Yesterday was a big day for the Metro Board of Directors with an overflow crowd turning up to address an agenda offering up both a tax increase and the Long Range Transportation Plan for discussion. Both Steve Hymon and Damien Newton have great blog entries on the inner workings of the Board including Steve's live blogging from Board Chambers detailing the Mayor's absence, tardiness and eventual arrival.

Apparently this was such a big day for the Metro that a decision was made to keep a maintenance vehicle standing by with the engine running, just in case something needed to be jump-started or pushed around or man-handled.

Speaking of jump-started and pushed around, there was some grumbling from the hoi polloi that the Board Meeting was so efficiently run (even Councilmember Ed Reyes lost the mic at 60 seconds - mid comment!) that many members of the public did not get a chance to address the board. Others complained that the revised comment rules allowed some groups to multiple represent while others were shut out.

All in all, it was a great day, if only because the Metro was able to demonstrate that its commitment to preparedness includes ignoring air quality and fuel prices in order to have maintenance vehicles standing by, warmed up and ready to roll!