Trantalis angry at Rodstrom over Naugle rant!
Former Commissioner Dean Trantalis is very upset over Mayor Jim Naugle's homophobic message in the current addititon of the City's newsletter "the Focus"., and it's not just Jim Naugle who he is furious at.
In Naugle's latest article, he continued his focus on his priority of stopping "gay sex" at City parks and bathrooms. The "Focus" is mailed to all Fort Lauderdale residents.
The article created quite a stir in the community, and Gay residents demanded that the City Commission rebuke Naugle at their latest meeting. The commission, with Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson leading the effort, agreed to keep any more Naugle missives from appearing in the publication. They agreed to replace Naugle's column with a column of their own. (See Sun-Sentinel's Politic Blog at http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/)
The effort, which was the strongest admonition yet of the Mayor by his Commission, didn't pacify Trantalis when it came to the statements of his handpicked successor, Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom. Below is a copy of an e-mail sent by Trantalis to Rodstrom yesterday.
Hi Charlotte-
Naugle's recent statements regarding the gay community, especially in
light of the death and beating of two individuals who were GLBT members, has
enraged the entire community. The statements which he included in his State
of the City address, and now his most recent attack in the Focus article,
are clear signs that this guy is not going to let up. We can all say that,
oh well, he'll be gone in a year so let's just grin and bear it. Well,
unfortuantely, that doesn't work. We all thought that the mayor would have
had his round last summer, and having seen the community response, would
have just felt satisfied that he said his peace and would move on with the
business of the city. That is clearly not the case.
The gay community and its friends are planning a significant response to
the mayor's latest actions. In its fight, its leaders will look to see who
is with them and who is not, and specific moments will be seen as tests to
determine community loyalty. Yesterday afternoon, at the conference meeting,
we were looking for a response from the other commissioners like yourself to
stand up to the mayor and insist that he not demean the city and the
position of mayor in his continual diatribe about bathroom sex which only he
seems to think is a problem. Many eyes were on you, Charlotte, and frankly
your attempt to try to shove the issue under the rug is being viewed as your
agreement with the mayor and his beliefs. You cannot look to find excuses
for the mayor when he conducts himself in an inexcusable manner. You can see
that he is unapolgetic, is shameless, and your looking to appease the anger
with a motherly pat on the head is making people in the GLBT community
feeling betrayed.
I say this to you because I have always supported you and I believe in
your continued role as our commissioner. But Charlotte, this issue hits too
close and too hard for me to ignore and for you look indifferent. People are
dying because of their sexual orientation and being ruffed-up right here in
our own back yard--at the Floridian no less!! You cannot dig your head in
the sand; as much as we all hoped that the issue would have gone away it has
returned and with a vengeance. His rhetotic has emboldened people to attack
innocent victims and your refusal to stand up against the mayor or anyone
else who speaks his point of view is being interpreted as your agreeing with
him.
Charlotte, you need to make a strong and bold statement real soon and in
a very demonstrative way. I can only hold back the anger for so long. (I
even convinced Coleman Pruitt to run in district 4 and not against you.) But
to let the mayor continue to offend and to especially put lives at risk is
just not acceptable. The city does not deserve to have as its mayor someone
who revels in filth, and certainly, with such a large GLBT population that
exists in Ft.Lauderdale, we need to know that we have people who are there
to protect us.
DEAN
Dean, I can feel your anger though I am not gay, but have friends that are!
The gay community is much welcomed here in our city just like everyone else, if Naugle likes it or not!
I am surprised that one has not taken all his remarks to the "State" maybe one up there could have had him removed from the seat as our Mayor. (would that not be wonderful?)
Sex in public bathrooms, & City parks are done by sex offenders or there such! When was the last police report in the city of Ft. Lauderdale arresting a gay man/woman having sex in either location?
Nuagle, wake up the gay community is here to stay if you like it or not. They are people such as like myself that have feelings, loving & caring people! Maybe you should start coming out of the "closet" Naugle (for years you have covered up your other side) why be so disrepectable for the gays? (your one)
The commissioners that cannot stand up to this ******* idiot (our Mayor) has no backbone.
Just remember the gay community has all the rights to be here. They pay taxes just like all of us. (some maybe even more than you Naugle)
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wow? now you are speaking up! fine time to find your voice! you are right--but where were you a couple years ago? charlotte needs to take a stand---now, or never---
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I think the Federal Government should be asked to get involved. This to me is harassment and discrimination against someones right of choice of sexual orientation.
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While I dont agree with the mayor's position last I checked there still is a right to free speech in this country. Jim does not have the power to say have the police crack down on gays, there was only 1 bathroom arrest. He has no power to do anything except mouth off.
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I wasn't there at the Commission Meeting when "Focus" was discussed. Didn't the Mayor bring up that this article was old and printed without his knowledge and according to the Sun-Sentinel article, the City Manager had issued a "counseling slip" in reference to it to a City employee? So, end of story. It's time to MOVE ON folks. We have issues to discuss. This is an old one. Get over it!
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What you missed is that the Commission told him via a resolution agreed to by all of the Commission, including him in September of 2007, to cease this activity. He wrote the article in October of 2007- by his own admission and sent it in November 2007(all of which was after the Commission voted to no longer take a singular position that was not voted by the Commission. What you also don't seem to know is that he reiterated the same information at the State of The City February 2008 - again not in compliance with the agreement that he also sign.
BTW - the counseling slip requested was for the City Manager - not an employee.
The Mayor was wrong to violate a resolution agreed on by the entire commission - got called on it - and then tried to pass the blame - even knowing he had just included that in his speech.
Move on is the right idea - it is just the Mayor more than anyone that needs to do that.
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But what you are missing is the Mayor DID NOT send out the piece. The CITY DID. How is he responsible for that? Even if he wrote the article in October 2007, he didn't send it out did he? It's time to move on!! I doubt many TAXPAYRERS really care about this. IF they do, I bet the MAJORITY AGREE WITH the MAYOR! Move on already!!
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I disagree. If we over look this what else would be over looked ? Naugle represents The City of Fort lauderdale and should not excluded any one group. We are very diverse and that is what makes us strong and proud.
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NO NO NO The majority DO NOT agree with the Mayor.
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