City Manager of Largo Florida

[Lydia]

The neighbor city just south of Largo, may be more tolerant and understanding.

Here is a link to today's editoril in the Sarasota paper:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs. ... 80348/1030

There is hope for sanity.

Hugs,

Lydia

[Virginia]

Thanks, Lydia,
If and it is a big IF the commissioners were to reverse their initial decision, it would be nice, but one would have to ask why! Political pressure as like most politicians all that they have going for them is the ability to count! If there are twelve people voting and they need seven votes, that is all that is important to them, the whys and wherefores become secondary! I can even say that I would have to respect their decision if they held their ground - WRONG AS IT MAY BE! as least they are not as gutless as our national representatives.
I don't know if Susan would stay on, but she certainly has opened a lot of eyes and made a slight dent in the "great unwashed!"
Virginia

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi Girls:

I did some research here in Florida and the "City Commisioners" are required by State law to place a second vote of confidence ( 7 days from the first vote - close of business Friday 03-07-07, they do not count weekends, only business days not including the day of announcement 02-28-07.) to actually implement the process of firing Mr. Stanton. Thus, they still have the opportunity to not go that route and Mr. Stanton can "challenge" their vote if he should so desire. Gets a great deal more complicated then.

According to SFSU, the use of the pronouns (masculine) is still correct in that Mr. Stanton has not formally renounced his male name and adopted the name of Susan as he says he will in the near future.

So as to reduce the confusion, he is still Steve Stanton as of this time. I prefer Susan (Steve) Stanton but I am not a registered "wordsmith" as such.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[DonnaT]

OK, so did they have the vote? If not, does that mean he's still city manager?

[DonnaT]

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007 ... 26921.html

A vote to terminate his employment contract must take place within 45 days.

So, which is it, 7 or 45 days?

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi Donna:

Today, they will vote to support the first vote. That is, the first vote is considered under such possible turmoil that the Commisioners are given the opportunity to withdraw their vote or to support their previous vote in 7 days. Then, they have up to 45 days in which the employee can file a petition of grievence over the firing. That is to say, he can make a legal matter of this with the appropriate legal counsel filing such documentation with the local courts.

Else, no filing, 45 days, the action is ratified (voted on) and the employee is no more.

This is my best description under the law as I found it at the local Courthouse in my County. Not being a certified, dyed in the wool attorney, , anything could be different as some of this is County by County requirements and not specific State Law as such as I was first told.

There are overlaps in the guidelnes so without a bonafide, certifed, [government law] lawyer, I must go by the words printed in the statues.

Something tells me that "Stanton" researched this some time ago and is well aware of the actions to be taken and when. There is a rhyme to every reason, we just need it deciphered to our level of understanding.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

FLASH!

Stanton will appeal his firing! Reported today in video form, no article yet.
BayNews 9 - Reference

Peaceful demonstration planned on Stanton's behalf.


Hugs

Danielle Marie

[SilverLady(SO)]

Woo Hoo!!

If I was still living in the Tampa area, I would find a way to participate in the peaceful demonstration.

Thanks for the update, Danielle!!

- SL

PS: Oh, Virginia! I *really* think we need to make a trip back to FL - all that sunshine and much-warmer weather has been calling my name again! Um, pack enough clothes for about a year, we can always buy more when we get there!!

[DonnaT]

The recent article:
http://www.nclrights.org/releases/pr-st ... 030807.htm

(St. Petersburg, Florida, March 8, 2007) - Steve Stanton, the
long-time City Manager of Largo, Florida, has decided to appeal the
City Commission's decision to begin termination proceedings against
him. Stanton will file a written request for a public hearing today
with the Largo City Commission . . .

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/08/North ... _lim.shtml

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi Girls:

Thank You Donna for the timely updates and links.

I see that [S. Stanton] has decided to "make nice" for now and see if it is posible to persuade the Commissioners to retract their original vote and give the "change" a chance.

Not everyone is against his TS postion as I read. At times [S. Stanton] could be short on praise and quick to discipline the staff. Of course this is an observation and interpretation by other individuals and relayd by one of the commisioners.

It is fair to say that we are about to see just about every possible human social combination over this adventure in employment. Several institutions such as "Chase Bank," have in-house employment rules to protect the GBLT community and take it very seriously. I have a sister on the "inside" that has seen the action implemented this past year.

So, what is good for Corporate America, should be good for Government as well in this case. Government in my experience is typically less aggressive than corporations that wish to protect their reputations that can effect their bottom line. My dealings with HR in both climates has been rather mild in government and more cut-throat in the corporate world.

In either case, HR works for the owners not you! It is like talking to the prosecuting attorney about your case on a "as if he's my friend" basis. NOT! Feel the dull blade drag accross your throat.....

I live about 3.5 hours from Largo so it is not entirely impossible that I could go to the hearing but I immagine it will be rather difficult to get inside for a seat. I ask that if anyone plans on going, keep the "feather boas" to a minimum please. What we do not need is a "side show."

Decorum....Decorum......Decorum...... Please!

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

PS Girls:

Almost forgot!

If anyone lives near "Jeannie" and is willing to volunteer for 24/7 surveillance, call me for your day and time schedule at:

1-888-555-1234

Operators are on call!

With Jeannie's state of mind, she might try to pass as one of the "commissioners," to help with the voting.......!

Hugs

Danielle Marie
"The Warden"

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi Girls:

Danielle here on steroids or I mean emulsifiers, no, no, I mean, er, ah...hormones...no, really vitamins...oh poop! (You should be lauging and smearing your lipstick about NOW!)...!

http://www.mtftransition.com/t-girl.htm

I have posted this link before but I think that it is such a good read, everyone should take the time to print it and read and re-read as she deems fit. About 120 pages of text, no short story but rather a nice paperback companion to reality.

A no holds barred story line about the realities of transistioning. Before you go under the knife, before you pop those pills girl friend, read this and if you do not get it, read it again. It will sink in that [S. Stanton] is about to go through the proverbial gauntlet of our society, "the press mongers." Hell hath no fury like a TG/TS storm!

We need em', we love em', we hate them. The paper and video writers/filmers/speakers/talking heads////....


Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

Article from GAY.com:

City officials in Largo, Fla., on Tuesday began the process of firing their longtime city manager, less than a week after he announced his plans to transition from male to female.
The hastily called 5-to-2 vote, held amid a tumult that included the arrest of Equality Florida's executive director for handing out protest leaflets, begins a three-step process to remove Steve Stanton from his job of 14 years.
Stanton, 48, confirmed last week that he is transsexual. With a solid reputation as a forceful and energetic leader, he had hoped to keep his $140,000-a-year job in the Tampa-area city as he underwent the gender reassignment process.
"It's just painful to know seven days ago I was a good guy and now . . . I have no integrity," Stanton told the commission as nearly 500 people looked on live and via closed-circuit TV.
"My challenge here has always been that someday I was going to leave this organization. So I am going to do it with a smile on my face."
Stanton had planned to disclose his plans in June, when his 13-year-old son is scheduled to be out of town. But a local newspaper, acting on a tip, confronted him, and he was forced to make the disclosure ahead of schedule, said Simon Aronoff of the National Center for Transgender Equality, which along with Equality Florida is taking up his cause.
Florida is among the 41 states that lack transgender bias protections, and Largo in 2003 voted down an ordinance that would protect residents on the basis of gender identity. But it did approve nondiscrimination policies for city workers that include gender identity, said Aronoff, whose group is encouraging Largo officials to remember that fact "and hopefully just let this thing not go forward."
To fire Stanton, city commissioners have five days to follow Tuesday night's vote with a second that yields a written resolution. Stanton, who is on paid leave while the city begins the legal process, has another five days to respond.
Stanton isn't sure what he will do, but said he had no plans to sue the city, the St. Petersburg Times reported.
"In so many ways I am Largo," Stanton told commissioners. "It's like suing my mother."
Mayor Patricia Gerard and Commissioner Rodney Woods cast the dissenting votes.
"He's done a great job for us," Gerard said. "He's done what we asked him to do and taken the heat over and over and over again and now we're going to turn on him."
Commissioner Mary Gray Black, who introduced the resolution Monday to fire Stanton, said Stanton's announcement "caused stress, turmoil, distraction and work disruption" among other city employees.
"I do not feel he has the integrity, nor the trust, nor the respect, nor the confidence to continue as the city manager of the city of Largo," Black said.
Mara Keisling, executive director of the transgender rights group, in a statement called Tuesday's vote "another in a long, shameful line of examples of why Congress must introduce -- and pass -- the Employment Non-Discrimination Act." That bill is expected to be reintroduced in the new session.
Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, was passing out protest leaflets among the overflow crowd in the City Hall lobby when police demanded she stop, the Times reported. She was charged with resisting arrest with violence, a felony, and disturbing others' assembly, a misdemeanor, the paper said.
Commissioners had given Stanton generally good reviews for his management of the city's $130 million budget and roughly 1,200 employees. They gave him an $11,000 annual pay raise in September, with Black casting the lone dissenting vote. (Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate)

end.......

Counties in Florida are permitted to adopt some flexibility in their own system of rule provided that they do not exempt existing State laws at the time of implementation.

The above report is on GAY.com. It contains additional information on the "time line" for things to happen as it currently is understood.

Hugs

Danielle Marie

[Danielle La Belle]

Hi Girls:

Most recent posting from GPAC:

http://www.gpac.org/

Current front page of Gender Pac has interview with S. Stanton, Ted Allen, (Queer Eye) and GPAC Ex. Dir. Riki Wilchins.... 03-12-07... subject to change at anytime....

Hugs

Danielle Marie
[Cub (cute) Reporter - CDForum]

[SilverLady(SO)]

Thanks for the link, Cub (and oh-so-cute) Reporter Danielle!

Okay, you can get remunerated for that report, but at the same salary as those of us in the Mod Squad - - $00.00!!



- SL