Stanton Should Have Expected The Result - No one will ever know for sure what was going on in the mind of Steve Stanton the past couple of years, but it must have included how he would expose his sex change operation to the citizens of Largo and Largo's elected officials.
Of course, Stanton did create a plan on how he would handle the shocking sex change news with the help of Largo Mayor Pat Gerard, perhaps a few close friends, a newspaper editor, and several special interest groups that would come to his defense to fight his being terminated . . . and an attorney.
Yes, there was a plan to handle the news.
Interestingly, there was an attempt by the media to blame the good citizens of Largo for not being more understanding and cooperative in supporting city employees who desire sex change operations and the like.
Imagine blaming the people of Largo for not accepting open lifestyles, like in San Francisco, California?
Blame?
How about blaming the person who created the problem, Steve Stanton.
What is next in Largo?
A new city manager and perhaps a new mayor. Pat Gerard did little to reflect the type of leadership Largo needed during the Stanton affair. She used her position as mayor to discredit many Largo citizens and should face the wrath of voters in the next city election.
Further, Commissioner Rodney Woods used his race as one way of defending his decision to retain Steve Stanton. Woods should not have used his race to try and win an argument that had nothing to do with the color of one's skin. Woods was wrong and it only reflected his true inner feelings.
Yes, there will be fallout from the Stanton spectacle.
Spring Break is Coming To A Close - Three weeks remain for Spring Break 2007.
Yes, it is a bit amazing that Spring Break 2007 is just about concluded.
Traffic was bad, but not like several years ago. People walked the beaches, but not like several years ago. Hotels were nearly full, but not like several years ago. Yes, it was a rather subdued 2007 Spring Break in Clearwater.
What does all of it mean?
Certain leaders of Clearwater once boldly led the way in developing the vision for a better city. Outside expert city planners, like Charlie Siemen, helped to draft creative planning ideas that have allowed city development to follow such innovative ideas as One City. One Future, Beachwalk, etc.
The future?
Spring Break may never become what it once was in Clearwater; however, there will be a few new hotels on Clearwater Beach for next year. Visitors will spend more for a room than in 2007, but there will be more visitors next year to Clearwater Beach. The roadways along Clearwater Beach will also be refurbished for 2008 tourist season. Those changes will certainly help rekindle interest in visiting Clearwater Beach. More parking? Not much will be done to help remedy that tourism problem. All in all, 2008 has a excellent chance of being a better Spring Break than in 2007.
With the approved downtown Clearwater boat slip project, the only thing needed in downtown Clearwater is a reason to visit. That means Harborview Center project needs revisited. With 129 boat slips along a wonderful downtown waterfront, imagine if there was a Downtown Clearwater "Beachwalk?" Imagine a new hotel, restaurants, movie theatres, shopping, etc., etc., plus a great waterfront city park with monthly concerts.... Yes, downtown Clearwater has great opportunities for advancement.
Reader Writes To Say VA Problems Were Old - One of the Gazette readers wrote to say that VA hospital problems had been around for years... and few, if any, politicians seemed to care.
That is what I said, and it is good to hear that some folks agree.
The VA hospital problems are not new problems. Yes, blame could be dispensed equally to Democrats and Republicans. It is a shame that our young soldiers (wounded in combat) would be subject to anything but the very best in medical care. Quite frankly, this revelation is not new to people who had visited VA hospitals.
The point of the column last week was not that the VA hospital mess needed, and needs, prompt attention; rather, the point was that the VA medical issue was not about Congressman Bill Young. The way I see it, failure should be given to Senator Bill Nelson. After all, Nelson is a high ranking senator from this area and must be aware of VA medical problems. Of course, if Sen. Nelson does not know about VA issues, then perhaps he has been remiss in his duties as a U.S. senator from Florida. Nelson is a Democrat and Young is a Republican. It makes you wonder why any newspaper would only pick on Young (unless they were only out to discredit him.) What about Sen. Nelson?
Thanks for the reader's input... the VA does need attention.
Australia Says, "If You Don't Like Our Law, Leave" - This might not be the best time for Muslim radicals to think about living in Australia.
Australian leaders have recently said they want Muslims who wish to become Australian citizens to pledge allegiance to the laws of Australia and not some other Muslim set of laws. Australian laws prevail in Australia, regardless of religious laws. Love it or leave it.
Muslims with dual citizenship must soon make a decision whether they would agree to these terms of citizenship or lose Australian citizenship.
The reason for this tight citizenship policy in Australia?
Australians want to control possible acts of terrorism in their country.
Can you imagine a nation forcing citizens to agree to the laws of that nation?
Not in America, we allow millions of illegal people to enter our country every year. Americans are not afraid of terrorists ilike Australians, but maybe we should be!
Gay Rights Groups Opposed Coach Dungy - When you think about Indiana, you might have visions of Hoosier basketball or Indianapolis Colts football games.
Yes, Indiana is also recognized as the home of coach Tony Dungy's Superbowl Champs Indianapolis Colts. Coach Dungy is one of the most respected names in professional sports due, in great part, to his good character.
Yet, Coach Dungy was asked by gay rights groups to not accept a speaking engagement at a fundraiser for Indiana Family Institute (a conservative group supporting a constitutional amendment in Indiana for marriage defined as between one man and one woman.)
Coach Dungy, however, accepted the speaking engagement and, as expected, he stated to the large audience he "embraces their stance" for defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
Thus, while Dungy was put under pressure to avoid speaking to this Indiana group, he refused to reject his basic principles regarding marriage.
This is not the first time professional athletes, and or coaches, have been put under pressure to avoid discussing gay marriage rights.
Final Four - WOW! The Gators are back in the final four and will play UCLA in the next NCAA basketball championship match. Ohio State will challenge Georgetown in the other semi-final match..
In an effort to repeat as college basketball's national champions, the Gator family is coming together as one of the best college sports programs in the country. Gator fans have a reason to be proud, it is rare for an NCAA national championship team to reach the final four two seasons in a row; but, the Gators have done it! GO GATORS.
On the other hand, how interesting might it get if, a big if, the Buckeyes beat the Hoyas and face the Gators in another NCAA playoff game?
Gators vs Buckeyes?
Bring it on.
