I was the “lead” letter to the editor (i.e., the one in the grey box in the center of the letters page under a photo of the front page I was writing about) in yesterday’s Boston Herald.  It’s here on their Web site; here’s the text in case it’s no longer accessible there.  Following their text is the text of the original letter I sent them, before they edited it.

Foresight, anyone?

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The MBTA sometimes lets passengers ride for free, to keep the trains and buses safe and moving on special occasions. Mass Pike has been known to do the same thing at the behest of corporate sponsors, and also to alleviate traffic tie-ups (April 14).

Why, then, was there no contingency plan prior to Easter to open the gates when the backup reached ridiculous proportions? Pike director Alan LeBovidge should say, “We’re sorry. Our fault.” Instead he says, “Get used to it.” Has he forgotten that he works for us, not the other way around? And why isn’t Gov. Deval Patrick reminding him?

– Jonathan Kamens, Brighton

 And my original letter:

Subject: Pike should open the gates on holidays

To the editor:

The MBTA sometimes lets passengers ride for free, to keep the trains and buses safe and moving on special occasions.

The Turnpike Authority has been known to do the same thing at the behest of corporate sponsors, and also to alleviate traffic tie-ups.

Why, then, was there no contingency plan in place prior to Easter Sunday to give the Turnpike managers on duty the authority to open the gates when the backup reached ridiculous proportions?

Turnpike director Alan LeBovidge should be saying, “We’re sorry. It’s our fault. We should have opened the gates. If it happens again, that’s what we’ll do.” Instead, he’s saying, “Get used to it.” Has this guy forgotten that he works for the citizens of Massachusetts, not the other way around? And why isn’t Governor Deval Patrick reminding him?

Sincerely,

Jonathan Kamens