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Letter to the editor

Commission in tumult after charter flap

All parties say they want to put the issue of campaign contributions behind them, but they won't quit arguing.

By SHANNON TAN
Published May 7, 2005

LARGO - The bickering continues well into the night.

Inevitably, the mayor will complain about his limited powers, criticize the city manager and grumble about the direction the city is taking.

Newly elected Commissioner Mary Gray Black will pick apart agenda items and point out that the city charter and legislative policies aren't being followed. Commissioners will sling zingers back and forth at each other.

That's the typical scene at Largo City Commission meetings since two commissioners were alleged to have violated the charter by making campaign contributions. While all parties say it's time to put the controversy behind them, it's clear that the seven elected leaders are having a hard time getting along.

"Five years I've been on the commission, we've never been that contentious," Commissioner Pat Gerard said Tuesday.

A vocal faction has been calling for the removal of Gerard and Harriet Crozier, both of whom contributed to commission candidates in the campaign leading up to the March 1 election. But City Attorney Alan Zimmet advised commissioners not to discuss the matter until after the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office finished its investigation.

Then, the City Commission will have to decide:

If two of its members did violate the charter by making campaign contributions, should they be removed? What is the process for doing so?

If officials have been making contributions for years, should they scrutinize decades worth of treasurers' reports? Can they ignore alleged violations just because it was common practice?

Does it matter that the charter provision prohibiting such contributions could be unconstitutional and conflict with state statute?

How about city employees such as Crozier's husband, Bobby Crozier, who have donated to campaigns in the past? Should they be disciplined?

And if qualifying petition cards used in the March 1 election failed to meet charter requirements, does that mean two newly elected commissioners shouldn't be sitting on the dais?

"This is kind of new territory," said City Manager Steven Stanton.

According to the charter, the commission can judge the qualifications of its members. On Tuesday, Black again asked for a discussion of the charter violations to be placed on the agenda. She proposed the commission hire an outside lawyer, claiming that City Attorney Alan Zimmet is "prejudiced."

Jackson backed her up, saying he doubts the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office will take any action. The commission is scheduled to discuss the issue May 17.

Zimmet has not advised Commissioners Gerard and Crozier and ex-Commissioner Pat Burke, all of whom are alleged to have violated the charter. But at the commission's request, he has issued opinions on the constitutionality of the charter, for example.

Black, who had drafted an ordinance establishing a process for the commission to judge one of its members, decided not to propose it.

Then Gerard wondered what would trigger a full-blown investigation.

"I'm concerned we set some kind of precedent here, where because you don't like what someone said last week we investigate," she cautioned.

Vice Mayor Gay Gentry worried about potential litigation.

"We can't move on because roadblocks keep being put in the road," she told Black. "I don't think you're doing that maliciously."

"I'm putting roadblocks in the way?" asks an indignant Black. "You think we should ignore the charter?"

Gentry said commissioners should look at commissioners' intent, as well as what has been done in the past. Other officials, including former Mayor "Thom" Feaster, contributed to candidates. "I think there's an element that enjoys watching us not come together," she said.

"Why is it taking so long?" demanded Commissioner Jean Halvorsen. "This is involving the whole city of Largo. That's his job. That's what he's being paid for."

Assistant State Attorney Bob Lewis was in trial this week.

"I'm not sure why somebody would suggest we haven't done something," said Lewis, who said he plans to address the issue next week.

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified May 7, 2005, 01:02:18]