Gadfly roves for Sunshine rule violations
He presents photos as alleged evidence of officials meeting unofficially, but an expert says it's likely that no rules are broken.
By ALEX LEARY
Published December 16, 2004
PORT RICHEY - John King thinks of himself as a government watchdog. When he hears something is amiss, King shows up at City Council meetings, unloads the information and demands an investigation.
Tuesday night was no different, though this time King had photographic evidence - pictures of Mayor Eloise Taylor's sport utility vehicle parked outside fellow council member Bill Bennett's home. They were taken about two hours before the council meeting.
A slam dunk, King thought. Busted. A violation of the Sunshine Law.
So was the meeting a violation? Not likely, said Rebecca O'Hara, a lawyer for the Florida League of Cities. The law does not bar city officials from meeting privately. It bars them only from discussing matters that will come before the council.
The moment they cross that line, it becomes a crime.
Taylor and Bennett don't deny the meeting, though Bennett said the mayor dropped by to see his wife. The council members also acknowledged being together recently at a Thai restaurant in New Port Richey.
A third council member, Greg Ross, was said to have shown up at the restaurant, but he denied that Tuesday. "I was there the week before," he explained.
King said he has seen Taylor's vehicle at Bennett's home in the past "on numerous occasions."
Allegations of improper meetings among city officials are nothing new here. In 2000, acting Mayor Bob Leggiere and two council members, Joe Menicola and Tom Brown, were seen together at the Seaside Inn, along with City Manager Vince Lupo and City Attorney Paul Marino. They denied talking city business, sticking to "guy talk" about sports, boating, county politics.
"Apparently they don't care about appearances," Taylor said at the time. She was a candidate for mayor then, running against Leggiere. "It gives the appearance of impropriety at least."
Short of a violation, King has suggested Taylor and Bennett have now done the same. He said this new council ran on the mantle of superior ethics and should abide by that.
"He doesn't even deserve a response," Taylor said. She said it was a "far cry" from the days of the Seaside Inn, as did Bennett. They noted that the April election is approaching, and King might have political motivations.
The two said they have been friends before becoming council members and see nothing wrong with meeting socially. "We have better things to talk about than city business," Bennett said.
"John's just trying to create a problem," Bennett added. He then called him an obscenity. "You can dash that (word) out," Bennett told a Times reporter.
Alex Leary covers the city of Port Richey. He 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