Floridian View Magazine, launched in 2011, is no longer being run by Manuel Bornia, architect of the American Music Festival fiasco.HOLLY HILL -- The closing of the 2nd Street Public Market in Holly Hill as reported in today's Daytona Beach News-Journal, isn't the only news on failed producer Manuel Bornia. Headline Surfer has learned that Bornia is out as publisher of the sleek Floridian View Magazine.
The 24/7 Internet newspaper was told by two credible sources that Bornia is no longer running the magazine.
"He's been a disaster," one of the sources said, referring to recent monthly print issues either being late or not distributed at all.
Said the other source: "He's no longer in charge. He's a consultant for the magazine. That's it."
The magazine was launched by Bornia in 2011, as "an elegant and relevant voice of reason that shares the stories our editors wanted to read in a publication that did not exist. In an age of instant information and electronic communication, it is the unrushed personal relationship you have with your favorite magazine that you look forward to on your terms."
The July issue did not circulate as a print magazine, but rather digitally, in stark contrast to Bornia's mission statement.
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Power rankings of political insiders has been one of Floridian View's mainstays as shown here.
Floridian View has concentrated on political insiders with power rankings and related advertising, even when some of these public figures didn't cooperate.
With Bornia's departure, Headline Surfer reached out to his apparent successor, Ramona Garrett, who did not return a telephone message left with one of the magazine's staffers. Bornia could not be reached for comment.
Bornia's other major project has closed its doors. The News-Journal is reporting in today's edition that the 2nd Street Public Market in Holly Hill has closed.
The published story stated in part: "The end of the market comes after several delays in the venture, coupled with the city pumping more than $1 million in tax-funded community redevelopment money into the facility."
Holly Hill City Manager Jim McCroskey told the News-Journal that he was notified Friday by Vanguard OmniMedia, Bornia's company, that had terminated its contract with the municipality. The last day of business was Friday at a city-owned building at 101 Second St.
Bornia's main claim to fame is the American Music Festival fiasco two years ago that led to the ouster of Daytona State College President Kent Sharples and the college owed $1.5 million from the Community Cultural Foundation. The CCF made up of prominent public figures such as Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno and Halifax Health CEO Jeff Feasel and college board member John Tanner, the former state attorney.
Instead, Bornia was able to recruit Usher, the Jonas Brothers, Tony Bennett and Huey Lewis. The concert was a bust with dismal attendance, with dozens of vendors left unpaid, including the News-Journal. They were eventually paid for their services, but the college, which fronted the CCF the money to hold the concert was left with the $1.5 million debt on top of the $1 million-plus paid out to Sharples.
An emergency committee of the Community Cultural Foundation announced plans to recoup the money through fundraising, but it never materialized and the college later announced it would not sue. The fallout, though, stung with the college forced to raise tuition and the expense of a national search that led to the hiring of Carol Eaton in July 2011.
Bornia was an employee of DSC, but reported to the Community Cultural Foundation. Sharples inherited Bornia and several other employees when he agreed to have the college take over the News-Journal Center after the newspaper, which paid $13 million in naming rights, was sued by minority shareholder Cox Enterprises in federal court in Orlando. That led to nearly half the newspaper's 800 employees losing their jobs and a fire sale to a group headed by Michael Redding of Halifax Media.
Ritchey, Daytona's mayor was head of the Lively Arts Center, the News-Journal Center's precursor.
Ironically, Bornia still did advertising with the mayor and others through Floridian View.
Bornia's most recent fiasco was getting the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce to announce the magazine and chamber were putting on a huge candidate debate at the Ocean Center after debates were held by the News-Journal and Headline Surfer in advance of the Aug. 14 primary elections.
The Bornia-led debate never got off the ground. To avoid further embarrassment, the chamber contacted members individually that the debate was cancelled.
Previous Coverage:
Editor's Note: In the interest of full disclosure, Henmry Frederick was employed by the News-Journal from 1996 to 2004, and Headline Surfer/NSBNews.net is a member of the Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce.
Headline Surfer is Florida's first 24/7 Internet newspaper launched April 7, 2008, initially as NSBNews.net. It is based in New Smyrna Beach, covering Volusia County and throughout the Orlando Metropolitan Area via HeadlineSurfer.com, NSBNews.net and VolusiaNews.net. "Headline Surfer" is a registered trademark owned by NSB News LLC, for editorial, marketing and advertising purposes. All rights reserved.