Ken Hamm, New Director of Transportation, City of Fresno

Bruce Rudd, Assistant City Manager, City of Fresno

Email for Bruce Rudd

Andy Souza, City Manager, City of Fresno

Email for Andy Souza

Press Release November 9, 2006

NEW January 21, 2007 NEW

Major Accident, Hamm Nowhere in sight

On the night of January 4th 2007 about 7:30pm there was a major accident involving a FAX transit bus.  ATU representatives were on the scene within an hour.  Director of Transportation, Ken Hamm was nowhere in sight.  According to one high ranking City of Fresno Official, Hamm could not be reached on his City provided cell phone.

Hamm Hits the Ground Running..... Straight To Vacation

Less than 2 months on the job, Ken Hamm already takes a week vacation.   During the week of December 25th 2006, City of Fresno Transportation Director Ken Hamm was on vacation while his employees at the Transit Department were diligently at work.  That vacation leave must add up quick......  Must be nice.

Hamm suspended for two weeks

ATU has discovered additional information about Ken Hamm.  According to an article published in The Wenatchee World,  Thursday February 23, 1995...."LINK Manager disciplined:  Hamm suspended for sending memos on bus sales-tax vote."  The discipline?  Two weeks suspension without pay.  You have got to be kidding us.???  A chief executive suspended for 2 weeks without pay.   It appears to be yet another personnel rule violated by Mr. Hamm reported in a reputable newspaper.  Hey City of Fresno, can we do something about this before the wheels fall off the bus?

After an investigation by ATU 1027 Fresno, we discovered interesting items regarding the new City of Fresno Director of Transportation Ken Hamm.  Items that the City of Fresno's assistant City Manager Bruce Rudd claims not to have known before hiring him.  Mr. Hamm is the former General Manager of Lane Transit District in Eugene Oregon.  Some of his current and former employees have had some rather pointed things to say about Hamm and his qualifications.

http://mirrorimageorigin.collegepublisher.com/media/paper859/stills/41e791af39f54-94-1.jpg

"Pepper the Greed Fighting Possum" was a mascot adopted by ATU Local 757, in Oregon after a strike started at Lane Transit District in 2005.    Photo Credit:  Danielle Hickey | Photo editor The Daily Emerald

Here are links to interesting articles from The Oregon Daily Emerald, Eugene Weekly, The Register-Guard and other sources in the Central Oregon Area.
NEW!!!  Article from The Wanatchee World NEW!!! February 23, 1995-Link manager disciplined:  Hamm suspended for sending memos on bus sales-tax vote.

Article from The Oregon Daily Emerald July 18, 2000-Petitioner wins approval to gather names at bus stops.

The Joe Hill Project-Blog written by LTD insider.

Article The Oregon Daily Emerald January 14, 2005-Community Backs LTD Drivers

Letter to the Editor The Oregon Daily Emerald January 28, 2005-LTD general manager abuses tax-payer money

Article The Oregon Daily Emerald January 31, 2005-LTD strike averted for at least 35 days.

Article from Eugene Weekly February 16, 2005-Hefty Payout For Hamm

Guest Commentary by Vernon Bell from The Oregon Daily Emerald February 28, 2005-LTD holds key to changing negative trend in America

Article from The Oregon Daily Emerald March 4, 2005-LTD/ATU meeting a final try for resolution.

Article from The Oregon Daily Emerald March 8, 2005-Union bus drivers picket, march.

Northwest Labor Press Article March 18, 2005-Crippling Lane Transit strike ends after six days.

Eugene Weekly Article December 1, 2005-Fed up with Hamm

Opinion Article The Register-Guard December 6, 2005-Retired LTD boss would be a fine interim leader.

Eugene Weekly Article December 22, 2005-LTD's Legal Legacy.

Letter to the editor originally published in The Register-Guard Newspaper January 2006.-An open letter from your bus driver...to the citizen's in the Lane Transit District.

Eugene Weekly Article September 7, 2006-Bat Wielding Bus Driver

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The City of Fresno's slogan-"Where People Get the Best Everyday"  Ask yourself, is this the best we can do?  Will the community get the best everyday?  Will the employees get the best everyday?  Why did the City of Fresno deliberately conceal the hiring of Ken Hamm from ATU, other labor organizations and the public until Monday October 30, 2006?  ATU repeatedly inquired of Assistant City Manager Bruce Rudd and others as to who the new Director of Transportation would be.  Mr. Rudd's response?  "I'll announce it November 6th"  You know Mr. Rudd, ATU has built a long standing relationship with you.  We are concerned, with all of the MV Transportation mess that is upon us and now the hiring of Ken Hamm as the Director of Transportation.  These projects land squarely in your lap.  According to articles in Eugene Weekly, facing a landslide of complaints from employees,  and poor reviews from community members, Ken Hamm announced his resignation on Dec. 2, 2005 from Lane Transit District.  On Feb. 9 2006, the Lane Transit District board awarded  Ken Hamm a $112,000 settlement in a severance package that included nine months' salary, car allowance, taxes, insurance and attorney fees. Hamm stepped down on Jan. 27, 2006 after weathering mounting criticism from Lane Transit District employees, riders and community leaders. Why would Hamm resign a position with a salary well over $100,000 per year and apparently not have another job to leave for? 

FRESNO a culture of excellence where people get the best everyday? 

 		  

Is this the best?

ATU 1027

Welcomes Ken Hamm to Fresno.

Photos from Ken Hamm's 1st Day at work

November 6, 2006

 

November 7, 2006

The City of Fresno seems to think they have a reasonable explanation for Mr. Hamm's reported troubles. We believe the City of Fresno to be incorrect. We are still waiting to see the documents that Ken Hamm apparently has in his "moving van" that will exonerate him of any wrong doing.

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