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NSBNews.net photo by Henry Frederick / David Kosmas seated in the middle chairs the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority meeting of Jan. 17, in which the board voted to fire its suspended director, Nicole Carni. On the left side of the photo is Volusia County Chairman Dan Eckert and to the right is board member George Richford, who abruptly resigned less than two weeks later.
Editor's Note: Deb Denys, a New Smyrna Beach resident and an announced candidate for the Volusia County Council dist. 3 seat representing Southeast Volusia, is calling for the resignation of SVAA Chairman David Kosmas. Here is her guest blog on the controversy surrounding the ad authority:
By Deb DenysNEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Without excuse, our tourist economy and community deserve better. Revelations of the last couple months, draws the glaring conclusion that the chair of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority (David Kosmas) either is unwilling or unable to exercise due diligence of the position as chair of an ad authority.
It is the chair’s responsibility to oversee the board, agenda, reporting, and ultimately the executive director. The days of governing with a ‘wink and a nod’ are over.
The plummeting economy has taken this mode of governance off the table. Every dollar is valuable, especially to a local tourist economy such as Southeast Volusia. It is time for the chair to resign and allow the SVAA to move forward without a shadow.
It’s time for the County to implement tangible, stated standards, outcomes and goals. With a budget of over $1.5 million, it is unfathomable that no strategic plan accompanies the power point presentation to the county annually. A strategic plan would encompass the mission, vision, current parameters, goals, and measureable outcomes. The strategic plan would then become the guiding document that all decisions are measured.
Currently, the county audits or monitors annually other agencies that receive county funding. Why has not the same process and procedure of auditing and monitoring already in place at the Children and Families Advisory Board not implemented with the SVAA? Granted one is an advisory board and one is an authority, the missing piece is accountability.
Here are some disconcerting facts: Nicole Carni, requested a salary of $100,000 from the board on Aug. 17, but was granted a salary of $110,000, as a new hire, and coming off the board as a member and treasurer of the SVAA. There’s a ‘wink and a nod.’
As a matter of public record, Carni’s predecessor (Deborah Boyd) made $66,000 after eight years on the job. On Aug. 18, Carni told the Volusia County Council during the annual budget report that she was making $85,000. Most disconcerting is that two SVAA board members were in attendance at that meeting and did not correct the record.
The County Council has set a precedent of removing ad authority board members, It occurred in 2003, when the county remanded three board members from the SVAA and took control of the funding. Approximately two years ago, a majority of the West Volusia Ad Authority was remanded because the county did not agree with the direction of the board.
The County Council has set a precedent of removing ad authority board members, It occurred in 2003, when the county remanded three board members from the SVAA and took control of the funding. Approximately two years ago, a majority of the West Volusia Ad Authority was remanded because the county did not agree with the direction of the board.
Finally, at the last SVAA meeting, the county attorney, Mr. (Dan) Eckert, informed the board that Carni’s severance package was unenforceable because it was written and signed by the chair and then treasurer (Ed Pankonin, who has since resigned) as well as Carni out of the sunshine. Where is the accountability?
Our community has many experienced, competent individuals who can facilitate the future of our SVAA. Let’s implement a strategic plan, set defined measureable goals and outcomes, put "heads in beds,' and demand accountability.