PROBLEMS ADMITTED IN TRASH TRUCK REVIEWS.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer Two top city officials testified at a disciplinary hearing Monday that there were unheeded warning signs before a Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. trash truck malfunctioned Dec. 6 and caused the death of two children. General Services Department head Randall Bacon and fleet management superintendent Dick Hembree acknowledged problems in the system for monitoring trash truck operations during the first day of an administrative hearing administrative hearing n. a hearing before any governmental agency or before an administrative law judge. Such hearings can range from simple arguments to what amounts to a trial. There is no jury, but the agency or the administrative law judge will make a ruling. on discipline against a maintenance supervisor. Supervisor Dave Wear is appealing a 60-day suspension issued by Bacon for failing to remove the trash truck involved in the accident from a list of trucks available for use that morning even though a driver had reported a problem the night before. Union representative Michael Berman Michael Berman may refer to:
See also: Clerical that was no more a significant contributor to the accident than other factors, including the city's failure to heed warning signs. ``It's like a chain and Dave's one link,'' Berman said. ``There were errors of omission omission n. 1) failure to perform an act agreed to, where there is a duty to an individual or the public to act (including omitting to take care) or is required by law. Such an omission may give rise to a lawsuit in the same way as a negligent or improper act. and errors of commission made prior to his involvement and subsequent to his involvement. His was no more significant than any of the others.'' In testimony Monday, Bacon acknowledged that two other trash trucks had similar malfunctions in which a compacting arm pierced pierced adj. 1. Cut through with a sharp instrument; perforated. 2. Of or relating to a body part that has been perforated for the purpose of attaching a piece of jewelry. 3. the shell of the truck and protruded outward, before the fatal Dec. 6 accident. Bacon said he and other top managers of the department were not told of the previous malfunctions. ``It should have been at least reported to the division office,'' Bacon said. Hembree said the previous malfunctions were ``serious.'' Berman asked if top officials had known about the previous incidents would it have spawned an inspection of all similar trucks. ``In light of what happened Dec. 6, yes, indeed,'' Hembree responded. Bacon also said he was not made aware before the accident that General Services Department employees had complained of problems with the trucks manufactured by Amrep Inc. and had suggested that the city stop buying the trucks. ``This was all uncovered after the accident, at least at my level,'' Bacon said. The hearing will continue today and eventually Kurahashi will decide whether to set aside or affirm the suspension. |
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