MSU trustee deserved another shot at position
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For more than 15 years, MSU Trustee Donald Nugent has driven three and a half hours almost every month to attend MSU Board of Trustees meetings. Nugent’s term comes to an end in January 2011, and although he has served two consecutive terms and submitted his bid for re-election, Nugent no longer will serve MSU as a trustee starting next year.
Instead, the Republican National Committee nominated two new candidates earlier this week: Brian Breslin, son of the Jack Breslin, for whom Breslin Center is named, and Mitch Lyons, a former MSU football player. Nugent will not appear as a Republican on the November general ballot. Still, Nugent was charitable and offered to assist the board in any way.
“I’ll do whatever I can do to help out, but I’ll probably have a little more time to myself,” Nugent said.
It’s understandable the Republican Party might be looking for fresh faces in an effort to refocus its base, but the board is a place that should be as free of partisan politics as possible. Some things, such as Breslin’s nomination, suggest political expediency. For example, Holly Hughes, a Republican National Committee member, said Breslin is a good candidate because, “When (Breslin) said his last name, I thought, ‘No brainer. Breslin. MSU. You can’t separate the two. … Go green. Go white. Go Breslin.”
When a voter looks at the ballot, it’s probably easier to check the box of a recognizable name. That approach might work for putting people in office just for the sake of gaining ground, but it completely misses the point of what the board is about.
Nugent served well as an MSU trustee, and that is something the MSU community can appreciate. His party, however, seems to lack any sense of loyalty. It would have been considerate — if not professional — to allow Nugent’s name to appear on the ballot and to let the residents of Michigan decide whether it was time for him to be replaced.
The decision to nominate Lyons, who, according to his website, is a dedicated Spartan with conservative Christian values, is a combo meal of partisan and non-partisan side dishes. Being a dedicated Spartan is a requirement for the job, but being a conservative Christian is not.
The trustee position is a non-partisan position that was chosen by partisan people. It seems as if the committee might be trying to influence voters to pick a flashy name or loved pastime sport as opposed to skills that actually can be useful to the operation of the board.
It is assumed that Breslin will uphold the standards of the trustee position just because of his last name; his work ethic or dedication to the position seems to be irrelevant.
Although Breslin has served on the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and was the senior vice president of Meijer and surely might be able to handle the responsibilities of the position, his name should have been a detail, not a deciding factor.
Nugent had experience, even though he might have lacked widespread recognition, but that shouldn’t count against him.
Nugent has done, and was willing to continue doing, a good job at MSU. It’s too bad that MSU will not be able to give him a proper farewell. But it’s not personal, right? It’s just business.
Commentary
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student
(08/31/10 9:54pm)Report
Lyons’ Christian values have nothing to do in an academic context. In fact, I consider that takes his out of the race for the Board. Academic settings don’t look for religious values, instead they look for individuals who are willing to support studies in all areas. Given that Christian values contradict many issues that are studied in universities, I consider Lyon not appropriate for this position.
Bring back Nugent.
Student
(09/01/10 12:09am)Report
The quote (regarding Breslin) is ridiculous but I am not sure what the Nuge has really done in all his time here. Attending a meeting once a month and having some “experience” is not enough. The guy never speaks at meetings and you guys failed to pinpoint anything tangible that he has actually accomplished or fought for – except driving 3 and a half hours. Some new blood might do MSU good.
How about doing research before the next editorial – poor start for the State News.
Student1
(09/01/10 10:43am)Report
In second paragraph, it says the Republican National Committee was the body that nominated the two new candidates. It was not the RNC, it was the MI Republican Party at its state convention.
KO
(09/01/10 11:43am)Report
What about Nugent’s record is the State News advocating for? If I’m not mistaken this very editorial board has been critical of a lot of decisions the trustees have made, from tuition increases, to their endless fight about whether Trustee work sessions should be open meetings.
Nugent has been a member of the board for all of these and more.
And, why no focus on the fact that the Michigan Democratic party also nominates people for the board. Yes, there was less controversy for them this time, but it’s not the MIGOP that is making this into a partisan question, it’s state law.
Until the law is changed the state parties are going to be in the business of picking the candidates they believe have the best chance to win.
Please understand your topics before you write about them
(09/01/10 11:59am)Report
If, after 15 years, the best you can think to say about Trustee Nugent is that he drove 3.5 hours to meetings once a month, he definitely deserved to go.
As someone who sat in on many board meetings, Trustee Nugent was often absent and never seemed highly engaged. That doesnt mean he wasnt but he didn’t seem to be from my perspective.
I also find it very interesting how there’s 0 coverage of the fact that Trustee McNamera survived the Democrat Nomination at the last second after the Unions finally decided to stop going after her for not marching 100% in tune with them.
Regardless, the Voters get to decide who will be elected so it’s up to them.
Sparty
(09/01/10 11:59am)Report
Next time, try to have a few actual accomplishments that someone’s done before you rush to their defense.
Biased Much?
(09/01/10 12:09pm)Report
“The decision to nominate Lyons…a dedicated Spartan with conservative Christian values, is a combo meal of partisan and non-partisan side dishes.”
Uhhh, so what about other candidates who describe themselves as being:
union friendly?
fiscally conservative?
Pro/Anti Affirmative Action?
Liberal/Conservative Jewish Values?
Why exactly did you decide to single out a ‘Christian Conservative’ but totally ignore other, how did you put it, “combo meals of partisan and non-partisan side dishes”?
Or is it only candidates you personally disagree with o’ wise (biased?) editorial board…?
Bised Much?
(09/01/10 12:12pm)Report
“The trustee position is a non-partisan position that was chosen by partisan people.”
P.S. – if you’ve ever voted before you’ll realize that, actually, the board of trustees IS a partisan position.
That’s why parties nominate people….
Seriously, do you even have a basic semblance of understanding on this issue?
Change is good
(09/01/10 4:08pm)Report
Change in leadership positions is always a good thing. As an alumni of MSU, I can’t think of anything great Nugent has done for us over the last 15 years. New blood on the board will be a good change for MSU. Just because you’ve been there for 15 years does not mean you should continue to be there. If he is so dedicated to MSU, he should still find ways to serve the University even though he is no longer on the board.
MSUHistory
(09/07/10 10:46pm)Report
Believe it or not many pieces of article are true. Don Nugent did drive hours to every Trustee meeting and donated a fair amount of money to the University. The deciding issue at the convention was his vote on an issue specific to a cross-dressing male professor wishing to use female restrooms. Don Nugent supported the protection of the male professor’s rights to use the women’s bathroom. Agree or disagree – that was the issue that detroyed Don Nugents chances for reelection.
Also keep in mind that Breslin had the option to run against Don Nugent but chose not too – in theory, because of his respect for Don’s longtime service to the University.
Breslin seemed respectable when I met him last January – proved he was last month.
Re: student (at the top)
(09/07/10 11:48pm)Report
Wow, you are one stupid asshole. I am straight, are you going to say that my sexual orientation holds no place in a school setting because it discriminates against gays?
I don’t go to church, but I know a lot of catholics and christians. They have NEVER forced their views on me, and I respect them for that. This is the norm for those people, they are not in-your-face and hateful like atheists and gays. Your opinion is defective.
Go shoot yourself. Please.