Two Metro board member resignations
Metro Board member Christopher Zimmerman announced unexpectedly that he will leave Metro's leadership, causing reactions of surprise, shock, and disappointment from his colleagues.
He will chair the Arlington County Board, the Post reported yesterday.
Zimmerman has also chaired the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Transportation Planning Board for the National Capital Region. He has served on Metro's board since 1998, including stints as chairman.
According to a letter posted on Greater Greater Washington, fellow Arlington County Board member Mary Hynes will replace him. "For many years, she and her family have lived about a block-and-a-half from the Clarendon Metro station. They have relied upon the system, and seen the changes Metro has brought to the community over the years," Zimmerman said in the letter.
Additionally, Metro alternate board member from Maryland, Gordon Linton, said he will step down on Thursday after more than six years on the board.
He will be replace by former Takoma Park mayor Kathy Porter.
Linton was "extremely well informed and thoughtful" and had a nationwide perspective on transit agencies that made a strong contribution to the board, said Board Chairman Peter Benjamin.
Linton, who served as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) from 1993 to 1999, has been involved in transportation policy at the local, state, and national level.
In departing, he thanked Metro's 10,000 employees "who take their jobs with a sense of seriousness and dedication."
By
Ann Scott Tyson
| December 16, 2010; 2:00 PM ET
Categories:
Metro
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They all need to resign and we need direct elections. Nothing else will bring accountability.
Posted by: getjiggly1 | December 16, 2010 2:27 PM | Report abuse
Mr. Zimmerman probably resigned so he doesn't have to take the heat for the unconstitutional bag inspection policy announded today.
Posted by: flwood2341 | December 16, 2010 2:42 PM | Report abuse
What's it finally going to take to get Jim Graham off the board? An act of congress?
Posted by: scorbett1976@hotmail.com | December 16, 2010 4:22 PM | Report abuse
"causing reactions of"??
"He will be replace"??
Come on, Washington Post, at least do some basic editing and spell-checking. This is way too sloppy.
Posted by: reader123 | December 16, 2010 5:17 PM | Report abuse
Having any of the Democratic mafia from the Arlington County Board is a problem. They show no signs of accountability to Arlington County residents (having voted repeatedly for measures opposed by majorities of the civic associations), and they do whatever they can to prevent a change in the way this corrupt little club is elected so that outside voices might have a chance.
Posted by: gilboa | December 16, 2010 5:48 PM | Report abuse
Zimmerman's departure is long overdue. Metro safety and service have collapsed during his tenure. He has been a major obstacle to the reforms of the transit system which are so desperately needed.
He supported the disastrous John Catoe as General Manager; he consistently denied well-documented problems with the system's management; he blocked even small efforts to control costs; he diverted WMATA resources to wasteful new projects like the Columbia Pike trolley, while the existing system crumbles; and he regularly whined for more tax subsidies.
Other members of the Metro Board have similar dismal records, and they too should resign -- especially Jim Graham of D.C. and Cathy Hudgins of Virginia.
In addition, Zimmerman's attempt to appoint his own successor (one of his political allies in Arlington) is an outrage. It's time for the local politicians in Northern Virginia to back off, and allow the Governor to appoint a qualified transit expert to the Metro Board.
Posted by: jrmil | December 17, 2010 7:46 AM | Report abuse
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