Anger After WMATA Board Chair Takes Personal Shot At Prince George's County

WMATA Board Chair and D.C. Councilman Jack Evans raised a few eyebrows when he took a shot at Prince George's County in a recent interview, and it's drawn some anger from the local union.

When local radio station WAMU asked Evans whether money he has taken from local businesses affects how he acts, he dismissed the argument, saying: "This isn't Prince George's County."

Evans certainly has some ammo on his side. Earlier this year, a former Maryland delegate from PG County was indicted on federal bribery and wire fraud charges for allegedly accepting thousands of dollars in exchange for supporting certain liquor law bills. The indictment was part of a multiyear public corruption campaign into the county board responsible for issuing liquor licenses.

Even though the remark had nothing to do with Metro, that didn't stop the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 -- which represents Metro workers and is battling with Evans and other WMATA officials on a number of issues -- to issue a statement slamming Evans for the remarks.

"ATU Local 689, the largest union of WMATA, representing more than 7,000 members and their families in Prince George’s County, find the Chairman’s remarks to be divisive, insulting, and disrespectful," the union said.

"At this critical time for WMATA, insulting elected officials, and the constituents who support them, by implying that Prince George’s County officials are corrupted by political donations more than the District of Columbia is not helpful, and the coded language in not lost on us," the statement adds. "As the head of the Metro board, Chairman Evans has a responsibility to work towards collaboration and consensus among the jurisdictions that Metro serves. On this day, where the Metro board planned to take a preliminary vote on extending his term as chairman, our union calls upon Evans to apologize to the people of Prince George’s County and cease his divisive language immediately, or step aside to allow WMATA to have a leader who is willing to unify and take the system forward."

Image via Flickr user David