Let TransLink directors sit longer, Grinnell says

The woman in charge of reviewing how TransLink is governed says it's clear future directors need more time to rule.

“Regardless of who's on that board they just have to have a longer tenure than one year. That's just a given,” said former TransLink director Marlene Grinnell, who retired as Langley mayor last fall.

“It's a huge business,” Grinnell said of the more than $840 million operation. “You can't just learn it in a year.”

TransLink's current board of directors is made up of municipal politicians - most often city mayors - who hold one-year terms.

B.C. Transport Minister Kevin Falcon this week announced that structure will come under review, prompting Burnaby Mayor and current TransLink director Derek Corrigan to accuse the province of attempting to hijack control of the regional transport authority away from municipalities.

But Grinnell insists she and her panel, which includes former transportation deputy minister Dan Doyle and Richmond businessman Wayne Duzita, have been given a clean slate.

“There's no way we were given any bias from government at all,” Grinnell said.

Related posts: Mayor Corrigan craps on Falcon (metaphorically speaking)

Tags: translink, marlene grinnell, kevin falcon, derek corrigan, transportation, british columbia