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Health & Fitness

A Train Crash Between Principle and Practicle

If you've been following news stories that don't involve standing your ground or New York Weiner roasts, you are probably aware of what's been going on with Metra. Essentially, the CEO Alex Clifford resigned with a pretty hefty going away present, courtesy of the taxpayers.

After the former CEO rode the train to eternity, Clifford was brought in to clean things up. When Speaker Madigan, Rep. Bobby Rush and others "requested" certain hirings, promotion, raises and contracts, Clifford resisted. After all, he was brought in to clean things up, wasn't he?

Coming from California, Clifford must not have been aware that in Illinois, when King Michael calls the tune, you better dance. This led up to Clifford being pushed out by the Metra board of directors, led by Chairman, Brad O'Halleran. Now, I've known Brad O'Halleran for a long time and have always considered him to be practical.

This is where the trouble began, the principled way that Clifford ran things collided with the practical ways of Illinois politics. Clifford had to go, but of course, it wouldn't be practical to let him leave bad rapping the folks who shoved him out the door. There's nothing like a half million dollars to keep someone from suing and/or saying things that may disrupt the Illinois way of doing things.

The Metra board had been under a microscope lately as this story has unfolded. Today, the Tribune called for the board to resign.

Really?

What would that do? The Metra board reacted to the political realities that exist in this state. Fixing this problem by changing the board is like curing lung cancer by switching cigarette brands. The underlying mess still exists.

Do you think that Madigan, et al would suddenly get religion and take a hands off attitude toward Metra?

What would really change? The same people who appointed this board would appoint the next one. And the golden rule (the other one); He who has the gold, makes the rules, would still be in effect.

I've heard some people suggest that the Metra board be elected. The two things one needs to get elected are organization and money, and who would supply that? Yup, Madigan. Who would draw the districts that these members would be elected from? You guessed it, Madigan.

No. the board should stay put and work through this. Its good that Madigan and the rest were outed and, hopefully, they will back off a little, at least for a while and let this board do its jobs of running one of the largest commuter railways in the country. For the benefit of the public. Not the insiders.



 







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