Yesterday at the NYMTC Annual Meeting, Timothy Gilchrist was once again dubbed “Captain Asphalt.” It’s the second time MTR has heard the title be used to describe New York State’s Senior Advisor for Infrastructure charged with distributing $2.3 billion in transportation stimulus funds; the first was in a quote from Gilchrist himself in a New York Times story earlier this month.
Sorry to be the transportation spoilsport, but it’s time to move on and find a new moniker for Mr. Gilchrist.
The title sends the wrong impression about the state’s priorities and is a sloppy move by a representative of Governor Paterson. The Governor is facing intense anger from the state’s environmental community. He recently reopened negotiations with power plants participating in the 10-state greenhouse gas trading program and has been accused of “impoverishing” the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. Groups like New York League of Conservation Voters and Environmental Advocates have launched campaigns to oppose these moves. The last thing he needs is a Captain Asphalt running (or driving) around.
Perhaps more importantly, the description is not even true. New York State is actually receiving more transit money ($1.2 billion) than so-called “highway” money ($1.1 billion). And in fact, the “highway” money is not highway money at all, but transportation money that can be used on any surface transportation project whether it be bridge repair, crosswalk painting or transit signal upgrades.
It’s worth noting that there are some who deserve the title Captain Asphalt. First on the list is Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who breathes the words “road building” every time he is asked about transportation investment. Yesterday at the NYMTC meeting, he once again explained how Suffolk desperately needs money for road expansion. “We have nothing to repair,” he said. “I’m one of those people who believe we need new construction.”
So, let’s move on. Mr. Gilchrist, surrender your nickname to County Executive Levy, and find a new one. How about Captain Fix-It, Captain Transit, or Captain Pothole (it’s been used before)?
