VansOpinion - REGENTS COULD RALLY AROUND THE ROCK

Now that two of the four finalists have departed the selection process for appointment to the position of president of the University of Nebraska system, its time to place into nomination a candidate with proven ability to do what retiring president L. Dennis Smith is accused by many of doing. Read on.

More than a few citizens of the Cornhusker State are persuaded we do not need to replace Smith at all. No one can actually figure out what he does to earn a healthy six digit annual salary, plus a couple of automobiles and a house. In fact, not too many people even know who he is.

But fear not defenders of dumb doings, there is a way to redeem yourselves. A way to meet the only obvious criteria for NU president would be a man who has been convicted three times of stealing money and that fact notwithstanding, cleared all of the hurdles to become a counselor of youth on the evil of tobacco use. A chap that our now State Treasurer, then Director of HHS, hired with the concurrence of His Excellency the Governor of Nebraska's approval. The obvious has been obscured by the phony selection process. How could the regents fail to consider a guy with many government connects - even though most are in the judicial branch. Rock Mueller!

Rock is, we believe, out of work and we are told, has escaped any charges being filed by Nebraska law enforcement authorities. If the feds are also going to sweep Mueller's shannigans under the rug, then he should be eligible for immediate consideration.

But regents, don't check out his educational credentials, it would definitely complicate the hiring process. Consider that he has traveled the entire state at public expense, has met with high school administrators and counselors and has probably been somewhat involved in monitoring a multi-million dollar budget. His credentials as a recruiter are stellar. Many would say he is probably over-qualified if the job description of Smith is applied to the open position.

The wife of one of the regents, a high ranking official in the Johanns administration, and the first lady as well could once again vouch for the new candidate's character. Now, if someone could get him a mail order Ph.D. by overnight FEDEX, he could be ready for serious consideration as soon as tomorrow. A polished professional rip-off artist rather than an amateur might just give the front office at the university a bit of added class. Of course, at budget time in the next session of the Legislature, the member from North Omaha might be a bit feisty to deal with, but what the heck...the university has several high paid lobbyists who could take care of that problem by handing out a few extra football tickets to the other 48.


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