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BOARD FIRES ROLFE
Orange fires county administratorDate published: 7/4/2009 BY ROBIN KNEPPER After an hour of discussion in a closed session last night, Orange County supervisors took two minutes to fire County Administrator Bill Rolfe and to appoint Julie Jordan as acting county administrator. According to the motion by Supervisor Teri Pace, Rolfe was to be "terminated as county administrator, effective immediately." Jordan has been serving as assistant county administrator. Supervisors Mark Johnson, Zack Burkett and Teri Pace voted to oust Rolfe: Lee Frame and Teel Goodwin voted against Pace's motion. The board voted unanimously to appoint Jordan. Rolfe's firing came after the supervisors expressed their displeasure at an e-mail he had sent them on June 15, suggesting there was a better location for the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter than on land near the Wilderness Battlefield. Two-thirds of the speakers at a Planning Commission's public hearing on issuance of a special-use permit for the Wal-Mart store had said they didn't mind the proposed supercenter but wanted it farther from the battlefield. In his e-mail, Rolfe told supervisors that it would be in the best interests of the county for them to "broker a deal that keeps Wal-Mart in the County and moves it away from the congressionally approved boundary line of the Wilderness Battlefield.'' Supervisors Johnson, Burkett and Goodwin have said they support Wal-Mart, a majority that assures the giant retailer can build on the commercially zoned property it has selected. In a statement after Rolfe's firing, Johnson said "the substance of Mr. Rolfe's e-mail was highly dubious" because the county would not benefit from Wal-Mart being located elsewhere. "It's a very regrettable situation that has brought me and the majority of this board to take this position," Johnson continued. In an e-mailed statement last night, Rolfe wrote, "I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Orange County. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as county administrator for the last 4 years. The staff of Orange County is excellent and the county is in good hands. I wish nothing but the best for Orange County." Rolfe will receive three months severance pay and benefits.
Date published: 7/4/2009
Wow
(posted by
coffeegal1229
, July 6, 2009 9:22 am)
I can't believe the BOS fired someone on 4th of July weekend, a holiday commemorating the Independence of America. Isn't freedom of speech something we celebrate during this holiday? Mr. Rolfe, thanks for standing up for you opinion.
Unfortunately, not surprising
(posted by
Virginian
, July 6, 2009 9:07 am)
Orange County has been determined to put a Walmart at this location at any cost for over a year now, and it appears they are even willing to fire a public servant to achieve their goals. Mr. Rolfe's thinking on this was in the right place and we should applaud his efforts at trying to find a solution that satisfies all parties. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking is being stifled so it doesn't affect the county's desires to build Walmart on the Wilderness Battlefield.
Shocked, Saddened and dismayed
(posted by
katherineq
, July 5, 2009 2:35 pm)
I confess that when I read Mr. Rolfe's article in The FLS, I thought to myself, "... finally, a voice of reason". Mr. Rolfe showed great discernment. Mr. Rolfe also showed great courage in his letter. I am saddened that arrogant hearts and minds may prevail. Thank you, Mr. Rolfe, for choosing to state what is right as opposed to what is polically correct. We need more leaders like you. I suggest you run for the Board of Supervisors. I think you'd have a pretty fair shot.
Speaking Truth to Power
(posted by
Einstein
, July 4, 2009 11:08 pm)
always upsets the insecure power.
You can bet that he was fired
(posted by
Ron_C
, July 4, 2009 4:16 pm)
more as a result of who else he sent the email to than what was in it. If he had made the suggestion to the BOS without sending it to outsiders as well, it would not have raised the issue it did.
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