LARGO - As expected and predicted in the Clearwater Gazette's reports on the matter, Sheriff Jim Coats of Pinellas County wisely declined to investigate allegations of misconduct and charter violations in Largo.
No criminal elements were involved in the alleged charter violations. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over criminal violations.
Coats wrote in his letter to Mac Craig, acting city manager, that "the allegations concern political questions and job performance issues of elected officials. These matters are appropriately resolved by the city's electorate as they do not call into question any criminal statutes or administrative rules."
It was Commissioner Harriet Crozier who proposed at a commission meeting May 15 that the Sheriff's Office investigate the matter in what was obviously a mindless suggestion showing total ignorance of what the sheriff's role is.
One observer opined that perhaps Crozier made her proposal in full knowledge that it was a dead end and this was a good way to kill off the investigation idea.
At the time, people in the know, who were not part of the decision making, said that if any investigation were to be done it would more appropriately be done by the Attorney General's Office.
Craig had nothing to do with the idea of an investigation. He merely delivered the request to the Sheriff's Office.
The idea of an investigation stemmed from a May 1 petition by citizens that there be a probe into the eight-page document produced by Steve Stanton, former city manager, in which city officials and employees participated.
There is a provision in the city charter that says that any member of the commission having information vital to city business is obligated to report that information to the commission.
Mayor Pat Gerard, according to published reports and testimony that was never denied, was aware as early as January that Stanton had plans to become transgendered; that is, to become a woman (as preposterous as the notion sounds, that was his intention).
Of course, because of the chromosomatic makeup of a human being, no person can actually change his or her gender and become the other gender.
But Stanton's stated intention was "to become a woman" and Gerard was in on it. Also informed was Commissioner Gay Gentry.
Others in the city - the fire chief, the police chief, the Human Resources Director, the city attorney - were advised of Stanton's plans.
But the charter provision refers only to members of the commission having an obligation to report important information.
Gerard has justified her role mainly through silence and open and blatant support of Stanton who was dismissed by Largo and who failed most recently to get hired in Sarasota where he applied all dolled up in female garb.
Gentry explained that she was at loggerheads on what to do. She did not want to bring it up publicly at a meeting, she said, and could not talk privately to fellow commissioners for fear of violating the Sunshine Law.
Of course, Gentry could have sent an e-mail or letter to her colleagues saying something to the effect that "the city manager has important information he needs to share with us."
Apparently that never occurred to her.
The idea of pursuing this investigation now appears to be dead.
