INDIAN ROCKS BEACH -- The Indian Rocks Beach story plot involving the City Manager, John Coffey, thickened (or "sickened" some say) at the City Commission meeting Tuesday night.
Coffey, who received a poor evaluation at the May 3 meeting and a week later indicated he was seeking other employment, was to receive further humiliation Tuesday in being faced with required "remedial training."
Such training came about as a result of the evaluation after which the city attorney was asked to list requirements to improve Coffey's performance.
That discussion was due Tuesday night but a motion was made to delete it from the agenda.
An explanation was quickly forthcoming from Andy Salzman, the city attorney, who said further information was being developed in reference to Coffey.
"Additional information is coming out," Salzman said, "More complaints that need to be reviewed."
Salzman told the commission he would develop a memorandum on this new information and present it to the commission.
As Coffey's position became further tenuous there was a question among many observers whether he would stay in his post.
Had the City Commission subjected Coffey to even further humiliation by prescribing the "remedial training," that would have been uncomfortable. But with the revelation of further "complaints" as Salzman said, even more questions are being raised.
Coffey received a harsh evaluation, particularly from Commissioners Jim Palamara and Jeremiah Carmody, and that time the city attorney was asked to list requirements for Coffey.
The "remedial actions" suggested are -- Communication with staff and commissioners; personnel management and morale; anger management; city policies, the Sunshine Law, and handling of public records.