Sims honors 40-year veteran as 1999 Operator of the Year; proclaims Terry Christoe Day
King County Executive Ron Sims today joined Metro in honoring Terry Christoe, the 1999 Operator of the Year. In honor of Christoes 40 years of exemplary service to the local transit system and the community, Sims proclaimed Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, Terry Christoe Day.
Terrys strong commitment to our transit system is extraordinary, said Sims. He approaches his job with a friendly smile and a positive and energetic attitude. I commend him for the level of service that he provides to his passengers each day.
Terry Christoes driving career has outlasted two of the agencies hes worked for. Christoe began driving 40 years ago for Seattle Transit, which in the 1970s became part of the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, which in the 1990s became part of King County. Through it all, Christoe has maintained his reputation as one of the transit system's friendliest drivers.
Hes always cheerful and optimistic, always has a smile on his face says Marilyn Davis, Christoes chief at Metros South Operating Base. Hes one of those guys that people just like to be around.
Christoe has been named operator of the month three times in his career, in 1984, 1991 and 1999. In addition to his driving duties, he serves on Metros Accident Review Board. Other operators come to Christoe for tips and advice about bus driving. Hes well qualified to help out, having achieved a 35-year safe driving award.
He has great driving skills and great people skills. I dont know what more you could ask for in a bus driver, Davis says.
Christoe currently drives Route 181 between Federal Way and Auburn.
Christoe and his wife June have been married for 43 years. The West Seattle residents have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
The Operator of the Year is chosen by his peers; the operators of the month who were selected during the previous year. To be eligible for Operator of the Year, a driver must have had no preventable accidents in the previous 12 months, no customer complaints or adverse reports from supervisors in the previous six months and no unexcused absences in the previous three months. Full-time drivers are eligible after one year, and part-time drivers are eligible after 2,088 hours of service.
The Operator of the Year receives his own parking space at the base, the use of the bus of his choice, his picture displayed on all buses in the system, and other special privileges.
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Terry Christoe has been chosen as King County Metro's 1999 Operator of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Terry was selected by a group of his peers and qualified by having a clean driving record, no customer complaints or adverse reports from superiors over the past year; and
WHEREAS, for forty years he has maintained a strong commitment to the public transit system and reminds us of the importance of this service in the lives of our residents; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career Terry has received multiple awards which include being named operator of the month three times for his excellent driving record and customer service; and
WHEREAS, he has also earned the reputation of being one of the transit system's friendliest drivers by always offering a bright smile and warm hello to his passengers; and
WHEREAS, with a 35-year safe driving record and a positive, energetic approach to his work, it is no surprise that other operators frequently ask Terry for tips and advice about bus driving;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron Sims, King County Executive, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, February, 16, 2000, to be
TERRY CRISTOE DAY
in King County. I encourage all residents to join me in honoring Terry Cristoe for being named 1999 Metro Operator of the Year and for his 40-years of exemplary service to our transit system and community. |
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