Monday July 28, 2008
It’s noonish and Gov. Jodi Rell just finished presenting awards to more than a dozen state companies and agencies for promoting car pooling as part of the 15-month-old “Tri-State 5,000,000 Mile Rideshare Challenge.”
“I am very proud of the accomplishments that Connecticut commuters and businesses have achieved,” she said. “Over the last year Connecticut commuters reduced their driving by 3.4 million miles, which is equal to having every major road and highway throughout the state being completely empty of cars for 1 hour. In addition commuters also saved 153,000 gallons of gas, the equivalent of 17 tanker trucks worth over $600,000!”
Commuters can join the program NuRide, an online ridesharing service.
During the event in the Capitol, new DOT Commissioner Joesph Marie, a Massachusetts guy, was already showing signs of wear and tear in the state’s unwieldy bureaucratic behemoth.
“When I started this job two weeks ago, I had no grey hair and I didn’t wear reading glasses,” joked the grey-haired commissioner, reaching for his glasses.
Another Massachusetts person, Gina McCarthy, DEP commissioner, accepted an award from Rell, who in mock aspiration noted “Another Red Sox fan.”
Marie, already talking sass to the boss noted: “You picked us” to the 60 people gathered in a Capitol meeting room.