Politicians and MARTA

In the name of advocacy, I'm going to start a new thread of MARTA who's who down in the capital, where I will introduce the folks who either screw things up or advocate for us, and how we can try to make a difference.

To start us off, let's go with our friend, Rep. Jill Chambers, who heads the MARTOC committee.  First, what the heck is MARTOC?  Cause when I hear that one, I'm inclined to think of a caveman.  (Come on, picture it with me here, folks.  Geico dude, stomping around with his club, points to himself 'Me MARTOC!').  (Now quit giggling).

MARTOC, as I was told, stands for MARTA Oversight Committee.  They basically just left off that last A, so it's the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Oversight Committee and it's a relic left over from the days when MARTA was chartered.  The state legislature at that time wanted to maintain some sense of control over MARTA, but since they don't control the purse strings (i.e. give state funds to MARTA), MARTOC simply creates some hoops that the MARTA board has to jump through.  I'm not sure that they can actually *do* anything to MARTA.  MARTOC is a joint committee made up of both house and senate representatives and it does not handle legislation nor does it have a vote on the MARTA board (blame your GA Legislative website for that double negative).  They just get to see the budget.  But someone sure seems to think they can.

Enter Republican Rep. Jill Chambers, who currently chairs MARTOC.  Jill comes to us from District 81 in North Dekalb County, which encompasses Doraville and Chamblee (The Yellow line!).  We're not her biggest fans here at the TMiATL land.  She likes giving MARTA a little too hard of a time, and rather unfairly.  Last year when MARTA announced plans to hire a new lobbyist Rep. Chambers threatened the board that she would "have their seats" if they approved this new contract.  Honey, maybe if you supported MARTA they wouldn't need to hire lobbyists.

Actually, Jill was one of the gang that killed SB 120 last year.  See, the Republicans in the House would only let the bill to relieve MARTA of that 50/50 restriction if the Democrats would support their property tax freeze.  The Dems refused and the Republicans stalled SB 120 at the last minute, so that the 2009 legislative session ended without a change.  Rep. Chambers was one of the few who really worked towards that campaign.

To add to her list of transgressions, she cut off Senator Stoner's mic in a meeting!  I mean really, a fellow legislator?  (I will talk about Stoner later, whom I personally adore).  She is known for constantly bullying and berating MARTA, the board, and CEO Dr. Scott and has hunted for discrepencies and corruption to fuel her fire and found none.  Rep. Chambers was also quoted as saying something along the lines that MARTA keeps crying financial woes but hasn't gone under yet.  Lady, did you notice the ARC bail out for MARTA?  That had no effect, right?  And all the other transit systems in the nation are just peachy, too, right WMATA?

I don't like negative people.  I think my problem with Rep. Chambers is that rather than be proactive and be part of the solution, she just adds to the problem.  She could help MARTA secure funds rather than waste their time dealing with her. But running against Rep. Chambers this year is a young and upcoming politician, Elena Parent.  She's from Virginia, I might add, and we all know how awesome things from Virginia are (play nice!)  Elena has made strides in her fundraising and is proving to be someone we should watch.  And, she's just a nice person to know, and someone who's pro transit.