Latest news with #CarolineJohnson
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ellison opposes appointment of Otto Bremer Trust trustee's daughter
A Ramsey County District Court judge on Friday will hear an unusual request from the Minnesota Attorney General's office, which hopes to remove a recently-appointed trustee from the helm of one of the state's oldest philanthropies, or at least slash her salary, impose training requirements and institute safeguards against future family appointments. When Charlotte Johnson retired last August after 34 years as one of the three leaders at the helm of the Otto Bremer Trust, she appointed her daughter as her successor. Until then, Caroline S. Johnson had served as a Bremer Bank branch manager in New Richmond, Wis., a rural community of some 10,000 residents. Based in St. Paul, the $1.5 billion philanthropy has been a major owner of the bank since its inception in 1943, and the charity's three trustees have chosen their own successors for the past 80 years. Those concerns reverberated with Ellison's office, which regulates charities. With her move from community banker team lead to trustee, Caroline Johnson became one of three co-chief executive officers of the multi-billion dollar philanthropy overseeing Bremer Bank. The bank is one of the state's largest farm lenders and recently merged with Indiana-based Old National Bank. Efforts to get comment from Caroline Johnson and the trust's attorneys for this story were unsuccessful as of Thursday morning. Her annual salary, according to the attorney general's office, increased nearly tenfold from $73,000 to $685,000. Her resume, according to the attorney general's office, did not reveal deep credentials administering sizable charities beyond her family roots. In 2023, the Otto Bremer Trust issued $105 million in grants and low-interest loans to charitable causes across Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Montana. The attorney general's office, 'as representative of the charitable interests of the public, does not have sufficient assurances that the selection is in the best interest of the beneficiaries,' reads an April 16 legal filing from Ellison's office. 'Rather, trustees' continuing pattern of nepotism substantially undermines the trust of the public whom trustees are supposed to serve.' Ellison's office noted that while trustees have a tradition of choosing their own successors, state law requires that they 'must comply with their fiduciary duties of care and loyalty when exercising that discretion,' and that breaching those duties 'cannot have been the (founder's) intent.' A hearing before Judge Mark Ireland is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul. In their legal response to the attorney general's office, attorneys with Ciresi Conlin wrote that Ellison's office 'has never provided any evidence that her removal is necessary to best serve the interests of all beneficiaries.' Instead, it would in fact be inconsistent with both 80 years of practice and Otto Bremer's express preferences, spelled out in the trust's founding documents, that trustees select their own replacements. Newspaper delivery delayed on Thursday due to printing press issue Pigeons on a plane: Delta flight from MSP delayed when 2 birds sneak aboard Eagan city administrator to step down after 24 years with the city Stillwater: Water Street Inn's Chuck Dougherty named Lumberjack Days parade grand marshal Snelling Ave. and St. Clair Ave. intersection closing intermittently The attorney general's office 'relies primarily on arguments it made and lost three years ago' when the office attempted to block a bank sale in court, the attorneys wrote. 'This court has already rejected the (attorney general office's) campaign against what the (office) terms 'nepotism.' … Charlotte did all she was required to do, and Trustee Caroline has faithfully administered the Trust since then.' Charlotte and Caroline Johnson have joined the Otto Bremer Trust in objecting to the attorney general's petition and defending her credentials, as have trustees Daniel Reardon and Francis Miley, who both submitted affidavits to the court. Caroline Johnson's previous public service has included sitting on the board of directors and finance committee of the St. Croix Valley Food Bank during its capital campaign, serving on the board of directors of the Encampment Forest Association/Minnesota Land Trust, and serving for five years on the board of directors of the St. Croix County United Way, specifically its grants committee. Reardon noted that Otto Bremer selected his grandfather, his trusted tax consultant, as a trustee, who later selected his father, who later selected Reardon. He praised Caroline Johnson's 'high emotional intelligence' and said her intimate knowledge of both banking and relationship building were assets during the recent bank sale. 'I have known Caroline for over 30 years and have seen her evolve and grow both personally and professionally,' Reardon wrote, noting she had previously worked for Bremer Bank for seven years. 'This direct boots-on-the-ground experience in a Bremer branch bank was an excellent way to learn about the banking industry as well as Otto Bremer's philanthropic vision for the Trust,' Reardon wrote. 'Like me, Caroline grew up surrounded by the Trust. She learned about a life of service to Otto Bremer's vision at the dinner table, by joining Charlotte on Trust retreats, and other events over the last 30 years.' Ellison's office asked that the court adjust her salary and consider reviewing 'Caroline Johnson's skills and abilities and imposing training requirements and/or independent advisors as needed.' In her affidavit, Caroline Johnson noted she recently received a certificate from University of Minnesota Continuing and Professional Studies for completing a course on 'Leadership Essentials.' She also completed another course on 'Introduction to Trust Administration' at the University of Sioux Falls. Ellison's office has asked that even if the court does not remove Charlotte Johnson, that it require a more formal appointment process moving forward. Ellison's office previously alerted the courts they will take a hard look at the selection process if a trustee appointed a family member as a successor, said Brian Evans, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office. Charlotte Johnson 'did not use any kind of objective process, such as collecting a pool of qualified candidates, applying objective criteria to narrow those candidates, and then making a selection applying those criteria that best serves interests of the public whom the Trust serves,' said Evans, in an email. 'Despite the fact that Trustees justify their substantial compensation by comparing themselves to CEOs of large nonprofit foundations, Johnson did not take the steps expected of a large nonprofit when replacing a high-level executive,' he wrote. The attorney general's office has sought to remove trustees before. In August 2020, Ellison's office accused three trustees of attempting to inflate their compensation through a bank sale, among other forms of self-dealing. Following a 20-day bench trial, Judge Robert Awsumb chose to remove Brian Lipschultz as a trustee but retain Reardon and Charlotte Johnson. Lipschultz filed legal appeals, but they failed to sway the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court. He recently filed a legal request to have the Otto Bremer Trust pay his legal fees. Bremer Bank completed its sale to Old National earlier this month, creating the third-largest bank to the Twin Cities — as measured by deposits — and one of the top 25 banking companies headquartered in the U.S. As a result of the merger, the Otto Bremer Trust will retain an 11% ownership stake in Old National, and Reardon will join the Old National board of directors. Newspaper delivery delayed on Thursday due to printing press issue Pigeons on a plane: Delta flight from MSP delayed when 2 birds sneak aboard Eagan city administrator to step down after 24 years with the city Stillwater: Water Street Inn's Chuck Dougherty named Lumberjack Days parade grand marshal Snelling Ave. and St. Clair Ave. intersection closing intermittently
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Claims Red Arrows face solar glare risk rejected
An RAF source has dismissed claims that glare from solar farms could cause the Red Arrows to crash. In a House of Commons debate, Conservative MP Dr Caroline Johnson said light reflecting from panels could dazzle RAF pilots flying from air bases, including one used for training aircrew. However, a senior RAF source told the PA news agency this was not the case and "in general terms, solar panels across fields in Lincolnshire are not going to affect our pilots". The Ministry of Defence and the RAF have been contacted for comment. Johnson, the MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, hit out at plans for large solar farms in her rural Lincolnshire constituency during a parliamentary debate on the issue, arguing they were inappropriate as they could hinder farmland productivity. She told the Commons earlier: "I also ask the minister to give due consideration to the three RAF bases local to my constituency, RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby. "Glint and glare from reflective panels will cause problems for pilots flying over these areas. "Our newest pilots undergo basic training at Cranwell and RAF Waddington is home to the Red Arrows." She said while it was "a huge joy" to watch the display team practising at high speeds, clusters of adjoining panels "creating glint and glare could lead to disaster". Labour MP Sarah Russell intervened to point out the pilots in countries such as Spain, where there are "widespread solar panels", did not have a problem. Johnson replied: "I wonder if the average jumbo jet flying to Heathrow does a loop-the-loop on the way in?" A senior RAF source, who had flown fast jets for more than two decades, said: "At no point in my flying career did I ever have any problems with solar panels. Clearly, they weren't as prolific as they are now around the UK, but even so. "If you were putting something big, shiny and tall on the approach lane to a major airfield like Heathrow or any of our MoD operating bases, then clearly the Ministry of Defence or the Civil Aviation Authority would be interested and put a request in for more information, and if we weren't happy, we would oppose it." Energy minister Michael Shanks said: "These solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it... glint and glare is considered within the planning process already." Five large solar farms have already been approved for Lincolnshire, with more already in the pipeline. Johnson said: "Lincolnshire is the nation's bread basket and produces 30% of the nation's vegetables. "This is land we can least afford to lose." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Retired couple 'devastated' by solar farm plans Concern over impact of large-scale solar farm Ed Miliband criticises Reform's Net Zero stance
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Claims solar glare could cause Red Arrows to crash rejected
An RAF source has dismissed claims that glare from solar farms could cause the Red Arrows to a House of Commons debate, Conservative MP Dr Caroline Johnson said light reflecting from panels could dazzle RAF pilots flying from air bases, including one used for training a senior RAF source told the PA news agency this was not the case and "in general terms, solar panels across fields in Lincolnshire are not going to affect our pilots".The Ministry of Defence and the RAF have been contacted for comment. Johnson, the MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, hit out at plans for large solar farms in her rural Lincolnshire constituency during a parliamentary debate on the issue, arguing they were inappropriate as they could hinder farmland told the Commons earlier: "I also ask the minister to give due consideration to the three RAF bases local to my constituency, RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby. "Glint and glare from reflective panels will cause problems for pilots flying over these areas."Our newest pilots undergo basic training at Cranwell and RAF Waddington is home to the Red Arrows."She said while it was "a huge joy" to watch the display team practising at high speeds, clusters of adjoining panels "creating glint and glare could lead to disaster".Labour MP Sarah Russell intervened to point out the pilots in countries such as Spain, where there are "widespread solar panels", did not have a problem. Johnson replied: "I wonder if the average jumbo jet flying to Heathrow does a loop-the-loop on the way in?" 'Glint and glare' A senior RAF source, who had flown fast jets for more than two decades, said: "At no point in my flying career did I ever have any problems with solar panels. Clearly, they weren't as prolific as they are now around the UK, but even so."If you were putting something big, shiny and tall on the approach lane to a major airfield like Heathrow or any of our MoD operating bases, then clearly the Ministry of Defence or the Civil Aviation Authority would be interested and put a request in for more information, and if we weren't happy, we would oppose it."Energy minister Michael Shanks said: "These solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it... glint and glare is considered within the planning process already."Five large solar farms have already been approved for Lincolnshire, with more already in the said: "Lincolnshire is the nation's bread basket and produces 30% of the nation's vegetables."This is land we can least afford to lose." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Rhyl Journal
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Solar farm glare could cause Red Arrows jets to crash, Conservative MP claims
Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) hit out at plans for large solar farms in her rural Lincolnshire constituency, arguing they were inappropriate as they could hinder farmland productivity in the area. However Dr Johnson also said solar farms could be problematic for pilots flying from air bases which had played critical roles in the Second World War, and another which is a key training base for aircrew. A senior RAF source told the PA news agency that this was not the case, and that one of the airfields named by Dr Johnson did not have a runway. Leading a debate in the House of Commons on the renewable energy source, she said: 'I also ask the minister to give due consideration to the three RAF bases local to my constituency, RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby. Glint and glare from reflective panels will cause problems for pilots flying over these areas. 'Our newest pilots undergo basic training at Cranwell, and RAF Waddington is home to the Red Arrows. It is a huge joy for me and many of my constituents to watch the nation's iconic display team practice the loop-the-loop and roll into turns at high speeds. 'But the miles and miles of aligned panels creating glint and glare could lead to disaster.' Labour MP Sarah Russell (Congleton) intervened and asked Dr Johnson to clarify. She said: 'Does (she) agree with me that pilots seem to fly throughout our nation and many others already, despite there being widespread solar panels in, for instance, Spain, where there is more sunshine than here. So it seems unlikely that they'll be unlikely to manage in her constituency.' Dr Johnson replied: 'I wonder if the average jumbo jet flying to Heathrow does a loop-the-loop on the way in?' She continued to raise concerns, this time about the impact on the home of UK signals unit, the Joint Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Group, which provides support to the Army, RAF and Royal Navy. She said: 'RAF Digby is the headquarters of the Joint Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Group. Any interference with these defence estates could cause significant harm.' A senior RAF source who had flown fast jets for more than two decades said: 'At no point in my flying career did I ever have any problems with solar panels. Clearly, they weren't as prolific as they are now around the UK, but even so. 'If you were putting something big, shiny and tall on the approach lane to a major airfield like Heathrow or any of our MOD operating bases, then clearly the Ministry of Defence or the Civil Aviation Authority would be interested and put a request in for more information, and if we weren't happy, we would oppose it. 'In general terms, solar panels across fields in Lincolnshire are not going to affect our pilots, our training pilots, the Red Arrows or anybody else.' Speaking from the frontbench, Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello (West Dorset) said he could 'write a whole other speech debunking some of the things that were said today', adding: 'Any solar farm development requires a glint and glare report before it gets approved if it's anywhere near an air force base or an airport. Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'These solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it, and… glint and glare is considered within the planning process already. So it is one of the factors that is taken into account.' Five large solar farms have already been approved for Lincolnshire, with more already in the pipeline. But there has been criticism that it will vastly reduce the amount of high quality agricultural land. Dr Johnson said: 'Lincolnshire is the nation's bread basket and produces 30% of the nation's vegetables. 'The land in the county is also more productive than the UK average, with the wheat harvest over a difficult last five years 25% above the UK average and much, much more productive than global averages. So this is land we can least afford to lose.' RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and the Ministry of Defence have been contacted for comment.
North Wales Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Solar farm glare could cause Red Arrows jets to crash, Conservative MP claims
Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) hit out at plans for large solar farms in her rural Lincolnshire constituency, arguing they were inappropriate as they could hinder farmland productivity in the area. However Dr Johnson also said solar farms could be problematic for pilots flying from air bases which had played critical roles in the Second World War, and another which is a key training base for aircrew. A senior RAF source told the PA news agency that this was not the case, and that one of the airfields named by Dr Johnson did not have a runway. Leading a debate in the House of Commons on the renewable energy source, she said: 'I also ask the minister to give due consideration to the three RAF bases local to my constituency, RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby. Glint and glare from reflective panels will cause problems for pilots flying over these areas. 'Our newest pilots undergo basic training at Cranwell, and RAF Waddington is home to the Red Arrows. It is a huge joy for me and many of my constituents to watch the nation's iconic display team practice the loop-the-loop and roll into turns at high speeds. 'But the miles and miles of aligned panels creating glint and glare could lead to disaster.' Labour MP Sarah Russell (Congleton) intervened and asked Dr Johnson to clarify. She said: 'Does (she) agree with me that pilots seem to fly throughout our nation and many others already, despite there being widespread solar panels in, for instance, Spain, where there is more sunshine than here. So it seems unlikely that they'll be unlikely to manage in her constituency.' Dr Johnson replied: 'I wonder if the average jumbo jet flying to Heathrow does a loop-the-loop on the way in?' She continued to raise concerns, this time about the impact on the home of UK signals unit, the Joint Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Group, which provides support to the Army, RAF and Royal Navy. She said: 'RAF Digby is the headquarters of the Joint Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Group. Any interference with these defence estates could cause significant harm.' A senior RAF source who had flown fast jets for more than two decades said: 'At no point in my flying career did I ever have any problems with solar panels. Clearly, they weren't as prolific as they are now around the UK, but even so. 'If you were putting something big, shiny and tall on the approach lane to a major airfield like Heathrow or any of our MOD operating bases, then clearly the Ministry of Defence or the Civil Aviation Authority would be interested and put a request in for more information, and if we weren't happy, we would oppose it. 'In general terms, solar panels across fields in Lincolnshire are not going to affect our pilots, our training pilots, the Red Arrows or anybody else.' Speaking from the frontbench, Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello (West Dorset) said he could 'write a whole other speech debunking some of the things that were said today', adding: 'Any solar farm development requires a glint and glare report before it gets approved if it's anywhere near an air force base or an airport. Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'These solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it, and… glint and glare is considered within the planning process already. So it is one of the factors that is taken into account.' Five large solar farms have already been approved for Lincolnshire, with more already in the pipeline. But there has been criticism that it will vastly reduce the amount of high quality agricultural land. Dr Johnson said: 'Lincolnshire is the nation's bread basket and produces 30% of the nation's vegetables. 'The land in the county is also more productive than the UK average, with the wheat harvest over a difficult last five years 25% above the UK average and much, much more productive than global averages. So this is land we can least afford to lose.' RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and the Ministry of Defence have been contacted for comment.
