The Mayor vs The City Manager

I do not know all the ins and outs of this current debacle. What I do find curious is the reason given why the Assistant City manager signed off on a permit that should only have been signed by someone from the building department.

The Rum Barrel is a bar, not a hospital or even a police station, why was there this apparent emergency that made the bars' opening "early" such a priority? Like I said, its a bar. I think the people of Key West would have been able to take the 3 or 4 week wait for the proper permits to be signed by the proper people.

Why the big rush, and why the big secret?

clipped from www.keynoter.com It's no secret that Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson wants to fire City Manager Julio Avael without cause. Surfacing now are questions about an investigation into permits issued last year that allowed an early opening for Pat Croce's Rum Barrel on Simonton and Front streets. McPherson said there were some questionable actions taken by Avael and assistant city manager John Jones, and that if the investigation finds anything improper, he would push “a resolution that looks at suspension with charges,” he said. The Rum Barrel permits date back to February 2006. Typically, only building officials are authorized to sign off on the certificates needed to open, but Jones said that circumstances - which he cannot fully divulge at this time - required the bar and restaurant to open early with his consent.