The Star Tribune had an interesting article on the appointments over the weekend. I'll paste it below. The article gives the impression that Pawlenty worked with Peter Bell on the appointments. This sort of surprised me because with so much of the budget cuts he seemed to almost work against organizations.
I may have the wrong idea of him working with Bell or against the others but that's the impression I got. Ann http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3732009.html Pawlenty appoints 16 members to Met Council David Peterson Star Tribune Published 03/04/2003 Departing often from a list of finalists that bristled with anger toward the Metropolitan Council, Gov. Tim Pawlenty late Monday named a new council deep in experience and with a relatively moderate look. "This is not going to be a slash-and-burn operation," said Peter Bell, whom Pawlenty previously had appointed to lead the group. "It is a group that believes the council has a legitimate role." The council, which influences development policy in the seven-county area, had come under criticism from some corners in the last four years for emphasizing development oriented around public transit such as light rail. Pawlenty, a Republican, passed over a number of property developers and party stalwarts. He appointed a few party mavericks and a sizable group of people whom Bell knows well and has worked with in the past. "We chose people I felt I could work with in a collegial sense," Bell said. "People who aren't afraid to let their opinions be known, but who, once a decision is made, will support it. At the end of the day, the governor is going to hold me accountable for the work of the council." Bell's role in the selection process became evident as he described four of the five last-minute appointees -- who had not been finalists -- in terms of his relationship with them. Annette Meeks, a staff member with the conservative think tank once led by Bell, was one of the five. So was Glen Skovholt, who like Bell is on the board of the American Refugee Committee. In one particularly notable decision, Mary Hill Smith, a moderate, pro-transit Wayzata Republican was selected ahead of Michael Wigley of Orono, a leading member of the Freedom Club, a group of businesspeople who have sought to move the party in a more conservative direction. In addition to Hill Smith, who has been on the council for 10 years, Pawlenty appointed three other holdovers from the group that served under Gov. Jesse Ventura. And he passed over a number of people whose application essays showed them to be actively hostile to the council's direction in recent years. "It doesn't look to me like a group that's going to storm the walls and create radical change," said Curt Johnson, the last Republican to hold Bell's position as council chairman. "Remember, Tim Pawlenty was part of a legislative group that created the Met Council as we know it" by expanding its power in the mid-1990s to include transit and sewers as well as its traditional planning function. Diversity of views The council was created in 1967 and is considered one of only two of its kind in the country, along with Portland, Ore.. It has been a perennial source of aggravation to some conservatives, who resent its interference in local decision-making. So liberals were fearful of what might happen under Pawlenty. "There are certainly no bomb throwers here," said Russ Adams, head of the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, a coalition of politically progressive groups. "As far as I can tell, there doesn't appear to be anyone who is out of the mainstream in his or her thinking or is very anti the idea of regional thinking." The group includes some diversity of views, however. Lynette Wittsack Stenglein, a self-described "stay-at-home mom" from northeast Minneapolis, vowed in her application to retool the council, redefine its focus and recast its mission. Two of the more interesting figures on the council could be a pair of people who worked with Bell at the Center of the American Experiment. Meeks, that group's director of government affairs and public programs, was once an aide to then-U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Along with former Republican state party chairman Chris Georgacas, who also was named to the council, Meeks led the American Experiment's 1999 "Minnesota Policy Blueprint" study, a comprehensive plan state government that emphasizes limited government, lower taxes, and "time-tested family and social values." Meeks, who is white, was named to a Minneapolis seat that represents areas where many minority members live. Pawlenty chose Meeks over the two finalists recommended by his nominating committee: Clinton Collins, a black attorney and Democrat, and James Grabek, a white corporate executive and Republican. Bell said, however, that Pawlenty's council has as many people of color -- three of 17 -- as Ventura's did at the end of his term. He also noted, that unlike the last two people to chair the council, he lives in the central city. Lee Hunt, mayor of Lake Elmo -- a city that for years has tussled with the Met Council over its wish to remain rural -- said he was unfamiliar with many of the appointees but assumes they will tend to side more with local communities. "I must say, from the top level I've been very pleased with the message they've been sending," Hunt said. "I'm assuming those are the type of people that are reflective of [Pawlenty's] feelings." One new appointee, Skovholt, worked for Republican Gov. Harold LeVander at the time the Met Council was created. -- Staff Writer Mike Kaszuba contributed to this report.-- David Peterson is [EMAIL PROTECTED] C Copyright 2003 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Eva Young Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 11:01 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [TCMetro] Met Council Appointments What do folks think of the Met Council Appointments? Eva Young Minneapolis GOVERNOR PAWLENTY APPOINTS MEMBERS TO METROPOLITAN COUNCIL -- March 3, 2003 Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of sixteen members to the Metropolitan Council, saying that like all areas of state government, the Council needs to reform the way it operates to improve service delivery. The Governor said he selected "an interesting mix" of individuals and community leaders who will bring innovation and diverse perspectives to the regional agency. "The Met Council has an important role to play in the quality of life in the Metro area," said Governor Pawlenty. "Through innovation, reform and increased efficiency, it can improve service. By being a strong partner with communities, it can encourage and facilitate economic growth that protects the character of each community and is also good for the region as a whole. Along with Peter Bell's leadership, I'm confident this is the team to get the job done." Governor Pawlenty's appointees include: Rick Aguilar, Duane Arens, Marcel Eibensteiner, Song Lo Fawcett, Chris Georgacas, Peggy Leppik, Annette Meeks, Tony Pistilli, Roger Scherer, Glen Skovholt, Russell Susag and Lynette Wittsack and the reappointment of Tom Egan, Jules Smith, Mary Hill Smith and Natalie Haas Steffen to the Metropolitan Council. Aguilar, West St. Paul, is president of Aguilar Marketing Productions, is a commissioner of the RiverCentre Authority, founded the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and is a past chairman of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. Aguilar replaces John Conzemius in Metropolitan Council District 16. Arens, St. Anthony, is the director of community and economic development for Connexus Energy in Ramsey. Arens replaces Jim Nelson in Metropolitan Council District 10. Egan, Eagan, is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Egan, Stewart & Lauer in Apple Valley and a former two-term mayor of Eagan. He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since May 2002. Egan is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District 15. Eibensteiner, North Oaks, is founder and president of Royal Oaks Realty, Inc., Royal Excavating, Inc., and Imperial Homes, Inc. Eibensteiner replaces Roger Williams in Metropolitan Council District 11. Fawcett, St. Paul, is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Kelly & Fawcett and chairs the St. Paul Human Rights Commission. Fawcett replaces Dan Galles in Metropolitan Council District 13. Georgacas, Mahtomedi, is a principal and shareholder with Goff & Howard, Inc., a public relations/public affairs firm in St. Paul. Georgacas replaces Marc Hugunin in Metropolitan Council District 12. Leppik, Golden Valley, recently retired after serving six terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she chaired the Family and Early Childhood Education Finance Committee. Leppik replaces Frank Hornstein in Metropolitan Council District Six. Meeks, Minneapolis, is director of government affairs and public programs for the Center of the American Experiment. Meeks replaces George Garnett in Metropolitan Council District Seven. Pistilli, Brooklyn Park, is the owner of Park Appraisal Service, a real estate appraisal company, and a member of the Brooklyn Park City Council. Pistilli replaces Todd Paulson in Metropolitan Council District Two. Scherer, Plymouth, is chairman of the board of Scherer Bros. Lumber Company, and previously served on the Metropolitan Council from 1980 to 1984 and again from 1992 to 1998. Scherer replaces Saundra Spigner in Metropolitan Council District One. Skovholt, St. Paul, is president of Government and Community Strategies. Skovholt replaces Lee Pao Xiong in Metropolitan Council District 14. Jules Smith, Chaska, is an attorney in private practice, president of International Renaissance Festivals, Ltd., which produces and operates renaissance festivals in Annapolis, Maryland, and Toronto, Ontario, and president of International Conference Foundation. Smith has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1993 and currently chairs its Management Committee. Smith is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District Four. Mary Hill Smith, Wayzata, is a past chair and current member of the Minnesota Women's Campaign Fund, and chair of the Sheltering Arms Foundation. Smith has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1993, and chairs its Transportation Committee. Smith is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District Three. Steffen, Ramsey, has previously served as a member of the Ramsey City Council, commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and an Anoka County Commissioner. Steffen has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1999. Steffen is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District Nine. Susag, Richfield, is president of SUSAG Environmental Consulting, Inc., and was the director of environmental regulatory affairs with 3M. Susag replaces Phil Riveness in Metropolitan Council District Five. Wittsack, Minneapolis, is a stay-at-home mother, former business owner and community activist. Wittsack replaces Carol Kummer in Metropolitan Council District Eight. "I am pleased by the caliber of individuals that Governor Pawlenty has appointed to the Metropolitan Council," Chair Peter Bell said. "There are some very significant issues before the council and I am eagerly looking forward to working with these new members." The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services. The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair. All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the governor. Eva Eva Young Near North Minneapolis Blog is up: http://lloydletta.blogspot.com "You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be." --Article II of the Bill of Non-Rights. _______________________________________________ Twin Cities Metropolitan Issues Forum http://www.e-democracy.org/tcmetro Rules: Sign posts with real name. 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