"I am tremendously proud of our accomplishments making the M.T.A. a leaner, more efficient and effective organization," wrote MTA chief executive Elliot Sander today in his announcement that he would step down as of May 22. "Each of the M.T.A.’s agencies is performing at peak levels." Dale Hemmerdinger, the Authority's chairman, has 30 days left in his own term, according to the latest legislation regarding the MTA. From then on, the position of chairman and CEO will be combined. Elliot said he left to allow Governor Paterson to take the leadership in "a different direction." [City Room/NYT]