Mary Connaughton on the Pike

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" Broncos during the from a new balanced world headquarters building. Here's here's star powered car shows. And these town hall meeting. Who decides what questions -- I think a group over new media is his shuffling through questions if you are so pre select. No we usually just generally can't get tickets first come first -- six in this case it's the we're invited either by -- Universe and look right. It's it's -- you're low. -- just open it up people -- question. I'll let you ask me questions -- is where you thought questions of the town hall meeting. The president conducted in Annandale high end and it par I."

" It's like us but -- may. Okay you people call for old men there --"

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" Now how Google released. I am a product of affirmative action -- off color guard W arterial radio network. One."

" 877469432218774694322. You can I was most of the show. On the Internet go to our website which is Howie -- dot com you saw a headline in The Herald today. Pike hacks ride for free. Hundreds of pike employees and retirees are cruising the toll road fat free and easy thanks to special fast lane transponders handed out to more than half the agency's workforce is a perk. Pike officials vowed to eliminate the freebies after herald review showed a total of 4200. Non revenue transponders were on the road. And that 849. Out of thirteen hundred like employees had to have one. Another 232. Pike retirees get. Approved you're retired yell what can you believe that. The F fat pension law fatter than he had the private sector you're getting health care and then you get it to -- the turnpike for foray. 232. Pipe retirees get you get free rides. Joining us now on the line is a -- and a member of the Massachusetts. Turnpike board of directors. A Marriott Fed thanks for being with -- how we. Our show. Sure current. I know you're going out of business with plans to rhetorical question first wind visited with the Massachusetts turnpike authority. "

" Love Greg -- you know -- the program hat is going away on October 31 Danube port is taking over on November 1. But unfortunately the elimination for the abolition of the turnpike it's not mean -- polls are going to go away. So it will be a different structure but told well they're going to be there and knew it shortly -- bigger majority is going to be created. I hope for is that they'll be able to plan better and streamline spare but certainly it's a fear that. Eddie or -- a wee bit less accountability pentagon -- government entity those superiors are there are."

" first they took the arrow out of -- and took that it did they kept collecting tolls now the hat you're right is going away they're gonna have but they're gonna keep collecting tolls -- what happened gone."

" That's right so as long as they're told to sit there is this turnpike authority in the end one way or another what do whatever they call it whatever locally it get --"

" It's predicted that. Entities going to take you to continue to take money unfairly I would say out of our toll payers pockets. He would never play should be -- call that the colts -- We don't like these are getting their patrol."

" Did you know about these special transponders before the before you -- the call from my -- yes."

" That yes actually when I was first appointed to the board. I was offered what of these things in my new board. Package against. Indoctrination package would get an application for why these things as a what is this all about. And I certainly didn't want -- wanna go near anything like that. And then after a madame Marleau resigned from the turnpike authority and John are we out -- took over. He eliminated the purpose for all the management and all board members of board members could no longer get them. Management can no longer Japan. Well got those things that would still floating around out there -- imagine they would be. Aliens in these throughout you know."

" What I was wondering how do you think -- this guy Paul motion of the guy who was allegedly shot his his cocaine supplier in the cook them. Down in Donna Walpole did not DI wonder she was driving to -- cook is cocaine dealer with one of these free transponders. As he was a toll taker you know Moshe Paul."

" Electrical car different shirt that he was able to receive the -- benefit and -- that there -- entitled so. -- that the issue it's these things the reason why they haven't been taken away it was because they work out part of a co worker bargaining --"

" 0120 settling the infamous local 127 which defended the Paul Moshe and wanted to keep him on the payroll even after he was arrested and charged with killing and dismembering and cooking his cocaine supplier. That."

" I think they've backed off a bit from that position but I -- biblical record 27. I've done unfortunately because there's sixty. -- this still. Thank you can you speak contractually liable now with the new authority taking over CD turnpike unions didn't fare well actually they as far as. I'll be in the speaker of the turnpike authority unions. Bidding farewell column this legislation so there is going to see changes made these contracts ever imagine going forward. But you know it's certainly sets that bad precedent certainly leaves a bad taste and the people who smoke and the public smoke. To to see that you -- taxes are going up and people ride the good turnpike for free. Now what it's able you know it's part of the union negotiation -- that you take -- back Steven on something else to get this our country there are packed with ports. Yeah but this is when when it comes to an unlimited usage is this."

" Well I know the fact to. Mary you know they say we they need to go on the turnpike to get to work or just what you want -- to go on the turnpike to get to work too well we don't get a free ride. Right I mean isn't this dude is this just goes to the hypocrisy here it and you don't know lingered before we get to the calls -- 18774694322. The you know I. I couldn't believe it this week when I was reading stories about the the hall signing the signing the sales tax and it's you know who you one line in the sales tax -- The UBS is some of the sales tax money hundred million will be used so that there's no more there's there's there's no toll increases in the Mass Turnpike. In many of these idiots that are posting on the message board saying well also those people there that are on the Mass Pike they want me to pay for their road. Any day how how many hundreds and thousands of stories you have to read understand. That the polls are being collected from people to pay for road that they don't use. They're making its delegates are ripped off I am not that I'm in favor of increasing the sales tax -- increasing no taxes but these video. -- defend the fact that there might have been a toll increase would've been the -- the most unfair thing a ball."

" Right absolutely. I mean I think the governor wants an opportunity if it's still it's going to be attacks increased. And people -- like a tax increase obviously but if they thought the whole boot coming down as a result. I think we could probably live with a whole lot better whether -- from. For your sources there are short so short or he's. Or west says the city spirits company that you could see something very tangible for people have to understand that that roadway was supposed to be free road. You know it in in the eighty. Yeah after the -- were taped for graphic dollar whether it's a big big dollar or maintenance dollar on the western turnpike. That's one month dollar that this they have to pay from the general fund to maintain the roadway because it's coming directly -- people's pockets. So what I think you are on the turnpike you basically subsidizing someone else that doesn't have to."

" I was and I wasn't the real happy either a CEO we see say well this is gonna freeze the tolls for two or three years except under unexpected circumstances. Panel right Kim mud though -- in in Manuel may be -- in a more honorable political culture you can accept that as a good faith. Warning. But -- but around here unexpected circumstances could just mean they need some money you know part."

" And that it's. Or are there waiting till after the two without compel actions so that you certainly can't. I'm telling you what's going on on the western turnpike. They're eating into reserves so I voted against this they've eaten into about. Seventeen million dollars worth of weaker -- the last -- board meetings. Which is basically assuring that those called on the western turnpike in 2017. Are supposed to go away that they now and what they've their very reluctant now to to reinstate tools on exit one through six. Because they don't wanna -- before if people hiking tolls. But the fact that they're both polls I have been told that the free for passenger vehicles. Has caused the western turnpike to suffer financially. So the other so called off our polling there dip into the reserves. And then wait to see what happens after election. You know it's it's it's incredible you. So not the problem what in the interests and -- to its reinstate those totally fair -- but something. -- and that's what it's been met George started -- subsidize so. The people on the far left."

" I'm -- not a fear of the turnpike obviously having paid paid the tolls my entire driving -- life. But you know as this thing comes to an end they they really did kill the golden goose did make these people. It took them it only took the -- eleven years to just totally and completely. Demolish. A major cash cow. The over the years that all."

" That's fit in not only -- it -- it was related toll money that was being used. It's all there is curse that the turnpike can still -- yeah this cell or land and other assets. Two K -- they didn't. The truth I can't really was are very CR I'm sure that patronage I'm sure there was mismanagement. But it's still ran and people can complain --"

" Aren't all like complained. I complain once they found out that all supposed to come down not."

" Extent -- is -- it's at least thank you felt like you're paying for your own road. And justified because the power -- Obama. There are going to be great -- who just don't know what the price to be done on the turnpike right I'm not I'm concerned as to what's going to have to have going forward. Shame crude for expansion --"

" I still remember that wanted to do was in that this December 2007 and I had I was just planning you know just say okay I gotta get by mumble roads to get onto the turnpike but once you on the turnpike everything will be fine. And you know what I had it I had no problems on the city of Boston streets. But once they get to that to the turnpike well you know what it was like then there was there was like a blizzard of -- and we take. It."

" The world fellow at least in part of the state which is GM because what happened was. -- meet the governor basically told their want to go home at 12 o'clock o'clock that day. I mean everybody not just state workers they want yeah so that's showing how much the same time. All the roads which can do but what you could do about it was just incredible."

" 18774694322. So we're talking to Americana than mass turnpike authority board member at least for a few more months tell the board goes out of business -- take down my hat's. And they replace him with a new fancy logo and probably about an outstretched palm would be my suggestion and a we're talking about the fact that hundreds of -- employees and take retirees are cruising the toll road for Fleury. They get three transponders it's amazing. What -- back with the arrows I loved I have to the end though they weren't PC they they went away during Mike dukakis'. -- time. Thanks what what -- what -- mr. -- it was his -- was mister X was about to get a chance to what talk that was I don't call back mr. acts 18774694322. -- your next with how -- Americana than go --"

" Yeah I just went out Mary about an organization called CC PS centralized transportation. Planning staff and work what role to play with with the site."

" They tell you about this deep work. Outside of the operations control center South Boston."

" No -- like -- regional. I think it's. They're actually in the same building used as you go to our. Okay I'm glad I'm I'm not all of unfortunately not familiar with what they do specifically. There are surface for the."

" You know they weren't really worked her that. They work for turnpike her executive office of transportation and construction her mass highway and they work for the workforce --"

" He's above that he sepia. Or of their web site. It just seemed like another bureaucracy."

" It sure sounds like woman we've never heard of it's are we can't help -- now want. 18774694322. Walt your next with Howie Carr and -- and go ahead Walt."

" I doubt -- question Korea. The voice you are writing in a western part of stated that the world experience. To slice of pizza as well during eleven mile. And I got a system they link the turnpike. Put the imagination that anything -- considered -- apparently he had."

" They're -- rented out to McDonald's McDonald's has a long term leaks are those god pod -- We're in the media are much away to personally think -- turnpike. -- This -- The girls basically controls those are things. -- does -- to have the -- rental payment for many cheer."

" You know that that missile Wei goes the -- but we don't want they they had they know they've got you you know you don't wanna get off and off the toll road you have to go through the toll rose against of their of their sticking it to yet. It's not that it."

" the turnpike get a -- say but they don't believe doesn't get a cut."

" But like you say they charge an arm leg -- right if it's that it's Ohio."

" Think gas go to control over how much they could charge. Per gallon gasoline if you drive a different -- I could not outrageous prices. As that this big contracts call for them -- average prices in that particular area. They can't just Jack up these guys get on the price we -- I guess there. There are limitations to this there are some controls there."

" I Walter would argue it would be a while but ever get a pizza there but -- like you just warn you you'll have another arrest sticker shock if you get a bottle of water they go for about three box at the office hoaxes but those clauses thanks for the call -- GM your next with how we guard in -- continent from the turnpike go ahead --"

" 'cause I -- you have caller for Weston mass I don't observation because it or questions the first thing is that. I was or those people that sold or it's the best serve quite -- years and years ago. Unfortunately. That perception. That has been created. Just -- was return at the reality. Is that what's going out of Boston. Throughout the state people just this negative. Feeling of both the administrators. The people who run the show these politicians. And right now. -- clients and clients of friends of mine in the business. We we have that problem of trying to. Talk to people and tell them that yes these bonds have a good rating. The bonds are -- the funds and yet they can back to us and it's almost an -- always people there are there -- there on the public dole and that this transponder which register to vote. Riding a white current. -- just another -- across the the the horror of the state workers these horrible people that are involved in running that I tremendous very. We're not -- mattress under me. What you wanna -- futile but the point there is good. The image of this they work of the image of this state administration it is just -- or demo what -- another receiver turn -- a question."

" Jump -- right can I give you a potential sales pitch when you're still on the turnpike bonds. You don't have to worry about. The state every defaulting on these bonds not just because they've signed the -- because it's a contract. But do you realize how many of the legislators have -- relatives. On the turnpike -- they're never gonna let this thing go out of business whatever the name is they can change the name but it's always going to be there and so he's these bonds. Are as good as --"

" I appreciate that account I appreciate dog do you have me Mary don't you think that's a -- Julie how -- the soil for dinner."

" Right it didn't -- those bonds will never be defaulted on. I'm right stated that we accept -- concedes circumstance but that's happened right now they are not good if they're just I'm not sure of investment grade."

" I mean that's but notch above junk bond status steps that the lowest level of investment grade. But what's going to happen is that the state housing and another hundred million dollars. To the turnpike authority that should turn around the situation with those barns. -- option deals that -- turnpike authority entered into in 2001 and it's gotten to really put a negative. You know really helped to hurt the bond rating right now -- get this. In 2010. If it's budgeted to take. 36 million dollars. To pay for those -- option B or else 36 million -- it's a deal weren't good deal oneself. Yes she knows it Jim keep selling -- markets right now aren't that great. And so because at least watching the turnpike -- had to recall its existing pets fixed rate debt -- issue variable rate debt but the markets think cookie if so."

" That the children are even able to hear that."

" But literally buried within no Kashmir this state those -- I would imagine. You know are are very they're helping."

" What's your question Jim. My question. Goes back to the fact that these transponders. And the fact of the state is not taking this over and it's under contract with the unions you know when. The contracts are gonna be renegotiated you have any idea of this door is situation as well as -- And that the fact that they've got to do something to its goal they're more moral attitude all the way to the -- in the airport authority over everyone --"

" Why aren't there isn't there it is good opportunity here with the new organization starting."

" I think if they follow this same pattern that would be the same result."

" It's a serious the same people always you're not gonna be there marry you were you on the board won't go away but I mean Jim well we see is still going to be the boss hacks -- You know all the same people with the exception of Paul motion are still going to be garner was still gonna be Manning the almost every day right."

" and and the challenge is now back some big critics -- point the entire board."

" That's that this board could and the people that he is he'll be at two point -- loyalists are people over ideal obviously has good beleaguered parent."

" And god yes hopefully there'll be controls for this transparency stay in place but. --"

" Thanks -- called -- Mr. -- is back go ahead mr. -- You know."

" Mary KRI. Com because all people of -- the transponder. Tell us if that any -- works well polite or it could do would show their hike might be. And they go right through. -- got."

" Well the white they need the transponders."

" That I -- I would mystified on that I had that thought it broke the story above BI deep and I were -- auto. Even bothering with those four."

" I just -- all of this image is poised some that I dubbed mr. X and Marriott. If you if you have a transponder. For -- free transponders can use it in other states like New Hampshire -- New York."

" No way you be charged for you to -- other transponders -- doing he could pass play down and get charged for. -- what mr. X is talking about is is that these there's another group attack itself there you know."

" I of the public it's more about the tickets and these other tickets outfit called tickets."

" are used in this situation where I -- poorly or."

" Tell me a paycheck that's. Can I give me --"

" I think every day that we are actually well it can't be. Audit committee. It was a no -- We directed this internal hard to look into the control over those tickets. And what they -- beyond what resulted. The."

" I artillery or they'll be coming back until after your not around anymore marriage. But the."

" Well let's -- let -- it's an issue that they actually."

" You can be dealt with with proper internal control. So if someone is using it to -- guarantee on official business. And the times -- law -- when people use lingo so there is betrayal there."

" Well -- okay mister X thanks for -- Scott you're actually -- your describe your next with Howie Carr and very confident that turnpike board of -- the director of the turnpike go ahead Scott."

" I gotta question this the chart like -- look at the volume of traffic and everything should be you really cash cow and there's a road down in. Washington and Maryland that leaders -- prop pride that highway. And it they use. Really somewhat trapped white gay you are. Since the government incapable running these terms like two big problem organic this'll. Suction of the so. Turn over to the private sector. The debate. Fuels which trucking companies. You know you can negotiate deals the year -- morning."

" Welcome Kristy may host wanted to do right Merriam and he wanted to basically sell the pike -- yourself you wanna -- The real thing."

" Serviced -- north south service process. Yeah I think -- so what we're of course talking about is what the public private partnerships is that correct."

" Where it's turnpike or the state basically you need to -- the whole broad. We sit up and maintenance for at least this the toll collection and it taught what happened -- with diet and many at least these deals are structured. So this sale. It up big upfront cash is given to the state -- they can be billions of dollars right -- the concern is that the state gets all the money up front what's it going to do with that squander our -- destruction these things it's. -- That's very it's something that the new legislation provides for so at least a portion of that growth rate can be considered to get around. I think subject to this at some point. There's no current plans in place to do that. But it's something you know if it's an alternative that should be looked at it took private entities can operated more efficiently. And this state case."

" And certainly can oversee it that's a big yes yeah and that the contract there are provisions are capable for -- stage thanks a mission that can."

" Thanks to a call -- one more call them what you go -- show on -- next with how we coronary -- turnpike board member go ahead John."

" I I'm Mary -- and I got. I don't know of Tibet Burma cyclone anybody you know it's a beer the other side about that. This used to be the best throw of the -- it and you know you everybody epic got to pay for. The pipe giveaway is. It's as bad as somewhat irrelevant and the city of Austin."

" The most part there it's it's it's called the big big it's called the Big Dig everything shocked a lot of good resource is as. All of the actual roadway so we don't bridge projects to deter."

" Yeah yeah that that prudential tunnel is just that disgusting. Mess and an all lights around a year you're right Sean about that it. It's it's not the you know you don't -- I always bitch and moan about having to pay the toll especially after the bonds were paid off but -- it's it's gone downhill total."

" And -- I don't pick up the -- other resource as we're going there in the actual. You know maintenance capital improvements were just being deferred deferred deferred. And that's the reason why everything is bubbling up right now -- capital improvements haven't been made in the funding isn't there. To make them because of that they need the Mass Turnpike taking on one point nine billion dollars with a Big -- cost in the ongoing operations. It's going to that Harry was saying that you stay cash cow. You're now it is something very different."

" Thanks for the call -- and Mary thanks for being -- as we appreciated and you know good luck -- these transponders on of these local 127 members cold dead fingers."

" Have a great fourth of July."

" Thanks same to you merry happy fourth of July 18774694322. On the -- car."