The 'semaphore man' of Quito has spent 20 years regulating the traffic of the N-232 to the hours of entry and exit of the school. Today he receives a tribute.
The children greet José Maria Garcia 'Machala' while he, without taking his eyes off the road, checks that the vehicles have stopped when they reach the zebra crossing located next to the entrance to the school Fernando, which he has been attending five times a day for the past 20 years. In all this time, he has only missed his appointment in "very few occasions.” "If someday I do not come, people miss me," he said. Dressed in a reflective vest, and with the help of a stop sign, warns drivers to stop when they travel on the N-232 national road to allow children to cross. "I am delighted and I am doing it because I love my people very much, and I will be there as long as I can," he explained, while continuing to monitor the traffic.
To recognize their selfless work, the City Council and the association of mothers and fathers of the school have organized this afternoon a tribute at the house of culture. Most of them are wearing the high visibility vest. It will be an emotional act, which will coincide with his 73th birthday, in which he will be give details of the children, an audiovisual project will be screen, and there will be "some surprise.” Next, you will also discover the plaque that has been place in the place that bears his name, and which was decide after a popular consultation in which there was a great deal of the neighbors. The mayor, Morales, stressed, "If someone deserves this recognition, it is Machala." Not only in Fifth, know his work. Many people who travel through the crossing has met once with the 'traffic light man': "It is already a typical image of Quito.”
José Maria was a municipal worker and decided to continue providing this retired service: "Many cars and heavy trucks pass through this national highway,” which is a way to increase the safety of pedestrians, said the local official.
Of the same opinion they were shown yesterday afternoon at the doors of the school Maria Pillar and Susana, grandmother and mother of students, who acknowledged and appreciated their task: "We are much calmer knowing that he is here stopping the cars. The children pay much attention to him; he is a very dear person in the locality and with wearing a yellow vest.” It is usual to see him minutes before school entry and exit times, but he also collaborates to regulate traffic if there is any exit from the students.
