Once Again From Florida

[ls317]

LARGO, Florida (AP) -- The City Commission voted to begin the process of firing a top official less than a week after he announced plans to pursue a sex-change operation.

The 5-to-2 vote Tuesday started a three-step process to remove City Manager Steve Stanton from the job he's held for 14 years.

Stanton, 48, confirmed last week that he is a transsexual. With a solid reputation as a forceful and energetic leader, he had hoped to keep his $140,000-a-year job as he underwent the gender reassignment process.

"It's just painful to know seven days ago I was a good guy and now ... I have no integrity," Stanton told the commission. "My challenge here has always been that someday I was going to leave this organization. So I am going to do it with a smile on my face."

Stanton can appeal the decision, though his contract says he can be fired without cause at any time.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. No matter how much I tell 'em, they just can't believe how closed-minded

this state is.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

2. What Utter Bullshit.

And this screams out for the need for anti-discriminatory legislation. To fire a person who is good at their job that they've held for 14 years for such reasons as above is absolutely disgraceful in this day and age. Man do we have a long way to go.

[ellenfl]

6. sorry, florida is what i call a 'right to fire' state altho'

i believe it is actually, and incorrectly, called 'right to work'. repugs must have thought that one up. you know, like 'clear skies' and all those other oxymoranic labels.

ellen fl

[karlrschneider]

3. What the hell is their problem? Afraid they'll have to build an "in-between" bathroom

in City Hall?

:eyes: :grr: :mad:

[FreeState]

7. Apparently its her fault employees are insubordinate...

Apparently its her fault employees are insubordinate, most companies would fire the employees that have a problem with a supervisors private affairs. I guess in Florida they believe in punishing the victim.

I've been to Largo before, but I guess next time I have a chance I will skip the town all together.

[karlrschneider]

9. I lived in Tampa, just across the bay, for 17 years. I avoided Largo

when possible. Now I avoid Florida as much as I can. :D

[Little Wing]

4. It's a voter's rights issue. They voted for Mr. Stanton, not Mrs. Stanton!

:sarcasm:

[BlueJazz]

5. I live right down the road from Largo and I did attend the ....

meeting last night about Mr Stanton.

Most people were very accepting about the whole "Change" and brought up some great reasons
to keep Mr Stanton....Remember I said MOST..about 75 percent....


(Cue "Jaws" theme) AND THEN ...one by one the Loud-mouth-screaming Bible thumpers stepped up to the Microphone
and spouted the usual
1. Family Values crap
2. The Lord will Punish Mr Stanton
3. Against God's will
4 What about our Children?? ..Puke..
5..and on and on with every stupid redneck, uneducated reason in the world..

..Oh...Me....I wish sometimes someone would just give me permission to start kicking Asses and start taking names...

[karlrschneider]

10. Apparently they don't trust their imaginary Deity to deal with the 'situation'

so they gotta take matters into their own filthy hands. Got it.
:grr:

[WindRavenX]

8. How sad

:(

The "T" is often most misunderstood and demonized.