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Commissioner to retire early; special election to be held
By Anne Adams • Staff Writer
 | | Commissioner of the Revenue Bobbie Griffin will retire Sept. 1. A special election will be held Nov. 4 to fill the vacancy in office. |
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MONTEREY - Following a series of publicized criticism about her job performance, Highland's commissioner of revenue Bobbie Griffin announced Monday she intends to retire Sept. 1, more than three years before the end of her second term in office.
"After winning the election last November, I had high hopes to complete my second and last four-year term," Griffin said in a written statement. "I thought I could physically and mentally make it through the four years, and then I would give my body a rest, and also by doing this, I would have my finances in order, including affording some expensive medications. Considering all that has happened, and finding that my body has completely let me down, I have decided to retire Sept. 1."
Complaints about incorrect tax information and delays came to the forefront after Griffin fired her former deputy commissioner, Michelle Smith, on June 13.
Smith, who found herself unable to file a grievance since she was not classified as a county employee, made a statement to Highland's board of supervisors. She defended herself against what she felt was wrongful termination, saying she had been "professionally and personally tarnished by this action, and any legal and procedural attempts to date to have my voice heard have proved ineffective."
 | | Scott (left) and Michelle Smith listen as supervisors discuss Bobbie Griffin's retirement. Michelle, the former deputy commissioner of revenue, was fired by Griffin last month. (Recorder photos by M.K. Luther) |
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Subsequently, other concerns arose from citizens and treasurer Lois White, who said she wanted to get the information she needed on time in order to issue tax tickets and approached supervisor Robin Sullenberger about the problems.
Griffin said delays arose for a variety of reasons. This week, she explained, "I feel I did a good job for you (taxpayers and citizens) as a deputy for 16 years under Toby Swecker as the commissioner. Toby didn't do computer work, and I learned very quickly back then … For a while, after finishing very extensive and powerful chemotherapy and radiation in 2001, I thought I would eventually get back my physical abilities and quick, active mind. However, I soon realized this was not to be. I developed severe chronic pain, had short-term memory loss, and realized I had some learning blocks."
 | | At Tuesday's night board of supervisor's meeting, chairman Jerry Rexrode (left) and supervisor David Blanchard heard the procedure for holding a special election to fill the vacancy created by commissioner of revenue Bobbie Griffin's retirement. |
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Griffin said doctors initially believed cancer had returned, but after that was ruled out, "they gave me several labels such as fibromyalgia," she said. "Some now believe it is just my own particular body reaction to the trauma and meds of cancer. No matter what it is, the results are the same, and not much has worked to ease my 24/7 pain and inability to focus.
"Some will say, here I go again placing the blame somewhere. I am sorry for those that see it that way. I would rather feel good and have my old fighting ability back than be in the position having to feel lower than low."
 | | Debbie Botkin, current deputy commissioner, has agreed to serve as interim commissioner of revenue. |
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When she worked for the building and zoning office in 1981, and later for Swecker in 1987, Griffin said, she never expected to run for elected office. "I always loved the work, helping customers, mapping, and even income tax preparation," she said. "The change to the new BAI computer system in the middle of a major reassessment in 2005 just became the straw for me. I found I was slow to learn it, but I hated to admit my inability. People just eventually left me to myself, or made sure they didn't help me past my stumbling blocks."
BAI came to Monterey three years ago to train courthouse staff on the system, which users there say took some time to learn, but they now enjoy because it increases their
Zin efficiency. "Mrs. Griffin admits herself that she did not make others aware of her inability to use the software, so how could anyone have helped, or by the same token, knowingly not helped, under those circumstances?" Smith said this week.
As for firing Smith, Griffin said she is "unclear why all the media attention has been given to the person I terminated. It was my right, legally, to do so, and had this person truly exhibited what you are reading in (The Recorder), I don't believe she would have been terminated. I don't know when it is they are referring to that (Smith) needed so much help from the treasurer. She indicated to me that she had everything under control. Things came up and I started looking closer at the situation and realized I had made a mistake in my choice."
Smith says that's not what happened.
Smith said she and Griffin had worked hard to get data entered for real estate tax billing before Smith left for a week of professional training. Upon returning, Smith said, White informed her she still needed other reports for minerals, public service, and the town of Monterey, but Griffin had been absent from the office a day or two, and then left for vacation during this time.
"She (White) then assisted me with printing copies of these books, along with more copies of the land book, for the necessary offices to have their own copy," Smith said. "The town office called me requesting certain totals they need from the commissioner of revenue's office," but there had been no guidance from Griffin as to what these totals were, or where to find them. "Lois was the one who informed me that public service and minerals needed to be completed. I had no idea what these tasks were until Lois brought them to my attention."
Smith wasn't sure how much time she spent getting this information ready, but felt she should have been better prepared by Griffin. "If I had told her that things were under control like she claims, why did I have to rely on the treasurer and BAI to make sure work got done for this billing cycle? Bottom line is, final responsibility lies with the commissioner, and others had to step in to fill the void she created. Other offices can validate this fact.
"I felt my termination was unjustified … and although the support I received, and am still receiving, is remarkable, this situation goes far, far beyond my termination. I have not attacked Mrs. Griffin personally - I have said I believe there are issues relating to this office, and I would be willing to discuss those with the proper authorities … I
have nothing to hide regarding my performance, behavior
or integrity while serving as deputy - and I did receive praise from many avenues, including county and town officials, the public, and even the commissioner herself, as little as three weeks before I was asked to resign.
"I certainly did not ask for, or wish for, these circumstances to come about," Smith continued. "I truly enjoyed being deputy commissioner. As far as the problems within the office, I was completely unaware of any type of bad history. I was not 'tainted' when I began working for Mrs. Griffin. I can honestly say that I did not even know who she was until I interviewed for the position. I had not read any articles regarding her performance or relationship with other town or county officials. And while my termination has apparently brought closer scrutiny to the commissioner of revenue, it is obvious there were problems that existed long before I was hired," Smith said.
What happens next?
Highland supervisors met Tuesday and were advised by county attorney Melissa Dowd on the steps they must take for a special election to fill Griffin's vacancy.
Under Virginia law, if a constitutional vacancy occurs within 120 days of the next general election, the county must wait until the following general election to fill the vacancy, Dowd said.
The Highland Electoral Board has suspended that stipulation in this case, she said, and the county has to file a writ and petition the circuit court within 15 days of the vacancy to ask for a special election, which will be held with the general election Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The highest-ranking deputy commissioner, who is now Debbie Botkin, can assume the position of commissioner, with full authority, and serve from the date of Griffin's retirement Sept. 1 until a commissioner is elected and sworn in.
Were Botkin to decline to serve in the interim, the court will appoint a commissioner to serve until the election, but Botkin told The Recorder she will agree to serve.
The oath of office in a special election can be taken right after the election, and an elected candidate does not have to wait until January to be sworn in. Dowd said this means the interim period would last from September to the early part of November.
The county registrar must qualify candidates running for the post by Aug. 19. The qualifications are the same as for a general election in Highland County. All the information and forms can be downloaded from the Virginia State Board of Elections to start the process.
Candidates will have roughly one month to get paperwork filed and collect 125 signatures from qualified voters.
"The current deputy (Botkin) is friendly to both the public and myself," Griffin said. "She laughs and talks with me, and treats me with respect even with all the stories going around. She is always there and is learning to work with BAI and their help desk very fast. I would highly recommend her to the next commissioner, or as the next commissioner should that work out."
Smith said if Botkin takes over the commissioner's role, she would like to reapply for her position as deputy once more. "I have not spoken to Deb," Smith said. "I'm sure she must feel overwhelmed with all the attention the commissioner of revenue office is receiving and her being so new to the position. I applaud her for hanging in there during such a controversial time. And yes, I would apply for the position of deputy should that opportunity present itself … I would love to have my job back."
Smith said she would also think about seeking the constitutional office during a special election. "I definitely would consider running for commissioner. I was truly enthused about, and enjoyed the job," she said. "I am familiar with the BAI software. I spent days of intense training at BAI headquarters. I attended several classes and meetings relating directly to the commissioner of revenue office, and began studying the roles and responsibilities of the commissioner, and have continued to do so. I have an extensive business background including customer service skills which I hope was apparent to the public I dealt with daily, and I would love to be able to serve the citizens of this county again.
"The job was challenging - a totally new world for me. I made a huge leap from space shuttles and rockets to taxes (and) I was pleasantly surprised how interesting I found this … I was excited to apply what I had learned about personal property and begin to utilize the BAI software the way it was intended. I was very appreciative to have attended district meetings and meet some of my peers to pick up helpful advice to better myself personally in the commissioner of revenue office. After moving to Highland from Florida, I felt as if I'd finally found my niche."
While she was working for Griffin, Smith spent two days in Tennessee at the BAI home office learning the software. She also attended classes on lawful employment, general technology, and personal property. "I feel I was well on my way learning about the day to day activities within the office, such as abatements, supplements, income tax, estimated tax, land transfers, to name a few," she said. "I had begun to study the Virginia Code book, legalities, personal property, taxation of real estate … I learned, just like in any job, that organization is the key. I spent a great amount of time creating databases and filing systems. Coming into an office with such a huge backlog was a terrific motivator."
Griffin takes board to task
Griffin submitted a letter to supervisors about her decision. She also contacted Dowd and the Virginia State Tax Commissioner to inform them of her retirement date. "I have made arrangements with the help of the county administrator for a BAI instructor to come work with us July 22 and 23 here in Monterey," Griffin explained. "We should be able to work together to correct any tax ticket issues at that time. I am also working with the county administrator and treasurer to get any work caught up."
In her letter to the board Monday, Griffin criticized supervisors sharply for what she felt was unfair treatment, and explained that health issues motivated her choice to leave office early. "I also do this because the people deserve better than me, better than what I can give them," she told supervisors. "Many of you have fought against me every step of the way. Some of it has been seen by me as being personal and conspiratorial. I believe you meant for this day to come, although I doubt you thought that there was really any health issue involved, just that I was headstrong, lazy and unwilling to admit to my mistakes. Nothing I can say will tell you in words how you have hurt me. I have always cared about every day of my job with the county since October 1981.
"This move will save you valuable time for other county matters and it may even save my life, or give me a longer one, according to the medical professionals. I want you to understand that your recent statements and doubts cast with regards to non-efficiency and criminal activities hurt me deeply, and placed my heart up on the ground, but with the help of friends, family and my beliefs I have picked it back up, and believe that God has something special in store for me other than coming to the office. Oh, I forgot, I was never here. No one in the history of a locality has ever been better watched than me. The only thing is, I wish I knew when those wonderful days of bliss were. Someone wasn't as good of a detective as they thought they were. Roberta (Lambert, county administrator) has helped me with a date for BAI to assist me and I will do all that my mind and body will let me until my last day. Do not give me anything - it will be given back to you. You have already given me enough trouble to last a lifetime."
The board acknowledged Griffin's more than 20 years in Highland government. "I know the county appreciates her years of public service," said supervisor David Blanchard.
Monday, Sullenberger called Griffin's decision "a very brave and honest step. That had to be a difficult decision."
Supervisor Jerry Rexrode said he and Lambert had asked Griffin whether she would just consider a leave of absence, but Griffin declined that option. "She apparently felt like she couldn't do that," Rexrode said. "I know how it is when you get on medication and you can't think straight."
In her statement to The Recorder, Griffin said, "I prefer not to see myself on the front page, or (my) family attacked any longer, as I have made my decision to help some healing happen. There are enough issues for government to solve without me being in the forefront at every turn. I have admitted to being wrong in trying to go on, but I have committed no crime and resent anyone that infers I have. I retire so that a wonderful constitutional office can again offer citizens the good service they deserve, and as (Recorder publisher) Anne Adams said, a 'fresh face' to continue giving them the services they need and indeed pay for."
Griffin praised longtime office staffer Darlene Puffenbarger "who worked without pay many times," and Botkin, "who makes me feel good each day and makes me wish we would have been together longer.
"I also wish the same for the people that have always stood by me and cared about me with your words, thoughts and actions. My prayers to my family, for all they have endured, and my thanks for their terrific love and support."
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