Posted on 03/09/2007 12:34:17 PM PST by ConservativeStatement
LARGO, Fla. — A city manager facing dismissal after going public with plans to get a sex change said Thursday that he plans to fight to keep his job, because his case represents the struggle "to deal with morality, sexuality and gender."
Steve Stanton said he would try to persuade the Largo City Commission to reverse its 5-2 vote last month to begin the process of firing him. His appeal means the commission must now hold another public hearing so he can make a final appeal to keep the post he has held for 14 years.
"I want to get my job back," said Stanton, who is on paid leave from his $140,000-a-year job. "I'm good at it. I miss it. I miss my friends and I miss this community."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
He'll scratch your eyes out!!
Maybe it was just a routine cut.
at least he still has the balls to sue!
I have missed the grounds on which they are firing him. I seem to recall his last job eval was quite positive.
If he/she got a pink slip, would that be sexist?
.....as disgusting as the thought it.....what exactly are the grounds for the firing?....What is going to keep this out of court?....LOL...I know I'd be huddled together thinking, "how are we gonna fire this sicko"..
From the article, they don't need a reason:
"His contract says he can be fired without cause at any time"
I saw him on tv talking about it and his family. I personally think its wacky and a rotten thing to do to his family. I would not be comfortable sharing the bathroom with him had I worked with him as a man...then he is a woman. I would be grossed out.
HowGoing public? How do you keep it a secret?
....fire away.......
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBOIH5BPYE.html
LARGO - Saying they had lost confidence in his ability to lead, a majority of city commissioners took the first step Tuesday night toward firing longtime City Manager Steve Stanton, less than a week after he announced he is preparing for a sex change. After a nearly four-hour meeting in front of an overflow crowd, commissioners voted 5-2 to approve a preliminary resolution terminating Stanton's employment contract. Stanton will be placed on paid administrative leave until the commission takes an as-yet-unscheduled vote on a final resolution. Commissioners will discuss filling the top administrative post at a workshop July 10. Assistant City Manager Matt Craig was named interim city manager. "It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy," Stanton told commissioners before the vote. "And now I have no integrity, I have no trust, I have no confidence. And more significantly, I have no followers." Stanton will have an opportunity to appeal the commission's decision, said Mayor Pat Gerard, his most vocal supporter on the commission. "I firmly stand by my city manager who has demonstrated unbending loyalty to this city," Gerard said. "I'll be embarrassed if we throw this man on the trash heap." Yet most commissioners and a slight majority of speakers who paraded before them said they had lost confidence in Stanton and questioned his ability to make decisions for the good of the city. "I do not have any doubt that Mr. Stanton can still do the job," Commissioner Gay Gentry said. "But it seems that he's lost his standing as a leader among the employees of the city." Commissioner Andy Guyette said, "I feel I can no longer trust his judgment." Commissioner Mary Black requested Tuesday's meeting and offered the resolution to end Stanton's contract "in the best interest of the city." Black said Stanton's disclosure of his impending sex change "has caused stress, turmoil, distraction and work disruption to our city employees." Stanton, 48, announced last week that he is undergoing counseling and hormone therapy in preparation for a sex-change operation this year. He plans to take the name Susan, which he said his mother would have called him had he been born a girl. The 14-year city manager said it was his intent to keep his $140,000-a-year job and received support from Gerard and other top officials. The disclosure made national news and rocked this landlocked Pinellas County city of 75,000 between St. Petersburg and Clearwater. City hall was flooded with hundreds of calls and e-mail from residents, both supportive and critical. Stanton, married with a 13-year-old son, serves at the pleasure of the commission and can be fired "with or without cause" by a vote of five out of seven officials on the commission. The overflow crowd at Tuesday's meeting filled the commission chambers and several other rooms at city hall where the meeting was televised. Supporters said Stanton should be judged on his job performance, not his decision to change his gender. Opponents said they had lost confidence in Stanton and questioned his morals, ethics and ability to make decisions for the good of the city. Extra police officers were on hand, although the crowd was mostly orderly. Nadine Smith, director of the gay rights group Equality Florida who spoke in support of Stanton, was taken into custody after police said she became "uncooperative" when told to stop handing out fliers. Stanton's contract provides for 12 months' severance pay if he is fired for any reason other than a felony conviction, an ethics violation or other "gross misconduct." Stanton said he does not plan to take legal action against the city but added, "I need to reflect on … where do I go from here."
I would also be grossed out personally, but I have a high tolerance for wackos as long as they are not breaking the law or getting in my face.....maybe a Calif thing...
Perhaps, like the army, they prefer "that you don't get separated from your unit".
Agreed.
Reminds me of my offical job description, which about 1000 words long and ends with what is essentially "and anything else your boss tells you to do."
"fight to keep his job"
Actually, what he said was that he'd get mad and stomp his foot really hard and pout.
"How do you keep it a secret?"
you get the sex change to be a 'woman', then cross dress to look like a man.
Sorry Steve, the city didn't elect Misses Stanton, they elected Mr. Stanton. By mutilating yourself and by suddenly calling yourself a woman, I could only assume your a person with deep mental issues thus being unfit for public office.
"I have missed the grounds on which they are firing him. I seem to recall his last job eval was quite positive."
They are firing him since he is going to become a woman! He will go from Steven to Stephanie, I think they said!! I feel so sorry for his wife and teenage son! Imagine being married to someone for years and then have your spouse change sex on you!
"Reminds me of my offical job description, which about 1000 words long and ends with what is essentially "and anything else your boss tells you to do."
LOL! So I'm NOT the only one.
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.