So, why would the head of the Virginia Department of General Services – through multiple Republican and Democratic administrations – suddenly resign [1], 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 [2], 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 [3] 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.