So, why would the head of the Virginia Department of General Services – through multiple Republican and Democratic administrations – suddenly resign, yet still say to the Richmond Times-Dispatch that “It’s not farewell”?
The public answer:
“No matter how much you love where you are, you come to a place when you know in your heart it’s the right time to leave,” he said in a statement announcing his retirement. “This is my time.”
But this makes little sense. And that does not sound like a man who totally believes that he’s ready to leave.
Richard Silwoski, who has been as head of General Services for nine years, is leading a department on the cusp of a major task of revitalizing Capitol Square, which would be quite an achievement and legacy for the 64-year-old public servant.
It begs the question of why did he suddenly think it was time to leave?
The rumor-mill is up and running and what we’re hearing is that he ran run afoul of the governor – well, more specifically, the first lady – over a ramp the McAuliffe’s wanted built in front of the historic Executive Mansion.
Renovated during the Gilmore administration in 1999, the longest continuously occupied governor’s residence, already handicap accessible (ask former Lt. Gov. John Hager), and National Historic Landmark apparently needs a ramp down from the front porch towards the fountain that will cost more than a million dollars.
Sources say Silwoski balked and then decided to take a walk away from the job he loves.
If true, this hardly seems like a nice Labor Day present to a public servant.
Isn’t this the same Terry McAuliffe who is a friend of the government worker? A recipient of $100k from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees?
Gov. Terry McAuliffe…friend of the American Working Man:
We’re working on learning more.
