Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/198837
Sarasota News Leader October 25, 2013 Page 12 Barbetta said before the Oct. 23 vote. "I have academic analysis was entirely appropriate. some concerns here and don't know where to [Reid] represented the community's interests, go next." and perhaps that wasn't welcome." "The time has passed [for Reid] to be that Antunes believes the firing will send a message great administrator we hoped for," Barbetta to future candidates for the administrator's added. position. "Who would want to uproot their life and come here to work for this board?" The commissioners will likely discuss the next she asked the commissioners. steps for finding a permanent replacement for Reid when they hold their next regular meet- Antunes further suggested that some coming on Nov. 5. missioners had behaved unprofessionally in their interactions with Reid at the dais during NOT BENDING THE RULES public meetings: "It has been badgering, petuAlthough Reid's standing had slipped as far as lant and disrespectful conversation at times." three commissioners were concerned, some Lourdes Ramirez, president of CONA, lauded residents stood by his side, and he had the Reid for overcoming a wide array of chalsupport of the Sarasota County Council of lenges after he moved to Sarasota County. Neighborhood Associations (CONA). The handful of residents who spoke at "We know you have many qualities. Among Wednesday's meeting praised Reid during the them is integrity. We know your goal is to make Sarasota a great place to live, work and public comments segment. play," Ramirez said. "It is amazing you accomCONA Vice President Cathy Antunes said plished so much. Frankly, we cannot imagine Reid is recognized nationally as a leader in replacing you." ethics in public administration. The County Commission, Antunes added, has applied One of those accomplishments was hiring key new staff members, she added, as also "shifting standards" to Reid. indicated by several commissioners in their "Problems with Mr. Ley's administration were most recent evaluations. discussed for several years; yet, nothing was done," Antunes continued. "I don't understand Further, Ramirez addressed Reid's lack of how those standards are reconciled with Mr. support from development interests, which Reid's performance." some of his supporters feel was one of the Antunes also found fault with Barbetta's insis- root causes for his ouster. tence that Reid had acted inappropriately by "The development community wasn't happy trying to hire the USF consultant to analyze with Randall Reid," Ramirez told the News possible changes to the county's 2050 Plan. Leader after Wednesday's vote. "They wanted "Barbetta's comment is mystifying," Antunes him to bend the rules for 2050, and he said, told the News Leader. "An independent, 'No.'"