Just moments after the end of a Hillsborough County Commission meeting today where, in a circus-like atmosphere, the board considered the futures of county administrator Pat Bean, county attorney Renee Lee, and internal performance auditor Jim Barnes, Linda Saul-Sena called for Ken Hagan to give up his post as commission chairman. Saul-Sena, a longtime Tampa City Council member, is running against Hagan for the District 5 commission seat in November. Here reasoning behind her call for Hagan's resignation? An organization's culture reflects its leadership, she said. Here's the text of the news release sent by her campaign:

“The chaos that the county finds itself in is a direct result of the failed leadership of Ken Hagan and only now, in the middle of an election year is he trying to fix the mess that he made," stated Saul-Sena. “Ken Hagan is what I would call an Arsonist and a Firefighter, he is responsible for the many ‘fires’ that keep occurring throughout the county and then tries to swoop in an act like the hero trying to put those ‘fires’ out.  This isn’t the first time this behavior has happened and as long as he remains on the County Commission it won’t be the last. 

“What we are witnessing right now as a result of Hagan’s failed leadership is miserable, unprofessional and quite possibly criminal mischief within the County Administration,” stated Saul-Sena. 

“It simply comes down to this, when you are the Chair of a Board then you are the one who is held responsible.  Well enough is enough, Ken Hagan needs to step down,” stated Saul-Sena.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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