Advertisement

Madeira Beach targets city clerk

 
Madeira Beach Mayor Maggi Black has scheduled a meeting to decide the city clerk’s future. [City of Madeira Beach]
Madeira Beach Mayor Maggi Black has scheduled a meeting to decide the city clerk’s future. [City of Madeira Beach]
Published June 20, 2019

MADEIRA BEACH — The City Commission has scheduled a special meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. with only one item on the agenda — firing City Clerk Clara VanBlargan.

Mayor Maggi Black, who initiated the push to oust VanBlargan, will say only that "she is not a good fit and "didn't fit with the culture of Madeira Beach." She stressed that the clerk has "done a good job" and would not be fired for cause.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: More turmoil in Madeira Beach City Hall

VanBlargan has hired an attorney, Patrice Pucci, who told the commission last week that they are acting illegally.

Even the city attorney thought so, telling Black in an email last week that such a move was "not appropriate 'legally speaking.'"

Even though the city clerk is one of the few employees hired and fired directly by the commission, Pucci said VanBlargan, like any other employee, has the right to appeal punitive actions to the city's civil service board.

Commissioners Nancy Hodges and Doug Andrews called the action "wrong" and "cruel,'' particularly as VanBlargan's husband was about to undergo surgery.

VanBlargan has said she likes her job and does not want to lose it.

The city's last city clerk was also fired along with her husband, former city manager Shane Crawford, several years ago when a new commission majority was elected to office.