Chairman quits developer job

Loudoun County (Map, News) - Loudoun County Chairman Scott York announced Tuesday he quit his job in the private sector in September as he faced criticism about the position during his contentious re-election campaign.

York, an independent, came under fire in June for representing Colorado-based ServiceStar Development Co. last year in at least one meeting with county staff about zoning issues related to an Ashburn shopping center project.

His opponent, Republican Mike Firetti, has argued throughout the campaign that York improperly used his position on the county board to help his employer.

However, York said he resigned because the company, which paid him about $100,000 per year, wanted him to end his political career in Virginia and move out West.

After talking with his wife, York said, he decided to stay in Northern Virginia and seek re-election.

“I’m not stepping down [from the ServiceStar job] because of what my competitor says,” York said Tuesday. “This was a decision that was pretty much decided before he even got the nomination to run as the Republican candidate.”

Firetti called on York to resign as county chairman Tuesday, citing York’s ties to the company.

“Scott York has sold the office of chairman of the Board of Supervisors,” Firetti said, “It’s the right idea for him to resign, but it’s the wrong position to resign.”

Firetti has accused York of being hypocritical in accusing Republican board members of their ties to developers at the same time his actions were drawing criticism.

York disputed the charges Tuesday.

“I’ve never ever used my position as chairman to benefit my employer in any way,” York said, adding that he recused himself from votes and public discussions about his company’s projects. “Quite frankly, I have nothing to be ashamed of or sorry for because I haven’t done anything to be embarrassed about.”

After speaking with County Attorney Jack Roberts, York said in a June interview that he realized he should not have represented the company in discussions with county staff and vowed not to do so again.

dgenz@dcexaminer.com