GARY Ridley's first job with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation was as an equipment operator. More than 40 years later, getting things done is still his priority.
NewsOK
The Oklahoman Editorial
Published: November 11, 2010
GARY Ridley's first job with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation was as an equipment operator. More than 40 years later, getting things done is still his priority.
Thanks to Ridley's leadership as director of ODOT, Oklahoma's roads and bridges are improving. Ridley is quick to commend Gov. Brad Henry and members of the Legislature who finally woke up to the agency's needs, but Ridley's direction shouldn't be understated.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, calls him the best transportation director in the country. Ridley's approach is refreshing: “We don't like to be like some forms of government where you throw money at it and you don't get results.”
Money was a problem for years at ODOT. The agency was appropriated the same amount every fiscal year from 1985 to 2005 — beyond ridiculous, in hindsight — before change finally came in the form of Republican-led legislation that addressed long-term planning... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Thu, November 11, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski