Riding... or Taken for a Ride?

Post #39

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has recently been the subject of two big news stories.   First, the board named an interim General Manager in light of John Catoe’s impending departure next month and is actively interviewing for his replacement.  Second, another fare hike of ten cents per ride went into effect.  A dime might not seem like very much to some of us, but commuters will face an annualized $50 increase, even before considering weekend jaunts into town.

For many, this may seem completely affordable.  Metro generally provides safe, quick, and convenient transportation.  That is… except when it does not.

Montgomery County’s own Peter Benjamin is the new Chair of the Metro Board.  He has rightly put a laser-like focus on safety since the series of crashes and fatalities in the past year.  The lengthy investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board after the June 2009 crash that killed nine resulted in many months of slow train rides at all hours of the day.  When the trip takes twice as long; costs more (especially once adding on parking at a WMATA or private lot); and feels less safe than driving (though the statistics obviously wouldn’t bear that out), it’s no wonder that ridership hasn’t continued growing to mirror the area’s population.  Despite our best intentions of “going green,” our schedules and the “green” in our wallet are also valid considerations!

Many of us (me included) believe that our former County Executive, Doug Duncan, would be a remarkable next General Manager.  His decisive management style and ability to recruit and retain effective leaders would help Metro address its many challenges.

Regardless of whether the search process concludes with Duncan or someone else, the new General Manager must regain the trust of riders-- and the U.S. Congress. Being taken over by Congress (as some have suggested) would not be a good outcome.  If ridership falls, we will be faced with worse traffic problems than we have now.

I hope that each extra dime will help with infrastructure improvements, staff training, and recruitment of the best transit experts possible.  We must ensure that this lifeline in our region is financially stable, safe, and well-run.  We’re all counting on it!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How often do you take Metro?  Have you become more worried about safety since last June’s crash?  What do you think about the recent fare increases?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#39) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

“Name That Tune!”

Post #38

Last week, I was privileged to attend the Young Women of Achievement awards sponsored by the Women’s Information Network.  The incredibly impressive young women were entrepreneurs, public interest leaders, and political and campaign activists. 

A dynamic and thought-provoking woman gave the keynote address and talked about her life and path to success.  Among her tips was that each person in the room should have her own theme song.  Many of the young women reacted quizzically.  Why would this be important, and how would they choose one? 

Several years ago, I selected my own theme song.  Penned by a Maryland woman, it motivates, inspires, and focuses me.  Its lyrics remind me (if I ever need it) why I am so committed to public service and the difference that one person can make.  When I’m feeling discouraged, I can belt it out at the top of my lungs (if no one is around) and instantly regain my positive energy.

I realize that many people think of music as something in the background during a meal; an attraction at a concert; or an inducement to dance.  If you reflect carefully, though, you too can find a song whose lyrics, melody, and rhythm are especially resonant for you and do magical things for your spirit.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you have a “theme song?” How did you choose it, and when do you choose to play (or sing) it?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#38) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

“Feeling the Paine”

Post #37

Whether it was in junior high school (now called middle school) or high school, we each may have some dim memories of one of our country’s founders, Thomas Paine.  His essays in support of independence from Great Britain were compiled into a volume known as “Common Sense.”

The topics are much different today, but the title is still appropriate.  How much common sense is there in our government today?  In my view, it is too often absent from our deliberations.  There are the ideological or partisan lines that are difficult for many to cross.  Then there are various interest groups that may weigh in on the debates.  Who stops to think about what makes sense for the people being represented?

I remember when, as a member of the House of Delegates, I joined the debate over a bill to lengthen the period of time allowed for a pull date on a carton of milk.  It was in the financial interest of farmers and grocers if milk didn’t need to be discarded so quickly.  The bill was sailing through the legislative process, when I decided to stand and speak.  All I could envision was a young family on a tight budget trying to provide nourishment to young kids.  How unfair it would be for them to find rancid milk in their refrigerator more often with this new proposal!  One of the most meaningful things a reporter has ever written about me was as a result of that debate.  He opined that I had spoken up for a forgotten “special interest group”—the consumer.

Voters and interest groups want to typecast candidates.  Are you more or less liberal/conservative than the alternative candidate?  Sometimes, the answer is neither.  Or both.  Or “it depends.”  I think we need to return common sense to our legislative bodies.  Ask the hard questions, weigh what makes sense for the people you represent, and vote accordingly.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What sort of decision-making factors do you believe drives our legislatures?  Do most of its decisions seem practical to you?  Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#37) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes

Post #36

Despite the many missed school days due to the “Snowpocalypse”, today every public school in Maryland is closed in honor of Presidents’ Day.  It may surprise you to learn that until recently, this was not required by state law.

On this day, we honor two of our country’s most revered Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  We often think of Presidents’ Day as a much-needed three-day weekend in the midst of winter; we travel or shop for bargains at the mall.  But the history of our federal holiday dates back to 1880, when Congress voted to close all federal offices in DC in honor of George Washington.

Since 1862, there has been a tradition in the United States Senate that George Washington's Farewell Address is read each year.  In the Maryland State Senate, it is the one time that the body convenes in the old Senate Chamber, where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief in 1783.

Martin Luther King, Jr., another great leader whose legacy affects our lives and whose birth we celebrated last month, was assassinated in 1968.  It was not until 2000 that all 50 states honored him with a holiday.  (See my blog article, #30, posted on the anniversary of his birth.)

It took some doing, but both of these holidays are now observed in Maryland (See our state law at § 7-103. “Required school days and holidays.”)  During my tenure in the House of Delegates, there was a difference of opinion as to whether to include both holidays in one bill (the version I introduced) or to enact them separately.  Ultimately, Maryland joined the rest of the country in closing schools on both holidays in observance of these great American leaders.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How do you think our Presidents should be honored on his holiday?  Do you do anything special in observance of the day?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#36) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Let’s Make a Deal?

Post #35

As we watched our supply of fresh food dwindle during this second enormous snowstorm, my husband and I pondered the prospect for shopping in the coming days.  We realized that in the past year, we have regularly patronized over a dozen markets and grocery stores.  With so many to choose from, I wondered how a company keeps a customer’s business, especially in a recession.

The other night, in the brief interlude between “Snowpocalypse” and “Snowquel” (or whatever your favorite names are), we visited one of our favorite grocery stores.  The produce shelves were virtually empty, and what remained was generally unappetizing and not worth the price, including a few bruised, old bananas. 

While I considered the possibility of baking a few loaves of my chocolate chip/banana bread, I didn't want to pay 58 cents per pound.  I asked the manager whether he would give me a break.  Instead, he insisted that I just take them for free.  “Really?  I’m happy to pay half-price,” I said.  By allowing me to have a few bananas, he made a $100 customer grateful to him and to his company.  It seemed a pretty smart decision on his part. 

The Washington Post recently featured an article on bargaining in these difficult economic times.  I admit to asking for discounts for damaged clothing or food I’ll use right away that are at or just beyond a sell-by date.  The article makes the case that negotiating can be a win-win and benefit both the retailer, who wants us to purchase from his/her store rather than online, and the customer, who saves money and gets the item immediately.

In our “new economy” when we are balancing our desire to protect jobs in our community while watching our own budgets more carefully, is this is a partial solution?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How loyal are you to local establishments?  Have you ever asked for or gotten a discount from the posted price?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#35) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.