Newsom and Black Monday

We've now been able to independently confirm what the Chronicle reported a couple hours ago: Mayor Gavin Newsom has asked for the resignation of all the city's department heads, senior staff, and appointees to city boards and commissions, although Newsom reportedly told them he will only accept some of them. But the mayor's office and press secretary Nathan Ballard has not returned our calls or e-mails to make sense of this or get details, despite the fact that the department heads who were told of this request in this morning's weekly meeting were asked to refer all press inquiries to Ballard.

It's all very strange and unsettling, and it appears that many of the people being asked to resign can just say no. The City Attorney's Office issued this opinion in 2004 outlining how appointees may be removed, and most are allowed to finish their terms unless the mayor wants to level official misconduct charges against them, which he's not even been willing to do with disgraced Sup. Ed Jew.

Update: Ballard just finally answered my e-mails and said the only statement coming from the Mayor's Office on any of this would be the following two letters from Newsom:

September 10, 2007
Dear Department Head,

As I announced in our weekly meeting this morning, I am requesting that all appointed department heads voluntarily provide me a letter by Friday, September 14, offering to resign effective close of business on the last day of my first mayoral term, January 7, 2008.

If I am reelected for a second term as Mayor, the coming four years provide us an opportunity to reinvigorate our efforts to make government work for San Franciscans. I believe that -- if afforded another term -- we must challenge ourselves to think innovatively and work with an urgency that will improve our city. The ability to make organizational and personnel changes is essential to lead with the creativity and accountability I desire.

Each of you has been appointed to serve an important function in our government and each of you has worked diligently to deliver key services and improve the lives of local residents. I am thankful for your dedication and commitment. The resignation letters I am now requesting signal ongoing commitment to such standards. I believe this action allows an opportunity for change, growth, and a reinvigoration of our common public purpose.

This request also signals our administration’s commitment to make bold changes in the coming term. I want us all to act as innovators and agents of change, rather than as caretakers of the status quo. As the first term of my administration draws to a close, I want to challenge you to assess the role of your department within government, and your own role within government. I also feel responsible for assessing the effectiveness of our administration and making changes where necessary.

I ask that your letter make clear that your offer of resignation will become operative only upon my acceptance of the resignation. In the few cases where the mayor does not make the appointment, please direct your letter to your appointing authority with a copy to me.

In order to achieve these ambitious goals, I am making the same request of Mayoral-appointed Commissioners, as well as senior staff members in my office. In the coming weeks I will decide whether or not to accept your offer of resignation and will of course abide by statutory, contractual and negotiated conditions of your employment.

Should you have questions about this request, please contact my Chief of Staff, Phil Ginsburg. I look forward to working with each of you in the coming weeks to identify organizational and personnel changes that will best serve the City and County.

Thank you for your ongoing service to the people of San Francisco.
Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom

September 10, 2007
Dear Commissioner,

This morning in my weekly meeting with City department heads, I requested that all appointed department heads voluntarily provide me by Friday, September 14, a letter offering to resign effective close of business on the last day of my first mayoral term, January 7, 2008. I am making the same request of my Senior Staff and of each Mayoral-appointed Commissioner.

If I am reelected for a second term as Mayor, the coming four years provide us an opportunity to reinvigorate our efforts making government work for San Franciscans. I believe that — if afforded another term — we must challenge ourselves to think innovatively and work with an urgency that will improve our city. The ability to make organizational and personnel changes is essential to lead with the creativity and accountability I desire.

Each of you has been appointed to serve an important function in our government and has worked diligently to deliver key services and improve the lives of local residents. I am thankful for your dedication and commitment. The resignation letters I am now asking that you offer signal ongoing commitment to such standards. I believe this action allows an opportunity for change, growth, and a reinvigoration of our common public purpose.

This request also signals our administration’s commitment to make bold changes in the coming term. I want us all to act as innovators and agents of change, rather than as caretakers of the status quo. As the first term of my administration draws to a close, I want to challenge you to assess the role of your commission within government, and your role on the commission on which you serve.

Your letter should make clear that your offer of resignation will become operative only upon my acceptance of the resignation. In the coming months I will be deciding whether or not to accept your offer of resignation.

Should you have questions about this request, please contact my Chief of Staff, Phil Ginsburg. I look forward to working with each of you in the coming weeks and months to best serve the City and County.

Thank you for your ongoing service to the people of San Francisco. I look forward to receiving your offer letter to resign by close of business, Friday, September 14, 2007.

Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom