Thanks for donating! McDonnell appoints check writers to UVA BOV
Write a letter to the editorIn a little thank you to some major donors, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed four new members to the UVA Board of Visitors: Charlottesville real estate developer Hunter E. Craig, who spearheaded the now defunct Biscuit Run development, the 1200 acres of land which was sold to the state for $9.8 million and tax credits for use as a park; Marvin W.Gilliam Jr., a part owner of a coal company that was recently sold for $640 million; Sheila C. Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television; and Mark Kington, the managing director of X-10 Capital Management.
The four will replace outgoing Board members Don R.Pippin, Dr.E.Darracott Vaughan Jr., and Warren M.Thompson. In addition, vice rector Daniel R. Abramson, who was appointed by former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, was not re-appointed by McDonnell.
Craig gave a total of $58,302 to McDonnell’s campaign, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. In total, the four new Board members contributed $336,933 to McDonnell’s campaign for governor.
McDonnell also appointed 8 other donor-friends at The College of William and Mary, George Mason University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Lotsa money; zero merit.
“government of the people, by the people, for the people”
should be amended to:
“government of the people who make large donations, by the people who make large donations, for the people who make large donations”
I guess our “system” has worked for some 230+ years but, in my opinion, this corporate donation things needs to be changed. If myself or (almost) anyone else was running for public office and we received huge donations from a select few, who do you think we would really represent…not the everyday person, at least not first and foremost. Maybe I am weaker than most…I don’t know. What the he||, what is the use in complaining.
No Dems NEVER do anything like this -
Daniel R. Abrahamson - $30,500 Tim Kaine for Governor source: VPAP.ORG
Stilll…Hunter Craig? That’s an embarrassment for the school. Must have been in the fine print in that little Biscuit Run deal.
I have to wonder if it would be better if campaigns were financed with tax dollars? Campaigns would be limited to a maximum amount. Donations of ANY kind would be forbidden. Using your own money would be forbidden. I wonder what the downside would be? Just thinking out loud.
Anyone. Anyone whomsoever to replace the dishonorable and dishonest ghouls on that board now that are responsible for the Casteen regime.
Good riddance.
http://uvalies.org/peerdeath.html
McDonnell is an ass, but he’s hardly the first Governor, Democratic or Republican, to stack the Board with his deep-pocketed pals
Who can forget Patricia Kluge’s tenure on the BOV?
Mark Kington appears to have been a previous member of the BOV.
http://www.virginia.edu/insideuva/2003/07/bov_members.html
How much do these appointees make in salary and benefits?
Does anybody know?
I assume that there is no salary, just the “prestige” of being on the board.
No problem appointing donors. BIG problem appointing failed businessmen like Hunter Craig. That, indeed, is cronyism at its worst.