Palmer Wilson says former ad authority exec Tim Hamby was often taken to task by County Council's Deb Denys

The Sunday Conversation / Headline Surfer

Deb Denys at eggs & issues chamber breakfast / Headline SurferTim Hamby, former director of the SVAA / Headline Surfer®Headline Surfer® videos and photos by Henry Frederick /
Palmer Wilson granted Headline Surfer® an exclusive interview that was videotaped the Sunday before Christmas in front of the Visitor's Center on State Road 44, the home base where the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority operates. Wilson was removed as chairman of the board of the SVAA in October in a 4-3 vote orchestrated by County Councilwoman Deb Denys. The interview with Wilson is broken into five daily segments with two videos from the extensive interview showcased, along with the latest news tied to the segments.
 

Part 1: Palmer Wilson says County Councilwoman micromanaged Tim Hamby to the point where to the point where he was constantly looking over his shoulder. Wilson credits Hamby with coming up with the "Pure and Real" marketing label for the tourism entity and the highly successful Beach Weeks program that increased overnight stays.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In his first media interview since he was removed from the board of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority where he was the chair, Palmer Wilson said County Councilwoman not only forced him out, but hastened the departure of the previous director.

"I think you also have to understand why Tim left.," Wilson said. "Prior to me becoming the chair, I had a lot of conversations with Tim, one on one, just as a member of the board and then as the treasurer. And Ms. Denys, Councilwoman Denys, was constantly taking Tim to task. Certainly the pressure he was under was part of his consideration in leaving."

The situation with Hamby was among myriad topics discussed with Wilson sit-down interview with Wilson, who says the continued meddling of Denys and her pandering to merchant insiders has worsened the situation with the operation of the ad authority, one of three in Volusia County.

Wilson pulled no punches in expressing his feelings about the ill-will treatment he received  that led to him twice being removed from the ad authority, the first time in early August and then again in October. 

Wilson was first removed from the authority during the Aug. 8 meeting in a 4-3 split spearheaded by County Councilman Joshua Wagner over allegations made some merchant leaders that he orchestrated a contract with the ad authority for the benefit of Headline Surfer, an allegation that was untrue.

Wagner was suppored in Wilson's removal by council members Doug Daniels of Ormond Beach, Pst Notthey of Deltona and Pat Patterson of DeLand. But Northey eas vehemently opposerd, as was at-large member Jotce Cusack of DeLand ad County Chair Jason Davis.

But two weeks later, Wilson confronted the entire council and explained no special deals were made eirher byhim or the internet newspaper and was subsequently re-appointed unanimously.

Then just like that