Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Locals push for increased VTA representation [Morgan Hill Times]
Morgan Hill Times
It is interesting that Los Gatos, a small town that has lots of money, has representation on the VTA board, but Milpitas, Gilroy and Morgan Hill, much larger than Los Gatos, do not. They share a rotating seat that changes hands every two years.
This recent article in the Morgan Hill Times, excerpted below, reveals some organizational problems with the VTA board and may help explain why they pour so much money into some lame projects, like the Los Gatos light rail extension. Morgan Hill's mayor, Dennis Kennedy, comments:
"'There is an ad hoc restructuring committee considering giving each city its own representative,' Kennedy said, 'though their vote would be weighted, depending on population.'
"San Jose would have a 'weightier' vote than Morgan Hill or Gilroy, Kennedy said, because it has more residents.
"Kennedy testified before the committee and the Morgan Hill City Council sent a letter to VTA in favor of the proposal. The ad hoc committee is headed by Los Gatos Town Council Vice Mayor Joe Pirsynski, who represents his town on the VTA board."
It is interesting that Los Gatos, a small town that has lots of money, has representation on the VTA board, but Milpitas, Gilroy and Morgan Hill, much larger than Los Gatos, do not. They share a rotating seat that changes hands every two years.
"This reorganization is unlikely, however, according to Edwin Chan, Gage's transportation policy aide.
'They can talk all they want about it, but San Jose would never say yes to it because they have a majority,' Chan said. 'Why would they want to give that up? ... This is the way it is.'"
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