When Key West City Manager Julio Avael was county administrator in Lee County on Florida's west coast, a Ft. Myers newspaper labeled him a "hatchetman" for his penchant for firing people. Then he was fired himself.
Actually, in January 1993, the Lee County Commission gave Avael the choice between being fired and accepting a demotion back to the job of Human Services Director, a job he had held in previous years.
The Ft. Myers News Press editorialized:
"Now that two members of last year's special-interest troika are out of office (county commissioners), along with their hand-picked hatchetman (Avael), county government has a chance to move forward again . . . Lee County's name has been dragged through the mud for far too long now by public officials engaging in questionable dealings that benefited special interests."
The News Press also opposed Avael's efforts to get a three-year contract when he returned to his old Human Services job.
"If he wants to go back there, fine," the newspaper editorialized. "But no contract. Avael fired several county department heads as soon as he was appointed county administrator. Why should he be protected from the same cut-throat practices that he used so well?"
In 1966, Avael's fear of sudden firing was apparent in his contract negotiations with the Key West City Commission. He proposed that, should the Commissioners want to fire him, there would have to be "cause" and that he would have 30 days to correct the situation.
Reports persist that one of Avael's pre-employment deals here was that he would fire then-Police Chief Ray Peterson in return for the City Manager's job. Dennis Wardlow was mayor at that time and it is well-known that he blamed Peterson for the FBI investigation that resulted in Wardlow's indictment on federal bribery charges. Although he was acquitted on those charges, he was later found guilty of influence peddling by the State Ethics Commission,
After only 10 months on the job here, Avael suspended Peterson, offering a "Blue Book" of charges that seemed to many to be contrived. He was successful in forcing Peterson out but, as part of a final settlement, had to admit, in writing, that all of the charges were "unfounded."
Two weeks ago, Avael abruptly fired Catherine Harding, who had headed the city's licensing, permitting and code enforcement functions since November 1999. He cited "too many complaints."
But when the newspapers asked to see the complaint file, Avael refused to release that and related files for two days. That has fueled speculation that he may have used that time to "plant" back-dated and undated memos that would be unfavorable to Harding's case.
Possibly to head off any opposition to his action by City Commissioners, Avael ordered acting Building Dept. Director Charles Stephenson to investigate allegations that Harding may have knowingly used an unlicensed electrical contractor to wire her home. Avael's memo to Stephenson was dated April 23 and copied to the mayor and city commissioners.
"This is to advise you that Mr. Jesus Zepero informed me last week that he was hired by the City Building Official, Catherine Harding, to wire her home and accessory unit, and that he performed the electrical work as an unlicensed contractor," Avael told Stephenson. "Furthermore, although he informed Mrs. Harding that he was unlicensed, she instructed him to perform the work."
Avael went on to allege that Harding may have used other unlicensed contractors and that some of the work was never inspected. He asked Stephenson to conduct a full investigation.
Harding said she has never heard of Zepero and she provided copies of all of her permits and evidence of inspections.
She suggested that the only purpose of the memo was to attempt to discredit her.
At presstime, Avael had not responded to a request to provide a phone number for Zepero.
Harding is fighting her termination. She has hired a Miami law firm and is threatening to sue the city.
A closed-door hearing is scheduled for Monday. Avael will act as the hearing officer and will make the final determination concerning Harding's fate.