On Monday, the Salt Lake County Commission's appointees to the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Board will be voting to fire general manager John Pingree. Consider his record:
With John Pingree's leadership, the UTA has twice received the American Public Transit Association's top award (in '96 and '86) for being the best-managed transit agency of its size in North America. These awards are given to agencies that have used public funding and resources most effectively and productively, that have excellent management practices and innovations and have the safest operations with the fewest accidents and breakdowns.UTA's ridership has increased by 40 percent since 1986. During this same period, national bus ridership has declined by 14 percent.
The UTA Board of Directors has consistently rewarded John Pingree's excellent performance with salary increases and bonuses and has even made counteroffers when other transit agencies have tried to win him away.
And yes, he is a genuinely good person, too.
If you also would like to understand why the Salt Lake County commissioners have stacked the UTA board to fire one of the nation's most respected transit managers, give them a call. Please ask Randy Horiuchi (468-3387) and Brent Overson (468-3351) if we really want to lose a proven leader just as light-rail construction begins, with I-15 undergoing major reconstruction (with monies contingent upon successful UTA performance) and just before we become hosts to the 2002 Olympics.
Ask them if this is the way to treat a successful, experienced manager who cares more about helping our community than about helping himself. If you don't like their answer, and you don't want UTA to become a political and management disaster like Salt Lake County, please remind them that they can deduct your vote when their time comes.
Diane Blackburn
Salt Lake City