For Headline Surfer® /DeLAND -- WFTV was the first media outlet today to provide news on an attempt by County Chair Jason Davis to have three Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority Board members removed for violating Florida's government in the Sunshine Law by communicating with each other in a series of e-mails in support of their executive director, caught using the agency credit to pay for meals for himself and others.
Carl Watson's repeated use of the credit card was first reported exclusively by Headline Surfer®, in which he acknowledged charging meals for himself and others, including board chair Tom Clapsaddle in an email addressed to County Councilwoman Deb Denys, who has been at the center of the SVAA's affairs since she was successful in having Clapsaddle's predecessor, Palmer Wilson removed for a second time last Fall under cloudy circumstances.
One of the three board members in the emails, Gene Shelter, who had just been appointed in early December asked, "Who's the rat?" after the Headline Surfer® coverage, in which Watson admitted Headline Surfer's reporting was accurate.
The county chair's request was supported in a motion by Councilman Joshua Wagner who said simply, "zero tolerance," and seconded by At-Large Council member Joyce Cusack, who, along with Davis, were on the losing end with Denys, Pat Patterson, Doug Daniels and Pat Northey voting against the removal of Clapsaddle, Sheldon and Tony Stagni, the vice chair.