Two board members irate over Department of Natural Resources chief’s ‘forced’ ouster.
John Frampton, who announced his retirement as director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources on Nov. 1 saying he wanted to spend more time with his family, was reportedly forced to retire early by the DNR board, it has been learned.
Frampton, who has worked with SCDNR for more than 37 years, the last 8 1/2 years as director of the agency, announced Nov. 1 that he would retire effective Jan. 15. But at the Dec. 8 meeting of the Natural Resources Board, he was granted an extension until March 16.
When asked by a board member at the Dec. 8 meeting of the Natural Resources Board, Frampton confirmed that board chairwoman Caroline Rhodes had asked him to leave the department early.
“She said that the board was asking for my resignation,” Frampton said, a statement that Rhodes disputed.
Rhodes, who was appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford and elevated to the chair position this year by Gov. Nikki Haley, told The State newspaper of Columbia that she merely asked Frampton to retire three months earlier than he had planned so the agency could have someone new in charge during the 2012 legislative session that starts in January.
Two members of the board, holdovers from Sanford’s appointments, were irate that they were not included in discussions concerning Frampton’s departure.
Norman Pulliam of Spartanburg said he and board Vice Chairman John Evans of Orangeburg were “blindsided” when they learned in late October that Frampton had been asked to leave.
“This was done in the cloak of darkness, without any light whatsoever,” Pulliam told The State. “We have just shipwrecked the career of a distinguished public servant.”
The Haley-appointed board members denied they had held a secret meeting to discuss Frampton’s departure, but indicated they did discuss the matter by telephone.
Rhodes told The State private discussions were held to avoid the issue escalating into an ugly public discussion – which it did as soon as Pulliam and Evans learned they had been shut out of the communications.
Evans urged the board not to accept Frampton’s letter of resignation, charging it was sought under false pretenses since the full board did not ask for his resignation and had not participated in discussions to oust him.
After a short executive session, the board agreed to let Frampton remain in office until March 16.
The issue has raised concerns in the conservation community that Haley has appointed a majority of board members who will change the direction of the SCDNR from a management and resource-protection agency to one that is more friendly to business and development.
They point at a statement by Haley’s spokesman Rob Godfrey as proof.
“When it comes to searching for a new DNR director, the Governor trusts the board to find someone who understands the need to protect our state’s rich natural resources but also the need to cut regulations on our businesses and sportsmen,” Godfrey said.
Frampton said in late December that he does not plan to comment on the issue until after he leaves the agency.
“I’ve had a fantastic career, and I would not change anything,” he said. “I hold no ill feelings against anyone. It was time.”
Frampton said he will use the extra two months granted by the DNR board to tie up loose ends, participate in meetings on national wildlife issues and go into the field to personally thank his staff for their efforts and support during his tenure.
“I have a number of meetings I need to attend, and I plan to go to the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting Outdoor Trade) Show in Las Vegas in January,” he said. “I need to attend the Joint Task Force with the Federal Aid Program and work on some endangered species stuff.
“And on some of the days I have left, I plan to go into the field and visit the field staff around the state, and thank them for all their efforts and support over the years. I also plan to urge them to stick with the department and tell them things will get better.”
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