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Politics

Leaders praise Gentry's work

On the commission but five years, yet she "put us all to shame,'' said the Largo mayor.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published November 22, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Jim Damaske | Times] Gay Gentry, outgoing Largo city commissioner, chats with friends at the Largo Library before attending an economic development forum, Focus on 2008.

LARGO - It can take decades for a city leader to leave a legacy.

Not Gay Gentry.

In less than five years on the City Commission, Gentry, who left her post last week, cast key votes in controversial decisions and served as a model for fellow commissioners - all while maintaining a robust commitment to numerous civic groups.

"I have to say you're the hardest working commissioner I've worked with," Mayor Pat Gerard told Gentry at a recent commission meeting. "You put the rest of us to shame."

With her first grandchild on the way, Gentry, 63, said she's stepping down to spend more time traveling with her husband Elbert. She said it wouldn't be right to get a commission salary while taking trips for weeks at a time.

City leaders plan to honor Gentry, who was replaced on the commission by chiropractor Woody Brown, at a city meeting Dec. 4.

Over the past few years, Gentry acknowledged, "there had been some issues I had really agonized over, labored over."

Topping the list, the firing of former City Manager Steve Stanton.

Gentry, who knew of Stanton's plans to become a woman before most other commissioners, said she didn't vote to fire Stanton because he was transsexual. But she discussed his leadership with several employees when asked to make a decision about his future employment. And workers confided that Stanton often was intolerant when they were sick or had personal issues of their own, she said.

She got flak from people she respected, starting with her husband, she said.

"I still feel I was right on target," said Gentry, who added that workers tell her the atmosphere at City Hall is much better now.

Four years ago, Gentry also supported a proposed ordinance to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination.

Opponents threatened she'd lose the upcoming election. But Gentry, first appointed to the commission in February 2003, drew no opponent in March 2004 and was re-elected.

Gentry often shared a thorough analysis of her decisions with her peers. She learned city operations by shadowing city employees and always came prepared for city and committee meetings, said fellow commissioners.

Gentry, who began her teaching career in Mississippi, taught social studies at Largo Middle School after she and her husband moved here in 1968. She began her city involvement in 1990 when she was appointed to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and retired from teaching in 2002.

Gentry, who dedicated 40 to 60 hours a week to her commission and civic commitments, said she intends to continue much of her community service and hopes to serve on the city's Library Advisory Board.

At Gentry's last meeting, Gerard recalled that some people griped when Gentry was unanimously appointed to the commission.

"They weren't really sure that the little red-headed school teacher was much of an impact," Gentry said.

"They were wrong," Gerard said.

Gay Gentry's civic calendar

Rotary Club of Largo president-elect, Hope Presbyterian Church elder, Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Largo Area Historical Society, Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Florida Recreation & Park Association

[Last modified November 21, 2007, 22:02:07]