Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Beshear's Appointments II (The Crony Express)
Beshear has made another appointment. He has named Thomas Preston to be his senior advisor (emphasis added).
Gov.-elect Steve Beshear on Monday named a businessman to be his senior adviser.
Thomas L. Preston, who founded a Lexington public relations firm, will report directly to the governor. Preston will also be a liaison between Beshear and state agencies during emergencies and disasters.
"I called upon Tom for advice many times during my campaign and am pleased he is taking on this new role," Beshear said in a statement.
Beshear, a Democrat, defeated Gov. Ernie Fletcher in last week's election and gets sworn in as governor next month. Since the election, Beshear has been naming officials to his administration.
Preston, 73, founded the Preston Group, Inc. in 1968 and was its board chairman until 1997. He has been involved in state government during his career, including a stint as top assistant to former Gov. Wendell Ford.
The crony express just keeps coming. Beshear continues to add cronies experienced people from previous corrupt Democratic administrations.
On a similar note, Beshear is looking for staffers from western Kentucky.
Hmmm, this sounds a lot like the LINK program that got Fletcher into trouble in the first place. But I guess it is OK if you are a Democrat doing it. I am sure this new administration will follow all of the merit laws. Otherwise, Conway will be chomping at the bit to investigate. I also believe they will be on the look out for qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation. Yeaaaah. Sure they will.The incoming state chief executive says it's too early to start discussing names in the Purchase region, but his team is - as he put it - "casting a wide net" to include staffers from all part of Kentucky.
