The End Of METRO As We Know It- UPDATED

Could be less than 24 hours away...

UPDATE:  And the standoff is over.  Heckuva job Seannie.  LOL.

Comments

[Arlingtonian not impressed with Metro Board]

So all that needs to happen is for the NVTC to agree to appoint a Board member and an alternate put forward by the Governor. Then the problem goes away. This is a fascinating game of brinksmanship.

While I don't think that Gov. McDonnell's threats are the best way to improve Metro governance, its hard to make the case that the current system has produced outstanding results. Why not have full time transportation professionals on the Board instead of local politicians who (presumably) have other governance functions to focus on.

[HisRoc]

I agree Arlingtonian. The current mess that we call Metro was mismanaged into this condition by part timers who, as far as I know, don't even ride on the system.

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state. Bob McDonnell didn't invent that. If the governor is expected to approve locality funding for Metro then he has an obligation to ensure that the funding is being used appropriately. The current Metro Board has no standing to make such an assurance.

[notsophialoren]

Has the Gov ever riden METRO? NO VA taxes pay most of the VA share of METRO. If he does not get his way then how are thousands of NO VA riders going to get to work? He is being childish.

[HisRoc]

notsophia,

You don't seem to understand what the Dillon Rule is. It creates enormous inequities in the balance between state and local government. No one is saying that it is fair, just that it is the system of government that we have in the Commonwealth. And McDonnell, whether you like him or not, is governing according to the Dillon Rule, not "being childish."

If you don't like it (as I don't like it), then get politically involved and work to change the system.

[Virginians4Bob]

Another moronic headline from Ben.

You are such a drama bitch.

[HisRoc]

Virginians4Bob,

You need to join the TomPaine Club on Virginia blogs. Their motto is: "If you don't have anything constructive to say, by all means say it anyway, as nasty as possible."

[TomPaine]

Having at least one real professional transportation expert representing Virginia on the Metro Board is essential if Metro management is ever to really improve.

I suspect that Sean Connaughton, not McDonnell, is the real mover behind this proposal.

By the way, the people that I really attack are the Tories on the blogs and they know who they are. As Harry Truman once said (when a follower commented "Give em hell, Harry), "I only tell them the truth and the Republicans think it is hell."

[yoyoyo]

Have you guys seen McDonnell's approval rating? It is through the roof!!!

He's doing a great job as Governor as seen in his actions with METRO. He is laying down the law. They must let McDonnell appoint someone or no deal!

[HisRoc]

Update: Oh, never mind.

[Not Larry Sabato]

HisRoc, I know who NSL is- let's just say she knows PLENTY about the Dillon Rule and State Government and leave it at that.

[HisRoc]

Ben,

She hides it well.

:)

[Dissertation writing help]

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[TomPaine]

Perhaps HisRoc would like to give us an expository briefing on the Dillon Rule (starting with Judge Dillon).

After all, many of us have only spent fifty or so years dealing with the Dillon Rule at the Virginia General Assembly and HisRoc as an "officer and gentleman" is by definition and self-proclamation an expert on the topic.

[Phil Chroniger]

I still don't understand why people think it's a bad thing to want representation (especially representations by actual transportation experts) on the Metro Board since Virginia has to pay into this, and much of Northern VA is serviced by the Metro.

Connaughton's suggestions and the reasoning behind them are spot-on, IMO.

[HisRoc]

Tommy,

To borrow a phrase from the latest issue of Rolling Stone, "Bite Me."

[NotJohnSMosby]

Phil, Virginia does have representation on the Metro board. They're just Democrats from Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria. Clearly the wrong people from the fake Virginia.

[TomPaine]

HisRoc:

I don't consort with rabid animals!

Something tells me that you may have served in the Signal Corps and/or have an engineering background.

[HisRoc]

Tommy,

Wrong on both counts, asshole.

[Virginians4Bob]

HisRoc, thanks for showing us such a great example of saying nothing, in as nasty a way as possible.

Phucktard.

[Not Deion Sanders]

Virgins4Bob,

You're welcome. TP is a special case, asshole. You and he should be butt brothers, if you aren't already.

[HisRoc]

Hey, NDS,

What are you doing responding to attacks on me here? I can answer for myself.

[Phil Chroniger]

NotJSM...our representation is not exactly deep with transportation-related experience beyond being on the WMATA board.

Plus, if Gov. O'Malley over in Maryland can appoint whoever he wants, why can't Gov. McDonnell here in Virginia?

I think the concept of getting people with a background in working on transportation issues makes sense.

[TomPaine]

Birds of a feather flock together!

[HisRoc]

And, in the case of Federal civil service employees, pimples of a puss fester together.