Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch is withdrawing his name for consideration for the executive director’s position with the Juvenile Welfare Board.
The nail in the coffin, according to one source close to the application process, was the prospect of Governor Rick Scott withdrawing the names of four of his appointees (Brian Aungst, Ray Neri, Angela Rouson, and Jim Sewell) who have not been confirmed by the Florida Senate and replacing them with appointees who would agree to block Welch’s hiring.
In pursuing the JWB post, Welch has said publicly that he would ask to delay starting in any new role with the JWB until January of 2014 in order to keep a replacement from being appointed for the full-term. Instead, Welch’s successor would serve only until a new election could be held in November of 2014.
Welch was told that Scott’s office has been inundated by critics described as “Tea Party types” unhappy with Welch’s maneuvers.
***Update*** Welch has submitted the following withdrawal letter to the board of JWB.
Dear Board Members:
The past week has been one of introspection and reflection for me. I’m thankful for the support that I’ve received since applying for the Executive Director of the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB). I believe that my skills, knowledge and experience would serve the JWB organization well.
Since applying for the position, however, it has become obvious that in the minds of some, my political persona overshadows all other aspects of my business, managerial and professional experience – including 14 years of progressive and diverse experience with Fortune 500 companies and six years on the JWB Board. I was particularly dismayed at the Tampa Bay Times’ references to “competence” and “the fix” being in, in their February 11th editorial – especially in contrast to their well-deserved praise of a former elected official’s leadership of the Hillsborough Children’s Services Council.
Nonetheless, the Times was correct in predicting that my application could draw the JWB recruitment process into the political realm. In fact, in the past few days the discussion has become more political, and now has become partisan. This is not what I intended or anticipated when I applied, nor is it the right path for JWB. JWB’s mission is of paramount importance to our community, and the organization has enjoyed broad community support by focusing on children and families, and remaining apolitical.
I believe that my continued role as an applicant, or my selection as the Executive Director, would only heighten the focus on politics, rather than the vital mission of JWB. Therefore I am withdrawing my application for the Executive Director of the Juvenile Welfare Board. I will continue to support JWB, and wish you success in selecting an Executive Director to move the organization forward. Thank you for your service to our community.
