(Photo © J. Maus)
The Oregon Transportation Commission is where the rubber meets the road and path when it comes to setting transportation policy in Oregon. This powerful group plays a key role in framing the discussion about transportation priorities in our state and they also hold the purse strings when it comes to project funding.
“We believe that from a transportation perspective, this is the most critical decision the Governor will make during his current term in office.”
— Bob Russell, Oregon Trucking Associations
Bob Russell, a lobbyist who works for the Oregon Trucking Associations, wrote in a recent letter to Governor Kitzhaber, “We believe that from a transportation perspective, this is the most critical decision the Governor will make during his current term in office.”
When former Chair of the OTC Gail Achterman resigned back in August (for health reasons), her departure left a gaping hole. Achterman was not only a capable and articulate leader, she was loved by active transportation advocates who felt confident she would stand up for bicycling and ensure its place in Oregon’s future.
Attention has now turned to finding Achterman’s replacement.
his bike in the Tour de Cure.
(Photo: Egan’s Facebook page)
The Willamette Week reported recently that Governor Kitzhaber plans to appoint Pat Egan. Egan would seem a natural choice since he served as Assistant Chief of Staff in Kitzhaber’s administration from 1999 to 2003 and later held the title of Legislative Director and Transportation Policy Advisor. Egan is now a VP at energy company PacifiCorp.
According to a source who works at PacifiCorp Egan has been a sponsor and participant of the Tour de Cure bike ride. Egan has also participated in the Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s Bike Commute Challenge.
When contacted by phone today, Governor Kitzhaber’s Communications Director Tim Raphael declined to confirm any specific nominee. Raphael did however confirm that their office has been contacted by the Oregon Trucking Associations Inc. (OTA), a statewide trade association that “promotes and protects” the interests of the trucking industry.
(Photo: PDC)
Last month, the OTA’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Bob Russell, sent a letter to Kitzhaber’s top transportation advisor Lynn Peterson. The letter urged the governor to appoint Bruce Warner, a former director of both ODOT and the Portland Development Commission. Below is an excerpt from Russell’s letter:
“As one of the principle highway users, we have a significant interest in the Department of Transportation…
We strongly believe that this person [the OTC Chair] must have a proven record of public leadership, an understanding of Oregon’s transportation system, an ability to develop support among diverse interest groups and a demonstrated ability to work positively with the Oregon Legislature, local governments and the federal government. We believe that these qualities are essential because of the significant challenges facing the Department today. Not the least of which are the projected decline in federal funding, the Columbia River Crossing and the desire to balance our future transportation needs with sustainable communities.
In our opinion, there is no one else that has a better background, knowledge and skills for this position than Bruce Warner… We believe that from a transportation
perspective, this is the most critical decision the Governor will make during his current term in office.”
Bicycle Transportation Alliance Executive Director Rob Sadowsky says they too have weighed in at the governor’s office about this appointment. However, they focused on qualities of the appointee rather than any specific person. Sadowsky told me via phone today that they’ve had a conversation with Lynn Peterson, “On the qualifications and qualities we are looking for in an OTC Chair.” Sadowsky says they’re looking for someone “aligned with our mission and what we’d like to see in terms of policy changes at ODOT.”
As to how they’d feel if Warner got the nod, Sadowsky said, “That’s not someone we’d be happy with as we’d have some concerns about whether his vision would align with ours.”
According to Tim Raphael in the governor’s office, they plan to forward their nominee to the Senate Rules Committee* this Friday. The Senate will then make a final vote on November 18th.
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Here are the members of the Senate Rules Committee:
– Diane Rosenbaum, Chair
– Ted Ferrioli, Vice-Chair
– Jason Atkinson
– Lee Beyer
– Ginny Burdick