[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Gopherville: Chaper One

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Gopherville: Chaper One
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1207374623.shtml


   The time: early April. The place: the offices of State Senator George
   Babbitt who we met [1]in the prolog.
   "Judge Thompson is here to see you, Senator."
   "Thank you, Louise," said Senator George Babbitt, looking up to see
   the imposing figure of Judge Virgil F. Thompson enter and extend his
   hand.
   "Senator."
   "Judge. Have a seat," he said, motioning as his aide closed the door.
   "You could have phoned, you know."
   "No, this seemed best. Besides, I had some business over at the A.G.'s
   office. I think I finally found someone I can work with over there.
   And, the food's great, even if I don't get $96 a day. Babbitt smiled
   weakly.
   "I'm glad you're here, Virgil.â Babbitt picked up the copy of the
   Zenith Weekly Sentinel. âIt says here youâre talking about stripping
   Kennicott of some of his duties. All I could get out of him was that
   youâre talking about it. I donât get it.â
   âHeâs a good man, Kennicott. We want to keep him. We want to keep him
   happy, and educating kids makes him happy. All that damn paperwork you
   make him fill out doesnât. You can understand if he didnât want to be
   direct with you, canât you?â
   âHe was direct with you.â
   âActually, no. But we have a reliable source or two. And we have other
   reasons to think this might be a good change for us to make.â
   âMay I remind you that the position of Superintendent is set in law?â
   âIâve read all the applicable statutes. Thereâs no problem here.
   Thereâs nothing about the Superintendent keeping the books, planning
   the lunch menus, or scheduling the buses, just his educational
   responsibilities.â
   âNot directly, but the intent is clear enough, I think. The job of
   Superintendent is very important. Thatâs why itâs a licensed position.
   Heâs got the training and experience needed to run a district. You
   donât, Judge. Neither do I. Shouldnât the most qualified be in
   charge?â
   Thompson nodded. âDoes Kennicott have an accounting degrees?â
   âYou tell me.â
   âNo. He was a history major. Martin Arrowsmith is a CPA and has twelve
   years experience with our district. Shouldnât the most qualified be in
   charge as you say, of the books that is?â
   âHe is now, under the direction of the Superintendent as in every
   other district in Minnesota.â
   âTradition.â
   Babbitt rose. âWould you mind if I see if Senator Cortwright is
   available?â
   âGo ahead.â Babbitt stepped out briefly, then returned.
   âLouise is checking. Virgil, look. If this was just Gopherville, Iâd
   say fine, your call, despite my misgivings. But you know better than I
   about that little thing called precedent. Our educational system has a
   clear structure, an elected board and the Superintendent they hire.
   Itâs worked for a hundred years.â
   âTradition.â
   âAnd if Minnesota becomes a crazy quilt of 300 different job
   descriptions for Superintendent?â
   âJust whom is that a problem for? Not the districts who clearly would
   do so for local reasons.â
   The telephone buzzed and Senator Babbitt answered to hear that Edith
   Cortwright was in committee for another hour yet. âNo message, Louise.
   Thank you.â
   âI ask again. Who has a problem if the Superintendents duties vary
   from district to district, beyond those explicitly in statute?â
   âNow Judge, â¦â
   âWho, George?â
   Babbitt found that he didn't have an answer, not one he liked anyway.
   "Maybe you're right, Virgil. Let me think some more about that."
   "And ask Senator Cortwright?" smiled Judge Thompson, rising to go.
   "Look, George, I need to leave now if i'm going to get home before
   nightfall. I'll be back in town in two weeks. How about dinner? We may
   have more to discuss then."
   "There's more?"
   "Maybe I'm being premature, but we're rethinking quite a few things.
   I'll set a time with Louise tomorrow if that's all right." Babbitt
   nodded. They shook hands and Thompson left. Babbitt looked out his
   window.
   "Tradition," he mumbled.

References

   1. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1207109212.shtml