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ALEX LEARYThe suspended city manager appears unlikely to keep his post after the next council meeting.
PORT RICHEY - Vince Lupo asked for a public hearing and will get one Tuesday night. But no matter how good he performs or how many of his supporters attend, the meeting is likely to mark Lupo's final hour as city manager.
The City Council is expected to vote on a final resolution to fire Lupo, completing a process that began with his suspension last month. In a 4-1 vote, the council passed a resolution accusing Lupo of various failures in office, from lax employee supervision to allowing unpermitted building activity.
Lupo already has submitted a written rebuttal to the allegations. In several instances, he shifted responsibility to department heads. Lupo said that he never allowed a former council member to meddle in the Building Department and that he hired a building official based on assurances she had a state license. She did not and was fired.
Tuesday's hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 6333 Ridge Road. It will be followed by the regular council meeting. Among the items the council will discuss is a contract for a building official to replace Bette Farmerie.
Shirley Dresch, acting city manager, has worked out a tentative one-year deal with Edwin Winch of Holiday. State records indicate Winch, 63, has the required license. He would earn $50,000 and would work as both building official and building inspector. The former inspector was also fired for not having the proper license.
"There is a great deal of development activity presently going on not only in the city, but all over the state," Dresch wrote in a memo to the council. "Certified building personnel are extremely difficult to secure. I feel this contract is beneficial to both the city and Mr. Winch and therefore respectfully request your approval."
Controversy over Farmerie was seen by the council as the final straw for Lupo. He maintained that she had assured him she had a license. But council members say Lupo should have looked into the matter when they raised the issue months ago.
Lupo, 62, has not returned several phone calls from the Times. He has been city manager since 1996 and earns about $62,000 annually. He has remained on the payroll since his April 28 suspension.
- Alex Leary can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6247, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6247. His e-mail address is leary@sptimes.com