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Largo urged to live up to its motto

Early edition: About 350 people demonstrated outside Largo City Hall against the dismissal of Steve Stanton as city manager.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published March 6, 2007

Linda Kozak of Clearwater, center, prays Tuesday at Largo's City Hall during a protest against the decision to terminate City Manager Steve Stanton. Kozak was joined by her friend Ann Luce of Clearwater. Video: Protest outside City Hall Gallery: More photos Video: Stanton's plea Video: Commissioner's comments Video: Citizens debate
	[Times photo: Douglas R. Clifford]

LARGO — A rally opposing the Largo City Commission’s decision last week to fire City Manager Steve Stanton drew about 350 people Tuesday morning.

Nearly a dozen religious leaders talked about love, compassion and humanity, and called on elected officials to hold true to Largo’s slogan, “the City of Progress’’ by reinstating Stanton.

“Progress requires an openness to the possibility that we do not yet understand everything about human nature, sexuality or gender identity,’’ said the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, minister of Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. “We believe that as the city of progress, the city of Largo is called to express diligence in ensuring that the dignity of those who are different from others is not trampled.’’

Stanton, 48, became the center of Largo’s biggest controversy in years after disclosing on Feb. 21 that he plans to have a sex-change operation and begin going by the name Susan.

On Feb. 27, the City Commission voted 5-2 to put Stanton on administrative leave in preparation for dismissing him.

Stanton has not said whether he plans to appeal that vote by requesting a public hearing before the commission. He has until the close of business Thursday to make that request.

The demonstration, organized by Unitarian Universalists and Unity Church of Clearwater, drew pastors and congregation members from more than a dozen local churches and synagogues, took place in front of Largo City Hall.

Police monitored the demonstration, which drew only one or two protesters, but made no arrests.

One counterprotester was John Junstrom, 50, who said the Commission’s decision was “God-ordained.’’

“I believe these church pastors and preachers have no business getting involved with government decisions like this,’’ he said. “They should be in their pulpits preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.’’

The only member of the City Commission to show up to watch the protest was Rodney Woods, who voted along with Mayor Pat Gerard against firing Stanton.

“I’m glad people have the courage to stand here for what they believe,’’ said Woods. “I don’t know if it (will) make a difference. I wonder how many Largo citizens are here? I think that would make a difference.’’

Tuesday’s demonstration had a much different tone than the emotional four-hour meeting where the commission moved to fire Stanton.

At that meeting, a majority of those who addressed the City Commission spoke against Stanton’s continued employment.

Opponents variously said Stanton had not been honest with the commission, questioned his judgment or contended that his plans to become a woman were not consistent with Largo’s aspirations to be a good place to raise a family. One local minister, Lighthouse Baptist Church Pastor Ron Sanders, said he could “guarantee” that Jesus would want Stanton fired.

Janine Byrd, 46, of Dunedin, vigorously disagrees with Sanders. She held a sign “Jesus was not the terminator.’’ On it was a photo of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I’ve never been to a protest in my life but I couldn’t pass this one up,’’ she said.

Times staff writer Lorri Helfand contributed to this report. Eileen Schulte can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or schulte@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 6, 2007, 12:43:11]