NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. Robert J. Rodi, shown here at a Sept. 24, 2008, New Smyrna Beach City Commission meeting, resigned Monday, effective in May.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Robert J. Rodi, CEO and General Manager of the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission resigned Monday during a special budget meeting of the Utlities Commission, saying his resignation takes effect in May.
Rodi did not give a specific reason in announcing his decision during the meeting, which was not attended by any media.
Several people, who asked to remain anonymous, said Rodi's decision to step down was the result of threats and intimidation, but there was not more specifics.
Rodi could not be reached for comment lat Monday night.
NSBNEWS.net did call Walter Allen, chairman of the Utilities Commission, late Monday night, and all he would say was that Rodi "tendered his resignation. He'll be missed."
Utilities Commission member Oscar Zeller, contacted by telephone, responded only: "He just wants to move on."
Rodi, was hired as the permanent director of the Utilities Commission on Sept. 9, 2005, after serving as interim since July 11 of that year when his predecessor, Genny Tyrano, was fired by a unanimous vote of the Utilities Commission board.
Rodi earned $207,000 in 2009, according to his w-2 wages on file with the city of New Smyrna Beach.
His resignation took City Commissioner Jack Grasty by surprise when reached for comment later in the day Monday.
"There was no reason -- nothing as far as I knew why," said Grasty, a retired longtime Utilities Commission employee and later a board member. "Things had been going good. Everything had been moving right along."
Grasty said he was told that Rodi's resignation was effective in May.
Robert Tolley, a New Smyrna Beach resident and frequent attendee of city commission and utility commission meetings, said of Rodi: "The city has lost a great champion. This gentleman almost single-handedly turned the utility around after the Telecom debacle. He was always watching out for all of the taxpayers. He'll be missed."