CLEARFIELD – Executive Director Holly Komonczi addressed the press after yesterday’s meeting of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority regarding the board’s vote to suspend her for 30 days without pay and also requesting a public apology for actions at the Clearfield County Fair Parade Aug. 1.
According to reports in another media outlet, Komonczi had made an obscene gesture during the parade. She was in the Visit Clearfield County van at the time as part of the parade.
At the August meeting, the board members present at the time agreed to place a letter of reprimand in her file regarding unprofessional and inappropriate behavior.
During yesterday’s meeting, the issue was addressed with all nine board members, resulting in some heated discussion on this and other matters prior to two board members resigning and a two-hour executive session.
During public comment in the meeting, Komonczi said, “I know what I did.” She said she was playing around with friends of 20 years, and her action was reported by the son of a board member who went to the board.
She said it was meant as a joke and stated the confidentiality of the executive session was breached, stating Commissioner and Board Member Tony Scotto went to the commissioners with the information.
After the meeting Komonczi answered questions and apologized. “To anyone I may have upset with my actions, I apologize and hope we can move on.”
She then explained that she had lost sight of the fact that she was in a company vehicle and representing VCC. She said her intent was to make her friends laugh, which they did.
When asked, she stated she didn’t know if there were kids present and said she wouldn’t have done what she did if she thought people would be upset.
Komonczi added this is not the first time her character has been attacked, and there are many other issues that need to be addressed and have instead been swept under the rug.
She said this is not an excuse for what she did. Komonczi added she is very concerned about the breach of confidentiality and said that needs to be addressed.
Komonczi also said the commissioners have often expressed concern with how the tourism authority operates, but they have not told her what those concerns are. “I can’t fix what I don’t know is broken,” she stated.
“There is more going on than people realize,” she stated and she thanked those board members and members of the community who have stood up for her.
