Houston Mayor Annise Parker today named her choices for five positions on the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Board of Directors in a news conference that included release of the report from the Mayor's Transition Task Force on the Metropolitan Transit Authority that she received from the committee on Saturday. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

Her appointees, who will be considered for confirmation by Houston City Council, are:  Gilbert Garcia, managing partner of Davis Hamilton Jackson and Associates; Dwight Jefferson, attorney at law; Carrin Patman, an attorney with Bracewell & Guiliani; Allen Dale Watson, a professional engineer, Cobb Fendley, an engineer; and Christof Spieler, a professional engineer with Morris Architects, who also is a transit rider. 

"This is a diverse group of very talented and respected Houstonians," Parker said.  "They can provide the leadership, transparency and accountability needed as we move to restore public trust in METRO.  This is a very critical time with difficult decisions ahead. I know this is the right group for the job."

George Grenias, a former member of the city council and a former city controller, chaired the transition task force.

"One of the most pleasant things about the last nine weeks has been to work with a group of citizens that literally put their shoulders to the wheel, and did it in a way that was professional, was measured, was objective, and at the end of the day I think the mayor will agree after spending Saturday with us...that the end result fully justified the confidence that she placed in the people she selected to serve on this particular task force," Grenias said.

Five different subcommittees reviewed METRO's finances, light rail plans, regional coordination, basic services and small business enterprise program. 

"Although each subcommittee conducted its work independently, common themes emerged that confirm the need for new management at METRO," Parker said.  "There are questions about the design and cost of rail expansion, communication issues, stakeholder frustration and a glaring need for a regional approach to mass transit.  We know there will be sufficient funding to build three new rail lines.  However, hurdles remain for funding a five line system.  I am committed to five lines, but we may need to proceed in phases."

The Obama Administration's budget proposal currently includes $900 million in federal funding for the North and Southeast Light Rail Lines.  The East End Line, the only line already under construction, and the Uptown Line are to be funded locally.  The University Line will also require federal funding.  The current best guess estimate of when that funding might be approved is 2014. 

The mayor's announcement followed a three-day trip to Washington during which she reiterated her strong support for the next phase of light rail.  She also met with other officials, including NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, in an attempt to save the Constellation Program.

"General Bolden is actually a Houstonian," Parker said.  "He is one of my constituents."

Parker said she reminded Bolden of the importance of NASA to Houston.   

Parker said she also left a message for President Obama.

"I requested that the President come visit me here in Houston so that I could show him our city," Parker said.  "He could get a sense of the impact that the changes that his administration is proposing would have on our region."

Mayor Parker's recommended METRO appointees are expected to be presented to City Council for confirmation on April 7, in time for them to attend METRO's April board meeting.

Earlier on Thursday the outgoing METRO Board of Directors held its final meeting. More