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Firing of Tampa streetcar chief bothers board

By Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, August 7, 2008

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TAMPA — Members of the Tampa Historic Streetcar board are taking issue with the recent dismissal of the streetcar manager.

Michael English calls the decision by the executive director of the county's transit system inappropriate and "an exercise in questionable judgment."

And Mary Mulhern said it shows a lack of respect for the streetcar by leadership at Hillsborough Area Rapid Transit.

"I've been pushing since I got on that board to raise the profile of the streetcar, because basically streetcars are light rail," said Mulhern, who also serves on the Tampa City Council. "We should be building on it instead of pretending it's not there."

Board members say they were also bothered that the move was made without consulting them.

Streetcar backers have butted heads before with HART, saying that the agency doesn't advocate enough for the 2.5-mile rail line that runs between downtown and Ybor City. Most recently, tension erupted when HART directed a $900,000 federal grant away from a planned streetcar extension to pay for increased bus service. Ultimately, HART found another source of money for the extension.

Mulhern said the latest move puts another strain on relations.

Tim Borchers was hired in 2002 to manage the newly constructed streetcar line. He came to Tampa from Bendigo, Australia, where he oversaw a similar system.

HART executive director David Armijo said letting Borchers go was part of a reorganization intended to save money and improve service, although no other employees were fired.

The streetcar has been operating at a deficit since its inception.

Armijo said eliminating Borchers' position will save more than $100,000 a year, most of which will go to streetcar maintenance.

Streetcar board member David Mechanik said he would have preferred to see Borchers remain on the staff, but won't question Armijo's judgment.

Streetcar board member Ron Govin, who chairs the HART board, said he, too, trusts Armijo's decision.

"I don't think there's any malice in what was done," Govin said. "It was a move that was done to bring economy to the streetcar."

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3401.