NSB mayor silent on taxpayer money expenditure for private party at his wine-bar restaurant

City document shows $1,410 earmarked for Adam Barringer's SoNapa Grille

Headline Surfer videos produced by Serafina King Frederick / New Smyrna Beach citizen watchdog Bob Tolley questions the wisdom of public taxpayer money being used for send-off parties for former Commissioners Jim Hathaway and Lynne Plaskett. None of the elected officials respond directly to Tolley, though newly elected Commissioner Kirk Jones reiterates Tolley's suggestion that the city attorney go over policies and procedures for events like this when taxpayer money is a consideration. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Citizen watchdog Bob Tolley questioned the earmarking of $1,410 in taxpayer money at Mayor Adam Barringer's restaurant for a private party sendoff for former longtime Commissioner Jim Hathaway. 

Tolley's time at the podium inquiring about the use of taxpayer dollars spent for the private party for Hathaway and an earlier public party for then-Commissioner Lynne Plaskett at the Babe James Center lasted 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

Mayor Adam Barringer's response was all of 3 seconds: "Thank you, Mr. Tolley."

Though Tolley came to Tuesday night's commission meeting at City Hall looking for answers, all he got were blank stares. Tolley said the recognition the municipality gave the two retiring commissioners was not the issue; rather he was seeking justification for the use of taxpayer money for the parties and why the Oct. 22 event for Plaskett event was open to the public and why Hathaway's on Nov. 19 was held privately, in of all places, the mayor's own wine-bar restaurant, SoNapa Grille on the beachside.

Tolley suggested that City Attorney go over the policies and procedures with staff and personnel to avoid potential conflicts and any hint of impropriety. Gummey did not respond.

It wasn't until a second citizen finished speaking on an unrelated issue that newly elected Commissioner Kirk Jones said he liked Tolley's suggestion, especially because he and Hathaway's successor, Jason McGuirk, were new.

Commissioners Judy Reiker, Jack Grasty and Mayor Adam Barringer are speechless after hearing from citizen watchdog Bob Tolley.

Tolley said he also felt like the commissioners were pacing too much emphasis on CRA tax dollars for the city's bars, listing several of them, including Traders, whose owner, David Fernandez, a boyhood friend of the mayor secured a $20,000 CRA grant from the commissioners earlier this month.

Commissioners McGuirk, Judy Reiker, Grasty and Barringer left without commenting when the meeting ended. 

After Tuesday's meeting, Tolley was asked his assessment of the situation and why it was important to confront the mayor and other commissioners in the public forum: "The mayor of this city benefitted financially by holding a private party at his SoNapa restaurant for retired  commissioner Hathaway using the taxpayers' money."

Tolley emphasized, "No elected official is to financially gain from their position and influence. Who knows how much more he made from the sale of wine and other alcoholic beverages.

City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe initialy informed Tolley in answering a public records request two days after the party for Hathaway that $900, but no specifics were provided. Tolley forwarded his Wednesday e-mail receipt to Headline Surfer Thanksgiving morning. From the day forward, attempts to reach the elected officials and city staff went unanswered.

On Monday, Headline Suirfer made a public records request of its own and followd up on Tuesday when nothing was provided.

Late Tuesday afternoon, a one-page document with no letterhead, date, or authorship, was emailed with a list of names of who attended Hathaway's party and how costs were broken down.

Some basic numbers were provided for Plaskett's party, but there was no description of who catered the food, what city elected and administrative official attended and nothing to indicate anyone but the taxpayers was picking up the tab.

The accounting for Hathaway's party actually listed attendees, but the numbers don't match up with costs.

The SoNapa breakdown shows 47 total guests at $30 per meal equaling $1,4010. But a gratuity for each meal is not factored in. A second set of numbers indicates 21 city staff attending the Hathaway party at $30 each coming to $630. The factoid indicates the $630 will be collected from the 21 staffers and applied to the total coming back to the city for a final of $720 paid by taxpyers for Hathaway's private party.

The problem is the the actual list of city attendees shows nin under commissioners and 14 under staff. That totals 23, two more city people than the 21 showed as the number of staffers reimbursing the city.

There is another complication. Among the 24 listed as family/retires is Sandy Winkler and her husband, Paul. She is City Manager Pam Brangaccio's secretary.

For example, Sandy Winkler is listed with her husband, Paul Winkler. But she is City Manager Pam Brangaccio's executive secretary. 

Besides the meals are other expenses tied to the taxpayers. The cost for plaques honoring Plaskett and Hathaway are each listed at $125, but the cost of a "picture" for Hathaway is listed as costing $168 while a "picture for Plaskett was listed at $310. There is no reason given for the differences in price nor is there a description of what is meant by "picture." No vendor is listed for either the pictues or the plaques.

No invoices were provided as part of the public records requests, even though the two former commissioners were given the plaques and pictures.

Bledsoe said he had no involvement in the planning or organizing and couldn't comment as to whether or not the planning, organizing and procedures were authorized by City Manager Pam Brangaccio or reviewed by City Attorney Frank Gummey to ensure everything was proper.

Among those listed as attendees under the category of commissionrs is Mayor Adam Barringer and his wife, Shannon; Commissioner Judy Reiker and her husband Guy Mariande; Commissioner Jack Grasty and Commissionr Kirk Jones and his daughter, Chloe.

Listed under staffers is City Manager Brangaccio and her husband, David, Asst. City Manager Khalid Resheidat and his wife, Reem; Interim Police Chief Mike Brouillette and his wife, Kim; City Attorney Gummey and his wife, Susan; Planning Manager Gail Hendrikson; Fire Chief Dave McCallister and his wife Stacey; Personnel Manager Carol Harg; CRA Tony Otte and Police Chief Ron Pagano.

As for reimbrsements to the city by the public officials, the city clerk said had nothing to release. 

Among the 24 people listed as family/retirees, not askd to reimburse the city are Hathaway and wife, Paula; and 10 other direct family members. Also listed in the group is the previously mentioned Winkler and husband; private attorney Side Perterson and his wife, Debbie; fellow attorney Phil Peterson and wife, Johanna; Andy and Tera Lee Wes.