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

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Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

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.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

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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peter114358 days ago

No. But it’s the start of the process

MR.Dis8 days ago

Does this mean a new agreement has been reached with Disney? I am trying to read between the lines on just what this is saying.

flyakite8 days ago

castlecake2.021 days ago

Yes

Stripes21 days ago

Has Disney/CFTOD continued to replace the purple direction signage with the new blue color scheme since CFTOD took over?

mkt21 days ago

You're right. The new document will be different. It will be "different" in the way that Chris Gaines was "different" from Garth Brooks or how the drummer from Nirvana is "different" from the singer of the Foo Fighters.

Unbanshee21 days ago

Both are effectively picked by the Governor, just not technically. Look no further than the communications "strategy" with the replacement of Gilzean of the Governor's office getting out ahead of every single step of the process

lazyboy97o21 days ago

The settlement acknowledged the “need” to change the comprehensive plan, which undermines this idea. So too does the lack of an agreement, as the 2032 Comprehensive Plan wasn’t that different than the again in force 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Brian21 days ago

That's understandable for sure. I just felt inclined to make the distinction due to the ongoing conversation, as the district administrator is selected by the board, while the board is selected by the governor.

mkt21 days ago

The new agreement will be functionally the same as the one Disney was sued over.

pdude8121 days ago

You're right. This has been going on so long I just lumped all the antagonists together.

Brian21 days ago

Not to nitpick, but Gilzean was district administrator, not a board member.

pdude8122 days ago

A bigger risk than keeping Garcia and Gilzean on the board as active disruptors? I don't agree with their decision to stall the federal lawsuit, but I understand why they saw the status quo as a risk to growth over the next few years.