Bully for Bob McFarlin
Tom Sorel officially becomes Commissioner of Transportation, today, making it time to reflect on former Acting Commissioner Bob McFarlin.
Long ago I concluded that the true measure of a politician's character can be measured by the content and delivery of a concession speech after losing an election. Now there's a new measure for public servants. How they handle "losing" a job. Last week Acting MnDOT Commissioner Bob McFarlin set the gold standard for that measure.
When GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that Sorel was his pick to be Commissioner, McFarlin stood behind Pawlenty at the press conference and during the somewhat personal and grueling Q&A from reporters about why Sorel, and not McFarlin (or the third candidate, Robert Johns from the U of M's Center for Transportation Studies), got the job. McFarlin endured all with grace and dignity. Pawlenty and Senate Transportation Chair Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) singled out McFarlin for his fine service to the Department both as Acting Commissioner and as an assistant to now deposed former Commissioner Carol Molnau. As well they should.
As an assistant commissioner, McFarlin rose to the challenge of providing stable, steady information when the state was in a crisis mode after the bridge fell. [Arguably, Molnau's repeated deference to McFarlin because of his knowledge before television cameras was part of her undoing.] McFarlin accomplished much in his two-month stint as acting commissioner. He met with dozens of legislators to try to restore trust, and continually reminded people about the fine work that MnDOT employees do beyond the purview of the political spot light. He oversaw the closing of the bridge in St. Cloud.
But the most important thing McFarlin did, without anyone yet actually recognizing it, is that McFarlin took the animosity out of the debate.
I'm betting McFarlin didn't get the permanent job in large part because of his public relations/public affairs practice resume. Outsiders were clamoring for a "transportation professional." In McFarlin's case, that's a shame. He would have been a good commissioner. Best wishes to McFarlin whether he stays at the department (Sorel should definitely try to keep McFarlin) or if he decides to move on. If McFarlin leaves, let no one forget he moved the Department on.
Long ago I concluded that the true measure of a politician's character can be measured by the content and delivery of a concession speech after losing an election. Now there's a new measure for public servants. How they handle "losing" a job. Last week Acting MnDOT Commissioner Bob McFarlin set the gold standard for that measure.
When GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that Sorel was his pick to be Commissioner, McFarlin stood behind Pawlenty at the press conference and during the somewhat personal and grueling Q&A from reporters about why Sorel, and not McFarlin (or the third candidate, Robert Johns from the U of M's Center for Transportation Studies), got the job. McFarlin endured all with grace and dignity. Pawlenty and Senate Transportation Chair Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) singled out McFarlin for his fine service to the Department both as Acting Commissioner and as an assistant to now deposed former Commissioner Carol Molnau. As well they should.
As an assistant commissioner, McFarlin rose to the challenge of providing stable, steady information when the state was in a crisis mode after the bridge fell. [Arguably, Molnau's repeated deference to McFarlin because of his knowledge before television cameras was part of her undoing.] McFarlin accomplished much in his two-month stint as acting commissioner. He met with dozens of legislators to try to restore trust, and continually reminded people about the fine work that MnDOT employees do beyond the purview of the political spot light. He oversaw the closing of the bridge in St. Cloud.
But the most important thing McFarlin did, without anyone yet actually recognizing it, is that McFarlin took the animosity out of the debate.
I'm betting McFarlin didn't get the permanent job in large part because of his public relations/public affairs practice resume. Outsiders were clamoring for a "transportation professional." In McFarlin's case, that's a shame. He would have been a good commissioner. Best wishes to McFarlin whether he stays at the department (Sorel should definitely try to keep McFarlin) or if he decides to move on. If McFarlin leaves, let no one forget he moved the Department on.
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