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This really surprise anybody...that there would be a cost overrun?

as expected as the sun shining another day!!! He blamed his subordinates for not letting him know how it was going....

I think they are wrong for wanting to fire him. I feel they should be asking him: “Mike, what kind of support can we provide to bring this situation under control?” They need to take a more hands-on approach to resolving the issues. Let them meet for three hours with everyone involved in the project from the top to the bottom and see how well ... See Morethe operations and administration for the project are connected. Who is actually responsible for the budget? I would look heaviest at the hands-on person who is actually responsible for preparing, monitoring, and presenting the budget figures for the project - do they possess the skills, aptitude, and vision necessary to monitor a project or budget of this size? Do they have Norfolk's best interest at heart? Mr. Townes is making it too easy for the actual responsible parties to hide behind his name. He apparently is a compassionate person to entertain being used as the scapegoat for the inefficiencies and inadequacies of others - and undoubtedly he has given them chances no one is looking to afford to him. The good guy always finishes last. The problem with the budget issues and the processes surrounding it won't go away by firing Townes. How many President/CEOs of a company that size are actually involved in the day-to-day transactions to the financial system and the auditing and monitoring of those systems? He has a lot on his plate with being the leader of a transit system covering a large amount of territory in this area. I have read about the executives, boards, and high level committee meetings, nothing about the managers meeting. What about a hands-on working committee to review and monitor the costs? Nothing gets done unless someone works at it. The unfortunate thing is if they hire someone else to take over, which would be tragic and even more costly, the same people reporting to him will be reporting the same nonsense to his replacement. Keep Mr. Townes - lose or improve the budget process he is reporting from.

Dang, Mike Vick paid his time in prision. Give the guy a break.

breaks and totally forgetting his past are two different things. I believe he deserves his second chances but don't say he should be considered as a top story for 2009.

that is so funny

The grading scale should be clear and reflect learning the sciences and arts and be competent to be qualified to work at good wages! Compete with all other countries for employment.

I am so proud to be an American , when we recognize and show our character, to take control of a situation. Applause to the ones who made the risky choice to DO SOMETHING !

I TRULY AGREE WE DON'T TAKE NO MESS!!!!APPLAUSE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ON THE PLANE!! WE ALL ARE PROUD OF YOU.YOU GO DETROIT AMERICANS!!!

I dont believe that- they can just turn people away at the door like clubs!