QUESTIONABLE POLLING If you thought that SEPTA was getting a little ridiculous in some of its surveys, then you should read this article in today's Daily News. Some commuters along the R8 Chestnut Hill West line were less than thrilled about being asked their age, gender, and race, among other personal items. On the surface, according to the article, it gives the impression that SEPTA might (operative word being might) be using race and other factors in deciding which services to cut. (Remember, this is the Daily News we're talking about, and they're not exactly the most moderate newspaper in the country...) Apparently, SEPTA's Minister of Dis-Information and Lies Richard Maloney took exception to that accusation:

"I'm almost appalled that you asked the question. Absolutely not."

Come to think of it, I'm almost appalled that this moron still has a job with SEPTA, since he has the credibility of Michael Moore (the biggest lying fraud to disgrace the movie industry), but that's another story.

In addition to the R8, the other three rail lines on the chopping block (the R1 Airport, R2 Warminster, and R6 Cynwyd) and several bus routes - the C, 19, 31, 37, and 123 - are also targeted as part of the survey. Gee, why doesn't SEPTA focus it's survey on some of the other lines which are in danger of being cut, such as the 35, 77, 92, 128, and 133? Come to think of it, how did the 37 end up on the endangered list? Did I miss something here?

MORE MARKET ST CONROVERSY Ronnie Polaneczky's Daily News column reports that community leaders along Market St in West Philadelphia are planning to show up in force at a Philadelphia City Council meeting next Wednesday to take SEPTA to task over the massive Market St El reconstruction project. At issue is the closing of Market St between 43 and 63 Sts, which some residents claim has been an open invitation to crime. The pastor of Christian Faith Baptist Church at 60 and Market Sts had been burglarized twice since the construction project began - the first burglaries since he became pastor nearly a decade ago. Other community leaders are calling for a boycott of SEPTA until the agency starts becoming more responsive to the community. Great, yet another wonderful accomplishment in the miserable administration of Fearless Leader, who has seemingly made SEPTA even less sensitive to the public than Jack Leary ever did - and that's saying a hell of a lot...