Randy Lane bids the Orange County LA Times Plant farewell

Los Angeles Times Pressman Randy Lane shares a few words on his last day at the Los Angeles Times Costa Mesa Production Facility yesterday. 

By Randy Lane   

Today I experienced a melancholy day, as I worked my last shift at the Los Angeles Times Production Facility in Costa Mesa. After producing millions of newspapers at this location I was transferred to the Los Angeles plant, called The Olympic Facility.

I have returned to the Orange County Plant many times, with colleagues at my side, today I was there alone. Being alone in this large building gave me time to reflect upon memories of working there, after spending most of my adult life here I can't help but recall memories of life experiences we all shared, such as marriages, divorces, births, deaths and many other life experiences, that we shared together.

My career at the Los Angeles Times began over thirty years ago when I was but twenty-six, and we almost lived inside the building with our colleagues as many newspapers were produced over the years. Amazing how quickly thirty years can pass, almost like a blink of the eye.

The Orange County Los Angeles Times will always be my home, with fond memories of the time spent with the other pressmen and women at my side.

I captured a few photographs as the presses were dismantled to become scrap, and understood this chapter of my life is now over, and I must say goodbye to my former home away from home.

Rest in Peace Orange County