Head of DBPR's parimutuels division resigns abruptly
David J. Roberts, the head of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Parimutuels resigned unexpectedly on Thursday, according to DBPR spokeswoman Alexis Lambert.
In a brief resignation letter Thursday to DBPR Deputy Secretary Scott Ross, Roberts wrote that he was resigning immediately. "I would like to inform you that I am resigning my position as the Director of Pari-Mutuel Wagering effective July 16, 2009. I have enjoyed working for the agency and appreciate the support provided me through my career.'' The letter is written on Ross's stationery.
The agency has released no statement. Download Roberts resignation letter
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Dave is good people.
There's got to be more to the story than he's quitting...
Posted by: Cynical Idealist | July 17, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Why was the letter written on Scott Ross' letterhead?
Posted by: ... | July 17, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Here is a link to the division's annual report -
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pmw/documents/AnnualReport2007-2008.pdf
and clearly on page two, there is letterhead specific for Dave...
Posted by: ... | July 17, 2009 at 04:12 PM
He didn't prepare the letter - it was prepared for him to sign.
Posted by: That stinks | July 17, 2009 at 04:22 PM
4:22 - yes, but looking for more information... or at least pointing it out to the reporters so they may ask...
Posted by: ... | July 17, 2009 at 04:32 PM
but yes, it appears to stink... a lot...
Posted by: ... | July 17, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Dave Roberts is one of the classy, good guys in Tallahassee. Bright, humble, ethical, upstanding and highly unlikely to engage in shennanigans. He'll land on his feet just fine.
Posted by: hmmm | July 17, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Dave,
You are an awesome guy. Sometimes God makes changes for us that we are unwilling to make for ourselves. Soon, you will be in an even better situation working for people who reward based on performance rather than punish on a whim based on trivial heresay.
Godspeed sir.
Posted by: I Heart Dave | July 17, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Known Dave for over 10 years. Never ever have I seen him do ANYTHING that would cause me to question his ethics. Either something stinks and he wanted out or he is a scapegoat, or somebody recruited him away.
Posted by: And I'm not even a gator! | July 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
It was definitely a "resign or be fired" situation. The letterhead suggests such but I know for sure that is what happened.
How many more good employees can the State of Florida afford to show the door before the regulated run rough shod over the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.
Even if Dave misstepped (which I doubt), I am curious how valued employees in state government are ever expected to grow with a too limited ability be retained to grow from mistakes. We learn and grow the most from our mistakes.
Management decisions such as this one inhibit visionaries and risk takers from finding ways to do a better job. But heh, you can always nominate yourself or your team for a Davis Productivity Award for some minor improvements while staying securely within the bounds of limited expectations and mediocre performance.
Posted by: Another One Bites The Dust | July 18, 2009 at 10:45 AM
10:45 - I don't know the people or details but I do know state government. There's no reward for initiative or outside-the-box thinking. Keep your mouth shut, regurgitate your supervisor's ideas and flatter the right people and you'll progress. Period.
Posted by: Rivergirl | July 19, 2009 at 09:21 AM