UPDATE- Lake Worth city manager Susan Stanton fired in a 3-2 vote

[Shana A]

Lake Worth city manager Susan Stanton fired in a 3-2 vote

By Willie Howard
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 12:46 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/lake-worth-city-manager-susan-stanton-fired-in-2016733.html

LAKE WORTH — Susan Stanton's term as city manager came to an abrupt end after 2½ years Tuesday night when the city commission voted 3-2 to fire her.

Stanton, who earned $150,000 annually, made no comment during the discussion to fire her, and was silent as she walked out of the crowded chambers to exit city hall.

[Jennifer]

This news article doesn't really say why she was fired. 

Jennifer

[lynn-a]

Susan Stanton, who by the way, was a smart and energetic city manager in Lake Worth, was fired without any expressed reason other than the newly elected majority had a different "vision." They never said what that was. It was instigated by the Vice Mayor, Scott Maxwell, who had a personal obsession and a vendetta against Stanton. He wanted her fired for no reason other than he just did not like her and her strong will.

It is criminal when politics gets in the way of good sense. I did not always agree with Susan Stanton but one thing for sure, she was running the city in the best way she knew how to get us out of the financial urgency we were in. It was up to the Commission to lead and tell her what they expected. Instead, this newly elected commission took the easy way out and terminated her. Our loss. I am thoroughly disgusted and it just cements my overall feelings of politicians in general--you can't trust most of them.

[lilacwoman]

accrued sick pay?   she so dedicated she worked when sick?  or do Americans get a certain number of days off for sickness each year

[tekla]

I don't think it's as much a matter of politics getting in the way of 'good sense' - it's politics being politics.  In this case people who didn't support her got elected so she didn't keep her job.  Same deal on any level of government, a new administration often results in lots and lots of people losing their jobs to be replaced by people more in line with the thinking of the winners.

And it's not even opositional politics.  Many Presidential administrations have/had as their first offical action by cabnet appointees and other high level staff, a requirement that they submit a signed - but undated - letter of resignation.  They serve, as they say in DC, at the pleasure of the President.  So too with city managers who serve at the pleasure of the council.

Nothing new either.  The Latin phrase is: durante bene placito regis.

And, (particularly in these times) City Managers are a lot like NFL/major college head coaches, you always have a bag packed, because it's not a matter of "if" you get fired.  It's only a matter of when.  She knew that when she took the job.

[lynn-a]

I agree with what you said. It is unfortunate though...I thought Lake Worth, an extremely liberal and progressive city, was going to be different and look only to Susan's experience and qualifications, not her personality. My wrong.

[tekla]

When she interviewed in Berkeley (one of the most liberal, if not leftist, cities in the US) they didn't like her at all.  They thought all her answers were heavy-handed, and she does seem rather tone-deaf to how some of her remarks come across.  "Extremely liberal and progressive" - might define Lake Worth (I doubt it, it's in Florida, but...) but it sure does not describe her - and that might be the real issue.

BTW - I HATE the City Manager form of municipal government.  It's just more people to play the 'pawn it off/ blame someone else" game.

[lynn-a]

Her interview here was masterful and I was there for all of them. She had studied this city so thoroughly that she knew exactly what the commisison would ask and what answers they expected. It was brilliant stuff.

[Julie Marie]

Based on how she handled trans community support after her previous firing, Stanton seems to have a problem with diplomacy.  In politics, that's not good.  Maybe she still has that problem.

[Joelene9]

accrued sick pay?   she so dedicated she worked when sick?  or do Americans get a certain number of days off for sickness each year

We still do in some places.  Some businesses even encourage you not to go to work sick to prevent the co-workers getting it.  This despite the overtime without extra pay these businesses are requiring to their remaining employees in these times.  I worked for my last big company for nearly 20 years and I never took a sick day off.  The unused sick day pay is given to the employee at the end of the year.  Me and another fellow in my shop called it our "Christmas account". 
  Joelene

[lilacwoman]

thanks Joelene.   didn't know that.
   
in my hospital job and generally in UK an emplyer is allowed sick leave for a few days but has to produce certificate of sickness for longer but there is no accrual of pay.

taking too much time off gets a warning and then gets the person fired as tight budgets do need reliable workers.

[SandraJane]

Lake Worth Residents To Protest Firing Of Transsexual City Manager

Gathering To Begin Outside City Hall At 5:30 p.m.

POSTED: 8:27 am EST December 13, 2011
UPDATED: 8:49 am EST December 13, 2011

http://www.wpbf.com/politics/29984664/detail.html#ixzz1ghU9P0HP


Susan Stanton's supporters say her termination was politically motivated, but one of her colleagues said that's not so.




LAKE WORTH, Fla. -- Some people in Lake Worth are letting the city know they're not happy about its recent decision to fire the city manager.

Protestors are expected to gather outside City Hall later Tuesday, WPBF 25 News has learned.