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

[mkt]

Wasn't clear by "elections office" if he meant the supervisor's office or the state division of elections. Can't see a staff listing on the OCSE website.

When I worked for the Division of Elections, we didn't have in-house counsel. We used either the AG's office or the Secretary of State's legal counsel.

They'd still appear in the FL Bar's website - and the search results are for all attorneys in Florida with the last name Shannin.

 

[LAKid53]

They'd still appear in the FL Bar's website - and the search results are for all attorneys in Florida with the last name Shannin.

Then he's acting "as counsel". Strange that the supervisor's office wouldn't use the county's lawyer. Nothing I saw for Shannin indicated he had any expertise in elections law.

 

[Figgy1]

Something smells like .

The only Nick Shannin licensed to practice law in Florida has a private practice, and isn't in the elections office (unless as a volunteer?)

Shannin Law Firm, P.A.

Nicholas A. Shannin is a board certified appellate lawyer of the Shannin Law Firm

shanninlaw.com

Nicholas Shannin| Board-Certified Appellate Attorney| Florida

As a Board-Certified Appellate Attorney and a Certified Mediator, Nicholas Shannin represents clients in state and federal courts.

shanninlaw.com

View attachment 772161

Private hired gun? If so who paid?
Possibly as bad as fish left in the Florida sun for a month

 

[LAKid53]

Who appointed Shanin? or is it an elected posistion?

No. Lawyers in government offices are just employees. The general counsel would be hired by the agency head.

 

[LAKid53]

A lawyer on staff is going to be much cheaper than contracting with a law firm for $300-$400 per billable hour.

 

[Figgy1]

A lawyer on staff is going to be much cheaper than contracting with a law firm for $300-$400 per billable hour.

This seems very odd to me. Is there any way to know who came up with this brilliant idea?

 

[LAKid53]

This seems very odd to me. Is there any way to know who came up with this brilliant idea?

Because small communities, like Sopchoppy (yes, that's the name of the town in the FL Panhandle) don't have the need to have an attorney on staff. So they'd either have a local attorney or retainer or use the county attorney for Wakulla County, provided Wakulla had an in-house attorney.

 

[Figgy1]

Because small communities, like Sopchoppy (yes, that's the name of the town in the FL Panhandle) don't have the need to have an attorney on staff. So they'd either have a local attorney or retainer or use the county attorney for Wakulla County, provided Wakulla had an in-house attorney.

but wouldn't Orange Co have in staff?
Also I can't imagine somebody running elections for Orange County would have much time do anything else, much less another full time job, let alone do either properly

 

[castlecake2.0]

All this nonsense about “being there for the taxpayer” and now they want us to believe the administrator can also hold a second full time job? Total nonsense

 

[LAKid53]

but wouldn't Orange Co have in staff?
Also I can't imagine somebody running elections for Orange County would have much time do anything else, much less another full time job, let alone do either properly

Orange County does, according to the County's website. Who that is, have no clue as no names are listed. However, according to the website, it represents the Orange County mayor, commission members, county administrator and county departments. The supervisor of elections isn't a department of Orange County.

 

[LAKid53]

All this nonsense about “being there for the taxpayer” and now they want us to believe the administrator can also hold a second full time job? Total nonsense

Making $11K a week if he receives both salaries - $400K (CFTOD) and $205K (elections supervisor) - during the transition.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Making $11K a week if he receives both salaries - $400K (CFTOD) and $205K (elections supervisor) - during the transition.

It’s insane

 

[LAKid53]

It’s insane

There's a really good opinion piece in the Sentinel about his time as chair of the Ethics Commission. He apparently has no appreciation for state procurement laws.

That whole "no bid" contract mess he created at CFTOD will be a big issue in his new role. He's going to be under a lot more scrutiny in this new job.

 

[Lilofan]

Making $11K a week if he receives both salaries - $400K (CFTOD) and $205K (elections supervisor) - during the transition.

And he will have a pension when he retires.

 

[LAKid53]

And he will have a pension when he retires.

No he won't. He has to be part of the FRS for 8 years in order to be vested, i.e., eligible to receive a pension. That requirement includes the "elected officials class" which a supervisor of elections is covered under. His term with the Ethic Commission started in 2019. So he's not vested until 2027.

 

[Lilofan]

No he won't. He has to be part of the FRS for 8 years in order to be vested, i.e., eligible to receive a pension. That requirement includes the "elected officials class" which a supervisor of elections is covered under. His term with the Ethic Commission started in 2019. So he's not vested until 2027.

So that means after 2027?

 

[LAKid53]

So that means after 2027?

Only if he's still part of the FRS at the time. He can retire after vestment, but only if he's 65 and has the 8 years of countable service. Otherwise it's 33 years of service, as he joined the FRS after 2011, regardless of age.

However, early retirement can only be taken if you're within 20 years of your retirement age. And there's a 5% reduction in your monthly benefit for every year your age at retirement is under the normal retirement age.

 

[DCBaker]

DeSantis has reportedly made his recommendation on who he wants to replace Glen Gilzean.

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on Monday recommended that Stephanie Kopelousos, a former adviser who most recently served on his campaign for president, replace Glen Gilzean as administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District that oversees Walt Disney World.

The board, appointed entirely by DeSantis, still must approve it, but the governor’s office on Monday was already calling it a done deal.

“We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida,” said Bryan Griffin, communications director for the governor.

He said she “has extensive state and local government experience that make her the ideal candidate to take the reins at CFTOD.”

The position became vacant when DeSantis tapped Gilzean, a Republican ally, to replace retiring Bill Cowles, a Democrat, as interim Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Cowles retired on Jan. 31.

It remains unclear whether Gilzean has left the Disney district and if he has continued to receive his $400,000 a year salary while also taking a $205,000 annual paycheck as elections supervisor. Gilzean has not responded to repeated requests for comment on that issue.

Gilzean resigned last year as chairman of the state ethics commission when he got the Disney district job after media reports revealed that state law said he couldn’t hold both positions.

Before DeSantis tapped her to work on his campaign last summer, Kopelousos was a senior adviser and director of legislative affairs for DeSantis.

In that role, she and other members of the governor’s staff reached out to state lawmakers while the Legislature was in session to endorse DeSantis for president. She and other staffers also asked several lobbyists for donations to his campaign.

Kopelousos also worked behind the scenes to get Disney World a carve-out from the governor’s Big Tech bill three years ago, when the tourism and entertainment giant was contributing to his gubernatorial reelection campaign chest.

Kopelousos also served as Clay County manager for eight years and was Department of Transportation secretary under Gov. Charlie Crist.

Article from the link below.

DeSantis recommends key adviser to replace Gilzean at Disney district

Gov. Ron DeSantis is recommending Stephanie Kopelousos, a key adviser who most recently served on his failed campaign for president, to replace Glen Gilzean as director of the Central Florida Touri…

www.orlandosentinel.com

 

[mmascari]

DeSantis has reportedly made his recommendation on who he wants to replace Glen Gilzean.

Wasn't there statements in one of the lawsuits from either the governor's office or CFTOD that the governor didn't have any control of CFTOD beyond appointing the board?

That there is a recommendation on who the board should hire and "governor’s office on Monday was already calling it a done deal" would seem to imply there's more influence that those legal statements implied. A fact I expect Disney's lawyers will not miss.

 

[LAKid53]

DeSantis has reportedly made his recommendation on who he wants to replace Glen Gilzean.



Article from the link below.

DeSantis recommends key adviser to replace Gilzean at Disney district

Gov. Ron DeSantis is recommending Stephanie Kopelousos, a key adviser who most recently served on his failed campaign for president, to replace Glen Gilzean as director of the Central Florida Touri…

www.orlandosentinel.com

At least she had relevant experience as a former county manager...unlike a lot of his appointments to the Board and recommendations for administrator.