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Headline Surfer® photosNEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Then-Interim City Manager Pamela Brangaccio had her first scandal to deal with as 2009 was winding down: Then-CRA Director Kevin Fall quit after an embarrassing traffic stop made headlines rather than enter a counseling program. He even blamed her for his troubles.
Fall made no reference to being ticketed that Nov. 14 on charges of driving with an open container, speeding and driving without his registration, when he handed in his letter of resignation the end of that month.
He didn't defend himself. He didn't apologize.
Instead, Fall gave an entirely different reason for resigning effective Dec. 23, writing in part: "During the course of the past four months, I have come to understand that my knowledge, skills and abilities are not being utilized in such a capacity as to further my goals as a successful local government development practitioner."
Then-CRA Director Kevin Fall made no reference to being ticketed that Nov. 14 on charges of driving with an open container, speeding and driving without his registration, when he handed in his letter of resignation the end of that month. He didn't defend himself. He didn't apologize.
Instead, Fall gave an entirely different reason for resigning effective Dec. 23, writing in part: "During the course of the past four months, I have come to understand that my knowledge, skills and abilities are not being utilized in such a capacity as to further my goals as a successful local government development practitioner."
City Hall insiders say Fall was upset with management style of Brangaccio, who issued him a written reprimand the following Monday after his weekend motor vehicle stop. She chastised Fall for not reporting the incident to her before she was notified by the police.
The traffic stop was reported exclusively by NSBNEWS.net, the predecessor name to HeadlinerSurfer.com. Fall abruptly resigned, the day after he was reprimanded in writing for a Nov. 14 motor vehicle stop that resulted in tickets charging him with driving with an open container of alcohol, speeding and driving without registration. Fall's resignation was confirmed that Thanksgiving morning by Mayor Adam Barringer, who declined to comment further.
Fall has not returned calls for comment left with his staff Fall's last appearance before the City Commission was a week ago earlier when he answered some brief questions regarding CRA matters.
After that meeting, Brangaccio told the 24/7 internet newspaper that Fall had been issued a written warning and instructed to get follow-up care through the city's Employee Assistance Program, which provides a host of programs. She declined to be more specific.
However, Brangaccio said Fall apologized to her for the Nov. 14 motor vehicle stop that resulted in him receiving three tickets, including one charging him with driving with an open container of alcohol.
Brangaccio said she reviewed a police videotape of the stop and felt re-assured that Fall was not intoxicated behind the wheel. Brangaccio said Fall understood the embarrassment he caused himself and the city, especially as a department head, and that the city does not condone drinking and driving by its employees, on or off the job.
Brangaccio wrote in the reprimand to Fall: "As an official in your capacity as the CRA Executive Director, you have an obligation to conduct yourself in an appropriate and professional manner. This incident has caused embarrassment for both you and the city. The conduct that you exhibited and the lack of notification of this incident causes me great concern."
Then-Interim City Manager Pamela Brangaccio Brangaccio wrote in the reprimand to New Smyrna Beach CRA Director Kevin Fall: "As an official in your capacity as the CRA Executive Director, you have an obligation to conduct yourself in an appropriate and professional manner. This incident has caused embarrassment for both you and the city. The conduct that you exhibited and the lack of notification of this incident causes me great concern."
Headline Surfer® graphic /Fall was stopped 6:53 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in his 2001 Isuzu in the 3300 block of Saxon Ave., near East 226th Ave., by New Smyrna Beach police officer Joe Hunchard on a charge of driving 51 mph in a 35 mph zone.
At the scene, an open container of alcohol was spotted on the passenger side of his car and he did not have his registration with him, police said.
Fall, 45, identified himself as a city employee, but that had no bearing on the issuance of tickets, police said.
Fall is paid nearly $65,000 annually as director of the city's CRA, which is responsible for millions in street and business enhancement projects.
He had been employed with the city since Sept. 24, 2007. As department head for the CRA, Fall supervised three employees and was responsible for an annual operating budget of $2.09 million.
FAST FACTS: Citations/dispositions Kevin Fall
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