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Florida City Manager Fired for Sex-Change Plans Will Fight to Keep His Job
AP ^ | March 09, 2007

Posted on 03/09/2007 12:34:17 PM PST by MassRepublicanFlyersFan

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: citymanager; florida; sexchange; stanton
So many one liners, so little time.
1 posted on 03/09/2007 12:34:22 PM PST by MassRepublicanFlyersFan
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

He'll scratch your eyes out!!


2 posted on 03/09/2007 12:35:37 PM PST by snowrip (Liberal? YOU HAVE NO RATIONAL ARGUMENT. Actually, you lack even a legitimate excuse.)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Maybe it was just a routine cut.


3 posted on 03/09/2007 12:38:16 PM PST by flashbunny (<--- Free Anti-Rino graphics! See Rudy the Rino get exposed as a liberal with his own words!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

at least he still has the balls to sue!


4 posted on 03/09/2007 12:38:31 PM PST by flashbunny (<--- Free Anti-Rino graphics! See Rudy the Rino get exposed as a liberal with his own words!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

I have missed the grounds on which they are firing him. I seem to recall his last job eval was quite positive.


5 posted on 03/09/2007 12:38:40 PM PST by dmz
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To: snowrip

If he/she got a pink slip, would that be sexist?


6 posted on 03/09/2007 12:38:59 PM PST by MassRepublicanFlyersFan
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

.....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"..


7 posted on 03/09/2007 12:39:09 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: NorCalRepub

From the article, they don't need a reason:

"His contract says he can be fired without cause at any time"


8 posted on 03/09/2007 12:42:36 PM PST by subterfuge (Today, Tolerance =greatest virtue;Hypocrisy=worst character defect; Discrimination =worst atrocity)
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To: NorCalRepub

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.


9 posted on 03/09/2007 12:44:09 PM PST by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

HowGoing public? How do you keep it a secret?


10 posted on 03/09/2007 12:44:15 PM PST by carolinalivin
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To: subterfuge

....fire away.......


11 posted on 03/09/2007 12:45:00 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: NorCalRepub; dmz
This is from an article a few days ago with quotes from city officials:

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."

12 posted on 03/09/2007 12:46:02 PM PST by MassRepublicanFlyersFan
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To: pandoraou812

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...


13 posted on 03/09/2007 12:46:18 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: NorCalRepub
...what exactly are the grounds for the firing?....

Perhaps, like the army, they prefer "that you don't get separated from your unit".

14 posted on 03/09/2007 12:47:50 PM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: NorCalRepub
....fire away.......

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."

15 posted on 03/09/2007 12:48:23 PM PST by subterfuge (Today, Tolerance =greatest virtue;Hypocrisy=worst character defect; Discrimination =worst atrocity)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

"fight to keep his job"

Actually, what he said was that he'd get mad and stomp his foot really hard and pout.


16 posted on 03/09/2007 12:48:25 PM PST by GVNR (In the end, living is a fatal condition.)
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To: carolinalivin

"How do you keep it a secret?"

you get the sex change to be a 'woman', then cross dress to look like a man.


17 posted on 03/09/2007 12:48:49 PM PST by flashbunny (<--- Free Anti-Rino graphics! See Rudy the Rino get exposed as a liberal with his own words!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

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.


18 posted on 03/09/2007 12:49:43 PM PST by WashingtonStateRepublican
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To: dmz

"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!


19 posted on 03/09/2007 12:50:00 PM PST by seekthetruth
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To: subterfuge

"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.


20 posted on 03/09/2007 12:50:11 PM PST by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
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To: flashbunny

This is getting really confusing.


21 posted on 03/09/2007 12:53:59 PM PST by carolinalivin
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To: subterfuge

...always has been my job description too


22 posted on 03/09/2007 12:54:00 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: seekthetruth

So you have provided excellent reasons for his wife to throw him out and divorce him. My question is what are they firing him for?


23 posted on 03/09/2007 12:54:02 PM PST by dmz
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
"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."

He will get his wish. They will all line up, out front, when the barker shouts, "STEP RIGHT UP, FOLKS! ... See The FREAK!!!"

24 posted on 03/09/2007 12:55:44 PM PST by Gorzaloon (Global Warming: A New Kind Of Scientology for the Rest Of Us.)
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To: seekthetruth

He is not going from anything to anything. It's simple. The person he was doesn't exist. Therefore the position is vacant.

The woman he's become can freely apply for the job along with all of the other applicants.


25 posted on 03/09/2007 12:56:29 PM PST by AmishDude (It doesn't matter whom you vote for. It matters who takes office.)
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To: dmz
So you have provided excellent reasons for his wife to throw him out and divorce him. My question is what are they firing him for?

For no reason at all, exactly as his employment agreement states.

Other than Bait and Switch, of course.

"We hired this person and now they announce they will become someone else."

26 posted on 03/09/2007 12:58:52 PM PST by Gorzaloon (Global Warming: A New Kind Of Scientology for the Rest Of Us.)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

So, what now? Is he gonna change his name to "Bunny"?


27 posted on 03/09/2007 12:59:37 PM PST by RexBeach
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To: Gorzaloon

I appreciate your honest answer. "For no reason at all".

Employment at will.


28 posted on 03/09/2007 1:00:04 PM PST by dmz
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29 posted on 03/09/2007 1:01:40 PM PST by flashbunny (<--- Free Anti-Rino graphics! See Rudy the Rino get exposed as a liberal with his own words!)
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To: AmishDude

Maybe the city of Largo will tell him he can apply for the job after he becomes a woman, but I don't know. Right now all I have heard is that he is going to fight to get his job back. Don't know what was stated as the reason for his being fired.


30 posted on 03/09/2007 1:04:27 PM PST by seekthetruth
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To: RexBeach
So, what now? Is he gonna change his name to "Bunny"?

According to the blurb above it's Susan. He said his mother would've named him Susan had he been born a girl. Is this about too many doctors and too much government insurance money floating around out there?

31 posted on 03/09/2007 1:05:52 PM PST by Calusa ("Actually, we bogeyed the 17th hole and picked up on the 18th."L. Graham/Novak)
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To: NorCalRepub

I don't think he can be fired. I just would feel strange sharing the bathroom & I might stare which wouldn't be nice. I think if someone is going to do this type of thing it would be better to move away & make a new life. I feel for the son who now has 2 mommies.


32 posted on 03/09/2007 1:06:40 PM PST by pandoraou812 ( zero tolerance to the will of Allah ...... dilligaf? with an efg.....)
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To: seekthetruth

Found this in the end of the article:

But Commissioner Mary Gray Black said Stanton's surprise announcement that he was pursuing plans to become Susan Stanton "caused stress, turmoil, distraction and work disruption" in the city. His contract says he can be fired without cause at any time. Black called for a vote to dismiss him but cited no specific reason.


33 posted on 03/09/2007 1:19:21 PM PST by seekthetruth
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Too bad he didn't wait 6 years. He probably could have retired with 20 years and then go cut off his penis and dress as a woman.


34 posted on 03/09/2007 1:27:13 PM PST by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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To: dmz
I appreciate your honest answer. "For no reason at all".

Employment at will.

*sigh* It could only have come to mind because most of my life I worked with companies that had that policy. If some will dump you for parting your hair wrong, then it follows....

Plus, there has always been exceptional revulsion among many (at some level, acknowldeged or not) for what is presently considered "gender confusion", and it has nothing to do with homophobia, another entire issue.

For example I readily admit being highly prejudiced against M. Jackson, beyond it being a pedophile. The issue is more visceral and basic than that. Were I to be tilling my garden and turn up something like that, I would likely do the kind thing and dispatch it with a shovel.

Many people can accept a Gay with a shrug, "Well, whatever, just keep out of my face and it's fine", but the public exhibition and portrayal and role-playing of these types brings to mind less charitable connotations, among them, "Grotesque Freak", and a certain concept of absolute wrongness that I suspect transcends local norms and induces universal revulsion in most societies.

The contrast in a sense is that a Gay only needs another Gay to be Gay.

A tranny needs a society in which to function in the assumed role, and desires to be accepted by that society in order to fulfill the fantasy, and is therefore a threat to the "tribe".

Just a guess but it makes sense to me.

35 posted on 03/09/2007 2:37:52 PM PST by Gorzaloon (Global Warming: A New Kind Of Scientology for the Rest Of Us.)
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To: dmz

It's not grounds for firing, but I personally would have trouble employing anyone taking hormones like that.

This is a person who has been subject to normal male hormones, testosterone, etc, all his life, and suddenly floods himself with what, estrogen? progesterone? As a woman, I can tell you they play havoc with you in every way.

Not good to be in an important job while this is going on. I have a friend with severe PMS; I just don't call her on certain days of the month. She's too unpredicatable.


36 posted on 03/09/2007 4:11:43 PM PST by I still care ("Remember... for it is the doom of men that they forget" - Merlin, from Excalibur)
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To: dmz

He has an "at will" contract.

They can fire him for any reason, or no reason.


37 posted on 03/09/2007 4:16:05 PM PST by sport
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

"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."




He's missing something else too!


38 posted on 03/09/2007 4:17:12 PM PST by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: seekthetruth

It is Susan.


39 posted on 03/09/2007 4:18:33 PM PST by sport
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To: GVNR

"fight to keep his job"

Actually, what he said was that he'd get mad and stomp his foot really hard and pout.




He wants to hold onto his job? Sounds like he couldn't hold onto anything else!


40 posted on 03/09/2007 4:20:29 PM PST by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: AmishDude

Bullshit!

It takes more than a cut, high heels, and a dress to become a woman. It takes being born female.

When all the surgery, hormone treatment, and everything else is complete , he will still be a freak. A different freak, but a freak none the less


41 posted on 03/09/2007 4:24:14 PM PST by sport
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