Colleagues Pay Tribute to the County’s Top Executive

It was his last official meeting with the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, but veteran chief administrator Richard Wittenberg barely had a chance to say goodby.

Wittenberg had to dash out of the board meeting early Tuesday to catch a plane to Santa Clara County and begin tending to his new duties as that county’s top executive.

But before leaving, board members, department heads and even some of his longtime foes paid tribute to Wittenberg for his 27 years of service here.

“It’s going to be strange in a couple of weeks to look up and not see Richard there,” said county Agricultural Commissioner Earl McPhail, as Wittenberg cracked a small smile. “I guess some good things have to come to an end once in awhile.”

Even Jere Robings, president of the Ventura County Taxpayers Alliance and one of Wittenberg’s staunchest critics, had a kind word for the departing administrator.

“We will miss you also,” Robings said. “It’s been a pleasure, Richard.” Board members praised Wittenberg, 54, for leading the county through tough economic times and for his professionalism and kindness. Wittenberg, chief administrator for 16 years, has been a county manager since 1968.

“The county we have today for the most part is due to his efforts,” newly elected Supervisor Frank Schillo said. “As a CAO, you have certain duties, and I think you went beyond those duties to make sure we had a fine county.”

Supervisor Judy Mikels, a former Simi Valley councilwoman who also took office earlier this month, praised Wittenberg for his leadership.

“As one from the outside looking in, I’ve always admired what he’s done,” she said. “I trusted his judgment. I didn’t always agree, but overall the county is still afloat and one of the finest counties in the state.”

Supervisor John Flynn, who has repeatedly clashed with Wittenberg in recent years, described Wittenberg as “one of the kindest people you could ever meet.” He noted how Wittenberg always made a point of asking about his children.

“Over the years, he’s even written letters and recommendations for them, which they will hold up to me and say, ‘See dad, you shouldn’t be so mad at Richard, look what he did,’ ” Flynn said. “So I just want to make sure that you know that I remember him that way.”

Mike Saliba, executive director of the Ventura County Taxpayers Assn., praised Wittenberg for his professionalism and his ability to steer the county away from major financial pitfalls.

“Too often we only see the things that go wrong, like in Orange County,” Saliba said. “We don’t realize the thousands of times things go right. The bottom line is that Richard has had a commitment to clean government and the taxpayers association appreciates that.”

Saliba said his group calculated that Wittenberg attended about 10,000 public meetings during his 16 years as top county manager.

“We don’t know if that’s an exact number,” he said. “But that’s a mind-boggling commitment to Ventura County.”

As a going-away gift, officials presented Wittenberg with his nameplate to commemorate his last meeting and a gray sweater with the words ‘World’s Greatest CAO’ emblazoned across the back.

Wittenberg thanked the board for his its gift and for the accolades, but refrained from making a goodby speech as he left the meeting.

Wittenberg, however, will get one more chance to say goodby. A farewell party is being thrown in his honor Thursday night at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.