March 2010

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 19th Annual Crystal Apple Awards on May 4, recognizing outstanding teachers from schools in Southeast Volusia.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. Robert J. Rodi, CEO of the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission steps down May 28.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Utilities Commission CEO and General Manager Robert J. Rodi is resigning, effective May 28, according to a letter he signed, which was obtained by NSBNEWS.net under a public records request. NSBNEWS.net broke the story Monday night that Rodi had resigned earlier in the day for unspecified reason and that his resignation would take effect sometime in May.

EDGEWATER -- Two people were injured in a mobile home fire just after noon today at 2450 South Ridgewood Ave., Lot 27, with reports of smoke coming from all windows and flames seen inside the structure, according to a spokeswoman with Edgewater Fire-Rescue that extinguished the fire.

Barack Obama isn't the only sports fan who picked the Kansas Jayhawks to win the NCAA basketball Tournament, commonly referred to as the "Road to the Final Four." Forty-plus percent of Americans did so, too, according to ESPN. I was among them. I had Kansas over Kentucky in the finals. My wife, Sera, who knows absolutely nothing about college basketball has Syracuse over Duke in the finals.

Well, Syracuse and Kentucky, two of three other No. 1 seeds, are out. Duke, the last remaining No. 1 seed, made the final four. No wonder it's also called March Madness.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick. Robert J. Rodi, shown here at a Sept. 24, 2008, New Smyrna Beach City Commission meeting, resigned Monday, effective in May.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Robert J. Rodi, CEO and General Manager of the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission resigned Monday during a special budget meeting of the Utlities Commission, saying his resignation takes effect  in May.

Rodi did not give a specific reason in announcing his decision during the meeting, which was not attended by any media.

Several people, who asked to remain anonymous, said Rodi's decision to step down was the result of threats and intimidation, but there was not more specifics.