Red Line restored. Why didn’t Whitmire listen in the first place?

The Houston Chronicle editorial board smacks around Mayor Whitmire for his bizarre flip-flopping on light rail, pointing out that he makes decisions without listening to experts — including his own — spends taxpayer dollars in secret, ignores voters and taxpayers, and overall has a Trumpian attitude on political power. Here's a key quote:

Moving forward, the mayor and Metro need to know that “transparency” isn’t just a campaign catchphrase. Honesty builds trust. So does listening to expert and public feedback. Planners and transit advocates aren’t part of some deep state conspiracy. If after listening, the mayor and his appointees disagree, explain why. With data and specific evidence.

Fortunately, Metro staff saved the old settings and the traffic signal mistake was easily reversed. The same can’t be said of cancelation or alteration of million-dollar projects along Westheimer, Montrose, Telephone and other roads that were designed with community input to accommodate people driving, rolling and walking. All too often, the mayor acts like Houston’s infrastructure is his personal fiefdom rather than a public amenity. You could be forgiven for thinking Whitmire has been treating President Trump’s East Wing demolition as a political model.