Toward the end of the work day yesteray, current MTA CEO and Executive Director Elliot Sander dropped a bombshell on us when he announced his resignation. While it sounds as though this move had been in the works for some time, the suddenness of it was a surprise. Today, William Neuman of The Times delved into the politics behind the move.
Sander, a transit policy wonk and a Spitzer nominee, sounds disappointed to be leaving the job, but he recognizes why Gov. David Paterson wants the power to appoint someone of his choosing. Considering the current state of the transit agency, Paterson has to make a big decision in the coming weeks and months. The man or woman he picks will have an immediate and long-term impact on the future of the transit agency, and I hope both Paterson and his eventual nominee are up for the job.
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I’m still not entirely sure why he left – if not for a perceived rocky relationship with Paterson. This quote from the article strikes me the most:
When he was asked by a reporter if running the authority was, “in a lot of ways your dream job,” Mr. Sander quickly replied: “Not in a lot of ways. It was my dream job.”
I hear Caroline Kennedy’s available.
Paterson is NOT suited to name a “qualified” person to head the MTA.