NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- We've got a busy night ahead with government agenda items beginning at 6 p.m. with a special CRA meeting that will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. regular meeting of the city commission. We're hoping to get answers as to the extent of taxpayer money used for a surprise private sendoff party a week ago tonight at the mayor's restaurant for retired longtime Commissioner Jim Hathaway.
There is a lot of ambiguity and little, if any information coming from city hall or from the elected officials and the top administrators, which has put Hathaway in a tough spot as he prepares for Saturday's New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade as the grand marshal. Hathaway went through a tough loss in his quest for the dist. 3 seat on the Volusia County Council won by fellow New Smyrnan Deb Denys in the Nov. 6 general election.
In order to run, he gave up his seat on the city commission having served 18 years, by far the longest of any of the current commissioners. Plaskett was second in tenure with nine years of service. The sendoff for Hathaway was a surprise party organized by the city administration apparently with Parks and Recreation Director Liz Yancey organizing it.
Headline Surfer went to the mayor's SoNapa Grille with the intention of covering the party and was welcomed by Hathaway, but Guy Mariande, the husband of City Commissioner Judy Reiker told the 24/7 Internet newspaper this was a private, invitation-only party and the media was not invited. Mariande said the media presence was making everyone there -- about 45-50 people -- uncomfortable and suggested Headline Surfer leave.
When the 24/7 Internet newspaper asked why he responded, "You're an idiot!" He then returned to the gathering and Headline Surfer left before the party got under way, returning an hour later simply to take a photo of Hathaway and his wife, Paula.
Neither Mariande nor Commissioner Reiker have offered an apology to Headline Surfer for his name calling.
Headline Surfer learned through a public records request made by citizen watchdog Bob Tolley that $900 was allocated for Hathaway's party and another $900 was allocated for Plaskett's sendoff on Oct. 22 at the Babe James Center. Tolley forwarded the city clerk's e-mail response to Headline Surfer on Thanksgiving morning.
Tolley made the request that Tuesday and the clerk, Johnny Bledsoe, responded on that Wednesday.
Headline Surfer made its own public records request with Bledsoe yesterday, asking for a cost breakdown for both parties. This afternoon, the 24/7 Internet newspaper asked the city clerk in writing for more specifics on the sendoffs and clarification as to who authorized the $900 expenditures for each party and whether the funding and location of the parties was reviewed by the city attorney to ensure there were no legal or ethical issues or conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
Headline Surfer has been unable to reach Mayor Adam Barringer since the Hathaway party. The 24/7 Internet newspaper also has been unable to reach commissioners Reiker, Jack Grasty or Hathaway's successor Jason McGuirk.
Newly-elected Commissioner Kirk Jones, who succeeded Plaskett said he was invited to the Hathaway party by Yancey and took his grown daughter with him because he didn't want to go alone. Jones said he attempted to pay for his meal and that of his daughter, but was told the city paid for the meals and that only alcoholic drinks were separate, though bottles of wine were set on the tables and he wasn't sure if they were for free since he doesn't drink any way. Jones said he and his daughter asked only for water with their meals.
Jones said the only information he was given was the location and the time of the party after being asked if he was bringing a guest with him, which he answered was his daughter.
Asked whether taxpayer money was appropriate, especially for senior administrators at or near six-figure salaries, Jones answered, "No, I expected to pay so I don't see why they wouldn't as well," but added he didn't have any specific details to comment further.
McGuirk was the only elected official not at the Hathaway party. Among the city administrators who attended were City Manager Pam Brangaccio, City Attorney Frank Gummey, Asst. City Manager Khalid Resheidat, CRA Director Tony Otte, Interim Police Chief Michael Brouillette, Fire Chief Dave McAllister and Planning Manager Gail Henrikson. Barringer's wife and Reiker's husband were the only spouses of elected officials there.
Besides his wife, Hathaway also was accompanied by his son and his son's wife, and other family members Headline Surfer didn't know as well as several friends of the Hathaway family, including Sid Peterson and his wife.
In making its initial public records request, Headline Surfer asked City Clerk Bledsoe if he could shed any light on whether the city picked up the tab for the meals. Bledsoe said he believed Tolley may be mistaken into thinking taxpayer money was used to pay for the meals of the public officials.
Bledsoe said it was his understanding that the city only paid for Hathaway and his family and guests, but when informed by Headline Surfer that Jones attempted to pay his own way, but was told that wasn't necessary because the city was picking up the tab for the meals, Bledsoe respinded he couldn't confirm anything because he was waiting on paperwork.