91. NSB City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe gets new contract; 20 weeks compensation if canned

Headline Surfer photo by Serafina Frederick / A provision in New Smyrna Beach City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe's new contract, approved in July by the City Commission, provides five mothns of salary and benefits should be be fired without cause.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe hit pay dirt last summer with a new contract calling for upwards of 20 weeks of severance if canned.

Bledsoe's salary is the 91st of the top 100 local stories of 2012.

Back in 2009, when Sally Mackay was mayor, a proposed raise increase for Bledsoe was scrapped because she said, "Now is not the time to be raising salaries with the budget coming up." 

Not only was the budget coming up, but so as election season, and Mackay had to deal with the likes of Bill Koleszar of Bouchelle Island.

"People just aren't going to stand for double-digit salary increases," Kolesczar said, adding even car allowances send a bad message when local taxpayers are hurting in a national recession.

Bledsoe's $49,800 salary was scheduled to be increased by $5,200 to $55,000. Plus, he would have received $75 for a car allowance each pay period -- every two weeks -- and would have been guaranteed six months of severance pay plus gained sick and vacation time, if terminated from employment.

But in July of 2012, it was Mayor Adam Barringger who beat Mackay in the 2009 election, who led the way in getting Bledsoe a new contract with a $58,000 salary and 20 weeks of severance, if terminated.

Kolesczar stopped attending the commission meetings two years ago and with far fewer citizens attending commission meetings, there was no static about the contract, which was unanimously approved by Barringer and Commissioners Judy Reiker, Jack Grasty, Jim Hathaway and Lynne Plaskett.

Top 100 Countdown Recap:

Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/411109-95-sheriff-holds-open-house-oak-hill-six-months-after-taking-over-law-enforcement-dut

96. Audio: Cop pursuit in New Smyrna Beach with speeds clocked at 100 mph-plus ends with stop sticks

Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/411036-96-audio-cop-pursuit-new-smyrna-beach-speeds-clocked-100-mph-plus-ends-stop-sticks

97. Ponce Inlet Councilman Joseph Perrone holds onto his seat by one vote

Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/410920-97-ponce-inlet-councilman-joseph-perrone-holds-his-seat-one-vote

98. Edgewater's Tia McDonald featured in book while visiting Australia

Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/410919-98-edgewaters-tia-mcdonald-featured-book-while-visiting-australia

99. Gene Emter wins Edgewater City Council seat by 12-vote margin in special election Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/410884-99-gene-emter-wins-edgewater-city-council-seat-12-vote-margin-special-election

100. Chip Ganassi cars finish 1-2 in Rolex at Daytona

Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/410861-100-chip-ganassi-cars-finish-1-2-rolex-daytona

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