Not So Fast

When it hosts its annual hearing on transit needs next month, the Ventura County Transportation Commission is likely to have a new member who is uncommonly knowledgeable about the process--perhaps even partisan.

Supervisors Frank Schillo and Judy Mikels have nominated Art Goulet, who retired last spring after 22 years as the county’s public works director, to be one of two “citizen representatives” on VCTC (along with five elected officials).

Is that good or bad? We have some concerns.

As public works director, Goulet oversaw building of roads, sewers and public buildings all over the county. He was widely respected for his intelligence, integrity, energy and attention to detail. These are all qualities that would make him an excellent addition to any organization, and we appreciate his willingness to take on this difficult, thankless post. But we question whether he can bring the sort of nongovernmental point of view that the title “citizen representative” implies.

We also have some concern that after so many years as the county’s master builder of roads and bridges he would be a less vigorous advocate for mass transit than those who depend on buses and trains. The annual “unmet needs” review pits mass transit users against road advocates in competition for millions in tax money from the state Transportation Development Act. By law, TDA funds are to be spent primarily on improving public transportation but can be used for road improvements if VCTC finds that all of the transit needs that are reasonable to meet are being met. Last year, Ventura County spent only about one-third of its $20.9 million from TDA on mass transit; most of the remainder was spent by city and county public works departments.

Our third concern is that Goulet’s appointment is scheduled for approval Tuesday on the Board of Supervisors’ consent agenda--considered noncontroversial and therefore exempt from public discussion. Clearly, this is an appointment on which public comment is warranted.

It may well be, as Supervisor Mikels says, that Goulet’s good mind and vast experience will greatly benefit the commission and that, freed from the concerns of being public works director, he will be an equally strong advocate for all of the county’s modes of transportation. We hope so. But his appointment should be discussed before it gets an automatic green light.