Russell Raczkowski wrote:
Tom Johnson's career as related by the SW Journal
follows. I think it is clear that Johnson has some
mighty connections streching from MnDOT, to
corporations, to the federal level, and to Hennepin
County. (snip) He has public relations, marketing, and
lobbying experience. What I don't see is any
experience organizing communities to make group
decisions about their future.
David Piehl writes:
Exactly - look at the connections and begin to
understand the croneyism. Incidentally, one of the
drivers at Allina who "hired" Johnson is now working
for (you guessed it) Smith Parker!
It is clear to me by the network of connections
involved that this process was designed to ensure one
outcome - the "public participation" is just to make
it appear legitimate.
Johnson's credentials:
"Background in public affairs, marketing and public
relations in both road and transit projects."
"Director of Marketing and Public Affairs for the
Office of Minnesota Road Research for. . .(MnDOT)"
"Assistant Chief Administrator for the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission."
"Director of national relations for MnDOT."
"Consultant with Abbott Northwestern Hospital and
Aliina Hospitals and Clinic." (". . .getting the job.
. .in part from a recommendation from
Allina Foundation's executive director. . .")
Smith and Parker. . .legal counsel to Phillips
Partnership--"a group of political and corportate
leaders. . . ."
Johnson himself says "One month, Abbott Hospital would
pay. The next month it would be Honeywell. Next
month it would be Children's Hospital,"
"Every month, somebody would pay me. I wasn't under
any contract. I wasn't an employee. It was a loose
deal."
"Johnson knew the government ropes; he had previously
worked as MnDOT's federal lobbyist. . . ."
"The county made sole-source contracts with Smith
Parker to manage the
project. . . . At that point, around January 1999,
Johnson said he became an employee of Smith Parker to
spearhead the project."
David Piehl
Central
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