Aug 28, 2007 1:16 pm US/Eastern
Mayor Naugle's Gay Views Jeopardize Tourism Seat
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
Broward County commissioners have scheduled a discussion on Tuesday whether to remove Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle from the Tourist Development Council, according to
CBS4 news partners
The Miami Herald. It attributes this move to the mayor's comments against the gay community.
''Being off the board won't silence me, it may give me a bigger voice,'' Naugle told the newspaper yesterday.
If he is removed, Naugle said he won't have to abide by Florida's public records laws and could speak to individual members of the tourist board at any time.
Commissioner Stacy Ritter planned on calling a vote today. But there is word she may want to delay it until Sept. 11 so that Broward's tourism director Nicki Grossman can attend the meeting to provide testimony about why Naugle should be removed.
Commissioners may remove any member of the board for cause or if the member no longer meets the qualifications. County Commissioner John Rodstrom said he'll question whether the board can document that Naugle has damaged tourism.
Removing Naugle from the council would send a statement that county commissioners disagree with the comments made by Naugle. But it won't cut off his ability to publicize his views what he says is a problem of gay sex in public places.
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CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this repo)
