Gov. Christie demands more reforms from DRPA
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Governor Christie traveled to Camden this morning to tell the CEO of the embattled Delaware River Port Authority he's not happy with the pace of reform at the agency.
The DRPA, which operates four bridges and the PATCO high-speed line, has been condemned for executive perks and political patronage in recent weeks. There's been speculation that Christie might demand the departure of CEO John Matheusson.
Instead Christie said he told Matheussen he wants him to become an agent for change at the authority, and do it quickly.
"I'm running out of time on the tick-tock of my patience for what's gone on at this place."
The authority's board recently ended free EZ Pass for employees and enacted several reforms, but Christie is angry that some proposals were tabled for further study. Matheussen said he got the governor's message, and announced a hiring freeze and budget cuts for the DRPA.
The last WHYY article "Port of Gall" actually tried to defend the DRPA practice of steeling from the toll payers. (Call it what ever euphemism you want, it's stealing.)
The only way for WHYY to maintain any credibility & morality is for its board to return the money. They should have never accepted it to begin with. Did you see any other local media (NBC, ABC, CBS etc) accept money from the DRPA.
No, and I don't see any of those stations providing digital media training for underprivileged school children. The money WHYY accepted went to build the Hamilton Media Commons, where those classes take place. But why let the truth get in the way of a good rant?
WHYY took money that was stolen from the toll payers by the DRPA. The toll payers were forced to contribute to WHYY. It was literally highway robbery. That is the reason for WHYY's very weak coverage of DRPA corruption.
Define "very weak coverage." Radio Times devoted an entire hour to covering the story, including tough but fair questions from host Marty Moss-Coane of DRPA Chairman Estey, and Monica Yant Kinney given a platform to rip the DRPA up one side and down the other. This in addition to all of the stories appearing on this very page after having been aired on WHYY-FM. If this is how the DRPA buys friendly coverage, they might want to ask for a refund.