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Winner calls for election inquiry

Soon after being sworn in, Commissioner Mary Gray Black shakes up the established order.

By SHANNON TAN
Published March 4, 2005

LARGO - City commissioners typically praise Largo events and wish sick people well at the end of their meetings.

Commissioner Mary Gray Black, who was sworn in during the meeting earlier Wednesday night, read a statement instead.

"I move that all 2005 general election violations and alleged violations of the election laws be at once investigated by the City Commission," Black said Wednesday night. "I call on all City Commission members, the personnel of the city, city residents and city business leaders to come together in this time of turmoil and work together for the good of the city."

Jaws dropped. None of the other commissioners seconded her motion.

"Did I expect something like that? Yeah," said new Commissioner Andrew Guyette. "She's been very thorough in understanding the charter from day one."

Attorney Bruce McManus, a supporter of Black's, first raised the issue of possible charter violations. Commissioners Harriet Crozier and Pat Gerard and former Commissioner Pat Burke all contributed to candidates' campaigns, in apparent violation of a charter provision that states that anyone who wilfully violates the provision and is convicted faces a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days' imprisonment and the forfeiture of his or her office.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office investigated and referred the case to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office on Thursday for review, said sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen. Bruce Bartlett, the chief assistant state attorney, did not return calls for comment.

Several commissioners say the commission shouldn't investigate itself.

"That's like the fox watching the henhouse," Guyette said.

And to start a second inquiry while there's already an investigation would be inappropriate, said City Manager Steven Stanton.

Commissioners and city employees have donated money to candidates over the years - apparently violating the city charter.

Harriet Crozier made a $25 contribution to Arntzen, which was returned last month. The "Harriet Crozier Fund" gave $86.14 to Burke in 1999.

Crozier's husband, Bobby J. Crozier, a grounds maintenance worker, gave $25 to Burke on Jan. 8, 2002; $25 to former Commissioner Charlie Harper on Jan. 16, 2002; and $25 to Gerard on Dec. 13, 2002.

"I think he should lose his job," said Sal Gattuso, who ran against Crozier in 2001 and lost.

"He's his own person," Harriet Crozier said of her husband. "I'm not going to address that."

No one has called for an investigation into past violations. The statute of limitations for a misdemeanor of the second degree is one year after the violation takes place.

Stanton said he has never talked to employees about not making campaign contributions. Former fire Chief Dan Fries used to donate to Mayor Thom Feaster's campaign, he noted.

Mayor Bob Jackson said he didn't acknowledge Black's motion Wednesday because that time was reserved for reports from officials, and it wasn't on the agenda.

Black insisted Thursday that the commission is required to conduct an investigation. "We need to come together, and residents need to trust (their) elected officials will follow through what they're supposed to do," she said.

She also has alleged that the Sunshine Law is being circumvented by commissioners who meet individually with Stanton.

Stanton says he typically meets with new commissioners for more than 40 hours over two weeks to get them up to speed on issues. "She indicated she thought it was improper, inappropriate, unlawful," he said.

Black told him they would communicate only in writing.

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified March 4, 2005, 00:31:15]