News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

[LAKid53]

A little unclear if he will be permanently gone from CFTOD. The "during my unavailability" seems to suggest he is temporarily stepping aside for the new job.

Section 112.313(7)(a)(1) may prohibit dual employment if a conflict of interest arises.

In reality, he cannot do both. The supervisor's job is a demanding one, especially in an election year. He's now a constitutional officer. And he's got absolutely no experience running elections in one of the state's largest counties.

 

[LAKid53]

I wonder how this will effect the general election in Florida this year?

Someone with absolutely no experience running elections, no knowledge of the election laws of this state, and overseeing them in the 5th largest county? Let's hope he's smart enough to listen to staff.

I know first hand how how things can go south when an inexperienced (and somewhat arrogant) supervisor oversees their first election.

 

[pdude81]

This is really confusing to me. This would have to be less pay than he was getting from CFTOD, and it shouldn't influence the outcome of any elections.

Would this stop him from having to be deposed in his official capacity for CFTOD? If not, the only reason I could see for this is that the Governor wants to put someone else in that CFTOD position.

I know that technically the board would hire for that position, but I've followed this long enough to have a strong suspicion of how the sausage is made.

 

[LAKid53]

This is really confusing to me. This would have to be less pay than he was getting from CFTOD, and it shouldn't influence the outcome of any elections.

Would this stop him from having to be deposed in his official capacity for CFTOD? If not, the only reason I could see for this is that the Governor wants to put someone else in that CFTOD position.

I know that technically the board would hire for that position, but I've followed this long enough to have a strong suspicion of how the sausage is made.

One can be deposed for positions or offices previously held. I was, a year AFTER I retired.

Edit: the supervisor does have a great deal of influence on HOW an election in a county is run. Application & interpretation of Florida's election laws. Hiring and training of staff, especially poll workers. Working with the county commission in the assigning of precincts, maintaining the map of said precincts and finding polling locations in the precincts. Insuring sufficient voting machines are available county wide and are properly maintained.

 

[Figgy1]

One can be deposed for positions or offices previously held. I was, a year AFTER I retired.

I'm wondering if this is a stall tactic. Can't be deposed on X date due to having to run an election

 

[Disstevefan1]

The supervisor's job isn't to count.

Well that's good.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

The supervisor's job isn't to count.

But his lack of knowledge and experience can result in chaos on election day.

Chaos may be what is supposed to happen.

 

[LAKid53]

Chaos may be what is supposed to happen.

Guess it's good I'm still registered in another county.

I remember a new supervisor decided to completely redo everything. That first election was chaos when polling places didn't open on time and machines broke down.

 

[LAKid53]

I'm wondering if this is a stall tactic. Can't be deposed on X date due to having to run an election

Yeah, that will fly....

 

[JohnD]

What I'm reading from these comments is, even if the supervisor is a paid employee and not an appointed member of the board, to avoid the appearance of impropriety, he should resign from his position.

 

[pdude81]

Guess it's good I'm still registered in another county.

I remember a new supervisor decided to completely redo everything. That first election was chaos when polling places didn't open on time and machines broke down.

This is a point I hadn't really considered. If there is chaos in Orange county, that could affect statewide and national elections even if it doesn't move the needle much locally.

As for the deposition, I assumed he'd still have to do it but I'm struggling to understand why Gilzean himself would take this appointment to a lower paying, temporary position.

 

[LAKid53]

What I'm reading from these comments is, even if the supervisor is a paid employee and not an appointed member of the board, to avoid the appearance of impropriety, he should resign from his position.

The section of Florida Statutes I cited specifically addresses a public officer, which the supervisor is, either working for or doing business (contracting) with a special taxing district like CFTOD. While not prohibited per se, any conduct of said officer that "frustrates the intent" of that section is deemed a conflict and prohibited.

 

[LAKid53]

This is a point I hadn't really considered. If there is chaos in Orange county, that could affect statewide and national elections even if it doesn't move the needle much locally.

As for the deposition, I assumed he'd still have to do it but I'm struggling to understand why Gilzean himself would take this appointment to a lower paying, temporary position.

It's a more powerful position than county administrator for a special district.

 

[mmascari]

This is really confusing to me. This would have to be less pay than he was getting from CFTOD, and it shouldn't influence the outcome of any elections.

There are millions of ways to influence the outcome of an election unrelated to the literal counting of votes. The person in charge of running the election can definitely impact the result with how it's run. The easiest way is by impacting how easy or hard it is to vote.

What I'm reading from these comments is, even if the supervisor is a paid employee and not an appointed member of the board, to avoid the appearance of impropriety, he should resign from his position.

He should resign or be fired because he's working a second job and will not be able to work both jobs. One presumes the CFTOD Administrator job is a roughly 9-5 job 5 days a week, and that the election supervisor job is also 9-5 and 5 days a week. Both are certainly 40 hour work week jobs, even if you flex the working hours.

My math says there's 168 hours in a week. If you sleep for 35 and eat for 14, that leaves 119. You could technically work 80 of those, leaving 39 left over for everything else. Is that what anyone is expecting here?

If the Election Supervisor is phoning it in and not getting things done, I would expect that to be a local scandal. If the CFTOD Administrator is phoning it in and not getting things done, the CFTOD board should fire them.

All of that is independent of any conflict of interest requirements either job may have. They don't really sound like two jobs a person could hold at the same time.

 

[LAKid53]

There are millions of ways to influence the outcome of an election unrelated to the literal counting of votes. The person in charge of running the election can definitely impact the result with how it's run. The easiest way is by impacting how easy or hard it is to vote.


He should resign or be fired because he's working a second job and will not be able to work both jobs. One presumes the CFTOD Administrator job is a roughly 9-5 job 5 days a week, and that the election supervisor job is also 9-5 and 5 days a week. Both are certainly 40 hour work week jobs, even if you flex the working hours.

My math says there's 168 hours in a week. If you sleep for 35 and eat for 14, that leaves 119. You could technically work 80 of those, leaving 39 left over for everything else. Is that what anyone is expecting here?

If the Election Supervisor is phoning it in and not getting things done, I would expect that to be a local scandal. If the CFTOD Administrator is phoning it in and not getting things done, the CFTOD board should fire them.

All of that is independent of any conflict of interest requirements either job may have. They don't really sound like two jobs a person could hold at the same time.

The supervisor of elections job is more than 9 to 5, 5 days a week, trust me.

 

[flynnibus]

I assumed he'd still have to do it but I'm struggling to understand why Gilzean himself would take this appointment to a lower paying, temporary position.

Lapdogs don't complain about the food if they wanna stay on the gravy train. You do what you are told so you get the next 'job' too.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Clearing the rosters of those *assumed* to be ineligible to vote can be a high priority in some districts...

 

[LAKid53]

Glen Gilzean tells the Orlando Sentinel he's awaiting "direction" from the CFTOD on his future at the district.



Article at the link below.

Gilzean says he is ‘laser-focused’ on new job as Orange elections chief

Newly minted Orange County Elections Supervisor Glen Gilzean says he’s “laser-focused” on running secure elections but isn’t saying whether he intends to quit his job with the Disney oversigh…

www.orlandosentinel.com

I find it interesting that the former chair of the Commission on Ethics is "awaiting direction" from the CFTOD Board. Most would resign, rather than hedge their bets, to demonstrate a commitment to the new important role and avoid ANY appearance of a conflict. At the very least, publicly announce an UNPAID leave of absence.

But then he failed to comprehend, as Chair of the Commission, he couldn't serve in that role while also serving as administrator for CFTOD.

 

[LAKid53]

Clearing the rosters of those *assumed* to be ineligible to vote can be a high priority in some districts...

That probably the most important aspect of the supervisor's function...maintaining the database of registered voters for the county.

 

[LAKid53]

Gilzean stays mum as he starts Orange elections chief job

This guy is leaving one public, taxpayer-funded office for another public, taxpayer-funded office and he can't even be bothered to give a simple "yes" or "no" answer the most basic of questions.

Unfortunately, that's not uncommon.

However, the governor's appointment & legal staff should be explaining any potential conflicts to a prospective candidate for appointment to an important position, even if temporary.