John Matheussen
Gov. Christie put John Matheussen, former Republican state senator and current Delaware River Port Authority CEO, in charge of reforming the agency that historically has been one of the deeper patronage pits for political hacks. Here's what Christie is getting for that decision: The proposed DRPA budget for 2011 includes hikes in bridge tolls and PATCO rail fares that would boost revenue by 11.4 percent. A resolution brought by Pennsylvania Commissioner John J. Dougherty, calls for DRPA to plug the authority's budget with funds allocated but unused for economic development projects rather than raise tolls. Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco supports that. “With little economic improvement seen in New Jersey or its neighboring states across the Delaware River, I support the proposal to put off next year’s rate increase,” he said. “The authority needs to determine how to run its operation without reaching deeper into the pockets of commuters who have been forced to tighten their belts due to the recession.
Though the amount of uncommitted money is in dispute, most was allocated by Vice Chairman Jeff Nash for a variety of uses in South Jersey. Nash, also a Camden County freeholder, owes his political career to being a "yes" man for Camden Democratic Boss George Norcross, who reportedly
Jeff Nash
wants Nash to be Cherry Hill mayor as well (What's up with Cherry Hill voters?) Nash never saw a political giveaway he didn't love. And yet, Christie never called for him to step down. Matheussen got the DRPA job after he didn't seek re-election to his Senate seat. Norcross eventually spent more than $4 million to get Fred Madden elected to the post which pays $49,000 a year.
DRPA officially operates four bridges across the Delaware River and the PATCO high speed line from South Jersey to Philly. But over the years it has been expert at spreading around toll money for projects unrelated to transportation.
