Maybe He Drives A Steamroller To Work

Is it at all strange that Governor Spitzer’s choice to serve as the new head of the MTA is the president of a company that develops shopping malls you have to drive to? I’m just saying is all:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer nominated H. Dale Hemmerdinger on Monday to be the new head of the MTA. The nomination must be approved before the senate adjourns for its summer break next week.

Hemmerdinger, the President of Atco Properties and Management, which owns the Shops At Atlas Park in Glendale — not to mention 2 million square feet of additional residential, commercial, industrial and retail space — is ecstatic about the opportunity, but will take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to any policy upheaval.

“I don’t have an answer that is very satisfying yet,” Hemmerdinger said when asked about what changes he foresees. “I’m not there yet. I don’t want to comment on policy matters. That’s something I get to as I learn the job and learn what’s necessary.”

One issue Hemmerdinger was open about was fares. He explained that “keeping them affordable” is in everyone’s best interest and that’s what he hopes to do.

“Nobody wants to raise fares, but the price of oil goes up, the labor costs go up,” he said. “It’s the world we live in. Our job is to keep them as affordable as possible.”

Still, while he was chairman of the Citizens Budget Commission, the group made recommendations on how to balance the MTA’s budget, including higher fares for riders and more tolls and fees for motorists, published reports said.

Published reports also said that Hemmerdinger’s wife has given $40,000 to Spitzer campaign committees since 2000. She also hosted a Democratic Party fund-raiser at the Hemmerdingers’ Central Park South penthouse in May.

. . .

Hemmerdinger, 62, who spends several days a week at Atlas Park, has known the governor for almost 30 years, saying they likely met on the tennis courts. They have a long-standing relationship, and though he wouldn’t speculate on policy, he said one of his goals is to inform riders of the MTA’s responsibilities so that they can better understand the services afforded.

“Education of the public is what one needs to do,” Hemmerdinger said. “To have people understand as best they can what the MTA does and how it’s funded. I think there is a lot of misinformation about that. The more people know, the more they understand.”

“I think it’s really neat,” he added. “How often do you get a chance to help 2 billion-plus riders every year? What a great way to help your fellow human beings. I think it’s great to be in a position to do that. My only job is to do good for the riders.”