
Jack Cannon, former position control analyst,
Human Resources-Job Classification, has been ap-
pointed supervisor, Human Resources Information
Center. In TransportaticBi, two former management/
professional interns have been promoted to assistant
superintendents: Walter Alexander is now assigned
to District C Service, while Joseph Grady reports to
the area superintendent. Far South, Personnel.
In other job reassignments, Rudy Mendez, former
human relaticms specialist, Human Resourcfes-Human
Relations, has been named labor relations repre-
sentative. Labor Relations; and in Human Resources-
Job Classification, Tomoko Smart has moved from
position control clerk to position control analyst.
Patricia Flynn, former secretarial stenographer.
Materials Management, is now confidential office as-
sistant. Human Resources-Training/Development
Programs. New as confidential office assistant.
Human Resources-Employment & Placement, is
Diana Blaino, former utility clerk, Law/Claims.
Three new station clerks have been selected for
Transportation- Bus Systems: Henry Billups Jr.,
former bus operator, Archer; Harry Boris, former
street collector. Limits; and Richard Gooden, former
operator, Beverly. Worthetta Evans, former key-
punch operator, Datacenter, has been named data
entry & control clerk. Operations Planning-Schedules.
At South Shops, Walter Brown has been promoted
from bus & truck mechanic helper to bus & truck
mechanic. New at South Shops as a utility clerk is
Maureen Shore, former typist. Materials Manage-
ment-Stores. Now serving as utility clerk, SkoMe
Shop, is Ann Marie Wolf, former typist. Management
Services-Administrative Services.
In Financial Services-Materials & Payables,
Ruthie McPhee has moved from payables utility clerk
to accoimts payable clerk. Lawrence Tischer, former
stock clerk. Materials Management- Stores, is now
money handler, Treasury-Central Coimting.
Amarilis Figueroa, former typist. Insurance &
Pensions, has been named technical training clerk,
Human Resources-Training/Development Programs.
Carmen Parker, former typist. Insurance & Pensions,
has been selected utility clerk in the same section.
Margarita Garcia, former clerk typist. Transporta-
tion, has been chosen typist, Disurance & Pensions.
JUNE, 1981
CRAIG I. ADKIi.
De LaSalle Inst.
Ruth Adkins
Archer
KAREN L. ADKINS
U of I Med. Ctr.
Ruth Adkins
Archer
TAEKO R. AMMONS
Morgan Park H.S.
Bernard Ammons
Engineering
LAURA BALAZS
Streamwood H.S.
Gordon Balazs
NANCY BARKER
Arlington H.S.
Allan Barker
Engineering
CAROL A. SEAL
Lindblom H.S.
Isaac S. Seal
General Operations
LESLIE L. BEAL
Lindblom H.S.
Isaac S. Beal
General Operations
KATHLEEN BOYLE
MarillacH.S.
Tom Boyle
Safety
Gallery of June
Graduates
In CTA Families
Here are the proudest pictures
of the year identified by name,
school, parents and parent's
CTA work location.
NECOLE BROWN
Fenger H.S.
Preston Brown
West Shops
KIMBERLY BROWNE
Spellman College
Carolyn Browne
Stenographies
ROY CAMERON JR
KATHARINA CARBONELLI
ROBERT CARBONELLI
Corliss H.S.
St. Genevieve
Prosser H. S.
Roy Cameron Sr.
Sal Carbonelli
Sal Carbonelli
District B
North Park
North Park
DARRYL CLARK
Evanston H.S.
Juanita Clark
ELAYNE COLEMAN
Hillcrest H.S.
Sylvia Coleman
Law
GLORIA COTTON
Proviso East H.S.
Charles Cotton
Jefferson Park
CARMELITA COUSIN
Tilden H.S.
Jacqueline Cousin
Archer
WALTER W. COX
Brother Rice
George Cox
West Shops
THERESA DAVIS
Mother McAuley
STEPHAN DONOHUE
Jacobs H.S.
John J. Donohue
Security
WILLIAM EVANS
Bogan H.S.
Edward Evans
South Shops
YVONNE M. EVANS
Bowen H.S.
David Evans Jr.
Howard
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
KIMBERLY FRANKS
TERESA GARDNER
SHARON GREENWOOD
PATRICIA HESTER
ANNA HOFF
CATHY IRWIN
South Shore H.S.
Aquinas H.S.
Chicago Vocational
Loyola U.
Thornwood H.S.
Mother Guerin
Paul D. Franks
John Gardner
William Greenwood
John J. Hester
Paul Rozek
Joseph InA'in
77th Street
Archer
Archer
North Park
Datacenter
South Shops
FAITH M. JANUARY
DOROTHY M.JONES
ROBERTA M.JULUN
JEFFREY KACMAREK
MARK KADOWAKI
DEBORAH J. LAZZARA
Lindblom H.S.
St. Francis DeSales
Kenwood Academy
St. Laurence H.S.
Loyola U.
Michael Reese N. S.
Riley January
Paul Jones
Robert Julun
George Kacmarek
Paul Kadowaki
Joseph B. Lazzara
South Shops
West Shops
Bus Service
Utility
Instruction
Archer
1
^
h"-
w
LYNNE LAZZARA
STEVEN LAZZARA
VIVIAN LONG
MARY K. MANONI
REGINA MARSHALL
DANIEL MCDONAGH
Loyola U.
Kennedy H.S.
Indiana U.
Triton College
St. Francis DeSales
Gordon Tech.
Joe Lazzara
Joseph B. Lazzara
Richard Long Jr.
Mary H. Manoni
Sinnie Marshall
T. J. Mc Donagh
Grant Program
Archer
District C
Trng./Devlpmt.
Jefferson Park
Rail North
CHARISSEMCGHEE
Oberlin College
Earl J. Mc Ghee
Security
YVONNE MCGHEE
Fenger H.S.
Cleophus Mc Ghee
77th Street
CLAUDETTE MC WILLIAMS
P.L. Julian H.S.
Ernestine Mc Williams
North Section
MELVIN MILLER JR.
Melvin Miller S
69th Street
NICOLETTE MILLER
Taft H.S.
Nick Miller
District D
CHIVETTE MITCHELL
Hyde Park Academy
Richard Mitchell
Schedules
JUNE, 1981
13
SANDY MOORE
CAROLYN MUNYER
RAYMOND NICHOLS
MARY A. POPEK
Westinghouse H.S.
Good Counsel H.S.
Calumet H.S.
Proviso East H.S.
Johnny Moore
George Munyer
William Nichols
Tnomas G. Popek
Lawndale
Security
Control Center
Engineering
BOBBY L. REEVES JR.
Corliss H.S.
Barbara Reeves
Training Center
FERN M. RILES
Maria H.S.
Lawrin Riles Sr.
District B
NGELA RIVERS
LAURIE ROWBOTTOM
PAULA Y. SANDERS
SCOTT SCHAAF
CARLYNSCHWAMB
TRISHASHELTON
Willibrod H.S.
Rollmg Meadows H.S.
Benton Harbor H.S.
Argo H.S.
Luther North H.S.
Mather H.S.
Jonathan Rivers
Harold Rowbottom
Taylor N. Sanders
Cornelius Schaaf
Donna Schwamb
Daniel Shelton
52nd Street
Street Traffic
77th Street
54th Shop
Grant Programs
North Avenue
PAULA A. SHERIFF
MARY SIMPSON
KARYN L. STEWARD
BRIDGETTSTINSON
MARY ANN SUERO
CRAIG SWINDELL
Western III. U.
Resurrection H.S.
Dunbar H.S.
Paul Robeson H.S.
U of 1 Circle
Oak Park/River Forest
Sarah Woodard
Malcolm Simpson
Delores 0. Brooks
Hank Stinson
Nick Suero
R. 0. Swindell
Security
West Shops
Claims
Beverly
Desplaines Shop
Signal Design
JULIETTE VALERIANO
TINAE. VELTRI
KAREN WHITAKER
ADRIENNE WILLIAMS
KIMBERLY A. WILLIS
KIOTHA WILSON
Maria H.S.
Trinity College
U. of Illinois
Mother of Sorrow
Queen of Peace H.S.
Curie H.S.
Jose Valeriano
Mike Veltri
McDay Whitaker
Alton Williams
Edward Willis
Ethel Wilson
Archer
Congress/Douglas
77th Street
Near South Area
District C
Archer
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
safety awards
Public safety awards for the first quarter of 1981
went to the Lawndale garage and the Harlem-Lake
terminal.
Lawndale won the coveted award over nine other
garages for the second quarter in a row, having cap-
tured the traveling plaque for the last quarter of 1980.
The Lawndale drivers compiled a traffic accident
frequency rate of 4.70 accidents. This was eight per
cent lower than the system rate of 5.11. The passen-
ger rate of 0.61 accidents was 39 per cent lower than
the system rate. Both figures are based on 100,000
miles of driving.
Among the rail terminals, Harlem-Lake won top
honors for the first quarter of this year. The com-
bined traffic and passenger accident frequency rate
was 54 per cent lower than the system-wide average
for the 90-day period.
The terminal had 86 accident-free days during the
quarter and its combined traffic and passenger acci-
dent rate was the best in the rail system.
The latest award was the 18th for Harlem-Lake
since the public safety award program began in 1961.
LEFT: Ray Colello (in sport coat), superin-
tendent, Lawndale garage, is joined by other
garage employees in displaying Public Safety
Award won for the first quarter, 1981.
BELOW: Tom Boyle (light suit), manager.
Safety, presents Public Safety Award for first
quarter, 1981, to Stan Christ, superintendent,
Harlem-Lake, in the rail terminal's train room.
JUNE, 1981
75
ZAP Awards
Winning can be contagious — just
ask the Rail Vehicle Maintenance
employees at the 54th Maintenance
terminal and the Rail Vehicle
Maintenance employees atthe 61st-
Racine Maintenance terminal.
The Rail Vehicle repair em-
ployees at the terminals shared
first place honors in the Vehicle
Maintenance Zero Accident Pro-
gram for the first quarter of 1981.
The employees of the 54th
Maintenance terminal had no ac-
cidents in the first three months of
this year. The employees at the
61st-Racine Maintenance termi-
nal had the lowest accident ratio
in the same period.
The last time 54th Maintenance
terminal employees were in first
place was in the first quarter of
1979. The 61st-Racine employees
won first place honors in the sec-
ond quarter of 1980.
Runner-up to the co-winners
was Harlem terminal. Eight Rail
Vehicle Maintenance terminals
take part in the quarterly safety
contest.
The Rail Vehicle Overhaul area
of Skokie Shc^ continued its win-
ning way by coming in first for
this year's first quarter ZAP
competiticm. This area also was
in first place for the last quarter
of 1980.
In the bus garages competition
the 77th Street garage came in
first in the ZAP competition. The
employees at the 77th Street ga-
rage last savored first place suc-
cess in the second quarter of 1980
in the competition among 10 bus
garages. Beverly garage came in
second.
At the giant 77th Street garage
complex the Unit Rebuild area won
first place in the bus shops ZAP
ccmtest for the first quarter of
this year.
The Track & Structures group
of the Plant Maintenance Power
and Wayarea won the semi-annual
ZAP safety award. In the Build-
ings and Grounds area. General
Maintenance won the semi-annual
ZAP award.
Nick Simonetti, unit supervisor, unit rebuild area, bus shops, shows
employees' first place ZAP award for first quarter, 1981, competition
they won.
LEFT: George Haenisch (left), superintendent, rail vehicle shops, presents safety award for first
quarter, 1981, to George Wylle, blacksmith foreman, who Accepted the award in behalf of rail
vehicle overhaul area employees In Skokie Shop. ABOVE: John Malloy, day foreman, 54th Ave-
nue rail vehicle maintenance terminal, displays ZAP certificate for first place, first quarter com-
petition of 1981 won by all employees of his area. George Klein, car repairer (at Malloy's right),
displays a $40 gift certificate for a pair of Leigh safety shoes he won in a raffle. To Malloy's left
is James Dudley, supervisor. Safety, Maintenance department.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Walter Hallford (in light colored suit), superintendent. Buildings and
Grounds, Plant Maintenance, presents semi-annual first place award to
Joseph Fucarino, unit supervisor, general maintenance.
Members of Skokie Shop's rail vehicle over-
haul area show their pleasure at winning the
top honor in safety at the informal award
ceremony.
Spencer Bennett (right), 77th Street garage
day foreman, accepts first place ZAP certifi-
cate won in first quarter, 1981 competition
by garage employees, from Terry Muellner,
unit supervisor, Vehicle Maintenance.
Trackman Richard Liaca (left), iron worker
foreman Barty Greco (center), and trackman
Pete Byrne display the semi-annual first place
safety award won by the employees in the
track and structure area of the Plant Mainten-
ance section.
JUNE, 1981
17
Accepting plaques from the Greater Chicago Safety Council for an im-
proved safety record and low accident frequency in 1980 are, from left,
Tim Hall, assistant superintendent. North Park; Alex Johnson, area
superintendent, central personnel; Jim Blaa, manager. Transportation;
Jim Roche, director. Utility; Mack Porter, superintendent, 77th Street
garage; J. C. White, superintendent, 69th Street garage; David Martin,
area superintendent. Near North; Mike Lacriola, superintendent.
Limits garage; Bill Moser, area superintendent. Far North; Joe Stein-
Safety Council honors CTA
The Greater Chicago Safety Council has given
recognition to all 10 of the CTA's bus garages and its
Transportation Utility section for their improved
safety record and low accident frequency in 1980.
It was the first time in CTA's history that all bus
garages have accomplished such a record in the same
year. Their combined efforts helped CTA establish
its safest year ever.
Plaques were presented to representatives of the
bach, superintendent. Archer garage; Ward Chamberlain, area superin-
tendent. Near South; Vic Johnson, superintendent. North Park garage;
Frank Wsol, area superintendent. Far South; E. C. White, superinten-
dent, 52nd Street garage; Ray Colello, superintendent, Lawndale
garage; Burnett Henderson, superintendent, Beverly garage; Hugh
Masterson, superintendent. Forest Glen garage; Tom Boyle, manager.
Safety, and Bob Desvignes, superintendent. Instruction, Transporta-
tion department.
various garages and the Utility section on May 11 at
the coimcil's annual awards dinner which was held in
the Great Hall of the Pick-Congress Hotel. In ad-
dition, plaques were awarded to four non-operating
areas (Rail Vehicle Terminals, Rapid Transit Trans-
portation, Surface Transportation, and General Of-
fice) for an overall reduction in Industrial accident
frequency.
The Greater Chicago Safety Council promotes
safely among all oi^anizations operating large fleets
of vehicles within the Chicago area.
West Section
motorman
receives degree
Robert McClure Jr.
A West Section motorman was
graduated from Kennedy-King Col-
lege with an associate of arts
degree in sociology during com-
mencement exercises last month.
The ceremony culminated three
years of academic study towards
the AA degree for Robert Mc-
Clure Jr., a CTA employee since
1969. McClure also is associate
pastor of Emerald Avenue Church
of God where his ministry is de-
voted primarily to coimseling. He
has frequently received special
church recognition for participat-
ing in seminars and workshops for
counselors.
Rev. McClure esqjects to con-
tinue his academic pursuits
towards a bachelor of arts degree
in sociology, and ultimately an
MA degree in theology. He is
currently enrolled in a theology
correspondence course at Gulf
Coast Bible college, Houston,
Texas.
McClure' s wife, Shirley, is an
assistant superintendent assigned
to the director of personnel.
Transportation department.
Donna L. Cooper, the daughter of Allen L.
Cooper, bus repairman at Beverly garage, was
admitted to the Illinois State Bar last month.
Miss Cooper received her jurist doctorate
from DePaul University Law school, and
holds a bachelor of science degree in speech
from Northwestern university.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
A proud father, a proud grandfather
Edward Levandowski Jr., an
instructor at Lawndale's Main-
tenance Training Center, has been
the epitome of a proud father since
the recent accomplishments of his
9-year-old daughter, Deanna, and
7-year-old son, Eddie.
The pride is shared of course,
by the children's grandfather, Ed-
ward Levandowski Sr., superin-
tendent of Central Counting at 77th
Street.
Deanna, a fourth grader at
Sunnyside school, Berkeley, was
the recent winner of a cultural
arts award and has been chosen
to represent the Berkeley school
district in the Illinois Conference
of Parents and Teachers Cultural
Arts competition with her poem of
"What a Family Means to Me."
Meanwhile, son Eddie, a first
grader, brought home prizes for
the whole family after a day at
Bozo's Circus. His cache included
four tickets for activities at Wis-
consin Dells, four tickets for a
Chicago Sting Soccer game at
Comiskey Park, a bike, a $50 bill,
and an assortment of toys and
electronic games. He also re-
ceived a gift certificate from a
hair stylist.
The boy was selected to be on
the show in a random drawing after
he was invited to accompany a
friend to the popular televised
event.
Purchasing Council awards certificate for minority activities
The Chicago Regional Pur-
chasing Council ^ave special rec-
ognition to the CTA at its annual
Buyers Award diimer in April.
Ms. Olivia Bradley, market
research analyst in the Purchas-
ing department, and the depart-
ment's council representative,
accepted the certificate on behalf
of the CTA for its effort to pro-
mote minority businesses.
The certificate reads that the
CTA as a member of the CRPC is
"illustrating its corporate com-
mitment to promote and support
the participation of minority
business enterprises in the econ-
omicc mainstream of corporate
purchasing in the Chicago Metro-
politan Area."
Since 1977, the Purchasing de-
partment has participated in the
Transportation Subcovmcil of the
CRPC, which develops minority
owned and operated companies to
provide materials and services
needed to operate transportation
companies.
Minority bidding on CTA pro-
posals has also tripled since CTA
began participating in the Chicago
Business Opportunity Fair spon-
sored by CRPC. The fair is de-
signed to bring corporate pur-
chasing agents and qualified ven-
dors together.
Lt. Paul Wallace
elected president
of justice
association
"^^M
;- / '
Lt. Paul Wallace, Security de-
partment, has been elected national
president of the American Crimi-
nal Justice Association— Lambda
Alpha Epsilon— at the association's
annual convention recently held at
Sam Houston State university,
Huntsville, Texas.
The American Criminal Justice
Association is headquartered in
Sacramento, Cal., and was founded
in 1937. Lt. Wallace has been an
association member for 10 years.
The association promotes pro-
fessionalism through education
and training in the field of crimi-
nal justice.
JUHE, 1981
19
Theodore "Cap" Manuel, a Human Resources/
Job Classification personnel analyst, and a
staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve,
has been named noncommissioned officer
in charge of the Contracting Section with the
928th Tactical Airlift Group at O'Hare Field.
The section, which includes a contingent of
civilian personnel as well as Air Force reser-
vists, handles all purchasing under $10,000
with the exception of aircraft parts. Sergeant
Manuel was recently awarded the Air Force
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf
cluster. He holds a bachelor of science degree
in organizational behavior/personnel from
Northwestern University. He was employed
by CTA as a bus operator in 1973 and as-
sumed duties as a traffic checker In 1977.
Manuel was appointed personnel analyst last
year.
Ernie Banks
releases record
CTA Board Member Ernie Banks,
Baseball Hall of Famer turned banker,
has released a single on the Wanna
Records label called "Teamwork."
Working with new Chicago talents.
Banks has made "Teamwork" the name
of the game as well as the song.
Vocals, appropriately enough, were
provided by the "Luva Bulls" and the
"Honey Bears," cheerleaders for the
Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Bears,
assisted by the Cliicago-based group
"Spirit." Contributing a few "Hey-
Heys" was Jack Brickhouse, long-time
friend and associate of Banks.
When asked why he chose to work
on a recording. Banks said, "I want to
lend my success to what Chicago has
to offer. There is so much talent right
here, if we can pull some of it out -
well, that's just great!" Lewis Pitzele,
president of Wanna Records, Inc.,
agreed with Banks that the area talent
needs to be recognized and nurtured,
and said, "It's time that entertainment
capabilities of our area flourish here
rather than migrate to Los Angeles or
New York. I think Ernie wants this as
much as I do."
Dianne Weier dons a Hawaiian lei as 42
friends and coworkers feted her at a farewell
party recently in the M&M Club. The Forms
Design section employee said goodbye to
Chicago as she headed for the Hula State to
start a new career. Serving on the special
committee to wish her adieu were, from left,
Mary Boski, director, Forms/Records Manage-
ment; Dianne, Linda Lundberg, Materials
Management; Adele Monson, Forms Design;
Carol Hardy, Human Relations, Darlene
Tribue, Budget; Marti Hallock, Materials
Management; Nancy Kurowski, Job Classifi-
cation; Barbara Parker, and Judy Weier,
Comptroller.
20
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Archer Bandits
1980-81
bowling champs
The 77th Street Operators
Bowling League ended its 1980-81
bowling season with the Archer
Bandits as the number one team.
In second place were the 69th
Street Raiders, with the Pin Bust-
ers and Boozers finishing third
and fourth, respectively.
League president, Booker
Byers, expressed his thanks to all
the teams participating for an ex-
cellent season.
THE CHAMPS: Proudly displaying their first-place trophies are, from left, Herbert Hodge, Tal-
madge Ireland, Horace Kemp, Donald Grant and James Coleman.
69TH STREET RAIDERS: From left are
Thurman "Termite" Collier, Ron Wheatly,
Leon Harris and Elvin Simpson. Team mem-
bers Lorenzo Ballard and Norwood Duff
were not present when picture was taken.
PIN BUSTERS: From left are Wilson Washington, Rufus Meeks,
Kathy, standing in for C. V. Johnson, Luther Lee and Tex Battles.
BOOZERS: From left (standing) are Charles Parham, Elijah Coleman,
Jomo Kenyatta, James "Rip" Person and Wade Simmons. Kneeling is
Jimmie Beatty.
JUNE, 1981
21
Labor Relations' Walsh retires after 35 years
James H. Walsh, superintendent,
Grievance/Arbitration Processes, was
the guest of honor at a retirement cele-
bration held in the CTA board room at
the Merchandise Mart.
CaUing it an ambivalent occasion.
Labor Relations Manager Leon Wool
said, "It is ambivalent because we are
happy for Jim in his retirement, yet we
are saddened by the fact that he is
leaving us."
More than 75 persons attended the
celebration where the guest of honor
was presented with monetary and mer-
chandise gifts. He was accompanied by
his wife, Josephine, and a son, James
R.Walsh of Warrenville.
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes,
recalling that the CTA had recently
hosted a meeting of APTA officials,
told Walsh and his well wishers, "The
leadership and experience that people
come here to see is found in people
like Jim. We appreciate your efforts
and the fine dedication which you have
contributed in your 35 years of service
to the CTA."
Walsh who retired June 1 , began his
career on April 29, 1946 as a 77th
Street motorman. A former infantry
officer, he was recalled to active mili-
tary service in 1949 with the rank of
first lieutenant.
He returned to the CTA in 1951 as
a bus operator assigned to Beverly Gar-
age and in 1957 was promoted to
supervisor. District A, Transportation.
For the next 20 years his career soared
through various assignments from in-
structor to station superintendent.
He joined the Labor Relations sec-
Family and friends came to say thanks for a job well done. From left. Chairman Barnes, Mr. and
Mrs. Walsh, and their son, James R., and CTA Board Member Howard Medley.
tion on January 1, 1978 as a represen-
tative and was named superintendent
on May 6, 1979.
General Operations Manager Harold
H. Geissenheimer, in his congratulatory
remarks to Walsh said, "What is good
for the CTA is good for the employee,
and what is good for the employee is
good for the CTA. What you have done
in your capacity in Labor Relations is
to bring the two together, and it is
very much appreciated."
James Blaa, manager of Transpor-
tation, said, "The Transportation depart-
ment was fortunate to have had the dis-
tinguished service rendered by Jim.
When I^bor Relations borrowed him
from us we didn't think they would
keep him, but we knew that he would
do a good job for them."
Walsh will continue to make his
home in Worth, 111., and plans to devote
time to traveUng, playing the organ and
golfing. Other members of the Walsh
family include daughters Theresa of
Kingston, Jamaica, Mary Louise of
Palos Hills, Joanne of Houston, and
Barbara of Worth.
ABOVE: Labor Relations Manager Leon Wool presents official retirement papers to Jim as he ends
35 years of service with the CTA. Standing with the honoree is his wife, Josephine.
RIGHT: Mementoes of a fine career were presented to Jim by his co-workers.
22
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
FRANK BONK, Signal Maintainer,
West Shops, Emp. 1-28-46
FRED FRIEB, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 3-11-46
FLOYD GRAJEK, Box Puller,
Beverly, Emp. 10-20-47
GEORGE HARDY, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 2-4-57
FLORENCE PARROTT, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 10-5-53
JOHN SHANAHAN, Car Repairman,
61st Street, Emp. 9-13-50
JAMES WALSH, Grievance Arb. Proc.
Labor Relations, Emp. 4-29-46
JAMES WATKINS, Trackman,
Maintenance, Emp. 8-18-52
DISABIUry RETIREMEfJTS
JESSE ROBINSON, Electrician,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 5-8-70
CHARLES WELLS, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 4-3-67
Service anniversaries in June
Seniors plan
annual picnic
The CTA Senior Citizens Retirement
Organization will hold its annual picnic on
August 8 at National Grove #2 located in
North Riverside, approximately two blocks
west of Desplaines avenue at 2900 South.
The picnic will begin at 9 a.m. and end
at sunset, and it will feature afternoon
dancing in the pavihon and prizes and
gifts for everyone.
The organization is non-profit and is
comprised of retired CTA and predecessor
company employees whose membership of
nearly 1,500 extends throughout Chicago-
land.
Anyone needing more information
about the picnic or wishing to donate
prizes, gifts of merchandise certificates,
or other suitable items should write Jack
Kalka, the picnic chairman, at 1546 S.
Clinton avenue, Berwyn, llhnois 60402.
or call him at (312) 484-6610.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Number 6
Published for employees and retirees of the 'CTA
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant;
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers; Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Typesetting and printing provided by the Manage-
ment Services Department.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, S2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza. P.O. Box 3555, Chicag
Illinois 60654.
40 years
30 years
Ted Nadrowski
Electrical
George J. Macak
Operations Planning
35 years
Michael J. Borcheck, Forest Glen
Clarence R. Dougan, Beverly
Lloyd Ferdinand, 52nd Street
Joseph G. Franchi, South Shops
Dino Fuggiti, Electrical
Ted J. Galus, Forest Glen
Henry G. Gerali, Forest Glen
William F. Glassner, IVlaintenance
Clarence Halbert, IVlaintenance
Wayne A. Hansen, IVlaintenance
Harry S. Hawke, Skokie Shop
Patrick J. Hoey, Maintenance
Rocco lacullo. Law
John F, Kelly, 52nd Street
Howard W. Lodding, Electrical
Flarzell Moore Sr., 77th Street
Frederick Moss, 77th Street
Richard T. Norton, Electrical
Delmus A. Allen, Ashland/95th
John A. Bright, Forest Park
Harvey E. Brock, 69th Street
Charles B. Brown, 61st Street
Martin Conneely, 61st Street
John Cook, 61st Street
Mitchell P. Faczek, Skokie Shop
Willie Franks, Maintenance
Dennis K. Gibson, Ashland/95th
William Greer, 77th Street
Robert E. Hardy, IVlaintenance
Herschel R. Harris, 77th Street
Maxine E. Jefferson, Agents Office
Dave Johnson, Maintenance
Melvin Jones, Ashland/95th
Clarence Junkins, Instruction
Alfonsas Lauras, Racine
Thomas R. McKeon, Utility
George W. Nicholson, 98th Shop
Patrick M. O'Connor, Wilson
John D. Orange, 61st Street
Clarence N. Parks Jr., 77th Street
Tommie J. Pertee, Racine
William A. Szabelski, South Shops
Charles E. Walker, 77th Street
Houston H. Washington, Ashland/95th
Frank S. Zabrowski, North Park
25 years
L. J. Hampton, North Avenue
Willie B. McGee, Beverly
Leonard C. Moore, 77th Street
Willie V.Webb, Lawndale
John P. O'Connor, Operations Planning
Joseph M. Siegal, Power/Wiring
Casmir J. Strzynski, South Shops
Edmund Wojcik, Howard/Kimball
irr 3vnE]nvEOi^i.A.3vn
JOHN AMBROGIO, 64, Forest Glen,
Emp. 7-18-57, Died 4-6-81
THOMAS BENNETT, 92, Way & Structures,
Emp. 7-15-06, Died 4-22-81
JOHN BIELAT, 85, Rapid Transit,
Emp. 10-1-18, Died 4-12-81
EVERETT BRUCKNER, 77, Stores,
Emp. 8-29-23, Died 4-11-81
WILLIAM DOHERTY, 77, South Section,
Emp. 10-22-45, Died 4-28-81
WILLIAM DONNELLY, 70, West Section,
Emp. 11-9-36, Died 4-23-81
ROBERT DURFEE, 66, Forest Glen,
Emp. 7-29-43, Died 4-28-81
JAMES FANTROY, 61, South Section,
Emp. 8-8-68, Died 4-5-81
GERTRUDE HOLBROOK, 85, West Section,
Emp. 5-2-39, Died 4-25-81
IRVING KERSH, 36, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-6-67, Died 4-26-81
THOMAS LANIGAN, 75, Electrical,
Emp. 3-17-30, Died 4-19-81
MICHAEL LAVELLE, 82, Beverly,
Emp. 4-9-43, Died 4-26-81
FRANK LITTLE, 83, Wilson,
Emp. 4-20-25, Died 4-29-81
WALTER MAJCHRZAK, 78, West Section,
Emp. 2-4-37, Died 4-9-81
THOM'\S MASON, 78, Instruction,
Emp. 12-10-28, Died 4-3-81
WILLIAM METZGER, 79, Track,
Emp. 2-3-27, Died 3-12-81
FRANK MORAN, 70, Forest Glen,
Emp. 8-22-41, Died 4-27-81
JOHN O'CONNOR, 83, Forest Glen,
Emp. 8-24-20, Died 4-20-81
CONNIE PEOPLES, 61, Archer,
Emp. 2-16-45, Died 4-1-81
ALBERT ROSS, 92, West Section,
Emp. 1-14-13, Died 4-29-81
BYRON SLEE, 74, Limits,
Emp. 11-4-42, Died 4-30-81
RAYMOND TROY, 64, Forest Glen,
Emp. 1-6-49, Died 4-17-81
NICK VUKELICH, 90, Track,
Emp. 9-6-29, Died 4-5-81
MFTCHELL WARCHOL, 57, Limits,
Emp. 11-15-47, Died 5-4-81
BERNARD ZESCH, 75, Beverly,
Emp. 12-19-33, Died 4-20-81
JUNE, 1981
23
The CTA Culture Bus service began its fifth year of service on Memorial Day, May 25th,
serving 29 museums and cultural attractions on the North, South, and West Sides of Chicago.
The service will operate on Sundays, July 4th, and Labor Day, Sept. 7th, through October
18th.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago. Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
NORTHWSSTiiRN UNIVERSITY
1010 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, IL 60201
TN
C^ ^/^>Y l^^JA^^. ^ -(%.-. I olV\^ 4^*
K-f«
New vehicles will serve
mobility limited riders
September 8 is the target date for launching the
CTA's pre- scheduled, door-to-door service for per-
sons within the City of Chicago who have severely
limited mobility.
This special transportation service will operate
primarily with a fleet of 20 mini-buses (numbered 100
to 119) tailored specifically for the needs of the
handicapped.
The mini-buses, built by Superior Bus Manufactur-
ers, are 24 feet Iraig, eight feet wide, and nine feet
high. Each is equipped with a special wheelchair lift
which is also used to make access easier for ambu-
latory persons not confined to wheelchairs. The ve-
hicle design section of CTA's Engineering department,
headed by Bhupindar Mallhi, was responsible for the
design and construction management of these buses.
Each mini-bus will accommodate 12 passengers
including three in wheelchairs, or 15 passengers with-
out wheelchairs. The manufacturer has included three
jump seats which may be folded up to provide space
for wheelchairs which are then locked into place by
special devices. Seat belts, which have also been in-
One of the 20 new mini-buses to be used in the special transportation
service for handicapped riders. QCD 1 fi 1Qft1
stalled, are mandatory^-p^d^;.^^^^ |mr#86^Ty
chairs.
The CTA purchased the 20 air-conditioned buses at
a cost of $1,672,000. Funding is being provided by the
U.S. Urban Mass Transportation Administration and
the Illinois Department of Transportation. Funding is
anticipated for an additional 20 buses to be purchased
later this year.
The inventory of equipment for the Special Ser-
vices program will also include several Fbdble
3300 series buses, previously used in the regular CTA
fleet, to be retrofitted with wheelchair lifts and wide
doors.
Bus 130, the first in the 3300 series to be con-
verted, which would normally provide seating for 44
riders, has been specially tailored for the handicapped
and wiJJ seat 18 riders including seven in wheelchairs.
(Continued Page 2)
lIEilMiKIllZS
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
JULY, 1981
Willie Wong, unit supervisor, Maintenance,
demonstrates wheelchair lift on mini-bus for
Alan F. Kiepper (left). General Manager,
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
(MARTA); CTA General Operations Manager
Harold H. Geissenheimer; CTA Chairman
Eugene M. Barnes, and CTA Transportation
Manager James Blaa.
Work crews in the 77th Street bus shops removed
all forward facing seats, made body modifications, cut
a larger entrance at the center door, and installed a
Vapor step lift for wheelchairs. Jump seats, wheel-
chair locks, and seat belts were also installed in the
Flxible buses. Both the exterior and interior of the
bus have been repainted. Major craftsmen on the bus
modification team were: Frank Venezia, superintend-
ent, bus shops; Willie Wong, unit supervisor, mainte-
nance; Robert Lee, product engineer; Robert McColl,
carpenter; Donald Freebaim, electrician; Fred Or-
mins and Michael Regan, mechanics.
Service for the elderly and handicapped will be
available on a pre-scheduled basis, Monday through
Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning
in Scptemter.
Operators for the special service have already been
selected and are being trained to provide individualized
attention to the transportation needs of handicapped
riders.
Three retractable seats and wheelchair locking devices are provided in
each of the minibuses from Superior Bus Manufacturers.
Wheelchair locking device with seat belt retractor provides maximum
riding safety for passengers.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Bus 130, formerly a 3300 series FIxible bus,
was refurbished and converted at South
Shops to accommodate handicapped riders.
Above and above right: Judy Benson, chairperson for the Advisory
Committee on Service for the Disabled, is among the first to try the
wheelchair lift on retrofitted FIxible Bus 130 on display at the
Merchandise Mart Plaza. Isaac Beal, superintendent. Special Services,
observes while Rudolph Roach, bus instructor, monitors the operation
from inside the bus.
Bottom right: Buckling up for safety, as demonstrated by Hollis
Hawkins, a member of the advisory committee, will be mandatory for
wheelchair users.
JULY, 1981
New rail service instructors and their mentors paused briefly for the
photographer. The recently certified instructors are, seated (from
left). Ivory Davis, Gerald West, Alexander Chacko, Lonnle Perry, and
Charles Young. Standing (from left). Bob Janz, superintendent, rail in-
struction; Elonzo Hill, superintendent, training center; Paul Kadowaki,
superintendent, bus instruction; Edward Mitchell, director, support
Rail instructors graduate
Five employees received certificates July 8 sig-
nifying the completion of their training as rail ser-
vice instructors.
They are Alexander Chacko, Lonnie Perry, Ivory
Davis, Gerald West, and Charles Young.
General Operations Manager Harold Geissenheimer
congratulated the graduates and extended the best
wishes of CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes.
The graduation program, held in the CTA Board
room, included guests of the graduates.
Edward Mitchell, director, support services.
Transportation Department, acted as master of
ceremonies.
The graduates marked the end of their training as
instructors. They will join an instructors' pool to
help train rail operating personnel at the training
center, 2684 N. Clark Street, as well as In the field.
In answer to the question, "What will be your
services; Mel Link, assistant superintendent, bus Instruction-north; Bill
Thompson, assistant superintendent, bus instruction-south; Art
Hubbard, assistant superintendent, rail instruction; Norm Herron,
assistant superintendent, training center, and Ulysses Coley, rail in-
structor.
greatest challenge as a rail instructor?" the five
graduates gave the following replies:
Alexander Chacko: "To use the knowledge I re-
ceived in training and to provide operating personnel
with the information to help them improve their ef-
ficiency."
Lonnie Peny "Making certain that I'm abreast
of the latest changes and improvements with which to
help the students and retrain current operating per-
sonnel."
Ivory Davis: "This whole new area will be a
challenge to me. I want the training I've received to
help me to help Improve the motormen, conductors,
switchmen, and towermen who are the operating per-
sonnel."
Gerald West "To be able to deal with the operat-
ing employees effectively and to live up to the poten-
tial my Instructors say I have."
Charles Young: "To pass on the results of the fine
training I've received to those operating personnel
who may need some help to more effectively perform
their duties."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
A special group of employees in the Vehicle Maintenance
section at Archer Garage joined forces with management last
month in giving special recognition to one of their own who
was honored among six outstanding employees selected for
'A Day in CTA.'
Thomas N. Puralewski, a combination clerk at Archer,
won the admiration of bus servicers and repairers for his help
in everyday problems. To show their appreciation, a letter
of commendation signed by 19 of his Vehicle Maintenance
coworkers, was sent to management.
The five other employees spending 'A Day in CTA' were
honored for acts of heroism and compassion or good job
performance.
Although passengers on his evening rush
hour northbound train to Howard terminal
refused to get involved, motorman Lawrence
Jackson intervened on behalf of a small child
who was being physically abused by a male
passenger.
"People were just sitting there watching
while this man repeatedly slammed this little
boy's head against the window," said Jackson.
The child, about four years old, was so
terrified he was no longer crying, Jackson
said. A veteran of six years with CTA,
Jackson talked with the man while poUce
were being notified. Officers later removed
the passenger from the train. Transportation
officials called Jackson's response an act of
compassion.
Tom Green, a plant maintenance em-
ployee who joined CTA in October 1966,
was working on the station platform at
Washington-Madison in the Dearborn subway
when he heard a rapid transit passenger cry
out, "pickpocket."
Responding to the alarm. Green grabbed
a man who was trying to remove something
from a purse, but a second assailant helped
the man escape. Meanwhile, Green, with the
aid of others, restrained the second man,
holding him until transit aids and police
arrived. Green was commended by the
Chicago Police Department. "1 appreciate
the recognition," said Green. Regarding
'A Day in CTA' Green said he was impressed
with the board meeting.
The quick thinking of motorman John
Lagon, a 12-year veteran of CTA service,
averted loss of life, or injury to the occupants
of a burning building in the 1700 block of
West Roscoe on the Ravenswood rapid
transit line.
Lagon was headed north at 2 a.m. on
June 10 when he saw the fire. He stopped
his train and began sounding his hom until
the tenants came out to see what the noise
was all about. "When 1 saw people in the
yard of the burning building, I knew I had
accomplished my goal, and proceeded on my
route," said Lagon. Neighbors, including
North Park bus operator Vern FeuUng, called
CTA management to express their appreci-
ation for Lagon.
Duane Kuchenny, a material handler
at Forest Glen Garage, and CTA employee
of 16 years, receive.d a commendation from
the Internal Auditing department for keeping
such an adequate parts supply at Forest Glen,
reducing the number of units on hand, and
generally exercising control over his inventory
and stockroom. "1 was very surprised, but
very pleased," said Kuchenny.
When Harry Madix, a switchman at
Howard terminal, saw smoke at 4:25 a.m. on
April 8 he knew there was fire, but assumed it
was on a platform until he realized it was
pouring from a residential building adjacent to
the terminal.
"The first thing 1 did was make sure 1
would be able to get out of the building once
I got inside," said Madix who joined the CTA
on November 29, 1968. Assured of an escape
route, he rushed into the building and began
alerting tenants to the danger. Firemen were
called and directed to the burning building by
other terminal employees.
Thomas Puralew/ski joined the CTA in
February 1977 and was promoted to conbi-
nation clerk the following year. He has per-
formed in this capacity at Archer Garage with
enthusiasm and efficiency. Obviously sur-
prised when informed about the letter his co-
workers had written to commend 'his per-
formance, Puralewski said, "I knew nothing
about this. I simply had no idea. I try to
speak to everyone, and to be as pleasant as
I can."
JULY, 1981
Angelo Sturino (North Section)
was the conductor of an Engle-
wood/Howard train that John
Dawson rode home from his
offices on North LaSalle Street.
"He was one of the most articu-
late announcers I have encoun-
tered in many years of riding the
CTA. He was very clear and
precise in announcing not only
the stops and transfer points,
but also institutions, such as
DePaul University, etc. He even
announced bus lines by number
and route as we approached
various stops. Besides this,
when we were delayed for a
short time, he made the effort
of finding out why, and then
apologized and explained to
passengers."
Ricardo Leiva (Forest Glen gar-
age) was described as "symboli-
zing the expression 'good guy' "
by Janice Gilbert, of Winona
Street, who was a rider on his
#92 Foster bus. "Not only did
he drive well and give those
aboard clear information about
stops and main thoroughfares,
but he also showed care, concern
and respect for everyone who
stepped on or off his bus. Many,
like me, who boarded the bus
feeling the stress of real
problems received a smile and a
warm welcome that said, 'Hey,
life's not bad.' The 'therapy' to
passengers was evident in the
smiles, feeling of kinship, and
conversation on the bus."
commendation corner
Curtis Anderson (North Park garage) was thanked for en-
forcing the "No Smoking" rule on his #152 Addison bus by
Marian Mross, of Cornelia Avenue. "On two separate
occasions he stood up for company policy in reprimanding
students who were smoking in the rear of the bus. He stood
his ground and told them in no uncertain terms that if they
persisted in smoking on liis bus they would have to get off.
At times I have even seen adults flagrantly violating the law,
and this driver is to be highly commended, since there are
many of us who cannot tolerate smoking for health reasons."
Betty Spivey (52nd Street garage) was applauded by
Daryl Kazmier, community education director at a high
school in Michigan, who recently escorted a group of 20
people to Chicago. "Since none of us was famihar with the
bus system, we had to get all our directions from bus drivers.
All of the drivers I encountered were polite and helpful,
but I wish to make special note of driver #4499. She was
unusually courteous to everyone who boarded the (#6
Jeffery Express) bus. She spoke to each person, drove with
care, and was particularly helpful with elderly people. Keep
up the good work, CTA. I will be back to your fine city
again."
Robert Miller (North Park garage) was commended by
David Hepplewhite, who was taking a #135 Wilson/LaSalle
Express to his offices on LaSalle Street. "During the trip
downtown, he was attentive to people waiting as well as
running to catch his bus, and was thoughtful about stopping
in a convenient spot for them. He was courteous and profes-
sional when checking fares or answering questions. He
responded to traffic in a similarly thoughtful, professional
and courteous manner, and he made the trip in good time.
I recently moved to Chicago to practice law, and his
demeanor and driving make it a pleasure to ride the bus."
Evon Barber (North Avenue garage) impressed Beulah
Smith, of South Avers Avenue, with her concern for
passengers on her #53 Pulaski bus. "I noticed her pleasant
smile and her greeting, "How are you?' I was struck by this
universal kindness, and I began to watch her with other
passengers. A young man got up from the back of the bus
and sat down near the door next to a young woman whose
neck was adorned with gold chains. Quickly the driver
called the girl to her side and began to talk to her. The
man saw he was in the presence of an alert bus driver, so he
got off. I am sure this driver's kindness averted another
robbery."
John Christner (Forest Glen garage) was complimented
by Dorothy Urbanski, of Elston Avenue, who rode his #152
Addison bus with her three-year-old grandson. "Never have
I had the pleasure of riding with such a fine, young, courte-
ous driver. On our ride I saw him help a young mother with
two small children. At Cubs Park he helped an elderly,
crippled lady on the bus and off later at her destination.
His concern for all his passengers boarding was something to
behold. As 1 got off, I complimented him and he answered,
T will not be 28 years old forever!' Please let him know he
is appreciated."
Connie Causey (Lawndale garage) was praised for
"exemplary conduct" while driving a #60 Blue Island/26
bus by Jeffrey Wien, of Harbor Drive. "She is a credit to the
CTA, and I would like to nominate her as Best CTA
Employee of 1981. She always has a smile, a pleasant word,
and an exceedingly courteous code of conduct in her re-
lations with passengers. Her credo would appear to be
'Safety, Courtesy, and Service,' and she could easily serve as
a model for all CTA employees. I have never met such a
pleasant CTA employee who really seems to hke her work
and the pubhc."
Benjamin Farfan (North Park garage) won the approval of
Edward Strable, who rode his #151 Sheridan bus to offices
on North Michigan Avenue. "This driver showed he really
cared about the load of passengers he had on his bus. After
a couple of unsavory types got on at Grand Avenue, he arose
and announced that there were pickpockets on board, and
we should all watch our wallets. A moment later, when he
stopped at Ohio, hi- told them to get off his bus or he would
call the police. The man who came to the front of the bus
swore at the driver and got off. Your driver really had guts
and should be commended."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Marcos Argudin, Forest Glen
Angel Beenn, Archer
Adonis Berrios, Forest Glen
Carmen Betances, North Park
John Brugess, Limits
Raymond Burkhardt, Archer
Jean Cage, Limits
Paul Campbell, 77th Street
John Christner, Forest Glen
Patricia Cobb, North Park
Johnnie Coleman, L^wndale
Stephen Conway, Archer
Tyrone Culbreath, Beverly
Jaswant Dass, Archer
Jose Davila, North Avenue
Robert Devitt, North Park
Michael Doss, Forest Glen
Jerry Dubin, North Avenue
Eddie Elliott, 77th Street
Bruce Ellison, North Park
Jose Esteves, North Park
Benjamin Farfan, North Park
Hubert Fincher, North Park
Fahmi Ghouleh, Limits
Curtis Hagans, 77th Street
Eldred Hall, North Park
Mary HaD, 69th Street
August Hallman, Forest Glen
Lawrence Hart, North Avenue
OUie Hoskins, Archer
James Howland, North Park
Marvin Jackson, Limits
Edgar Jeffrey, Forest Glen
Assunta Kaya, Forest Glen
Sammie Lane, 69th Street
Giles Liddell Jr., Limits
Robert Martinez, North Park
Willie Matthews, North Park
Humberto Monroy, North Park
Frederick Moore, North Park
Tereso Morquecho, North Park
Steve Nicpon, North Avenue
Operating employees who received com-
mendations during the last month.
John Paczkowski, Archer
John Parker, North Avenue
Juanita Parker, West Section
Clarence Parks Jr., 77th Street
Charles Peterson, 77th Street
Harold Pierce Sr., Forest Glen
WUlena Pieison, North Avenue
George Rojas, Limits
Toval Rolston, Forest Park
Daniel Sagel, Forest Glen
Bamett Simmons, 69th Street
Wilfred Spotwell, North Park
Billy Walker, Forest Glen
Jimmie Walker, North Avenue
Robert Washington, 52nd Street
Mack Watkins, Forest Park
James Wesley, Forest Glen
Henderson Williams, Forest Glen
Bartholomew Wurtzebach, Kimball
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest Glen
promotions
Gerald Hoff has been appointed manager,
Grant Programming/Administration. He had
been director, Program Development, Capital
Development, since joining CTA in 1974.
Hoff, who earned a master of science degree
in Urban Traffic and Transportation at North-
western University in 1969, lives in Arlington
Heights with his wife, Yvonne, and their son
and daughter.
Donald Lemm, director of Insurance
since 1975, has been named director. Workers'
Compensation, Risk Management. Lemm
joined the Chicago Rapid Transit Company as
a mail clerk in 1942. He served as payroll
statistician and training assistant before
becoming a methods and procurement analyst
in 1958. In 1964 he was chosen
administrative assistant. Insurance, and, in
1969, assistant station superintendent. He
was administrative assistant to the chairman
in 1970 before being selected superinten-
dent, Insurance & Pensions, in 1973. Lemm
and his wife, Ida, have two sons and two
daughters and make their home in Bellwood.
Michael Grovak, former principal planner,
Operations Planning-Routes & Systems, is
now superintendent. Service Analysis/Re-
search, in the same section. Grovak became
a full-time CTA employee in 1974, when he
was chosen senior transit planner. In 1977
he was selected planning tecimician, and, a
year later, project planner. Grovak lives on
the near Southwest side.
Lester Smith, former workers' compen-
sation coordinator. Risk Management, has
been appointed supervisor, workers' compen-
sation, in the same department.
In new positions as assistant superin-
tendent/controller, Transportation-Personnel,
are former bus instructor? Lampton Evans
and Daniel ViUanueva; Floyd Williams, former
relief clerk. Bus Systems; William Piatt Jr.,
former station clerk. Archer; Michael Mc-
r
^
^^ '
•^
V
r
■- 7
A
^. %
Gerald Hoff
Donald Lemm
Michael Grovak
Govern, former system safety monitor/
inspector, Safety-Inspections/Investigations ;
William Jaycox, former m/p intern, Transpor-
tation-Personnel; Patricia Mglej, former m/p
intern. Plant Maintenance; Louis Sanford,
former manpower planning and budget
analyst, Transportation-Support Services; and
James Stephen, former field audit clerk,
Financial Services.
Six new unit supervisors of storerooms
have been selected in Materials Management-
Stores: Nick LaCorcia, former senior store-
keeper; Henry Farley, former special projects
analyst; Walter Griffin Jr., Lawrence Tischer,
and Thomas Marasovich, all former stock
clerks. Stores; and William Bailey, former
buyer. Procurement.
In Vehicle Maintenance-South Shops,
James Haworth Jr. has been promoted from
field service engineer to improvements engi-
neer. Nancy Nagel, former supervisor. Infor-
mation Services, Sales/Risk Management, has
become budget systems speciaUst, Budget.
James Mulqueeny, former ticket agent. West
Section, is now planner. Operations Planning-
Routes & Systems.
Now serving as janitor foremen. Plant
Maintenance, are Samuel Carter Jr. and
Hayward Hughes, both former rail janitors
in the same department. New in Plant Mainte-
nance as an ironworker helper is Bernard
Gilmore, former service truck chauffeur,
Transportation-Utility. John Kilgore,
former bus operator, Beverly, is now service
truck chauffeur.
Former bus repairers Nguyen Dai (77th
Street) and Juan Rivera (Forest Glen) are now
bus & truck mechanics. South Shops. At
Skokie Shop, Ronald Gamer has moved from
shop tractor operator to unit exchange clerk.
In Financial Services-Internal Auditing,
Gerald Wilson has been reassigned from audit
clerk to field audit clerk. Benjamin Gay,
former bus operator, Archer, is now accounts
payable clerk, Financial Services, and linda
Coleman, former utdity clerk, Materials
Management, has been named material control
clerk. South Shops.
New as stenographer. Operations
Planning-Routes & Systems, is Sharlene
WUkins, former utility clerk, Law. Anne
Bandur, former utility clerk, Law/Claims,
is now typist, Management Services Adminis-
trative Services.
JULY, 1981
The fourth group to complete an eight-week Material Handling and
Warehousing course sponsored by Materials Management department
include (from left), Melvin Williams, laborer. Stores South; Nunulu
Latham and Dennis Kuhn, stock clerks. Stores South; Louise Muhr,
statistical analyst. Merchandise Mart; Donald Dempsey, project leader,
Datacenter; David Murry, stock clerk. Stores South; Vinko Djonlich,
laborer. Stores North; Patricia Flynn, secretary. Merchandise Mart;
Cleveland Bennett, laborer. Lower Yard; Ralph Podgorski, stock clerk.
Stores West; Thomas Hall, laborer. Merchandise Mart; Eugene Magad,
course instructor; Terry Shinnick, laborer. Lower Yard; Ujean Burnett,
laborer. Stores West; Willie Whitaker, stock clerk. Stores South, and
Billy Moncreif, stock clerk. Stores North. Ed Deles, unit supervisor.
Records and Training, Materials Management, coordinator for the
course, said that approximately 90 department members are slated to
take the course, which is conducted by Eugene Magad and Associates,
consultants to the warehousing industry.
It was just like old times as Warren G. Wood Sr. (left), and Howard
Bowers (fourth from left), returned to Forest Glen garage to visit with
friends. Wood, of Tuscon, Arizona, and Bowers of Mesa, are CTA
retirees. Recipients of the visit were (from left), Pat Garrity, Ted Galus
and George Streske.
1^ mm
This is the limit -of trout
that is, caught by CTA
pensioners Lars Pearson
(left), and Bill Miedema
fishing in water 40 feet deep
at Bull Shoals Lake In
Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Pearson was foreman at
North Avenue and Lawn-
dale garages. Miedema Is a
former bus operator from
Forest Glen garage.
Robert Chambers, CTA bus controller, ex-
plains operation of the control center to
visiting Finnish transport officials. Seated
at the console is bus controller Robert Mar-
ren.
CIA TRANSIT NEWS
Flying is a privilege,
safe pastime
John Chura always dreamed of being a pilot, but
never did anything to make the dream a reality until
1972 when, coaxed by a friend, he took a lesson.
"The cost had always been prohibitive," says
Chura, director of Contract Construction, Engineering
department.
One day, the friend made an appointment with an
instructor who took Chura aloft in a single-engine
two-seater, giving the reluctant airman the most
frightening experience of his life. At age 43, he was
about to start a venture in which most flyers his age
were already proficient.
"Suddenly, I wanted no part of flying, and I was
quick to let the instructor know that I wanted him to
set us down immediately. I guess I was too concerned
about it, but he got me to calm down. He let me take
the controls and glide the plane; then it didn't seem
so bad," recalls Chura, who made his first solo flight
10 hours later.
Privately, he has accumulated more than 1100
hours of flying time since that first lesson nine years
ago. His experience includes flights across country,
at night, and by instrumentation.
"Flying is a privilege and a very safe pastime, with
many advantages," said Chura as he expressed his
enjoyment of aviation.
One thing that makes flying so safe for private
pilots is the Federal Aviation Agency's (FA A) strict
requirement on annual inspection of aircraft. A plane
is stripped of everything including its seats and lining,
by a licensed mechanic of the FAA who goes over
every inch of the aircraft with meticulous care.
Flights logged by Chura in his multi-engine Cessna Skymaster have
included cross country trips to Florida and Canada.
"Most accidents today are due to human error,"
claims Chura.
He is qualified in both single and multi-engine air-
craft, instrument rated, and is the proud owner of a
Cessna Skymaster multi-engine aircraft.
Chura graduated from the University of Illinois at
Urbana with a bachelor of science degree in archi-
tectural engineering. A former Army captain, he
has been employed by the CTA for 15 years.
He and his wife, Jean, reside in south suburban
Harvey o Their sons, Kenneth and David, are students
at the University of Illinois at Urbana. Kenneth re-
ceived a bachelor of science degree in civil engineer-
ing in June.
John Chura and a Rockwell Commander single-engine aircraft at Sanger
Field, Lansing, one of the first aircraft owned by this pilot who is also
director of Contract Construction in the CTA's Engineering depart-
ment.
JULY, 1981
Riding tfie bus
It's an
all-day trip
in West Africa
Public transportation frequently
influences lifestyles, as evidenced
by the varied lifestyles within a
20-mile radius of metropolitan
Chicago. The difference between
Chicago and its suburban neigh-
bors, which may be attributed to
public transportation, is not near-
ly as radical as the difference one
CTA employee found in West Afri-
ca.
Ray (Rick) Carter, a travel in-
formation specialist who toured
the West African nation of Togo
and neighboring countries, said
that there is plenty to see and
learn about West African culture
and transportation.
trrifsde transport dePRSSRGERS
LOME-KPRLIME
•■ flMOUZOUKOPE
■■ RGOU
" T8EVIE
•• flCCRfl
" RBIOJflN
iHAi:) HUIOBUS
500 F
/.OOF
450 F
150 F
500 F
4B5F
390 F
435 F
130 F
400 F
BHCHES
450F
375F
425F
125F
375F
6500F
Expediency requires the tour-
ist to take it all in by taxi, the so-
called mini-cab where ttie rider
may negotiate the fare before the
trip begins. Travel by bus is ad-
visable only if the rider is not in
a hurry. Most bus fleets offer a
variety of vehicles with equally
varying capacities, depending upon
the destination. Schedules are
nonexistent, and service is relaxed.
Buses are boarded at the main
terminal, and departure depends
upon how soon a bus is loaded.
Carter said a rider may arrive at
the terminal at 3 p.m. and not
leave before 7 p.m. On the other
hand, waiting time may only be
20 minutes.
Riders take the slow pace with-
out fanfare, using it to their own
advantage. Merchants, including
peddlers hawking live poultry, may
haul it all by bus or taxi. Bulky
items are carried atop the vehicle
on a rack, or under canvas. Many
spend the waiting period bartering
or making outright sales to trav-
elers in the open air depot. Other
wayfarers, some with portable
stoves and other cooking equip-
ment, will frequently prepare their
meals in the carnival-like atmos-
phere.
Since countries of Western Afri-
ca are in such close proximity.
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Rick Carter
LEFT: Suggested tariffs in francs from Lome,
Togo's capital, to various points interstate, are
posted at the open air terminal's entrance.
The dollar is worth approximately 245 francs.
RIGHT: Waiting can be a tiresome all day
affair.
public transportation provides in-
terstate service between Togo,
Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Abidjan,
and Upper Volta.
"Certainly public transportation
in West Africa is less than what
Americans have come to expect,"
said Carter, who holds a bachelor
of science degree in sociology.
"At the same time. West Africans
are very hospitable, particularly
in Togo, so one tends not to dwell
on the relative inconveniences en-
countered. The people are re-
nowned for their kindness,
"Togo and its neighboring
countries offer discreet charm and
contain a scenic cross-section of
all that Africa has to offer the
visitor," he said. A regular so-
journer. Carter's travels have
covered more than 50,000 air
miles to Europe, Africa, and the
Caribbean.
FAR LEFT: The Afrobus, covering all points, is a more comfortable ride for considerably
less fare than other forms of transportation.
LEFT: No display ads on buses, but . . .
ABOVE: As a carnival-like atmosphere looms, merchants hawk their goods among fellow
travelers.
RIGHT: Travelers enjoy a leisurely stroll as departure is delayed.
JULY, 1981
More June Graduates
GLORIA J. ANGELL
Lake Park H. S.
Donald Angell
Security
VIKKI L. BARNES
Chicago State U.
Eugene M. Barnes
CTA Chairman
GENA BRADFORD
Percy Julian H. S.
Arthur Bradford
69th Street
WALESKACONCEPCION
Schurz H.S.
Miguel Concepcion
North Park
HARRIET COSTABILE
Morton East H.S.
Sam Costabile
West Section
LILIANADE ALBA
Richards Vocational
Electra De Alba
North Avenue
CHRISTOPHER EVANS
Lmdblom H, S.
Jimmie L. Evans
69th Street
SYLVIA FIELDS
St. Ignatius H.S.
Mary Fields
North Section
TERRI L.JOHNSON
Corliss H. S.
Mary Fields
North Section
STEPHANIE JONES
Calumet Park H. S.
Anthony Jones
Archer
DAVID J. MARTIN
Hales Franciscan
James L. Martin
South Shops
JAMES L. MARTIN
Hales Franciscan
SHEILA R. MARTIN
Calumet H.S.
Lewis C. Martin
West Shops
DENISEMC LANE
Lindblom H.S.
Jim Mc Lane
61st Street
SHAMA MUSHTAQ
Roosevelt H. S.
Ahmed Mushtaq
North Park
RECHARDPEEL
Robeson H, S.
Ron Peel
Schedules
JAMES SIMMONS JR.
Boston Univ.
James Simmons Sr.
61st Street
JANET M.SIMS
Mother McAuley
James W. Sims
District A
JOHN T, STILES
Niles North H, S.
John F. Stiles
Howard
ROYSZARAFINSKI
Luther South H.S.
Stan Szarafinski
Archer
CALVIN THOMAS JR.
De LaSalle Inst.
Cecile Thomas
South Section
CATHERINE VILLANUEVA
Schaumburg H. S,
Daniel Villanueva
Instruction
PENNIE WALLACE
Kenwood Academy
Paul Wallace
Security
KENNETH WEAVER
Harlan H.S.
James W. Weaver
South Shops
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Richard U. Willis
Birnest M. Hicks
Employees earn degrees
Two engineering department personnel and a mem-
ber of the Public Affairs department have earned
bachelors or masters degrees this year with the help
of the CTA's Tuition Aid Plan.
Richard U. (Rick) Willis, feature writer/editorial
assistant. Public Affairs, earned a master of arts de-
gree in media communications from Governors State
University. A bachelor of science degree in organi-
zational behavior/personnel from Northwestern Uni-
versity was awarded to signal designer Birnest M.
Daniel A. Badon
Allan R. Barker
Hicks, and a bachelor of arts degree in business ad-
ministration from St. Xavier College was awarded to
equipment design draftsman Daniel A. Badon. More
than 150 other employees are receiving tuition aid for
studies in a variety of fields.
Another member of the Engineering dspartment,
electrical design engineer Allan R. Barker, received
a master of science degree in management of public
services from DePaul University. Barker was the
recipient of a fellowship under the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Fel-
lowship and Scholarship program.
Julius Mason, a CTA police officer, was
honored at a surprise party which was given
in his honor last month by co-workers at the
Merchandise Mart as Mason and his family
prepared to move to San Antonio, Texas.
Officer Mason joined the CTA Security
department in June, 1977, after more than 13
years in law enforcement. He had been as-
signed to duty in the CTA Chairman's Office
since August, 1980.
Among the varied activities in the Maintenance Training Center at Lawndale garage, maintenance
workers are instructed in the proper use of oxy/acetylene heating and cutting equipment by
members of the MTC staff. Instruction includes how to set up equipment, safety standards, the
proper method of cutting various metals, and storage. MTC staffer John Kilstrom, left, leads a
class discussion.
JULY. 1981
13
South Shops' Pride Day
Nearly 1,300 people, including CTA employees,
their families and friends, attended an Open House-
Pride Day at South Shops on Sunday, May 17.
An old ticket agent's bell counter was used to check
in the visitors entering the South Shops' main en-
trance.
They toured the usually busy areas of the sprawling
facility along roped walkways to view the work loca-
tions and hear volimteers explain how the various op-
erations and crafts are conducted during working days.
Eight South Shops employees organized the Open
House-Pride Day event. They are committee chair-
man Marshall "Butch" Coleman, carpenter; Terry
Reilly, electrician leader; Jerry Walters, foreman,
engine rebuild area; Hubert Thomas, leader, mechani-
cal section; Frank Gray, mechanic; Levi Vetaw, car-
penter, and Walter Street and Roy Evans Sr., mechanic
leaders.
Forty-four other employees volimteered their days
off to help make the event informative and fun for the
families and friends of South Shops workers. Candy
the Clown was on hand to give out colorful balloons to
the smaller visitors.
Visitors took brief tripsin an articulated bus on the
adjacent parking lot and viewed the two mini-buses, the
new articulated model and the older standard model,
both built by explorer scouts who received guidance
from volimteers at South Shops.
RIGHT: Tom Dimikaitus, electrical worker
(behind workbench), demonstrates rewinding
of electrical component to visitors.
BELOW LEFT: Carpenters (from left) Robert
Hargrave, Terry Murtaugh, Roy Evans and
Jeffery Sweda view the festivities through a
rebuilt bus window frame. BELOW RIGHT:
Marshall "Butch" Coleman, carpenter, com-
mittee chairman (right), and Terry Reilly,
electrician leader, a member of the planning
committee.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: William Miller, body
shop foreman, and his wife, Zenna. Robert
Mandujan, upholsterer, his wife, Juanita,
and son. Marc. Stuart Maginnis, director,
support services. Maintenance department,
holds his three-year-old grandson, Stuart Kim.
LEFT: Casimir Noga (left), sheet metal
worker, and visitors Mr. and Mrs. Sean White
and their children. BELOW LEFT: Trying
out the mini-articulated bus Is George
Pickett, manager. Transit Sales, M.A.N. Truck
and Bus Corp., Southfield, Mich., builders of
the Big Bend buses. With Pickett is Richard
Schneider (center), area superintendent,
automotive vehicle maintenance, and Harold
H. Geissenheimer, General Operations Man-
ager. BELOW RIGHT: Frank Venezia,
superintendent. Bus Shops, and his wife,
Mary, three-year-old twins Tony and Paul,
and eight-year-old daughter, AnnMarie.
JULY, 1981
15
^i^«
-^ ^
{
K.
^^
m
4
1
1
CTA sports award banquet
The CTA social event of the year was the Sports Award Banquet held
at McCormick Place on Saturday, June 13, which was attended by more
than 200 people.
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes addressed the audience and assured
them of management's endorsement of the sports program.
The basketball and volleyball programs are under the guidance of Wil-
son Williams and Dianna Caston, respectively, with Arliss Jones as chief
consultant.
CTA Chairman Eugene Barnes addressed the
sports participants and congratulated each one
for a job well done.
The 77th Street garage, first place winners in the basketball league are
pictured here displaying the station trophy presented to them. From
left, George Taylor, Tyrone Brown, Eugene Tate, Clarence Davis,
Milton Harris, Earl Pope, John Riouse, McClinton Porter, superinten-
dent, 77th Street garage, J. C. White, superintendent, 69th Street gar-
age, and Henry Ragsdale.
ABOVE: Members of the American League all-star basketball team show off plaques presented to
them. From left, George Taylor, Tyrone Brown, Henry Ragsdale, John Riouse (behind Ragsdale),
John Harvey, Wade Jones, Joe Milbrook, Rick Adams and Reggie Williams. RIGHT: Ron Tuck
was master of ceremonies for the awards presentation.
16
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Members of the National League all-star
basketball team display plaques they received
at the awards banquet. From left. Wade Sim-
mons, James Bonds, James Spraggs, Paul
Phillips, Chester Kidd, Bennie Sellers, Charles
Hill and Larry McNeil.
Showing they are number one, are the Lawndale garage volleyball team.
Kneeling are Walter Caston, Clark Carter, assistant superintendent,
Lawndale, and Richard Williams. Standing (from left), Johnny Moore,
Doris Nailor, Julia Adams, Johnny Coleman, Dorothy Bentley, Johnny
Sherrod, Mary Rogers, Willie Brewster, Melbernice Simmons, Al
Brooks, Vera Tucker and Jeanette Millines.
The Division 308 volleyball team displays the
second place trophies received at the awards
presentation. From left, John Zupko, super-
intendent. Agents Ethel Spring, Pat Hodge,
Barbara Smith, Manuel Thirston, Karen
Flowers, Crystal Stevenson, Jackie Shannon,
James McPhee, Debbie Hamlin, Alvis Martin,
Debra Jones and John Kolden.
JULY, 1981
17
Coordinating Committee
elects Legler
first vice chairman
Stephen L. Legler,
director, routes & sys-
tems, Operations Plan-
ning department, has
been elected first vice
chairman of the Transit
Carriers Coordinating
Committee.
The Transit Carriers
Coordinating Committee
is composed of repre-
sentatives from Chicago
area rail and bus oper-
ators and federal and
state transportation
agencies.
Conmiittee members meet monthly to discuss cur-
rent transportation issues and coordinate operations.
Cyril Williams, representative of the Suburban Trans-
it System, was elected chairman; Robert Marth, Mil-
waukee Road railroad, second vice chairman; Mike
Molsky, Illinois Central Gulf railroad, treasurer, and
Elizabeth A. Harper, Chicago Area Transportation
Study, secretary.
Senior citizen of the year
Retired bus operator Frank Machowski (holding plaque) ('70,
North Avenue), was recently honored by St. Jerome's church in
Phoenix, Arizona, with its Senior Citizen of the Year award. Louise
Grant, senior citizen club coordinator of the church, said Machowski
was unanimously elected for the award for 1981, because, as an ardent
member of the club, he had devoted many hours of his time, and had
made financial contributions for the benefit of club members.
Machowski also received an award from the Foundation for Senior
Adult Living, of Phoenix, at the same presentation ceremony.
Dr. Irwin's
incredible journey
Dr. G. H. Irwin, retired CTA medical direc-
tor, and former monthly columnist ("Medically
Speaking") for Transit News, recently wrote a
book entitled "Incredible Auto Journey," pub-
lished by Vantage Press, Inc. Irwin's book de-
tails an auto trip he and three other young grad-
uate physicians made in 1922 around the peri-
meter of the United States. They journeyed along
the Canadian border, the Atlantic coast, the
Gulf of Mexico, the Mexican border, and the
Pacific coast.
Dr. Irwin retired from the CTA in 1962, after
a 40-year career with CTA and its predecessor
companies. He was CTA medical director from
October, 1953, until his retirement in Septem-
ber, 1962.
Craig Heatter, Director of Pensions and Administration, accepts tokens
of appreciation from the pensions staff presented by William Ashley
(left), manager. Insurance and Pensions, and Michael Brennan, Pensions
and Administration supervisor. Heatter recently left CTA to assume
duties as Administrator of Employee Pensions for the City of Dallas,
Texas.
Michael O'Malley, formerll
Wilson Shops, who joined
pensioners on July 1, 1971, after
30 years of service, visited
friends at the Merchandise Mart
recently where he introduced his
3-year-old grandson, Kevin. The
proud grandfather began his;
CTA career in 1941 as a motof-
man from Armitage barn.
18
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
DELMVS ALLEN, Motorman,
South Section, Emp. 6-25-51
FRANCIS HENGELS, Machinist,
Skokie Shop, Emp. 5-18-71
JOHN Mccarty Jr„ conductor.
Forest Park, Emp. 4-23-48
EDWARD MCDONNELL, Bus Servicer,
Limits, Emp. 7-31-48
JOHN MILAN, Motorman,
Douglas, Emp. 3-19-51
WILLIE POWELL, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 10-10-47
MALDWIN REED, Operator,
Beverly, Emp. 7-3-46
BRUNO ROSKLTSZK.A, Painter,
West Shops, Emp. 11-23-42
ROBERT RYAN, Yard Foreman,
Kimball, Emp. 12-8-47
STANLEY SADOWSKI, Box Puller,
North Avenue, Emp. 8-24-45
JOSEPH SANHAMEL, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 9-10-73
GEORGE SCHULTZ, Carpenter,
West Shops, Emp. 10-25-45
DONALD SPARKS, Bus Repairer,
North Park, Emp. 2-3-51
ROBERT WHEELER, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 1-3-61
DISABILrTY RETIREMENTS
THEODORE CARTER, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 1-29-68
JAMES REGAN, Electrician B,
West Shops, Emp. 4-19-71
ROY WILLIAMS, Ticket Agent,
South Section, Emp. 10-7-70
We're sorry . . .
In the March, 1981, issue of Transit
News, we inadvertently omitted the
name of Willard Frieb, North Park,
who celebrated 35 years of service.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34 Number 7
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA
by the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Typesetting and printing provided by the Manage-
ment Services Depaitment.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees- Annual subscription price to
others, S2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
Service
anniversaries
in July
40 years
30 years
James Andriacchi, Electrical
Arthur Bradford, 69th Street
Leroy Bush, Maintenance
Harry L. Carter, 77th Street
Robert L. Denton, 77th Street
John A. Dilworth, Adm. Services
Claude L. Dunlap, 61st Street
Walter F. Gibson Jr., Archer
Levi Gipson, 69th Street
Cecil F. Graves, Ash!and/95th
Elcosie Gresham, 77th Street
Willie Lewis, Racine
Clarence E. Matthews, Archer
John H. McGhee, Lawndale
Herbert L. McKnight, 52nd Street
Jammie H. Morris, Howard/Kimball
Edward J. Reason, Instruction
Edward F. Reaux, Control Center
Ralph E. Robinson, Howard
Jack Scurte, North Avenue
Harold J. Rowbottom
Street Traffic
25 years
35 years
Leroy J, Carr, North Park
Jack R. Carter, Archer
Robert R. Crane, 69th Street
Sam Devuono, Maintenance
Lois C. Jahnke, Revenue Accounting
Raymond J. Klaub, South Shops
Robert W. Koehler, Archer
John A. Schwartz, Howard/Kimball
Donald V. St. John, Utility
William L. Thomas, District A
Theodore F. Zurek, Lawndale
Jonas N. Barnett, Lawndale
Claude B. Conwell, 69th Street
Mary K. Donohoe, North Section
James H. Doss, 77th Street
Harry Garrett, Central Counting
Donald D. Grant, Archer
Fred R. Holden, Archer
Hubert T. Ligon, 69th Street
Rufus E. Meeks, 69th Street
W. B. Moore, North Avenue
Douglas Price, 77th Street
Robert L. Ross, Lawndale
Willie C. Satterfield, Lawndale
L. J. Simpson, Lawndale
Ernest Tucker, 77th Street
Arthur Williams Jr., Maintenance
Donald Z. Willingham, Lawndale
irr is/l:eiis/lcd:e^x.a^is/l
LLOYD ABRAHAMSON, 78, Lawndale,
Emp. 6-24-29, Died 5-14-81
CARL ARNESSON, 90, 69th Street,
Emp. 8-23-13, Died 5-30-81
LENZY M. BATTLE, 73, South Section,
Emp. 5-18-51, Died 5-29-81
FREDERICK COCHRANE, 79, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-30-25, Died 5-25-81
GEORGE COCKLE, 84, 77th Street,
Emp. 4-4-16, Died 5-19-81
JOHN CONWAY, 75, Electrical,
Emp. 6-4-26, Died 5-29-81
PHILIP DI FRANCO, 81, Maintenance,
Emp. 6-4-41, Died 5-10-81
JOHN DONOVAN, 75, Executive,
Emp. 12-11-26, Died 5-16-81
LEROY DUTTON, 74, Schedules,
Emp. 3-2-25, Died 5-8-81
JOHN GIBBONS, 74, Campaign Area,
Emp. 8-20-41, Died 5-23-81
ELLSWORTH GLINES, 79, North Park,
Emp. 2-29-44, Died 5-30-81
CHARLES GRADT, 84, 77th Street,
Emp. 12-31-19, Died 5-12-81
EDWARD GULLY, 78, Kedzie,
Emp. 3-13-43, Died 5-2-81
JOHN GUZALDO, 69, Forest Glen,
Emp. 4-14-43, Died 5-15-81
EDWARD HEFFERNAN, 91, 77th Street,
Emp. 9-25-20, Died 5-14-81
FRANK JAMROCH, 86, Limits,
Emp. 1-6-44, Died 5-2-81
JOSEPH KLIMAS, 82, South Shops,
Emp. 9-10-45, Died 5-11-81
ANTON KOEHLER, 82, Lawndale,
Emp. 1-14-26, Died 5-24-81
EARL LITTLEFIELD, 89, Transportation,
Emp. 11-22-44, Died 5-10-81
WILLIAM MAEHR, 81, South Shops,
Emp. 9-28-16, Died 3-21-81
NEWTON MEYERS, 75, Limits,
Emp. 4-7-43, Died 5-1-81
WILLL\M PEARSON, 71, Forest Glen,
Emp. 5-27-41, Died 5-2-81
SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, 45, Labor Relations,
Emp. 3-4-74, Died 6-3-81
JAMES SMITH, 49, Schedules,
Emp. 5-20-54, Died 5-20-81
CLARENCE THOMAS, 58, South Section,
Emp. 12-22-64, Died 5-17-81
JULY. 1981
19
eta-
I' BUS
Family day planned for Bus Roadeo final
Plans are set for the CTA Bus
Roadeo final competition at Soldier
Field on August 23 beginning at 9 a.m.
Twenty bus operators are eligible to
participate in the contest.
The event is being heralded as a
CTA family day of activities. Bus
Roadeo officials said family members
and friends who plan to see the Roadeo
may wish to bring box lunches for the
occasion. Plans call for providing free
beverages for all as well as activities for
children.
The first place winner will receive
a trophy and an all expense paid trip
for two to Toronto, Canada. This
operator will also be CTA's representa-
tive at the American Public Transit
Association's (APTA) International Bus
Roadeo, which will be held in the
Chicago area, October 8-1 0^ in con-
junction with the APTA convention.
The second place winner will
receive a trophy and a $500 U.S.
Savings Bond, and will take the place of
the winner if that individual is not
available for the International Bus
Roadeo.
The third place winner will receive
a trophy and a $200 U.S. Savings Bond.
The fourth place winner will receive
a trophy and a $100 U.S. Savings
Bond. All members of the Winning
Circle 20 and participants in the final
competition will receive a pair of
dinner-theatre tickets and a CTA Bus
Roadeo commemorative belt buckle
and belt.
Roadeo officials said that, prior
to the final competition, contestants
will have one day to practice the
competition course.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
N0RTHV;3STERN UNIVERSITY
1310 HINMAN AVENUE
SVAKSTON, IL 60201
rMic
cUx S7<^y tj ^ Ua_^ -V- ct^' w+- ii^^f-^vvt£/cf^
CTA Technical Institute
is a valuable learning experience
CTA employees, proudly ejqilaining
and demonstrating the intricacies and
responsibilities of their jobs, have
made the CTA Technical Institute one
of the most valuable and internationally
rect^nized learning experiences in the
transit industry. Their efforts also help
visitors gain a greater appreciation
of the importance of transit to the ur-
ban economy and an understanding of
the challenges which must be met to
provide good service.
Constant improvement
The 47th Chicago Transit Authority
Technical Institute, held Monday, July
13, throu^ Saturday, July 18, 1981,
reflects a high degree of sophistication
resulting from years of evaluation and
ccmstant improvement. Lecture pre-
sentations, with CTA employees serv-
ing as teachers, have been enhanced
through the increased use of audio-
visual aids and the allocation of more
time for questions and discussion. A
detailed manual augments presenta-
tions, and the schedule has been fine-
tuned to arrange a stimulating balance
of lectures, field tours, hands-on parti-
cipation, and informal activities.
Lecture sessions cover all opera-
tion and support functions from train-
ing and safety to capital development,
funding, public relations, personnel
policies, claim settlements, and many
others.
One of the highlights is "Once Upon
a Timetable." This 20-minute multi-
media presentation, conceived by
CTATI Coordinator Ron We slow and
produced by the Training/Develop-
ment programs section of the Human
Resources department, blends slides,
movies, narration, and musical back-
ground to give an exciting historical
perspective of transit development in
Chicago. Another highlight is a video-
tape entitled "The Urban Challenge."
Through on-location scenes and intei>
views with commuters and local busi-
ness leaders and transit experts, it
demonstrates the value of transit as
the lifeblood of the city.
>■ (Continued Page 2)
■ ■ ^^fl FOR EMPLOYEES
Bob Janz, superintendent, rail in-
struction, explains operations of
Howard terminal and rail yard as
CTATI participants view the oper-
ations from overhead pedestrian
bridge at Howard terminal.
"/ think it's good— CTA
quality of workmanship, pride
in work - everybody trying to
do the best possible job that
can be done. The spirit says a
lot about management, training,
promotion, etc. "
Ann Johnson
Manager, Transportation Analysis
& Support Services
Metropolitan Atlanta
Rapid Transit Authority
Atlanta, Georgia
"Detroit is bus-oriented--not
much rail, one commuter line.
Your overall program is inform-
ative and educational. Em-
ployee morale is high; attitudes
were 100%. Everybody at CTA
is enthusiastic. "
Leon Terry
Assistant Superintendent
of Maintenance
Southeastern Michigan
Transportation Authority
Detroit, Michigan
AND RETIREES
AUGUST, 1981
"This is the greatest thing
that ever happened to me. I got
to learn how all the other
departments and people I work
with fit into the company . . .
Great chance for our employees
to take pride in their work and
show people what they 're doing.
It's good to have CTA people
in (the CTA TI) because they
also get involved in showing
off for outsiders. "
Ronald Glaser
Value/Testing Engineer
Materials Management
Chicago Transit Authority
At the South Shops bus maintenance
facility (right), Jim Forrestal, unit
supervisor, bus shops (far right), ex-
plains the volume and types of work
performed in the brake shop. In the
sign shop at South Shops (below),
painter Jim Haynie demonstrates
silkscreening of CTA bus stop signs
for Joe Magaldi, Honolulu DTS
Services, and Ron Glaser, CTA
Materials Management department.
Technical Institute
(Continued from Front Cover)
Participants also view a training
videotape where bus operators discuss
their methods of "Handling the Public"
and portions of the "Bus Operator
Security" videotape, which is part of a
security training program for operat-
ing employees pioneered by CTA. Near
the end of the week-long CTATI, an-
other multi-screen slide, presentation
entitled "The Reason Why" reinforces
the importance of transit in modem
society.
Out in the field
Extensive tours of maintenance fa-
cilities, operating locations, and other
points of interest have always been
important features of the CTA Tech-
nical Institute.
In Maintenance, special emphasis
is given to innovative improvements
devised by CTA personnel. The de-
velopment of new tools, modification
of shop equipment and vehicle systems,
and the implementation of new pro-
cedures have enabled the shops to hold
down costs and increase productivity.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
"We in Miami think the
CTATI is a very worthwhile
program. Most of our upper
and middle level managers have
attended, and we hope to have
all our managers attend.
"Although ours is a smaller
transit system, we can learn a
lot from the CTA, because we
expect to expand our bus sys-
tem and develop a rapid transit
system. "
Peter Packer
Assistant General Superintendent
of Transportation
Metro Transit Agency
Miami, Florida
At the Maintenance Training Center,
John Thompson (left), bus in-
structor, explains maintenance
troubleshooting of bus rear door
system to Mary Lou Echternach,
Southern California Rapid Transit
District; Joe Magaldi, Honolulu DTS
Services; Aimee Figueroa, CTATI
assistant, and Calvin Pittner, Urban
Mass Transportation Administration,
Chicago.
Participants tour the shops in small
groups, so there is adequate opportunity
to discuss maintenance activities with
line supervisors and maintenance
workers. Hands-on participation is
encouraged at the Maintenance Train-
ing Center, where CTATI participants
trouble shoot maintenance problems on
training equipment and mock-ups. The
computerized Vehicle Maintenance
System which assures adherence to
preventive maintenance schedules is
also demonstrated.
In Transportation, the CTATI visits
every type of operating location in-
cluding bus garages and rapid transit
terminals, an electronic interlocking
switch tower, and the modernized CTA
Control Center.
Through practice operation of a bus
and a rapid transit train, participants
experience the operator's point of view.
Each participant drives a 40-foot long
bus through a braking (skidding) ma-
neuver on a wet surface, and a tight
zig-zag course defined by pylons, re-
quiring careful observation and good
judgment. Practice train operation is
provided at the SkoMe Shop test track,
where each participant operates a
train under the watchful eye of the
electronic cab signaling system.
Other tour highlights Include a walk
through a subway tube, a lecture and
demonstration ride on the new lift-
equipped buses which serve mobility-
limited riders in CTA's new Special
Services program, and a visit to the
RTA Travel Information Center.
Bus Transitways Tour
The new Bus Transitways Tour
dramatically demonstrates CTA's
heaviest concentration of rush-hour
bus ridership. While the CTATI par-
ticipants ride a chartered bus through
Downtown Chicago, Operations Plan-
ning personnel explain the development
and operation of the State Street Trans-
it Mall, which is limited to use by CTA
buses and emergency vehicles, and the
reverse flow bus lanes in the Loop,
where CTA east-west bus routes and
shuttle buses run in exclusive curb
lanes in the opposite direction of other
traffic. These routes are compared
with a ride on Michigan Avenue, where
rush-hour operation on a normal street
in mixed traffic is demonstrated.
(Continued Page 4)
"Most important is the op-
portunity to compare your own
agency with another large agen-
cy. People you meet from
other agencies give you a val-
uable comparison of how the
agencies would handle problems.
The sessions are intense with a
tremendous amount of infor-
mation . . . All of us will go
back with an understanding of
how CTA functions and a
greater appreciation of how
problems are solved. Friends
I have made here will prove to
be a valuable source of infor-
mation exchange. CTA staff
has been most generous in
giving time and information.
I was amazed that most social
conversations were transit re-
lated--like working 16 hours
a day. "
Mary Lou Echternach
Community Relations
Representative
Southern California
Rapid Transit District
Los Angles, California
AUGUST, 1981
At the Skokie Shop rail vehicle
maintenance facility (above), George
Haenisch, superintendent, rail vehicle
shops, explains maintenance require-
ments of a truck assembly for a rapid
transit car to (from left) James
Wilson, Southeastern Michigan Trans-
portation Authority; Samuel Smith,
CTA Transportation department;
Mary Lou Echternach, Southern
California Rapid Transit District, and
Ron Glaser, CTA Materials Manage-
ment department. Towerman
Juretta Shields (right, above)
explains operation of electronic
interlocking switch tower at Clark
Junction.
"I've been looking forward to
this for years. It 's much more
interesting than most academ-
ically-oriented seminars. . . Arty-
one who thinks the CTATI is
easy is in for a surprise. Ten
to twelve hours with lunch and
a couple of breaks is not easy. "
Clark Schneider
Chief Project Coordinator
Chicago Area Transportation Study
"PATCO is a smaller system
than CTA. rail only, and fully
automated. It's most inter-
esting to learn about the com-
plex problems encountered by a
larger system that combines
bus and rail. "
John Gary Tilton
Sergeant of Police
Port Authority
Transit Corporation
Camden, New Jersey
Technical Institute
(Continued from Page 3)
At mid-morning on Friday, another
new CTATI innovation proves to be a
great success. Participants were in-
vited to tell about their own transit
systems. Some offer audio-visual
presentations, or distribute maps,
schedules, publications, advertising
materials, and souvenirs. The Parti-
cipants' Roundtable is another exciting
opportunity to share Information, and
it will continue to be an important
feature of future CTATIs.
Throughout the week, opportunities
to meet informally with CTA manage-
ment and staff are provided. Program
presenters, tour guides, and managers
concerned with each day's events at-
tend the group limcheons, and an in-
formal reception is held one evening
later in the week.
Educational bargain
The CTA Technical Institute pays
for itself, and it's a real bargain. The
$500 fee covers everything except ho-
tel accommodations and non-related
meals. A pass entitles participants to
ride CTA free during the week of the
Institute. Lodging is arranged at gov-
ernment rates at one hotel, which re-
duces costs and encourages group in-
teraction during free time.
More than 800 people from around
the world have attended the CTA Tech-
nical Institute, which has been held at
least four times per year since 1973.
A typical session is attended by 25
managerial orprofessional representa-
tives from transit-related agencies
nationwide, Including operating prop-
erties, governmental units, suppliers,
universities, and news media.
The diverse interests and back-
grounds represented contribute to an
extended learning experience, as dis-
cussions of CTA procedures and prob-
lems often stimulate group discussion
of problems encountered throughout the
transit industry. Both practical and
theoretical aspects of transit are dis-
cussed, examining the current state of
the art, and seekingways to improve it.
The improvements in the CTATI
have largely been the result of feed-
back solicited from the participants.
Detailed evaluation forms are com-
pleted daily, and each participant re-
ceives an overall evaluation form a
few weeks after the conclusion of the
program.
All CTA departments haveshownthe
utmost cooperation in revising and up-
dating their presentations. During the
last two years, over 150 improvements
have been made in the program by
CTATI Coordinator Ron Weslow and
other members of the Training/De-
velopment programs section of the
Human Resources department.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Calvin Pittner (above left), UMTA,
Chicago, watches the mirrors as he
drives a bus through a zig-zag ma-
neuver at North Avenue garage, and
John Gary Tilton (above). Port
Authority Transit Corporation,
Camden, New Jersey, operates a
2400 series rapid transit train on the
test track at Skokie Shop.
A 35-foot FIxible bus, retrofitted
with a wheelchair lift at South Shops
for use in CTA Special Services, is
viewed by (from left) Emanuel
Porter, CTA Maintenance depart-
ment; Steve Schlickman, CTA
External Affairs division; Mary Lou
Echternach, Southern California
Rapid Transit District, and Thomas
McNichols, Regional Transportation
Authority, Chicago.
Participants take a walking tour of
the State Street subway.
"I'm a Finance person, so I
don 't get out in the field much.
This has been one hell of an
experience. I'm impressed with
the size of the Chicago system
and the dedication of CTA
employees. They're proud of
their work and sensitive to
criticism. Authority seemed to
be self-efficient, not much out-
side help or consultants. The
CTA TI is excellent, well worth
the time and trouble. "
Nate Adams
Finance Manager, Grants
Southeastern Michigan
Transportation Authority
Detroit, Michigan
AUGUST, 1981
. ^n^o^^^
Special Services
personnel receive
sensitivity training
Thirty-five of CTA's bus oper-
ators have been selected to work
in the Special Services program,
which will provide service for
severely mobility-limited riders.
Isaac Beal, superintendent.
Special Sei^ces, said that while
this Initial group of operators is
being trained to be sensitive to the
needs of disabled riders, more
employees are being selected for
the program.
The training will enable the op-
erators to provide proper assist-
ance to disabled riders, based on
an understanding of the special
needs caused by limited mobility.
Operators are thoroughly trained
in the use of wheelchair lifts and
wheelchair securing devices on
board the special vehicles, and
various methods of safely assist-
ing mobility-limited patrons in
negotiating stairs, ramps, curbs,
and other obstacles. They are
also familiarized with the loca-
tions and accessibility of major
hospitals, recreational facilities,
business centers and other major
points of interest throughout the
City of Chicago.
Special Services personnel at
all levels, from bus operators to
superintendent, have benefited
from the initial sensitivity train-
ing, which was conducted by Fred
Schneider of the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago.
"We want to be sure that each
individual understands every as-
pect of this service and can step
in wherever needed to perform the
task at hand, whatever it may be,"
said Beal. "For that reason, ev-
erybody, regardless of position.
TOP: Learning to maneuver a
wheelchair is especially impor-
tant to operators assigned to
Special Services. Participating in
this training exercise are Frank
Jones (in wheelchair), and Wil-
liam Claiborne, bus instructors.
Observing are (from left)
Rudolph Roach, key instructor,
Washington garage, and Harvey
Kirkpatrick, bus instructor.
RIGHT: Learning to negotiate
the curb with a wheelchair is
Transportation Manager James
R. Blaa. Sharing the training
exercise are (from left), Isaac
Beal, superintendent. Special
Services; Ward Chamberlain (in
wheelchair), area superinten-
dent. Near South, and Harvey
Kirkpatrick, bus instructor.
has gone through the same train-
ing."
In addition to the sensitivity
training, operators are given re-
fresher courses in defensive driv-
ing techniques, especially relat-
ing to winter driving conditions.
Practice bus operation is also
being conducted throughout the city
to familiarize the operators with
Chicago's neighborhoods and to
determine travel times between
various points throughout the city.
After 30 days of service, bus
operators will return to the class-
room, primarily to supply pro-
gram feedback. "We will also be
looking at how the operators are
dealing with the needs of their
riders in specific difficult situa-
tions that may be encountered,"
said Beal.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Chairman's Report
Special Services
begins operation
in September
Thousands of severely mobility
limited Chicagoans will have ac-
cess to mass transit facilities as
our Special Services program be-
gins operation in September.
This special group of passen-
gers will be provided with a fleet
of 20 mini-buses tailored specifi-
cally for the needs of the disabled.
These buses are being purchased
with the aid of federal and state
funds.
Each mini-bus will be equipped
with a wheelchair lift as well as
other special features to accom-
modate those people who in the
past have not been able to use
public transportation.
In addition, we are also retro-
fitting three 35-foot buses to in-
clude lifts for wheelchairs. Our
mechanics have done an outstand-
ing job of renovating these buses
to meet the needs of this very
special program. The fine display
of craftsmanship by our mainte-
nance staff has played a very im-
portant part in the program's de-
velopment.
Certainly much effort has been
applied to resolving the difficult
question of how to best serve our
severely mobility limited custom-
ers and improve accessibility to
transportation in Chicago.
The operators selected for the
Special Services program are a-
mong the finest of our Transporta-
tion department persamel. They
are dedicated to excellence in pub-
lic service, and seem to have a
special affinity for the require-
ments of working with these spe-
cial passengers.
Training for this group of CTA
employees, which will enhance
their sensitivity to the needs of the
mobility limited , is already under-
way.
I am very pleased with the de-
velopment of the Special Services
program which continues to have
high priority ui our 1981 program.
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes addressed the June 1981 graduating class of Edward Hartigan
Elementary School on the city's south side where he shared the story of his success from bus
operator to CTA chairman via the state legislature. He assured the class of 70 eighth graders of
even greater things awaiting them. "You must have dreams and visions, and you must make sure
that your dreams are high. Make them a reality by making a commitment," he said. Recalling
that he had graduated from elementary school 36 years ago, the chairman said, "Thirty-six years
from now. Gene Barnes having been head of the CTA, or a state representative, will seem small in
comparison to your own accomplishments."
Harold H. Geissenheimer, General Operations Manager (left), assisted by Harvey Kirkpatrick, bus
instructor, conducts a guided tour of the CTA Special Services facilities at the Washington garage
for two members of the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) Work Program Committee.
Standing on the lift of iJie Special Services bus, designed to accommodate severely mobility-
limited riders, are (from left) CATS Executive Director Aristide Biciunas and CATS Director,
Systems Planning, John Orzeske. CATS previously coordinated development of an overall regional
plan for transportation of the severely mobility-limited.
AUGUST, 1981
Advocates train
for crisis intervention
A woman returning to her parked car is accosted
by a man with a knife who forces her to enter the ve-
hicle and rapes her. Completely devastated by the ex-
perience and fearful of the unknown, the victim does
not report the incident.
Statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation
indicate that an incident of sexual assault is experi-
enced by someone in this country every eight minutes,
regardless of status, race, age, or location. Yet only
three out of every 10 such incidents are reported. An
overwhelming number of these crimes of violence are
not reported as a result of the victim's misconceptions
and fears of additional problems that might be en-
coimtered during the aftermath of the Incident,
Transportation Manager James Blaa, aware of the
traumatizing effect that sexual assault inflicts upon the
victim, realized the need for a more sensitive response
in the event of an employee-related incident. As a
result of his concern, an advocacy program to train
female employees to comfort and inform a rape victim
throughout the emotional crisis hasbeen implemented,
after 18 months of research and development.
Assistant Superintendent Mary Beth Cobleigh, who
developed the program mostly on her own time, ex-
plained that the CTA is providing a team of sensitive
volunteer CTA women advocates, who will be avail-
able 24 hours a day, to provide immediate response
to the needs of the victim in the event of sexual assault.
Employees wishing to request the services of an
advocate should phone the CTA Control Center, day or
night, at 664-9815. The service may also be requested
by an employee to assist an immediate family mem-
ber of that employee.
From the moment of her arrival on the scene, the
advocate will comfort and assist the victim, and act as
a sounding board if the victim needs to talk. She will
help the victim through the traumatic hours that fol-
low the assault by explaining necessary procedures
and informing the victim of the availability of profes-
sional counseling.
As a sympathetic intermediary for the victim, the
advocate may be required to speak on the victim's be-
half during police investigation, hospital procedures,
or CTA administrative and supervisory details.
The advocate may also help the victim inform her
family and answer any questions that they may have
concerning subsequent procedures.
Expressing enthusiasm for the program, Blaa said,
"I have a great concern for the welfare of all CTA
personnel and their families, especially our Trans-
portation people who are most vulnerable."
The advocates' knowledge and empathy are de-
veloped through a seminar on assault and rape con-
ducted at the Limits training center in conjunction
with the Women's Services department of the Loop
Center YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Transportation Manager James Blaa congratulates Dickelle Fonda (left),
Barbara Engel (second from left), and Assistant Superintendent Mary
Beth Cobleigh at the conclusion of the first three-day advocate training
session.
Recently, 15 management and professional CTA
women attended the first seminar on sexual assault
conducted at Limits. The training, tailored specifi-
cally to the needs of CTA women, covered the psycho-
logical impact of sexual assault on the victim, her
needs during the aftermath, the legal, medical, and
CTA Involvement, and the availability of individualized
counseling through the Women's Services department
of the Loop Center YWCA.
This three-day training program on crisis inter-
vention was led by Barbara Engel and Dickelle Fonda
of the Women's Services department of the Loop
Center YWCA, which has been actively working on the
development of effective services for rape victims
since 1972. They now offer short and long-term
counseling for rape victims and their families.
Edward Alexander, Jr., a bus operator from 77th street garage,
his wife, Janet, and their son, Eddie, were guests on the
American Catholic television feature, "The Lifeblood of
Love: Communications." The program was aired Tuesday,
August 18 over Channel 38, the Christian Broadcast network.
The moderator was Father John Powell, S.J.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
Special recognition for outstanding performance was
accorded to six CTA employees representing the Transpor-
tation and Maintenance departments.
The honorees were touted by management as they
visited the general office, attended the regular August
meeting of the CTA board, and toured the control center,
travel information center and other departments. Other
highlights of the day included a round table discussion with
management and lunch at the Merchandise Mart's M&M
Club.
The group included a modem day "Good Samaritan,"
a no-nonsense bus operator who believes in discipline for
despicable conduct, a repairman who returned a rider's
briefcase, and three persons with impeccable work records
and rates of efficiency second to none.
A former bus operator turned
product engineer, Robert C. Lee,
assigned to maintenance at South
Shops, guided the work crew that
retrofitted Flxible buses for use in the
Special Services program serving
severely mobility-limited riders. Lee
has been a member of the CTA family
for 16 years. "A Day in CTA is a good
way to let employees see the other side
of the fence," said Lee, who was re-
cognized for his efficiency.
North Park Operator Antonio
Jimenez, a full time temporary em-
ployee, came to the recue as six young
men were assaulting an elderly man on
June 7, before dawn, near Belmont
avenue. When Jimenez, a graduate
student at Northwestern University,
stopped his bus, the men backed away,
and their victim escaped to safety
aboard his bus. A citizen's commen-
dation led to his recognition. "I
would hope someone would do the
same for me if I were in trouble," said
the modest Jimenez.
Disruption and abuse need not be
tolerated, as demonstrated by action
taken by Operator Michael Doss.
He drove his bus load of unruly youths
to the police station, as they attempted
to vandahze his bus and harrass other
riders in the process. Fines were levied,
and two of the youths were taken into
custody, "I'm impressed by Transpor-
tation's management personnel because
they seem to really be sensitive to the
problems of operators," said Doss, a
driver for 1 1 years.
If, indeed, a good name is to be
chosen, rather than great riches, West
Shops foreman John Angel has suc-
ceeded. Since mere commendation was
an insufficient reward for his 34 years
of outstanding service, he was feted
with "A Day in CTA" on his 61st
birthday. Said Angel, "It was inter-
esting to see how things work in the
control center, and to see all the
equipment that they have for keeping
track of buses."
Surprise was the response of
Roland Scheibe, employee of 16 years,
when his supervisor informed him of
the letter written by a grateful rider.
Scheibe, a Desplaines terminal car re-
pairman, had returned the rider's
briefcase after finding it in the Des-
plaines parking lot. "I never expected
anything, but was good to get the
letter," said Scheibe, who also in-
dicated that the highlight of his "Day
in CTA" was visiting the control center.
Good teachers are often forgotten,
but not ticket agent MerUne Mann, a
CTA employee for lO'/z years, and
mentor for a younger employee.
That employee's appreciation for Ms.
Mann's guidance during her manage-
ment and professional training led to
her being an honoree. She was also
recognized for having collected many
counterfeit passes, thus saving the
CTA many fares. "I feel good about
this because it lets me know that I've
helped someone who has appreciated
it," said the West Section ticket agent.
AUGUST, 1981
Carol Miles (F2nd Street garage)
was praised by Carl Sylvester, of
Coles Avenue, for the way she
handled her #1 Drexel/Hyde
Park bus. "The thing that was
most remarkable about her was
the pleasurable and professional
manner in which she performed
her duties. She greeted all the
passengers with a 'Good evening.
Welcome aboard,' and she
clearly announced every stop.
When passengers disembarked,
she told us, 'Watch your step'
and 'Have a nice evening.'
Several passengers had questions,
and she answered them in a most
proficient manner. A driver of
this caliber is greatly appre-
ciated."
Robert Devitt (North Park gar-
age) caught the attention of
Dorothy Mason, who lives on
Broadway and was a rider on his
#151 Sheridan bus. "One could
not help noticing his calm and
polite manner, especially to
senior citizens. Also, the careful
way in which he drove and
handled the bus. It was a very
smooth ride from the Loop, and
a pleasure. He showed pro-
fessionalism in handling the bus
and in creating a very good
atmosphere among the passen-
gers with his friendly attitude to
everyone getting on or off. It is
people like him that make the
world a better place for the rest
of us."
commendation comer
Albert Gamer (North Park garage) and Roosevelt Conklin
(Archer garage) were both complimented by Anne Worobiew,
of South Honore Street. After riding Gamer's #151
Sheridan bus, she said, "He is one of the most patient,
pleasant, good-natured men in the world. Eight out of 10
people asked questions getting on that bus, and so many were
' dumb ' or obvious. Yet he was polite and pleasant every
time." Regarding Conklin's handling of a #94 South Cali-
fomia bus, she said, "After a group of young men got on,
something smelled. The driver stopped to let someone off,
left the door open and said, 'No smoking on the bus.' He
waited, just looking in the mirror. Then he said, 'You'll
have to get off if you don't stop smoking.' He got his way
quietly and firmly. I felt very safe on his bus."
Ivory Graham (South Section) was admired by Christan
Moffett, of Oak Park, "for the very professional and re-
sponsible manner in which she handled her duties" on a
Lake/Dan Ryan train. "Two men and a woman with a baby
got on and gave the conductor expired transfers. When the
conductor refused to accept them and asked for fares, they
gave her verbal abuse and produced very large bOls which
could not be changed. They began harassing us other pas-
sengers for change. When the conductor stopped the train,
the fares were finally produced. The conductor was courte-
ous but firm in handling what was an extremely tense
situation."
Clarence Richardson (77th Street garage) was com-
mended by Melody Nelson, of Calumet Avenue, for remain-
ing cool while being verbally abused by a rider on his #3
King Drive bus. "He was very calm, tried to ignore the
rider. All of us passengers were disgusted with this drunk
and were waiting for someone to throw him off the bus.
Mr. Richardson continued his route, was pleasant to boarding
passengers, and called out all stops. He did his job well con-
sidering the unnecessary stress he was under. He did not let
anyone or anything interfere with his responsibility, and I
thought he acted just beautifully."
Patrick Owens (77th Street garage) was thanked by Ann
Hoffman, of Woodlawn Avenue, for thwarting the theft of
her wallet on his #28 Stony Island bus. "A young man
getting off the bus stole my wallet from my purse. The
driver shouted in such a way that the thief and the rest of
the passengers froze where they were. The thief was so
alarmed and unable to run easily, he dropped my wallet and
put his hands up. My wallet with aU its contents was re-
covered intact. I feel it is only proper to let you know of the
action the driver took to prevent this crime and help a pas-
senger in a vulnerable situation."
Joseph Christy (North Avenue garage) was noticed by
William Gass, of Wabansia Avenue, who was a rider on his
#72 North bus. "He is one of the best drivers in your whole
system. He knows how to handle a bus - smooth stops and
no jerks on starting up. He is courteous and pleasant - a
wonderful driver. He is a credit to the CTA and goes out of
his way to help his passengers. He waits for them when he
sees them running to catch his bus. He's a fine man."
Earmon Davis (52nd Street garage) "should be a model
for all other drivers to emulate," according to Gregory
Lotsman, of South Michigan Avenue, an 82-year-old rider on
his #38 Indiana bus. "He makes going to and from work a
pleasurable experience. He greets every passenger with a
cheerful 'Good moming.' He clearly and loudly announces
the stops, and offers sensible information about them. He
is patient, considerate and tolerant of the behavior of some
irritating passengers, and answers questions about directions
patiently and willingly. He is a boon to CTA and to the
public."
Fannie Ross (Lawndale garage) was thanked for her con-
cern for passengers while driving a #52 Kedzie/California
bus by Loma Kashne, of West 50th Place. "The bus driver
was letting us off (at 63rd and Kedzie) when she heard a gun-
shot and saw trouble nearby. She immediately told us to get
back on the bus, and she called for help. She should cer-
tainly be commended for her quick action and her concem
for the riders. It's wonderful to see such interest in our
fellow Chicagoans. Normally we hear so much bad and very
little good. We appreciate her concern for our safety."
10
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Mahmoud Aminian, North Park Syed Ismail, Forest Glen
Arthur Barrios, Lawndale
Fred Bee, North Park
Ionia Bush, North Avenue
Jean Cage, Limits
Naomi Caldwell, 77th Street
Sergio Candelaria, Limits
Leroy Carr, Forest Glen
Tyree Cobb Jr., North Avenue
Michael Cobleigh, North Park
James Coleman, Archer
Eugene Davis, Beverly
Wendell Edwards, Limits
Jewel Frezell, North Park
Corine Glaspie, West Section
Michael Harris, 77th Street
Nathaniel Hawkins Jr., Limits
Cecilio Hernandez, Forest Glen
Zeke Jagst, North Park
Willie James, North Park
Antonio Jimenez, North Park
Assunta Kaya, Forest Glen
President Laura, Lawndale
Robert Lemke, Forest Glen
Melvin Little Jr., North Avenue
Robert Lucas, Lawndale
Adolph Marth, North Park
Mario Merendon, Forest Glen
Angel Mojica, North I'ark
Edgar Mollinedo, North Park
Frederick Moore, North Park
Leonard Morris, 69th Street
Alice Mosley, Limits
Millie Pamell, 52nd Street
Juan Perez, Limits
Employees who received commendations
during the last month.
Hosey Reynolds Jr., 77th Street
Percy Riddick, 77th Street
Alva Robbins, North Park
Milton Roman, Howard/Kimball
Jonathan Ross, Lawndale
Thomas Schoenfeld, Forest Glen
Ronald Singleton, 69th Street
Frank Smith Jr., Forest Glen
Rick Space, Forest Glen
Joe Spears, Forest Glen
Theodore Stutts, Archer
Howard Taylor, North Avenue
Lynval Thompson, 52nd Street
Virgil Turner Jr., Archer
Lola Wellington, Archer
Mack Williams, 52nd Street
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest Glen
Joseph Zukerman, North Park
Promotions
Seven Maintenance Department
employees have been appointed
unit supervisors in Vehicle
Maintenance. Assigned to Auto-
motive Vehicle Maintenance are:
Daniel Costley, former relief
foreman, and William Wilson,
former p.m. foreman, both from
North Avenue; John Dutton, for-
mer assistant foreman, Archer;
Vito Collyard, former assistant
foreman. Rail Vehicle Mainte-
nance-South, and Ronald Cook,
former safety specialist. Support
Services.
Now serving as unit supervi-
sors in Rail Vehicle Maintenance
are Joseph Anderson, former
methods & standards technician.
South Shops, and Gregory An-
drews, former bus repairer. North
Avenue.
In other job reassignments,
Pamela Haney, former ccnductor,
South Section, has been selected
yard foreman in the same section.
Yvonne Ward, former buyer. Ma-
terials Management- Procurement,
has become procurement analyst,
also in the same section.
Lawrence Craig, former bus
operator. Archer, is now station
clerk. Bus System. Carol Kim-
brough, former electric keyboard
operator. Management Services-
Administrative Services, has been
named utility clerk. Materials
Management-Stores. Patricia
Dunek, former secretarial steno-
grapher. Human Resources-
Employment & Placement, has
become clerk stenographer.
Transportation- Mart.
Recently appointed assistant professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, Md., was Dr. Allan D. Hess, son of retired bus operator Harry J. (Archer
garage) and Mrs. Sonya Hess, and the brother of Susan K. Hess (Placement section),
and Maria T. Hess (Insurance department). Dr. Hess,who resides in Baltimore with his
wife, MaryEllen, and their infant daughter, Joellyn, received his Ph.D. degree from the
University of Illinois Medical Center, and bachelor of arts degree from DePaul University.
His post doctoral fellowship in Human Cancer Research was taken at Duke University,
North Carolina.
AUGUST, 1981
241 Golf
ABOVE: Just before the tournament began,
these participants posed for this group shot.
From left, Levy Edwards, 77th Street; Sean
Strickland, son of Albert Strickland (standing
next to him),77th Street; Tanzell Govan, 52nd
Street; Oscar Norton, guest; Bob Norton,
guest; James Elliott, 77th Street; Ron Norton,
guest; Ken Norton, guest; Bill Norton, guest;
Derrell Norton, North Avenue, and Charles
Hall, treasurer. Local 241. RIGHT: The
winner of the Local 241 golf tournament for
1981 was (left) Luster Morton, District A.
He is pictured here displaying the trophy
presented to him by Isiah Thomas, secretary.
Local 241, John Weatherspoon, president.
Local 241, and Charles Hall, treasurer. Local
241. BOTTOM LEFT; Keeping her head
down and her eye on the ball as she tees off
Is Beverly Jackson, Employee Counseling.
Watching her form is Mel Alexander, Public
Affairs, and Roger Wood, manager. Adminis-
trative Services. BOTTOM RIGHT: A sur-
prise participant in the golf outing was State
Senator Richard H. Newhouse, 24th District,
pictured here with Local 241 President John
Weatherspoon.
12
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Bob Legg, retired North Avenue operator,
brought his sure-fire driver and golf ball with
him to make sure he got off a good drive.
.-.^. '•■■•■
ll
■Ml 1:9^
iiriiii
."i.
ABOVE LEFT: Lining up to tee off are
(from left) Walter Caston, assistant superin-
tendent. Far South Area; Willie McCann,
District A, and Fred Russell, 77th Street.
ABOVE RIGHT: Hitting out of the sand
trap is Bill McCarthy, Beverly, as Lowell
Brubach, retired. North Park, watches the
action. LEFT; Mike Stroden, Employee
Counseling, gets off a mighty drive as (from
left) Rich Guidice, RTA; Don Lemm, Risk
Management, and Chuck Andersen, Insurance,
watch his form.
AUGUST. 1981
13
Suggestions
South Shops was tops with sug-
gestion award winners for the first
half of 1981 as six of its person-
nel received a combined total of
$2,340 of the $4,285 awarded in
major prize money last month.
Suggestion Coordinator Gene
Jendrach said that, as of June 30,
the Suggestion Plan Committee had
adopted 31 employee suggestions
which netted the CTA a total an-
nual savings of $28,566.
The big winner was Frank
Sprovieri, carpenter expediter in
Area 312 of the body shop who was
awarded $1,400 for his proposal
to fabricate rear engine doors for
CMC buses. The Suggestion Plan
Committee estimated that Spro-
vieri's suggestion alone will save
the CTA approximately $21,000
annually. Sprovieri is a previous
winner in the Suggestion Plan.
Wayne Matejka and Michael
Keele, electrical workers who
shared in the suggestion to re-
furbish brush holders for three-
fourth horsepower bus blower
motors, were awarded $450 each.
The committee also awarded Ma-
tejka $190 for suggesting that an
inline fuse be used for the voltage
regulators of older buses. Keele
also received a $35 award as a
second honorable mention for an-
other suggestion.
A $90 award went to Ralph
Keene of the Utility department
for his suggestion to reposition the
battery box on Mustang loaders to
the rear fender.
Another top winner was Frank
C. Corbett, senior schedule clerk
in the Schedules department, who
received an $820 supplemental
award for suggesting a saving of
bus miles during mid-day by stor-
ing more buses at 15th and State
street. Corbett was the only ma-
jor supplemental suggestion award
winner.
Meanwhile, the committee
awarded $750 to three workers at
Skolde Shop for their suggestions.
Leading in this area was Angelo
DeAngelis, an electrical worker,
TOP: Frank Sprovieri admires his checl< for $1,400 awarded for his suggestion to fabricate rear
engine doors for GIVIC buses. Standing with Sprovieri at the rear of the GMC bus is Jim Pankonen,
director, Vehicle IVIaintenance. ABOVE: Gene Jendrach (right), suggestion coordinator, presents
to Frank Corbett, senior schedule clerk, a check for $820, a supplemental award for his suggestion
on saving CTA bus miles, as Michele Hawkins, suggestion clerk, looks on.
who received $460 for his sug-
gestion to use insulated cable to
replace the copper brush strap on
rapid transit car motors.
Anello DiGianfilippo, a final
assembler, was awarded $220 for
suggesting a new tool to align the
kingpin and bolster on rapid transit
trucks. Kerry Howe, an electri-
cal worker at Skokie Shop, was
awarded $70 for suggesting a new
method of repairing 2000 series
rapid transit car destination signs
and bushings.
Margaret Walker, a control
clerk in Accounts Payable, re-
ceived $100 for suggesting a new
form to be used for correcting er-
rors keyed into computer termi-
nals in that department.
Cash awards of $10 each for
suggestions which rated honorable
mention went to Joan Lomax, cen-
tral forms coordinator. Manage-
ment Services; Jack Lira, laborer,
Materials Management; Patrick
McNamara, ticket agent; Grant
Greene and Terry Be me ro, vehicle
maintenance, Skokie Shop, and Jo-
seph Motyka and Vince Dawson,
bus operators, Forest Glen ga-
rage.
Other honorable mentions were:
Richard Rusinak, security; Mary
B. Smith, bus operator, 69th Street
garage; Peter S. Buck, electrical
worker, Skokie Shop; Sophie Rey-
nolds, stenographer. Schedules
department; Kenneth Pott, painter,
South Shops; Pablo Caride, paint-
er, Skokie Shop; David Rosenthal,
bus operator. North Park garage;
Virginia Lane, stenographer, En-
gineering department, and Eileen
Hall, applications analysis. Data
Center.
14
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
insr nvEEnvnoR.i.A.is/i
DANIEL BOWEN Sr., Chauffeur,
Utility, Emp, 11-28-52
WALTER COLEMAN, Upholsterer,
South Shops, Emp. 4-3-52
THOMAS COLLOPY, Clerk,
Archer, Emp. 7-12-43
WILLIE FRANKS, Rail Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 6-12-51
CECIL GRAVES, Motorman,
95th Street, Emp. 7-26-51
CLARENCE HALBERT, Rail Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 6-17-46
WILLIAM LEWIS, Travel Info. Rep.,
Travel Info. Center, Emp. 10-30-44
PAUL MICHAELS, Operator,
Archer, Emp, 3-16-53
NORMAN MILLIES, Signal Maintainer,
West Shops, Emp. 11-21-41
SAMXIEL MILLER, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 9-13-56
ROBERT POWELL, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 9-26-63
ALFRED SCHUSTER, Elect. Foreman B,
West Shops, Emp. 11-21-60
DISABILITY RETIREMENT
PERCY VIRGIL, Mailman,
Management Services, Emp. 7-30-52
Pensioner Johnny Spoo
celebrates
50th wedding anniversary
Retiree John Spoo and his wife,
Helen, celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary last month by renewing
their vows in a ceremony at St. Rita
church, 63rd and Washtenaw. A party
for the couple, sponsored by the Spoos'
three children, Carol, Jack, and Bob,
was held at Red Lantern Restaurant.
Spoo, a supervisor in District "B", be-
came a pensioner in 1973. (Thanks to
Bill Henderson, chief clerk. Archer ga-
rage, for sending us this item.)
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Number 8
Published for employees and retirees of the CTA
bY the External Affairs Division, Joby H. Berman,
Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Typesetting and printing provided by the Manage-
ment Services Department.
Distributed free of charge to all active and retired
CTA employees. Annual subscription price to
others, S2. CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734,
Merchandise Mart Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago,
Illinois 60654.
ELMER ALM, 75, Beverly,
Emp. 7-15-29, Died 6-18-81
FRANK BLACK, 73, Beverly,
Emp. 1-23-29, Died 6-4-81
CHESTER BUCKLEY, 76, Beverly,
Emp. 12-9-26, Died 6-9-81
ROBERT CALDWELL, 79, Archer,
Emp. 5-21-30, Died 6-6-81
QUEEN CHILDS, 33, Limits,
Emp. 12-13-79, Died 7-3-81
MALACHI COWLING, 62, 77th Street,
Emp. 9-22-47, Died 6-15-81
JAMES DALTON, 90, Kedzie,
Emp. 7-16-21, Died 6-6-81
WILLIAM DEVEREUX, 74, Schedules,
Emp. 10-8-28, Died 6-8-81
LEROY GALLAGHER, 72, 52nd Street,
Emp. 4-23-45, Died 6-21-81
MICHAEL KEANE, 73, Transportation,
Emp. 4-14-43, Died 6-6-81
HAROLD KING, 79, North Avenue,
Emp. 7-7-23, Died 6-8-81
MALCOLM LYONS, 73, Transportation,
Emp. 1-13-36, Died 6-13-81
REDMOND LYONS, 86, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-22-24, Died 6-6-81
CORNELIUS McGINLEY, 83, Track,
Emp. 5-18-25, Died 6-4-81
BERNARD MITCHELL, 86, Shops & Equip. ,
Emp. 4-8-24, Died 6-28-81
HAROLD MULVANEY, 79, North Section,
Emp. 4-21-25, Died 6-1-81
GIOVANNA PATZ, 71, South Shops,
Emp. 2-6-52, Died 6-27-81
ARTHUR STAHL, 69, Stores,
Emp. 3-31-43, Died 6-3-81
JOHN SULLIVAN, 82, Treasury,
Emp. 8-25-25, Died 6-5-81
MARTIN TOBIN, 69, Track,
Emp. 3-4-35, Died 6-4-81
JOHN WAIT, 71, North Park,
Emp. 1-13-47, Died 6-16-81
PEARL WAITE, 86, West Section,
Emp. 7-3-47, Died 6-10-81
FRED WALPOLE, 78, Treasury,
Emp. 3-20-28, Died 6-1-81
WALLACE WROBLE, 72, 77th Street,
Emp. 11-26-41, Died 6-9-81
Service
anniversaries
in August
35 years
Robert J. Friestad, Limits
John J. Hester, Far North Area
Edward W. Kniaz, 77th Street
James Wl. Lee, 69th Street
Robert W. McCarthy, Purchasing
William R. Parnum, Near North Area
John P. Roche, Maintenance
Daniel T. Serritella, 69th Street
Arthur H. Tonner, Photographic
25 years
Louis O. Barron, North Avenue
Elmer Chatman, Beverly
Emile J. Domer, Maintenance
Robert D. Heinlein, Control Center
Arliss B. Jones, Rail South
Marvin H. Kocar, Instruction
Eva M. Marcin, Consumer Services
James W. McDonald, Lawndale
Daniel McRedmond, Stores North
Patricia E. Newell, Claims
Frank R. Ramirez, Forest Park
Anthony R. Ritrovato, Claims
James B. Roche, Customer Relations
Eli E. Russell, Beverly
William L. Sparks, 61st Street
Ernest A. Thomatis, District A
Herbert D. Williams, Near South Area
Leroy Wilson Jr., Maintenance
Correction to May In Memoriam
WALTER REDMOND, 82, Kimball,
Emp. 12-30-44, Died 3-31-81
30 years
Harry E. Blake, 69th Street
Burtell C. Burns, Archer
Clemenceau Chapman, Maintenance
Thomas W. Cook, 69th Street
George R. Ferguson, 69th Street
Richard J. Grajek, South Shops
Edward R. Johnson, District B
James M. Majszak, Forest Glen
Thomas J. Meagher, Forest Glen
Carl W. Michaiko, Forest Glen
Marshall P. Miller, North Park
Alfonso Parrillo, Forest Glen
Luis E. Reyes, Harlem
Carl Sims, Electrical
Garrett H. Vaught, 77th Street
Rafael Rodriguez, 52, a bilingual travel infor-
mation representative since September, 1974,
died July 21 in Guadalajara, Mexico, of a heart
attack while vacationing there. Rodriguez
joined the CTA on August 17, 1967, as a bus
operator from North Park garage. Survivors
include a son, Martin, who is employed as a bus
servicer at 69th Street garage. Interment was in
Guadalajara.
AUGUST, 1981
15
102
years
young
CTA retiree Joseph Ouellette
plans to attend the dedication cer-
emonies next year for the opening
of the extension of CTA's rapid
transit route from Jefferson Park
terminal to O'Hare airport, now
being buUt by the Chicago Depart-
ment of Public Works.
"My doctor," Ouellette reported
on his birthday, August 6, "said
I'm good for another 10 years — so
I plan to ride the train to O'Hare.
And I'll bring my wife. Birdie,
too."
Ouellette made his vow on the
patio of the Moon Lake Conva-
lescent center in Hoffman Estates.
He retired as a ticket agent in
1950.
Ouellette and his wife resided
in Phoenix, Arizona, for a while,
but they returned to the Chicago
area so they could live near their
married daughter. He also got
Declaring that he's good for another 10 years, Joseph Ouellette celebrated his 102nd birthday at
Moon Lake Convalescent center in Hoffman Estates with his wife. Birdie, 92, at his side. Ouellette
retired as a CTA ticket agent in 1950 at age 70.
lonesome for the 'L', and he car-
ries a current CTA retiree's
identification card and loves to
ride the 'L' trains.
Ouellette was bom August 6,
1879 — that makes him 102 years
old. His wife. Birdie, is 92.
His prescription for a long life
is simple — "I eat everything I can,"
His choirboy's complexion and
slender figure seem to disprove
that statement.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago. Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
riON CTR. LIERARY
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JANUARY
S M T W T F S
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9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
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Sunday
NOVEMBER
S M T W T F S
12 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
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28 29 30
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Chicago skyline, looking west from the Adier Planetarium.
additional eta calendars available at $2 each
The CTA is making its 1982 calendars
available without charge to CTA
ennployes and retirees as the November
issue of Transit Nevi/s. In addition, calen-
dars will be distributed to CTA offices,
garages and other wor)< locations.
CTA is also making a limited supply
available for sale at $2 each (including
mailing costs). For additional copies,
make checks payable to the Chicago
Transit Authority, and send to CTA
Calendar, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago, IL
60654.
Published by the Public Affairs Depart-
ment
and the Administrative Services Unit
of the Chicago Transit Authority
P.O. Box 3555
Chicago, I L 60654
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
transpor1:ation ctr. library
northwestern university
1810 hinman avenue
evanston, il 60201
TN
i^rn^XL
SPECIAL EDITION
OCTOBER, 1981
f-^_-"-
Welcome
to Chicago
Contents ^
Introduction 2
Serving the people of Chicago I —::5' 4
Extent of CTA operations
Proud tradition of progress I 6
Transit in Ctiicago before CTA , — -
Continuing the tradition of progress . 8
CTA inspired industry innovations^- -
Progress through innovation, - 1^. 10
New developments at CTA
/^rowing to serve Chicago' 12
Newf capital development
APIA CTA 14
Cooperating to serve tfie transit industry
Visit CTA while you're In Chicago 16
Control Center 16
Automotive Vetiicle Maintenance Facility 18
Rail Vefiicle Maintenance Facility 20
Plant Maintenance Facility 22
Historical Vefiicles
16-23
Administrative
Joint Commission
On August 1, 1981, tfie Ad-
ministrative Joint Commission was
created, pursuant to a grant agree-
ment between tfie City of Cfiicago
and tfie Cfiicago Transit Autfiority, to
administer tfie provisions of tfie
agreement. Members of tfie Ad-
ministrative Joint Commission are:
Thomas V. O'Neill,
Chairman
Timothy Bresnahan
Nelson Carlo
James E. Clark
Rev, Johnnie Colemon
Thomas F. Meagher
Chicago Transit Board
members
Joby H. Berman,
Administrator
Chicago
Transit Board
On June 4, 1945, a referendum ap-
proved the creation of tfie Chicago
Transit Authority, giving it exclusive
rights to operate a unified system of
local transportation in Chicago.
Chicago Transit Board members are:
Eugene M. Barnes,
Chairman
James P. Gallagher,
Vice Chairman
Michael I. Brady
John J. Hoellen
Howard C. Medley, Sr,
Nick Ruggiero
William H. Mansker
Secretary
FRONT COVER: The Magnificent
Mile-North Michigan Avenue, Inset
photos (top to bottom): Boeing Vertol
cars on the Loop 'L'; CTA Bus
Roadeo; McCormick Place, site of In-
ternational Public Transit Expo, 1981;
Marriott Hotel, site of 1981 APTA An-
nual Meeting.
Regional
Transportation
Authority
On March 19, 1974, a statewide
referendum created the Regional
Transportation Authority, which
serves as a funding and regulatory
body for all public transit operations
in the six-county northeastern Illinois
region. The Regional Transportation
Authority board members are:
Lewis W. Hill,
Chairman
D. Daniel Baldino
Jerry D. Boose
Edward F. Brabec
Sidney Danoff
David L. DeMotte
John T. Geary
William Griffin
James Kemp
Gene Leonard
Patrick L. O'Malley
Philip Raffe
Kenneth W. Sain
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34 Number 10
Published tor employees and retirees of the CTA
by the External Affairs Division,
Editorial and graphics by the Public Affairs
Department. Bill Baxa, f^anager
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Ricl< Willis
Assistance in the development of this special
issue was provided by
Levi'is A H Caldwell, consultant to the Cfiairman
Ernest Sawyer. Special Assistant to the Chairman
Harold H Geissenhelmer. General Operations
Manager
Editorial and research assistance: Mary Manoni.
Training/Development Programs: Bruce Moffat,
Operations Planning. Glenn Andersen, Engineer-
ing, Jeff Stern and Don Yabush, Public Affairs,
Graphic design assistance Margaret Maler,
Operations Planning
Typesetting and printing provided by the Manage-
ment Services Department
Distribution free of charge to alt active and retired
CTA employees Annual subscription price to
others. $2 CTA TRANSIT NEWS, Room 734. Mer-
chandise Man Plaza, PO, Box 3555. Chicago,
Illinois 60654
The members of the American
Public Transit Association are
most welcome to Chicago as they
gather here for the association's
annual convention.
Public transit in the United
States is presently undergoing
challenging times. Rising costs
and legitimate taxpayer concerns
are combining to create transit
crisis in cities throughout the na-
tion that all too often is reflected
in fare hikes and cuts in service.
The challenge to those par-
ticipating in the convention and
to all of us in government is to
meet head-on the challenge of
continuing transit service at a
reasonable cost. One way of
achieving this is better manage-
ment efficiency and in Chicago,
we can be proud that this is being
done. Also, the city's upcoming
capital improvements program
detailing more than 600 projects
at a projected cost exceeding
$3.3 billion reflect our intention to
keep Chicago the front-runner in
transportation that it has always
been.
With warmest regards.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Byrne
Mayor
eta transit news
Welcome to the CTA's
Chicago! The Chicago Transit
Authority is pleased and honored
to be your host for the 1981 APTA
Annual Convention. As Vice
President of APTA's committee
on Government Affairs, and
Chairman of CTA, I w/ill proudly
vi^ear both my "hats" throughout
our deliberations.
It was my good fortune to w/ork
as a CTA bus driver for 14 years
before serving as a member of the
Illinois House of Represen-
tatives. During most of my 10
years there, I was a member of
the transportation committee and
the committee on appropriation,
where I was chairman for four
years, fvlayor Jane Byrne ap-
pointed me to the seven-member
CTA Board in July, 1979, and my
colleagues elected me Chairman.
Our top priority has been the
development of smooth coopera-
tion between management and
personnel in operations and
maintenance.
Through the years, CTA's per-
formance standards have ex-
celled in the delivery of service.
Research and creativity are
trademarks of our highly skilled,
professional staff which is con-
stantly conducting innovative
programs to improve the system.
During your stay in Chicago,
we invite you to visit some of
CTA's outlying installations
where capital improvements of
the system are in full force. Eight
stations along the rail routes are
being rehabilitated completely.
The construction of a new $17.6
million bus garage at Kedzie and
Van Buren is underway and a sec-
ond such facility at 103rd and
Stony Island is assured. On order
for immediate delivery are 125 ar-
ticulated buses, and we are
receiving delivery of 300 new
rapid transit cars. We have
equipped all of our buses with
radios for instant communication
with the Control Center in the
event of trouble, and a public ad-
dress system is being installed at
rapid transit stations for
passenger information.
We urge you to visit and in-
spect the O'Hare Extension, a
new mass transit line which will
improve our role in the growth of
the city's economy. Estimates in-
dicate that this eight-mile addi-
tion will have 42,900 riders, 60 per
cent of whom will be commuters.
The question, "How do we ade-
quately fund mass transit
systems?" is currently challeng-
ing the minds of business
leaders, public officials and ex-
perts in transportation
throughout the world. Chicago is
no exception, but we have a
Mayor who is realistically seek-
ing a solution to the problem.
Mayor Byrne has recently
strengthened the managerial
staff with the appointment of
Theodore G. Schuster, retired
head of commuter service for
Burlington Northern Railroad, as
Executive Director. We welcome
Mr. Schuster aboard.
'<h^ ))\.
Eugene M. Barnes
Chairman
Since I came on board at CTA, I
have been studying the many
details of this large organization
in order to gain an understanding
of the challenges that face the
company.
The recently completed con-
sultant study is a valuable tool for
rooting out a true picture of CTA
from a financial and operational
standpoint. Its recommendations
will serve as a springboard,
directing my efforts to the areas
that require the most attention.
I take great pride, as do our
employees, in the study's deter-
mination that CTA is doing a fine
job as an operating body and that
CTA is viewed as a superior per-
former among its peers in the
transit industry.
CTA now faces the challenge
of reconciling its financial image
with its operational image. It
must achieve credibility in the
public eye by responding to con-
structive criticism and stream-
lining its operational and support
functions, while striking a
balance between public needs
and the availability of operating
funds. This balance will be
achieved through some downsiz-
ing of the operation, because
there is every indication that less
funding will be available.
I believe that an improved and
more cost-efficient CTA, continu-
ing its reputation for providing
appropriate levels of high quality
service while maintaining its
financial responsibility in our
economic environment, will prove
to be an even greater source of
pride for both employees and the
riding public.
Theodore G. Schuster
Executive Director
October, 1981
Serving the
people of
Chicago
The Chicago Transit Authority
operates the second largest
public transportation system on
the North American continent.
The service saturates the 220
square mile area of the City of
Chicago and extends to 36 nearby
suburbs.
Within the city, more than 98
per cent of the population is
located within three blocks of
CTA service, and Chicago is one
of only a few cities in the world
where service is operated 24
hours a day.
To meet the challenge of effi-
ciently providing 2.2 million rides
on an average weekday, CTA
,»• -.Eg h I
Hill
.11
operates both a rapid transit
system and an extensive bus
system.
More than 500,000 rides are
taken on the rapid transit system
each weekday. This requires a
fleet of 1100 rapid transit cars,
with approximately 900 cars in
service at peak times. On the
eight rapid transit services, 2,400
train trips are made each week-
day along 89 miles of right-of-
way, with 192 track miles and 140
stations. Thirty-eight miles of the
right-of-way are on elevated
structure, 12 on elevated embank-
ment, 22 in expressway medians,
and 10 in subways. There are also
six miles of right-of-way
operating on grade level with
street crossings, and one mile in
open cut below grade level.
To support these operations,
nine of the 11 rapid transit ter-
minals have inspection and unit
replacement maintenance facili-
ties, with an additional facility
located at Wilson Avenue along
the North-South main line. Major
maintenance and unit rebuilding
is performed at the Rail Vehicle
Maintenance Facility in the
suburb of Skokie.
Field maintenance for the
right-of-way, track, structure, sta-
tions, and buildings is supported
by the Plant Maintenance Facility
on the West Side of Chicago. To
insure timely response and con-
tinuous operation. Plant
Maintenance performs in-house
fabrication of track and structure
components.
More than 1.7 million rides are
provided by the bus system each
weekday, with approximately
2100 of our 2400 buses in service
at peak times. Each weekday
more than 31,000 bus trips are
made over more than 2000 route
miles, serving more than 13,000
bus stops.
What's the best way to go from your
downtown office to suburban Brookfield?
The RTA Travel Information Center says
take a CTA shuttle bus to Union Station
and board a Burlington Northern com-
muter train.
eta transit news
Inspection and preventive
maintenance is performed at
each of the 10 bus garages, while
major maintenance and overhaul
are accomplished at the
Automotive Vehicle Maintenance
Facility on the South Side of
Chicago.
Most of CTA's 13,000 em-
ployees are directly involved in
providing service to the public.
This includes 5,500 bus
operators, 2,400 rapid transit
operating employees, and 3,600
maintenance employees. It is
their dedication to duty, constant
training for skill level improve-
ment, and ability to advance and
assume supervisory responsibili-
ty that enables CTA to provide
high quality transit service on the
large scale required in the service
area.
CTA service is also an impor-
tant focal point of all public tran-
sit provided in the six county area
of the Regional Transportation
Authority. In the central business
district, many suburban rail com-
muters find CTA shuttle bus
routes to be the most convenient
last leg of their trip to the office.
Outlying CTA rapid transit ter-
minals are served by suburban
bus lines as well as CTA buses,
and many CTA bus lines connect
with suburban bus lines at the
periphery of the CTA service area.
To blend these services and
make them more convenient for
the public, CTA operates the
Travel Information Center for the
Regional Transportation Authori-
ty. Travel information represen-
tatives use a modern telephone
system and a microfiche informa-
tion retrieval system to quickly
provide route and schedule infor-
mation and trip planning in six
languages, for riders of all public
transit carriers in the six county
area.
Evening rush hour is a busy time at the
State/Lake station on the Loop 'L' (top)
and the Belmont subway station on the
Milwaukee rapid transit route.
October, 1981
Proud
tradition
of progress
When horsecars began
operating on State Street over a
two-mile route on April 25, 1859,
Chicago was experiencing a
period of rapid growth. As people
needed to travel longer
distances, the three miles per
hour speed provided by animal
power proved to be inadequate,
and the Chicago tradition of
transit growth and innovation
began.
The first attempts to improve
surface transit through steam
and compressed-air power met
with limited success, but a
breakthrough occurred in 1882
with the introduction of the cable
car. With a top speed of 14 miles
per hour, Chicago's system grew
to 86 track miles by 1883, making
it the largest cable car system in
the world. Downtown Chicago
became known as the Loop
District because the cable car
systems terminated in three
downtown loops.
Only seven years later,
Chicago once again was ready to
apply the newest technology to
transit. In 1890, the faster and
more convenient electric street-
cars began operating on 93rd
Street. Soon hundreds of cable
trailers and horsecars were con-
verted to electric power. Opera-
tions were extended to many new
routes, only one-half mile apart,
in a grid pattern of comprehen-
sive service that exists to this
day. By 1896, the streetcar ex-
tended transit service to 344
miles of Chicago's streets,
leading to the end of horsecar
and cable car operations 10 years
later.
As many as 18 surface transit
companies served Chicago until
1914. when they were unified
under the management of the
Chicago Surface Lines. This com-
pany became the largest street
railway operator in the country,
with 3,500 streetcars operating
over 1,100 miles of track.
On June 6, 1892, the Chicago &
South Side Rapid Transit Com-
pany began operating an elevated
railway powered by "dinkey"
steam locomotives. When the
World's Columbian Exposition
opened on May 1, 1893, the ser-
vice extended 8V2 miles between
downtown Chicago and the
Jackson Park Fairgrounds. Two
other elevated railways serving
other parts of the city also had
begun operations by 1895.
Chicago's famous Loop 'L' was
completed in 1897 and became a
common terminal for the three
railways. A fourth railway began
operating on the Loop in 1900.
Alternately decried as a noisy
eyesore and praised as a local
landmark, the Loop 'L' survives to
this day as an economical alter-
native to conversion of downtown
rapid transit to all subway opera-
tion.
Another industry innovation
was pioneered by the South Side
'L' on April 20, 1898. Although it
was the last of the four railways
to be electrified, it was the first to
use multiple-unit control electric
rapid transit cars. This system
used smaller electric motors in
each car, rather than a large
motor in one car pulling trailers.
The flexibility of operation and
more efficient use of electrical
power of this system set the trend
for future rapid transit develop-
ment.
In 1924, the four electric
railways were consolidated as
the Chicago Rapid Transit Com-
pany.
Motor buses began operating
on Sheridan Road on Chicago's
north side on March 25, 1917.
That was the beginning of the
Chicago Motor Coach system
which, by 1928, served 146 miles
of streets, mostly boulevards and
park drives. Leading in the con-
version to diesel buses, Chicago
Motor Coach had put more diesel
buses into operation, by 1939,
than any other transit property.
But they are most fondly
remembered for their introduc-
tion of open top double-deck
buses to Chicago, which later
gave way to the closed top
double-deckers that were in use
until 1950.
The trolley bus became a major
transit vehicle largely through the
efforts of the Chicago Surface
Lines. On April 17, 1930, they in-
troduced trolley buses to
Chicago on the Diversey Avenue
line, and later replaced or extend-
ed several other streetcar and
motor bus lines with trolley
buses. By 1931, Chicago Surface
Lines had built up a fleet greater
than the total number of all the
other trolley buses in use in the
world. This successful operation
proved the viability of large scale
trolley bus service.
The purchase of the first PCC
streetcars by Chicago Surface
Lines in 1936 had similar results,
and CSL became the largest
operator of PCC cars. Designed
at the request of a group of tran-
sit executives called the
Presidents' Conference Commit-
tee, these streetcars featured ad-
vanced technology and increased
performance that enabled them
to compete with motor buses and
automobiles. Many PCC cars are
still in use elsewhere today, and
the last PCC "Green Hornet" in
Chicago was retired in 1958.
Chicago started building its
subway system on December 17,
1938. Although the city's Traction
Fund financed more than half of
the construction cost, a federal
grant enabled the city to begin
construction and insured comple-
tion of the project. The State
Street Subway was completed in
1943, and it pioneered the use of
fluorescent lighting in subways.
The new lighting system provided
more pleasing, uniform light, and
it was twice as energy efficient as
incandescent lighting systems.
The Dearborn Street Subway was
completed in 1951.
During 1945-1947, the Chicago
Rapid Transit Company
developed the first rapid transit
cars that featured electric opera-
cta transit news
Top left: Horsecars introduced transit to
Chicago in 1859.
Top right: The Chicago & South Side
Rapid Transit Company pioneered the use
of multiple-unit control rapid transit cars
in 1898.
Above: Chicago Surface Lines was a
leader in the cooperative development of
PCC streetcars and became their largest
operator.
Right: In 1930, Chicago Surface Lines' in-
troductory fleet of trolley buses out-
numbered the rest of the trolley buses in
use in the entire world.
Bottom right: Early streetcars, shown on
State Street, entered the Chicago transit
scene In 1890. Their speed and efficiency
led to the demise of horsecar and cable
car service.
tion of all systems. Delivery
began in 1947, and these cars
were the forerunners of CTA's
modern fleet of all-electric rapid
transit cars.
The Chicago Transit Authority
was created by state legislation
in 1945, and began operating on
October 1, 1947, after acquiring
the properties of the Chicago
Rapid Transit Company and the
Chicago Surface Lines. CTA
became the sole operator of
transit in Chicago on October 1,
1952, when it purchased the
Chicago fvlotor Coach system.
October, 1981
Continuing
the tradition
of progress
After Chicago Transit Authority
operations began on October 1,
1947, the tradition of transit
progress in Chicago was con-
tinued through extensive modern-
ization, expansion, and inno-
vation. Many of the ensuing
developments were later applied
throughout the transit industry.
The first alternate-stop rapid
transit operation in the country
was implemented on the Lake
Street route on April 5, 1948.
During hours of heavy ridership,
many stations were alternately
designated as "A" or "B"
stops and served by alternating
"A" and "B" trains running on
the same track. Terminals and a
few very busy stations continued
to be served by both "A" and
"B" trains. On the Lake Street
route, this innovation reduced
travel time between the west
terminal and the Loop by 10
minutes, and skip-stop service
soon became standard procedure
on all of our major rapid transit
lines.
Chicago also pioneered the
combination of rail rapid transit
and a multi-lane automobile
expressway in the same grade
separated right-of-way, when the
Congress rapid transit route
began operating on the west side
on June 22, 1958. Expressway
median operation provides
greater passenger carrying
capacity, faster service, and
more efficient usage of valuable
land in metropolitan areas. As a
result of the success of this
operation, the Chicago De-
partment of Public Works de-
signed and built subsequent
expressways with a median that
would accommodate rapid trans-
it. Similar routes were opened
in the Dan Ryan Expressway ex-
tending to 95th Street on the
south side in 1969, and in the
Kennedy Expressway extending
to the Jefferson Park Terminal
on the northwest side in 1970.
The Chicago Department of
Public Works is now building a
7.3 mile extension of the north-
west route, which will extend
rapid transit service to O'Hare
International Airport.
The nation's first federally
funded rapid transit demon-
stration grant was used to de-
velop CTA's Skokie Swift service,
which operates on right-of-way
acquired by CTA from the former
North Shore Line, an interurban
railroad. The five-mile non-stop
route, extending from the Howard
Street Rapid Transit Terminal on
the north side to the Dempster
Street Terminal in the suburb of
Skokie, clearly demonstrated the
viability of high-speed suburban
rapid transit. Almost 4,000
riders used the service on the
first day, and GV? million rides
had been provided by the end of
the two-year demonstration pro-
ject. Now a regular part of CTA
service, the Skokie Swift carries
more than 7,000 riders each week-
day.
Since increased service re-
quired more rolling stock, CTA
became a leader in the cooper-
ative development of better rapid
transit cars. The first advanced
cars used further applications of
the technology that produced the
PCC streetcars in the 1930's, and,
in the 1950's, CTA took an active
role in the research and develop-
ment programs that produced the
first high speed, high perform-
ance rapid transit cars.
Most significantly, CTA
became the first property in the
country to operate a large fleet
of air-conditioned rapid transit
cars when, in 1963, it purchased
180 "NEW LOOK" cars. In
addition to being designed and
built as air-conditioned units,
these cars introduced many other
advancements including: the
application of space age elec-
tronics for controlling the
complex electrical equipment;
the first production use of
reinforced fiberglass; and the
first back-lit advertising car card
display panels. Since that time
CTA has made three additional
purchases of improved rapid
transit cars with stainless steel
bodies, as part of its ongoing
effort to provide the best rapid
transit service with modern
equipment.
Surface transit in Chicago has
also been expanded and
improved by CTA. The most
significant development was the
eventual conversion of all surface
routes to motor bus operation,
with streetcar service ending in
1958 and trolley bus service
ending in 1973.
Buses became a more ap-
propriate answer to Chicago's
transit needs for many reasons.
As streets became more crowd-
ed, buses could easily change
lanes to bypass obstacles. New
eta transit news
routes serving the terminals and
stations of the expanded rapid
transit system could be easily
and economically implemented.
Buses could be quickly rerouted
in the event of a flooded viaduct
or fire. And, in our inflationary
economic environment, bus rout-
ing could be more effectively
adjusted to insure the most cost
efficient utilization of vehicles
while serving the changing needs
of the community.
Innovations in bus technology
have also progressed at CTA.
In 1950, CTA made the largest
single purchase of 500 propane
buses, and by 1963 became the
largest operator of this type of
bus. In the 1950's, propane
buses were the most economical
in terms of purchase price and
fuel costs, and they remained
in service until 1976. By that
time, many other industries had
converted to propane fuel to
avoid rising diesel fuel, gasoline,
and fuel oil prices, and the
resulting increase in the price of
propane made propane bus
operation economically un-
feasible.
More recently, CTA purchased
20 articulated buses as part of a
test program in cooperation with
10 other transit systems. Since
the introduction of our high
capacity "Big Bend" buses in
February, 1979, public response
has been favorable, and CTA has
ordered 125 more articulated
buses.
A demonstration project for
automatically monitoring 500
CTA buses from a central
location began on March 12,
1970. This was the first such
system to be used in the nation,
October, 1981
and it was made possible by a
grant from the U.S. Department of
Transportation. Basic infor-
mation concerning identification,
location, and alarm status of
buses is provided on a con-
tinuous basis to the Control
Center. The system also pro-
vides direct two-way voice
communication between the bus
operator and the controller, and
the bus operator can
unobtrusively activate a silent
alarm that alerts the controller
in the event of an emergency.
The Bus Monitor system
ultimately led to the development
of CTA's modernized Control
Center where the operation of all
CTA buses and trains is monitor-
ed. The new Control Center also
has direct two-way radio com-
munications with bus operators,
rapid transit motormen and
conductors, and field super-
visors. Other features include
direct communication with
Chicago Police and Fire De-
partment dispatchers and an
improved public address system
for station platforms.
Far left; Rapid transit service in ttie me-
dian of an expressway was pioneered by
CTA witti ttie opening of ttie Congress line
in the Eisentiower Expressway in 1958.
Left: Ttie nation's first federally funded
rapid transit demonstration grant allowed
ttie Skokie Swift to begin operation, in
1964, and prove the value of high-speed
suburban transit.
Above: A grant from the U.S. Department
of Transportation, in 1970, equipped 500
CTA buses with the first electronic bus
monitoring system. Now all CTA bus
operators, rapid transit crew members,
and field supervisors are in direct radio
contact with the Control Center.
Below: When CTA put 180 "NEW LOOK"
rapid transit cars into service in 1964, it
became the first system to operate a large
fleet of air-conditioned rapid transit cars.
Transit innovation is an on-
going process at the Chicago
Transit Authority, for only
through progress and industry
leadership can we best serve the
needs of our riding public.
g^ »-•
Progress
through
innovation
Creative planning leads to in-
novative programs that enable
CTA to grow w/ith the City of
Chicago and serve the needs of
the riding public. Here are some
of the programs and ac-
complishments that continue
CTA's tradition of transit industry
leadership.
Although traffic and other con-
ditions of travel are more
challenging than ever before,
1980 was CTA's Safest Year. By
maintaining an accident frequen-
cy rate of 5.7 per 100,000 miles
through 133 million miles of bus
and rapid transit operations, CTA
operating employees ac-
complished a 12 per cent im-
provement over 1976, CTA's
previous safest year.
This resulted in net savings of
$2 million in claims alone. The ad-
ditional savings in potential
workman's compensation is in-
calculable, as are the savings
netted in the cost of repair and
replacement of CTA vehicles and
other property.
Safety Department records in-
dicate that the accident frequen-
cy rate for the first eight months
of 1981 is even lower, and they
are looking forward to having a
second consecutive record-
breaking year.
As an incentive for safe opera-
tion, the Safety Department holds
quarterly and annual safety com-
petitions among all bus garages
and all rapid transit terminals, in
addition to their ongoing
vigilance in identifying potential
problems and revising safety pro-
cedures.
Since 1972, the CTA Technical
Institute has become interna-
tionally recognized as a com-
prehensive program for studying
the operation of a major mass
transit system. When CTA
pioneered this type of program, it
served as an orientation for
representatives of government
agencies that provided transit
funding. It has since been ex-
panded to become an industry-
wide education and information
exchange program, attracting a
broad range of persons from
transit newcomers to seasoned
veterans. Offered five times per
year, this week-long program of
seminars and field trips has been
attended by over 800 persons
from transrt properties and
related agencies throughout the
world.
In recent years Computeriza-
tion has increased the efficiency
of CTA operations. The most
notable application is the Vehicle
Maintenance System (VMS). By
monitoring preventive mainte-
nance schedules and collecting
data at the garage level, the VMS
helps CTA determine perform-
ance requirements and provide
the best bus service at the lowest
possible cost. VMS has made
buses available for more frequent
service, prevented increased
maintenance costs, improved
safety among garage employees,
and provided a better way to
justify requests foroperating sub-
sidies. VMS is now being in-
stalled in Los Angeles, and other
transit systems are considering
implementation. CTA is also the
largest transit industry user of
Query By Example (QBE) which
gives CTA user departments
direct access to the computer on
a daily basis as if it were their
own personal computer.
The CTA Transportation
Department has pioneered the
development of an Assault and
Rape Victim Advocate Program,
which provides a sensitive, con-
cerned response in the event that
CTA employees or members of
their immediate families are vic-
timized. Volunteer women ad-
vocates throughout the company
have been professionally trained
at CTA-sponsored seminars.
Within minutes of a victim's re-
quest, an advocate arrives to help
the victim by engaging in reflec-
tive listening, explaining medical
and investigative procedures, in-
forming the victim of sources of
professional counselling, and
escorting the victim home. This
sensitive response from another
CTA employee helps the victim
weather the emotional trauma
that often occurs in the aftermath
of an act of violence.
All of CTA's 37 electrical
substations on the rapid transit
system now feature modern,
60-cycle, solid state operation.
An Engineering Department pro-
ject began converting substa-
tions in 1962, when Princeton
substation became the first solid-
state rapid transit substation in
the United States. Power distribu-
tion from the unmanned,
automated substations is con-
trolled from the Control Center,
and CTA's total electrical conver-
sion capability is now 227
megawatts.
CTA was the first property in
the Transit Industry to develop an
Assessment Center for determin-
ing the management potential of
its employees, and approximately
100 employees have participated
in the program since 1978. By
observing these employees in a
variety of deliberately structured,
job-related situations, CTA
discovers those persons who
possess management potential
eta transit news
Far left: Pride in a job well done is evident
as Frank Wsol, Area Superintendent, Far
South, displays quarterly public safety
award presented to 77th Street Garage by
Tom Boyle (in light suit at left), Manager,
Safety Department.
Left: Mayor Jane M. Byrne, Superinten-
dent of Police Richard J. Brzeczek (right),
and Assistant Deputy Superintendent Bill
Miller (center) inspect the Chicago Transit
Security System at the Chicago Police
Department Communications Center.
(Photo Courtesy of Mayor's Office)
-job knowledge, communication
skills, leadership ability, good
judgment, responsible decision
making, interpersonal relations
skills - - and develops its future
managers among its own
employees.
CTA's new Security Training
Program is a direct result of
legislation introduced by CTA
Chiairman Eugene M. Barnes
when he was a member of the
Illinois General Assembly. The
law requires security orientation
training for all public transporta-
tion operating employees in the
areas of assaults on personnel,
crimes against passengers,
recognition of dangerous
behavior, hostage situations,
communication, identification of
assailants, and employee fear.
The Training/Development Pro-
grams section of CTA's Human
Resources Department devel-
oped the training program.
Videotape vignettes of simulated
crimes or threatening situations
stimulate class discussions and
demonstrate proper procedures,
and printed instructional
materials reinforce the learning
process.
CTA's Security Training Pro-
gram is expected to be the model
for similar programs which must
be adopted by other operating
agencies within Illinois.
Thousands of mobility-limited
Chicagoans gained access to
transit service when the CTA
Special Services program began
operation this September 21.
Twenty new lift-equipped mini-
buses and three lift-retrofitted
35-foot FIxible buses provide two
types of pre-scheduled, door-to-
door service - - one time trips and
regularly recurring trips. Special-
ly selected employees from the
Transportation and Maintenance
Departments operate and main-
tain the vehicles, and Consumer
Services Department employees
provide rider certification and
computerized trip planning and
scheduling by telephone. All
employees in the Special Ser-
vices program have received sen-
sitivity and procedural training
which enables them to better
serve the needs of our mobility-
limited riders.
The unique Chicago Transit
Security System, an electronic
surveillance network designed to
reduce crime on the rapid transit
system, began operation on May
8, 1980, at Chicago Police Head-
quarters. The pilot program in-
volves four stations on the
Englewood/Jackson Park route:
35th Street, 40th and Indiana,
43rd and Indiana, and 55th Street.
At each station, nine closed-
circuit television cameras
monitor the platforms, stairwells,
and ticket agent booths. These
are supplemented by push button
alarms and emergency
telephones. Loudspeakers and
microphones provide on-site two-
way voice contact.
Monitored at a nine-screen
control console at the Chicago
Police Department Communica-
tions Center, the system scans
each station for 11 seconds in
continual succession. Emergen-
cy alarms or phone calls
automatically switch the console
monitors to the origin of the
distress call.
The Chicago Department of
Public Works guided the develop-
ment of the program. The
project's total cost is $1.7 million,
funded primarily through the U.S.
Urban Mass Transportation Ad-
ministration and the Illinois
Department of Transportation.
CTA realizes its responsibility
to the community,, and communi-
ty involvement activities have in-
creased. In the Finance Division,
every effort has been made to in-
sure that minority vendors have
an equal opportunity to bid on
CTA contracts, and much of
CTA's banking activity is now
conducted through minority-
owned institutions.
The Community Relations sec-
tion meets with community
groups to explain CTA service
and learn how we can best serve
their needs. They also present a
CTA slide show and answerques-
tions in Chicago Public School
classes. Plans are now being
made to adapt this presentation
to the school curriculum so
teachers throughout the system
can present a standardized study
unit about CTA and public
transportation.
In cooperation with the Boy
Scouts of America, employees
from the Automotive Vehicle
Maintenance Facility volunteered
their time, this spring, to teach
high school age Explorer Scouts
various automotive maintenance
techniques. Using scrap
materials, and materials donated
by CTA suppliers, the Scouts
built a quarter-scale working
model of an articulated bus and
rebuilt or remodelled small utility
vehicles used in the shops.
October, 1981
Growing to
serve Chicago
The increasing and changing
needs of transit riders in Chicago
require continuous revitalization
and expansion of facilities and
equipment. With the assistance
of federal and state capital
funding, the CTA Engineering and
Operations Planning Depart-
ments and the City of Chicago,
Department of Public Works, are
working together to provide more
extensive, convenient, cost-
effective, and efficient service for
the future.
Construction under the super-
vision of CTA's Engineering
Department will soon begin on
the new Kedzie Garage on the
near west side, replacing a
70-year-old structure that
originally served streetcars. The
new 332,000 square-foot facility
will be a model of environmental
concern and energy efficiency,
allowing 250 buses to be stored
and maintained indoors, pro-
tected from our harsh winter
weather. Exhaust gasses will be
used to preheat air entering the
heating system, and a new dim-
mer lighting system will rely on
skylights for primary lighting,
while monitoring light levels and
activating supplemental electric
lighting as needed at various
work locations.
Station renovation is also
planned and monitored by the
CTA Engineering Department.
The new Western Avenue Station
on the Ravenswood rapid transit
route is being developed as part
of the Lincoln Square Mall project
in conjunction with the city and
the local business community.
Other locations that have already
been renovated or are now
undergoing renovation include:
Loyola, Granville, and 47th Street
Stations on the Howard-
Englewood-Jackson Park route;
Cicero Avenue Station and the
15th and 16th Street bridges on
the Douglas line; Kedzie Avenue
Station and the bridge over the
north branch of the Chicago River
on the Ravenswood route; 79th
Street Station on the Lake-Dan
Ryan route; and the Davis Street
Station on the Evanston route. All
station renovations employ
modern construction techniques
using brick, steel and glass.
Passenger comfort and safety are
increased by high visibility
design, fluorescent lighting,
passenger activated infrared plat-
form heaters, modern fare collec-
The Chicago Department of Public Works
designed the new Despiaines Terminal at
the end of the Congress rapid transit line
in Forest Park.
tion equipment, escalators and
elevators.
In suburban Forest Park at the
end of the Congress rapid transit
route, the newly rebuilt $5.5
million Despiaines Terminal is
now in operation. Designed by
the Chicago Department of
Public Works, the bi-level ter-
minal features a 425-foot long
and 28-foot wide station platform
with three 16-foot windbreaks and
infrared heaters. Two escalators,
stairways, and an elevator lead to
the lower level of the concrete,
steel and glass terminal building
which includes a concession
area, a waiting area, and modern
fare collection equipment. At
ground level, the south entrance
serves Greyhound buses and
automobile traffic and leads to a
330-car park and ride lot, and the
north entrance serves CTA and
suburban transit buses.
Air travellers to O'Hare Interna-
tional Airport and workers from
the business, industrial, and
hotel facilities nearby will soon
have a direct rapid transit con-
nection to the entire CTA system.
The Chicago Department of
Public Works is now building a
7.3-mile, $187.5 million, extension
of the Milwaukee rapid transit
CTA's new Kedzie Garage will provide
maintenance facilities and storage area
for 250 buses in a modern, energy efficient
building.
eta transit news
■m^ ^-
IVniinp
•7 / -•''
route, beginning at the Jefferson
Parl< Ternninal in the median of
the Kennedy Expressway and
ending at a subway terminal
under the airport parl<ing garage.
In addition to the O'Hare Ter-
minal, three new median stations
are being built at Harlem Avenue,
Cumberland Road and River
Road. When this two-track exten-
sion is completed in late 1982 or
early 1983, it will provide an
18-mile long rapid transit line
from the Dearborn subway of the
Milwaukee-Congress-Douglas
route in Chicago's Loop to
O'Hare International Airport.
CTA and the Department of
Public Works have also
cooperated in the development of
reverse-flow bus lanes on
Washington, Madison, and
Adams Streets and Jackson
Boulevard in the Loop area.
Operating against the normal
one-way flow of traffic, in ex-
clusive curb-side lanes, CTA
buses now provide quicker and
more reliable east-west service
between Michigan Avenue and
the Union and North Western
commuter railroad stations.
Similarly, in 1979, these same
cooperative efforts brought about
the construction and operation of
the State Street Transit Mall,
where CTA buses operate ex-
clusively, northbound and south-
bound, between Wacker Drive
and Congress Parkway. Service
has been improved, especially
during rush hours, and the wid-
ened sidewalks, attractive land-
scaping, and canopied bus stops
transformed State Street into a
pleasant shopping mall. Con-
struction will soon begin at the
Jackson/Adams Station of the
State Street Subway to provide
access for elderly and handi-
capped riders by means of an
elevator from street level to the
platform. In addition, CTA and the
Department of Public Works are
Artist's concept of the new Harlem
Avenue Station in the Kennedy Ex-
pressway median. The O'Hare Extension,
now under construction, will extend rapid
transit service 7.3 miles from CTA's Jeffer-
son Park Terminal west to O'Hare Inter-
national Airport.
now planning a renovation pro-
ject for all the State Street and
Dearborn Street Subway stations.
The CTA Engineering Depart-
ment is also responsible for
designing new equipment and
vehicles, supervising the
manufacture or modification of
equipment and vehicles, and in-
suring that new equipment and
vehicles perform in accordance
with CTA's specifications before
the equipment is put into service.
Reverse flow bus lanes (above) and the
State street Mall (left) have greatly im-
proved bus service in the Loop.
13
cooperating to serve the trans
History
Working together
The American Public Transit
Association and its predecessor
organizations have been working
to improve public transportation
in the United States and Canada
for almost 100 years. Common
problems involving the operation
of horse-drawn cars and the ad-
vent of cable cars were the focus
of industry attention when the
association was formed in 1882
as the American Street Railway
Association.
The introduction of electric
streetcars and interurban
railways around the turn of the
century led to expansion of the
organization as the American
Street and Interurban Railway
Association, which soon became
the American Electric Railway
Association. The heyday of trac-
tion brought increased emphasis
on research and development, in-
formation exchange, and
legislative action in promoting
the needs of the industry.
As urban motor bus and trolley
coach operations began to
change the face of public
transportation in the 1920's and
'30's, the representative of sur-
face transit evolved into the
American Transit Association,
while the Institute for Rapid
Transit developed as the
organization for subway and
elevated transit systems. The
merger of these two groups in
1974 created the American Public
Transit Association that is now
the voice of public transit in the
United States.
The following Chicago transit ex-
ecutives served as chairmen of APTA
or as presidents of one of its
predecessor organizations:
James J. McDonough, chairman,
CTA; chairman, APTA, 1976-79.
George L. DeMent, chairman, CTA;
president, IRT, 1965-68, ATA, 1970-71.
Walter J. McCarter, general manager,
CTA; president, IRT, 1961-65.
Guy A. Richardson, president,
Chicago Surface Lines; president,
AERA, 1931-32.
Britton I. Budd, president, Chicago
Rapid Transit Co.; president, AERA,
1923-24.
John M. Roach, president, Chicago
Union Traction Co.; president, ASRA,
1899-1900.
Charles B. Holmes, president,
Chicago City Railway Co.; president,
ASRA, 1887-1888.
Chicago Transit Authority per-
sonnel and their forebears have
taken a leading role in the ac-
tivities of the American Public
Transit Association and its
predecessor organizations
almost from their inception near-
ly a century ago.
In 1887-88, Charles B. Holmes,
then President of the Chicago
City Railway Co., became Presi-
dent of the American Street
Railway Association, the fledg-
ling organization of transit
systems that had been founded
barely four years earlier.
From members' initial concern
with the price of oats for their
horses and the advent of cable
cars, the association has con-
tinued to seek solutions to cur-
rent transit problems, right down
to the present-day headache of
handling dollar bill collections.
Today, more than two dozen
CTA people Serve on APTA com-
mittees and subcommittees, in-
cluding Chairman Eugene M.
Barnes, who is APTA's Vice Presi-
dent for Government Affairs and
a member of its Program Commit-
tee. All are lending their expertise
to programs aimed at helping the
industry meet the needs of public
transportation in the 1980's.
APTA in turn serves the in-
dustry as well as the riding public
by supporting research and
development projects sponsored
by the Urban Mass Transporta-
tion Administration. Through its
committees, APTA provides
UMTA with the experienced per-
sonnel needed to insure that the
projects receive the industry's
most advanced thinking.
"We support the work of UMTA-
funded contractors by overseeing
their work, rather than engaging
in the actual research itself," said
Frank Cihak, APTA Director of
Technology and Research Ser-
vices, who formerly was CTA's
chief equipment engineer and
Director of Technical Services in
the Maintenance Department.
"At present we have seven con-
tracts with UMTA, ranging from
safety to equipment standardiza-
tion and design practices. Three
of the contracts are in the area of
technological matters relating to
equipment and operations.
"Altogether, we have 260
transit industry people on 38
liaison boards with UMTA and the
Transportation Systems Center,
-another part of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation - all sup-
porting UMTA activities."
APTA committees also provide
the basis for programs at regional
and annual meetings, and fulfill
their individual committee func-
tions throughout the year. One of
these functions is to resolve joint
After the crippling blizzard of 79, the
APTA Snow Task Force visited Chicago.
Shown at Skokie Shop, examining rapid
transit car electric motor armatures, are:
CTA General Operations Manager Harold
H. Geissenheimer; C. A. Waelde, MBTA,
Boston; Thomas A. Whibbs, Toronto
Transit Commission, task force chairman;
and former CTA Executive Director
George Krambles.
-
rC'l
y^
m
"^ \i^ ^'
eta transit news
ndustry
The first-place winner in CTA's first Bus
Roadeo, held this summer, was bus
operator Martin Troglia. Congratulating
Troglia and wishing him good luck in the
APTA International Bus Roadeo, are (left
to right): CTA Transportation Manager
James Blaa, Troglia. CTA Executive Direc-
tor Theodore G. Schuster, General Opera-
tions Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer,
and CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes.
problems that might arise among
the member properties.
The crippling Chicago
snowstorms of January, 1979,
which were accompanied by con-
tinuously subfreezing tem-
peratures, led to the establish-
ment of a Snow Task Force to
gather information from all af-
fected systems about common
operating problems and to seek
solutions.
One of the results of the task
force's action was the Snow
Removal Vehicle (S 500) that the
CTA took delivery on in the spring
of 1981 for use in future snow
emergencies on its rapid transit
routes.
Another specialized APTA-
sponsored group was the
Revenue Collection Task Force,
which was organized to attack
the problems of dollar bill collec-
tion on transit vehicles. Harold H.
Geissenheimer, CTA General
Operations Manager, is chairman
of the task force, which was
formed in September, 1981.
Besides committees and task
forces, communication among
APTA members is also main-
tained through the peer group
review process. This is basically
an interchange of visits among
the personnel of different proper-
ties where the expertise of one
company may be of particular
value to the other.
"The peer group review,"
Geissenheimer said, "is a good
example of interagency coopera-
tion. It allows a new system to
call upon the expertise of
management and technical peo-
ple from another system, and
perhaps to avoid making costly
errors. It represents industry help-
ing itself."
The CTA recently sent such a
group to Los Angeles, where a
new rapid transit system is being
developed. Special services for
the disabled was the subject of
another review that was held in
Chicago in 1980.
Twenty-seven persons affiliated with the Chicago Transit Authority serve on
various committees and subcommittees of the American Public Transit Association.
Eugene M. Barnes, CTA Chairman, APTA Vice President for Government Affairs,
member of program committee.
James P. Gallagher, CTA Board Member, member of legislative committee.
Joby Berman, Administrator to the Administrative Joint Commission on the Chicago
Transit Authority, member of policy and planning committee, member of elderly and
handicapped transportation subcommittee of the government affairs committee.
Harold H. Geissenheimer, General Operations Manager, member and past chairman
of bus operations committee, rail operations committee, chairman of transit adver-
tising standardization subcommittee of the special services committee.
C. W. Baxa, Public Affairs Manager, member of the international bus roadeo commit-
tee.
S. M. Bianchi, Risk Management Manager, chairman of the risk management com-
mittee.
Harold Hirsch, Operations Planning Manager, chairman of service planning and
scheduling subcommittee of the bus operations committee, past chairman of the
schedule committee.
John Hogan, Datacenter Manager, chairman of the management systems commit-
tee.
Fred G. King, Human Resources Manager, member of the minority affairs commit-
tee.
Raleigh Mathis, Security Manager, member of the transit security steering commit-
tee.
Thomas L. Wolgemuth, Maintenance Manager, member of management subcommit-
tee of the operations committee.
Frank Johnson, Training/Development Programs Director, member of the training
and development committee.
J. R. Pankonen, Vehicle Maintenance Director, member of the car equipment com-
mittee.
Harold Reddrick, Transportation Personnel Director, member of the bus operations
committee.
James Stewart, Equipment Engineering Director, member of the car equipment com-
mittee.
Ronald O. Swindell, Signal and Communications Design Director, member of the
communications committee.
Edward Tobin, Procurement Director, member of the purchases and materials
management committee.
C. L. Wlksten, Plant Maintenance Director, member of equipment subcommittee of
the ways and structures committee.
Kendrick Bisset, Signal Design Superintendent, member of signals subcommittee #1
of the power, signals, and communications committee.
Elonzo Hill, Training Center Superintendent, member of the international bus roadeo
committee.
Paul Kadowaki, Bus Instruction Superintendent, member of the international bus
roadeo committee.
Walter R. Keevil, Electrical Vehicle Design Superintendent, member of noise and
vibration subcommittee of the ways and structures committee.
Walter Moore, Power Distribution Group Superintendent, member of power subcom-
mittee of the power, signals, and communications committee.
Joseph Siegel, Power and Wiring Superintendent, member of the power, signals, and
communications committee, vice chairman of its power subcommittee, and member
of its high resistant fault subcommittee.
Roy T. Smith, Civil Engineering Superintendent, member of the ways and structures
committee, member of its track construction and maintenance subcommittee.
Frank Venezia, Bus Shops Superintendent, member of the mechanical committee,
bus technology committee, elderly and handicapped transportation subcommittee
of the government affairs committee, past chairman of the equipment committee.
Donald Walsh, Electrical Testing Supervisor, member of electrolysis subcommittee
of the power, signals, and communications committee.
October, 1981
Visit eta
while you're
in Chicago
During the 1981 APIA
Convention, we hope that
you will visit CTA and meet
Sonne of the dedicated
employees who keep our
system running. APIA has
arranged tours from 2 p.m.
to 5 p.m. on Friday, October
9, of the CTA facilities that
are highlighted on the
following pages, as shown
in the convention
schedule.
You can also step back
in time and ride buses from
our historical collection,
which will be displayed
during the convention and
occasionally used for shut-
tle service. Our historic
rapid transit cars will be
displayed, along with our
newest 2600 series rapid
transit cars and our rapid
transit snow removal
equipment, on Saturday,
October 10, from 11 a.m.
until 2 p.m., at the
Madison/Wells Station on
the Loop 'L'.
Vehicles from our
historical collection are
shown at the bottom of the
following pages, and our
newest vehicles are shown
on the back cover.
Control
Center
A fire breaks out in the 3400
block of Chicago Avenue and traf-
fic must be blocked off. A young
woman has her purse snatched
on a westbound Lake Street
elevated train. Carrying a full load
of passengers, a southbound
Michigan Avenue bus breaks
down during the morning rush
hour. And almost at the same
time an automobile, northbound
on Ashland, runs a red light, col-
liding with an eastbound Diversey
bus.
Occurrences such as these are
part of the everyday scenario of a
transit company. The problems
that can be created - by weather,
human behavior, equipment
malfunctioning - may sometimes
be averted. But when they can't
be averted, they must be coped
with.
For the CTA this means being
prepared, using today's
technology to the fullest,
recognizing that the key to cop-
ing is a continuously operating
communications network.
This is the job of the Control
Center.
Traffic supervisors, whether
surface or rapid transit, are the
CTA's first line of defense for
handling delays - no matter what
the cause. But they must first be
alerted to the emergency with ac-
curate facts and then given the
necessary directions and backup
so that their effectiveness is max-
imized, their actions not wasted
motion, their efforts not
duplicated.
This is the job of the Control
Center.
Should power on the third rail
be interrupted, instructions may
have to be given to Power Con-
trollers. Power may have to be
shut down. Perhaps feeder
cables will need to be discon-
nected. Depending on the exact
nature of the problem, a broad
range of decisions will have to be
made, appropriate instructions
given and followed through.
This is the job of the Control
Center.
An unexpected blizzard may be
moving swiftly towards the city.
Emergency weather bulletins
could be phoned in to bus
garages and rail terminals, but
what about the operator on the
street? With one two-way radio
call to the Control Center, he or
she can pinpoint the location of
the snowbound vehicle, secure
the necessary help, be provided
with instructions as to what to do
while waiting for help, and --
perhaps most important of all -
have the feeling of not being
stranded in the predicament.
Regardless of the situation, for
all of the needed emergency
facilities - whether persons,
power, or equipment - to work ef-
ifectively, they must be coor-
dinated. And this is the heart of
the matter. For doing this means
maintaining an information net-
3407
Twenty identical Model 798
buses were built by the White
Motor Company in Cleveland,
Ohio, for the Chicago Surface
Lines, in 1944. Following World
War II, additional buses of this
type were purchased, without the
fluted side design of the first 20.
3407 has been repainted in
Chicago Surface Lines livery and
is presently used in training and
instructional activities.
eta transit news
Above: Bus controllers at work in CTA's
remodelled Control Center.
Right: Transportation Manager James
Blaa (left) and Director of Service Michael
LaVelle observe rail controllers during the
morning rush hour.
work through two-way radios,
platform speakers, intercom
systems, telephones. It means
receiving and transmitting infor-
mation. It means determining the
priority order in which problems
will be handled, mindful that
when service is maintained or
restored, passenger needs are
well served.
This is the job of the Control
Center, and it is performed in an
excellent, professional manner.
605
Among the buses acquired by
CTA in its 1952 purchase of the
Chicago Motor Coach Company
were 100 General Motors
TDH-5103's, built in 1950 and
numbered 601-700. in 1970, bus
605 was removed from revenue
service for use as a training bus.
It has now been repainted in its
original Chicago Motor Coach
livery and is used as a support
vehicle at special events.
October, 1981
Automotive
Vehicle
Maintenance
Facilty
The H-shaped design of the
CTA's sprawling Automotive
Vehicle Maintenance Facility,
located on the south side of
Chicago, is an important factor
in its being one of the best
maintenance facilities of any
transit property in the United
States. For this unique design
allows the never-ending job of
automotive vehicle maintenance
to be carried out in a compacted
space that uses the CTA's land
area to maximum effectiveness,
with every department within the
facility being no more than one-
fourth of a block from the central
point or hub of the building.
It is this kind of imaginative
thinking, planning and-most
important-doing, that charac-
terizes the manner in which
South Shops is operated by its
managers and staffed by its
craftspersons and workers. And
it has led to a working innovation
that has helped alleviate a prob-
lem that has plagued the entire
transit industry.
The problem? The never-end-
ing necessity for engine rebuild-
ing. The solution? An engine
assembly line.
Prior to October, 1980-and in
common with other transit
properties throughout the
country-one craftsperson would
be assigned the task of rebuild-
ing one engine. Depending on
the nature of the problem, this
might take from 65 to 85 hours.
However, if for some unforeseen
reason that craftsperson was
absent for a period of time,
such as a day's illness, the
engine would simply "sit."
Now all that has changed.
The CTA's Automotive Vehicle
Maintenance Facility has created
an assembly line system made up
of six 4-hour stations with each
station being responsible for
approximately one-sixth of the
total job. Every four hours the
engine moves up on a wheeled
carrier to a different station.
Should a problem arise in the
repair of a particular engine,
that engine is temporarily put
aside and another moves into its
place. The line does not stop.
In this way. South Shops is able
to rebuild two engines a day, 10 a
week. Before putting in the
assembly line, five engines per
week was the quota.
While every automotive repair
requirement is not adaptable to
the assembly-line technique, all
automotive vehicle maintenance
work-before, during, and after-
is continuously examined from a
time and motion perspective that
enables the men and women
involved to get the job done in the
best possible way, in the least
possible time, and with the great-
est sense of personal accom-
plishment.
Put all of this together and it
adds up to a facility that is
capable of handling 30 major bus
repairs in the H building. Should
the need arise, another 17 major
bus repairs can be added to this
figure by also using the original
building. At the same time, they
have the capacity for completing
14 engine repairs as well as 14
brake jobs. And just for good
8499
Delivered in 1960, this bus is a
cross between two distinct bus
designs, combining the body of a
standard 40-foot CTA propane
bus of the 1950's and the FIxible
'NEW LOOK' front end. Some of
the features tested on this bus
were later used in the design of
FIxible 'NEW LOOK' buses. 8499
became a part of CTA's historical
collection in 1974, and is still
used in regular service.
18
eta transit news
\'
Wggb
aw.
Left, above: "Mother Bus" Mobile Repair
Unit, a retired FIxible bus that was
modified at South Shops, stands by at
special events iil<e Chicago Bears football
games or ChicagoFest. With supplies of
diesel fuel, torque fluid, and engine oil,
and a crew of maintenance workers, it can
handle minor maintenance problems en-
countered by buses that have been
operating in extended service.
Above: Dick Schneider, Area Superinten-
dent, Automotive Vehicle Maintenance,
monitors work in progress at South
Shops.
Right top: Frank Venezia, Superintendent,
Bus Shops (right, foreground) and Unit
Supervisor Nick Simonetti inspect work
being performed on the new assembly line
in the Engine Rebuild Section.
Right: Terry McGuigan. Superintendent,
Bus Garages, and Area Superintendent
Dick Schneider inspect brake job being
performed by Andy Shaw, Jr.
measure, by staggering the jobs
from priming to spray booth,
they'll also be painting nine
buses.
Add it up. It makes an im-
pressive total-84 major jobs
going on simultaneously! Auto-
motive vehicle maintenance work
being run by professionals, done
by professionals.
This first-class Automotive
Vehicle Maintenance Facility is
one of the principal reasons why
CTA operates one of the best bus
systems in the country.
301
This bus was one of 150 buses
built by General Motors and
delivered to CTA in 1962-1963.
One hundred and fifty similar pro-
pane buses were built by FIxible.
These buses were part of a CTA
program which studied the merits
of diesel versus propane fuel. The
300's originally were painted with
an all-green front end. Later,
cream or white was added to in-
crease visibility. Upon future
retirement, it will be placed in
CTA's historical collection.
October, 1981
Rail Vehicle
Maintenance
Facility
A casual glance at the outside
of a seemingly outdated structure
would not prepare an observer
entering the building for the
drannatic scene of a two-car rapid
transit train suspended in the air
on giant car body jacks. Yester-
day's building--today's tech-
nology. It suggests a
contradiction-but not to the
Skokie Shop managers, with their
innovative working philosophy. If
a rail vehicle maintenance need
exists, but the way to meet it
presently does not, they will
simply create it!
This is the kind of "thinking in
action" that led to the develop-
ment by Skokie Shop craftsmen
Top left: Inspecting electrical equipment
under 1964 vintage, 2000 series rapid-
transit car which had recently been re-
painted at Skokie Shop.
Far left: Preparing to operate new motor
alternator test station are (from left):
James Pankonen, Director, Vehicle
Maintenance; Angelo De Angelis, elec-
trical worker; George Haenisch,
Superintendent, Rail Shop; and John
Hruby, Area Superintendent, Methods &
Standards.
Left: Bob Flowers, Area Superintendent,
Rail Vehicle Maintenance, observes as
Shopman Rudy Chucan and Rail Shop
Superintendent George Haenisch build a
current collector beam assembly for a
2200 series rapid transit car.
3542
Bus 3542 was part of a
200-vehicle order built by FIxible
and delivered to CTA during
1966-67. They replaced former
Chicago Motor Coach Company
buses operating out of the Archer
and 52nd Garages. 3542 remains
in revenue service, but, upon
future retirement, will be placed
in CTA's historical collection.
20
Ota transit news
of an innovative motor alternator
test stand. This device gives the
CTA the flexibility of testing the
operational nnode of a motor
alternator without having to tal<e
the equipment completely apart
and then reassembling it. Even
the vendor from whom CTA pur-
chases the equipment did not
have the capacity for doing this.
The same "we think we can do
it" approach resulted in another
unique test stand. The purpose of
this one was to permit Skokie
Shop to bench test the air condi-
tioning unit installed in our 2400
series rapid transit cars after
these units have been rebuilt or
repaired. Weighing about 1,000
pounds each (and there is one in-
stalled in each car of the train), a
single unit has a cooling capacity
equal to the air conditioning of
three average Chicago-area
homes! Keeping them operating
efficiently is a giant task. Using
these test stands, they are able to
determine that a unit is working
properly before reinstalling it in a
rapid transit car.
At the other end of the weather
spectrum, Skokie Shop has been
responsible for converting twelve
6000-series revenue cars into six
Snowfighter trains. The six two-
car trains can be dispersed to
serve all of our rapid transit
routes, or they can be combined
into a few longer trains to combat
heavy sleet accumulations in
specific areas. Each train is
equipped with large snow plows,
chemical de-icing equipment,
and extra third rail sleet scrapers.
In modifying these trains for
Chicago-snow use, the Shop also
moved many of the electrical
components that could be af-
fected by snow up into the cars.
How's that for preventive
maintenance! Like everything
they do, this equipment was sub-
jected to rigid testing before be-
ing put into use. In fact, Skokie
Shop has its own test track.
This test track is not simply a
"leftover" that is occasionally
used for some training purpose. It
is an integral part of the Skokie
Shop operation. Anything that is
repaired, rebuilt, or modified on a
rail vehicle must be taken out on
the test track and operated
satisfactorily, guaranteeing that
it is functionally sound and
meets CTA standards. If it does
not, it is returned to the Shop for
additional work.
Skokie Shop is also the repair-
man's repairman. For many
repairs to CTA rail vehicles are
done using unit exchange items
repaired or rebuilt by Skokie
Shop. When some part of a rail
vehicle seems to malfunction or
begins to wear, the defective unit
may be taken out and a new unit
may be installed simply and easi-
ly. This precludes the terminal
repairman spending time on look-
Top: One of six, two-car "Snowfighter"
trains modified for snow removal use by
Skokie Shop.
Above: Wheels on rebuilt rapid transit car
axle assembly being cut on Hegenscheidt
wheel truing machine. This unit can also
true wheels while they are still in place on
rapid transit cars.
ing for a worn bolt or trying to
determine which wire is the short-
circuiting culprit. He or she sim-
ply replaces the unit. It's an im-
mediate and cost-efficient pro-
cess that enables many repairs to
be made on the spot, without
disrupting passenger service. It is
easy to understand why Skokie
Shop is the main support body for
the CTA rail operation.
Carl
Car 1 was delivered to the
Chicago & South Side Rapid Tran-
sit in 1892 as a trailer to be hauled
by steam locomotives over
Chicago's first rapid transit line.
It was later converted to electric
multiple-unit operation by Frank
J. Sprague and remained in ser-
vice until 1930. It is now a part of
CTA's historical collection.
October, 1981
Plant
Maintenance
Facility
Carrying a massive crane head-
ed for the Louisiana oil fields, an
Illinois Central Gulf train set in
motion a chain of events that
w/ould momentarily focus on the
w/ork of a CTA department that is
spotlighted only infrequently--the
Plant Maintenance Facility. For
when the crane collided with the
CTA structure at 15th Street-
tearing up track and structure
and damaging a CTA train-the
radio call that went out brought
plant maintenance personnel to
the scene to determine the
damage, clean up the mess, and
help get that section of the CTA
back in operation as quickly and
safely as possible.
Having direct responsibility for
track and structure and,
therefore, most immediately in-
volved in this accident, was the
Power and Way section of Plant
Maintenance. As the section
name might suggest, they are
also responsible for the
maintenance of the electrical
power without which no CTA train
would run. When the crane hit the
structure, the section's "third rail
men" concentrated their efforts
on electrical power problems,
while other Power and Way per-
sonnel stabilized the damaged
structure with an invention of
their own. This steel telescoping
"pogo stick" was created by
Plant Maintenance, working in
cooperation with the CTA's
Engineering Department. It has
the capability of supporting open
deck structure whenever and
wherever such support is re-
quired. This unique innovation
has, in fact, been adopted for use
by outside construction com-
panies.
"Clean up the mess"-if that
conjures up a picture of janitorial
service, you're partly right. For
this would be one of the hundreds
of jobs performed by persons
working in the Buildings and
Grounds section. Depending
upon the unit involved-General
Maintenance, Electrical/Mechan-
ical, Rail Janitor-name the job
and you'll probably find someone
in this section performing it. For
they run the gamut from cutting
the grass on the grounds of bus
garages to maintaining 13,000
bus stop signs, 600 bus shelters,
and all of CTA's escalators.
This latter function is unique.
Traditionally, escalator main-
tenance had been a service per-
formed by an outside contractor.
But when the CTA assumed its
own maintenance, including
training its personnel to perform
the job, the number of escalators
out of service per day dropped
from 42 per cent to approximately
four per cent!
Providing the technical support
relating to plant maintenance ac-
tivities as well as acting as
liaison between the CTA and
various regulatory agencies of
Chicago and Illinois, is the sec-
tion that completes the Plant
Maintenance trio-Technical Ser-
vices. The 15th Street incident
may have challenged this sec-
tion's expertise, but it certainly
didn't faze it. And the talents of
its staff were quickly directed to
helping put the damaged section
of the CTA back in operation.
Plant Maintenance sums up its
role in the CTA with, "If it's CTA
property and it doesn't move,
what happens to it is our job."
They're right. From fabricating
frogs to scrubbing graffiti from
walls, the management and staff
of the Plant Maintenance Facility
are responsible for all of the
CTA's fixed facilities.
Top: Plant Maintenance workers install a
new 15-ton, 72foot steel girder on the
elevated structure at 15th Street, replac-
ing a girder that had been damaged by an
oversize load of a freight train passing
below.
Bottom left: Inspecting the fabrication of
an equilateral turnout in the Plant
Maintenance Shop are (left to right):
Thomas Wolgemuth, Manager,
Maintenance; Paul Swanson, Superinten-
dent, Plant Technical Service; Len
Wiksten, Director, Plant Maintenance;
Walter Hallford. Superintendent,
Buildings & Grounds; and Walter Gaedtke,
Superintendent, Power & Way.
Bottom middle: Shopmen Ivan Maros and
Neal Zoko straighten a stairway stringer.
Bottom right: Assistant Foreman Frank
Montefaico cutting rail with a rotary
power saw.
4271-4272
These two rapid transit cars
were part of a 205-car order
delivered to Chicago between
1923 and 1925. 4000-series cars
saw service on all parts of the
rapid transit system, and they in-
augurated subway operations in
1943 when the State Street Sub-
way opened. 4271-4272 were
retired from regular service in
1973 and are now used only for
charter service.
22
eta transit news
6101-6102
These cars were part of a
130-car order delivered to CTA by
the St. Louis Car Co. in 1950.
Their light weight alloy construc-
tion utilized PCC technology first
developed for streetcars in the
1930's. By 1981, only cars
6101-6102 retained their original
dual headlights. Now designated
as CTA's Rail Safety Train, and re-
painted in their original color
scheme, they are still used in
regular service on the
Ravenswood route.
October, 1981
23
Our newest
additions
Rapid transit cars 2601-2602
(right) are the first of 300 cars be-
ing built for CTA by The Budd
Company. Delivery will be com-
pleted in early 1984. Our 'Big
Bend' articulated buses (below)
have proven successful, and an
additional 125 are on order for
1982 delivery from M.A.N. Bus &
Truck Corp., Southfield,
fUlichigan.
Lift-equipped mini-buses (above) provide service
for mobility-limited riders in CTA's new Special
Services program. Our new diesel-powered Snow
Remover Vehicle (left), built by Niigata Engineer-
ing Company, Japan, will keep rail rights-of-way
clear of excessive snow accumulation. A snow
thrower at each end is capable of removing up to
1500 tons of snow per hour and casting it up to
100 feet away. Rotating brooms on each side clear
snow from the third rail.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT No. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRARY
N0HTHV;.5S TiiRN UNI ViiRs I TY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVAKSTON, IL , 60?01
TN
j^i^ ir-*-^
Quick response
lessens impact of
rush hour delay
Thanks to the efforts of many
CTA employees, morning rush
hour riders on the Loop "L" struc-
ture experienced a minimum of
service interruption after a
90-foot long boom of a crane
crashed onto a building, October
22, on Lake Street just west of
Wabash avenue. The boom
leaned menacingly over the
tracks east of the State/Lake "L"
station for more than four hours
before it was safely removed.
During most of the four hours,
northbound Dan Ryan trains were
switched back southbound at the
RandolphA/Vabash station; east-
bound Lake street trains were
switched back northbound at the
LaSalle/Van Buren station.
Evanston trains used the
Ravenswood Loop tracks.
Buses on Lake street were
rerouted to Wacker drive. Shuttle
bus service for Lake-Dan Ryan
riders connected the Ran-
dolphA/Vabash and Clark/Lake
stations. There was sufficient
regular bus service near the
LaSalle/Van Buren station for use
by inconvenienced "L" riders
who were issued emergency
transfers upon request from rapid
transit ticket agents.
Giant crane, used to build Loop City College (at right) on nortti
side of Lake street east of Wabash avenue.
\cta
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
NOVEMBER, 1981
New Transit News
distribution policy
Beginning with the next issue, December, 1981, Transit News
will no longer be sent to active CTA employees at their home ad-
dresses through the U.S. IVIail. The magazine will be distributed in
bulk quantities to CTA work locations.
CTA retirees and Transit News subscribers will continue to
receive the magazine through the U.S. Mail.
This economy measure is expected to reduce Transit News
mailing costs by 75%.
Jordan Jay Hillman
joins Chicago
Transit Board
Jordan Jay Hillman, professor
of law and transportation at
Nortfiwestern University in
Evanston, III., became a member
of tfie Board of tfie Chicago Tran-
sit Autfiority at the Board's
November meeting (Nov. 4).
Governor James R. Thompson
appointed Hillman to the Board.
Hillman replaces Ernie Banks,
who had been a board member
since 1970.
An Evanston resident, Hillman
holds a master of arts degree in
political science and a doctor of
law degree from the University of
Chicago. A Phi Beta Kappa, he
also has a doctorate of juridical
science from Northwestern
University.
He Is a former vice-president
-law for the Chicago and North
Western Railway, and has been
general counsel for the United
States Railway Association (a
U.S. government corporation).
Hillman has been a member of
the faculty of Northwestern
University since 1967.
He is a member of the
American Bar Association, the
Chicago Council of Lawyers, and
the Law Club of Chicago. He has
served as chairman of the Com-
mittees on Constitutional Revi-
sion and Civil Rights and was a
member of the Board of
Managers of the Chicago Bar
Association.
Hillman has served as a
member of the Illinois Constitu-
tional Study Commission, the
Evanston Zoning Amendment
Committee, and the Evanston
Township High School Board
No. 202.
Michael N. Horowitz
appointed General
External Affairs
Manager
Michael N. Horowitz has been
appointed the General External
Affairs Manager of the Chicago
Transit Authority.
Horowitz's appointment, effec-
tive Nov. 9, was announced by
CTA Executive Director Theodore
G. Schuster.
As head of the External Affairs
Division, Horowitz will be in
charge of the Public Affairs and
Consumer Services Departments.
Public Affairs consists of media
relations and publications. Con-
sumer Services encompasses
customer assistance, community
relations, special group sales
(charter service, monthly pass
and token sales), and the travel
information center.
Before joining the CTA,
Horowitz, 42, was president of his
own public relations firm in
Chicago.
He previously served as direc-
tor of public relations and adver-
tising for Playboy Clubs Interna-
tional and was director of public
relations and board services for
the National Restaurant Associa-
tion.
During 1971 and 1972, Horowitz
was a news anchorman, reporter.
and panelist on WBBM-TV, Chan-
nel 2. From 1969 to 1971, he was
Southeast Asia assistant bureau
chief and field producer for the
American Broadcasting Com-
pany's radio and television divi-
sion.
From 1965 to 1969, he was a TV
news show producer for WLS-TV,
Channel 7, and served as
moderator and panelist on a news
interview show. He also worked
as an assignment desk editor.
Horowitz is a graduate of Grin-
nel (la.) college. He lives on the
near north side of Chicago.
The General External Affairs
Manager position formerly was
held by Ms. Joby H. Berman, who
is now the Administrator to the
AdiYiinistrative Joint Commission
on the Chicago Transit Authority.
o ^ iL 9
The fifth group to complete an eight-week Materiai Handiing and Warehousing course
sponsored by the Materials Management department include (from left, standing):
Eugene Magad, course instructor Louis Basso, warehouse worker I, South Shops; Jack
Lira, warehouse worker I, South Shops; Charles Turner, warehouse worker I, West Shops;
Geoffrey Layhe, procurement analyst. South Shops; Phillip Smith, warehouse worker I,
South Shops; Louis Kasper, warehouse worker I, Skokie Shop; James Cooney, warehouse
worker II, South Shops, and Leon Harris, warehouse worker II, Skokle Shop. Seated (from
left) are: Cleophas Fultz, warehouse worker I, South Shops; Alan Wrightsell, warehouse
worker I, West Shops; Erias Harris Jr., warehouse worker I, South Shops; Nathaniel
Thomas, warehouse worker I, West Shops, and Alphonso Govan, warehouse workec I,
West Shops.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
CTA
scores high
in APTA
Bus Roadeo
Martin Troglia, CTA representative in tlie
1981 event of the APTA International
Roadeo, waits his turn to run the course
during a practice session for all con-
testants.
CTA's representative at the 1981 APTA Interna-
tional Bus Roadeo held October 8-9 at Soldier Field,
Martin Troglia of Limits Garage, did the CTA proud.
Pitted against operators with much more Roadeo
experience, Troglia, a veteran of five years service,
scored 637 points to place 11th in a field of 59 com-
petitors. He finished the course in four minutes, 15
seconds, the fastest recorded running time in the
event. The winner for the second consecutive year
was James L. Boring of Atlanta (MART A) who had
676 points.
Although the 1981 Roadeo was the sixth annual
event, it was the first time the CTA was represented
in the international contest.
Mike Lacriola, superintendent at Limits Garage,
said he v^as very pleased with Troglia's perfor-
mance. "I'm glad that we were able to participate,
and I hope we go back next year and beat them,"
said Lacriola.
"Martin is a very fine operator. He's a guy you can
depend on," the Limits superintendent said.
Troglia qualified to represent the CTA in the inter-
national event by winning the local competition
which was held August 23 in Soldier Field.
Other winners in the local event were Robert
Richardson, North Park Garage, second place; Eddie
Johnson, 77th Street Garage, third place; and Willie
Whisenton, also of Limits Garage, fourth place.
Barnes elected APTA Chairman
CTA Chairman Eugene M. Barnes (right), chats with Aubrey Davis
(left), Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) Region
X administrator (Seattle), and Arthur E. Teel Jr., UMTA ad-
ministrator, during a break at the American Public Transit
Association (APTA) convention October 7-11 in Chicago. Barnes
has been elected 1982 APTA chairman.
NOVEMBER, 1981
Mobility limited service puts users in mainstream
Access Transportation, the CTA
Special Services program for
severely mobility-limited riders, is
well underway after many months
of planning. More than 900 in-
dividuals have signed up for this
demand-response, door-to-door
transportation service.
Any Chicago resident certified
by a physician as being unable to
walk more than one hundred feet
on clear, even, outdoor pavement,
or stand for more than ten minutes
waiting for a bus during moderate
temperature conditions, or climb
more than three standard-size
coach steps to board, qualifies for
Access Transportation.
Special Services certifier Lynn
Barrier is the staff person responsi-
ble for determining the eligibility of
applicants. After an applicant has
contacted Lynn by calling exten-
sion 3394, she mails an application
packet to the prospective con-
sumer. Included in the packet is a
brochure describing the service, an
application form and application
instructions, a medical form that
must be completed and signed by
the applicant's physician, and a
One of the specially equipped mini-buses provided to accommodate users of CTA Special
Services pulls out of the Washington garage as city-wide service begins for another day.
Special Services identification
card which must be filled out and
returned with a photograph. The
brochure and forms were designed
by Consumer Services and Public
Affairs.
After the documents have been
returned and reviewed for eligibili-
ty by Lynn Barrier, the identifica-
tion card is laminated with the Ac-
cess Transportation logo and
returned to the consumer with an
instruction card. The instruction
card explains how the consumer
may request service by phone, and
it provides other advice that makes
the service easier to use.
The certified eligible consumer
requests service by phoning the
Scheduling section at Washington
garage. The caller's telephone
number is then entered into a
specially programmed computer
which indicates the caller's iden-
tification, location, and special
transportation requirements. At
Planning a trip for an Access Transportation rider, Special Ser-
vices scheduler Need Jackson checks his computer terminal to
coordinate the times and locations of the requested trip vtrith an
available bus. Approximately 700 trips are scheduled from the
Washington garage each week.
Ms. Barbara Swoverland, Special Services scheduler, checks a
telephone directory for business addresses In Chicago that
generate the greatest demand for Access Transportation from
Special Services riders. The Information Is coded and stored In
the computer for future use.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
the same time, the requested pick-
up and destination times and loca-
tions are entered into the com-
puter, and a check is made to
determine how the request can be
accommodated, or if adjustments
must be made in pick-up and
destination times, to insure the
most efficient scheduling of
Special Services vehicles. The
computer also helps the sched-
ulers to organize all of the service
requests from consumers for each
day and to develop the trip sheets
that are used by the bus operators
in the Transportation section of
Special Services.
A teletype phone system (TTY) is
also available for the convenience
of riders with hearing impairments.
Jim Charlton, supervisor of
Special Services Scheduling,
reports that approximately 46 per-
cent of the people using Access
Transportation are riding to and
from work. Approximately 25 per-
cent use the service to get to
medical appointments, 14 percent
travel to school, and 15 percent
travel to recreational activities.
Schedulers plan more than 700
trips per week with the greatest de-
mand coming from riders living on
the Near North, Northwest and
South sides. About half of the
riders are subscribers- people
who make the same trips on a
recurring basis. Consumers who
use the service for one-time trips
are required to make arrangements
24 hours in advance.
Information about the Access
Transportation program is provid-
ed to community groups through
personal appearances by the Com-
munity Relations staff. Brochures
are also distributed to various city-
wide community agencies. Mrs.
Betty Edwards, director. Communi-
ty Relations, said that neighbor-
hood groups are continually being
informed of the services offered by
the program to the severely
mobility-limited.
"I think the program is great,
most needed, and deserving
because it affords the severely
mobility-limited an opportunity to
be part of the mainstream of
today's society. It makes me feel
good when I see people using Ac-
cess Transportation," Edwards
said.
Mrs. Naomi Tillman, manager.
Consumer Services, said that the
department works closely with the
CTA Advisory Committee on Ser-
vice for the Disabled. The commit-
tee members, representatives of
various consumer groups, helped
plan the Special Services program
and now regularly monitor the
policies and activities of the
program.
"I'm very pleased by the en-
thusiastic response that the CTA
Access Transportation program
has received from Chicago's
mobility-limited riders," said
Tillman. "I hope we can reach
many more people who have not
yet had the opportunity to expand
their lives by traveling to shopping
areas and other activities that they
had never dreamed they might en-
joy. The program also is a good ex-
ample of the teamwork and
cooperation that is possible be-
tween the External Affairs and
Operations divisions."
Left: Jim Charlton, supervisor of Special Services Scheduling,
reviews computer print out of trips. More than 700 trips per week
are scheduled for Special Services riders.
Bottom left: Lynn Barrier, Special Services certifier, prepares an
information packet for mailing as she handles a telephone inquiry
from a prospective rider.
Below: Ms. Nora Flynn (seated) and Ms. Ruth Kocher discuss in-
formation to be entered into the computer. Both women are
former Travel Information employees whose skills were easily
adapted to the Access Transportation program.
NOVEMBER, 1981
Nelson White Jr. (North Park
garage) was admired by
James Woolner Jr., who was
riding his #146 Marine/-
Michigan bus to an office on
East Randolph Drive. "The
elderly gentleman next to me
began gasping for breath, tur-
ning gray, and saying he felt
faint. I notified the driver,
who stopped the bus, called
in on his phone, summoned a
police officer, and came bacl(
to help the passenger. The
driver announced in a plea-
sant, courteous manner that
we would be delayed, and of-
fered to place us on other
buses, which he did. His
responsiveness, courtesy,
and take-charge manner were
exactly right for the
situation."
Daniel Martin (Forest Glen
garage) was appreciated by
Irene Wisniewski, of Warwick
Avenue, who boarded his
delayed #56 Milwaukee bus
at Pulaski. "Some people
were patient, but some grum-
py remarks were heard
among the waiting crowd.
One man, who was
really 'drunk,' cussed and
threatened what he was go-
ing to do to the driver when
the bus came. When the bus
pulled up, the driver handled
it beautifully. He apologized
to the people, told them what
had happened, and said he
was sorry they had to wait.
The 'loaded' guy looked at
him and just walked in like a
pussycat - - no problem."
commendation corner
William Reynolds (District C) was thanked by June
Zimmer, of Glenview, for his help after she fell near
the subway stairwell at Chicago and State. "I tripped
in a hole in the sidewalk and recall raising my arm to
protect myself, and then found myself sprawled on
the sidewalk. As I was still laying there, I heard a
voice calling and reporting an accident that I have
since learned belonged to your supervisor. Due to his
prompt and alert thinking, the paramedics responded
in a matter of minutes. Would that we had more
citizens willing to get 'involved' when a fellow citizen
needs help."
Pedro Balderas (Lawndale garage) was praised by
Phyllis Schnell, of North Lawndale Avenue, for his
courtesy while driving a #52 Kedzie/California bus.
"He had a cheery 'Good morning' for every passenger
getting on the bus. He also called all bus stops in a
clear voice. It is especially nice to meet one of your
better drivers, as I am a handicapped person who has
great difficulty getting on and off buses. He is
courteous, cheerful and patient, as I have ridden on
his bus on previous occasions and always find him
so."
Robert Murff (Forest Glen garage) was com-
plimented by Janice Gilbert, of Winona Street, for his
concern for riders on his #92 Foster bus. "He was not
only professional in his driving, but was also respon-
sive to the needs of his riders. Stops were called, in-
formation issued with quiet authority,, and one got
the feeling that care for his passengers was para-
mount with him. I travel other routes by bus, and I feel
that despite personal stress and other problems of
the CTA, the drivers in the main are compassionate,
kind, aware of passengers' problems, and ready to put
their own away in their care for others."
Angelo Sturino (North Section) impressed
Stephanie Hempfling, of North Sheridan Road, by the
way he worked as conductor of a Ravenswood train.
"To say that he was courteous would be a gross
understatement. He was a delight. He went out of his
way with every passenger who needed assistance. As
people would disembark from the train, he would wish
all of them a pleasant day. He was especially nice to
some obviously confused senior citizens. As we ap-
proached some repair work on the tracks, he an-
nounced that it would be slow for a while. Quite frank-
ly, I was in awe."
Dorothy Smith (North Park garage) attracted the at-
tention of Monica Jackson, of West Garfield
Boulevard, by the way she handled her #49 Western
bus. "She was so sweet to passengers, greeting them
with a warm smile. I normally pay little attention to
anyone during lunch break because I'm always under
a lot of tension trying to get back to work. But this
time I think that her warm smile and friendly 'hello'
were just what I needed to lift my spirits. She even
helped an old lady with her package at 66th Street.
Please let her know she is appreciated, and to keep it
up. She is a true asset to your company."
Edward Chew (Forest Glen garage) was the driver of
a #85 Central bus that Ann Gorski, of North Massasoit
Avenue, takes regularly early in the morning on her
way to work. "He is very courteous, says 'Good morn-
ing' to everyone, and as they get off the bus, he
wishes them a good day and asks them to watch their
step. Never in all my years of riding the CTA have we
ever had a driver like him. He also drives the bus so
carefully, you'd think everyone on it was family. He is
the most!"
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Employees who have received commenda-
tions since the last listing.
Willie Alien, Lawndaie
Robert Anhalt, Nortli Parl<
Margaret Arboieda, North Parl<
Michael Batson, Howard/Kimbaii
Emmitt Beard, Forest Gien
Arnold Beier, North Parl<
Ricardo Boniila, North Avenue
Robert Brown, North Park
Michael Buchanan, North Park
Jean Cage, Limits
John Cameron, Ashland
Lawrence Carter, 77th Street
Noel Castro, North Park
Tomas Cintron, North Park
Patricia Cobb, North Park
Michael Cole, Limits
Joe Davis, North Avenue
Electra DeAlba, North Avenue
Juan DeLeon, Forest Glen
Robert Devitt, Lawndaie
Anthony Ellis, Limits
Gerald Pels, North Park
Andrew Ford, Forest Glen
Raymond Furmanski, North Park
Roy Gaines, Lawndaie
Antonio Gallinaro, Forest Glen
Michael Garcia, Douglas/Congr.
Tyrone Garrett, Limits
Albert Grant, North Park
Keith Griffin, 69th Street
Eldred Hall, North Park
Dewey Harper, Limits
Arthur Hawkins Jr., North Ave.
Nathaniel Hawkins Jr., Limits
Joseph Hendrickson, North Park
Wally Henry, Archer
Leroy Hervy, 69th Street
Annie Horton, Beverly
James Howland, North Park
Lena Jackson, Archer
Zeke Jagst, North Park
Willie James, North Park
Cedric Johnson, North Avenue
Willie Johnson, Lawndaie
Betty Jones, Limits
James Jones, North Park
James Jones Jr., Lawndaie
David Jordan, 69th Street
William Knight, North Park
James Larry, Relief Area-Bus
Robert Lay, Limits
John Lemond, North Park
Neal Lesley, Archer
Giles Liddell Jr., Limits
Ernestine Lightfoot, North Ave.
Teresa Lopez, North Park
Gonzalo Maldonado, North Park
Paul Malicki, Forest Glen
Peter Maroncelli, Forest Park
Frank Marshall, Limits
Charles Martin, 52nd Street
Fred McBryde, 69th Street
Jodie McGuire, North Park
Hector Medina, Archer
Pedro Mendez, North Avenue
Marcos Mesa, North Avenue
Gustavo Meza, North Park
Roland Michalak, West Section
Lura Minter, North Avenue
Donald Mitchell, Archer
Frederick Moore, North Park
Jose Mulero, North Park
Robert Mulnix, North Park
Ruth Neal, Archer
Walter Nichols, North Avenue
Dianna Owens, North Park
Thomas Parker, North Park
Ira Phillips, Howard/Kimball
Michael Powell, Howard/Kimball
Robert Pritchard, North Avenue
Israel Quinones, North Park
Henry Radom, Forest Glen
William Ramos, North Park
Yvonne Regulus, North Park
Marilyn Reyes, North Park
Willie Rochelle, 69th Street
Mary Schmidtke, North Park
Gary Schultz, Limits
Pablo Silva, Limits
Dorothy Smith, Relief Area-Bus
Thomas' Swick, North Park
Wendell Talbert, North Park
Alfred Taylor, Archer
Willie Thomas, Archer
Juan Vega, Howard/Kimball
David Walker, West Section
Lillie Watkins, Lawndaie
Robert Watkins, 77th Street
Willie Webb, Lawndaie
Fredrick White, 77th Street
Donell Whitehead, Lawndaie
Garnett Wilkes, 69th Street
Willie Winters, North Avenue
Richard Wolski, North Park
Royal Woolfolk, Forest Glen
Roosevelt Wright, Forest Glen
Carrieatta Young, 52nd Street
Promotions
Egidio Bevacqua, former ac-
counting clerk, Financial Ser-
vices, has been appointed
general ledger system coor-
dinator in the same department.
James Mullen, former accounting
specialist, Financial Services, is
now procurement analyst.
Materials Management - Procure-
ment.
Nora Flynn, former switch-
board operator. Consumer Ser-
vices, has become special ser-
vices representative in the same
department. In Operations Plan-
ning, Bruce Moffat, planner, has
moved from Street Traffic to
Routes & Systems.
New station clerks recently
named by Transportation - Bus
System include Leslie Pointer,
former janitor, Plant
Maintenance; James Jenkins,
former bus operator. Limits;
James Larry, former bus operator,
77th Street; Ira Milton, former
conductor. West Section; and
Dorothy Smith, former bus
operator. North Park.
Sam Stimage, former car
repairer. Vehicle Maintenance
-61st Street, is now duplicating
services clerk. Management Ser-
vices. Marie Baptists, former
clerk typist. Transportation -Mart,
has become typist. Transporta-
tion - Howard Street.
NOVEMBER, 1981
Gauges used
for cooking fowls
head off bearing fouls
Three hundred of CTA's 1,100
rapid transit cars have axles
equipped with oil-lubricated jour-
nal bearings that can fail if their
lubrication systenns run low, and
the first sign of impending bear-
ing failure is overheating of the
journal boxes. Failure of these
bearings, while rare, could lead to
critical problems, including
derailments.
CTA Maintenance fVlanager Joe
Repplinger, now retired, watched
his wife prepare a turkey for
roasting, and he realized that the
pop-up thermometer that in-
dicates when the fowl is done
might be used to detect journal
box overheating. Repplinger took
his wife's poultry thermometer to
Temperature gauges are inserted in pipe
hole plugs and epoxled in place to provide
an oil-tight seal.
the Methods/Standards area at
Skokie Shop, where the staff
adapted the thermometer for use
on journal boxes.
Methods/Standards personnel
had previously been studying a
sophisticated and expensive heat
sensor system for use on the jour-
nal boxes, but the rarity of
failures did not make that system
a worthwhile investment.
One of CTA's earlier attempts
to monitor journal box
overheating involved covering the
journal boxes with pieces of rub-
ber tires held in place by wire.
When the journal boxes became
hot, the rubber began to
smoulder, signaling impending
bearing failure. But, during
Chicago's cold and wet winters,
the heated rubber did not always
smoulder.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Left: CTA Maintenance Manager Joseph
Repplinger, now retired, discovered that
modern cooking technology could be ap-
plied to preventive maintenance for rapid
transit cars.
Right: Temperature gauges are being in-
stalled in 332 CTA rapid transit cars with
Clark B-2 axles, according to Robert S.
Winther (left), superintendent,
Methods/Standards (rail), who is shown
discussing use of gauge with Steven F.
Wickert, Methods/Standards technician.
The poultry thermometer
proved to be an ideal solution to
the problem. "These pop-up
temperature gauges provide a
visible early warning of journal
bearing overheating when the
problem is just starting," said
John A. Hruby, area superinten-
dent, Methods/Standards. "The
cost of the gauges is nominal
compared to the cost of tearing
up an axle and installing new
journal bearings."
Under the direction of Robert
Winther, superintendent of Rail
Methods/Standards, these tem-
perature gauges are being install-
ed as a standard retrofit when
journal bearings are overhauled
every 350,000 miles in the
overhaul shop at Skokie Shop.
The pop-up temperature plugs
take less than 30 minutes to in-
stall. Two gauges are installed
under the oil sump of each jour-
nal bearing for double protection
and maximum ease of inspection.
With two journal bearings on
each axle and four axles on each
car, a total of 16 gauges are in-
stalled on each car.
The pop-up temperature
gauges are inspected every ten
days during routine yard inspec-
tions, and during general inspec-
tions every 6,000 miles. If they
have popped out, a condition
which could eventually lead to
bearing failure has developed.
This alerts personnel to take fur-
ther preventive maintenance ac-
tion as required.
Two temperature gauges are installed
under the oil sump of each journal bearing
on CTA cars to provide double protection
and maximum ease of inspection.
NOVEMBER, 1981
Passenger evacuation drill tests safety procedures
The CTA staged its first
emergency passenger evacuation
drill on Sunday, November 1, with
more than 50 volunteer
employees acting as passengers.
The drill, coordinated by
Michael LaVelle, director, Ser-
vice, Transportation department,
was held in conjunction with
Chicago's Fire, Police, Public
Safety, and Streets and Sanita-
tion departments.
This simulated emergency
began when motorman Martin
Kane stopped his "defective"
southbound six-car train over
Walton street just north of the
Chicago avenue station on the
Ravenswood route.
As prescribed in the scenario,
Kane inspected the outside of his
train and found heavy smoke and
flames coming from the sixth car.
The last set of wheels was de-
railed, damage was done to the
running rails, and a section of
third rail was tipped over.
Kane radioed the Control
Center, and the Control Center
turned off the electric power and
called the Fire department. Along
with conductor Robert Arellano,
Kane then went through the train
to determine the number of in-
jured riders.
A few minutes later, the Fire
department's personnel and
equipment arrived, under the
command of Deputy Fire Chief
Ernest Pentack of the First Fire
District. The fire fighters put out
the fire, and the paramedic
teams, ladder truck, and snorkel
equipment operators went into
action.
Fire Department aerial ladder Is raised to track level from Walton street to facilitate
removal of "injured" persons from derailed train during drill.
Fred Kummel, paramedic in
charge, made arrangements to
remove six injured persons by
snorkel. They were Anthony
Smith, Herman Miles, Michael
Marren, Jerry McManamon, Mary
Katherine Moriarty, and Miles
Smith. Marren, Miles, and An-
thony Smith were placed into
stokes baskets which were
fastened to the top rails of the
snorkel basket. Then, with two
paramedics assisting them, they
were individually lifted from the
train by the snorkel and lowered
to waiting ambulance crews in
the street.
McManamon and Moriarty
were escorted on foot into the
snorkel basket and taken down.
Miles Smith was placed in a
wheel chair and taken down to
the street in the snorkel basket.
The passengers took part in
four methods of emergency
evacuation. The first was for all
persons to go to the first four cars
of the train so the last two disabl-
ed cars could be uncoupled. With
power restored, this four-car sec-
tion could proceed to the safety
of the 'L' station.
The second method was the
use of another train which was
brought alongside the disabled
train. CTA personnel then placed
planks to connect the open doors
of both trains, allowing
Jim Blaa, manager of Transportation (in wftiite jacket), monitors
activities of fire figfiters and CTA personnel (in white bump hats)
during drill on Ravenswood route.
Richard Gross walks planks between open doors of "derailed"
train and rescue train. Gross, supervisor for program/standards.
Safety Department, volunteered to be a passenger in the drill.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
LEFT: Tom Boyle, manager of Safety, and Harold H. Geissenhelmer, General Operations
Manager, at Chicago avenue station. ABOVE: Herman Miles (In stokes basket) is lowered
from track level to street by Fire Department snorkel and paramedics during passenger
emergency evacuation drill conducted by CTA and four city agencies. Miles, supervisor of
controllers, Transportation Department, portrayed one of six injured passengers.
passengers to walk safely onto
the second train.
The third method was to put
another train on the same track
with the disabled train and pull it
up to the first car of the defective
train. CTA personnel then
escorted passengers safely from
the front end of the disabled train
to the second train.
Fourth, and last, was for
passengers to be helped down
ifrom the disabled train and
escorted across tracks and along
the footwalks by CTA personnel.
At 11:30 a.m., LaVelle announc-
ed that the drill was completed
and thanked the volunteers and
the four city agencies for their
complete cooperation. His an-
nouncement was made at the
Chicago avenue station.
Critiquing the scenario,
LaVelle said later, "This office
feels that it was a learning ex-
perience for all concerned.
"We were able to demonstrate
our methods and strategies for
passenger emergency evacua-
tions to the agencies involved.
We were further afforded the op-
portunity to observe the
paramedics and fire fighters in
action and received their input
concerning their responsibilities.
"Future meetings and
scenarios will be held with the
paramedics and fire fighters. At
those timeSj these scenarios will
be critiqued for any modifications
Mike Cramer (left, with white cane), customer assistance coordinator, Consumer Services
Department, and Steve Hastalis (right, with white cane), community relations coor-
dinator, are escorted across tracks by Transportation Department personnel. Both
Cramer and Hastalis are blind and volunteered for passenger emergency evacuation drill.
to emergency procedures that
may be deemed necessary,"
LaVelle said.
Observing the entire drill were
General Operations Manager
Harold H. Geissenhelmer, James
R. Blaa, manager, Transportation,
and five members of an APTA
Peer Group Review Team.
Attending were L. William
Breiner, operations safety
superintendent, Bay Area Rapid
Transit District (BART), Oakland,
Cal.; Homer Glemmons, safety in-
structor, f^etropolitan Atlanta
Rapid Transit Authority (MART A),
Atlanta, Ga.; Lt. Francis P. Car-
cich, police executive officer,
Port Authority of N.Y. & N.J.,
Jersey City, N.J.; and George L.
Cancro, assistant superintendent
of operations, and Joseph P.
Bardzilowski, safety supervisor,
both of the Port Authority Trans-
Hudson Corporation (PATH),
Jersey City, N.J.
"Interagency participation in
this safety exercise allows all
rapid transit systems to learn
from the experience of others,"
Geissenhelmer pointed out.
"The CTA has participated in
exercises elsewhere, and there is
a regular exchange of informa-
tion on safety and operational
matters. Thomas Boyle, CTA
manager of Safety, who also par-
ticipated in the drill, regularly
represents the CTA in the ex-
change of such safety informa-
tion," Geissenhelmer said.
NOVEMBER, 1981
Safety requires
constant effort
Doing things safely Is a con-
cept nnost of us are taught from
earliest childhood. Yet, there
always seems to be something
new to learn about safety, and
when you're involved with public
transportation, you can never
learn too much.
Tom Boyle, manager of the
Safety department, is CTA's top
management official concerned
with the safe operation of buses
and trains, and safe working con-
ditions for employees. It is his
constant goal to make every CTA
employee aware that doing the
job right includes doing it safely.
One area where this concept
has firmly taken root is in the
Transportation department,
where a monthly record was
broken in September for the
fewest number of accidents in
CTA history - - only 5.1 per 100,000
miles of operation.
"These results reflect the ef-
forts of a lot of people," Boyle
said. "Operators and trainmen
obviously deserve a major share
of the credit, but many others
also played a part. Transportation
instructors and supervisors.
Maintenance, Training/Develop-
ment Programs, and the Safety
department have all contributed
to this record achievement."
Boyle suggested that Transpor-
tation's safety record was also
having a positive effect on CTA's
finances. "In 1980 alone," he
LEFT: Tom Boyle, manager, Safety, addresses the Motor Transportation Division of tfie
National Safety Council, wfiich he serves as chairman, at the National Safety Congress
and Exposition, October 1 9, in the Americana Congress Hotel. ABOVE: CTA's historic Car
^^1 was used to take delegates from the National Safety Congress and Exposition on a
tour of Skol(ie Shop. Enjoying the ride (left to right, foreground) were: Ed Henry, super-
visor. Safety Performance Analysis; Arthur Hubacz, accident analysis clerk-inspector;
Tom Boyle, manager, all from CTA's Safety Department; and Santo Radice, ad-
ministrative safety officer. New York City Transit Authority.
noted, "more than two million
dollars were saved in claims that
didn't have to be paid because of
the reduction in accidents. At the
rate we're going this year, signifi-
cant additional savings will be
realized."
Boyle is chairman of the Motor
Transportation Division and a
member of the board of directors
of the National Safety Council,
and has served for the past four
years as chairman of the Safety
Committee of the American
Public Transit Association. He
also is an associate staff member
at the U.S. Department of
Transportation's Transportation
Safety Institute in Oklahoma City.
On October 19-21, the 69th An-
nual National Safety Congress
and Exposition was held in
Chicago, attended by some
15,000 safety professionals.
Among the numerous issues
Boyle's Motor Transportation
Division looked into were
emergency evacuations, in-
dustrial safety, the preparation
and conduct of bus roadeos,
safety problems with new equip-
ment, and accident investigation
and reporting.
To gain firsthand experience
with evacuation techniques, CTA
on November 1 held its first 'L'
emergency evacuation drill in
cooperation with the Chicago
Fire Department and other city
agencies. The results added a
new dimension to CTA's
emergency preparedness, and
will lessen the uncertainties sur-
rounding any future evacuations.
Boyle and his department are
also involved in a number of
significant industry-related safe-
ty studies.
"For the past several months,
we've been working on the
development of a new quarterly
employee injury report," Boyle
said. "This project was done in
conjunction with the Datacenter
and will involve Transportation,
Maintenance, and Materials
Management people. The pur-
pose of the report is to provide a
better and more complete infor-
mation base, which will be used
to help improve the employee in-
jury situation.
"We recently concluded an
UMTA-funded technical study on
improving accident analysis
techniques, and we're getting
started on another study dealing
with automatic train protectin
needs to determine if any
changes might be in order in
overall training," Boyle said.
The Safety department also is
involved in the monitoring of
operation efforts for the entire
Authority, as well as the review of
all specifications and plans for
new facilities and the updating of
existing facilities - - all with a
view toward insuring their safety
effectiveness.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
Seventeen employees cited for
outstanding perfornnance were
given special recognition recent-
ly by CTA management with "A
Day in CTA." The honorees in-
cluded Bus Roadeo winners Mar-
tin Troglia, Robert Richardson,
Eddie Johnson, and Willie
Whisenton.
Seven of those honored earned
recognition for providing police
assistance in the apprehension
of persons suspected of damage,
or theft of CTA property.
Linda Foster, bus operator,
77th Street garage, curbed a
motorist attempting to leave the
scene of an accident involving a
CTA bus. Miss Foster was driving
her own automobile.
Lawrence Wilson, a supervisor
in District B, responded to a
similar incident while driving his
own vehicle. Wilson curbed a
truck driver who had driven
several blocks after colliding with
a CTA bus. Likewise, Roger Bed-
ford, bus operator. North Avenue,
apprehended a man suspected of
stealing transfers and held him
for police.
Rail controller Fontaine
Winston received honors for aler-
ting police to a suspect in a knif-
ing incident. The man was ap-
prehended after he alighted from
a Dan Ryan train in the Loop.
Receiving honors in another
property incident was Charles
Sayers, bus operator, 52nd Street
garage, who detained a man
suspected of attempting to break
into a fare box, and turned him
over to the police.
Maintenance department per-
sonnel also received special
recognition for alert action which
aided police in the apprehension
of suspects on CTA property.
Steven J. Klemm, Archer
garage relief foreman, chased an
unidentified man from the garage
who was suspected of attempting
to start a bus. Police responded
and took the suspect into
custody.
John Musial, Archer garage
assistant foreman, also received
the praises of management when
he apprehended two youths
suspected of breaking into a
farebox and turned them over to
police.
Special praises were also due
Ira Phillips, motorman from
Howard terminal, who sounded
Linda Foster
Fontaine Winston
Michael Dain
Willie Burks
John Thompson
Steven Klemm
Lawrence Wilson
Ira Philips
Charles Sayers
his horn to alert neighbors of a
baby he observed perched on the
window ledge of a residential
building along his route.
In another life-threatening
situation, Willie Burks Jr., a rail
janitor in Plant Maintenance,
received special honors for flag-
ging down a train after a man fell
from the platform onto the tracks.
Burks then helped the man get
back onto the platform and safely
board the train.
Maintenance department
honorees also include John
Thompson and Michael Dain, bus
maintenance instructors, who
were given recognition for con-
structing bus brake and door
system training mock-ups, an im-
portant contribution to improved
maintenance training.
S. L. Brooks, a trackman,
received management's kudos
after he alerted ironworkers of a
cracked track girder at 43rd street
on the South Side Main Line, thus
averting the possibility of more
serious rail problems.
Walter J. Feulner also received
recognition for special contribu-
tions to office functions as
budget coordinator, Maintenance
Office Procedures and Budget.
NOVEMBER, 1981
New turnstile
is designed
to accept passes
CTA employees in the Mer-
chandise Mart will be the first
riders to test the Chicago Transit
Authority's prototype of a
magnetically encoded pass
system. The new system, de-
signed by CTA engineers, will
begin test operation in January,
1982 at the Merchandise Mart 'L'
station.
"This ultra-modern concept
will allow passengers to slide
their riding passes through a
high-speed 'reader' mounted on
top of a special turnstile. Instant-
ly, a microprocessor will decode
information from magnetic strips
on the cards and allow the
holders to pass through the turn-
stile without even breaking their
stride," said John O'Connor,
director. Passenger Con-
trols/Graphics.
Besides instantly "reading"
each card, the turnstile will be
programmed to reject the card's
reuse by another passenger.
When the system is fully
developed, counterfeiting of a
pass will be nearly impossible
due to the sophisticated security
measures being designed into
the system.
Don Walsh, supervisor, Elec-
trical Testing and Power Opera-
tions, and testing engineers Joe
Simonetti and Tom Rowe have
Displaying CTA designed prototype of computerized turnstile with different types of card
"readers" on top are (from left) Don Walsh, supervisor, Electrical Testing and Power
Operations; John O'Connor, director. Passenger Controls/Graphics; Dale Mangelsdorff,
an assistant to O'Connor; Joe Simonetti and Tom Rowe, testing engineers in
Maintenance Department's electrical testing unit.
worked closely with O'Connor
and Dale Mangelsdorff, an assis-
tant to O'Connor, in the develop-
ment of this project.
Mangelsdorff, Rowe, and
Simonetti evaluated a card-
activated system developed by
personnel of the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority
(MBTA) in Boston. This study
enabled them to further develop
the MBTA concept to provide a
more cost-effective and reliable
system for CTA.
Due to recent innovations in
microelectronics, they decided it
was possible to develop a new
system by combining heretofore
unrelated components. This
breakthrough led to the prototype
turnstile which will be ready to go
into operation in January.
"The implementation of this
system will be a milestone for the
men of the electrical testing unit
in the Maintenance department's
Plant Maintenance section. The
unit is headquartered in the
Franklin street substation, 321 S.
Franklin St., where most of the
work was done.
"This very sophisticated
development is the product of
months of hard work by
Simonetti, Rowe, and
Mangelsdorff," O'Connor said.
Commenting on the possibility
of using the card readers on
buses in the future, Walsh said,
"We are very optimistic for that
development, and our energies
will be channeled in that direc-
tion after the turnstile portion of
the card reader development is
Ernie Antonio, testing engineer, makes some of the 2,000 stand-
ardized color coded signs needed for various electrical switches,
outlets, and other electric facilities throughout 'L' system and ter-
minals, bus garages, and other CTA locations. Standardized CTA
signs replace variety of manufacturer's signs.
Joe Simonetti demonstrates how an encoded riding card could be
slid through "reader" for admittance through turnstile. Compo-
nent atop turnstile is one of several computer boards used in
design of turnstile.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
completed.
"The versatility of the system
being designed is unlimited,"
Walsh continued. "Imagine the
CTA being able to sell passes
good for only one day, or good on-
ly for specified hours of the day,
or good only for weekends.
"The capability of programm-
ing each 'L' station entrance
separately, to lockout different
types of passes, for instance
Evanston-only passes or zone
passes, creates endless
possibilities, and all of these
functions will be under the com-
plete control of the CTA and can
be altered at any time by the
CTA," Walsh added.
O'Connor pointed out that the
CTA has been using coin turn-
stiles for about 30 years to assist
agents at high volume 'L' station
entrances. Due to the success of
the CTA's current monthly pass
program, coin turnstile usage has
decreased dramatically, causing
long lines at agents' booths.
The future implementation of
the card reader turnstiles will
reduce the long lines by allowing
monthly pass users to enter sta-
tions through the new turnstiles.
Commenting on the
significance of the development
of the magnetically encoded pass
system, CTA General Operations
Manager Harold H.
Geissenheimer said, "This pro-
ject demonstrates CTA's in-
house capability to respond to
changing requirements. Changes
in basic fares and collection
methods require a system that
can be readily adjusted. The use
of UMTA Section VI Research and
Development funds and the
Transportation System Center,
and coordination with Peer Group
research projects in other rapid
transit systems, will assist the
entire industry."
While designing the card
reader, Simonetti, Rowe, and Bob
(Dr. Bob) Krzemienski, another
testing engineer, redesigned the
operation of CTA's existing turn-
stiles to accept Susan B. Anthony
dollar coins, handle fares greater
than 95 cents, display figures
having three digits, and accept
"instructions" from the card
reader.
Testing engineer Chris Gaca (standing) follows the wiring of electric power control panel
being done by Bill Risoff, B-maintainer on special assignment to testing unit. Each panel
contains about two miles of hand installed wiring. Panels control third rail power for 'L'
system.
Other testing engineers who
assisted in the innovative turn-
stile project are Chris Gaca, Chris
Fugger, John Kowalski, Chuck
Bell, Ernie Antonio, and Art
Sison.
While working on the design of
the new turnstile, the testing
engineers also had to handle
their daily duties.
They are responsible for help-
ing to maintain the correct flow of
electric power to the entire 'L'
system and to other CTA
facilities, and they check,
calibrate and repair electrical
testing equipment used
throughout the CTA's shops and
garages.
Another important assignment
is the design and wiring of the
supervisory control panels that
monitor and control third rail
power. One panel is located in
each of 37 electrical substations,
and 37 connecting panels are
located in CTA's Control Center
in the Merchandise Mart, where
they are visually monitored 24
hours a day by power supervisors.
Push-button circuitry in the Con-
trol Center's panels permits the
power supervisors to cut off and
restore electrical power to
specific locations of the rapid
transit system during emergen-
cies.
Another five electrical substa-
tions are being built for the
O'Hare extension from Jefferson
Park rapid transit terminal to the
airport. The testing engineers are
now designing 10 panels for the
opening of the new rapid transit
extension by late next year.
Other personnel assigned to
the electrical testing unit are
testing engineers Frank Machara
and Dave Wilson; Pete Janke,
chief electrolysis tester; and
Charlie Dugo, Emile Ousley, and
John Williams, electrolysis
testers. Bill Risoff, B-maintainer,
is on special assignment to the
testing unit to hand wire the com-
plex supervisory control units for
the Control Center.
NOVEMBER. 1981
Women Engineers
honor Datacenter
employee
A CTA Datacenter project
leader has been named the 1981
Distinguished New Engineer by
the National Society of Women
Engineers.
Niva Oghigian, who joined the
CTA in 1975, received the coveted
award at an October 11 luncheon
in Evanston. The presentation
was made by Ann Jakiela, presi-
dent of the Society's Chicago
Regional Section.
Ms. Jakiela cited Ms. Oghigian
as "...an extraordinary young
engineer— visible, professionally
involved, and repeatedly demon-
strating outstanding technical
competence, organizational ability
and leadership."
The award is given annually to
a woman with not more than 10
years of engineering experience
who has demonstrated outstand-
ing performance and leadership.
Ms. Oghigian is the designer
and developer of a computer
system which produces bus
operator schedules. The system
is expected to save more in its
first year than the project cost.
She received bachelor's and
master's degrees in electrical
engineering from the University
of Illinois and is a registered pro-
fessional engineer in the State of
Illinois.
Chicago Police honor Limits operator
Chasing a pickpocket who had
boarded his bus and apprehend-
ing him brought special honors
from the Chicago Police Depart-
ment for Bus Operator Larry Gof-
fer of Limits garage last month.
Operator Goffer received a cer-
tificate of commendation from
Superintendent Richard Brzeczek
at the Police Training Division.
Following the brief ceremony.
Goffer, who joined the CTA July 7,
1971, displays his certificate as
Superintendent Brzeczek (center),
and Salvadore Perce (right), assis-
tant superintendent. Limits garage,
pause with the honoree.
''Outstanding young men'
Marcellus Barnes
Marcellus Barnes, repairman at 77th
Street garage (left), and Larue Earl Cook,
the son of car serviceman John Cook, 61st
Street shop, are included among Outstand-
ing Young Men of America for 1981. They
were selected by the OYIVI committee
because of their demonstrated excellence in
civic activities and professionalism. Barnes
is a member of the Chicago Police Depart-
ment's 4th District steering committee, and
the American Homeowners Association. Un-
Larue E. Cook
til recently, he was active with the police
department's beat representative program
in the 21st District, the Michael Reese
hospital nurse's education closed circuit
system, and was chairman of the board of
directors for the Long Grove Tenant's
Council. Cook, a former bus operator from
77th Street garage, is assistant adminis-
trator of the Howard University hospital in
Washington, D.C.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
IInT lsyL:EllS/LO:E^X^A.lS/L
EWALD R. ANDERSON, 82, North Park,
Emp. 12-1-22, Died 8-19-81
PAUL ASTRAUIKIS, 85, South Shops,
Emp. 7-22-25, Died 8-27-81,
REGINALD BAILEY, 78, Forest Glen,
Emp. 5-7-26, Died 8-18-81
HARRY BAKER, 76, South Shops,
Emp. 6-23-26, Died 7-10-81
FRED BALDWIN, 82, North Section,
Emp. 11-24-25, Died 9-11-81
WILLIAM BANKS, 38, 77th Street,
Emp. 1-16-69, Died 8-8-81
PETER BARONE, 94, Cottage Grove,
Emp. 4-26-13, Died 9-3-81
WILLIAM BARRON, 68, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-7-42, Died 8-5-81
CHARLES BATTERSON, 73, Transpor-
tation, Emp. 12-17-26, Died 7-28-81
ANTHONY BECOFSKE, 77, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 6-23-43, Died 8-16-81
FRANK BECVAR, 99, Lawndaie,
Emp. 9-8-13, Died 8-8-81
VIRGIL BERNHARDT, 78, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-19-28, Died- 7-25-81
STEWART BORGERSON, 76, Security,
Emp. 5-4-42, Died 7-21-81
EDMUND BRODERICK, 72, North Ave.,
Emp. 2-2-37, Died 9-28-81
WILLIAM BRUNS, 90, West Section
Emp. 1-2-36, Died 7-8-81
WILLIAM BYRNE, 86, 77th Street
Emp. 2-1-26, Died 7-20-81
GASPARE CIRINO, 86, Maintenance,
Emp. 5-6-26, Died 8-12-81
ANTHONY CLAIR, 88, 77th Street,
Emp. 7-30-25, Died 9-11-81
ARTHUR COOK, 75, Cottage Grove,
Emp. 3-23-42, Died 7-30-81
MICHAEL DOLJANIN, 80, Building,
Emp. 6-6-47, Died 8-13-81
EDWIN DOWLING, 71, North Avenue,
Emp. 3-5-34, Died 7-17-81
ANTHONY EICHSTAEDT, 96, Kedzie,
Emp. 6-30-06, Died 8-3-81
HERMAN ENGELHARDT, 83, Mainten-
ance, Emp. 11-3-41, Died 8-9-81
CHRISTINE FELTEN, 91, West Section,
Emp. 6-16-33, Died 8-25-81
HERBERT FREDRICKSON, 65, North
Ave., Emp. 4-15-54, Died 7-4-81
BERTRAND FREEMAN, 62, 77th Street,
Emp. 9-11-51, Died 8-3-81
EDWIN FRIEDMAN, 88, South Shops
Emp. 5-6-36, Died 8-4-81
CHARLES GEARING, 89, Transportation,
Emp. 5-16-19, Died 8-22-81
LAUREN GUNN, 59, Howard,
Emp. 12-3-53, Died 7-25-81
JAMES HAGERTY, 65, Forest Glen,
Emp. 6-10-41, Died 8-9-81
EMERY HANSON, 93, Cottage Grove,
Emp. 7-21-09, Died 7-4-81
JOHN HEELAN, 73, Kedzie,
Emp. 10-12-36, Died 9-9-81
HOWARD HELT, 72, Electrical,
Emp. 6-2-42, Died 9-26-81
JOHN HERATY, 85, Kedzie,
Emp. 1-17-43, Died 8-7-81
WILLIAM HINCHCLIFF, 90, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-11-13, Died 9-12-81
EARL HORSTMAN, 74, North Avenue,
Emp. 7-25-27, Died 8-11-81
NELLIE JENNINGS, 86, West Section,
Emp, 4-19-43, Died 7-2-81
CLEMENT KACZOROWSKI, 66, Archer,
Emp. 4-11-47, Died 8-31-81
IRVIN KALOUSEK, 71, South Shops,
Emp. 8-29-45, Died 8-22-81
JOHN KAMIEN, 77, Keeler,
Emp. 9-27-27, Died 7-31-81
JOHN KELAM, 86, Maintenance,
Emp. 12-1-23, Died 7-12-81
MICHAEL KIELHOLZ, 81, North Section,
Emp. 10-28-25, Died 7-25-81
WILLIAM KILMARTIN, 74, West Section,
Emp. 7-14-28, Died 9-6-81
JOSEPH KOTZ, 87, 77th Street,
Emp. 5-28-14, Died 9-30-81
FRANK KUBIK, 71, Transportation,
Emp. 1-3-36, Died 7-30-81
ALOYSIUS LINZMEIER, 92, Kedzie,
Emp. 10-18-13, Died 8-29-81
ERNEST LOTITO, 52, North Park,
Emp. 12-13-54, Died 7-21-81
GEORGE LOWE, 86, South Section
Emp. 2-25-14, Died 9-24-81
FRANK LUCAS, 67, West Section,
Emp. 11-11-57, Died 7-25-81
HARRY LUKA, 74, Lawndaie,
Emp. 11-28-45, Died 8-21-81
MICHAEL LYNCH, 77, Archer,
Emp. 11-30-26, Died 8-27-81
JOHN MANNION, 80, Beverly,
Emp. 6-5-23, Died 9-7-81
JOHN MARCOUX, 85, 69th Street,
Emp. 3-12-24, Died 8-22-81
MARIE McANDREWS, 86, North Section
Emp. 9-5-37, Died 9-22-81
ROBERT McCOMBS, 39, Treasury,
Emp. 2-14-64, Died 9-5-81
ARCHIE MORGAN Jr., 72, Lake Street,
Emp. 2-9-45, Died 9-17-81
GLEN NYBLOM, 57, Engineering,
Emp. 10-26-70, Died 9-27-81
JOSEPH O'CONNOR, 67, Engineering,
Emp. 6-3-36, Died 9-11-81
THOMAS O'SHEA, 84, West Section,
Emp. 12-11-26, Died 9-20-81
LOWELL PAGE, 89, Stores,
Emp. 12-18-19, Died 6-29-81
THOMAS PAPPAS, 86, Shops & Equip-
ment, Emp. 3-13-19, Died 8-10-81
JOHN PARNELL, 76, Track,
Emp. 6-15-45, Died 7-11-81
BERTIE PARSONS, 95, West Section,
Emp. 9-20-18, Died 9-19-81
HENRY PETERSON, 73, North Section,
Emp. 12-30-66, Died 7-15-81
RICHARD POLLARD, 95, North Section,
Emp. 11-29-27, Died 7-8-81
DANIEL RENO, 69, Engineering,
Emp. 10-1-37, Died 9-13-81
DAVID ROBINSON, 51, South Shops,
Emp. 2-18-60, Died 8-11-81
RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, 53, Consumer Ser-
vices, Emp. 8-17-67, Died 7-21-81
CARL RUSSO, 73, North Avenue,
Emp. 5-3-44, Died 7-10-81
AUGUST SCHNELL, 91, Shops & Equip-
ment, Emp. 3-27-23, Died 9-10-81
WILLIAM SELL, 89, West Shops,
Emp. 11-16-27, Died 7-29-81
PETER SEPIC, 70„ Claims,
Emp. 6-22-36, Died 8-9-81
EDWARD SHIELDS, 70, Utility,
Emp. 3-13-34, Died 8-16-81
JOHN SKULICH, 86, Maintenance,
Emp. 6-11-28, Died 7-4-81
LOUIS SKULSKI, 87, Skokie Shop,
Emp. 1-16-28, Died 7-18-81
FRANCIS SMITH, 75, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-25-26, Died 9-12-81
FRANKLIN SPECHT, 68, North Avenue,
Emp. 7-11-52, Died 8-9-81
JOHN STACK, 75, Kedzie,
Emp. 1-30-29, Died 7-19-81
NICHOLAS STARK, 80, Lawndaie,
Emp. 3-13-26, Died 9-17-81
ALBERT STERNAT, 86, West Section,
Emp. 12-6-18, Died 8-4-81
LEROY STIGLER, 61, Security,
Emp. 12-19-46, Died 9-17-81
HUBERT STINSON, 50, Beverly,
Emp. 9-8-66, Died 8-31-81
MAXWELL STRUWE, 78, District C,
Emp. 9-2-27, Died 9-18-81
CASIMIR SYPNIEWSKI, 81, Forest Glen,
Emp. 4-17-23, Died 7-12-81
BRUNO UGINCHUS, 71, 77th Street,
Emp. 8-30-48, Died 8-23-81
ROBERT VLADOVA, 87, Stores,
Emp. 7-21-36, Died 7-31-81
ANNA WALSH, 89, West Section,
Emp. 6-9-41, Died 10-26-80
BERNARD WALSH, 69, Transportation,
Emp. 8-5-41, Died 8-11-81
GERIEL WILLIAMSON, 67, West Section,
Emp. 12-31-53, Died 9-14-81
NEW PENSIONERS
September 1 Retirements
WITOLD J. BOLT, Transit Engr. Ill,
Operations Planning, Emp. 8-4-75
ALBERT E. BRANDT, Signal Maint.,
West Shops, Emp. 11-29-45
BURTELL C. BURNS, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 8-7-51
WAYNE A. HANSEN, Unit Supervisor,
West Shops, Emp. 6-17-46
JOHN D. ORANGE, Car Repairman A,
61st Street, Emp. 6-14-51
THOMAS M. SCHWARZ, Conductor,
61st Street, Emp. 1-25-46
IRVIN J. WIECZOREK, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 5-21-66
ALOYSIOUS L. ZUCKER, Operator,
North Avenue, Emp. 3-2-61
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
SAMUEL DAVENPORT, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 12-19-68
ALEX J. HOWARD Jr., Records Oust.,
West Shops, Emp. 1-18-54
DAVID SMITH, Laborer,
South Shops, Emp. 3-6-51
LOYCE R. WRIGHT, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 12-15-66
NOVEMBER. 1981
NEW PENSIONERS
October 1 Retirements
JOINING THE ranks of the
retired on October 1 was ED-
WARD J. MC SWEENEY who
had more than 41 years of
service.
CHARLES J. BANSER, Asst. Dist. Supt.,
Rail North, Emp. 11-27-46
ARTHUR BRADFORD, Operator,
69th Street, Emp. 7-31-51
WILLIAM A. MULWEE, Trackman II,
West Shops, Emp. 4-26-47
PATRICK M. O'CONNOR, Car Repairman,
Kimball Shop, Emp. 6-28-51
TEDDY S. PYZYNA, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 11-4-54
JOHN J. TRACY, Car Repairer,
Desplaines, Emp. 9-19-46
EMIL E. VELKAVRH, Carpenter,
South Shops, Emp. 9-15-65
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
THOMAS J. COOGAN, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 11-25-57
ELMER B. KRAMBULE, Ticket Agent,
South Section, Emp. 5-23-52
EDWARD J. MC SWEENEY, Chief Clerk,
Security, Emp. 6-7-40
JOEL MONTGOMERY, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 9-16-68
JOHN J. RADMAN, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 2-15-62
CASIMIR J. STRZYNSKI, Machinist,
South Shops, Em[3. 6-19-46
NEW PENSIONERS
November 1 Retirements
JOINING THE ranks of the
retired on November 1 was
ALBERT LATHOUWERS who
had more than 46 years of
service.
Service
anniversaries
in September
40 years
Robert L. Lavoie
Schedules
Frank L. Tadin
Maintenance
Stanley 0. Christ
Forest Park
June L. Noren
Revenue
James J. Coughlin
North Park
35 years
Edward T. Barry, North Avenue
Lewis H. Beaver, South Shops
George J. Gart, Limits
Ralph J. Keane, South Shops
Frank J. Kllnec, Skokie Shop
Nick Kochopolus, South Shops
Teddle NIezabitowski, 69th Street
Fred C. Pathelger, Instruction
Philip Selbel, North Avenue
John J. Tracy, Desplaines
30 years
Andrew G. Butler, 77th Street
John L. Daniels, Foster Shop
Clyde A. Ewing, North Avenue
Hearthel W. Johnson, Beverly
Otto R. Krueger, Maintenance
Edward A. Mesklmen, Print Shop
Glenn A. Ross, Methods/Standards
Ellas F. Williams, Archer
25 years
Cornelius L. Allen, Beverly
Roland J. Bagley, Ashland/95th
Billy R. Brandon, Utility
Curtis Brown, 77th Street
Clarence E. Buthman Jr., Datacenter
Raymond D. Carson, Pensions
Clarence F. Crawley Jr., Security
Robert Harris Jr., Beverly
Eleanore Hasbrouck, West Section
Ronald L. Hodges, North Park
C. C. Jones, Archer
Sammie Lane, 69th Street
James E. Marble Jr., Schedules
James McGrew Jr., District B
Samuel L. Miller, West Section
George L. Mitchell, 6gth Street
Thecia T. Mora, Print Shop
Willie C. Redd, 77th Street
Donald W. Ryba, Forest Glen
Jack T. Smith, North Park
Robert L. Smith, Electrical
James E. Stanford, Maintenance
Jerome Walker, Limits
WILLIAM BOTSFORD, Janitor,
West Shops, Emp. 9-14-67
JULIA BROUSEK, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 9-11-39
WILLIAM CURTIS, Operator,
North Park, Emp. 8-12-54
GEORGE GARLAND, Supv., Investiga-
tions, Security, Emp. 10-20-44
ALBERT LATHOUWERS, Supv., Payroll,
Financial Services, Emp. 9-21-35
RALPH LINDQUIST, Operator,
Archer, Emp. 5-6-57
LEONA MASKIN, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 5-12-71
ROBERT O'BRIEN, Title Agent,
Real Estate, Emp. 3-10-75
ALEXANDER PALA, Foreman,
North Avenue, Emp. 5-2-42
PAUL PARROTT, Ticket Agent,
North Section, Emp. 10-8-75
EZRA WATSON, Supervisor,
Central District, Emp. 10-22-53
ADAM WOLOWIEC, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 2-18-48
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
EDDIE BAINES, Operator,
Lawndale, Emp. 11-9-64
STEVEN BRASWELL, Operator,
Forest Glen, Emp. 3-24-69
WILLIE McDANIEL, Operator,
Limits, Emp. 12-22-47
JOHN MUHAMMAD, Operator,
77th Street, Emp. 6-10-68
HOWARD PERKINS, Inspector,
Security, Emp. 9-24-61
FRANK TADIN, Trackman,
Maintenance, Emp. 9-2-41
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Service
anniversaries
in October
40 years
Richard E. Zajac
South Shops
Anthony J. Salkas
South Shops
35 years
Frank E. Barker, Street Traffic
Byron D. Dean, 52nd Street
Robert B. Holmes Jr., 52nd Street
Herman E. Izzo, Foster Shops
Timothy F. O'Rourke, Claims
Joseph Stumpfel, Control Center
Thomas Vujnovlch, Sl^okie Shop
30 years
Peter Abrams Jr., District B
John W. Bosackl, Claims
Earl L. Burkett, Far North Area
Frank R. Chlappetta, Harlem Shop
John D. Cooper, 77th Street
Elvln D. Ford, Schdeules
Herston Gandy, 77th Street
John J. Gavin, Beverly
Donald P. Heaney, North Park
Eugene Hendree, Maintenance
Caslmir Jozeflak, Skokie Shop
Albert McCormIck, 77th Street
Rufus McMllllan, Maintenance
Willie B. Scott, Schedules
Willie R. Strickland, Maintenance
Joseph L. Washington, Maintenance
Charles L. Whitman Jr., Lawndale
25 years
Wllberl Allen, Howard/Kimball
Louis C. Basso, Stores South
Wllks Battle, Ashland/g5th
Service
anniversaries
in November
40 years
Robert G. Nealy
Ashland/95th
Robert H. Buerger
Skokie Shop
John F. Carolan
Jefferson Park
35 years
Frank F. Andrek, 98th Shop
Mary Ann Bohat, Claims
Anthony G. Bosco, Electrical
Samuel J. Charleton, Maintenance
Wallace J. Clemens, Electrical
John G. Jankus, Methods/Standards
Edward J. KamlnskI, Archer
Edward J. Murray, Forest Glen
Victor PaclskI, 77th Street
James Stewart, Engineering
30 years
Walter J. Drobena, Electrical
John Gardner, Archer
Howard P. Goerner, South Shops
Earl E. Jackson, 52nd Street
Charles A. Olclkas, Claims
Herman L. Swoope, Harlem Shop
Joseph C. Wharton, 77th Street
25 years
Postoria Agulrre Jr., Lawndale
Charles H. Berry, 77th Street
Travis J. Bishop, Ashland/95th
William H. Bragg, 69th Street
James L. Brandon, Electrical
Harry L. Brown, Beverly
Dan Cawthon, Maintenance
Tommie Conley, Maintenance
Ralph W. Fields, Electrical
Joe R. Hull, South Shops
Joseph P. Jamison, Ashland/95th
Heinrich F. Laurlch, Electrical
Raymond Richardson, 77th Street
Joseph E. Scott, South Shops
William M. Smith, 77th Street
Albert Williams, 77th Street
David L. Bourne, Customer Services
Billy Brown, South Shops
Cordell A. Bruns, Ashland/95th
Henry Chamblis, 52nd Street
Josephine D. Coleman, Maintenance
Charles E. Conner, Electrical
Roy H. Gaines, Lawndale
Amy M. Grant, Agents Office
Willie E. Herron, Training Center
David Jones, North Avenue
Leo A. Krahula, North Avenue
Johnnie L. Love, Maintenance
S. T. Lucas, Stores West
George R. Michaud, Methods/Standards
Joe L. Rayburn, Campaign Area
Thomas E. Reed, Beverly
Edward Ross, Lawndale
Henry T. Thome, Rail South
Donald R. Walsh, Electrical
Theodis Wells, Ashland/95th
John C. Williams, Stores West
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34 Number 11
Published for employees and retirees of
the CTA by the External Affairs Division,
Michael N. Horowitz, Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Typesetting and printing provided by the
Management Services Department.
Distributed free of charge to all active and
retired CTA employees. Annual subscrip-
tion price to others, $2. CTA TRANSIT
NEWS, Room 734. Merchandise Mart
Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois
60654.
NOVEMBER, 1981
Kedzie ground-breaking
Taking part in the October 15 ground-breal(ing for CTA's 250-bus
garage on Kedzie between Jacl(son and Van Buren were (left to
right): Charies Rummei, vice president, Lester B. Knight &
Associates, design consultants; Wiiliam P. Coiiins, executive vice
president, Del Webb, general contractor; Elgia Cook, commander,
11th Police District; Verdell Trice, vice president. Filth City Cor-
poration; CTA Board Member Nick Ruggiero; Nancy Jefferson, ex-
ecutive director. Midwest Community Council; CTA Chairman
Eugene M. Barnes; Edward A. Quigley, Commissioner, Chicago
Department of Sewers, representing Mayor Byrne; CTA Chief Ad-
ministrative Officer Michael A. Cardilli; and Joel Ettinger, Region
V Administrator, U.S. Urban Mass Transportation Administration.
Offering the invocation at the ceremony was the Rev. Joseph
Davis (on dais), pastor, St. Joseph Baptist Church.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
Address Correction Requested
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGI
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
jPOnTATION CTR. LIBRARY
iWESTERN UNIVERSITY
HINMAN AVENUE
TON, IL 60201
TN
TRANSPORTATION I IRRARY
Jr^/rrc
.FEBX,5
NORTH
THROW K mmef^:,
Suggestion Receivers will visit your work location to
• pass out "WINNING PASS" suggestion blanks
• answer any question you might have
• receive your "WINNING PASS" suggestions.
Watch for them during the week of Decemt>er 13, 1981
Deadline for a "WINNING PASS"
DECEMBER 21, 1981
Employees encouraged
to throw a winning pass
When Brian Baschnagel caught the pass that gave the
Chicago Bears a 10-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings at
Soldier Field December 6, he probably never thought his
feat would lead to a drive to save money at CTA.
But it was Baschnagel's performance in the face of adver-
sity that inspired the theme of a special suggestion program
calling upon all employees to offer ideas about where addi-
tional savings might be realized at CTA. The program was
named "Winning Pass."
The push for an intensive, comprehensive suggestion
program came during a budget presentation shortly before
the Bears' game against the Vikings, when ways to cut costs
were being discussed. It fell upon Human Resources
Manager Fred King to develop the crash program aimed at
sounding out employees for their help in the current
economic squeeze.
"Our feeling was that there were individuals close to the
action who see things in their daily jobs that others might
not," King said. "What we were looking for was a short-term
program that could be implemented quickly throughout the
Authority."
To encourage the widest possible participation in "Win-
ning Pass," awards for accepted suggestions were set at 20
per cent of the net savings made during the first year of their
adoption--5 per cent more than the award rate paid by
CTA's regular ongoing Employee Suggestion Plan.
Human Resources personnel volunteered to visit every
work location to explain the program to employees and pass
out literature, and a "Player's Hotline" was established to
take calls from those who may have had problems convey-
ing their ideas in writing in the time allotted.
The program ran for one week, December 14-21, and
during that period employees were asked for "ideas that
might help us operate more effectively, more
At 69th Street garage, Tony Borcic (right), training assistant I,
Training/Development Programs, finds an attentive listener in bus
operator James Mayes, who was one of 20 finalists in last year's
CTA Bus Roadeo contest.
economically." It was anticipated that adopted suggestions
would not only save the Authority money, but would
"please passengers and reward employees."
Reaction to the program was generally favorable, and
271 suggestions were submitted. All responses were
acknowledged through a personal letter from King within
2y2 weeks of the close of the program. Transit News will
report adopted suggestions and resulting awards in future
issues, after evaluations have been made.
Bill Piatt, director. Job Classification, helped carry the
"Winning Pass" program to Archer garage. "It's good to be
communicating again directly with employees," he said. "I
think they like to see somebody taking an interest. The sta-
tion personnel have been very cooperative in helping us get
our message teethe operating people."
^r (continued, page 2)
a
TRANSIT NEW
FOR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
DECEMBER, 1981
Rignt: Bill Piatt, director, Job Classifica-
tion, has the attention of bus operators
(left to right) Ruth Neal, Fatima
BeyMuhammed, and Bonnie Sanders as
he explains details of the "Winning Pass"
program at Archer garage.
Below: Bill Haase (left), supervisor. Rail,
accepts literature about the "Winning
Pass" program from Norris Larson,
researcli analyst, Employment/Place-
ment, in the trainroom at Howard ter-
minal, where both bus and rail personnel
assemble.
Below, right: Bus operator Rosa Warren
(left) questions Ruth Brown,
Employment/Placement interviewer,
about the "Winning Pass" program at
North Avenue garage, where operating
and maintenance personnel were given a
presentation December 16.
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At Archer, Ruth Neal, a four-year employee, said of
herself and fellow operators, "We're more apt to give good
answers. We're out there with the people. If I see someone
running to catch the bus, I'll wait for them. They appreciate
it, and they'll remember it next time. Then they won't mind
paying the high fare."
Walter McKinney. a 19-year veteran at Archer, said,
"We're in a better position to see the problems more clearly.
When you have the same run every day, you see the same
riders. My people depend on me. When you work the same
street every day, you become attached to your people."
George Mathews, who has 34 years of service, said, "it's
a good program, even if you get only one good suggestion
out of it. Operating employees are out on the street. They
know where the waste is at."
At Howard terminal, conductor Harvey Clark said,
"Every day someone has something to suggest. There have
been times when I've had ideas, but was never able to get in-
to them in depth. It's good to have a chance to present our
own ideas about how to make the system work better."
Bob Sanders, a line instructor at Howard, said, "We, as
the little people, rarely have the opportunity to express our
feelings. With everybody putting their ideas together, we'll
have a better transportation system. It makes me feel good
that I can express my feelings about what will benefit the
company."
Dan Quagliano, also in rail service at Howard, said of the
"Winning Pass" program, "It's a good idea. 1 guess we need
new ideas more than ever now because of the economy. If
they follow through and respond to them, it will benefit a lot
of people."
Bill Haase, supervisor. Rail, said, "I think it's a good idea
to get out to the employees this way. With the way this
material is being distributed, it makes more of an impression
on the employees and encourages them to submit ideas. "
As Human Resources personnel had hoped, the incentive
to submit new ideas definitely did not end with the close of
the "Winning Pass" program. In fact, during December the
ongoing Employee Suggestion Plan received nearly twice
the monthly volume of suggestions it usually gets from
employees.
Gene Jendrach, Suggestion Plan coordinator, en-
courages everyone with ideas about how to achieve cost
reductions or improve working conditions and operational
efficiencies to keep sending them in Awards are still being
offered.
Just pick up a suggestion form at any work location, write
down your ideas, and send them in to Room 750 in the
Merchandise Mart, or call Ext. 3543 in the Mart for addi-
tional forms.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Gold coin
recovered from
CTA f arebox
Jose Vasquez, of the Little
Village community on the Near
Southwest Side, is a bit more
careful these days about how he
handles his loose change. Jose,
16, had a 15-gram gold coin in his
pocket recently when he boarded
a No. 60 Blue Island/26 bus on his
way home from Benito Juarez
High School, where he is a
sophomore.
"I almost missed the bus," he
said about the incident, which
happened on Friday, November
13. "When I pulled coins out of
my pocket to pay the fare, the
gold coin was among them."
Luckily, Pedro Balderas, a CTA
bus operator, saw the unusual
coin through the window of the
fare box and called Vasquez back
to ask him about it.
"I couldn't believe I had done
it," Vasquez said about dropping
in the coin, which he said could
be worth as much as $500. "It was
a gift from my parents, and I had
never had it away from home until
that day--the day I decided to
have it appraised."
There was no way to retrieve
the coin immediately because it
could go nowhere but into a steel
container at the bottom of the
fare box. However, Balderas was
able to set in motion a procedure
that would result, only a few days
later, in the return of the coin to
its worried owner.
Balderas asked Vasquez to fill
out a memorandum card, giving
details of the incident along with
his name, address and telephone
number. The bus operator then
made out a report at the end of
his workday, turning it in to
George Weathers, assistant
superintendent at CTA's
Lawndale garage, where No. 60
buses are based.
Since the contents of fare
Pedro Balderas' alert observation of the fare box resulted In ttie recovery and return of a
valuable gold coin that was accidentally deposited by a rider.
boxes cannot be examined until
they reach CTA's Central Coun-
ting facility. Weathers sent the
report on to that location, phon-
ing ahead to make sure the
message was received in time to
get results.
Meanwhile, the steel container
inside the fare box on Balderas'
bus, like every other one in the
system, was removed that same
night in its home garage, and the
sealed contents were dropped in-
to a master vault for delivery to
Central Counting early the next
morning.
On Saturday, Central Counting
supervisor Michael Akai, having
been alerted by Jack O'Connor,
director of the facility, instructed
counting personnel to look forthe
missing coin. While hoppers
spilled out $37,953 in coin, cur-
rency, and tokens from two vaults
brought in from Lawndale garage,
all eyes searched for the Mexican
gold piece, which was slightly
larger than a U.S. quarter.
As huge shaker plates pitched
the coins downward toward ap-
propriately sized openings where
they could be collected and
counted at the rate of about 1,200
a minute, money handler James
Walls spotted the lost treasure
and stopped the machinery to
remove it.
After that it was simply a mat-
ter of passing the coin through
proper channels so it could be
returned to Vasquez. By Monday
morning, it was in the safe of Ray
Fleming, superintendent of CTA's
Treasury department in the Mer-
chandise Mart.
Fleming sent word to Dan
Kane, superintendent of
Customer Assistance, who in-
formed a relieved Jose Vasquez
that the coin could be picked up
at his convenience, and the great
coin rescue was over.
DECEMBER, 1981
Juanlta Parker (West Section)
was complimented by David
Saullner, who has offices on
South Wells Street, for her
courtesy as an agent In the
Dearborn Street subway. "I
want to tell you about a lady
that I have observed for over
a year doing an absolutely
outstanding job collecting
fares in the Jacl(son station.
She Is cool and calm under
most trying circumstances
when some riders are con-
fused and/or uneducated,
lacl( In English, are lost, mal(e
mistakes, or are just plain
nasty. She responds to a
'l-lello' with a warm smile,
and her dress and neatness
correspond to her manner. All
your employees should be
like her."
Roman Doubek (West Sec-
tion) was admired by Tim
Watson, of West 51st Street,
for the way he handled an in-
cident on his Douglas-
Milwaukee train. "At the
Damen station I observed a
man with no shoes squatting
on the roof of the shelter
cover over the platform. He
looked confused, but then he
jumped onto the roof of the
train. After someone shouted
at him, he jumped back onto
the platform. The conductor
used excellent judgment and
informed the passengers why
the train was not moving, as
the distraught man was still
in a precarious position. He
radioed for the police and for-
tunately they were there in a
matter of minutes."
commendation corner
Willie Alexander (Beverly garage) was praised by
Joan Pilot, of South Sangamon Street, for the way he
handled smokers on his #8A South Halsted bus. "He
is certainly a no-nonsense person, and he taught me
a valuable lesson in human nature. Two men were
smoking in the back of the bus. The driver stopped
the bus and ordered them off immediately. He was
firm. The men pleaded for another chance, and I was
beginning to feel sorry for them. And then it hit me. If
more drivers and school teachers were firm, tough
on people who do wrong, I know 89 percent of them
would stop."
Adolph Marth (North Park garage) was ap-
preciated by Thelma Steffey, of North Clark Street,
who was a rider on his #36 Broadway bus. "He was
neat, very nice looking, and businesslike, but also
courteous and thoughful. He said 'Good afternoon'
to everyone who boarded. Then, when a passenger
left, he would say, 'Now be careful stepping down.'
Everyone in the bus was remarking about his
wonderful service. I am 80 years old and have ar-
thritis in my hands, but I just had to write you about
this man. Hope this excellent employee will receive
recognition for a job well done.
Ricardo Valencia (Forest Glen garage) vjas
thanked for his "excellent service" as the operator
of a #56 Milwaukee bus by Ruth Buchberger, of
North Moody Avenue. "My aunt from Baltimore was
in Chicago visiting, and my car was in for repair, so
we had to rely on the CTA for transportation. Both
my aunt and I were Surprised and pleased with the
friendly and courteous treatment we received.
Please inform driver #12279 that his service was ap-
preciated. He made our ride a very pleasant one and
really made our day. I won't have any hesitation
about using public transportation in the future."
James Howland (North Park garage), operator of a
#22 Clark bus, was commended by Cynthia Sim-
mons, who works in an airline office on South State
Street. "It was the best CTA bus ride I've had since
becoming a daily rider four months ago. This driver
was not only safe and courteous, but as each
passenger left the bus said, 'Have a nice day.' He
pulled up to the curb and stopped and started up
smoothly and carefully. Being in a service-oriented
business, I know how important it is to recognize the
good performance of an employee."
Eugene Harper (77th Street garage) is the operator
of a #3 King Drive bus that Mable Perkins, of
Eberhart Avenue, has ridden many times. "After a
partially sighted passenger got on, the driver was
patient and waited until the gentleman sat down
before starting the bus. He later assisted the man off
the bus. This indeed was service beyond the call of
duty, and a rare display of human concern. Everyone
on the bus noticed this act of kindness, but too often
we write only to complain. We let all of the pluses go
unmentioned. Let him know we appreciate him and
other drivers like him."
Ronald Stefinsky (Forest Glen garage) has the ap-
proval of Donna Kontos, of Touhy Avenue, for the
way he operates his #56 Milwaukee bus. "This driver
apparently enjoys his job, inasmuch as he greets his
passengers with a cheery 'Good morning' even
though most of us are still sleepy and grumpy. He
also handles his bus with skill, calls out the streets,
and when passengers are transferring to another
bus, makes sure the connecting bus waits for us to
cross over. I have also noticed that he will wait when
he sees a familiar passenger who has not yet
reached the bus stop."
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Thanks - - for a job well done
Employees who have received commenda-
tions since the last listing.
Bill Bartlett, North Park
Gilbert Baus Jr., North Park
Arnold Beler, North Park
Cathy Berry, South Section
Dwayne Borom, Limits
William Boyd, Archer
William Bragg, 69th Street
Janet Burton, North Park
Jean Cage, Limits
Ernest Carter, North Avenue
Ethel Carter, 77th Street
Lawrence Carter, 77th Street
Patricia Cobb, North Park
Victor Davis, Douglas/Congress
Angel DeLaPaz, Forest Glen
Jerry Doubley, 77th Street
Charles Dunker, North Park
Bruce Ellison, Limits
Willie Floyd, Forest Park
Charles Gardner, 52nd Street
David Gaston, North Park
Dorothy Graham, Limits
August Hallmann, Forest Glen
Cornelius Haywood, Limits
Cecelia Hendrickson, Forest Glen
Rosemary Hoskins, 77th Street
William James, North Park
Tyree Johnson, Forest Glen
Arthur Johnson Jr., North Avenue
Farrell Jones, Forest Glen
Morris Jones, North Avenue
Harold Joshua, 69th Street
Warren Julian, 77th Street
Joseph Kelso, 69th Street
Won Kho, North Park
LeBlanc LeDree, Limits
George Malarz, Archer
Earnest Marsalis, 77th Street
Larita McFall, West Section
Earl Miles, Lawndale
Eumura Miller, Lawndale
Faye Murry, Limits
Johnny Paige, Beverly
Antonio Patterson, North Park
Walter Perry, South Section
Frederick Pollion, North Park
Robert Pritchard, Forest Glen
Mary Raftery, North Section
Enid Ramos, North Park
Hosey Reynolds Jr., 77th Street
Idell Richards, 69th Street
Felipe Rios, North Park
Daniel Rogers, Limits
Keith Rosche, Forest Glen
Sandra Rowe, Limits
Beverly Scales, 69th Street
Johnny Sherrod, Lawndale
Tuesday Simpson, Limits
Robert Smith, Forest Glen
Carl Strickland, 77th Street
Ornoldo Surgeon, Archer
Carlos Tamayo, North Park
Barbara Thompson, 69th Street
Fernando Torres, North Park
Bruno Vandervelde, Beverly
eleven Wardlow, Limits
Vaddie Weekly, 52nd Street
Cora Williams, Beverly
Pearlie Williams, North Park
Allen Woodard, Archer
Theaorchie Woodard, North Park
Jacques Yezeguielian, Forest Glen
Charles Young, Forest Park
ZAP Awards
The sheet metal and radiator
shops topped all other sections
within the Vehicle Maintenance
department's South Shops during
the third quarter Zero Accident Pro-
gram employees competition for
1981.
Safety Supervisor James
Dudley, who oversees the ZAP
competition, said, "The sheet
metal shop and radiator shop
employees not only were accident
free for the third quarter, but they
have been without an accident for
the first three quarters of this year.
Vehicle wiring and machine
shop employees had no accidents
in the second and third quarters of
the year, and upholstery, inspec-
tion, and print shop employees had
no accidents during the third
quarter.
Vehicle Maintenance employees
at Beverly Garage won the Bus
Garages first place ZAP award for
the third quarter, while Vehicle
Maintenance employees at the
61 St/Racine rail terminals took the
Rail Maintenance Terminal com-
petition first place award. In the
rail shop competition, first place
went to the vehicle wiring
employees at Skokie Shop.
The semi-annual ZAP competi-
tion in the buildings and grounds
area of the Plant Maintenance
department was won by the rail
janitors. The first place award in
the power and way area of Plant
Maintenance competition went to
the signal, radio and telephone
section at West Shops.
Leonard Beatty, supervisor, rail janitors, proudly displays Maintenance Department's bi-
annual ZAP award won by his employees in the buildings and grounds area competition
for the first half of 1981. (more photos on page 6)
DECEMBER, 1981
Clockwise from above:
Leo Roysten, relief foreman, displays first
elace ZAP award won by Beverly garage
ehicle Maintenance employees for third
juarter of 1981.
The Maintenance Department's ZAP
award rail shop competition for the third
quarter of 1981 went to the vehicle wiring
area in Skokie Shop. Foreman Noah Dun-
dovich displays the award.
Foremen of seven areas in South Shops
display their Zero Accident Program
awards. They are (from left) Roy Hagman
of vehicle wiring; Edward Meskimen of
print shop; Rudolph Goode of inspection;
Ernest Johnson of machine shop; John
Dopak of radiator shop; Raymond Klaub
of sheet metal shop; and John Kurgan of
upholstery. Klaub and Dopak received
awards for their employees having had no
accidents in the first three quarters of
1981. Hagman and Johnson got awards
for their employees having no accidents in
the second and third quarters of 1981. The
rest had no employee accidents in the
third quarter.
Winners of the Maintenance
Department's 1981 bi-annual ZAP com-
petition in the power and way area are the
employees of the signal, radio, and
telephone section. They are (from left)
Gregory Craig, Al Peluso, Jack Koepke,
Dan Gusich, Supervisor Ted Szewc
(holding award). Bob Benson, Tom Kilcom-
mons, Pete Vesic, and Rich Bushbaum.
Members of 61st and Racine rail terminals
show off their 19th first place ZAP award,
which they won for the third quarter of
1981. Mike Vasquez, supervisor, con-
gratulates Leon Fields, terminal foreman
(in bump hat). Next to Fields are Henry
Dickerson (in dark suit), unit supervisor,
and Cisco Williams, assistant foreman (to
Dickerson's right).
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
safety awards
Public safety awards for the third quarter of 1981
went to the Beverly garage and the Jefferson Parl<
terminal. It was the 17th time the Public Safety
award was won by Beverly since 1961 when the pro-
gram began.
Beverly won the third quarter award with the traf-
fic rate of 3.4 accidents for every 100,000 miles
driven, 40 per cent lower than the system rate of 5.6
accidents for every 100,000 miles. Operators at
Beverly had 52 accident-free days during the quarter.
The passenger rate of 0.91 accidents was for every
100,000 miles-about nine accidents for every million
miles of operation. Beverly's passenger rate is 14
Frank Wsol (center), area superintendent, far south, presents
Public Service award plaque to Burnett Henderson (in sport coat),
Beverly garage superintendent, and Flarzell Moore, Beverly
garage assistant superintendent. Beverly was first place winner
among garages for tfie tfiird quarter of 1981.
per cent better than the bus system's rate of 1.1 ac-
cidents for every 100,000 miles. During the first nine
months of 1981, Beverly garage established new ac-
cident lows, one in February and again in
September.
Jefferson Park terminal won the Public Safety
award for the third quarter with a combined traffic
and passenger rate of 0.142 (100,000 miles of opera-
tion), 71 per cent better than the rail system. Thus,
the terminal's operating personnel registered less
than one and one-half accidents for each one million
miles of passenger operation.
Jefferson Park also had the best accident frequen-
cy rate of any rail terminal for a nine month period
with a rate of 0.337, 34 per cent better than the rail
system's rate of 0.511. During the third quarter, Jef-
ferson Park had 90 accident-free days of passenger
operation.
Tom Boyle (left), manager. Safety, presents Public Safety award
to Bob Suta, Jefferson Park superintendent. Jefferson Park was
first place winner among rail terminals for tfiird quarter of 1981.
Tfie Knute Rockne award for athletic per-
formance and scfiolastic aptitude was
awarded to Keitli A. Willis, 17, son of CTA
Public Affairs editorial assistant Rick
Willis, and his wife, Dorothy. Keith, a
senior at Bremen High School, was a
starting tackle for the Bremen Braves. He
ranks 37th in a class of 353, and has a
grade point average of 4.305.
Kyong Ho Paek, 16, the son of CTA Public
Affairs community news representative
Lawrence Paek, and his wife, Judy, was
named to the Maine Township High
School East honor roll for the second
semester of 1981 with a grade point
average of 4.0. The sophomore youth also
earned a letter as a member of the
school's varsity soccer team.
The South Suburban branch of the Na-
tional Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) has appointed
Mrs. Virginia Wolfe as its treasurer-
secretary. Mrs. Wolfe is a typist in the
Schedule section of the Operations Plan-
ning department. She joined the CTA in
1975 and has been an active member of
the NAACP since 1973.
DECEMBER, 1981
State/Lake and other Loop 'L' stations are
bright, warm oases on cold, darit winter
nights.
As winter approaches, riders at
MadisonAA/abash appreciate the shelters
and infrared heaters that were installed as
part of the lighting program.
Bright spot
in the night
Many CTA 'L' riders will find
traveling during Chicago winters
nnore bearable, and some rapid
transit stations much brighter,
thanks to a recently completed
station lighting and passenger
heater program.
Patrick Murphy, supervisor of
the Engineering department's
Building Wiring group, said that
20 stations have been improved
under this program, and that ef-
forts are being made to obtain
funds for improvements at 60 ad-
ditional stations which have not
yet been modernized.
"We're trying to achieve
modern lighting levels at the
lowest possible cost in terms of
power purchased and practical
maintenance requirements," Mur-
phy said. "This program was
designed to increase the safety
and comfort of passengers at our
older stations."
Planning for the 2.9 million
dollar improvement program
began in the 1970s. Initial con-
struction began in January 1979
at 35th/Tech on the North-South
route, 63rd/Ashland on the
Englewood line, and 54th Avenue
on the Douglas.
This program has resulted in
new lighting and passenger
heaters at all nine Loop 'L' sta-
tions; the Merchandise Mart and
Chicago Avenue stations on the
Ravenswood; Clinton, Halsted
and Ashland on the Lake Street
line; 54th Avenue on the Douglas,
and Main Street on the Evanston
line.
Only modern lighting was in-
stalled at Central and Linden on
the Evanston line, and only
passenger heaters were needed
at 35th/Tech on the North-South
route and at 63rd/Ashland on the
Englewood line. Additional
lighting was also installed at the
bus boarding area for the
63rd/Ashland station.
Through the station lighting
program, DC incandescent bulbs
were replaced with modern
fluorescent and low-pressure
sodium lighting fixtures.
The fluorescent light fixtures
were installed in stations and
stairwells, and under the
canopied areas of platforms.
Each stainless steel, vandal-
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
resistant fluorescent fixture con-
tains two tiigh-output lamps
covered with a polycarbonate
lens to diffuse the light evenly
and protect the lamps.
In the uncanopied areas along
the station platforms, the
smaller, stainless steel, vandal-
resistant sodium light fixtures
have been installed. The low-
pressure sodium lamps used in
these fixtures put out the most
light per dollar of any light source
commercially available, but
sodium fixtures are not used
throughout the station because
they offer poor color rendition.
New wiring for the lighting
system was required because it
uses AC power supplied by Com-
monwealth Edison. "The old
lights were tied into the DC
system that powers the trains,"
Murphy said. "If the power had to
be pulled because of a problem
with a train, nearby stations went
dark. In addition, the old DC
lights were wired in series (five
lamps to a circuit), so if one
burned out, the rest of the lights
on the same circuit also went
out," he added. "The new AC
powered system, which is similar
to the system previously installed
in the subways and along ex-
pressway median strips, has
none of these defects."
Where passenger heaters have
been installed, they have been
placed out of the way of heavy
passenger traffic flows, yet as
close as possible to where a two-
car train would stop during non-
rush periods. That's because
Left, above: Effectiveness of new lighting is apparent at Randolph/Wabash station.
Above: Brigf)t, fluorescent llgfiting on mezzanines and stairways Increases safety.
Looking over blueprints of the station lighting program in the Engineering department are
(left to right): Joe Siegal, superintendent, Power & Wiring; Patrick Murphy, supervisor,
Wiring Design; Jack Arora, electrical design engineer; and James Stewart, director,
Equipment Engineering.
passengers wait longer intervals
for trains during non-rush hours
when service is less frequent.
Most passenger heater units
consist of three fixtures in a row,
installed about nine feet above
the platforms within a specially
constructed shelter. The
tempered glass shelters are
about 12 feet wide and 4 to AV2
feet deep. Each shelter's precise
dimensions are determined by
the peculiarities of each station,
and the heater's location within
the shelter is determined by com-
puter to maximize passenger
comfort.
The heaters supply about 3.2
kilowatts of energy per fixture,
and are activated when a
passenger pushes a button on
the shelter frame. The heaters
shut off automatically after five
minutes of operation, but may be
restarted by the passengers. The
system as a whole is operational
between November 1 and April 1.
Engineering improvements,
like the station lighting and
passenger heater program, are an
important part of CTA's efforts to
make our service more secure
and comfortable for our riders.
DECEMBER, 1981
Customer Assistance Superintendent Dan Kane and his
secretary, Hattie Peterson, review the previous day's entries in
the Customer Assistance journal, before attacking the next
day's pile of letters and telephone call reports.
Serving our riders
is their specialty
All CTA operating employees, serving the public on
a daily basis, may be considered to be customer ser-
vice representatives. Courtesy and job performance
has a great effect on the riders' image of CTA and
satisfaction with CTA service. But special situations
including employee commendations, service ques-
tions, and passenger complaints are handled by the
Customer Assistance section of the Consumer Ser-
vices department.
Customer Assistance provides valuable two-way
communication. Consumers alert CTA to service
problem areas and identify employees who are doing
outstanding jobs, and CTA explains operating
policies directly to individual consumers. This sec-
tion of the External Affairs Division processes ap-
proximately 2,500 items of correspondence each
month, including 400 letters, 2,000 phone calls, and
100 personal visits.
In recent years, CTA management has become
more responsive to the needs of consumers and has
encouraged more direct consumer involvement. Also,
our inflationary economic environment has led to
more frequent financial crises throughout the transit
industry. These factors have resulted in a dramatic in-
crease in the amount of correspondence received by
Customer Assistance.
Years ago, complaints could be expected to in-
crease after a single major snow storm or other
Customer Assistance Coordinator Michael Cramer alerts the
Control Center to a potentially hazardous situation phoned in by
a rider.
calamity that would cause service interruption or
delay. But "crisis months" now occur more frequent-
ly because recurring fare increases and service
reductions or adjustments also lead to an increase in
public response. During these "crisis months," the
amount of correspondence may increase from the
normal level of 2,500 inquiries to a peak level of
almost 4,000 inquiries.
Every commendation or complaint is routed to the
proper CTA department for explanation to Customer
Assistance and disposition including annotation of
employee records, corrective action or commenda-
tion, and reply from field supervisory personnel. Sug-
gestions or comments on service problems are also
referred to the appropriate departments.
All inquiries and replies of an operational nature
are reviewed by Consumer Services Manager Naomi
L Tillman and General Operations Manager Harold
H. Geissenheimer. Mrs. Tillman also reviews replies
to all inquiries received through the CTA Executive
Offices or city agencies.
In all cases where consumers have supplied either
a mailing address or telephone number, they receive
specific replies. Although the entire process from
date of inquiry to final reply to the consumer may
take as long as one month, it is a vast improvement
over the former system, whe,re the consumer often
only received a form letter acknowledging CTA's
receipt of the correspondence. Complaints of an ex-
tremely serious nature are usually answered within a
few days.
All commendations and chargeable passenger
complaints are entered into the employees' person-
nel records by their supervisors, and corrective action
is taken when necessary. The disciplinary system
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Customer Service Representative James Roche explains a point
of CTA operating procedure to a visitor.
Customer Service Representative Dennis Murphy answers a
phone call from a concerned rider.
protects employees by requiring only caution and In-
struction after the first two incidents of a minor com-
plaint within a 12-month period. Subsequent com-
plaints during that period will result in suspensions
of various lengths and eventual referral to the Area
Superintendent's office for more extreme disciplinary
measures. In the event of a complaint of a very
serious nature, the entire disciplinary procedure can
be accelerated.
While every member of the Customer Assistance
staff of five is adept at answering all types of con-
sumer inquiries, each excells in a particular phase of
the operation. Customer Assistance Superintendent
Dan Kane oversees the day-to-day operation of the
section, reviews all correspondence and replies, and
assists in decision-making concerning policy mat-
ters.
Customer Assistance Coordinator Michael
Cramer's specialty is acting as a liaison between
Customer Assistance and the Control Center and
Operations Planning department. Cramer's liaison
with the Control Center is especially important when
a consumer reports a problem by phone that could af-
fect passenger safety and immediate corrective ac-
tion is required.
Customer Service Representative Dennis Murphy
concentrates on operating policy, procedural mat-
ters, and service problems, and Customer Service
Representative James Roche specializes in fare and
transfer regulations and other monetary problems.
After draft replies have been prepared by the other
staff members, the Customer Assistance section's
secretary, Hattie Peterson, monitors the preparation
of formal written replies by the Stenographic Ser-
vices Unit of the Administrative Services department.
Ms. Peterson also categorizes and routes all cor-
respondence and maintains the section's files.
Consumers wishing to make suggestions or
register commendations or complaints may contact
Customer Assistance in one of three ways. The
easiest way is to phone CTA at 664-7200 and ask for
"Customer Assistance." They may also send letters
to Chicago Transit Authority, Customer Assistance,
Room 730, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 60654. Or
they may visit the Customer Assistance office be-
tween 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Complaints or commendations can be most easily
handled when the consumer supplies the following
information: the bus or rapid transit route on which
the incident occurred; the location, date, time, and
direction of travel; the number of the CTA vehicle in-
volved. Its run number, and the badge number of the
CTA employee involved.
Superintendent Dan Kane believes that, on a day-
to-day basis, consumers calling Customer
Assistance are a valuable asset to CTA. "I like to
think of the consumers as an unpaid inspection
force," Kane said. "They augment our own super-
visory and inspection efforts by pointing out
problems that need to be corrected and identifying
employees who should be recognized for out-
standing job performance."
In a recent news feature on WLS-TV (Channel 7),
Sharon King showed the work of Customer
Assistance, and told viewers how they might avail
themselves of this service. Commenting on the value
of this service to CTA riders, she said, "It really is
worth it to speak up."
DECEMBER, 1981
Bus supervisors, agent instructors graduate
Forty bus service supervisors
and two agent instructors were
graduated November 23 in a CTA
Board Room ceremony presided
over by Executive Director
Theodore Schuster, General
Operations Manager Harold
Geissenheimer, Transportation
Manager James Blaa, and other
top management personnel.
Each supervisor completed 13
weeks of classroom and field
training and achieved test scores
averaging at least 80 out of 100 to
qualify for their new positions. All
have been bus operators for at
least three years, and have also
served as line instructors. While
awaiting assignment within the
supervisor pool, they will con-
tinue to serve as bus operators.
Addressing the graduates,
Schuster said, "We need people
on the street to enforce our stand-
ards. Not only are our drivers
highly visible, but also our super-
visors. Every step that can be
taken to serve the public the way
we think they should be served
must be done.
"As the fare has risen,"
Schuster added, "riders feel they
deserve something extra in ser-
vice, and enforcement of our
standards on the street will be
your responsibility."
The agent instructors com-
pleted the same amount of
classroom and field training as
the bus supervisors, but were re-
quired to score a minimum
average of 90 out of 100 on their
qualifying tests. Their training in-
cluded subway familiarization
tours that would help them pro-
vide assistance in case of
emergencies.
Commenting on the qualifica-
tions of the graduates. Bob
Desvignes, area superintendent.
Instruction, said, "Sinceourtrain-
ing programs have been
revamped over the past several
years, requiring greater proficien-
cy on tests, we have had less
than a 2 per cent failure rate.
We're proud of this record and are
confident the results will con-
tinue to be reflected in ever-better
service for our riders."
North Section agents Francesca
Pancewiecz (left) and Sandra ShintanI
successfully completed the Agent Instruc-
tor Training Program, and received
graduation certificates at a CTA Board
Room ceremony November 23.
Relaxing after the graduation ceremony were (left to right): Joe
Hodge, Richard Moore, Juan Gonzalez, Robert Kelly, Ronald
Hopkins, Charles Kinnard, and Michael Kozlowski.
Enjoying their new status as bus service supervisors are (left to
right): Quenton Clark, Stan Mihajlovic, Gonzalo Garcia, Otto
Houston, Leon White, Alvin Blackmon, and Ruben Lopez.
Ready to take on new responsibilities as bus service supervisors
are (left to right): Raphael Manuel, Stanley Parish, Joe McWane,
Maurice Preacely, Bruce Bradley, John Hopkins, and John
Lewis.
Looking forward to new jobs as supervisors are (left to right):
Joseph Gonzales, Errol Simmons, Jerome Smith, James Flores,
Fred Williams, and Milan Gracanin. Tyrone Dumas, another new
supervisor, was unable to attend the ceremony.
.. . j_
-mm
Graduates surrounding Instructor John Perkins include (left to
right): Varleen Smith, Katharine Cunningham, Joyce Bell,
Yvonne Regulus, Phyllis Montgomery, and Judy Hedin, planner,
Operations Planning, who took part in the program to gain a
firsthand knowledge of problems facing operating personnel.
Reflecting on their 13-week training course are (left to right): Ed
White, Bruce Bell, Martin Delconte, Seymour Motin, Madison Ed-
wards, Levi Punches, and Paul Januszewski, who ranked
highest of the graduates academically with an average of 97.7
points out of 100.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Employees honored with 'A Day in CTA'
Outstanding performance by
three Transportation department
employees won tliem special
recognition as "A Day in CTA"
honorees last month.
Transportation department
management presented a cer-
tificate of special recognition to
Ms. Joyce C. Johnson, a ticket
agent/pool supervisor, for in-
valuable assistance in the develop-
ment of the Transit Security pro-
gram. Charles E. Wadlington, bus
supervisor, District A, was cited for
his prompt action that led to the ar-
rest of seven unauthorized people
who were observed selling monthly
riding passes along 79th street.
Wadlington was off duty when the
incident occurred.
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Charles Wadlington Joyce Johnson Otis Taylor
Motorman Otis C. Taylor, Jeffer- along the right-of-way between
son Park terminal, was honored for Central avenue and Austin
halting his train in time to avoid boulevard on the Congress line,
striking a woman who was walking
TV series filmed on CTA
"Chicago Story," an NBC television action series about the
cooperative work of city agencies serving the central city, is
slated to debut in early January on Channel 5. The 90-minute
series begins with a three-hour movie of the week, and will be
followed by 11 segments. Scenes include a chase on the CTA
Damen Avenue 'L' station on the West-Northwest rapid transit
route (above). The segment, called "Ace in the Hole," stars Dennis
Franz of Chicago, who portrays Officer Joe Gilland, one of
Chicago's finest. In other action at Damen, stuntman Mike O'Con-
ner, also of Chicago, who portrays the villain, makes a dramatic
attempt to escape Gilland as he leaps over the platform railing on-
to the roof of a building (above, right). Bob Ryan, of the Public Af-
fairs department (right, wearing cap), and rail service supervisor
Dominic DeMaria confer with MOM director Lee Kazin on other
location plans. The CTA team, including rail terminal supervisor
Jack Coleman (not shown), was on hand to assist the movie crew
while it was on CTA property.
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DECEMBER. 1981
Argyle station
colors have
special meaning
Argyle station on the North-
South 'L' route has been painted
in colors which suggest hap-
piness and prosperity.
In keeping with the growing
Oriental residential and business
comnnunity around the 'L' station,
the Plant Maintenance depart-
ment has painted the station
Chinese red (the color of hap-
piness), jade green (the color of
prosperity) and white.
The city plans to provide
$225,000 in beautification and im-
provements along Argyle street
near the station, said Howard
Shiroma, president of the Argyle
Business International Associa-
tion.
Charlie Soo, director of the
Asian American Small
Businessmen's Association,
hosted a luncheon near the 'L'
station honoring the CTA. Among
25 persons attending were CTA
Board fVlembers John Hoellen
and Michael Brady, General
Operations Manager Harold H.
Geissenheimer, Len Wiksten,
director. Plant Maintenance, and
community leaders.
The four men in jackets are CTA painters
who gave the Argyle station its Oriental
color scheme. They are (from left) Ralph
Ziegler, John Mendaz, James Downes,
and Otto Krueger. Behind them are Len
Wilcsten, Harold H. Geissenheimer, and
Walter Hallford, superintendent.
Buildings and Grounds.
Visiting newly painted Argyle 'L' station platform are (from left) General Operations
Manager Harold H. Geissenheimer; CTA Board Members John Hoellen and Michael
Brady; Charlie Soo, director, Asian American Small Businessmen's Association; Howard
Shiroma, president, Argyle Business International Association, and Len Wiksten, direc-
tor, Plant Maintenance.
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
NEW PENSIONERS
LEONARD J. HARDER, Box Puller,
North Avenue, Emp. 6-23-44
ERLING J. JOHNSON, Ticket Agent,
West Section, Emp. 7-30-55
WILLIAM A. LAVIN, Detective,
Security, Emp. 8-29-77
TERRENCE W. McMAHON, Supervisor,
77th Street, Emp. 11-25-42
DISABILITY RETIREMENTS
EDWARD P. FLAHERTY, Escalator Ser-
viceman, West Shops, Emp. 1-7-63
CLEO JONES, Rail Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 1-27-70
PAUL C. JONES, Bus Repairer,
52nd Street, Emp. 12-27-68
CARL L. McCORMACK, Janitor,
Maintenance, Emp. 7-9-73
EMMA J. RICHARDSON, Ticket Agent,
Central Assignment, Emp. 3-4-67
Service
anniversaries
in December
40 years
Leroy W. Kutchins Marvin B. Hildbold
Electrical Rail North
35 years
Richard H. Bushbaum, Electrical
Gordon J. Maly, TABEC
Earl F. Rodgers, Forest Glen
30 years
Wellington H. Henderson, 77th Street
Delso Smith, 69th Street
Andrew Thornton Jr., 77th Street
insr i^E3S/a:oR.i.A.is/fl:
GEORGE R. ALLAN, 76, 69th Street,
Emp. 4-6-42, Died 10-10-81
AGATHA E. BARNSLEY, 87, Purchasing,
Emp. 5-4-42, Died 10-9-81
IRVING E. BEHLING, 77, Archer,
Emp. 2-20-36, Died 10-4-81
ALBERT BENBOW, 88, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-17-26, Died 10-20-81
GEORGE BINGHAM, 80, Forest Glen,
Emp. 5-3-26, Died 9-15-81
THOMAS BURIAK, 84, 77th Street,
Emp. 3-17-45, Died 10-16-81
EDWARD W. CARLSON, 86, Limits,
Emp. 2-2-28, Died 10-28-81
TIMOTHY M. CRATEN, 87, North Section,
Emp. 9-20-22, Died 10-21-81
DONALD J. CURTIN, 63, Claim,
Emp. 5-1-40, Died 10-21-81
MICHAEL DRNASO, 83, Track,
Emp. 2-9-24, Died 10-2-81
JOSEPH J. DVORAK, 66, South Section,
Emp. 7-25-39, Died 10-5-81
WILLIAM GUSTILOV, 78, Kedzie,
Emp. 8-3-45, Died 10-7-81
GEORGE E. HALGREN, 82, Forest Glen,
Emp. 10-8-29, Died 10-16-81
EDWARD J. HEATTER, 64, Transportation,
Emp. 11-30-45, Died 10-17-81
RICHARD J. HENDRICKX, 72, Trans-
portation, Emp. 2-5-29, Died 10-5-81
JOSEPH E. HENNING, 79, North Avenue,
Emp. 6-30-25, Died 10-17-81
FRANK C. HOLZGETHAN, 84, 61st Street,
Emp. 10-7-15, Died 10-4-81
ARTHUR A. JAHNS, 79, Transportation,
Emp. 2-21-27, Died 10-27-81
ALBERT J. JORDT, 81, Forest Glen,
Emp. 2-17-23, Died 10-9-81
GEORGE JURKOVIC, 86, Way & Struct.,
Emp. 11-9-23, Died 10-24-81
THOMAS P. KAMINSKI, 72, Archer,
Emp. 2-24-43, Died 10-11-81
FRANK KELLER, 86, West Shops,
Emp. 9-17-20, Died 10-25-81
MARY A. KEYES, 96, North Section,
Emp. 7-10-35, Died 9-25-81
ANDREW G. KOHLER, 74, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-29-40, Died 10-20-81
IRVIN KRAULEDIS, 60, South Shops,
Emp. 12-3-43, Died 10-7-81
GUSTAVE J. KUTA, 74, Forest Glen,
Emp. 5-10-44, Died 10-20-81
ERIC W. LARSON, 71, Support Services
Emp. 1-22-36, Died 10-6-81
JOHN A. McWILLIAMS, 73, Forest Glen,
Emp. 9-25-47, Died 9-19-81
WILLIAM F. MINCEY, 57, Human Resrcs.,
Emp. 8-21-51, Died 10-2-81
MICHAEL J. MORIARTY, 91, Transpor-
tation, Emp. 2-3-20, Died 10-28-81
WALTER C. NORVILAS, 66, Adm. Serv.,
Emp. 7-30-47, Died 10-29-81
JAMES O'NEILL, 74, Skokle Shop
Emp. 6-7-46, Died 10-15-81
HENRY F. PASS, 76, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-12-25, Died 10-17-81
ALFRED RAHN, 71, Forest Glen,
Emp. 11-21-42, Died 10-6-81
WALTER J. RAPACZ, 65, Forest Glen,
Emp. 9-21-43, Died 10-6-81
PRUDENTIA B. REILLY, 82, West Section,
Emp. 5-12-37, Died 10-25-81
WALTER G. ROBERTS, 87, Transportation
Emp. 1-8-20, Died 10-12-81
PAUL R. SEELENBINDER, 85, West
Section, Emp. 8-15-22, Died 10-24-81
EUGENE R. SMITH, 57, Plant Malnt.,
Emp. 4-18-46, Died 10-9-81
THOMAS J. SMITH, 81, 77th Street,
Emp. 10-10-23, Died 10-29-81
STEPHEN SOVISS, 70, North Avenue,
Emp. 11-8-56, Died 8-29-81
PETER P. TROJAN, 74, North Avenue,
Emp. 11-4-43, Died 10-20-81
ERWIN K. WEICHMANN, 64, Skokle Shop,
Emp. 8-11-47, Died 10-9-81
25 years
Millye L. Beatty, South Section
Frank A. Coronado, North Avenue
Christine F. Evans, South Section
James E. Fitchpatrick, Lawndale
Charles N. Harper, South Shops
Curtis Jackson Jr., North Avenue
Richard T. Liace, Maintenance
John B. McGarry, Law
Redus Moore, Maintenance
Clarence Reese Jr., 69th Street
Marjorie L. Seward, West Section
Foyce S. Whitney, 77fh Street
CTA TRANSIT NEWS
Volume 34
Number 12
Published for employees and retirees of
the CTA by the External Affairs Division,
Michael N. Horowitz, Manager.
Editorial and graphics by the Public
Affairs Department, Bill Baxa, Manager.
Director of Publications: Jack Sowchin
Production Assistant: Editorial Assistant:
Mel Alexander Rick Willis
Contributing Writers: Elda Leal,
Jeff Stern, Don Yabush
Typesetting and printing provided by the
Management Services Department.
Distributed free of charge to all active and
retired CTA employees. Annual subscrip-
tion price to others, $2. CTA TRANSIT
NEWS, Room 734. Merchandise Mart
Plaza, P.O. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois
60654.
DECEMBER, 1981
Cashier's office relocated
Transit riders found the service windows of the new CTA
Cashier's office in the Merchandise Mart more convenient when
the office was relocated last month. The facility was moved from
room 7-160 to a more spacious room 726 near the building's
center elevators. Daniel Perk, manager, CTA Treasury depart
ment, said the office will be easier to find for patrons coming tc
the Merchandise Mart to purchase tokens or monthly passes. The
new office also has a special window to accommodate
wheelchair-bound people. The Treasury department was aisc
relocated from room 7-158 to room 722.
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
P. 0. Box 3555, Chicago, Illinois 60654
BULK RATE
Paid
U. S. POSTAGE
PERMIT NO. 8021
CHICAGO. ILL.
TRANSPORTATION CTR. LIBRMY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
1810 HINMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, IL 60201
_/
Heckman
BINDERY. INC.
Bound-To-Pleasc*
APRIL 01
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
5556
030
71541