Today's Letters: Commission right on Stanton
By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 19, 2007
Largo City Manager Steve Stanton's firing is not a matter of discrimination.
As an 18-year resident of the city of Largo, and a previous Largo employee for 12 years, I am eminently more qualified to speak to the issues at hand regarding the removal of Stanton from his position as city manager.
First and foremost, under Florida law, employment contracts which do not specify a definite term of service are terminable "at will." In other words, an employee can quit or be fired at any time for any reason, other than those proscribed by law (e.g., race, sex, handicap, age, etc.). Beyond Stanton's contract term, the city can fire him for valid and proper reasons.
The longtime commissioners and employees will remember our previous city manager, Steve Bonczek. We all breathed a sigh of relief when the city terminated his employment.
Unfortunately, Largo went from the frying pan into the fire.
Stanton spent his entire career utilizing his position to wield his power like a weapon on the hapless employees of Largo. Since he had no control in his personal life, he was able to make up for it with unquestioning control at his position with the city. "I own your mouth - 24/7." Those words are familiar to many an employee who has been admonished or fired for not adhering to this edict sent down from on high. We were city employees first, human beings second.
I will not regurgitate the St. Petersburg Times' own factoids regarding Stanton's management style and his apparent delight at firing anyone who did not agree with him - regardless of whether they were exceedingly qualified to make necessary, pertinent decisions based upon what was really right by law and right for Largo.
I was witness to Stanton systematically decimating the Community Development Department, starting at the top with a 17-year employee, director Richard Goss. Within nine months, one-third of the key department personnel were gone. Again, in the Times' and Stanton's own words, "I kinda cleaned house." Stanton then proceeded to put an engineer (instead of a planner) in charge of the Planning Department (Community Development).
Largo has minimum requirements for employment. One must have an established standard of relevant schooling/experience to step into certain positions commanding a high level of specialized knowledge and supervisory acumen. Regardless of whether it "worked" for the city, it was what Stanton wanted.
The Times may be perfectly capable of conducting a poll on the public's opinions regarding Stanton's removal from his position. However, unless these individuals live in Largo, or more importantly, really have had the experience of working with him, their limited viewpoint is based solely on the perception the firing is about gay/lesbian/transgender/religious repression and small-minded discrimination.
However, I did my own poll, exclusively with Largo employees and citizens, and it was unanimously in favor of permanently removing Stanton from his position. This carries more weight than the one lone, misguided employee/citizen who spoke in Stanton's defense at both City Commission meetings. How plausible is it that only one of the 1,200 city employees is a Largo citizen? Somehow, I doubt it.
The commission made the correct decision for Largo.
Kathleen Finnerty, Largo
Largo's actions tarnish its image
Having spent years in both Port Richey and Tampa, I've watched the area progress since moving away in the early 1990s. The news I've seen coming out of the area is sometimes tragic, sometimes heartwarming, sometimes hilarious.
This recent turn of events regarding Largo City Manager Steve Stanton's firing and the arrest of Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, however, is simply shocking.
During my years in Florida, I always regarded Largo as a relaxed, charming sort of community. But these actions of discrimination and bullying are evidence that the forces largely running Largo are hateful, unsophisticated and an embarrassment to civilized folks.
I pity sensible leaders like Mayor Pat Gerard, who seems to be shouldering far more than her burden in her attempt to keep Largo in the 21st century.
And I hope that both Stanton and Smith will have the courage to continue to stay in the area and defend their moral high ground. Those five commissioners who voted against Stanton, as well as those police officers who threw Smith to the ground, should be ashamed of themselves. They've tarnished Largo.
Will O'Bryan, Washington, D.C.
Let the residents hear from Susan
Now that Steve Stanton has had plenty of interviews, how about a few interviews with his "other self," Susan Stanton, in print and on TV - maybe even a town meeting or two? It would help the good people of Largo get to know her a little.
And then, let the people of Largo decide, with a vote, whether to make the transition over to Susan with him, or continue with Steve's termination.
Louis Mignacca, Safety Harbor
Stanton selfishly robs son of dad
I don't think anyone is surprised that Steve Stanton is considering challenging his recent release from duty. As a man, he suggested that he had no interest in litigation. But circumstances, like Mr. Stanton's gender, can change. Talk about your classic "he said, she said" situation.
Firing him might be a mistake, but realistically shouldn't Mr. Stanton have resigned and quietly faded away to parts unknown to start her new life?
It is not realistic to hire somebody and ask them if they are going to have a sex change. I mean, what are the odds? Mr. Stanton did not desecrate an oath to his office. He did, however, commit himself to eternal manhood when he became a father.
Forget his marital vows - most people don't hold up to that commitment. But even if a man ends up dead or in prison, he will always be the father of his children. A kid deserves at least that. Thirteen-year-old boys have enough to worry about. How could anyone be selfish enough to take a young boy's father off the face of the earth and replace him with a second mother?
Mr. Stanton, if you are reading this, please reconsider. Or maybe you don't remember how tough it was to be 13. You think you are confused about life and gender assignment? Try explaining it to your friends in middle school.
My best wishes to your family as they clean up the mess created by your selfish desires.
David Fraser, Clearwater
Re: Keep and support our city manager letter, March 7
All that matters: Can he do the job?
I agree with letter writers Robert and Nola Pierce. As a past Largo resident, I think it should not matter what Steve Stanton does in his personal life. What matters is the job that he is doing now.
The City Commission needs to look at all of his accomplishments. They need to support and stand by this person, as he has made a difficult decision with his family.
Fred and Patricia McNeil, Clearwater
Largo missed a chance to shine
I am a 61-year-old wife, mother and daughter. I spent 20 years teaching in the public schools before changing careers to engineering, manufacturing and management. I have been closely following the story of Steve Stanton, and I live in northern Michigan.
You might question why what happens in Largo would be of concern to me in northern Michigan. And, normally, you would be right. But the events of the last week have me incensed, not only for my perception of discrimination and prejudice directed at Mr. Stanton, but what this entire scenario is saying about women in general.
Mr. Stanton's is the second transgender firing to which I have been privileged within the last month, the other here in Michigan. In both instances, men who had been professionally respected in careers they had held for extensive time were fired on the premise that if they "became a woman," they would be incapable of continuing to professionally hold their positions.
The blatant message here is that females are incapable of professional credibility and excellence.
In the 21st century, we are still subjecting women to less than equal status, socially, politically, and professionally.
I have been extremely successful in both of my very diverse careers, but with great effort to overcome social stigma that "women" just weren't as capable as males. I have spent a lifetime at less than optimum wage levels because of my gender, not my abilities.
The case in Michigan, which is also an "employment at will" state, was being heard March 6 in front of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Largo, you had the opportunity to shine as one of the communities that chose to uphold the rights of the individual and uphold the status of women in professional roles. Sadly, you have chosen to exercise your "employment at will" rights, in the face of federal equal opportunity laws.
As a resident of another community whose largest industry is tourism, I can only guess what message you are sending on that account.
You have done grave disservice to the many women, genetic or medically altered, living not only in Largo, but across the entire country.
Carol Leigh, Gaylord, Mich.
Your voice counts
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[Last modified March 19, 2007, 07:17:47]
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