Di Gennaro takes reins

by Ryan McCarthy
The Keynoter, Saturday, May 24, 2008

In a surprise move, McCoy hands over the county mayorship to vice mayor

Citing Monroe County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro's strong relationship with state officials, fellow Commissioner Sonny McCoy “temporarily” but abruptly relinquished the county mayorship to Di Gennaro at the conclusion of Wednesday's commission meeting in Key Largo.

McCoy then appointed himself vice mayor. He told the Keynoter it would be best for Di Gennaro to hold the post when Gov. Charlie Crist and other state officials visit the Keys this summer.

Di Gennaro, a Republican like Crist, took the governor out fishing when he visited Marathon in spring 2007. And earlier this month, on a federal level, he hosted a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
“They're all very close to [Di Gennaro] and have a nice relationship going on there. When they come down, they're entertained at his house and I think it's to the benefit of our county to have a good relationship on a personal level with the governor,” he said.

McCoy said the decision is not related to any strain the position may be placing on him.

“I think it's better for the county, not for me; I enjoy it,” he said, noting he's already been mayor this term for longer than he would prefer.

“I didn't resign and I will take it up sometime late fall; I'll finish off the term,” McCoy said.

That's if he's re-elected. Three people have filed with the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Office to run against him.

Di Gennaro, who often hosts political fundraisers at his Key Colony Beach home, says he was surprised at the decision, which seems unprecedented in Monroe.

“Sonny is a very clever commissioner. He realized ... I work with a lot of people and do a lot of traveling [and] thought it was appropriate for me to have the title,” he said.

“He told me after the meeting that Mario has contact constantly with people in Tallahassee that he's asking to bring money to the Keys and he felt it was important for him to have the designation,” Commissioner Dixie Spehar said.

McCoy cited Monroe County Administrative Rule 1.04(b), which states: “If, for any reason, the chairperson is absent or unable to perform his/her duties, the vice chairperson, who will have been elected under the same circumstances as the chairperson, shall succeed him.”

In an e-mail to Commissioner George Neugent, County Attorney Suzanne Hutton indicated McCoy's action fit the description of the rule.

“Stepping down from the position as mayor seems to fit the ‘any reason' the chairperson is ‘unable to perform his duties' part. However, there does seem to be room for the [County Commission] to determine that its rules require an election of the new mayor pro tem,” she wrote.

The commission took no vote to name a vice mayor at a Friday special meeting.

“I thought we would have another election,” Neugent said. “Sonny can step down, but I was under the impression the pro tem would remain until he was elected chair.”

Commissioner Sylvia Murphy had left the room while McCoy made his announcement.

“I don't know what the legality is of [Di Gennaro] taking over for a long time; that's not temporary,” she said. “Do I care? No, it doesn't make any difference to me.”