Bailout a Blow to OCTA Bus Drivers

* I find it ironic that amid the self-congratulatory hurrahs offered by various Orange County politicians winning the first round of the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Orange County’s bailout (Sept. 19), no mention is made of the real victims in this sad farce--the bus drivers of the Orange County Transportation Agency and the county’s Parks and Recreation Department employees.

As an OCTA driver of over 21 years’ standing, I have watched my take-home pay decrease by around $250 monthly due to pay cuts, contract concessions and a substantial increase in medical co-payments.

All were a result of the county convincing state legislators to steal $38 million for 15 years from OCTA’s operational budget.

It is as though by my own mismanagement, I go broke and through some buddies in the Legislature have my neighbor’s paycheck credited to my account.

Although my $250 is probably just an afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton for Orange County Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier, it has become a budget buster to hard-working OCTA drivers.

At least it’s nice to know that without the slightest shame or guilt the county used its first $38-million installment to give all their employees a raise. God help the working man in never-changing Orange County!

DAN BAILES

La Habra