The blind leading the bland?

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( – promoted by odum)

In another example of Press Release Journalism, the 7/17 Times Argus brings us news of two promotions in the VT Agency of Natural Resources:

Justin Johnson, who has served as deputy DEC commissioner, was named commissioner on Thursday.

Sabina Haskell, the Natural Resources Agency’s communications director, moved up to deputy secretary.

Haskell is the former Brattleboro Reformer editor who became the ANR spokesflack a couple of years ago. She’s clearly qualified for that position, but what skills or experience does she bring to a top management post in a major state agency?

As for Johnson, I don’t know anything about him except that he may have been the agency’s spokesflack before Darren Allen. I could be wrong about that; a Google search reveals only faint traces of Johnson, past or present. (Can anyone in GMD-land fill in the gaps?)

At least in Haskell’s case, this appears to be another example of the Douglas administration promoting people with no apparent qualifications (other than loyalty) into important state positions. Maybe Haskell and Johnson are budding geniuses — but they might also be Mike Browns. If there were any reporters left in the state, maybe they could do a background check. Or at least get these people’s resumes, and flesh out the ANR press release a little bit.  

6 thoughts on “The blind leading the bland?”

  1. I think if Douglas had his way, he would completely demolish the ANR. I suppose the next best thing is to completely pack it with cronies. It will be a good day when we get rid of this shmuck.

    I expect more of the same. Events that are minimally publicized in order to sneak by without input from others, like this whole ATV thing.

  2. What’s up with this? These house mouthpieces are being shuffled around like Dillinger on the lam. Jimmy D’s little posse is being stretched awfully thin. ANR will now become the Agency of All Nutty Rhetoric.  

  3. Coming on the heels of a challenge to his waste water policies Douglas has trumpeted his meaningless 8th greenest Gov. award quite thoroughly .He  is also going full tilt on a base rallying point of ATV’s in state parks just as some sport fishermen take note publicly that Lake Champlain is not getting any more clean and clear under his policies .“The fishing can be good — no doubt about it — but there’s a strange feel on Lake Champlain these days, as if nature is seriously whacked and careening in the wrong direction from which there will be no return“. observed  the Free Press’s outdoor editor said in February responding  to the listing of Lake Champlain in Peter Greenberg’s book Don’t go there !: The Travel Detective’s Essential guide to Must -Miss Places of the World .

    What better place to pack with “communicators ” but your green soft spot ?  

  4. …in today’s Herald:

    “The governor has made it clear since the beginning of his tenure he looks to select the best person for every job,” Lunderville said. “That holds for all of these appointments.”

    Haskell said she is ready to be second in command at the environmental agency.

    “I have been here for two years, I have worked closely with the staff in all of the departments,” she said. Haskell, who has also been natural resources liaison to the National Governors Association, added that she has dealt with issues in the public focus and some that have been quieter.

    “I have had two years here learning about Vermont’s environment and environmental laws,” said Haskell, a former newspaper editor.

    Let’s just beat the rush and start calling her “Harriet Myers” today.

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