Difference between revisions of "Skip Rutherford"
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| − | '''Skip Rutherford''' is the William J. Clinton Professor and Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School. Rutherford is past | + | James L. ('''Skip) Rutherford''' is the William J. Clinton Professor and Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School. Rutherford is past president of the nonprofit William J. Clinton Foundation, which oversaw construction of the Clinton Presidential Center. The original Foundation fundraising goal for the Library was $80-100 million dollars. The cost of the project eventually swelled to $165 million. |
Rutherford championed the location of the Library to potential donors by noting its proximity to convention hotel space, restaurants, shops. He has also been quoted as saying that having the main library of the Central Arkansas Library System only a few blocks away was "a major factor in determining the site for the [[Clinton Library]] in downtown Little Rock." | Rutherford championed the location of the Library to potential donors by noting its proximity to convention hotel space, restaurants, shops. He has also been quoted as saying that having the main library of the Central Arkansas Library System only a few blocks away was "a major factor in determining the site for the [[Clinton Library]] in downtown Little Rock." | ||
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In response to Bill Clinton's frequent requests for information about the status of construction on the library complex, Rutherford had his staff install a [[ClintonCam]] webcam that was available 24/7. | In response to Bill Clinton's frequent requests for information about the status of construction on the library complex, Rutherford had his staff install a [[ClintonCam]] webcam that was available 24/7. | ||
| − | Rutherford became embroiled in the dispute with landowner [[Eugene Pfeifer III]] over the site of the Clinton presidential library complex in 2001. He also became involved in the court struggle over a proposed $2-3 million dollar economic-development tax break for the Clinton Library. | + | Rutherford became embroiled in the dispute with landowner [[Eugene Pfeifer III]] over the site of the Clinton presidential library complex in 2001. He also became involved in the court struggle over a proposed $1.2-3 million dollar economic-development tax break for the Clinton Library. The economic-development tax break became the preferred mechanism for city purchase of the land for the Clinton Center after a proposed [[burger tax]] measure was defeated. |
Rutherford was also subpoenaed in February 2001 by the [[Burton House Committee on Government Reform]], which was investigating possible links between Foundation fund-raising efforts and the pardon of fugitive [[Marc Rich]], wanted on charges of tax evasion. Rich's ex-wife [[Denise Rich]] donated $450,000 to the library foundation in three installments between July 1998 and May 2000. The Clinton Foundation refused to turn over the subpoenaed files, which would include records of [[donors]] and amounts. Rutherford argued that such records "have always been private." | Rutherford was also subpoenaed in February 2001 by the [[Burton House Committee on Government Reform]], which was investigating possible links between Foundation fund-raising efforts and the pardon of fugitive [[Marc Rich]], wanted on charges of tax evasion. Rich's ex-wife [[Denise Rich]] donated $450,000 to the library foundation in three installments between July 1998 and May 2000. The Clinton Foundation refused to turn over the subpoenaed files, which would include records of [[donors]] and amounts. Rutherford argued that such records "have always been private." | ||
Revision as of 13:32, 15 November 2007
James L. (Skip) Rutherford is the William J. Clinton Professor and Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School. Rutherford is past president of the nonprofit William J. Clinton Foundation, which oversaw construction of the Clinton Presidential Center. The original Foundation fundraising goal for the Library was $80-100 million dollars. The cost of the project eventually swelled to $165 million.
Rutherford championed the location of the Library to potential donors by noting its proximity to convention hotel space, restaurants, shops. He has also been quoted as saying that having the main library of the Central Arkansas Library System only a few blocks away was "a major factor in determining the site for the Clinton Library in downtown Little Rock."
In response to Bill Clinton's frequent requests for information about the status of construction on the library complex, Rutherford had his staff install a ClintonCam webcam that was available 24/7.
Rutherford became embroiled in the dispute with landowner Eugene Pfeifer III over the site of the Clinton presidential library complex in 2001. He also became involved in the court struggle over a proposed $1.2-3 million dollar economic-development tax break for the Clinton Library. The economic-development tax break became the preferred mechanism for city purchase of the land for the Clinton Center after a proposed burger tax measure was defeated.
Rutherford was also subpoenaed in February 2001 by the Burton House Committee on Government Reform, which was investigating possible links between Foundation fund-raising efforts and the pardon of fugitive Marc Rich, wanted on charges of tax evasion. Rich's ex-wife Denise Rich donated $450,000 to the library foundation in three installments between July 1998 and May 2000. The Clinton Foundation refused to turn over the subpoenaed files, which would include records of donors and amounts. Rutherford argued that such records "have always been private."
Rutherford has been a close friend of the president for over thirty years. He is an executive vice president of one of the state's largest advertising firms.
References
- Parker, Suzi, "Divulging Donors of Clinton Library: A Bad Precedent?" Christian Science Monitor 93 no. 63 (February 26, 2001): 1-2.
