Gubanatorial Candidates Weigh In On DRPA

It began with a borrowed E-Z Pass used by the daughter of the DRPA’s Public Safety Chief to avoid bridge tolls.

Public outrage led to Michael Joyce’s resignation along with a raft of new allegations of patronage, waste and corruption at the Delaware River Port Authority.

Top brass are responding to calls from Governors Rendell and Christie to reform the agency.

Chairman John Estey is asking the DRPA Board to agree to a performance audit and a ban on the hiring of relatives of commissioners or employees.

Already in place: the suspension of free E-Z passes for DRPA for DRPA employees and an end to car allowances for top executives.

With bridge tolls about to rise to $5.00 next year, and a Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election just three months away, Fox 29’s Bruce Gordon wanted to know what the candidates have to say about the Commonwealth’s top appointee to the DRPA.

Bruce caught up with Gubernatorial hopeful Dan Onarato this morning. Onarato was John Estey’s law school classmate at Pitt – and they are longtime friends.

He said, “I know him. I know some of the other board members on there. What you need is reform. It is not about any individuals right now. “

When pressed on reforming with the same people in charge, Onarato responded, “When I become Governor, I will take a look at all or government from the secretaries of all the department of state governments . . . I will do a total reviews from top to bottom. I am not elected now, I am not going to talk about personnel but I will tell you this – the prerogative of a new governor to make changes across the board - I believe in.

Republican Tom Corbett was not in our area today.  A campaign spokesperson was quick to repond saying Corbett generally supports the reform measures now being talked about, and that, “Estey will be replaced by a competent manager who will not politicize the DRPA.”

The DRPA issues directly effects the Southeastern corner of the state, but it is likely to be a major campaign issue.