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This afternoon, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced he had found a new position for Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator Glen Gilzean. Gilzean will take over as the Orange County Supervisor of Elections after former supervisor Bill Cowles retired at the end of January.
Credit: Nicholas Fuentes, Unsplash
Related: The Deeper People Dig, the Worse It Looks For DeSantis’ Disney Board Administrator
Gilzean has been in charge of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District since last August, when Governor DeSantis tapped him to take over the District that governs the Walt Disney World Resort. Gilzean had formerly been a part of the Florida State Ethics Commission and was appointed to that post by DeSantis.
It is unclear if Gilzean will remain on as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator. However, in a Facebook post, Gilzean said that deputy administrator Paula J. Hoisington will oversee the District in his absence. The Orange County Supervisor of Elections position only runs until January 2025.
Credit Disney/ National Urban League
In the same Facebook post, Gilzean said that he’s proud of the accomplishments of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, writing:
CFTOD has achieved historic successes in its inaugural year, thanks to the dedication of our Board, staff, and the visionary leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislature. Our significant reforms, backed by extensive research and implementation, include the introduction of new policies, good governance practices, and ensuring open and transparent access.
Credit: Brian McGowan, Unsplash
But while Glen Gilzean bragged about the accomplishments in the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, he leaves to take over Orange County elections at a time when the new Board and District are in a state of uncertainty.
The District is still facing a state court case against the Walt Disney Company over its very existence, which Disney claims violates the Contracts Clause of the Constitution.
But while those battles head to court, the District also faces a brain drain. Since the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District took over the Disney District, more than 40 District employees have quit, taking over 400 years of service with them.
Credit: Brian McGowan, Unsplash
Related: It’s Been A Year of DeSantis’ Disney District With No End In Sight
There was also controversy when the DeSantis appointee took over as Administrator. He was still on the Ethics Commission, whose charter forbids its members from working as a public sector employee. Gilzean’s job with the District pays him $400,000 annually, making him a public employee.
Gilzean later resigned from his position on the Ethics Commission. However, that did not end the controversy at the Board, as it began giving out substantial no-bid contracts to friends of Gilzean and supporters of Governor Ron DeSantis.
So, with Gilzean taking over Orange County elections, it brings even more uncertainty to the Board that oversees all of the Walt Disney World Resort at a time when Disney has some extensive renovation projects planned for the parks.
We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.
