NSB citizen watchdog Bob Tolley incensed taxpayer money used to pay for private party at mayor's restaurant

Headline Surfer video and photo by Sera Frederick / Bob Tolley is the guest for the 24/7 Internet newspaper's newsmaker show, 'The Sunday Conversation,' which you can watch by clicking the video. Shown at left is Jim Hathaway, grand marshal for Saturday's NSB Christmas Parade and recipient of a private party at the mayor's restaurant with public monies used to pay up-front costs.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Citizen watchdog Bob Tolley says in Headline Surfer's online newsmaker show, The Sunday Conversation, that a private party for retired City Commissioner Jim Hathaway held at Mayor Adam Barringer's SoNapa Grille and paid with taxpayer money is an affront to the public trust.

Headline Surfer video and photo by Multimedia Editor Serafina King Frederick / Bob Tolley is the guest for the 24/7 Internet newspaper's newsmaker show, 'The Sunday Conversation,' which you can watch by clicking the video. Shown at left is Jim Hathaway, grand marshal for Saturday's New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade and recipient of a private party at the mayor's restaurant with public monies used to pay up-front costs.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Citizen watchdog Bob Tolley says on Headline Surfer's online newsmaker show, "The Sunday Conversation," that a private party for retired City Commissioner Jim Hathaway at Mayor Adam Barringer's SoNapa Grille and paid with taxpayer money is an affront to the public trust. 

Tolley believes the city is more concerned with taking care of the mayor's private business interests than doing what's in the best interest of the public. The lack of transparency at city hall is a testament to that, he insists.

Headline Surfer has had difficulty getting a straight answer from City Manager Pam Brangaccio while Barringer and City Attorney Frank Gummey remain tightlipped. 

The 24/7 Internet newspaper asked Brangaccio in an e-mail Friday whether she or Barringer of Gummy had discussed the legal, ethical or potential conflicts of interests in advance of the Nov. 19 private sendoff party for Hathaway and she avoided the question entirely.

From what little information Headline Surfer has been able to gather, a city credit card was used to pay Barringer's restaurant $1,290 for 44 meals for a surprise sendoff party Hathaway said he didn't even want.

The city also paid $125 for a plaque and another $168 for a picture of Hathaway, both of which were given to him at this surprise party. The total cost to the taxpayers was $1,583. Brangaccio said she and the mayor and 18 other city staff and elected officials, including their family members who attended the party will reimburse the city $30 each for the meals.

The lone city exception, she said, is her own secretary, Sandy Winkler, who will not be required to reimburse the city for her meal or that of her husband. Neither will Hathaway or the 23 people listed as his guests including the Winklers, will have to pay for their meals. She said those meals will be paid for privately, but she didn't elaborate.

There was no public discussion or vote on this party, authorized by Brangaccio and organized by city employee Liz Yancey. A surprise party was held Oct. 22 for fellow Commissioner Lynne Plaskett at the Babe James Center, but this event was publicly discussed and the public was invited. Still, it cost the taxpayers $1,083.22. Here is the breakdown: $648.22 for food catered by Lil Neal, $125 for a plaque and $310 for a picture for Plaskett. 

As of the weekend, Headline Surfer has not received any receipts, invoices or details showing what's been paid or reimbursed despite public records requests a week ago.

Plaskett didn't seek re-election after nine years. Hathaway gave up an opportunity to extend his 18 years on the commission with his unsuccessful run for the a seat on the Volusia County Council in the 2012 elections.