Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - That is the question being asked by several departments of the Nassau West government at this time regarding Nassau West Military Service Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman and Marine Corps. General Danny Watkins and his recent resignation.

Chairman Watkins has resigned his position at Nassau West's leading employer in Phoenix, the same trucking company that employs several members of the Nassau West government. His resignation was delivered today, and he will remain on the job until the end of July.

After that, purely speculation. Even Watkins isn't entirely sure what the next move will be. It is, however, likely that he will be moving back to his native Illinois, much to the disappointment of many in Arizona. He does have friends and family in Illinois that would welcome his return.

Among those that are sad to think that Watkins may be leaving is Nassau West President Kelly K. Bartram, who said, "it would be infinitely different without Danny around. When my parents moved to Washington and I remained, he was my 'Arizona Dad.' When I returned from Seattle and may parents remained in Washington, again he was my 'Arizona Dad.' My parents have since returned to Arizona, and my sister and family are planning to relocate, as well. But that still won't replace Danny, who has always been there for me when I needed guidance and a friend."

"Danny," he continued, "is not replaceable. For instance, when camping, he and I share a lot of interests. We both like exploring the area we're in, we both like guns, and we both like drinking beer - and a lot of it! We have always had a good time together, even when things didn't go quite as planned."

Some of those unplanned things include when Nassau West One on one occasion got stuck in a creek and had to be extracted. Another incident involved Nassau West One getting a cracked radiator. And yet another trip ended with Nassau West One getting TWO flat tires. In all those messes, Watkins provided guidance and support to alleviate the situations.

It has been speculated for several months that Watkins may return to Illinois after suffering some personal problems in his life recently. If he goes, he will leave behind a wife, daughter, stepson, and a lot of friends. But he will regain his adult sons from a previous marriage in Illinois, and return to friends he left there in 1997.

"Well, I hope he doesn't go, but I think he will," Bartram stated this evening. "He's a bit homesick for Illinois, and he doesn't much care for Arizona or its heat. He's wanted to go back to Illinois for awhile. It looks like now he will. I am meeting with him this weekend at the Capitol to try, probably in vain, to change his mind."

The Nassau West Department of Labor and the Nassau West Transportation Workers' Union (NWTWU) have been instructed to assist in locating possible employment opportunities for Watkins in Tucson, Benson, and surrounding areas. Within the past few months, Watkins had considered moving into the Capitol and working in Tucson.

The employment opportunity that was being worked on for Watkins in Tucson fell through, and another job has not been found. The NWTWU points out that there are several companies in Tucson similar to the one that Watkins will leave next month. Many of them would be eager to hire him.

In the event that Watkins does move to Illinois, he would have to resign as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as he would be more than 2,000 miles away from the Capitol. He would be allowed to retain his position as Marine Corps. General if he so desired. The Department of State has also expressed interest in having an Illinois Embassy, which if he accepted, would be operated by Watkins.