By Jake Palmateer
ONEONTA _ The resignation of OPT Director Joseph Richards on Tuesday was not unexpected, said one of the city bus drivers who helped bring a series of complaints to the Common Council.
"It's a shame it had to come to this point, but I think all the drivers are definitely more relaxed than they have been in a long time," full-time driver Christina DiMiceli said. "They are very happy with what happened."
Dozens of OPT riders and drivers aired their grievances at a Common Council meeting Sept. 1.
Concerns raised included driver access to a bathroom at the OPT station in Clinton Plaza, route changes, removal of a vending machine and Richards' alleged discourteous treatment of riders.
Richards did not want to discuss his resignation when contacted at his Norwich home Wednesday.
"I don't have any comment," he said.
Part-time driver Phil Marasca, who was hired two months ago by Richards, said other drivers are relieved, but he also said he has some sympathy for Richards.
"I'm sure he has bills to pay, and a family and stuff," Marasca said.
Richards was trying to get OPT better organized, Marasca said.
"It don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing," he said. "I didn't experience anything negative."
The motion to appoint Richards in March was made by Personnel Committee Chairman Kevin Hodne, alderman for the Eighth Ward, and seconded by Seventh Ward Alderman Lizabeth Shannon.
All seven aldermen at the meeting voted in favor of the appointment. Second Ward Alderman Paul Robinson was absent.
Previously, OPT was administered by former Personnel Director John Insetta, who performed OPT director duties in a part-time capacity, receiving a stipend. Insetta retired in early 2008.
Hodne said the resignation and the reasons behind it were discussed in an executive session at Tuesday night's Common Council meeting.
"I am just not going to really talk about that," Hodne said, noting it was a personnel matter. "It just didn't work out."
Hodne said OPT is in capable hands with Fleet Operations Manager Paul Patterson assuming a part-time temporary role as OPT director.
"We are very fortunate in having Paul step forward," Hodne said.
DiMiceli said the drivers are looking forward to working with Patterson.
"He's been in this business for a long time. We all know him," she said.
Hodne said he expects the matter of finding a full-time replacement will be discussed at the next Personnel Committee meeting Oct. 5.
"We are going to attempt to fill the position by advertising and trying to find qualified candidates," Hodne said.
The terms of Richards' resignation, including any possible severance package, were not immediately available from city officials Wednesday.
Shannon said a committee on transportation that studied ways to make OPT more efficient before Richards was appointed will meeting again soon.
"The mayor plans to reorganize the Transportation Committee and I'll be a part of that since I have been the council liaison to the committee since I was elected," Shannon said. "An effective Transportation Committee will help Mr. Patterson carry out his new duties."
