City Manager Steve Stanton, left, listens to a reporter's questions at a news
conference along with Fire Chief Jeffrey N. Bullock, center, and Chief of Police
Lester Aradi.
Posted on 03/02/2007 9:43:40 AM PST by XR7
LARGO, Fla. — Steve Stanton professed his love for the city and asked the people of Largo to support his decision to undergo a sex change and allow him to keep his $140,000-a-year job as city manager.
To his sorrow, the answer came back no.
Almost 500 people packed City Hall on Tuesday night for a special meeting to decide if they would accept someone named Susan instead of Steve as their top official. And while many spoke eloquently in his defense, more called for his ouster.
"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated," said Pastor Ron Saunders of Largo's Lighthouse Baptist Church. "Make no mistake about it."
At the end of the 3 ½-hour meeting, the City Commission voted 5-2 to begin the legal process of firing Stanton, who went public about his sex-change plans after learning that a local newspaper was about to reveal his secret. The 48-year-old married father of a teenage boy can appeal his dismissal, and the commission must vote again to formally fire him from the job he has held for 14 years...
"It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy and now I have no integrity, I have no trust and, most painful, I have no followers," Stanton told the crowd before the vote.
His announcement stunned this city of 76,000 near St. Petersburg. Stanton said he had planned to reveal his secret this summer when his 13-year-old son was out of school...
Commissioner Gay Gentry praised Stanton, but said, "I sense that he has lost his standing as a leader among the employees of the city."
Gerard and Commissioner Rodney Woods — the first black commissioner in the city's 102-year history — cast the only votes in Stanton's favor.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
Duh.
He looks like Cindy Sheehan.
"It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy and now I have no integrity, I have no trust and, most painful, I have no followers," Stanton told the crowd...
And soon he will have no...
The people who voted him in didn't know his mental state, now they do they want his butt out and I sure don't blame them.
LOL
I'm kind of thinking Jesus wouldn't want you tending his flock, "Pastor".
...only prettier!
ping.
Ditto....................
The police and firechief look like they would rather be someplace else.......ANYPLACE else!......
I guess they aren't very liberal or tolerant about this in Largo Florida. Heck in San Francisco, I bet this story wouldn't even be a blip on the radar screen in the news there about a sex change operation.
I guess some people just aren't tolerant and get shocked by stuff like this.
A Boy Named Sue
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.....
If you're on a council, never resist an opportunity to play nanny!I understand that in Florida making personal medical decisions is almost as serious a violation as flying the Stars and Strips from your condo.
The Pastor was right on, although Jesus would presumably find some way of making the boy named Sue see the light.
Maybe people just don't trust a guy in a dress?
"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated,'
Heh. Because we know Jesus was just all over sex change operations, wasn't he?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.