Headlines
This past week, our newspapers were dominated by headlines about former aide Celeste Bruno’s lawsuit against the County for failing to provide a safe workplace in light of inappropriate behavior by outgoing Commissioner Sonny McCoy. This incident seems especially distasteful here, in a community where we claim we’re One Human Family.
The transcripts from the initial grand jury investigation into this, as well as reports from the trial itself, were disturbing. The reported behavior was clearly inappropriate and would have made most self-respecting professionals uncomfortable. The fact that the Commissioner did not understand that such behavior was offensive was perhaps more disturbing, and a clear indication that his actions grew out of experiences from a different generation. Further, the County seemed ineffective in complying with today’s workplace standards.
Indeed, I was stunned to learn that Commissioners are not subject to the County’s sexual harassment policies. Educating staff from the top to the bottom about harassment has been SOP in businesses, governments and organizations throughout this country for decades. I’d propose that immediately the County’s policy be reviewed, strengthened and applied to all County employees, including Commissioners.
I hope this is not emblematic of a larger problem with the County staff: that they sometimes resist raising any issues or giving any opinions that may be difficult for a Commissioner to hear or agree with for fear of losing their jobs. To me, that’s counter-productive and not in the best interests of the taxpayers. It can lead to decisions being made without all the facts being presented, or in a case like this, to a lawsuit. I would hope that, going forward, County staff will feel emboldened by this decision and more willing to share their expert opinions with Commissioners, even if they seem unpopular.
And now, there seems to be significant public support for reconsidering the naming of the new Terminal at Key West International Airport. As a policy, I would support not naming anything after anyone who has not been deceased for at least 10 years. First, that gives our communities enough time to determine if someone’s contributions in life rise to the level of a lasting legacy that should be honored.
Second, it’s very hard to opt for the linoleum over the marble when a living person is being honored with naming rights – and especially so when the honoree is on the Commission making decisions about the project. Keeping living folks out of decisions about spending taxpayer dollars to honor themselves would likely save us all a few shekels.
Commissioner McCoy will be remembered for his length of service, work on wastewater and other issues in Key West, and feats like water-skiing to Cuba. He has already been honored through the Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park, his bust on the golf course, and countless buildings he designed, including the Key West Post Office. There is no dearth of McCoy monuments in Key West.
The Terminal has been plagued with serious problems including major cost overruns, construction delays, a grand jury investigation, inadequate oversight, the tragic death of a worker, and now a sexual harassment trial with its namesake at the epicenter that found the county culpable.
A few county residents have suggested to me that it might be best for the community, in a gesture of healing and statesmanship, for Commissioner McCoy to request that his name be removed from the Terminal.
That may not be such a bad idea.
