Central Florida Tourism Oversight District parts ways with special advisor and former Reedy Creek administrator John Classe

Jul 31, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Posted: Monday July 31, 2023 6:35pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Orlando Sentinel reports that former Reedy Creek Improvement District administrator John Classe has parted ways with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Classe, appointed by Reedy Creek Improvement District, was asked by the board of the CFTOD in early May 2023 to remain as a special advisor through May 2024 to aid in the transition of his role to the new district administrator Glen Gilzean.

In a statement from the CFTOD to the Sentinel, a spokesman said, "Mr. Classe was offered a consulting contract to assist with the transition to the new leadership. That transition is now complete. The district thanks him for his service."

Notably, Classe's contract with the new district prohibited him from working for Disney and required him to assist the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in its legal battle with Disney.

Classe was recently removed from Disney's federal lawsuit against the CTFOD board and Ron DeSantis, with new administrator Glen Gilzean added to the lawsuit in his place.

It isn't clear if Classe or the district terminated the special advisor contract.

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EeyoreFan#241 day ago

Back to just maintaining (insert dramatic pause)……“roads and basic infrastructure.”

lazyboy97o2 days ago

Just because they’re currently rubber stamping doesn’t make it any less corrupt.

MisterPenguin2 days ago

Well, there you go. A denial by the Board. Can we have our perks back? -Firefighters et. al No. -Board.

Dranth2 days ago

WHAT? You mean he wasn't being honest? How can I go on knowing he was full of it?

Chi842 days ago

Good luck with that.

Dranth2 days ago

Personally I am still waiting for Universals special district to have the Governor appoint members instead of them all being Universal employees. Wouldn't want him to be a hypocrite for going against everything he said about RCID right before the new one for Uni was approved. I'm sure he has just been busy and he will call a special session and get it done any day now!

castlecake2.02 days ago

I read it and have also attended several district meetings. The original batch he chose were all trying to prove a point while the newer appointees are more focused on actual gouvernement business

Disstevefan12 days ago

The worst thing I remember was CFTOD took away perks employees had when it was RCID.

MR.Dis2 days ago

Could some one please remind me of any request that Disney has made that the board has denied, as far as I know there has not been one request denied. So no real effect on how WDW has been run since the change. The only pain Disney has had in the past several years if the constant over evaluations by County Assessor office of WDW properties. From what I have read, every single challenge Disney has made has been upheld. Yet the Assessor office continues with their crusade to make Disney pay more. Just to remind everyone Disney is already the single biggest tax payer in the county.

Chi842 days ago

It’s not because there’s no reason for him to pretend to hate Disney now.

wdw71fan2 days ago

I'm guessing you didn't read the entire article. Two brand new Desantis appointees are on the board now. Business as usual.

castlecake2.02 days ago

Good riddance, now hopefully the district can get back to actually doing their job

DCBaker2 days ago

According to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District website, Brian Aungst Jr. and Bridget Ziegler are no longer listed as current members of the Board of Supervisors. Their spots have been filled by Matt Ravenscroft and David Woods, who were recently appointed by Governor DeSantis.

UNCgolf9 days ago

I'm sure a few do, but it's very uncommon. As an attorney, I don't know anyone that works at a non-PI firm that does public advertising like bus, TV, or billboard ads. I think business journals are a bit different and you're probably more likely to see something there if they handle something specific to that field, but I still think that's relatively rare.

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