Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 March 1994 — Page 3

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By CONNIE

GAINES HAYES

Opinions Fast food restaurants slowly losing appeal to many customers

Monday 9:30 a.m., I am one of many individuals waiting in my car in the street trying to get in the drive-thru of the nearest fast food restaurant before coming into the office to begin my busy workday. Monday 1 p.m., I am one of many individuals waiting in my car in the street trying to get in the drive-thru of the nearest fast food restaurant to get a bit of nourishment to continue my

busy workday.

Monday 6 p.m. again, I am one of many individuals waiting in my car in the street trying to get in the drive-thru of the nearest fast food restaurant in order to buy dinner for my daughter and I (So I won’t have to cook.)

Sound familiar?

Anyone who has patronized a fast food establishment can relate to the above scenarios. Not that I am a fast food junkie, okay maybe so, but often times I blame my work schedule, for the frequent stops at the many fast food facilities around the city, as reasons for not cooking. Understand, I don’t mind waiting like anyone else, but 20 minutes or longer, is absurd. Not to exaggerate, this is factual. I actually time my visits. To add insult to injury, it’s always wise to check your sack of goodies before leaving the drive-thru. Nothing is more irritating than having your mouth water, only to find that particular item not in your bag, after you have paid for it as well. Wasn’t drive-thru’s designed to get customers in and out in a reasonable length of time? Yes, its called convenience, in order to keep down the flow of a restaurants incoming traffic. Let’s face it, parking the car and going in to place your order, may be the fastest route if you are hungry and in a hurry. On the other hand maybe not. It’s a chance I’ve taken and have lost. Personally, I do not see the situation improving, quite the contrary. For months now I have held my peace, only driving away from the window in a huff. Slowly but surely, I see the writing on the wall. There is no such thing as fast food service. Apparently many individuals share my sentiments. In line for 15 minutes the other day, the guy in front of me decided enough was enough and proceeded to back up, mind you, forcing me to back up as well. Like a domino effect, those behind me

followed suit.

It this what waiting for fast food has come to? Yes

it has.

Nevertheless, I especially feel sorry for those individuals with a 30 minute lunch break, who spend it on the road devouring food while trying to get back to the office. Thank God for a flexible lunch hour! The question is why such a long delay. Restaurants should know there is going to be a rush during certain hours, why not hire the staff to accommodate

them?

Fast food should be just that, fast. Oh well, for what its worth, I am convinced there is no such thing as fast food.

WRITING TO THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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The Indianapolis Recorder P.0. Box 18499 Indianapolis, Ind. 46218-0499

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Effective leaders must have vision, purpose

Leadership means a lot of things to different people. Some feel individuals are bom leaders, while others feel that leadership is developed by emulating and observing people in power. Some may be prepared for leadership or thrust into the position by virtue of their status in life. Whatever the case, there are qualities that are attributed to a competent and effective leader. There are several essential traits people or organizations must possess in order to have effective leadership. Effective leadership is likely to occur where there is a vision and purpose. The Bible states “whefe there is no vision, the people shall parish.” It is the Leader’s responsibility to chart out a path for the organization or institution from the beginning. Additionally, leaders must have the courage to take risks and to think big. I do not mean that one should act without using sound judgement, however that person should be able to dream and envision his plan becoming a reality. Stephen R. Covey, the author of “The Seven habits of Highly Effective People” uses the application of “begin with the end in mind.” It’sbased on the principle that all things are created twice. There is a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things. Covey uses a good

example in the construction of a home. First, you create it in every detail before you hammer the first nail into place. You work with your mind until you get a clear image of what you want to build. You plan sliding doors and a patio for children to play outside. Then reduce it to a blueprint. All of this is done before the earth is touched. If not, then in the second creation, the physical creation, you will have to make expensive changes which may

double the cost of your home. Secondly, effective leadership occurs when there is a realistic set of goals and an enabling environment. Many times companies place unrealistic goals on their people which create pressure. Therefore, that person might use unethical means to achieve the desired results. Basically, people must be empowered to make decisions and they must feel that they are a part of the organization.

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Effective leadership is likely to occur when there is a sense of honesty and integrity. No organization, institution or community can thrive without a moral foundation in its leadership. There are many examples in history of people, institutions and cities that have fallen as a result of corruption and a lack of values. However, it is very tough in today’s environment to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Finally, there must be a strong sense of urgency. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified this particular trait. He realized if justice was to prevail something has to be done now and not later. In the best seller titled “In Search of Excellence” by Thomas Peters and Robert Waterman, B. F. Skinner’s theory of positive reenforcement is cited as a means for motivation. People need to know/that they are not only team members but contributing players in the scheme of things. They must feel a sense of belonging and an attachment to that particular entity. Establishments must create this kind of environment within its

confines.

Robert E. Bedford Director Multicultural Student Affairs IUPU1

Metro needs better routs and schedules

How soon we forget. I see that no one has mentioned the $10 million donation that Metro gave to the Canql Project. How many people use the canal to go to work? Then there’s that little matter of Metro didn’t need it. Then there is the matter of Metro spending more than $400,000 in surveys over the last three years. Regardless of whose money it was or where it came from, it was deducted from transportation funding. I believe this is what prompted the mayor to say what he did. The first of two surveys was presented to Metro in a seven phase segment, which had suggestions of impossible routing. This meeting was devastating to leadership. The much patronized Devington route, could hold its own with any of Metros’ schedules. This bus served the heart of the Black community, which runs Central from 34th Street to downtown. The second was a slap in the face. Changing the “ML King Route” and deleting the name ML King. Most cities you visit have a service with this name. The “Riverside” route was used in its place, which now runs along ML King. The only connection it makes is at 29th and Riverside inbound. Then they name the replacement schedule N. Harding. This survey was done by people out of town who knew nothing about the city or didn’t care about its riders. It is now in File 13, otherwise known as the trash can. And now here we are with this survey. The meeting held in Febmary proved the qualifications of these people. They had one person who had never ridden a bus, one who had no connection with Metro. I don’t even know why he was there. If you ask me, the leaders of Metro just threw these people to the wolves. Lets look at the bottom line. Privitalization is not subsidized. A private carrier can bring his equipment into the city and if things don’t work out he can leave anytime. How many people that own limo’s or cabs are going to let you ride for .75 cents. And even if they did, how many can they carry at one time. The only reason that Mayor Goldsmith wants this is to get the monkey off his back like he has done to so many other times. He has put half the city out of work, and is now trying to fix it so the other half can’t get work. One of the many reasons why this system is not working is because the Mayor and the IPTC Board has chosen to go to Michigan to choose leadership. Certainly there are people within the city that could do the job effectively. Within the past 10 years Metro had four different individuals in charge of scheduling. Each running about a three year span. Now, if you are not from this city then you aren’t

going to be able to come in and schedule buses where they should be. It would take at least a year or two right.Then the third year when things are beginning to click they make a change. Surely there are well qualified city residents at Metro that could handle this and care about the riders. I hope that this is printed so that it may open the eyes of all those concerned. Metro needs the backing

of its patrons as well as political help. I don’t think consideration was given to the many sporting, convention and different events that come to town, of which participants involved rely on public transportation as opposed to private enterprise. The answer lies in smaller coaches, betterrouting and schedules and better fares that is acceptable to all. Gas prices have dropped and

parking rates have dropped. Metro needs to devise a no frills fare, better Saturday routes and owl service. For example service from Washington Square to service on “Route No. 37” would be a plus. People have to pay anywhere from $18 to $22 to get to work. L. Manson 8515 Montery Road

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