2019-01-02

Reasons for Leaving the Met Council Chair, Ranked

By popular request, a brief ranking of reasons for leaving the Met Council Chair position over the years.

[Note: I did not include Council chairs who were not reappointed at the beginning of a Gubernatorial term (e.g. Peter Bell, Ted Mondale).]



7. Gerald Isaacs, 1984

Left because he was: “on a committee promoting Sen. John Glenn’s presidential aspirations, [which was] interpreted as a violation of Perpich’s political activity guidelines.”

Yikes. Glenn did not even do well, IIRC.



6. Mary Anderson, 1992

Dismissed by Gov. Carlson, who wanted the Met Council to be *MORE ACTIVE* in the affairs of local government in order to cut spending.

[Note: how times have changed for the Minnesota Republican Party.]

Seems like this was not really Anderson's fault, but this is not the ideal way to go.




5. Adam Duininck, 2017

Left to become Head of Government Affairs for regional Carpenter’s Union.

OK, but hard to see this as a more important job. Surely less stressful...




4. Alene Tchourumroff, 2018

Left to take a job at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve as a senior Vice President of something.

Seems like a cool gig, I guess.




3. Sandra Gardebring, 1986

Left to become head of Department of Human Services, when that appointment opened up in the Perpich administration

Kind of a big deal to run that agency. She later became a Minnesota Supreme Court justice!



2. Sue Haigh 2014 

Wanted to focus on her "other job" running Habitat for Humanity.

Surely a worthy cause. Pay for the Chair position more than doubled right after she left.




1. Al Hofstede 1973

Decided to run for mayor of Minneapolis.

And he won, too.



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