county manager

Brown Will Receive $110,000 Severance Payment

By ARLnow.com

The county board has voted to pay former county manager Michael Brown more in severance than it has paid him in salary.

Brown, who resigned after just four months on the job, will receive six months of his base salary — $220,000 per year — and compensation for unused leave as part of the approved severance package, according to Arlington County Director of Human Resources Marcy Foster.

The deal was first reported by the Sun Gazette’s Scott McCaffrey, who wrote that it “may cause eyebrows to rise.”

Foster said she couldn’t determine whether it’s normal to pay severance to a county executive who resigns voluntarily, since she could not recall any who have done so. She said that the board approved the severance package to help Brown with his transition back to Savannah.

Brown’s contract specifies that he was to receive six months of his base salary and compensation for unused leave in the event that he is “terminated by the Board without cause.”

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.

(more…)

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.”

Photos from the Fair

By ARLnow.com

After a sparsely-attended, rainy start to the Arlington County Fair on Wednesday, crowds flocked to the Thomas Jefferson Community Center Thursday evening for the fair’s “official” kickoff.

A who’s who of county leaders attended an opening ceremony that featured the U.S. Army Band Downrange, a presentation of the colors and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Among those in attendance were county manager Michael Brown, Rep. Jim Moran (later spotted scoping out the rides for a subsequent fair visit with the grandkids), police chief M. Douglas Scott, sheriff Beth Arthur, most county and school board members, local military leaders, an ABC7 reporter with cameraman in town and a number of servicemen and women.

Most fairgoers skipped the opening ceremony, however, and instead went straight to the rides, games and food stands. The fair’s famous pig races drew a crowd as well.

Lots of photos of fair fun, after the jump.

(more…)

Big Turnout at Reception for New County Manager

By ARLnow.com

An who’s who of Arlington civic society showed up at the county government building last night to greet new county manager Michael Brown.

Brown and his wife warmly greeted a long procession of well-wishers. The line was more than 25 deep at one point, snaking all the way back to the tables set up with cheese, crackers and other snacks for the occasion.

Among the people in attendance were county employees, heads of business associations, county board members and other local business leaders and civic-minded folks, including:

Barbara Favola, Walter Tejada and Chris Zimmerman, county board members; Angela Fox, President/CEO of Crystal City BID; Takis Karantonis, Executive Director of Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization; Diana Sun, Arlington County Director of Communications; James Pebley of the Arlington County Civic Federation; developer John G. Shooshan; Rich Doud, President of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce; and Shannon Flanagan-Watston, Assistant County Manager and Brown’s chief-of-staff.

County board chairman Jay Fisette was also in attendance. He delivered a short introduction of Brown later in the reception.

Michael Brown Makes His Debut

By ARLnow.com

After a week on the job, new Arlington county manager Michael Brown participated in his first county board meeting Saturday morning.

Board Chairman Jay Fisette kicked off the meeting by welcoming Brown to Arlington.

“Thank you Mr. Chairman, it’s great to be here,” Brown reciprocated later in the nearly five hour meeting.

Brown also took time to thank deputy county manager Barbara Donnellan, who served as interim county manager prior to his arrival. Brown said his transition was made much easier by Donnellan’s work on this year’s operating and capital budgets.

You can meet Brown in person tonight at public reception being held between 5:00 and 8:00 in the lobby of the county government building (2100 Clarendon Blvd).

New County Manager Talks About the Job Ahead

By ARLnow.com

New County Manager Michael Brown has been so busy with staff briefings and catch-up readings this week that some county officials say they’ve barely seen him outside his office.

Despite his busy schedule, AVN (the county-run TV operation we wrote about on Wednesday) managed to sit down with Brown earlier this week to get his thoughts on Arlington and on the job ahead. He also talked about his passion for the outdoors.



You can also see the interview we did with Brown here and here.

Residents will get their first opportunity to see Brown in person on Saturday morning, when he makes his debut at the county board meeting.

Afternoon Notes: Michael Brown Starts Work as County Manager

By ARLnow.com

County Government’s Michael Brown Era Begins — Former Savannah, Ga. city manager Michael Brown was officially appointed as Arlington’s new County Manager today, a month and a half after his hiring was first announced. Brown’s first order of business this morning was meeting with County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. He also met with his staff and spent much of the day preparing for his first board meeting, coming up this weekend. A public reception will be held in the lobby of 2100 Clarendon Blvd next Monday (May 24) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to welcome Brown to Arlington.

Iota Jam Session Reviewed — On Thursday night, The Infamous Stringdusters rocked Iota Club and Café in Clarendon. It may be the first time a band that includes a mandolinist, a dobro player, a fiddler and a banjo player started a performance with a “six-way fist bump.” More from jambands.com.

Endorsements for Berry, Murray — Conservative Virginia politics website Bearing Drift has endorsed Matthew Berry as the only GOP candidate who “has the capacity and wherewithal to give Jim Moran a run for his money.” Meanwhile, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi has endorsed former Army colonel Patrick Murray, Berry’s opponent in next month’s eighth district primary.

DCist Does Brunch at Tallula — If you’re looking for a lumberjack-sized plate of pancakes, eggs and bacon, Tallula is not the place to find it. But the Lyon Park eatery does serve up some very artistic-looking brunch dishes that — when paired with one of Tallula’s dessert options — should satisfy all but the most voracious eaters. More from DCist.

Plan For New Wakefield High School Moves Forward

By ARLnow.com

The Arlington County Board has given the go-ahead to include the proposed new Wakefield High School as part of its bond referendum this fall.

The $104.6 million project was fast-tracked by the school system and the county board in order to take advantage of more favorable bids from construction companies hurt by the recession. Originally, the county’s 2008 Capital Improvement Plan called for the school’s bond referendum to take place in 2012.

“By moving the project forward we will realize significant savings through reduced construction costs,” board Chairman Jay Fisette said in a statement.

“The new Wakefield High School will be a great civic building that will be both a first-class educational facility and an asset to the broader community,” said board vice-chairman Christopher Zimmerman.

In April, Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan raised questions about whether the school’s financing could cause issues with the county’s debt limits and put Arlington’s excellent AAA bond rating in jeopardy. Apparently those fears were allayed.

Residents will vote in November on whether to approve the bonds necessary to build the school.

Afternoon Notes: Capital Improvement Plan, New High School

By ARLnow.com

Donnellan Proposes Capital Improvement Plan — Outgoing Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan has proposed a six-year, nearly $1 billion Capital Improvement Projects plan. The plan would fund county projects, including critical maintenance at parks and aging county facilities, but it does not include funding for the new Wakefield High School (below). More from the Arlington County website.

New Wakefield High Moving Forward — The county board approved a use permit for the proposed new Wakefield High School. While the move theoretically clears the way for construction to begin, the county is still trying to figure out how to fund the project. More from the Sun Gazette.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Fundraiser Tomorrow — Restaurant 3 (2950 Clarendon Boulevard) is hosting a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society tomorrow from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Attendance is free but the purchase of a $10 raffle ticket is suggested.

Savannah Holds “Farewell Tribute” for Brown

By ARLnow.com

Michael Brown, Arlington’s incoming county manager, was honored on Friday by the city of Savannah, where he’s spent the past 15 years as city manager. A who’s who of Savannah’s civic and political establishment was on hand to wish Brown well in Arlington.

Brown was presented with two parting gifts: a gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops (Brown is reportedly something of an outdoorsman) and a painting of Savannah, according to TV station WSAV.

It was a remarkably elaborate ceremony for an unelected civil servant, which seems to suggest that Arlington scored a big “get” with the hiring of Brown.

Brown’s last day in Savannah is May 2. His first day in Arlington is May 17.

After all the attention Brown’s departure is getting in Savannah, we hope he lowers his expectations regarding media coverage in Arlington. After all, this is a place where only two members of the media — a lone TV cameraman and a reporter for an upstart local news website — bothered to show up at the scene of a bank robbery that occurred on a weekday morning in the middle of a major commercial district.

View More Stories