More than a year after Walt Disney World’s management district was handed over to an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the turmoil continued Wednesday with the resignation of the board’s chairman, who had been highly critical of Disney. .
Martin Garcia resigns as chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District after District Administrator Glenn Gilzean announced DeSantis’ appointment as interim election supervisor for Orange County, home to Orlando, at half his district salary. One week after he resigned, he accepted the offer of $400,000. .
Martin did not respond to email and phone messages seeking comment Wednesday. He was appointed by DeSantis last year to a term that was set to expire in February 2027.
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In an email, Brian Griffin, DeSantis’ communications director, thanked Garcia for “successfully navigating” the district’s transition from a governing body controlled by Disney loyalists to the current phase controlled by DeSantis appointees. .
Mr. Garcia has “developed a new district focused on transparency and eliminating corporate benefits,” Mr. Griffin said.
The Republican governor also recommended that former senior adviser Stephanie Kopelousos be appointed as the district’s new administrator. Koperousos is DeSantis’ legislative director and previously served in the administrations of other Florida governors.
The Governor of Florida listens to then-Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Chairman Martin Garcia (right) speak during a press conference at the CFTOD headquarters at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on February 22nd. Ron DeSantis (left). , 2024. Garcia’s resignation as chairman comes a week after District Administrator Glenn Gilzean resigned to accept DeSantis’ appointment as Orange County’s interim supervisor of elections. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel, via AP, File)
“We are pleased to have her join this leadership role as the district embarks on the next chapter in its efforts to ensure a level and transparent playing field for businesses doing business in Central Florida. I think so,” Griffin said.
Since last year’s takeover, the district has faced an exodus of experienced staff, with exit polls showing many staff complaining that the governance structure has become politicized since the change in government, and numerous lawsuits. There is. The district provides municipal services such as fire protection, planning, and mosquito control, among other things, and has been managed by Disney supporters for most of its 50 years.
The battle between DeSantis and Disney began in 2022 after Disney, facing significant internal and external pressure, publicly opposed a state law that critics called “Don’t Say I’m Gay.” The 2022 law would ban classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, and DeSantis, who used Disney as a punching bag in his speeches before canceling his presidential campaign this year. I supported this.
As punishment for his opposition to the law, Mr. DeSantis took over the district and appointed a new board of supervisors through a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature.
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Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees, alleging that they violated the company’s free speech rights by speaking out against the law. A federal judge dismissed the case in January. Disney appealed.
A separate lawsuit over who will control the district is still pending in state court in Orlando.
This week, a settlement agreement was reached over the Don’t Say I’m Gay bill between Florida education officials and civil rights groups that challenged the law’s constitutionality on behalf of parents, students and others. did. Although the law remains in place, the agreement also prohibits Florida law from discussing LGBTQ+ people, prohibits anti-bullying rules based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and prohibits the use of anti-bullying rules by gay-straight alliance groups. It is clearly stated that this does not mean that the
