Senator Johnson: Yes, It is about "integrity and keeping your word."
I read Thursday's front page article about Sen. Dean Johnson's controversial comments at the New London-Spicer Ministerial January meeting with interest. I was there, and with my colleagues I heard what the senator said and promised. Yes, it was inappropriate that the conversation was taped, but I think a deeper more troubling issue is that the senator made assertions in the conversation that were simply not true.
Also at that meeting, the senator promised me information to verify comments he made about a statewide poll, and after a reminder letter and two follow up e-mails, I'm not holding my breath. "Integrity" and "keeping your word" are both commodities that each one manages for ourselves -- we are responsible to manage them well if we seek to keep or gain public trust. Yes, Senator Johnson is frustrated, but my hunch is it is more about being held accountable for his misrepresentations.
Paul R. Anderson
Spicer
