Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
LEGAL TO GO TOPLESS AT TRIMET
As the mercury rises, it's not unusual to see some guy tear his shirt off on public transit. Kimberly Conway wonders about TriMet's lack of a no shirt, no shoes, no service policy. "Not that I want to," Conway writes, "but I was just curious: Does this apply to women too?"
A: TriMet doesn't discriminate. Women and men have equal rights to go topless. There's no policy against it. Of course, another rider could call transit police. But there's also nothing in state and city laws that says baring it all above the waste warrants a public indecency ticket.
Wall Street Reaps “Outsized Profits” from Deals with Fed
In economic news, the Financial Times reports Wall Street banks are reaping outsized profits by trading with the Federal Reserve and taking advantage of the Fed’s transparency. The Fed has emerged as one of Wall Street’s biggest customers during the financial crisis, buying massive amounts of securities to help stabilize the markets. However, the Fed is not a typical market player. In the interests of transparency, it often announces its intention to buy particular securities in advance. A former Fed official said this strategy enables banks to sell these securities to the Fed at an inflated price. The resulting profits represent a relatively hidden form of support for banks. A former official of the Treasury Department and the Fed said the situation had reached the point that, quote, “everyone games them. Their transparency hurts them. Everyone picks their pocket.”
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
NOW IF THEY HAD JUST STUCK TO BUSES IN THE FIRST PLACE
Red Line MAX service west of the Washington Park MAX station has been disrupted due to mechanical problems. Shuttle buses are transporting riders between Washington Park and Sunset Transit Center while crews work to move the stuck train. Blue Line trains traveling east and west are getting through the tunnel and able to go around the stuck train. Red Line trains are turning back at SW 11th Avenue downtown to avoid congestion near the tunnel. It is unknown how long the disruption will be. There may be delays on all westside trains during the disruption.
THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION
(interesting how these goals are listed)
1-Continue to build the total transit system
2- Maximize the use of existing resources and make capital investments that enhance efficiency and prevent future problems
3- Increase ridership
4- Focus on service quality
5- Demonstrate environmental leadership
6- Integrate transportation and land-use goals
7-Increase agency diversity by attracting, training and retaining employees who reflect our community
8- Maintain strong fiscal controls
9-Respond to customer needs
STEVE BANTA
I want to thank everyone in Operations for their hard work this week in the extreme weather. Many of you worked in locations where the heat was inescapable: monitoring the system in the field, repairing equipment, keeping our facilities running, operating vehicles and assisting customers.
While temperatures reached record highs outside, many don’t realize that sitting in the operator’s seat, reaching under a hood, and walking in the ballast places employees in even higher temperatures.
Most employees in Operations do not have the benefit of working in an office where they can escape from the heat. Many thanks to you all for continuing to come to work, for your patience with your customers, and for handling the heat with professionalism.
BRING WATER
Red Line MAX service on the westside is being restored after a train with mechanical problems was taken off the track. The disruption is causing significant delays to Blue and Red Line service on the westside. Delays may continue for several hours as trains get back on schedule.
WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS DO OUR CONGRESSMAN GET?
Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation.
Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS.
As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.
Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.
The amount of a congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.
According to the Congressional Research Service, 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service as of Oct. 1, 2006. Of this number, 290 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972. A total of 123 Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service under FERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.
Study: 63% of Seafood Species Depleted
In environmental news, a new study says 63 percent of the world’s seafood stock are below their target levels. The study, published in the journal Science, says rampant overfishing has spread from “rivers to coastal areas to the (Continental) shelf to the deep sea.”
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Letters: Suffering, sarcasm in response to rising temps
Posted by Readers , July 29, 2009 8:00PM
Categories: Letters to the Editor
Print publication: Thursday, July 30, 2009
I am horrified to learn that TriMet is sending drivers out in buses without air conditioning on days when the outside temperature is in the neighborhood of 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
I am horrified to learn that TriMet is sending drivers out in buses without air conditioning on days when the outside temperature is in the neighborhood of 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
We all know the warnings against leaving our children or pets in such virtual cookers. And if there was any doubt, Wednesday's Oregonian provides a recipe for baking cookies on the dashboard when the outside temperature is "at least 95 degrees."
Yes, the air is moving -- somewhat -- in the buses. Yes, the passengers without underlying health conditions might not be at significant risk during a 20-minute ride.
But nothing justifies requiring workers to pull a four- or eight- or 10-hour shifts in these murderous conditions.
TriMet, please rethink this policy immediately. Please do not put these valued citizens' lives at risk for one more day or one more hour.
KATHERINE DREYFUS
Southeast Portland
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Study Shows Danger of Texting While Driving
A new study warns of the dangers of texting and driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truckers who were sending text messages on their phones were twenty-three times more likely to be involved in a collision than when they weren’t texting. Despite the danger, texting while driving is still legal in thirty-six states.
Monday, July 27, 2009
SERVICE ALERT? [expect delays where, max?]
Expect delays after 5 p.m. August 2-15th due to Washington Park concert congestion.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
THINGS ARE SLOWING DOWN!
Due to high temperatures, MAX trains are operating at slower speeds. Expect minor delays of 3-5 minutes.
TOO BAD, CAN'T GO ROUND, YOU GET TO LEAVE WHEN WE DECIDE
Police action at E 181st Ave MAX station causing buses to serve stations between 181st and Cleveland Station. Expect some delays.
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