BREAKING NEWS: Robert Lott removed from Edgewater's economic development advisory board

Councilman Justin Kennedy: 'He's left a lot of enemies all around'

NSBNews.net photo by Sera Frederick / Robert Lott, shown here running a recent workshop of the Edgewater economic development advisory board, was its chairman despite a history of financial and legal troubles including the folding of the weekly Observer, foreclosure proceedings on his Riverside Drive residence where he was running the paper until it folded in November and he's awaiting court action on a lawsuit filed by an 82-year-old New Smyrna Beach widow alleging she was defrauded of $60,000.

EDGEWATER -- Robert Lott, a polarizing figure in the business community was removed from the economic development advisory board tonight, a move spearheaded by Edgewater Councilman Justin Kennedy in a 3-1 vote.

"I pulled the trigger," Kennedy told NSBNews.net in a brief phone interview following the Monday night council meeting. "We removed him as chairman for conduct unbecoming a public official. He's acted with disregard and disrespect to his felow board members and he's left a lot of enemies around."

Lott, former president of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce and owner of the now-defunct weekly Observer newspaper, did not return an e-mail message for comment and has repeatedly refused to answer questions from NSBNews.net over the past year. Kennedy was supported in his vote by Councilwoman Gigi Bennington and Councilman Mike Ignasiak. Mayor Mike Thomas cast the lone dissenting vote.