DeSantis appointee Bridget Ziegler appears at today's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board meeting amid criminal investigation

Jan 24, 2024 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

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Bridget Ziegler at January 24, 2024 Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting

Posted: Wednesday January 24, 2024 9:54am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A smiling Bridget Ziegler appeared in person at today's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors meeting for the first time since police began a criminal investigation into her husband, Christian Ziegler.

Bridget Ziegler at January 24, 2024 Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting

Ziegler, the author of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, crusades against the LGBTQ+ community but allegedly told police as part of the investigation into her husband Christian Ziegler that she had relations with a woman alongside her husband.

Appointed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in February 2023 as one of the founding members, her inclusion appeared to many as DeSantis doubling down on his punishment of Disney for its opposition to the bill authored by Ziegler.

Opposition to Christian Ziegler and Bridget Ziegler continuing in Florida's politics is mounting, and it remains to be seen if her position at CFTOD will be vacated. The Republican Party of Florida ousted Christian Ziegler earlier this month as police investigated allegations against him. The Sarasota County School Board, of which Bridget Ziegler is a member, voted 4-1 in late December for a resolution requesting that she step down. Ziegler has refused to leave the school board.

DeSantis' CFTOD, which replaced Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District, has already seen one of its board members leave. Michael Sasso resigned in May from his board position after less than four months in the job.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

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JoeCamelSep 04, 2024

Juicy

DCBakerSep 04, 2024

The CFTOD has added a Board of Supervisors meeting next Wednesday, September 11, at 7pm. Here's the published agenda:

V_L_RaptorAug 10, 2024

I'm sensing an opportunity for Super High Intensity Training, here.

flyakiteAug 09, 2024

I am not sure if this is relevant to anyone anymore. So if not, sorry for the bump.

cranbizJul 30, 2024

Don't forget eNPS.

pdude81Jul 30, 2024

Don't taze me, bro

Nubs70Jul 30, 2024

Ack!!!!! That one is the worst..... I see your NPS and taise you a SalesForce

Batman'sParentsJul 30, 2024

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2024/07/29/disney-attorney-roy-payne-fishback-dominick.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_11&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s or for those who can't see past the paywall: The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's supervisor board voted July 24 to bring on attorney Roy Payne as in-house counsel. Until now, the entity that governs Walt Disney World property in Orlando had Fishback Dominick law firm on retainer. Stephanie Kopelousos, district administrator since March, said the district needs someone who can provide consistent, on-site legal guidance, which external counsel cannot always offer. Board members echoed the sentiment that having an in-house counsel like Payne would ensure the district's legal needs are met more effectively. “When I came in, I thought it was important for our team to have someone here day to day,” she said. Before introducing Payne, Kopelousos said she had conducted a search with help from Craig Mateer, the most recent addition to the board. Payne, who until now was chief assistant city attorney for Orlando, got the job in part due to his 33 years as a lawyer for local government. "The district, as you know, is a very unique animal,” Payne said. “It's a special kind of organization ... The learning curve is a little more than I was expecting because things are done quite differently here than in your typical municipal corporation or county, but it's been refreshing to be a part of this." The district’s latest approach to legal counsel is not a reflection on the quality of services provided by Winter Park-based Fishback Dominick, said Vice Chair Charbel Barakat. Crediting attorneys Kurt Ardaman and Daniel Langley of Fishback — who attended the board meeting — for putting the puzzle pieces of the district in place, he said, "You all have helped us build policies and procedures that have made this a best-in-practice, best-in-breed government going forward. We're going to continue to build on that work and the foundation you all have built." The district's board members were appointed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis to replace the Reedy Creek Improvement District special government as part of a year-long feud between the governor and Disney. Board members said Ardaman and Langley will help transition the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District from outside special counsel to in-house general counsel, particularly concerning ethical and conflict-of-interest issues. Payne said he already has a prior relationship with Fishback Dominick, having worked with the firm on cases during his tenure with Orlando.

JoeCamelJul 30, 2024

Gee I haven't checked my Net Promoter Score lately.......

Nubs70Jul 30, 2024

While a little buzz wordyish.... KPI's are at least measurable.

Nubs70Jul 30, 2024

You either have one or have been victimized by one that does.

mktJul 30, 2024

Unfortunately, I am currently bandwidth-constrained and unable to allocate resources to this task. Let's touch base later to reassess priorities. Understood. We'll ensure our communication is both robust and paradigm-shifting to adhere to best practices and maintain a gold standard. Indeed, they're strategically right-sizing to optimize individual cast member potential, thereby enhancing overall operational efficiency and maximizing ROI.