October 1976

I started work on October 11th as a Planner I in the Evaluation Division of the Bureau of Planning at City Hall Lancaster under Mayor Richard Scott, Chief Planner Jack Canan, and, my direct Supervisor (the man who hired me), Division Chief Norman Grinager. I was responsible, along with the vet, the other planner under Norm, Gary Solomon for monitoring and evaluating scores of projects funded by the City’s CDBG program. It was a great position. Norm was a fine teacher and good friend. I was best man in Gary’s wedding so obviously I fit in quickly. The functions of the job were right up my alley as I loved to count and count I did – people served, calls handled, meals served, feet of sewer line installed, money spent and et cetera.

The other highlight of the month was the departure from the 340 Club of Jimmy Shay. Perhaps the quietest of all 340 residents (and, believe it or not, most were on the quiet side), Jim was a great guy otherwise he would not have been there. In fact he was such a good guy that when I moved out a couple of years later, Jimmy again was a roomie at my next spot. You have noticed that he hasn’t been mentioned much. He had the room in the back and he and his lady Vickie would pretty much keep to themselves. Jim worked with Sil as a paver for 7 or 8 months of the year and then, like Sil, was a gentleman of leisure for the remaining months. Quiet as he usually was he could quaff his beers with the best of them and Phil’s first memory of Jim – the day Phil moved in the previous October – was of the three of us – Jim, Phil. And I – going to Soldner’s Bar down at the trough of West King Street for some beers welcoming Phil into the abode. I’m certain we sent ol’ Jimmy off with similar brews when he departed for greener pasture. His departure started a revolving door in the 4th spot that would continue for the duration of the first coming.