Since a Chapter 11 is basically a cram down on creditors, I imagine Bray and Gillespie will emerge smelling like a rose.

I think there is a good chance that Elizabeth is correct here. They so far did not lay off anyone. From what I hear from their employees, they do not look likegiving it all up.

Consider yourself lucky that you never met Chuck Bray.   I can say without fear of contradiction and from personal experience, that if you asked 100 people their opinion of Chuck, 99 would give you the same answer that I'm about to give you. The one person who would disagree would be his mother.

You may say that I am only a small dog biting at the heels of an elephant and that's fine, but I personally know both Chuck Bray and Joe Gillespie.  I can offer insights into their character that only a very few people could give.  That insight comes from being in their inner circle and having 24 hour unfettered access to both men.

Chuck Bray is one of the meanest, vile, repugnant and obnoxious people I have ever known in my entire 52 years of life.  He has disdain for everyone he comes in contact with.  Make no mistake about it, Chuck Bray is the head of the snake that is Bray & Gillespie.  He gives the marching orders and Joe Gillespie complies.

Joe on the other hand is the face of the franchise and for good reason.  He is polished, smooth, sophisticated and affable.  Joe is everything   

Chuck Bray could never be.  Joe has to put up with a lot of crap from Chuck Bray, but he always shuts up and does what he is told.

I disagree with your contention that Bray & Gillespie was the best thing that could happen to Daytona.  Have you looked in the Volusia County Public Records over the last ten years?  It's replete with law suit after law suit.  Law suits that were filed by honest people who only wanted to be paid for services Bray & Gillespie contracted for. You may call these people dogs snapping at the heels of an elephant, but sometimes you have to shoot that elephant right between the eyes if it goes on a rampage and harms innocent people. You might feel differently had you not been paid for your services too. 

I believe George Anderson and Tom Staed are the people who have a better vision of Daytona Beach.  Unless you have forgotten, George Anderson developed Ocean Walk and it is his vision that brought it to life.  Tom Staed always operated his hotels in a clean, efficient, well kept manner. He always took care of his customers and kept his properties in first class shape.  As far as I know, both George Anderson and Tom Staed are true gentleman.  Unlike some people in Daytona, they are not crooks and have always paid people they did business with.  I don't think you'll find anyone in Volusia County that would disagree on those facts.

Hmm. Someone has a strong opinion of Chuck Bray. I know nothing about him. I just wanted to know if the Plaza ever fixed their plumbing problems. The last time I was there was at the Margarita Ball a few years ago. One of my friends had decided to drink all the margaritas she wanted and not have to worry about driving home, so she got a room. The frst thing I noticed was the plumbing problems in her room, and downstairs as well. But in her room, they were worse; assumedly because of being on a higher floor. I was just surprised that after all the money that went into making over the old "600 North" (LOL. So many memories) that they had some serious problems with the plumbing.

Lisa -  I am breaking the order, as I will have to comment to my anonymus opponent, and it will take me some time, so I hope he/she will forgive me for some delay.

I actually do not know about the plumbing problem. This is not my key property, where I know sometimes things that I do not need to know. I think the property is in good physical shape and I do not think that they would not address the problems that can affect the guest stay for years.

It is interesting how different our memories are. you grew up here, I came at an age when 600 North meant very little to me. And today's school kids will have different memories of this resort. The same property, different memories. All depends on the point of view. That's what casing the disagreement with my so eloquent anonymous opponent, adctually not even the opponent, as I would not disagree with him/her in the way of their personal experiences.

Lisa, thanks for stopping.

Dear anonymous commenter - I am awfully sorry I did not respond to your comment. I was thinking that maybe I should not do it because you did not reveal yourself. I suppose you have your reasons, even though it looks like you are hiding from me, not Gillespie & Bray, as I do not think they would have a problem knowing who stands behind the comment. Really, not that many people could say what you said about your relationship with them.

Unfortunately, I was caught in the everyday routine, and this task faded from my memory. Today I got an e-mail, which has nothing to do with this discussion, but it came through this blog, and I thought that whatever is written, stays with people, and when I think that the discussion is over, people can still find and read it, and in their mind this may be not over.

Of course, I am not disputing anything you said, whihc maybe facts, I just do not know that. I heard that Gillespie & Bray (and/or their company) were known for not paying contractors, I heard nasty things before. Again, I am not disputing this simply because I do not know that.

I am coming from a different angle. I am sure John Rockefeller was not adored by everybody, as well as the Vanderbuildts, Andrew Carnegie and many other individuals, who left an indelible mark on American History.

I am not linking Gillespie & Bray to those people. I think that this is the same phenomenon, though. If we look at the big picture, they have the vision, and the determination, and the ability to make things happen. On a closer level, if they are crushing people, is a different story.

I have to agree that I did not give deserved credit to Geroge Andersen, and I think I will write about him one day.

I hope you will read this comment, I would like you to read it. I know that you would not agree with me, but I need to explain why I said what I said. I am not trying to embellish things, I am trying to understand them and put in perspective without justifying, This is the reason that I did not delete your comment in the first place.

Thank you for commenting. I would love to be able to talk to you, and  if you could call me or e-mail me to jon@beautifulFlorida.com, I would really appreciate that opportunity.

Thank you and, again, I am sorry for doing it so late