ARTBA Vs. MTA Treatment of Consumers

         About a month ago my friend and I who are both retired went to the Castleton bus terminal union office in Staten Island. Prior to my friends sons' death at the age of forty, this was the office/terminal he worked out of. Due to the death of her son and husband two days before her son died, her world spiraled out of financial control . She had not even had a chance to grieve.
    This trip to Staten Island from Brooklyn was to start that process almost three years later. I wrote a book which from the sales am donating two dollars to St. Judes and AML Leukemia which is what her son died from..
          We arrived during the midst of lunch time feeling we would catch someone to speak with. Her sons' picture is supposed to be in a hall on the second floor and she also wanted to see it. Here we stood in the hot August sun waiting, and waiting. At teh start there were three men standing outside smoking. The taller of the drivers' asked if he could help us. As I started to talk he suddenly turned his back and spoke to another guy. A second driver then asked what we wanted or needed. My friend Sandy explained as did I, mentioned her son Kevin griffin and this driver said he remembered him. He went on and said I'll get the union rep.
       Not only did the union Rep not show, but neither did the driver who said he'd get the rep, not even a decent courteous response to say, we're not interested, or he doesn't have time-or even a lie, like he isn't here !
        But we continued to wait and I look over and see a few tears from Sandy as she's tell me, I used to drop him off every day, even when he was so sick.  Now this is how we're treated! After twenty-two minutes a driver with black hair, a goatee stopped and in a kind manner asked if we needed help. Again we explained. Again we were told, I'll get him down.  AGAIN, NOT ONE  RESPONSE! Where is the decency ? This wasn't just about selling a book. This was a human kindness for a woman who lost her son and wanted a little bit of time. She also wanted the book to sell so in Kevin Griffins memory, donations would be made. Just in case you think that I would take this on any taxes-I don't as the donations don't come from me, they come from people who buy the book.

     Sandy and I drove home in her quiet rusty old car. Over and over she said, I can't believe this, I can't believe how they treated us, me! ( Meaning Sandy )  I felt helpless as a friend watching as she held the book close and tears slipping past her face when we stood on the ramp to the Bus terminal/ union office.
    Well after I returned home with Sandy to a home she was invited to live in after all of her losses, I left to come back to my home in Pennsylvania. See, sandy and I grew up in Brooklyn together which is why and how so much in the book has connections to Brooklyn, the people, men and women who work on ROAD CREWS and the human side of them.
      Recently I contacted ARTBA- and you won't believe this. They returned my e mails with a wonderful response. Kevin Griffn would be so proud of this group as a driver who drove so ften over roads that were built and repaired which is what ARTBA is all about. ARBTA acn teach a lesson in decency & respect to the MTA on Castleton in Staten Island NY. Thank you ARTBA Should anyone want to purchase a book, please send 13.99 to me at Doozybags through PAy PAl plus 1.25 for S&H

That Globe

That Globe

There was a man who owned a globe

Round and blue and pretty

It sat so visible on his desk

As he handled it like Walter Mitty

 

Memories of around the world

And dreams that come and go

Of traveling all about the globe

Seeing places a globe would show

 

I heard the music and language imagined

As he nimbly handled the blue

Prints of states and countries there

Dancing and costumes too

 

 A Vast amount of water

Filled spaces on the globe

Around the world oceans deep

Lands of weathers’ warm and cold

 

So now I can only sit

And think about That Globe

The one we know should be mine

After all-I’m getting old .

 

 

 

South Western Reg. Police York County Pa.

     Today I brought a young boy, just a new teen over to meet some officers of this fine police department. I already knew just how good they were, and I knew how well they did and do their job as I have had them to my home many times over the last twelve or more years.
     I made this appointment ahead of time and Sergeant J. Stalcup returned a message with  what basically meant, happy to help. Many kids who I work with have an attitude that the police are there just to bother them, and that's usually because the kids bring it on themselves. Never have I known an officer to just harass a kid. It's more like to help a kid, especially children with preconceived notions.
     Through all walks of their lives children meet the police in sad situations and it easier to blame the unfortunate officer coming into that situation rather than those who cause it.
                                        *********************
     This visit today, Sergeant Stalcup invited my little teen into a small room, and if I wanted to I was allowed to go in but I decided this kiddo needed to see, learn and listen first hand what areal man is like, what a police officer is like, man or woman. Officer Stalcup, after speaking with this child, returned to where I was, just outside the little room and gave us a tour. This kid had a dozen questions out of his mouth before the officer could say hello, yet patience on the officers part was obvious to me as an adult and as a parent, but also as someone who works with children, mainly boys.
        Sergeant Stalcup  during this tour introduced us to two other officers, one whom I again forgot her name (sorry) and the other officer, Officer Harrison who I also knew from coming to my home.  I remember his stance, his kindnesses and his way that silently said, it's okay, I'm here now. There is also a look of compassion. This was definitely a trip down memory lane. While this was my first tour, this was not my first time at South, Western Regional Police Dept. Yes, kids. However anytime any officer came in contact with any child I worked with, that officer, those officers came with respect, patience kindness and experience. Within that they brought character and integrity.
          This tour with Sergeant Stalcup was more than a tour, it was an invitation to the future for a child who previously may have thought he would never want to be a cop, an officer of the law as his very, very young memories which I cant go into are very different than many.  Stalcup spoke to him like a mentor, a friend, an authority figure and teacher. He did indeed teach this little guy a lot today. He taught and showed him the workings of what it takes to keep a community safe. He made eye contact, shook hands, and made him feel he counted. After all isn't that what most of us need?
      At the end, after a  feeling of a puffed up chest by making the car siren go off, turning on the lights, using the loudspeaker and more questions and answers, we headed on our way. In the car I asked this child if he thought differently now of the police. He said, oh I told him I never blamed them-sure. But with more in depth conversation I asked him if he honestly felt like he saw another side of the police officer at work as he was used to. Well he grinned a little and talked about all he saw, but more important all that he heard and he said, yeah, I really like that.
     So to the South Western Regional Police department, I thank you for opening your doors and hearts, giving in ways that many don't know about, all of the time and times your officers take at my home to talk to kids. As sad as that is in a way, I am thankful it's you at SWRPD who do come to my home when needed. Each time you leave, every single child has said the very same thing, Hey that cop was pretty cool! Ya know what Stalcup, Harrison, Greene, Matthews,  and on and on, you are all kool !
    Thanks,
    Nancy