MARIETTA - The CEO of the Cobb County Convention & Visitors Bureau was fired on Wednesday in the wake of her vocal opposition to a proposal that would fold her organization into the Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority.

CEO Joyce Calandra issued an e-mail Wednesday to her 11-member board, stating that board Chairman Mike Knowles had dismissed her with the full knowledge of the board.

The Authority appointed Knowles to the CVB, and it was Knowles who initially proposed the Authority take over the bureau. While both are tourism-promoting organizations, Calandra objected to the merger, saying there is a worry that the Authority would maintain its focus on the Galleria area, where its buildings are, and not the rest of the county - like the CVB does.

CVB board member Frank Quallen, general manager of Atlanta Marriott Northwest, said Cobb hoteliers are opposed to the Authority taking over the CVB because they don't believe the Authority will properly represent them either.

There is a history of bad blood between the two groups, he said.

The Authority is governed by a seven-member board chaired by Earl Smith, a former Cobb Commissioner chairman.

Calandra wrote in her email: "I must say that in light of recent activities I am not surprised at my dismissal, I have been expecting it. I was somewhat surprised to learn that the full board was in agreement with the fact that the CVB is in need of new leadership. I just want you all to know that I have always tried to do what is right for the CVB and its employees and members. I only hope that the new leadership, whoever it may be, will be guided by the same selfless motives as those in my heart,"

Knowles declined to comment Wednesday, as did board member and County Commissioner Tim Lee.

"Sometimes a simple 'no comment' is most appropriate," Lee said.

Calandra reiterated to the Journal that she expected the termination.

"I would like to have remained at the CVB long enough to witness the rightful funding of the CVB restored or alternate funding secured. I will make that my top priority in the months to come. Maybe I can be more helpful from the outside the bureau," she said.

On Tuesday, the bureau voted to table a vote on the merger proposal for another month.

Both state Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), who has praised the CVB for the job it does, and Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway, an Authority member, have raised concerns about the merger.