Ramsey VA clinic appears to be on schedule
Article by: PAUL LEVY , Star Tribune Updated: June 8, 2011 - 12:29 AM
Local developer Jim Deal knows all about dealing with the federal government. He spent 25 years working on federal projects, including a key USDA position under President Jimmy Carter.
After 10 years of politics, protests and postponements, the new veterans clinic in Ramsey is scheduled to open in November -- and on time. [..]
While city officials and developers questioned the way the Veterans Administration handled bids for the new community-based outreach clinic that will serve veterans in the northwestern suburbs, Deal simply filled out forms, answered questions, shrugged his shoulders and waited.
Other developers representing Ramsey, Elk River and competing cities elsewhere complained privately when the VA eliminated cities by changing boundaries after applications were taken and then later reopened the bidding war.
Deal's response?
"Sometimes, this happens.
[...] He was an insurance agent for the USDA for seven years before moving into a supervisory position. He worked in Springfield, Ill., Des Moines, and St. Paul before being appointed, under President Jimmy Carter's administration, to take charge of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, within the USDA.
"I was the prime architect of this new program that included 85 percent of the farmers in the country," Deal said.
[...] He says his company is now the third-largest writer of crop insurance programs in the nation, doing $2 billion in premium income.
"Oh, I just know a lot of people around the country," Deal says modestly.
Others know Darren and Mike.
Deal has his head attached properly and not in a dark place.
Levy writes more, so read the original, here.
You do not see Jim Deal appearing desparate and as confused as a deer in the headlights. He does not try to push on a rope.
You do not see him hiring a Darren-and-Mike show, nor contemplating putting eight million into a second lien position behind a private-sector capable bank in Pittsburgh that will not over-lend, nor give credit beyond its due.
Deal, and that bank, should be a teaching-learning experience for some. Those entrusted with wise use of public money distressingly do not show an expected learning curve. Some at least. Bruce Nedegaard plunged where the water was over his head, and now, who can be seen to have learned zippo from the Nedegaard example?
Whoever that might be, Jim Deal is the better conservative role model.