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Politics

Bonfield's support teetering

His contract has been extended; election day could mix things up.

By CRISTINA SILVA
Published February 7, 2007

For five years, City Manager Michael Bonfield has responded to the City Commission's questions and needs.

His efforts have earned such high praise that his contract was recently extended by one year until 2010 by commissioners, who applauded his "vision" and "desire for a quality city" in his most recent evaluation.

But one city commissioner voted against keeping Bonfield around.

Commissioner Ed Ruttencutter, who generally approved Bonfield's performance in his evaluation, called the contract extension "premature" and said he could not support it with the March election looming only weeks away.

"I was concerned that in the event that certain candidates prevailed in March that there would be a push to replace Mr. Bonfield and the extension would just increase the city's cost if that move went forward," he said.

Ruttencutter's vote has strengthened a growing concern around St. Pete Beach that a new commission could mark the end of Bonfield's service with the city.

Bonfield, who earns about $117,000 a year, has often been caught in the axis of the controversy that has plagued St. Pete Beach for the past few years. He oversaw the city's plans to allow for tourism-friendly development and brought in experts who promoted allowing for taller buildings as an incentive to hoteliers who were concerned about property values.

In recent months, residents opposed to the city's development plan have accused Bonfield of ignoring their concerns about growth. They have called for his removal during City Commission or neighborhood meetings.

Of the four candidates vying for two commission seats in March, two of the candidates said voters they spoke with were upset with Bonfield's managerial skills.

Both Linda Chaney and Harry Metz, two frequent critics of the city, said they did not intend to fire Bonfield if they were elected, but were concerned that residents were upset with his past actions.

"Flat out, people have told me that he is on the developers' side and that he represents them during the commission meetings," Chaney said. "They say he uses double talk and he uses technical language so they don't understand what he is talking about and because he presents himself that way they just don't trust him."

Metz said he had some negative experience with Bonfield at commission meetings.

"I know that he doesn't always come forth with all the right words, that sometimes he only tells half the story," Metz said. "If he is not what I expect when I am in office, then I am sure there are many things we can do to get him out, but I am going to give him a chance first."

The other candidates, Roger Adams and Melinda Pletcher, said they supported Bonfield and the commission's decision to extend his contract.

"I tend to think we are very lucky to have someone of such caliber managing our city," Pletcher said.

Bonfield, a former Madeira Beach city manager and a finalist in Dunedin's recent search for a city manager, said he and members of the city's staff work hard to respond to inquiries made by residents.

"My job is to take everybody's interests and come up with some reasonable direction," he said. "The bottom line is we have to follow the direction of the majority of the commission and I think that is what we do."

Bonfield has invited all the candidates to meet with him and discuss city concerns, but Chaney and Metz have so far declined.

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 7, 2007, 07:30:10]