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Schubert's light punishment is unfair, compared with police officer's firing

Re : Official suspended after comments, story , Jan. 25.

Here they go again in Largo. The discrimination in the way the city disciplines employees is blatant. Whatever happened to the zero tolerance policy? Apparently, when derogatory comments or behavior are engaged in by the commissioners, city manager, mayor, other higher ranking department heads, and most recently the assistant city manager/labor relations manager, those officials are immune to the harsh punishment given to fire officers and police officers.

Does Henry Schubert think it is okay to speak specifically about an individual because she has been fired? He should be fired.

The most recent firing of an officer followed a fun, innocent prank off the job that hurt no one. Mr. Schubert made his statement while representing the city and on duty. His behavior was a direct violation of the city's zero tolerance policy.

Apparently, it still remains that when the conduct is against women or is sexist in nature, such as a sexist slur, it does not carry the same weight. What does it matter, City Manager Steve Stanton, if this is "out of character" for Henry? Why are the city leaders not as quick to call for his firing? It has not made a difference for other veteran employees with exemplary work careers.

At that level and with his roles and responsibilities, it is absurd for him to make a comment like that and get a three-day suspension.

Clamor over Schubert's comment is a waste of time and money

Re: Official suspended after comments, story , Jan. 25.

This idea of being offended is really getting out of hand. Police Sgt. Butch Ward needs to realize that he isn't as important as he thinks he is. Largo's decision to suspend Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert for reportedly "offending" Ward is a symptom of a larger problem. City governments, especially Largo's, have a habit of getting themselves in the paper over silly things that waste the taxpayers' and newspaper readers' time.

I work with and live next to people who offend my sensibilities every day; we all do. Why do city governments get to decide what is offensive and ruin people's lives over it?

Coverage of former Clearwater mayor tarnishes his good name

Re: Ex-mayor offers to pay for breach, story, Jan. 19.

As a person who does business in Clearwater, I have come to admire former Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst. He is a hard-working, honest man who always did what he thought was the correct thing for the city.

I am appalled at the amount of coverage the Times has given on Aungst for what is, in the words of one of the City Council members, tantamount to jaywalking. Kudos in particular to council member Hoyt Hamilton for calling it as most of us out here in the real world see it: a nonstory and a waste of ink. For the Times to put this much effort into dragging this good man's name through the mud for an oversight is unconscionable.

The next time someone wonders why there is no opposition for open seats in Clearwater elections, remind them of the over-the-top coverage of this situation and ask them who would want to expose themselves to that type of shoddy treatment.

[Last modified January 31, 2006, 00:30:20]