Placer County No. 2 post vacant after sudden departure of Rich Colwell
Rich Colwell has abruptly left the No. 2 administrative position with Placer County. The county’s chief assistant executive officer for the past three years and a 20-year county employee, Colwell tendered his written resignation Monday. Colwell was no longer on the job Tuesday, leaving some speculating he was forced to retire. County CEO Tom Miller said he received verbal notice from Colwell last week that he was going to retire and received official notice of his retirement in Monday’s resignation letter. Colwell had been talking about retiring for a couple of weeks, Miller said. Colwell, whose annual salary rose this summer to $243,131, stands to receive a six-figure annual retirement income based on his years of service and the level of remuneration at the time of his departure. A lifelong Penryn resident, Colwell oversaw county operations in Miller’s absence and provided policy direction and operational oversight of law enforcement and health services. He was also director of the Redevelopment Agency. Because of time still not taken for vacations, Colwell – who is in his mid-50s – won’t officially retire until early spring. Colwell couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday. Colwell’s sudden departure carried none of the fanfare or ceremony that often accompanies the retirement of a long-time government official. Colwell was hired by the county in 1989 as director of management information services. The Del Oro High School graduate was promoted to director of the Department of Administrative Services before taking on the chief assistant post. His resignation after two decades opens questions that Miller said he would be unable to confirm or deny because they fall under the realm of “personnel matters.” Miller did say that Colwell left the county in good standing and had not been placed on administrative leave. Colwell’s post will not be filled because of a hiring freeze. Colwell’s efforts included updating computer systems at the county and using the redevelopment agency to fund improvements along the Highway 49 corridor. Miller had praise for Colwell’s efforts for the county on several fronts. “He’s done a lot of good things and delivered a lot of important projects,” Miller said. “It’s going to be difficult (without Colwell).” As a high-profile public official, Colwell also faced controversy trying to bring affordable housing to the Bowman area against opposition from nearby residents. Dale Smith’s Alpha Omega Associates firm helped Residents Against Inappropriate Development fight the county on the Silver Bend project. The group reached a settlement in court that opened the disputed property for another type of development but the county – now owner of the property – is again attempting to locate low-income apartments on the site. Smith said that based on his experience, it wouldn’t be surprising if Colwell had been forced out. “I’ve never had much respect for Richard Colwell,” Smith said Tuesday. During the RAID-county dispute, Smith said he obtained a Colwell e-mail that was extremely derogatory to several members of the community. Requesting more e-mails through the Public Records Act, Smith said he discovered hundreds of similar examples. “Some of the things he wrote showed what a shocking disregard he had for a number of people,” Smith said. More recently, Colwell’s high salary and his role in a $1,668 dinner in Washington, D.C. for former U.S. Rep. John Doolittle at taxpayer expense also opened him this summer to public criticism. Miller said he’ll be taking over the economic development oversight Colwell had been responsible for, as well as policy issues to do with law enforcement and health. Financial oversight on law enforcement and health areas will now be handled by Assistant CEO Holly Heinzen. Colwell won’t be severing all ties with local government. He is in the third year of his sixth term as a Placer County Board of Education member. County Schools Superintendent Gayle Garbolino Mojica said Tuesday that he is expected to assume the board chairman’s post for a fourth time in 2010. He represents District 2, which takes in Penryn, Loomis and Granite Bay. Miller also said Colwell should stay busy in retirement with Colwell’s Thundering Herd Ranch in Penryn, which produces mandarin-infused olive oil as well as other citrus-based products. ---------------------------------- Fast facts: Richard Colwell Held chief assistant executive officer post since February 2006 County employee since 1989 Last day at work Monday, the same day CEO Tom Miller accepted resignation letter Has served nearly a quarter century as Placer County Office of Education board member Lifelong Penryn resident
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Good riddance. Let's hope Miller follows suit. Something's not right though. I smell a rat.
You can't smell that rat. It already left the building.
Well, the post will not be filled because it was not needed in the first place. The position was created to appease his whining for not getting the top job. However, he will be laughing all the way to the bank during his retirement. Now, if they could just do away with the other two assistants the savings to the County and taxpayers would be considerably.
Harley, those building on Fulweiler are full of rats and stink accordingly.
Maybe Miller's conscience bothers him soon and he follows suit. Yeah, right, he has none.
considerable, not considerably.
I agree with harley. Maybe the county is seeing the writing on the wall. Rich will now be the scapegoat when the county has to explain how they did not negotiate in good faith with the deputies. Sounds like Rich is aware what he did and will go out on retirement before it hits the fan. Problem is he gets away with a great retirement. It also allows Miller to say he had no idea what Rich did in the negotiations. When the county imposed a contract on the deputies i told you all to get the popcorn and be ready for the show, well the curtain is going up!!!!!!!
Maybe looking down the long cold barrel of a Federal Grand Jury was sufficient motivation. Does anyone know where he is hiding-out?
Henrybomb. I think you hit it on the head. I believe the public is on the cusp of seeing the misconduct of Miller and his cronies. It appears colwell may be he fall guy. This happened way to quickly. Something is afooot. 'oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive'
It is very easy to criticize, wouldn't it be great if we had people in public service that when they retire it isn't a questionable affair?
Abruptly retire?? Let me see oh what the heck I think I'll retire. I'm in my fifties haven't I earned it???
I hear Colwell was getting sued.
Richard Colwell is one of the finest human beings in our state and did not fit in in a conflicted county government. He is ethical, honest and a devoted family man and friend. He will continue to live a good life outside of county government and his honesty and integrity will weaken a county government in turmoil. Richard Colwell just got tired of swimming alone upstream.
I wonder if Doolittle, Colwell, Miller and Uhler (and Ishmael?) will all go to the same federal prison. I don't know what Colwell or Miller look like, but all these greed-driven creeps are getting old. The point is...now is the time for some plastic surgery. They will all be getting new husbands upon arrival inside the gates, and their focus should be to land the biggest, strongest prisoner in the joint. Sort of like running for "first lady". They're going to need a husband who can protect them. Jerks. At least, one by one, the hogs are finally being driven away from the taxpayer's trough. The voters certainly have been too dumb to do it themselves.
I am quoted in this article, these are my comments. I am appalled that anyone could think well of this man. Ishmael wrote: “Richard Colwell is one of the finest human beings in our state and did not fit in a conflicted county government. He is ethical, honest and a devoted family man and friend.”
Ishmael go to the Domes find out about demands for your friends credit card records and other financial information. Ask about the Redevelopment deal on Highway 49 and James Conkey and the split Colwell worked for Jim and himself on the Bohemia property.
Right On Harley Rider: “Something is afooot. 'oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive'”. Patience, the snare is also out for all others involved with Colwell. The writer who wrote “the long cold barrel of a Federal Grand Jury” was right on.
In the Silver Bend project RAID filed reports from SEVEN of the finest experts in California who wrote about the undocumented stuff, poisons, deadly chemicals in that fill, and none of it has ever been cleaned up. Go ahead, whoever wants to do that, the CEQA axe await you, unless you have five million smakeroos to clean it up. RC, get a loan from your Uncle Obama.
“Where is he?” - Try the Cayman Islands. However, RC, be sure your sins will find you out. Dr. Dale Smith
Miller will take over one of Colwell's duties, but if the county execs weren't such a greedy pack, Miller should be paid $125,000 (about half of what he gets now), and already be performing all of Colwell's "duties." Let's not pat Miller on the back for work he should have been performing in the first place for 1/4 million dollars.
We've got a county that is either botching jobs, and/or being sued; is building facilities when money is tight, and yet we are going to pay even greater costs when all these new digs have to be staffed, plus utilities and upkeep. We've got 3 supervisors who look the other way, or are too dumb or afraid to investigate and insist on transparency.
Did I read "hiring freeze"? That must have come conveniently AFTER Uhler's wife was handed her plum job. These incompetent good ol' boys probably all worship together (and dutifully said grace before their DC dinner, thanking God instead of taxpayers).
Will the county have the fortitude to fine Colwell for not giving appropriate notice that he was quitting? Unless the county inserted a clause relieving him of his obligation to give notice, he needs to be fined for quitting. How can anyone retire from a taxpayer-funded job and be receiving over $100,000 in retirement after only 20 years? Answer: Only with greed, corruption and a lot of complicity by others who should have been watching the chicken coup. They need to be fired and lose their retirement.
Things won't get better until they get much worse.
Those of us who don't want Walmart, strip malls and high density housing next door owe So Very Much to the tireless efforts of some of the most selfless and dedicated defenders of Placer County I know. Dale Smith w/ Alpha Omega Associates, FROG, Save Clover Valley and others we owe you so much. Thank you for watching the fort and trying to slow the self serving greed of some of our Officials. The fact that Tom Miller speaks highly of Mr Colwell should alarm all Placer County residents but removing Mr Miller will not be enough, take a good long look at your Supervisor and decide for yourself if they are good for Placer County. We need greater transparency in Placer County Government. Will your Supervisor support that? Stay tuned.
Fishdella trained Cowell at Del Oro.
"Those of us who don't want Walmart, strip malls "
Id rather have a Costco and a Walmart in Auburn than send my tax dollars down the hill...irregardless im glad to see Rich go, change is good, i just wish the 100k plus retirement was not being paid out, all these public servant pensions have gotten out of hand.
Again, the long cold barrel of a Federal Grand Jury was sufficient motivation. Does anyone know where he is hiding-out?
"Colwell had been talking about retiring for a couple of weeks, Miller said." Okay This statement alone should cause one to ponder what the real story is. Colwell leaving is a good start, but more need to go.
So we basically are really not sure why he retired all of a sudden. With no articulate facts pointing one direction or another... He was a good guy or he was not a good guy. It is sure is interesting reading these post regarding Mr. Colwells resignation. The hatred, vile remarks and jealousy of this man by posters here is amazing. One would think these remarks came from some elementary school children, rather than educated adults who have a lot of life experience. And we wonder why our children act the way they do? Look who is setting the example.
Don't know Mr. Cowell, but I do know that he no longer works for the County.
Does anyone know how old Colwell is? If he's not 55 yet then there is something going on, if he is that was probably what he was waiting for. However, the suddenness of it all brings out a lot of questions since he loves adulation and a retirement party would have been the mother of all adulations
According to a good friend of mine that worked for the County, Colwell ruled by fear, those that didn't march to his drum beat were gotten rid of. People hated him when he was in Administrative Services, only the boot lickers liked him and kissed his ring, that is what got promotions.
Anyway, for whatever reason, good riddance.
BTW, Mrs. Uhler was hired during the freeze; but could be because the position was already approved before the freeze.
auburnite... irregardless is NOT a word! Get smarter!
Rabid... probably the same place that the CEO of PC Courts is! Why are we not hearing about the 62% in unapproved raises he gave himself and raises to staff where the admins are making $80K! (For an admin????!!)
pollywog: State AG's office is where the PC Courts issue resides.
loomisresident, I think he's 53.
who the heck wouldn't retire if they "stands to receive a six-figure annual retirement income"? this day and age, during these times??? crimony.
There's more to this story........just ask Tiger Woods!!
House of cards. Someone is about to blow it down. Miller, the bell tolls for thee.
He's only 53?? Well, he can look forward to about 30 years of a six-figure retirement income...then his wife will probably be provided for after that....poor guy.
Finally the world biggest back stabber and do nothing leaves. Good ridden. He won't be missed and I do not expect any retirement party given for him. He has always been far over paid for what little he did other and tell us what to do. This is county government and they get paid more the the USA president. Wake up tax payers. I would suggest watch groups to examine his expenses. What he didn't have in his height as he was a small man, he tried to make up for it in his attitude. I would suggest Ishmael should put down his crack pipe. Cracks me up when they note he is a Del Oro graduate. What it means is he is old school and he continued to be a government welfare benefactor via his obsessive pay check. The sooner the county gets rid of their hillbilly brother mentality the quicker the county will turn around. You do not need any formal education when you work for the county regardless how the jobs are posted it is always the good ole boy network thanks to Colwell and his stooges. Just ask his friends who he helped get their jobs. Miller may be looked at as a jerk for good reasons but he should be applauded to show Colwell the door. Colwell you are a jerk and a very little man.
He certainly wasn't the best nor the worse - Now, if we could find someone without a HUGE ego to replace Miller. Believe the deal with the DSA is a combination of big egos on both ends - too bad the rank and file members have to suffer.
Mme Yana, if he's only 53 he was given the heave ho. He wouldn't retire before age 55 so as not to incur in any penalties that will lower his retirement pay.
Thank you for the information.
pollywog, Uhler's wife was given a job that had remained unfilled for over two years. My understanding is that it remained funded so they could add the salary in their budget. The reason the position was not filled was because is was deemed unnecessary.
As far as I know...No charges have be filed against Dolittle. He was convicted by the media as was the congrssman from Ceres. I know he was playing hide the pickle with Shandra but the media put a gun in his hand.
Where are the supervisors (BOS)? They are ultimately in-charge of all management hirings and are our only link that has to respond to the voters.
fourgen, they are waiting for Miller to tell them what to say or do. Miller pulls the strings and they dance accordingly.
Dear Posters, you imply again that there is wrong doing. I have seen this tone many times on these blogs. Mostly I think it's sour grapes. If you have proof of illegal activity, you should state it AND put your real name on your comment. I went to school with the brother of Richard Colwell and I know the family to be very smart and caring. I think Bill is a JAG on the east coast,a job I would asume to require knowledge of the law and how to apply it. I cannot even imagine Rich, the younger brother betraying the older brothers trust. You try to diminish a mans service by making unfounded comments. After reading your comments, I would not beleive anything you have to say about anything.
The majority of the comments written here sound like they belong in the National Enquirer or Mad Magazine. You people have absolutely no idea what you're talking about! First, you need to learn about the contract that Placer County has with CalPers. Any employee can retire at age 50 with 5 years of service. There is no requirement to be 55. Secondly, there is no "fine" for not giving a longer notice before leaving the County. Personnel rules state that an employee who gives at least two weeks notice leaves with good standing. That means if they ever want to come back to the County their chances of being re-hired are better if they had given more notice. Why would Mr. Colwell want to come back if he's retiring?
I have never seen so many petty people in my life! I assume that you all live in Placer County which explains why the quality of life here is getting so poor. These mean-spirited comments are just sad and pathetic. Don't you people have lives of your own? You and I have no idea what the real reason for Mr. Colwell's retirement is. Maybe it's for health reasons. Maybe he just wants to leave after 20 years of employment? Why waste your time coming up with so many stupid guesses? How would you like it if you and your family were being gossiped about in this manner. Grow up you losers.