Barbara Donnellan

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Be Careful Commuting This Morning — A thunderstorm packing driving rain and high winds swept through the area overnight, causing trees and power lines to fall and coating local sidewalks and roadways with wet leaves. The leaves could make for slick conditions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike this morning. More on the storm damage, including this morning’s closure of George Mason Drive, here.

Whitlow’s Hopes to Open Rooftop Deck by Thanksgiving — Whitlow’s owner Greg Cahill tells TBD that he hopes to have his new rooftop bar, Wilson’s on Whitlow’s, open in one or two weeks. Cahill is working hard to open in time for Thanksgiving eve, traditionally one of the busiest nights for bars. Bring your coat.

Meet Arlington’s County Manager — Barbara Donnellan, Arlington’s (relatively) new county manager, will participate in a public forum with the local League of Women Voters tonight. Donnellan “will speak about challenges facing the County and her plans for the County’s future,” according to an invitation. The forum will be held from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the third-floor county board room at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

Arlington Declines To “Opt-Out” of ICE Database

By ARLnow.com

Arlington officials were given two options for opting out of the Secure Communities immigration enforcement program today, neither of which they liked.

Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan, Police Chief Doug Scott and Sheriff Beth Arthur met with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to find out how communities can withdraw from the program, which has drawn fire from immigrant rights advocates.

The meeting followed the county board’s unanimous September vote to opt-out of Secure Communities, and statements to the press from ICE Director John Morton, saying such a withdrawal was impossible.

The meeting seemed to add weight to Morton’s assertion.

“ICE stated clearly — and with finality — that local activated communities do not have the option of withholding information from the program, although communities can opt not to learn the results of immigration queries,” Donnellan wrote in a memo to county board members following the meeting.

“ICE stated that Secure Communities is a federal information-sharing program — which links two federal fingerprint databases,” Donnellan wrote. “The program does not require state and local law enforcement to partner with ICE in enforcing federal law. State and local law enforcement do not have any role in enforcing immigration law.”

The agency gave Arlington two options for opting out of the program. The first option was to opt-out of receiving the results of ICE’s database inquiry.

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Donnellan Makes Two Major Appointments

By ARLnow.com

New Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan has appointed county chief financial officer Mark Schwartz to her former position of deputy county manager. Schwartz served as acting deputy county manager during the seven months from 2009 to 2010 that Donnellan served as acting county manager.

Schawartz, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a law degree from Penn, has overseen the county’s budget and bond sales since 2005.

Also today, Donnellan appointed William F. O’Connor III as director of the Department of Environmental Services. The department manages county roads, sewers, trash services, environmental initiatives and building projects.

O’Connor had been serving as director of design and construction for Arlington Public Schools, where he has been involved with the design, planning and building of three new high schools.

O’Connor’s appointment is effective Nov. 8. Schwartz’s appointment is effective immediately.

“Mark’s extensive background in financial management, strategic planning and administration, and his strong belief in the ability of local government to effect positive change, makes him the natural choice for this key position,” Donnellan said in a statement. “Bill understands both our community and the challenges of running the County’s largest department. His wealth of experience in the public and private sectors will be invaluable to a department that is responsible for everything from capital projects to maintenance of our water, sewers and streets.”

Donnellan Takes Back the Reins

By ARLnow.com

Just four months after her service as interim county manager ended, Barbara Donnellan has accepted the county board’s offer to become Arlington’s first permanent female county manager.

Donnellan made her first public appearance as the newly-appointed county manager at a grand opening ceremony for the county’s new Department of Human Services building. She was greeted by county employees and members of Arlington’s state legislative delegation, including Del. Patrick Hope and Del. Adam Ebbin.

Donnellan brings 27 years of experience in county government and seven months of experience as interim county manager to the table.

When she first accepted the interim position, she says she was only interested in testing out the job.

“I wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to do,” she said. Despite snow storms, a huge budget gap and other challenges during her short tenure, Donnellan says she came to enjoy the position.

“Toward the end of it I actually became interested in it,” she said. By that time, however, the county was concluding a long search for someone to fill the position. Savannah City Manager Michael Brown took the job, and Donnellan returned to her old post as deputy county manager.

On Wednesday, as Brown prepared his resignation letter, Donnellan was asked again if she wanted the job. She said yes.

“I’ve always had lots of opportunities to do some significant stuff, and this will allow me to continue carrying out the policies of the board, working with the workforce [to address] their needs, and giving the community the best that they can get from the government,” she said.

Donnellan says she’s looking forward to tackling another challenging budget.

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BREAKING NEWS — Michael Brown Resigns as County Manager

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:00 a.m.) After just four months on the job, County Manager Michael Brown has abruptly resigned. His resignation letter arrived at the county board offices yesterday.

“I hearby resign the position of County Manager for Arlington County effective today,” Brown wrote. “This action is regrettable but necessary because of the health of my wife Linda Lee. I need to take time now to assist her.”

“Arlington is a fine community and I was pleased to serve here,” Brown concluded. “I wish you all the best in the future.”

County Board Chairman Jay Fisette said Brown will likely be returning to Savannah, where he was served as city manager for 15 years before coming to Arlington.

“He’s a real gentleman and we appreciate his efforts here,” Fisette said. “We wish him the best.”

Barbara Donnellan, formerly the interim county manager, was appointed the new permanent county manager at 10:20 this morning. She is Arlington’s first permanent female county manager.

Fisette says Donnellan, who has been with Arlington County for 27 years, will be able to “hit the ground running.”

“There will be no noticeable transition, nothing will fall through the cracks with Barbara,” he said. “She knows the organization inside and out… we are pleased to have someone of her capacity and ability available to step in.”