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RYBAK CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF FIRE CHIEF HE APPOINTED
By Michael Brodkorb | November 27, 2006
RYBAK CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF MINNEAPOLIS FIRE CHIEF:
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"I am not confident that Ms. Bleskachek can lead the Fire Department in a way that best positions the Department to protect the citizens of Minneapolis." Source: Mayor R.T. Rybak, November 27, 2006
BUT RYBAK PRAISED BLESKACHEK'S LEADERSHIP AND TOOK CREDIT IN DEBATE WITH '05 OPPONENT FOR HER APPOINTMENT:
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"Bonnie is a great example of how a very focused, talented employee can clear a successful path and can rise to the top…" Source: Star Tribune, November 7, 2005
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"Rybak opened with a list of projects for which he took credit, from creating 2,000 affordable housing units to appointing the 'first openly gay fire chief in Minnesota,' Bonnie Bleskachek, and taking the side of immigrants against the federal government." Source: Star Tribune, February 25, 2005
SUDDENLY IN '06, RYBAK DEVELOPED PATTERN OF NOT COMMENTING ON BLESKACHEK:
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"Mayor R.T. Ryback and spokesmen for the city also declined to comment." Source: Pioneer Press, March 15, 2006
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"Mayor R.T. Rybak also declined to comment." Source: Star Tribune, March 16, 2006
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"Mayor R.T. Rybak also declined to discuss either the case or her performance as fire chief, citing the sensitivity of pending litigation, said his spokesman, Jeremy Hanson." Source: Star Tribune, March 20, 2006
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"Mayor R.T. Rybak was out of town and unavailable to comment." Source: Star Tribune, March 23, 2006
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"Bleskachek was appointed chief in 2004 by Mayor R.T. Rybak. Rybak's spokesman said the mayor had no comment on the dispute." Source: Associated Press, September 22, 2006
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"After the council's vote, Mayor R.T. Rybak said the right decision was made reaching a settlement. He would not comment further, citing personnel reasons." Source: Star Tribune, October 7, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SAID RYBAK IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CITY'S MANAGMENT PROBLEMS
- "As for Rybak's culpability in the management problems, 'He's the one who recommended all three people,' [Council Member Barb] Johnson said." Source: Star Tribune, March 20, 2006
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If Rybak can't run Minneapolis, how can he run for the U.S. Senate in '08?
Tags: R.T. Rybak, Uncategorized
Topics: R.T. Rybak, Uncategorized | 17 Comments »
17 Responses to “RYBAK CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF FIRE CHIEF HE APPOINTED”
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November 27th, 2006 at 9:57 PM
What I find most interesting about this, is that R.T. seems to be cleaning all of the garbage out of his house in preparation for what appears to be an inevitable US Senate run.
In doing so, he is highlighting one of his biggest vulnerabilities; that Minneapolis is poorly run on his watch.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:30 PM
I think this shows what happens when you promote somebody based on their sexual orientation instead of their qualifications.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Bleskachek is what you get when you overlook qualifications and capabilities for the sake of putting another notch in your “diversity” post when making hiring decisions.
November 27th, 2006 at 11:03 PM
If I remember right, the whole story is that the police chief was suppose to be someone who enjoyed gay sex. But it ended up being someone who prefer hetrosexual sex, so Big RT “promoted” the old fire chief to a new postion so someone who did the gay thing could become fire chief.
And the Democrats say they are better at running the country. Heh.
November 27th, 2006 at 11:28 PM
She’s gay? How can you tell?
November 28th, 2006 at 12:08 AM
Master…the sexual harrassment complaints by female firepersons are a clue.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:16 AM
Hey RT, I used to work with a closet polygamist. Maybe he is qualified to be fire chief. Afterall, he’s a sexual minority. He’s kind of like Rosa Parks.
November 28th, 2006 at 7:05 AM
“If Rybak can’t run Minneapolis, how can he run for the U.S. Senate in ’08?”
Regrettably, that did not seem to be a prerequisite in 2006.
November 28th, 2006 at 7:18 AM
You can tell she’s gay because every news article about this issue says so. Also, because she’s quite man-ish.
November 28th, 2006 at 8:43 AM
Didn’t RT say unequivocally that he is not running for Senate? I swear I heard that out of somewhere… not including his own mouth.
Sean
November 28th, 2006 at 9:06 AM
Oh, I thought it was because she looks like K.D. Lang’s little brother.
November 28th, 2006 at 10:14 AM
The worst thing about this, if you read the article, is that she’s getting a buyout – apparently one year’s compensation (or the difference between the chief’s salary and a captain’s for a year). This is ridiculous.
When will Minneapolis (and the Minneapolis School District) develop the backbone to FIRE people who are not performing? If a contract is squishy and opinions about performance are subjective, then maybe a small severance is appropriate. But in this case, even a lawsuit wouldn’t cost the City more than it’s paying out now, and she would likely lose in any event. And, we’re stuck with her as a captain. Outrageous!!
November 28th, 2006 at 10:26 AM
Come on. He removed an incompetent official. How is this bad? Would you rather he kept her in position? (no pun intended)
You guys should feel stupid.
November 28th, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Mason, I agree, it’s best that she goes. But many of us (or at least me) feel that she was originally given the job because she is a lesbian, not because RT thought she was the most qualified.
November 28th, 2006 at 11:19 AM
Dave hits the nail on the head.
It is one of those things in politics that make it difficult for people to represent a solidly partisan area and then seek higher office.
As Mayor of Murderapolis, R.T. would gain praise for appointing or hiring anyone who fit any category Liberals think it is fun to give a handout to.
As a statewide candidate, this little stunt doesn’t fly.
Mason, many are happy to see her gone (although he should have sent her packing without a buyout). Many more are happy to see R.T. exposed now that he is looking towards Washington.
It just would have been nice if he would have hired based on competence from the get go.
November 28th, 2006 at 1:43 PM
Where’s the report on the invstigation into wrongdoing by this poor displaced lesbian chief fire extinguisher?
Or has wrongdoing become a nonfactor when evaluating DFL leadership issues?
Think of how marginalized the poor lesbian that was marginalized by this poor lesbian must feel. When are we going to stand up for these poor people?
Bummer the Chief wasn’t something other than white or maybe even Muslim…could’ve gotten off the hook without even a question. But I digress.
Who else did Rybak support this year???.
December 29th, 2006 at 2:32 PM
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