Keith Reitman hits the nail on the head with his metaphor of the well-oiled Machine. It's clear that those who trade in favors in the halls of power, and their hangers-on, don't give a flying figaro about fiduciary and ethical responsibility to the taxpayers. The only time public opinion matters is when it might get in the way of what they want, and then it is simply a snag to overcome via intrigue, double-dealing, denial and spin.
Keith's summary of Walt Dziedzic's statement as "I am not a crook" is succinct and illuminating. Rarely have I heard a person make such an unconvincing and dubious statement as when Dziedzic decided out of the blue to state to the audience that he never broke any laws and never met secretly with the other board members. Thou doth protest too much.
Rochelle Olson's article hinted at Jon Olson's inarticulate mumblings and innuendoes, but put them in a much more positive light. I'm astonished he was able to get elected to the board. To imagine him trying to lead board meeetings is beyond ken.
Of course, his pre-election speech was unimportant and unnecessary, since the Fix was clearly in -- no matter who was nominated for what, the Park Board Five had clearly already decided that Jon Olson was the new president long before the actual meeting.
Thus did the Park Board Five give the highly concerned, passionate and articulate members of the voting, tax-paying public a collective Bronx rasberry, visibly ignoring their concerns and saying in so many words, "We don't give a plug nickel what you think."
With the number of questions about special deals and who knows who floating around, it's clear that the reason for their unresponsiveness and arrogance is a collection of unethical, questionable and quite possibly illegal activities: power-seeking, self-dealing, quid pro quo, favoritism, cronyism, etc.
A diagram of the past and present personal and business relationships between Brian Rice, Jon R. Gurban, Bob Fine, Jon Olson, Walt Dziedzic, Marie Hauser and Carol Kummer would probably be highly enlightening.
Brian Rice's employment by the Board is obvious conflict of interest and unethical, although I am sure he would argue it is not in lawyerly smugness. Unfortunately, the law is a lot more liberal on its definition of illegal conflict of interest than the literal meaning. But more importantly, it's always easy to find lawyers who interpret the law differently. With luck, some jurisprudence will come down not favoring Rice and find him out on the street. With luck, City Attorney Jay Heffern's difference of opinion will also prevail.
Regardless of what any court of law might say about Rice's quid pro quo with the Park Board, if it resembles a conflict of interest to the public, it is something the board (as any elected body or person) should avoid. Even an appearance of impropriety is detrimental.
The deal with hiring Jon R. Gurban is equally stinky. High school buddy with Bob Fine? Sweetheart deal of all sweetheart deals in renting the Wirth house for a measly $750 a month and the MPRB kicked in a $100,000 or more in renovations for his use? Darn convenient, given that Gurban lives a short and no doubt pleasant walk away at 4320 West Lake Harriet Parkway. Didn't even apply for the job -- officially, anyway. Who knows what "applicaton" he may have "filed" with Bob.
And the process and the remaining 4 candidates from the national search? Ah, just toss them aside. One of the best park systems in the U.S. means there need not be any worry about finding great applicants.
How about the effort last year by the Park Board to award Dairy Queen a contract to run refreshment stands in the parks? Jon Olson's ownership of a Dairy Queen in north Minneapolis couldn't have anything to do with that idea, right?
The list of questionable decisions made not in the public's favor goes on and on.
Last night, in the face of informed, vocal public criticism, the Park Board Five changed not a thing, took no heed, and continued their self-aggrandizement. It was one of the most disgusting things I've witnessed in my life.
Chris Johnson Fulton
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