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Tarpon Commissioners Name LeCouris City Manager

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: February 18, 2009

TARPON SPRINGS - Mark LeCouris could now be referred to as "chief-city manager."

Tuesday night city commissioners unanimously voted to allow LeCouris, who has served as interim city manager since May, to assume the post on a permanent basis.

Most everyone around City Hall refers to LeCouris as "chief" because he has been chief of police for nearly 16 years. This caused the acting police chief, Bob Kochen, to jokingly ask LeCouris, "How do we refer to you now?"

The selection of LeCouris, 51, as city manager was a relief to many in the city who did not want to hire an outsider to lead the city.

"What a relief to have one of our own as city manager," Jesse Burke, a long-time resident and City Hall observer, said. LeCouris, Burke said, is "someone who completely understands us and is one of our own."

Former Mayor Anita Protos attended Tuesday night's meeting to lend support to LeCouris. During her tenure as an elected official she saw six city managers come and go, having used the city as a mere professional stepping stone, Protos said.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, another man to have held both the police chief and city manager jobs, Blaine LeCouris, Mark's father, said he is proud of his son.

Blaine LeCouris, 86, said his son has been doing "a great job for the city." He works for the city 24 hours a day, Blaine LeCouris said of his son.

Asked to offer advice, the elder LeCouris said the city manager should keep doing what is right for the city and its residents. In addition, don't get involved in politics, he cautioned.

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