Post by Moses on Jan 29, 2006 23:03:15 GMT -5
Revolving propaganda /democracy manipulation door:
New career for Denver lobbyist leads to banks of the Nile
Gina London is leaving her post as a Denver lobbyist and heading to Egypt with the International Republican Institute.
By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News
January 21, 2006
Gina London, a former CNN reporter and a lobbyist with CRL Associates in Denver, is launching a new career as a resident country director for the International Republican Institute.
On Sunday, London will catch a plane to Washington, D.C., for four days of training before taking off for her new post in Cairo, Egypt, where her job is to educate[sic] people on how democracy works in the U.S.
She recently took time out of a whirlwind schedule to talk to the Rocky Mountain News before she departs for Cairo.
Name: Gina London
Age: "A very youthful 40."
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University.
Work history: Orlando Sentinel; office of U.S. Rep. Jim Jontz, D-Ind.; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; Fox 5 News, Washington, D.C.; WJLA ABC 7, Washington; CNN in Washington, Atlanta and Denver; CRL Associates Inc., Denver.
First job: The junior department at J.C. Penney.
Worst job: Classified ads department at the Orlando Sentinel for six months before I finally moved to the editorial department.
Last book read: I just re-read my childhood favorite, Anne of Green Gables.
Last movie: Good Night, and Good Luck.
What three people from anytime in history would you invite to a dinner party? Madeleine Albright, Lucille Ball, novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.
News: What public policy projects have you worked on as a lobbyist for CRL?
London: Several, including the Denver Union Station Master Plan, the $4.7 billion FasTracks transportation initiative, Cherokee's $1.5 billion redevelopment of the former Gates rubber factory and the year-long effort to revise Aurora's design standards for residential development along the E-470 corridor.
News: What's your assessment of the Gates project?
London: It is essential that it receive the requested ($85 million in) tax increment financing (from Denver) in order to successfully transform that blighted factory into the premier transit- oriented development in the region.
News: How would you assess the current leadership of the city?
London: It's no longer simply about one leader. We now have the strongest team of local mayors working together to benefit the region as a whole.
News: What's most frustrating for your developer clients?
London: There's a natural tug- of-war between their time to occupancy and a stretched-out planning process.
News: What would you like to see changed?
London: Continue the current efforts to streamline and simplify the planning process.
News: In your opinion, what are the biggest problems facing Denver?
London: No. 1, education. New Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet is making a good start toward helping the city's kids.
2. Growing businesses in Colorado. We are competing in an international marketplace. Regional leaders should develop a collective plan for enticing businesses to our state.
3. My personal pet peeve: A much-needed overhaul of the National Western Stock Show. Inject some new vitality into this event and venue.
News: How have you dealt with NIMBYism, or Not In My Back Yard, opponents to developments?
London: With honesty. If you tell neighbors what's coming and you're open with them, they'll be reasonable.
All over the metro area, registered neighborhoods and homeowner associations are very active and engaged. It's often that spirit that keeps neighborhoods looking good for years.
News: Any final words?
London: When I first moved here, a lot of people apologized for Denver, calling it a "cow town." That's precisely what makes it so great: the Western flair - where you can wear a cowboy hat and still be taken seriously; the small-town welcoming attitude that takes in new people with open arms; and the healthy outdoor lifestyle. I continue to be amazed by how much I enjoyed living in Colorado.
New career for Denver lobbyist leads to banks of the Nile
Gina London is leaving her post as a Denver lobbyist and heading to Egypt with the International Republican Institute.
By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News
January 21, 2006
Gina London, a former CNN reporter and a lobbyist with CRL Associates in Denver, is launching a new career as a resident country director for the International Republican Institute.
On Sunday, London will catch a plane to Washington, D.C., for four days of training before taking off for her new post in Cairo, Egypt, where her job is to educate[sic] people on how democracy works in the U.S.
She recently took time out of a whirlwind schedule to talk to the Rocky Mountain News before she departs for Cairo.
Name: Gina London
Age: "A very youthful 40."
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University.
Work history: Orlando Sentinel; office of U.S. Rep. Jim Jontz, D-Ind.; Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee; Fox 5 News, Washington, D.C.; WJLA ABC 7, Washington; CNN in Washington, Atlanta and Denver; CRL Associates Inc., Denver.
First job: The junior department at J.C. Penney.
Worst job: Classified ads department at the Orlando Sentinel for six months before I finally moved to the editorial department.
Last book read: I just re-read my childhood favorite, Anne of Green Gables.
Last movie: Good Night, and Good Luck.
What three people from anytime in history would you invite to a dinner party? Madeleine Albright, Lucille Ball, novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.
News: What public policy projects have you worked on as a lobbyist for CRL?
London: Several, including the Denver Union Station Master Plan, the $4.7 billion FasTracks transportation initiative, Cherokee's $1.5 billion redevelopment of the former Gates rubber factory and the year-long effort to revise Aurora's design standards for residential development along the E-470 corridor.
News: What's your assessment of the Gates project?
London: It is essential that it receive the requested ($85 million in) tax increment financing (from Denver) in order to successfully transform that blighted factory into the premier transit- oriented development in the region.
News: How would you assess the current leadership of the city?
London: It's no longer simply about one leader. We now have the strongest team of local mayors working together to benefit the region as a whole.
News: What's most frustrating for your developer clients?
London: There's a natural tug- of-war between their time to occupancy and a stretched-out planning process.
News: What would you like to see changed?
London: Continue the current efforts to streamline and simplify the planning process.
News: In your opinion, what are the biggest problems facing Denver?
London: No. 1, education. New Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet is making a good start toward helping the city's kids.
2. Growing businesses in Colorado. We are competing in an international marketplace. Regional leaders should develop a collective plan for enticing businesses to our state.
3. My personal pet peeve: A much-needed overhaul of the National Western Stock Show. Inject some new vitality into this event and venue.
News: How have you dealt with NIMBYism, or Not In My Back Yard, opponents to developments?
London: With honesty. If you tell neighbors what's coming and you're open with them, they'll be reasonable.
All over the metro area, registered neighborhoods and homeowner associations are very active and engaged. It's often that spirit that keeps neighborhoods looking good for years.
News: Any final words?
London: When I first moved here, a lot of people apologized for Denver, calling it a "cow town." That's precisely what makes it so great: the Western flair - where you can wear a cowboy hat and still be taken seriously; the small-town welcoming attitude that takes in new people with open arms; and the healthy outdoor lifestyle. I continue to be amazed by how much I enjoyed living in Colorado.