Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Nodler: Farber is 'extremely generous individual'

Rudy Farber is an "extremely generous individual" who expects nothing in return, according to Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, who championed the Neosho banker's nomination as a member of the State Highway Commission.
The Senate's Gubernatorial Appointments Committee approved the Farber nomination today. It is likely to be voted on by the full Senate Thursday.
Farber's consistent top-dollar contributions to Governor Matt Blunt's campaign account, first noted in the March 19 Turner Report, reached an even greater amount $50,000 on March 4, just two weeks prior to Farber's nomination to the Highway Commission.

(Farber) said Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, approached him last fall about potentially serving on the commission before he received a call from Blunt asking him to consider the position.

"One of the things I don't do is I don't go to politicians and say I want A, B and C," Farber said while explaining he neither sought out the post nor expected anything from his contribution.

Nodler described Farber as an "extremely generous individual" -- to politicians, charities, industrial development and various community causes.

"He never asks for anything in return," Nodler said. "That is something unusual for a large benefactor."

Farber was questioned about his contribution to Blunt by Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, who didn't object to his confirmation but remained somewhat skeptical after Farber's answers.

"I don't necessarily believe that Mr. Farber sought the appointment with the contribution," Coleman said, "but I do believe it's much easier to give a large contribution once a governor has appointed you to a commission" or expressed an interest in doing so."

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