Press release (no link):
As Transportation Secretary, [Jim] Aloisi will lead EOT and serve as chair of the governing boards of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). He will also continue to serve as a member of the Massport board of directors.
“Jim brings a deep understanding of the challenges we face in reforming our transportation network,” said Governor Patrick. “He will be a skilled and energetic advocate for our reform agenda.” …
Governor Patrick believes Aloisi will start working with legislative leaders and the transportation community immediately, in order to deliver on Governor Patrick’s vision for a safe and efficient statewide transit system….
“In these challenging times, my task will be to keep faith with Governor Patrick’s vision to bring the Commonwealth’s transportation system into a new era. In collaboration with the Legislature, Jeff Mullan and other key transportation officials, we will inaugurate a new model of consolidation, creativity and forward-looking thinking,” Aloisi said. “We will do so in a way that is fair to all of our transportation users – everyone from the riders on Regional Transit and MBTA buses, to commuters on MBTA subways and trains, to the motorists using our highways and bridges, and the travelers using our airports. I am convinced that we can adopt a comprehensive solution that eliminates outdated barriers to reform, and that is respectful of the dedicated men and women who drive those buses, maintain those trains and roads, and operate those airports.”
Well, hmm. I was just writing up an elaborate post with an extended baseball metaphor explaining why Aloisi didn’t seem to me like the right guy for the job. But, obviously, events have overtaken me on that one. Short version: when it’s the bottom of the ninth, two outs, two on, and the home team down by two (which strikes me as a fair description of where we are right now), who do you want at bat? Do you want a .205 hitter with a record of not many extra-base hits and a lot of strikeouts? ‘Cause that’s how Aloisi strikes me, based on his history with Kerasiotes, Amorello, and all the rest of it.
But, hey, sometimes that guy hits a home run, or at least a double that scores two runs and keeps the home team in the game. If Aloisi can manage that, terrific, and we skeptics can all eat our hats. But if it ends up just being business as usual, well, we told you so.
…given the cynicism of the “Big Dig Culture” among the electorate, Deval has got to get the financial mess of the entire transportation system “right”. This could be the pick that makes or breaks his reelection.
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p>You mean like Jason Varitek?
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p>Remember, Aloisi has intangibles, just like Tek’s ability to “handle the pitchers.”
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p>No other MLB team seems to value Tek’s intangibles, which is why he’s not exactly getting bowled over with offers, but the Sox seem to think it’s useful.
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p>I’ve read that Aloisi is well liked on Beacon Hill, notwithstanding Sen Hedlund’s post on BMG.
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p>That might not make him valuable to you, but perhaps the Governor thinks “I need someone who can get some stuff done over there.”
is that they’re actually pretty good hitters, in the great scheme of things. You and me, we can’t hit a major league fastball. We just can’t do it. So a guy who gets on base one out of five at-bats is, relative to the rest of the world, a pretty darn good hitter.
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p>Maybe that’s Aloisi. Of course he knows the transportation system inside and out — that’s why the Gov hired him. I mean, he can sure do the job a lot better than I could. But what makes me nervous is that, in the past, he’s whiffed a lot. And I continue to wonder whether there aren’t better hitters out there.
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p>< / painfully over-extended metaphor >
Bottom line is, in the case of catchers, Tek was the 30th best hitter with 200+ plate appearances in 2008, as ranked by OPS.
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p>He’s had better years in the past, but at 36 years old is way past his prime at catcher. In my opinion, he’s not in the Top 20 catchers in the league, and he’s certainly not worth $10 million a year.
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p>So sure, is he a good catcher when compared to 6 billion humans? You betcha. Is he a good catcher when comparing him to other qualified employees, namely other MLB catchers? I’d say no. As for intangibles… catchers all have intangibles. That’s why they’re not first basemen.
I will tolerate almost any degree of extension of a baseball metaphor.
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p>Will Aliosi quit on his team during the stretch? Will he hit one out onto the Pike? IS he Jay Payton? Lou Merloni? Will be get the trucks moving on Truck Day? Will he be selling parphenelia on ebay?
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p>Unfortunately, with this pick, the gov is looking a bit like the Harrington regime.
Remember when his initial staff was revamped because, with the outsideriness he campaigned on, they led him into a series of goofs?
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p>Has the governor learned that lesson too well? Transportation is an absolute minefield, politically, publicly, financially, legally. So he gets the guy who knows the terrain the best. Problem is, when your guy knows that much more than you do, he can control how much you know and can work his own angles.
I agree with Frank. The success or failure of this pick is likely to have a major impact on the Gov.’s re-election campaign. Time will tell. Here’s to hope if not, apparently, much in the way of change.
The guy who cand get things done and, at the same time, knows where all the bodies are buried is Jim Aloisi.
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p>Deval will either come out of this looking great or Aloisi’s Beacon Hill ways will make him just another pol.
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p>This is clearly a high stakes play by the Governor. I would give Deval and Aloisi 3 to 1 oddcs that thing go terribly wrong. Prove me wrong Governor.
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p>I really want Deval to succeed!
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For half the BMG community, the Ed King era is history book material.
I think the pick sucks. I’m surprised at Deval to bring in someone with so much DNA on him… and a lobbyist (don’t tell Obama the Gov hired a lobbyist).
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p>Politics as usual on Beacon Hill and another strike against the governor.
place to draw a line on a pick like this, on an issue that’s as important and currently relevant as transportation.
Enough is Enough… The message being sent by Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray is not good even if this thought is a trial balloon.
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p>This is coming after Governor Deval Patrick established a so called ethics task force appointing people such as former Attorney General Harshbarger, Former Administration and Finance Chief Charles Baker Jr, and former head of a once credible until his tenure House Post Audit and Oversight Committee Representative James Fagan whose committee formerly warned and warned before him the legislature,citizens,and media about the Big Dig. All could have been profiles in courage and help stop the waste, fraud, and abuse at the Big Dig and did not.
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p>Aloisi is a most charming guy to talk to. His record has beeen clear as stated in recent days both in the Boston Herald and Boston Globe, by Christy Mihos and Senator Robert Hedlund.
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p>I have observed Jim Alosi over the years and been involved in many battles woking with others to try to get accountability and oversight at the Big Dig, Turnpike, and for the Tunnels. Aloisi always seemed to be on the side?
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p>What message is being sent to the citizens on ehtics, morality, and decency in government with this alleged survivor insider?
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p>I ask you search out my website for further details of other and not all Transportation guilty,enablers,and heroes of the Big Dig to get a better perspective. Also, I ask that everyone stick to the issues in this discussion and not attempt to attack the whistleblowers or other messengers to do futher damage control or unfairly discredite those seeking the truth.
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p>Aloisi should not be appointed.
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A Friday afternoon in the middle of a snowstorm for the appointment??? Christmas Eve was originally considered.
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p>I guess Gov Patrick’s press people are considered essential state employees.
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p>If it smells like fish….(finish the statement)
Have become convenient cover for controversial proposals with lots of baggage.