“This is a chance to develop and execute a holistic, positive vision for GCRTA and to highlight the ability of transit to make a positive contribution to our region,” the letter said. “Under the right leadership, we believe GCRTA will improve the physical and social mobility of thousands and ultimately the economic, social and environmental health of Cuyahoga County.”
The letter is attached below.
As in prior appeals — e.g., the recurring call to both Armond Budish and Frank Jackson to appoint transit riders to the board — this one reflects the hope that those who use the system, riders themselves, will factor into the process. The letter calls for a CEO who is willing to “elevate community voices” in decision-making and asks that final candidates participate in a community forum.
Among other desired qualifications for the CEO, the letter asks for a person who intends to make equity a “guiding principle” in transit planning, and one who — this may sound shocking — views public transit as a public good, “not a profit-driven business.”
The letter asks, additionally, that the CEO, General Manager and Secretary/Treasurer positions, which had all been performed by former CEO Joe Calabrese, be separated to improve accountability and job performance.
Calabrese waded too deeply into hot water this summer after ongoing communication issues with the board and a suspicion that he’d been complicit in a years-long health insurance scandal which led to the resignation of former board chair George Dixon III and the dismissal of HR Director Bruce Hampton. Calabrese was gently and strategically booted from the top spot this summer.
Dr. Floun’say Caver is currently serving as interim CEO.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2018.
Joe Calasleeze, Bruce Hampton, Ron Baron, George Dixon, & Michael York should all be in Federal Prison for wasting tax payers money and stealing from RTA and the People of Cuyahoga County.
Please, no holistic vision nor diversity planning, nor any of that social nonsense.
Hire someone who knows how to run an organization with fiscal competency, and can keep the buses running and on time efficiently.
In other words, hire someone competent and experienced, not a friend of the dem machine.
I know, itll never happen.
Oh, and lets make sure the salary is another massive, with at least six figures, with tons of extra benefits and free perks! -And while were at it, lets be sure the taxpayers get hit for yet another massive tax increase to fund all this nonsense! Calabreeze, Dixon, Taxin Jackson, Budish, should ALL be in jail for their constant shenanigans, and never ending waste of taxpayer funds!
This is a great proposal and it’s time the public was truly involved in hiring those who spend our money and provide our essential services. But we also have to surround this person with other than the usual “voices of the community,” who basically have been demographic markers. It’s easy to appoint a religious leader who will do nothing but spout out the obvious needs of the community. We need people who can bring smart ideas to the table with ways to execute them. An actual working board. It’s not hard to spot the areas which need better service. It’s very difficult to turn an idealistic wish list in to a modern, vastly improved people mover system.