Keith Parker
Carolina Area Transit System
By Jill Santuccio
      
Keith Parker, who started at the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), then stepped in as a deputy city manager for three years, is back at CATS as the CEO. He shared overall successes with the new Lynx Blue Line, forecasted what was next in commuter and light rail and gave insight to the line's first disaster when a silo fell on the tracks in April.
 
CATS employs 1200 people and operates under a $131 million budget and Parker himself rides public transportation at least three times a week.
 
"Our single biggest success with the light rail line has been reliability," he said. "And that's what keeps people coming back again and again."
 
In February, the Lynx Blue Line experienced the highest ridership ever with two million trips. There are more than 13,000 trips on an average weekday, which exceeds expectations by 45 percent. The honor system of riders purchasing tickets is working well, with less than two percent "slippage" on any given day.
 
Future transportation expansions include extending the Blue Line northeast into the University City area, including a  stop on the UNC-Charlotte campus. A streetcar, which will lower reliance on petroleum, is slated to serve cross-town riders from Eastland Mall to the Rosa Parks Transit Center on the west side.
 
The Purple Line of commuter rail from Charlotte to Mooresville is next on tap. It could be completed in as little as 18 months, but interlocal agreements between six counties, towns and other government entities will take time to be reached first.
 
Parker went over the April 18 silo collapse step-by-step. From the time the incident occurred at 3:48 p.m. when 75-100 tons of debris fell on the tracks, bending one of them two and a half feet out of alignment, it took just seven hours to re-start service. As the debris was removed and the rail lines were straightened, passengers were served using a bus bridge from station to station.
 
He credited the swift response and restoration of service to two emergency drills that CATS, police, fire and other agencies had participated in prior to the silo collapse. Overall, he said, all of the projections, ridership and reliability targets have been met or exceeded and that the community should consider the first year of light rail service a success.
    
Head Table: Jon Hannan, Mike Plummer, David Zimmerman, Edwin Peacock, Jerry Sennett, Richard Dean;
Invocation: Janice Stevens;
Visitors & Guests: Bill Anderson

• HOST DINNER days have been corrected on the website. Please note the Zimmerman's dinner on 5/18 is a SUNDAY; the Tabor's dinner on 6/27 is a FRIDAY. Sorry for the confusion.
    
• ROSTER PHOTOS will be taken 5/13 and 5/20. David Norman will be set up in the State room an hour before and hour after Rotary for the next two weeks. The price is $10. If your photo has not been updated in the last two years, please take advantage of this offer. If you are a new member and need a photo, this is the way to go.
   
• COMMITTEE REQUESTS are due in the Rotary office by May 19. If you have questions on a particular committee function, please check with the committee chair or the Rotary office.
   
• Shay Merritt has added volunteer recruitment and management to her responsibilities at Second Harvest Food Bank; Pam Syfert has been awarded the 2008 Wachovia Lifetime Achievement award for this year's Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Awards; Jan ,Julie, and Don Haack were handsomely photographed at the American Cancer Society's Swordsman's Ball. Don has also been re-elected as board chairman and president of Foreign Trade Zone 57; Terri DeBoo and her 70-charm bracelet were in last week's Observer.
   
• Classroom Central was mentioned in The Rotary Foundation Donor Advised Fund quarterly highlights. Jim and Ruth Ann Calder (Charlotte East club) were featured on the cover article and told of the ease of supporting charitable causes through their Donor Advised Fund account. There is also a nice color photo of Karen Calder browsing through the school supplies with the big ole Welcome to Classroom Central banner in the background. Charlotte Rotary also operates a Donor Advised Fund through The Rotary Foundation. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send a check (payable to The Rotary Foundation DAF) to the Rotary office. Mike Hawley is chair of this committee if you have specific questions. And Lynn Johnson coordinates volunteers at Classroom Central if you are interested in joining this lively group.
       
• ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC is on deck! Alan Adler kicked off the annual event scheduled for October 7, 2008 at Cedarwood Country Club. Representatives from Police, Fire, Sheriff, and Medic were on hand to lend support and Jen Snyder, Hood-Hargett Breakfast Club, presented a donation of $25,000 from their recent fundraiser. The tournament, which has provided funding for 30 four-year scholarships, has brought in just over $300,000 since its inception 5 years ago. About 30% of the club members participated in last year's event by playing golf, bringing in sponsorships, finding auction or goody bag items, or attending the wine tasting/awards celebration that follows the tournament. Alan would like to see this participation rate increase. Rodney Monroe, NC State's all-time leading scorer will be the guest celebrity for the Closest to the Pin contest. Sign up sheets can be found on the website - charlotterotary.org. Early bird specials (paid with check or credit card) are available through May 31st. President David thanked Alan for his leadership in the tournament. You will learn more about the Rotary Ransom auction/opportunity in the coming weeks.