Letter of the day: Brandl brought out the best in his colleagues

Last update: August 20, 2008 - 6:17 PM

I had the opportunity to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives with John Brandl, including sitting next to him on the floor of the House and for two years, while serving in the minority, sharing a secretary with him and Ann Wynia.

Certainly John was a thoughtful and respected legislator, but I was equally struck by what a fundamentally kind and open person he was, and his demeanor and fundamental decency affected his colleagues.

Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player to have ever played the game, is said to have elevated the game of everyone he played with.

John had that effect on his fellow legislators. We were all better -- less inclined to pettiness and demagoguery -- because of his influence. He assumed the best in other people, and thereby brought it out. I believe that he would want that remarkable sensibility to be nurtured in each of us.

TODD OTIS, ST. PAUL; PRESIDENT, READY4K

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