Candidate Statements for the October
2020 Regional Transportation Advisory Council Election
Candidate Statement: Lenard Diggins,
Rider Oversight Committee, running for Chair of the Advisory Council
Introduction
I have thoroughly enjoyed being Chair of RTAC over the last
year. I have learned much more than I
expected, and I feel that I have been able to make positive contributions to
RTAC as well as to the MPO on behalf of RTAC.
Despite this being a very challenging year for
all of us, I think that members of RTAC adapted very well. WRT my leadership, I can’t
blame any shortcomings on the pandemic, though.
The goals that I set out last year were ambitious, but I always like to
push myself.
So, let’s review the goals from
last year:
Goals
(A) We have just wrapped up that process. It took much longer than originally planned,
but it was worth the extended effort.
(B) Scenario planning for the next LRTP is in the works,
and that may begin as early as this coming year.
(C) This is going to require a lot advice from and a lot
more collaboration with Kate White.
Nonetheless, we should still do a thorough review of the Needs
Assessment, and I will make that a priority.
We have made some decent progress on this goal, and the
MBTA (through Samantha Silverberg) has demonstrated a willingness to meet with
members of RTAC as a group or as individuals in order to make their project
selection process as transparent as possible.
Of course, I attended every meeting!
Though I made no progress on this goal, I am strongly
committed to it, and I will make it a higher priority in this coming year.
There was no progress of this goal, and I want to combine
it with our review of the Needs Assessment.
Needless to say, we will do a lot of reading
next year.
Since time is such a premium at our monthly meetings (even
after extending the duration by 15 minutes), it was harder to do this than I
expected. We did, however, devote our
August meeting to members telling each other about themselves and their
organizations as well as the issues/topics they would like for RTAC to discuss.
I could stand to do this more, and I encourage anyone to
reach out to Scott and/or me anytime that you have an idea for a topic to
discuss.
I certainly need to work on this a lot more. With the long
list of groups and organizations that I received from Kate White,
it will be easier to do the outreach. The point of this goal, however, is not
so much to increase membership as it is to get ideas and feedback.
Conclusion
The Boston Region MPO is complex, but I feel that I am
kicking into a higher gear as we begin the next cycle of the TIP and the UPWP
as well as the second year of development of the next LRTP. I look forward to playing a more
knowledgeable role both as a member of the MPO Board but also as a Chair who
makes members of RTAC more empowered and capable of providing more informed
feedback to the MPO as well as the constituents that we represent.
Candidate Statement: Scott Zadakis,
CrossTown Connection, running for Vice Chair of the Advisory Council
Over the five years that I have been attending RTAC
meetings I have become well-acquainted with the functions of the Boston MPO and
I have enjoyed learning more over time about the important planning role the
MPO plays in sustaining, expanding, and evolving our regional transportation
systems. During this time, I have observed that the varied disciplines,
sectors, and voices that are represented within RTAC – whether members,
presenters, staff, or attendees – create great value in our meetings and
ultimately bring a diversity of insight to our group that we channel in our
input to the MPO. I look forward to the opportunity as Vice Chair to continue
my role in facilitating informative meetings with dynamic presentations that
make RTAC both interesting and effective as an advisory body. As Vice Chair I
will continue to assist the Chair in any way I can to communicate the vision of
our members to the MPO. I will also strive to keep meetings efficient and keep
the Council on-task to improve transportation assets in our region. Lastly, I
look forward to continuing to work closely with CTPS and MPO staff to help them
carry out their mandate, as well as with RTAC committees, guest speakers, and
all of you.