The 225 black supporters threaten to try to remove the mayor from office.
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published October 26, 2004
TAMPA - Four weeks after Mayor Pam Iorio forced Tampa's first black fire chief to resign, 225 black supporters have sent Iorio a petition demanding that Aria Green be reinstated.
The petition accuses Iorio of bowing to the demands of fire union leaders including president Larry Parker.
"Consider this our last attempt to get you to reverse a decision that we see as cold, uncaring, inconsiderate, unethical, etc.," the petition states. "Reverse it while there is still time for you to rebuild our trust in you ... If you do not reverse this matter we will use every means as citizens to remove you from office as soon as possible."
Parker said Monday afternoon that he could not comment because he hadn't seen the petition. Iorio could not be reached for comment.
Green's wife Wylene said Monday that Iorio should heed the petition's message.
"If it only took those few people in the union constantly bugging her about getting rid of my husband, why wouldn't she pay attention to these people who voted for her?" Mrs. Green said. "Don't they matter to her?"
Iorio demanded Green turn in his resignation at the end of September after 26 years with the department and just 15 months as chief. She immediately appointed department veteran Dennis Jones as chief.
Asked why she ousted Green, Iorio cited low morale and complaints by union leaders that Green was a poor leader who did not communicate with them. She talked of "disharmony" within the department but declined to be more specific.
Green's supporters maintain that his private, by-the-book style was no match for the 500-member union, a vocal group that enjoys a good relationship with the mayor and understands the importance of politicking.
In the weeks since his resignation, Green has been spending time with his family, including three teenage children and three grandchildren who live with him and his wife. Mrs. Green said her husband has had job offers from fire departments both in and outside Florida, but she is distressed at the prospect of leaving her extended family and longtime home.
"My wish is that my husband gets his job back, I get to stay with my family, and the mayor gets through this with as little embarrassment as possible," she said.
-- Staff writer Janet Zink contributed to this report. Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at 813 226-3373 or svansickler@sptimes.com
