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A Times Editorial
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 12, 2001
For several minutes Tuesday morning, Pasco County commissioners talked about their ability to follow Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law prohibiting elected officials from holding private discussions on public matters.
The talks surrounded a disagreement between the county attorney and clerk over whether the commission's scheduled appearance before Leadership Pasco should be recorded as a public meeting. Commissioners agreed they were well-versed in the law and wouldn't require a clerk or assistant county attorney to accompany them.
If only everyone could boast of such an understanding. Earlier in the same meeting the commission, on a unanimous vote, reappointed Bob Leggiere to its construction licensing board, a panel that hears complaints against building professionals. Leggiere's predisposition to ignore the Sunshine Law while serving as Port Richey's acting mayor escaped Commissioner Peter Altman, who made the nomination.
We again cite Leggiere's own words recorded by Port Richey police Chief William Downs in summer 2000 during an investigation of allegations that Leggiere ran roughshod over the city building department.
"I talk to these people regularly. I don't care what you do, you can hang me for it," Leggiere said of his private conversations with other council members.
Altman said he was aware of the accusations surrounding the building department, but didn't know about Leggiere's incriminating statements regarding the Sunshine Law. After a break in the meeting, he withdrew the nomination and said he would investigate.
It is a smart maneuver. Commissioners should have some knowledge of the people they appoint to their citizen boards.
Here's a look at Leggiere's resume:
Criticized, but not charged criminally, by a Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court grand jury for violating Port Richey's charter, meddling in the building department and jeopardizing the city's flood insurance rates.
Worked to annex property into Port Richey to circumvent county building codes at a vacant shopping center being remodeled into a temporary city hall.
Pleaded no contest in 1997 to administrative charges filed by Pasco County that he did remodeling work without a permit, didn't follow approved plans, failed to obtain final inspection for some of the improvements and did work outside the scope of his aluminum contractor's license. Under the plea bargain, Leggiere paid a $2,250 fine and his professional license was placed on 18 months' probation.
It is an embarrassing record for someone who continues to seek public service. (A Port Richey council majority showed poor judgment in appointing Leggiere to the city's code enforcement board in October.)
Altman said he reappointed Leggiere initially because the owner of Custom Windows and Doors brings the perspective of a small-business owner to the board.
He also said he didn't think the panel's work would present opportunities for members to overstep their authority, as grand jurors found Leggiere did in Port Richey.
Maybe, but asking Leggiere to serve sends the wrong signal to the public about the work of the construction licensing board. Does the county take the panel's work seriously if the commission gives so little thought to its membership?
It also is troubling that Altman's explanations came during an interview with the Times while the commission took a short break Tuesday morning. No commissioner raised a flag about Leggiere's tenure in Port Richey during the unanimous agreement to reappoint him.
They should have. Acquiescence isn't a staple of strong leadership.