Dear Editor:
The stories and letters about the appointment of John Corea to the Parking Utility are totally, negative. Councilmen and former commissioners had comments that are easier to classify as totally poliltical.
Set the record straight! I am more than qualified to do this. I was a Commissioner of the HPA for 25 years and am thoroughly familiar with the operations, the staff and more of the HPA.
HPA has had four directors. And on two occasions, the Commissioners rejected Jo Ann Serrano for the position of Director.
If her situation is political because John Corea was appointed then her appointment in 1995 was totally political, during the term of Mayor Russo. The former Chairman is her personal friend: a big supporter of former Mayor Russo – and a bigger supporter of Mayor David Roberts.
But now it is political, sexist and the chairman is upset, as is a Councilman.
What is political? 1995 or 2004? Both! Neither the newspapers nor the parties quoted did any research, and they should have.
There are councilpersons that would not vote him for dogcatcher, the operation has shown a profit, knows nothing about parking, zilch, nada.
Well, if Murphy’s Law and Peter’s Principal were applied there would be no need for negative comments, or letters. The profits resulted from the dedication of the commissioners and they made certain that HPA operated profitably.
My immediate reaction was objective and my comment was Hooray!
Corea has the educational background, business acumen, professional objectivity and sense, to fulfill the position. If comments from the staff are any indication, then his appointment will work. He has passed an important hurdle, the staff. I know that there will be comments directly opposed to this comment.
The parties who are throwing stones should remind themselves that the political shenanigans will continue and they will be part of it.
Does anyone need parking experience? No! The HPU is getting in Corea a director who will make certain that HPU operates efficiently, business like, customer oriented, The former HPA was handled in a strict business like procedure. That is why a profit was the norm and not a fluke, or the work of one person.
It is time for the Executive/Legislative branches to sit back and do what you are elected to do. Legislate.
Evaluate the applicant on the basis of their education, professional background and ability. Working at a position for years does not give anyone the expertise to do a higher job. Corea is the better selection of the parties. Forget the nonsense that is being disseminated about Corea. The former director was not demoted, nor did she take a cut in pay. The title was changed to conform to Civil Service criteria, and her salary was and still is $60,000. The Transportation Committee made a decision, Corea is the right person selected. Corea supported the administration and a councilman, So What? I applaud the Committee, making a bipartisan decision.
Corea, go to work. Make the negative – positive.
Good Luck. I know you will do the job. If I had to vote,I would vote affirmative.
Donald J. Pellicano