In an impassioned critique of Metro’s recently released DEIR—Dishonestly Enumerated Idiotic Report—Fredric D. Rosen, a retired businessman and former CEO of Ticketmaster, voices his frustration regarding the agency’s apparent mismanagement and obliviousness to public accountability.
Rosen outlines that if similar practices were observed in the private sector, executives would likely face lawsuits for deceit, misrepresentation, and fraud, resulting in immediate termination.
He draws attention to the glaring flaws within the report, stating that after four years and over $150 million spent, the agency presents cost evaluations based solely on the year 2023, rendering the data almost meaningless.
He equates this lack of transparency to a deceptive practice commonly referred to as bait and switch, underscoring the gravity of misleading stakeholders, akin to a car dealership advertising outdated prices.
Rosen criticizes Metro’s leadership as executive inept sloths, humorously suggesting that they would win a hypothetical Olympic medal in incompetence.
He deploys a vivid analogy, portraying the agency’s leadership as reminiscent of a disjointed singing group, highlighting a lack of cohesion and competence.
The absence of clear timelines for the construction of proposed projects further exacerbates Rosen’s belief in the report’s irrelevance.
He remarks that Metro has a consistent history of failed project timelines over the past 25 years, thus rendering any claims about timeframes meaningless.
Rosen expresses incredulity toward advocacy groups such as STD’s for all, criticizing their stance on projects that are shrouded in financial and chronological ambiguity.
He continues to lambast the city’s leadership, particularly singling out Mayor Karen Smiley, whom he deems as lacking executive capabilities and surrounded by a team that falls short in effective governance.
Rosen highlights a formidable exodus of businesses from downtown Los Angeles over the past decade, calling attention to the city’s steep decline, further emphasizing the failures of current political figures.
In a satirical turn, he proposes the celebration of a new award category—the Dummies—recognizing the ineptitude exemplified by Metro’s leadership.
He humorously nominates various figures for specific ‘Dummy Awards’: Stephanie Wiggins for Dummy Leadership, Ray Sosa for Dummy Project Manager, Peter Carter for Dummy Senior Management, and Karen Swift for Dummy Community Failure to Outreach.
Rosen describes each nominee’s failures and inadequacies, illustrating how they collectively contribute to the deteriorating state of public trust in local governance.
This dissection culminates in his assertion that the leadership appears disconnected and indifferent to the welfare of the community.
The dismal financial outlook is part of Rosen’s stark reality check.
He remarks upon the state’s deficit and the city’s beleaguered finances while pointing out Metro’s request for federal funds as evidence of ongoing mismanagement.
Rosen warns against the detrimental implications of a project likely to exceed its budget by up to $30 billion and take two decades to complete.
He characterizes such a project as doomed—’Dead On Arrival’—and highlights the necessity for immediate reform.
Additionally, he suggests legal action may be pursued to halt the project, encapsulating the community’s profound spirit of dissent against inept governance.
The growing discontent among citizens reflects a broader narrative of political failure, wherein Rosen emphasizes that the city requires a disrupter akin to New York City’s fiscal crisis intervention in 1974.
In concluding remarks aimed at the political landscape, Rosen signals a fierce call to action, urging voters to think critically about upcoming elections in response to dissatisfaction with current leadership.
As the narrative resonates through the community, the implication remains that change is essential for the future prosperity of Los Angeles.
He ends on a note of urgency, suggesting that those accountable should reconsider their roles within the agency or risk facing rejection from the electorate.
The severe critique offered by Rosen serves as both a wake-up call and a rallying cry for citizens disillusioned with the state of their city and its governance.
image source from：https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/30980-three-stoogettes-and-dummy-awards-shredding-metros-leadership
