If Rom and Healey get the job done after wresting full control from the negligent hands of Matt "The Armadilo" Amorello, then they deserve lots of kudos. There really wasn't all that much that Rom could do when all authority rested with the Turnpike Authority. Rom certainly has been trying his hardest for years now to oust the Armadilo and it wasn't just because he doesn't like Armadilo. It's b/c the Turnpike was a hive of mismanagement of the Big Dig (leaks, cost overruns etc) and the Pike. Rom saw that the Armadillo was not doing a good job and because the legislature kept backing the Dillo, he remained in control whilst letting the Big Dig become a fiasco.

Hey Jimmy C., what you hearing about Senate leader Travaglini stepping down? I'm hearing that Therese Murray is next in line and that Steve Panagiotakis will rise up the ranks also because of it since he's chummy with her.

Hey, how about Plymouth Selectman Sean Dodgson (just recently elected in May in a massive but close upset over the long time BoS Chairman) being arrested for internet solicting for sex of underage children? Seems like Plymouth voters made a huge blunder getting rid of a veteran and good Selectman for a sexual predator all just because they wanted "a change." LOL!

Dr. No, I reported last week on this blog that Travaglini is getting closer to bailing out on the state Senate. He's looking to feather his nest with a top "private" sector job to pay for his kids' educational pursuits. Nothing wrong with that, I guess, but you know the contacts he made in state government are what is going to get him the higher-paying job. Whatever happened to being a "public servant"? The idea that these JFK Democrats (remember the Peace Corps?) would work for the people to make life better, without thinking of themselves. You've got to hand it to the oldtimers in politics. They got things done without looking like greedy, perk-addicted hacks. Or maybe I'm just being sentimental and they all had the same idea.
Yes, Steve Panagiotakos will step up big time when Therese Murray takes over for Trav. The deal is already done. My question is this: How long will Murray last before Pangy becomes the Senate leader? I say one term of office, two years, and then Pangy will be No. 1. He's got a lot of respect on Beacon Hill for being a straight shooter, plus he's smart and knows the Greek alphabet.

Romney comes out of this thing looking good. Like the Olympics years ago, he can come in at the end and straighten out the mess. Face it, a politician standing up and saying "I want to be responsible for this" is a rare thing.

Authorities are designed to reduce responsibility of the elected leaders. I think they are a disgrace. The original concept was to eliminate 'politics,' instead they become centers of hack jobs, featherbedding, budget busting and endless overruns. When things go wrong, nobody can be held responsible. And you can never kill them (witness the mass pike authority).

Fact is, if that roof had fallen and missed the car, we would still be in the same situation. Years of mismanagement, lack of oversight, and the blame game have just become the way things go when it comes to authorities. Its sad that it took a death to get the legislature to finally do something to reclaim some trust in the system... and all they did was pass off the responsibility to someone else.

Reilly comes out looking bad, once again. With all the reports of drinking on the job, bad materials, no-show jobs, supplies going home with employees.. he did nothing. Any attempt by him at this point just looks like his trying to get some points out of this disaster.

I don't see Healy getting anything from this other than some coat-tail fallover. But we'll have to watch how she gets involved.

I think the real question is who reputation is going to be damaged as a result of the Big Dig troubles because there is no question Romney looks good.