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Rybak names Smith Parker attorney to
City Planning
In a decision that leaves little room for doubt about his
position on the 35W Access Project, or about the kind of city
government he wants his administration to promote, Mayor R.T.
Rybak announced the naming of Mike Christenson, currently
an attorney at Smith
Parker PLLP, as "Director of Planning and Strategic
Partnerships" for the department of Community Planning
and Economic Development of the City of Minneapolis.
The appointment, which was announced on Friday July 11 in
Room 319 of City Hall, was characterized by several Councilmembers
and other City employees as a decision taken behind closed
doors and "lacking in transparency".
In his introduction of Mike Christenson Mayor Rybak indicated
he was so excited by the appointment that he could "do
a triple backflip".
Smith
Parker currently represents Allina Health System, Children's
Hospitals and Clinics, Wells Fargo, the Phillips Partnership,
Midtown Community Works, the Metropolitan Council, and the
City of Minneapolis, among others. They also manage the 35W
Access Project and the Lake Street Repaving project.
The Mayor defended the appointment by claiming he was only
following orders, and furthermore, that the appointee
walks on water.
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