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Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,301
4,972
SoWal
mooncreek.com
As reported on WZEP AM 1460:

TDC Director Dawn Moliterno started her time talking about event sponsorship grants and what they do when the money is not used. She said they redirect to specific marketing online. Moliterno said the TDC recommended blending several mobile apps into one. She explained this would help get the app into the Apple Store.

There is also a recommendation to pay for the app to work on Android. There is a digital highway sign program that works to promote the flag system and texting. Moliterno said the TDC Advisory Council also recommended seeking a request for qualifications for the beach nourishment consultant. The current contract with Beach Haven, the beach science consultant company with Brad Pickle, is about to expire. There will be a reduction of the co-op funding for media with Southwest Airlines. This comes from the half cent bed tax. The TDC was up 12% in November.


Moliterno then reviewed the time since her hiring, including the oil spill right after she started. She told the Commissioners she does not usually talk about her accomplishments, but felt it needed to be done this time.


She said the team at the TDC has exceeded expectations. She said she is honored and privileged to be part of the team that brought Southwest Airlines to the new airport. Moliterno said even more significant is 20 months of increased bed taxes. She said they have created operating procedures and compliances, met the audit, produced reports and strategic plans and cited much more. Moliterno then said they can improve in communications. She explained that sometimes what is old conversations to them might be new to others.


Molenterno then said much of what has happened is politically motivated. She said she believes in the freedom of speech and the right to criticize, but not in the hateful gossip from what she said is being done by nameless cowards on the internet. She noted her family was present at the meeting. She said problems have been brought up, but not the successes. Moliterno continued to stress the negative comments made on blogs, including comments that affect her family.


She continued talking about the difference between the successes and any problems some claim. Moleterno then offered her 90 day resignation. She said she will continue to live in Walton County.


Commissioner Cindy Meadows asked to conduct an exit interview with Molerinto and said she will explain why the TDC has been such a lightening rod under her. Meadows has recently questioned Moliterno, sometimes aggressively.
 

DaleDalbey

Beach Fanatic
Nov 1, 2011
281
152
Whatever the reasons for her departure, it is time to move forward. I hope the TDC and Commissioners use this time coalesce around a vision for the TDC and hire a skilled person to execute on that vision. The person should be given a reasonable salary and contract, and should work to bring people together, not divide them.
 

DaleDalbey

Beach Fanatic
Nov 1, 2011
281
152
Couple of thoughts to generate discussion..

1. Move forward on the renovation and expansion of the TDC office to include ADA standards for all areas.
2. Feasibility study on locating visitors centers at appropriate entry points into our beaches that utilize existing retail space, thereby giving tourists increased access.
3. Stop wasting money on things like water towers and songs
4. Create informal groups to build a sense of inclusiveness for TDC decisions. SoWal is blessed with very accomplished retirees and transplants. We should look for ways to give experts in their field an opportunity to share thoughts outside of the "workshops". I think there should be a way to do this under the sunshine act.
5. Look for a TDC director who is camera shy. Publicity never should be focused on the TDC director.

On a side note. If you watched last night's 10 p.m. news, you could tell that Dawn orchestrated the press coverage. The "surprise" announcement had extensive press coverage with past interviews and biographical information presented. I find it hard to believe that could all be put together on the tight timeframe the local media outlets would have had between Ms. Moliterno's statement to the board and the broadcast.
 

Independent Thinker

Beach Lover
Aug 21, 2012
108
110
Santa Rosa Beach
Sorry WaltonParent, but don't agree with expanding the TDC office or establishing new visitors centers. I think they may even need to reduce the number of people working in the office. I do agree that Moliterno orchestrated the press coverage, she seems to "get off" on being seen on television. She did not mention all of the fiasco's she created, from the signage fiasco, a $75k theme song, to the 4 million dollar TDC office building on 11 acres preservation land. I think the latter was the last straw that really put the spotlight on her and the way the TDC wasted funds.
 

Johnny Post

Beach Lover
Jan 13, 2008
67
34
Now, I won't say I actually know the woman, but I find the attitude of goodbye and good riddance strange. I hear the complaints about the TDC and Moliterno, but in reality, hasn't the TDC done exactly what that organization exists to do? I thought it was their job to promote this area for tourism. Whether you agree with the way they go about this or not, I would say they have been very successful at that.

For that reason, I say good job.
 

DaleDalbey

Beach Fanatic
Nov 1, 2011
281
152
I said they were thoughts, not necessarily recommendations. My recommendation would be to fully utilize technology as an alternative to the brick and mortar visitors center. People used to stop by a visitors center for information about restaurants, coupons, etc. all of those are available at rental offices now. Now we all use the Internet. No offense, but it is crazy to invest in brick and mortar for a shrinking pool of seniors who want free orange juice.
 

Jdarg

SoWal Expert
Feb 15, 2005
18,068
1,973
We have thrown around the idea of small kiosks around town, within existing businesses that are frequented by most tourists, like partnering with Publix, Walmart, Winn Dixie, Tom Thumbs, for example. Also at the larger beach accesses. Self-service informational kiosks with local business info, beach safety info, and other area stuff.
 

Kurt

Admin
Staff member
Oct 15, 2004
2,301
4,972
SoWal
mooncreek.com
A note to all - this is another great opportunity for constructive dialog and ideas. Please keep comments respectful without insults.
 
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