Reedy Creek Firefighter Decries DeSantis Panel’s Plan To Stop Disney World Perks
deadline.comPete Simon, a Reedy Creek firefighter, had some thoughts about the recent decision by the DeSantis-appointed board that oversees the special district around Disney World to end what it called the “unethical benefits and perks” enjoyed by the 400 or so Reedy Creek Improvement District employees, including firefighters.
Simon, one of three firefighters who spoke out, said that when he took the job being able to visit the parks with his kids was among the top reasons he joined. “This allows me to bring my children to the parks, and eventually my grandchildren,” said Simon “All we’ve seen and heard is cuts, cuts to budget, cuts to possible staffing, cuts to maintenance, and now cuts to benefits,” he said. “My only question is: What’s next?” Pete Simon, a Reedy Creek firefighter, made a powerful statement during today’s CFTOD meeting about the impact of removing generational benefits for families. “This week marks the first brick being pulled in the dismantling of the district … my only question is, what’s next?” pic.twitter.com/bzt8tW5fc8 Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which DeSantis created to take the place of the old Reedy Creek board, have accused their predecessors of using taxpayer funds to provide themselves and other district employees with $2.5 million in perks, mostly related to season passes and associated spending at Disney World.
Per the current board, “The scheme included the RCID (Reedy Creek Improvement District) government paying for ‘discounts’ enjoyed by employees on all Disney purchases.” In a complaint to the state inspector general, the current CFTOD board charges that the former Disney-appointed officials paid for park-related perks with Reedy Creek money.
Read more on deadline.com