Interim-Director Agreement for TDC

Any word from the Bcc meeting?

Anyone there? What's the word?

No signs of life, Some great questions by bob hudson.........Answers......Blank looks!

So Dawn leaves the chamber for a one year contract as TDC director? No national search for the best qualified candidate? How is this possible?

Controversy Continues with the Walton County TDC

Walton County Commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday night to appoint Walton County Chamber President Dawn Moliterno as the Interim Executive Director of the Walton TDC.

Tonight's Walton County Commission meeting became heated at times when discussing an Interim Tourist Development Council Director.

Members of the Walton County Tax-Payers Association and local bed tax collector's grilled commissioners over a newly discovered severance package for retiring TDC Director Sonny Mares.


But the biggest issue is the terms for replacing Mares.
Walton County Commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday night to appoint Walton County Chamber President Dawn Moliterno as the Interim Executive Director of the Walton TDC.

But commissioners tabled a vote on the management agreement they drafted last week that set-out the terms for Moliterno's service. Some in the audience became outraged when the commission tried to change the temporary 6-month agreement to 1-year.

Jeanne Dailey is President of Newman-Dailey Resort Properties and says she can’t believe commissioners did not give the decision more thought.

"We really are disappointed as bed tax collectors that the amount of money that we bring into the county, and we have absolutely no vote? Truthfully, tonight, they listened, but we really didn't have a voice at all” Dailey says.

There was also confusion over when the search for a permanent replacement would begin.

Fellow bed tax collector Timothy Taylor is President of Ocean Reef Resorts and says he thinks the agreement did not address critical issues.

"We felt like there were not metrics or benchmarks established on how to judge the position and re-writing the job description for the Executive Director.

We are also disappointed that there was no mention of a nationwide search when they adopted this resolution of a search. “So, it's our understanding that it's just her job and as long as she serves at the pleasure of Walton County Commissioners. We didn't see anything that indicated they were willing to go on a nationwide search”, says Taylor.

Moliterno diffused the argument, at least temporarily, by asking commissioners to move on.

"Take the management agreement off the table. The Chamber stands ready to support you as we've said all along. Unfortunately, there's been a great deal of misunderstanding, innuendos, and really bad comments to an organization, and even to myself, not deserving" says Moliterno in her defense.

More controversy erupted over the circumstance of former Executive Director Sonny Mares' departure; but members of the taxpayers' association didn't get an answer.
Bob Hudson, President of the Tax-Payers Association, addressed commissioners with some tough truths.

"We also found out this week that Mr. Mares is still under contract with Walton County. He retired, but we are continuing his salary and benefits for six months... and I have to ask why?"

District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander tried to keep the heated conversation on track.

"We're trying to discuss another subject right now, could that be brought up later? We're discussing the TDC Director" Comander says.

Controversy aside, Moliterno says she's ready to step up to the plate.
"I’m telling you today if you would like me to go forward and be considered for that role than I stand here ready to serve" Moliterno says.

So far, the county has not met our requests for Sonny Mares' separation agreement or a forensic accounting audit of TDC spending under Mares' management.

The Mares severence/contracting agreement is an outrage.

The entire situation is an outrage! People of Walton County need to take a closer look at this situation and insist that your elected commissioners answer the peoples' questions.

Interesting to see how three of the commissioners rejected the desires of the business community in south Walton, including the commissioner that represents that area. All that was asked is that they initiate a nationwide search and try to see if they could not find the absolute best destination director that was available. Only Sara Comander seemed to understand their desires, the others listened and then voted to move forward and possibly discuss a search a year from now.

Once again, its county good old boy at its best! Interim Director! We all know what that means. There will be no search for a new director because it is the BCC's intent to place the interim Director in the position. And it will be done through a BCC meeting when nobody is paying any attention, because that is how our elected officials roll! Everyone that voted for this and did not listen to the people that voted for them, should be voted out! This is an outrage!

The file was originally created by Karen Shehan on 3/17/2010 at 3:27 pm.

Yes you see all changes. All 34 edit sessions are available by who opened the file and who made the changes.

The original agreement was created in the HR department not the Legal Department.

Tonight we had call that another newer version is floating around through the commissioners and we will pursue that document tomorrow. This is unconfirmed but the source has been very reliable.

Once again, its county good old boy at its best! Interim Director! We all know what that means. There will be no search for a new director because it is the BCC's intent to place the interim Director in the position. And it will be done through a BCC meeting when nobody is paying any attention, because that is how our elected officials roll! Everyone that voted for this and did not listen to the people that voted for them, should be voted out! This is an outrage!

Well just to make sure the record is clear.

Larry Jones Yes
Kenneth Pridgen Yes currently running unopposed
Cecilia Jones Yes

Sara Comander No

Scott Brannon Absent

Scott Brannon Absent

That's a shocker.

Well just to make sure the record is clear.

Larry Jones Yes
Kenneth Pridgen Yes currently running unopposed
Cecilia Jones Yes

Sara Comander No

Scott Brannon Absent

Brings forth the question why is Kenneth Pridgen running unopposed? Isn't there anyone in the North part of the county concerned enough to at least offer a program that moves that portion of Walton County forward. How long has Commissioner Pridgen served anyway? I cannot remember another Commissioner from that District and I have owned here since 1991.

That's a shocker.

I believe he had a medical emergency.

Brings forth the question why is Kenneth Pridgen running unopposed? Isn't there anyone in the North part of the county concerned enough to at least offer a program that moves that portion of Walton County forward. How long has Commissioner Pridgen served anyway? I cannot remember another Commissioner from that District and I have owned here since 1991.

After running for office I fully understand why these seats are unopposed.

6 MONTHS OF SALARY!!!!! :angry:

WTF!!!

Yes, that is very interesting to see who actually voted for this! I dont know why there isnt anyone running in district 2. I believe the last commissioner prior to Pridgen was Herman Walker.

Well just to make sure the record is clear.

Larry Jones Yes
Kenneth Pridgen Yes currently running unopposed
Cecilia Jones Yes

Sara Comander No

Scott Brannon Absent

Controversy Continues with the Walton County TDC

I have to disagree with their report of the meeting. The Board's motion was to negotiate 1 yr. agreement with Dawn Moliterno, and then to bring it back to them. They did not sign any agreement last night. I also didn't think it was that heated. There was opposition and they were all respectful. Anyway, I'll reserve my judgement until after the new agreement is brought forth.

Well just to make sure the record is clear.

Larry Jones Yes
Kenneth Pridgen Yes currently running unopposed
Cecilia Jones Yes

Sara Comander No

Scott Brannon Absent

Isn't Sara Comander running for re-election too? Is she running unopposed? If not who is running against her?

She is up for re-election in November, it is my understanding that Ro Cuchens is running against her.

Isn't Sara Comander running for re-election too? Is she running unopposed? If not who is running against her?

That's a shocker.

Should have told him it was a photo-op instead of constituents figuring out what was going on behind closed doors. :roll:

Especially since I am hearing it was Brannon's idea to begin with but he had someone else propose it because the chair does not typically do that - which is why the person who brought it up initially had no real clue as to what it was. ;-)

Seriously, what the heck is going on? I feel like I am waiting for the punchline as to exactly how they are justifying this budgetarily.

6 months of Sonny's Mares salary isn't a drop in the bucket and in case noone has noticed, the budget is a wee bit tight these days.

6 MONTHS OF SALARY!!!!! :angry:

WTF!!!

What did you expect? That is what happens when you fire someone under contract. University of Georgia once paid three head football coaches when only one of them was coaching -- lucky dawgs.

I believe he had a medical emergency.

I believe Mr. Brannon has been to 6 of the last 27 TDC meetings. I hope the emergency was handled swiftly and without incident.

Yes, that is very interesting to see who actually voted for this! I dont know why there isnt anyone running in district 2. I believe the last commissioner prior to Pridgen was Herman Walker.

I thought Herman was in District 4.

And the name of the commissioner in District 2 before Pridgen is on the tip of my tongue but I just can't spit it out. I do know the previous commissioner never repaired / replaced the bridge on Padgett Rd over Sandy Creek and essentially put our farm on a dead-end road. The family is used to it now and it really does cut down on traffic, but it was unbelievable at the time.

Pridgen is well-respected by the old-timers in his home district, at least by the ones I know.

Herman Walker was in district 2 and was beaten by Pridgen. And yes, Kenneth Pridgen is very well respected in his community.

I thought Herman was in District 4.
And the name of the commissioner in District 2 before Pridgen is on the tip of my tongue but I just can't spit it out. I do know the previous commissioner never repaired / replaced the bridge on Padgett Rd over Sandy Creek and essentially put our farm on a dead-end road. The family is used to it now and it really does cut down on traffic, but it was unbelievable at the time.

Pridgen is well-respected by the old-timers in his home district, at least by the ones I know.

Isn't Sara Comander running for re-election too? Is she running unopposed? If not who is running against her?

Rosier Cuchens is currently running against her for the position.

Rosier Cuchens is currently running against her for the position.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/local-government/9166-cuchens-ethics-questioned-if-found.html