Kalikow: Six More Years
June 22nd, 2006
Peter Kalikow said he still has lots to do as chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority but many critics want Kalikow go out of service. Governor George Pataki reappointed Kalikow to a six-era terms meaning the next governor, whoever that might be, wont get to choose who will run this vital agency, and the State Senate confirmed the move. In fact Kalikow said he would not step aside even if the new governor asks him to. I work for the people of the State of New York,” Kalikow said. “That’s who I believe are my bosses – not the governor, not the mayor, not the legislature.
But is Kalikow really the peoples choice? In its news story on his reappointment, AM New York described Kalikow as a Manhattan real estate tycoon famous to subway riders for raising fares twice and for keeping a personal Ferrari collection.”
Not surprisingly the transit workers union is not wild about Kalikow either. Calling the MTA under Kalikow mismanaged and corrupt, Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Ed Watt said Kalikows reappointment represented a frivolous attempt by George Pataki to continue to burden New Yorkers with his failed leadership long after his political career ends.” Gothamist was critical as well. Although he was initially appointed by Mario Cuomo, Kalikow has really seemed like a Pataki flunky, and therefore ineffective when it comes down to the small stuff, like accounting and customer satisfaction. Or even getting a good real estate deal for the West Side railyards, the blog wrote.
Even some who think Kalikow has done a good job questioned whether he should remain in charge of the MTA. This is not a knock on the chairman’s tenure at the MTA. But Kalikow’s many fine qualities notwithstanding, the next governor must be directly accountable for the region’s transportation said a Daily News editorial. We hope Kalikow, after ably helping to run the subways for 12 years, knows when it’s polite to give up his seat.
Eliot Spitzer agrees. A campaign spokesperson reportedly said that the gubernatorial candidate hopes the chairman will allow the next governor the opportunity to appoint someone new to enable the leadership change that is drastically needed at the MTA.” Gothamist was blunter: Spitzer hates what Kalikow has done to the MTA, but won’t be able to oust him.
By Gail Robinson on June 22, 2006, 12:35 pmIn category: Albany, Gotham City, Transportation | 1 Comment »


June 23rd, 2006 at 6:51 am
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