Posted on 11/09/2005 1:19:12 PM PST by CedarDave
WASHINGTON -- Amtrak's board of directors on Wednesday fired President David Gunn, saying the debt-laden rail carrier needs "a leader with vision and experience."
Gunn has struggled to maintain Amtrak service amid a sinking financial picture and a push by the White House and some in Congress to recraft it as a group of regional inter-city companies.
"Amtrak's future now requires a different type of leader who will aggressively tackle the company's financial, management and operational challenges," Amtrak Chairman David Laney said in a statement.
"The board approved a strategic plan in April that provides a blueprint for a stronger and more sustainable Amtrak. Now we need a leader with vision and experience to get the job done."
Rep. John Mica said Gunn was fired because of a clash over the board's vote in September to authorize splitting off the Northeast Corridor, an idea backed by the Bush administration. The corridor accounts for the largest share of the railroad's ridership.
"David Gunn bucked that idea, so that was the straw that broke the camel's back," said Mica, R-Fla. "He's a very capable operational manager, but he wasn't willing to go along with the dramatic changes that need to be made."
Gunn, who assumed the post in 2002 after having headed transit systems in New York City, Washington and Toronto, could not be reached for comment.
<< snip >>
Other lawmakers said Gunn had become a roadblock to overhauling national rail service.
"I am hopeful that new leadership can open the door for Amtrak to work closely with Congress to achieve meaningful reforms," said Rep. John Sweeney, R-N.Y.
Amtrak has never made money in its 34-year history and an operating loss of more than $550 million was expected for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
At least he could have resigned, thereby shooting himself with his own gunn.
What does W want to do with the railroads?
What did this guy want to do with them that was different?
David Gunn did a good job with the NYC subway system. He is a capable operations manager. But I rode Amtrak for the last five years, and it was evident to me that he was very far from fixing anything there. He spent billions and the service just kept getting worse and worse.
Maybe he lacked the authority to really do what needed to be done.
Don't you need a permint to fire a gunn in DC??
If Chuckie Schumer is saddened, you know that was the right move. Is Mikey Dukakis still on the board? Will Willie Green be applying for the job?
I thought it was illegal to fire a gun in DC.......
Are the employees 'gubmint' or ordinary union guys....or neither?
FIRED???? Was he in Paris????
See the above link and go here for an admittedly pro-passenger rail viewpoint:
He throws our tax dollars at them.
He was derailed, so to speak.
Should the "Bang" list be pung?
Just curious, ever work for Amtrak (I did)?
That's only part of the story, and "profit" can be defined any way that someone with an agenda to push defines it. The infrastructure requires extensive rebuilding that requires billions not covered by any fare box. Without a national system, the federal support for that effort is likely lacking.
Too bad. I loved his theme song.
Oh, wait, that was Peter Gunn. Never mind.
}:-)4
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.