Richard Elmhurst, Against City Manager
"As a resident of Largo for over 40 years, I'm very disturbed that our city manager is planning a sex change. In my view this would be disruptive to Steve Stanton's ability to conduct city business."
How exactly will Stanton's sex change be disruptive? I haven't heard anyone question his qualifications. Stanton will have to take medical leave and return as a woman. People go on medical leave all the time. He should be able to perform his job at the same level when he returns. Stanton has a solid reputation for his work.
The City Council planned to consider a resolution Tuesday to fire the city's top official less than a week after he announced plans to pursue a sex change operation.
Largo City Manager Steve Stanton, 48, who built a solid reputation as a forceful and energetic leader in 14 years on the job, confirmed rumors last week that he was a transsexual. He planned to keep his $140,000-a-year job as he undergoes the gender reassignment process.
But on Monday, City Councilwoman Mary Gray Black proposed Stanton be put on paid leave while the city begins the process of firing him. She said Stanton's surprise announcement "caused stress, turmoil, distraction and work disruption" in the city.
Steve Stanton is the one getting the sex change, but the Mary Gray Black acts she is going under the knife. Yes, I can just feel her stress and turmoil. I hate to think what would happen to her if Stanton pulled his back.
The man behind the campaign to get Stanton fired is Pastor Charlie Martin of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. Martin argues that the religious freedoms of Christians will be trampled if they have to call Steve by his future female name Susan.
"Do we want what's controversial or do we want what's best for Largo?" said Martin, whose church includes many members from Largo.
Spoken by the man creating the controversy and who is more the happy to give the media negative quotes.
Stanton told several city officials he trusted about his plans. This wasn't something that Stanton decided to suddenly throw at the city. Stanton saw how an ordinance to protect gays and transgenders went down in flames. Stanton was scared of people finding out. The reason so many gays and transgenders stay in the closet is because of close-minded people like Pastor Charlie Martin.
Side note: Tommy fucked up another call. He's the gift that keeps on giving. Thank you, Tommy.
I didn't know a thing about steve stanton before I read any of these pieces on him. As you likely have gleaned, I could care less if he wants to become a tree-frog. Even if I DID, I believe that's his personal life, only so-so news.
ReplyDeleteI did, however, read some not-so-nice stuff about he and his management-style in the St.Pete Times. (the comments) That could mean anything, as well.
They can be slanted sometimes ... It's pretty obvious to me that Mayor Dick Baker had a bunch of his winged monkeys go in there and laud his praises during one point of the ONGOING homeless debacle.
But, in the interest of knowing what's what, I'm not sure Steve's without either enemies or perhaps not so great to work for/with. And, it could just be that someone is disgruntled. I think it would be unusual for someone to work somewhere that long and not have made SOMEONE unhappy and perhaps that's all it is but there were some complaints of his handling of this and that. Sounded realistic.
I am running against one of the commissioners that voted to dismiss Steve Stanton. I was compelled to run because I believe Steve's Stanton's treatment was unfair. Please visit www.John4Largo.com and support my candidacy. Thank you!
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