Robert Kiley

Transportation czar Robert Kiley, who saved New York City's subway system from terminal decay, is late for his first appointment of the day thanks to delays on the London Underground. He was stuck on a stalled subway train when he should have been at his desk. "Twelve minutes outside Victoria Station," Kiley muttered as he hustled into his high-rise office. A cynic might say this is good theater: a perfect entrance for the American who was brought in to overhaul London's subway system.

Transportation czar Robert Kiley, who saved New York City's subway system from terminal decay, is late for his first appointment of the day thanks to delays on the London Underground. He was stuck on a stalled subway train when he should have been at his desk. "Twelve minutes outside Victoria Station," Kiley muttered as he hustled into his high-rise office. A cynic might say this is good theater: a perfect entrance for the American who was brought in to overhaul London's subway system.

An accountant. A crime analyst. A city councilwoman and her husband, a political consultant. Orange County residents all, they met for the first time two years ago, drawn together by a common contempt for the impact they believed illegal immigrants were having here. Their union would eventually create Proposition 187 and alter California's political landscape.

Is it possible that I am misreading Robert Kiley's methods of bringing attention to the Phyllis Badham-Gil Ferguson race for the 70th Assembly seat? I realize that campaigns are supposed to "peak" right before an election, but this means of seeking publicity for Badham strikes me as as little strange. On the other hand, why would Badham consultant Kiley want to publicize that he hadn't done his job well? Can it be good for his career as a campaign consultant to let all of Orange County know that he failed in his attempt to do what he was hired to do, i.e. raise money?

Robert Kiley resigned today as the longest-serving chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the nation's largest transit system, which carries 6 million passengers daily. Kiley, 55, appointed by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo in 1983, said he will become president and chief executive officer of Fischbach Corp., an electrical engineering firm based in New York.

Political consultant Robert Kiley, who helped direct the successful Proposition 187 campaign, will head to Florida next month to advise groups who want to enact similar legislation in that state. "I guarantee that it will be as lively a debate in Florida as it was in California," Kiley said Wednesday. Kiley, 46, is being brought to the state by Floridians for Immigration Control, which held its first meeting in July and has about 200 members.

An accountant. A crime analyst. A city councilwoman and her husband, a political consultant. Orange County residents all, they met for the first time two years ago, drawn together by a common contempt for the impact they believed illegal immigrants were having here. Their union would eventually create Proposition 187 and alter California's political landscape.

Phyllis Badham, who is trying to unseat 70th District Assemblyman Gil Ferguson in the June primary, was sued Wednesday by her former campaign manager for breach of contract and nonpayment of more than $11,000 in fees and expenses. Political consultant Robert Kiley filed the lawsuit in Harbor Municipal Court after several weeks of unsuccessful efforts to settle the dispute, said Kiley's attorney, Ronald E. Isles. "We certainly tried to settle it," Isles said. "Bob offered to cut his fee in half."

The Tustin Community Foundation has appointed Robert Kiley as its new executive director. Kiley has an extensive background with nonprofit organizations, including 15 years of experience with fund-raising campaigns for charities, foundations, political candidates and community groups. The foundation, established in 1994, raises money to support cultural, recreational and human service needs in the city.

Political consultant Robert Kiley, who helped direct the successful Proposition 187 campaign, will head to Florida next month to advise groups who want to enact similar legislation in that state. "I guarantee that it will be as lively a debate in Florida as it was in California," Kiley said Wednesday. Kiley, 46, is being brought to the state by Floridians for Immigration Control, which held its first meeting in July and has about 200 members.

Robert Kiley resigned today as the longest-serving chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the nation's largest transit system, which carries 6 million passengers daily. Kiley, 55, appointed by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo in 1983, said he will become president and chief executive officer of Fischbach Corp., an electrical engineering firm based in New York.

Is it possible that I am misreading Robert Kiley's methods of bringing attention to the Phyllis Badham-Gil Ferguson race for the 70th Assembly seat? I realize that campaigns are supposed to "peak" right before an election, but this means of seeking publicity for Badham strikes me as as little strange. On the other hand, why would Badham consultant Kiley want to publicize that he hadn't done his job well? Can it be good for his career as a campaign consultant to let all of Orange County know that he failed in his attempt to do what he was hired to do, i.e. raise money?

Phyllis Badham, who is trying to unseat 70th District Assemblyman Gil Ferguson in the June primary, was sued Wednesday by her former campaign manager for breach of contract and nonpayment of more than $11,000 in fees and expenses. Political consultant Robert Kiley filed the lawsuit in Harbor Municipal Court after several weeks of unsuccessful efforts to settle the dispute, said Kiley's attorney, Ronald E. Isles. "We certainly tried to settle it," Isles said. "Bob offered to cut his fee in half."

The Costa Mesa Library Foundation, a nonprofit group that is seeking a state-of-the-art library for the city, has hired a professional fund-raiser to help the effort. Robert R. Kiley, 50, of Yorba Linda is perhaps best known as director of the Republican Party of Orange County from 1980 to 1988 and as a political fund-raiser. His consulting agency, Robert Kiley & Associates, lately has started working with nonpartisan clients, including municipal foundations.

Ignoring demonstrators chanting "Shame! Shame! Shame!" the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted Friday to raise its bus and subway fares 15 cents to $1.15. In addition to the first subway fare hike in four years, the MTA board approved increases averaging 15% for the commuter trains and express buses that serve the city's outer boroughs and suburbs. "No one likes a fare increase, but it does cost money to get things done," explained MTA Chairman Robert Kiley. "Service is getting better."