Stanton gets to state his case

He has nine days to prepare arguments to save his Largo city manager job.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published March 14, 2007

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

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

But his attorney said she must attend an out-of-town conference for litigators on that date.

"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'll do the best I can with the cards that have been dealt to me," said Stanton, who did not attend the meeting.

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 an April 9 hearing, when Doering said she would be available, because they said they were concerned about the 30-day deadline that the city charter sets for holding the hearing.

Stanton had requested three hours to present his case. But Commissioner Mary Gray Black, who brought up the concern about the deadline, wanted to limit Stanton's case to an hour.

Other commissioners balked at that suggestion.

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