Northpinellas: Stanton has 9 days to prepare

LARGO - City Manager Steve Stanton will make his case to keep his job on March 23.

City Commissioners on Tuesday night chose that date for the public hearing because that's when they'll all be available.

"They chose to go with the only date we're not all available," said Karen Doering.

Stanton, who initially requested a hearing in April, said he wished he had more time to prepare his case, but will make the most of the opportunity.

"I'm still excited about the prospect of being reinstated as city manager," said Stanton, who did not attend the meeting. "I'll do the best I can with the cards that have been dealt to me."

On Feb. 27, commissioners voted 5-2 to place Stanton, 48, who makes $140,234 annually, on paid leave and to begin the process to fire him.

The vote came less than a week after Stanton, Largo's city manager for 14 years, disclosed that he was undergoing hormone therapy in preparation for gender-reassignment surgery.

Commissioners decided against scheduling the hearing for April 9, when Doering said she would be available. They said they were concerned that day is past the 30-day deadline that the city charter sets for holding the hearing.

Advocacy groups for gay and transgender people have said they plan to help Stanton present his case, but Doering said she must attend an out-of-town conference for litigators on that date.

Doering, senior counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a legal advocacy group for gay and transgendered people, blamed her dilemma on Commissioner Mary Gray Black, who brought up the concern about the deadline.

"They chose to follow Ms. Black and her irrational fears only based in hysteria," Doering said. "It is a bit shocking the lack of professional courtesy in scheduling a date as important as this."

Stanton had requested three hours to present his case. But Black wanted to limit Stanton's case to an hour.

"I would hope that he is given the amount of time he feels is necessary to present his case to us," Woods said.

Once the public hearing takes place, commissioners can vote at any time to make Stanton's termination official. At least five votes are required to fire Stanton, officials say.

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Comments on this article

by Dna	03/24/07 09:47 AM
Susan would be fine with acceptance and support. Of course the issue her is reason not hate? BS! Many now can coexist with Jews, Blacks, Woman, Americans.. Perhaps we should judge her by the content of her character. That is not changing. We'll learn

by Leah	03/16/07 05:00 AM
Regardless of the outcome, Steve is a winner. By becoming his trues self he has already defeated a mighty enemy (gender dysphoria). No decision by the council can take that away from her. Stay strong Steve (Susan)!

by Joselle	03/15/07 08:19 AM
Most of you people disgust me. You would not know Jesus if he walked up to you and tapped you on the shoulder. I'm transgendered but have not transitioned. I wish you all the best Susan. Joselle

by Alan	03/15/07 07:53 AM
A major reason for the delay in getting computers in police cars is that Stanton placed the police department's technology needs in the hands of the non-police people, then directed the pd to spend 3 times more than necessary to modernize.

by Marie	03/14/07 11:08 PM
If the grounds for firing Stanton are the distraction this causes, the city is firing the wrong person. Fire the ones who are causing all the ruckus.Start with Mary Black. She just couldn't wait to get her snooty self righteous nose into this.

by LibbyRal	03/14/07 11:04 PM
Unbelievable!Largo has worked on improving downtown for over a decade with questionable success,took years to build a new library, get police car computers,etc.And in less than a month they will probably fire the city manager.What mixed up leaders

by Jane	03/14/07 10:40 PM
Besides the many views of this case, Mary Black is one huge witch - I'm so glad she's not my boss! Yikes!!

by jk	03/14/07 06:18 PM
If they hire him back as Susan they'll probably cut his pay to $70K. Welcome to the women's world Sue. Way too much dirty laundry here.

by Wayne	03/14/07 06:05 PM
Mr Stanto would have FIRED any other person employed by the city who would have brought this type of Notirity to the city, Too bad he can not live up to HIS standards as he would have enforced them. Arrogant to the end.

by JoeLunchbucket	03/14/07 05:06 PM
Alan, your comments are among the most incisive found here. Mr/Mrs/Ms Stanton: despite your egocentric view of the world you are not that important. Let the city commission get back to running Largo for the benefit of the public-at-large.Just go away

by Joe	03/14/07 05:02 PM
Stanton wants more then he was willing to give. He have a underling fire the employee. No appeal, employees are at will. He set the rules and want more then he gave to others

by Dave	03/14/07 04:37 PM
Lisa,get a grip,just because it is 2007, some of the NORMAL people DON'T have to accept this freak behavior as acceptable. I don't want a man, YES I SAID A MAN..(that's how he was made) who would do something like this to his family, to lead anything

by Mel	03/14/07 03:57 PM
Stanton fired people who needed compassion, special consideration for special circumstances that were minor in distraction by comparison. He should move on so Largo can move on as well. Take your own medicine Stanton, go away take the show w/you.

by Doug	03/14/07 01:04 PM
Where is the follow up on the arrest of Nadine Smith of Equality Florida who was only exercising her rights to free speech? Is the city/state going to proceed with prosecuting her? Or, did investigation indicate the police trampled on her rights?

by Lisa	03/14/07 12:53 PM
This reeks of hysteria and homophobia. Largo should be ashamed & embarrassed. It's 2007, if you have a public servent who does a good job in an age of rampant political corruption you should keep that person and leave his/her personal life private.

by Paul	03/14/07 12:49 PM
So what happens after they vote to fire him again ? Another appeal ? A lawsuit ? This is a man who knew of his condition since childhood yet deceived the public by marrying and having a child. He also said he would accept the 1st decision. A 2x LIAR!

by Joe	03/14/07 12:03 PM
I had several dealings with Steve Stanton as a city manager in Largo and better still with him 27 years ago asan "intern" in Newburgh, NY where I was a Deputy Mayor. He was and still is always professional and very skilled.

by Joy	03/14/07 11:40 AM
Maybe the commissioners should consider firing Mary Black. She certainly doesn't sound like someone I'd like representing me on the commmission. Good luck wishing that SHE'D go into the hearing with an open mind!!

by Max	03/14/07 11:39 AM
Yes! Largo closer to getting a replacement for Stanton good for you. TS folks need acceptance, but this is not about that. (She) needs to find a job elsewhere. (His) doings have caught up to him. TS is not a pass for bad management. Be gone.

by Brenda K	03/14/07 11:03 AM
My prayers are with you on your up coming hearing. I wish you the best of luck.To be honest, I am not sure who is worse, the city of Largo on wanting to fire Steve/Susan or Santa Rosa County on kicking a transgendered(TS) student out of school.

by katz	03/14/07 11:00 AM
Well, Susan--get use to it! You are just getting treated like all the other women in this world who can do a man's job, but aren't allowed because they are women. You can't have your cake and eat it too! After all, didn't you want to be a woman?

by Ken	03/14/07 10:57 AM
For City Employees -- there is a non-discrimination policy agianst gender identity -- so in fact Mrs. Stanton has a very strong case to sue the city for violation of their OWN policy...

by Kate	03/14/07 10:49 AM
Hopefully, this hearing will remain focused on the professional issues at hand, rather than becoming yet another showcase of religious bigotry. People are welcome to their personal religious views, but they aren't appropriate within a legal hearing

by Bill	03/14/07 10:48 AM
So Tammj, you're saying Stanton's lifestyle choices should be considered a handicap? He has to go folks, and you know he does.

by CS	03/14/07 10:37 AM
Not in the first paragraph but halfway into the article it's stated that the commission is bound by the city charter to work within a deadline. Their actions are not unprofessional. It's about conducting business within the parameters of the law.

by Brant	03/14/07 10:33 AM
I'm sympathetic to Stanton's case, but if I were representing him on a reinstatement hearing, I wouldn't poison the well by calling the commissioners who are to decide the case irrational, hysterical, and unprofessional.

by elaine	03/14/07 10:26 AM
to all ministers and organizations that are protesting on behalf of Stanton-how many know what it is like to work for him? it has been written that he is very judgmental short fused boss was quick to fire if employees questioned him just check & see

by mike	03/14/07 10:05 AM
I'M as straight as can be, however I can't believe how foolish the commissioners and their legal council can be! People of Largo weather your for him or not Mr/Mrs Stanton will be a wealthy person when this is over. poor handling on legal council!

by Paul	03/14/07 10:01 AM
He should not be re-hired. He has a mental illness, no different then Child molestors or rapists. The only difference is he has not done anything against the law at this time. Gender has nothing to do with this,but his mental health does!

by Anastasia B.	03/14/07 09:37 AM
I wish I was a woman. I wish I could make everybody take 'sensitivity' classes. I wish I had more days to prepare a defense. Sounds like a major whiner to me.

by Jason	03/14/07 09:21 AM
And who does he hire for an attorney?? A Lesbian rights chaser....nice. Typical self-absorbed freak....

by Alan	03/14/07 08:37 AM
Mr. Stanton - You dealt your own hand. The City Commission has an entire city to think about and plan for. Enough time and money have been spent reacting to your life style change. Please go away.

by Martin	03/14/07 08:31 AM
It would be so good if the "christians" could stay away and be quiet. Or, better, quit pretending to be christians. Either way, just hush.

by bruce	03/14/07 08:21 AM
The Largo City Commission should be dismissed in mass for their Nazi like action. I am ashamed of Largo!

by Tammi	03/14/07 08:09 AM
Hi Mel,I really like you,I did read the article and this one too.It is what it is.put yourself in front of this comm.,how would you fill?I don't believe in leaving someone behind.I reach out and try to pull you in to safety,would you do the same,help

Stanton has 9 days to prepare

But his attorney may not be available March 23.