ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FAIRFAX
SOURCE: Associated Press
The president of George Mason University is heard in recordings secretly made during meetings among Northern Virginia leaders referring to politicians as ``goats'' or ``sheep.''
University President George Johnson applied the terms to elected officials who either supported or opposed his ideas, according to tapes of gatherings of the Northern Virginia Business Roundtable, a 90-member group that includes the region's top executives.
The tapes of meetings from January to September were obtained by The Journal newspapers, which published excerpts Wednesday.
Earle C. Williams, a retired chief executive officer of BDM International, is heard on the tapes urging others to get their employees to work supporting changes beneficial to business so legislators would think the lobbying is grass-roots, the newspapers reported.
Johnson said the tapes were mistakenly made by a technician at George Mason, where meetings were held. Much of the discussion revolved around which lawmakers support the group.
``I don't appreciate being referred to as a sheep,'' muttered Del. Vince Callahan, R-Fairfax County, a Roundtable supporter.
The Roundtable is pushing a 13-point program calling for more spending for higher education, a new tax to pay for more roads and changes in state investment policy, among other items.
Most Northern Virginia lawmakers signed a statement supporting the Roundtable last year.
One who did not, Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, said the tapes reveal that the region's business elite believe they can influence General Assembly decisions through contributions.
``Clearly these guys were attempting to influence campaigns,'' Marshall said. ``They tried to disguise it.''
Johnson told Roundtable participants in a letter last week that nothing improper was recorded, although in an interview, Johnson characterized some of the discussion as ``frank, sometimes harsh.''
Participants in the meetings said they had no idea their exchanges were being recorded, and some expressed dismay.
Williams said his suggestion about employee lobbying was not intended to deceive lawmakers, but added that the remark was never intended for public consumption.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB