Holmes Raises Questions On Largo Staff Behavior In Setting InitiativesBy Leo CoughlinLARGO - In his appearance before the County Commission January 19, where he suggested a meeting between the elected officials of the county, his colleagues on the Largo City Commission, and himself; Curtis Holmes made a comment that begged for elucidation. Holmes said to the county officials, "staff memos are going out and the quality on that is dubious". When queried, Holmes explained his comment this way - "I was referring to comments made by staff, not memos per se. This observation was predicated on the following: 1. "Prior to and since taking office I have noticed on more than a few occasions various staff members attributing 'instructions' given by the elected body when no such instruction was given" 2. "Prior to addressing the County Commission I did speak to Commissioners (Neil) Brickfield, (Nancy) Bostock and Chairperson (Karen) Seel about the need for the elected bodies to talk directly to one another rather than having it filtered through staff. They wholeheartedly agreed, citing the same 'instructions'" "You've asked for specifics but considering I do not keep track, I cannot give you a specific, at this time, but will assure you that from henceforth methinks I will keep a scorecard". Assertions by staff members that "instructions" were given on one thing or another that Holmes points out. He says in his view it demonstrates the tendency of the staff to drive the legislative agenda. The staff is very active when it has subjects that suit its agenda. This was demonstrated last summer during discussions for the 2010 (current) budget in the framework of serious financial difficulties. Among other things, the City Commission contemplated closing the nature park at the southern end of Highland Avenue and Bonner Park, on the west side of the city. Almost immediately signs were posted at each site-advising citizens of possible closing and inviting them to contact the commission in protest. Immediately the question arose as to who put the signs there. No admission came from any source in the city, although the Parks and Recreation Department was suspected of being behind the placing of the signs. The issues grew to the point where a grim faced Mayor Pat Gerard expressed strong dissatisfaction with the mystery of the signs and demanded, at a public commission meeting, that the city manager look into the question and provide an answer. Mac Craig, the manager, in his best down-home Arkansas drawl, solemnly promised, "We'll get to the bottom of this". That promise, and the subject, faded into disappearance like the morning fog on a day in June. No answer ever has been forthcoming. Gerard never pursued her own order. The subject was dropped. One of Holmes's dissatisfactions, expressed in his campaign for election last November and since, has been what he perceives as a "do nothing" attitude of the commission. Rarely has any member of the commission in recent years proposed any legislation, although that, and setting policy, is the chief purpose of the commission. Since taking office, Holmes has raised questions and sparked responses from the staff that had not been raised before.
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