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Kissimmee-Osceola Chamber of Commerce president Dave Nolan resigns

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The president of the Kissimmee-Osceola County Chamber of Commerce has resigned.

The resignation came just three days after WFTV reported on a confidential letter president Dave Nolan sent to his board calling the Washington Nationals' stadium deal the worst financial deal he has ever witnessed.

Nolan said in an email that he did not want to comment on his resignation.

When Eyewitness News asked if his resignation had to do with his opinion that a stadium in the county would be a bad financial deal, he did not reply.

Nolan has served on boards of sports commissions and developed sports facilities for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Browns, Indians and Cavaliers.

Nolan has been blunt with his opinion on the Nationals deal, calling it a losing proposition.

In a letter, Nolan said the stadium would cause significant delays to projects like the widening of Poinciana Boulevard, a major transportation artery.

He also cited an estimate that the stadium would actually cost taxpayers $279 million over 30 years.

Three days after an Eyewitness News report on the letter and after just five months on the job, Nolan turned in his resignation.

Mark McHugh, chairman of the board, said he was not forced out.

"Dave has years and years (of) experience in sports marketing and sports venues. I respect his opinion, and his opinion will be part of what we consider when the board meets," said McHugh.

McHugh said he has not yet taken a position on the stadium, but he did indicate support for the deal.

"We'd love to see a deal here. I think the Nationals are a wonderful organization. They would weave themselves into the fabric of the community," McHugh said.

Mark Miller, who is on the chamber's board of directors, said Nolan likes to take charge, but the chamber waits for consensus.

"I think moving forward, he thought it would be awkward to be in a position where he couldn't act in a way he felt was proper right away," Miller said.

The next chamber president will be the third in less than a year.

State Rep. Mike Horner resigned from the position in October after he appeared on a client list for an Orange County brothel.