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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: June 28, 2008

As former Tarpon Springs City Manager Ellen Posivach was being pressured to quit in April, she said her opponents wanted her gone because she didn't cater to the city's old guard. Posivach's critics said she was out of town too much and didn't get along well with people.

Given this background, the City Commission was right this week when it decided not to simply give the vacant city manager's job to the interim manager, Police Chief Mark LeCouris. LeCouris, who has asked for a trial period as city manager, could - and for all we know should - end up with the job in the end. Commissioners, however, must at least consider other possibilities. For one thing, these are challenging times for local government in Florida. The state's economy is in the dumps, and Tallahassee has been demanding cities and counties cut property tax rates. This situation calls for a good money manager.

In addition, LeCouris certainly is a member of the city's inner circle. He has been with the Police Department for more than two decades. His father, Blaine LeCouris, was police chief as well, later was named city manager and after that was elected to the City Commission. On top of that, Mark LeCouris' late grandmother, Pearl LeCouris, moved to Tarpon Springs in 1902. If for no other reason than the sake of appearance, the City Commission is right to consider more that one potential city manager.

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