Originally posted Tue, 2009-12-01 00:38
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NSBNEWS.net file photo by Sera Frederick. Community Redevelopment Agency Director Kevin Fall doesn't address the Nov. 14 motor vehicle stop in his resignation letter Wednesday for which he was issued tickets charging him with driving with an open container of alcohol, speeding or driving without insurance, but he refers instead to not being allowed to perform his intended duties over the past four months. NSBNEWS.net obtained a copy of Fall's resignation through a public records request Monday, following the Thanksgiving holiday period, and after reporting his resignation that same day. Click on the attachment for the entire contents of the letter.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Community Redevelopment Agency Director Kevin Fall made no reference to being ticketed Nov. 14 on charges of driving with an open container, speeding and driving without his registration, when he handed in his letter of resignation Wednesday.
He didn't defend himself. He didn't apologize.
Instead he 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 Interim City Manager Pam Brangaccio, who issued him a written reprimand the following Monday after his weekend motor vehicle stop.
She chastized him for not reporting the incident to her before she was notified by the police.
Fall abruptly resigned Wednesday, 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 Thanksgiving morning by Mayor Adam Barringer, who declined to comment.
Fall has not returned calls for comment left with his staff Fall's last appearance before the City Commission was a week ago Tuesday night when he answered some brief questions regarding CRA matters.
After that meeting, Brangaccio told NSBNEWS.net 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 reassured 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.
She wrote in the reprimand: "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."
Fall was stopped 6:53 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the 3300 block of Saxon Ave., near East 226th Avenue by 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 has been employed with the city since Sept. 24, 2007. As department head for the CRA, Fall supervises three employees and is responsible for an annual operating budget of $2.09 million.