[Speed Gibson,
Thursday February 28, 2008 at 5:35pm]
Molnau Out, For the Wrong Reasons
I posted that Molnau should step down last month. I felt she was too unresponsive to the public after the bridge fell, innocent as she appears to be for that tragic event. I also felt that five years was enough time to show some needed, tangible, visible improvements in this department.
But that's not why Senators Pogemiller and Murphy ousted her. It was the proverbial pound of flesh. It would be most amusing to appoint Murphy as the new MnDot chief, to show off his own management skills and engineering expertise.
Adding this to the Yecke rejection, may I ask why proven, effective leaders with solid professional bona fides should accept a State Commissioner job? Particularly if it means moving to Minnesota or leaving a much more profitable private situation? I know what I would do: thank the Governor, meet with the appropriate Senate Committee for one day, and await confirmation. I wouldn't sign anything, start the job or even show up until confirmed, which had better be prompt, no more than 30 days.
Maybe that's the point, to exclude the capable to make room for local, politically motivated appointments. We lose the top flight Dr. Yecke and get Alice Seagren. No offense to her, but I think she would readily acknowledge that she's not in Yecke's league. Few are, and we'll never land another one thanks to Dean Johnson and the DFL chapter of Education Minnesota.
My guess for Molnau's successor? Peter Bell.
But that's not why Senators Pogemiller and Murphy ousted her. It was the proverbial pound of flesh. It would be most amusing to appoint Murphy as the new MnDot chief, to show off his own management skills and engineering expertise.
Adding this to the Yecke rejection, may I ask why proven, effective leaders with solid professional bona fides should accept a State Commissioner job? Particularly if it means moving to Minnesota or leaving a much more profitable private situation? I know what I would do: thank the Governor, meet with the appropriate Senate Committee for one day, and await confirmation. I wouldn't sign anything, start the job or even show up until confirmed, which had better be prompt, no more than 30 days.
Maybe that's the point, to exclude the capable to make room for local, politically motivated appointments. We lose the top flight Dr. Yecke and get Alice Seagren. No offense to her, but I think she would readily acknowledge that she's not in Yecke's league. Few are, and we'll never land another one thanks to Dean Johnson and the DFL chapter of Education Minnesota.
My guess for Molnau's successor? Peter Bell.