April 2005

     Marge Cole has been director for CATC (Casper Area Transportation Coalition) since it started on March 1, 1979. She was director of Project Mobility for two years before that. As with many directors, Marge wears many hats. There are times the passengers will hear her voice as the dispatcher taking their rides for the next day, or she may even be the driver that picks them up. She is on many transportation committees. One of her goals is to make transportation available to people in every walk of life.
     For the past several months, Marge has been working 12-14 hour-days, seven days a week, to get the new fixed-route service up and running by April 18, 2005. The new CATC fixed route system called “The Bus” will have four routes and make 65 stops. Each of the routes will originate in downtown Casper. Three buses will run hourly to outlying areas and a bus from downtown to the Eastridge Mall will run every half hour. The new fixed-route service will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. CATC will still provide its dial-a-ride service, which operates seven days a week.
     Marge attends many workshops for the drug and alcohol program, keeping the state of Wyoming up to date with information. She never ever says “no” to anyone needing information regarding the management of transit systems. She is willing to give everyone information at the drop of a hat, no matter how many hours it has taken CATC to research and put together any and all programs.
     CATC has 35 employees and 14 buses. Four buses will be used on the new fixed-route. To give Marge her full due would take a book. We love her and thank her for all she has done for the transit program in Wyoming.

     I would like to nominate LaVonne Rossow for Transit Administrator of the Year. LaVonne started out as a driver for Campbell County Senior Center. Due to an unexpected job opening, she was thrown into the transportation supervisor position. She has gone the extra miles for her girls. She has been known to come in before the crack of dawn to put chains on the vans, as well as warm up the vehicles and have them ready to go.
     LaVonne has done a fantastic job learning all the required computer programs that keep her department running. She is willing to jump right in to help get the job done. She goes out of her way to make the transportation department a success. Since she has been head of transportation, the numbers have increased dramatically. I cannot say enough good things about LaVonne. She is phenomenal at her job and I feel she deserves this recognition.