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| Home Front: Politix |
| Gov. Romney Takes Control of Big Dig Probe |
| 2006-07-15 |
| Gov. Mitt Romney signed legislation Friday giving him control of inspections in the Big Dig tunnel system, where falling ceiling panels fatally crushed a woman. The legislation was passed overwhelmingly by the Legislature late Thursday, which would also give the governor ultimate say on when the tunnels reopen, instead of the Turnpike Authority chairman. The move came as inspectors quadrupled the number of ceiling bolt problems found in the project, revealing there are at least 242 other points where bolts are separating from the tunnel roof. "When it comes to an issue of inspecting the tunnel system, to have the person who's been responsible for it for the last several years say, 'I'm going to inspect it' and tell us, 'It's now safe,' that's not enough," Romney said. Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello told reporters he would accept independent inspections. But he rebuffed requests that he step aside - even after state lawmakers urged him to accept a lesser role solely as an authority board member. Amorello has thus far ignored demands from the governor to step down. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 This is typical Democratic corruption and not a surprise to anyone, though the consequences were more dramatically tragic the consequences sound acceptable |
| Posted by: Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy 2006-07-15 22:58 |
| #7 Living in Mass and knowing one of the engineers I can make two salient comments... 1) As much of a hack as Amorello is, he wasn't in charge when this work was done. 2) A significant amount of the construction budget and some important contracts were funneled to Billy Bulger erst while head of the "Irish Mafia" and Mass Senate President. Oh yeah, his brother Whitey is #1 on the FBI most wanted list. This is typical Democratic corruption and not a surprise to anyone, though the consequences were more dramatically tragic. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2006-07-15 22:49 |
| #6 OR Let him keep his office, but romney should call the chief of police, tell him to get 20 of his healthiest off-duty men to meet him at Romney's office, tranport them over to Amorello's office and move everything out. Let Amorello have his office and nothing else. |
| Posted by: anonymous2u 2006-07-15 12:43 |
| #5 Lock him out of his office, recall him, fire him. There should be no negotiations, especially if Romney has higher aspirations. |
| Posted by: anonymous2u 2006-07-15 12:40 |
| #4 (Amorello) rebuffed requests that he step aside - even after state lawmakers urged him to accept a lesser role solely as an authority board member. Amorello has thus far ignored demands from the governor to step down. I'll translate to Massachuettsese. Negotiations are in progress. Give me the same deal as Billy Bulger, and I'm off to Florida, never to be heard from again. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-07-15 10:33 |
| #3 Engineers lie... trust me |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-07-15 09:55 |
| #2 I hung out w/ some state engineers last night. The stories they were telling were absolutely frightening, all the way back to the Fred Salvucchi days. |
| Posted by: Raj 2006-07-15 08:36 |
| #1 We stand ready to defend our phoney baloney jobs. |
| Posted by: Commander Zero Rebar FLA 2006-07-15 07:08 |