Stanton placed on leave; final vote to fire him coming

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

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Steve Stanton may lose his $140,000-a-year job as Largo city manager.

Largo commissioners voted Tuesday evening to place city manager Steve Stanton on administrative leave.

A vote to terminate his employment contract must take place within 45 days. Stanton announced Feb. 21 he is going to go through the process of becoming a woman.

Stanton, who has been city manager 14 years, has said by April he will wear women's clothes and live as Susan Stanton.

His announcement garnered reactions from city leaders, citizens and church groups demanding he be fired.

More On Stanton

In a resolution filed Monday, city commissioner Mary Gray Black said "the time is right for our city of Largo to move forward without the administrative leadership of Mr. Stanton.''

Commissioners held a special meeting Tuesday evening to discuss whether to place Stanton on administrative leave.

Hundreds of people packed city hall, with dozens speaking to commissioners during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Commissioners Mary Black, Gigi Artzen, Harriet Crozier, Andy Guyette and Gay Gentry voted in favor of Black's resolution.

Mayor Pat Gerard and commissioner Rodney Woods voted against.

"What I know about this man is, next to his concern for his family, his concern for his city has always been paramount," Gerard said.

Stanton also spoke on his own behalf, saying he enjoyed every day of his 14 years as city manager.

The resolution needed five votes to pass.

Commissioners voted to make assistant city manager Norton Craig interim city manager.

Excerpts from the commissioner's meeting are available on Bay News 9 on Demand, channel 342 on Bright House Networks digital cable. Click on News and then Specials.