The ANNOTICO Report

Florida County Commissioner Marion Knudsen referred to the enormous homes
being shoe-horned onto small waterfront lots as "mafioso mansions."

Knudsen said she has used that term many times before and realized it could
be deemed derogatory only after James DeMaria, a developer in the audience
who interpreted her remark as an insult to himself and other
Italian-Americans.pointed it out.

To Knudsen's credit she said :"I'm going to be a good girl and not use that
term anymore."

St Petersburg Times
A Times Editorial
May 17, 2005

The ever-loquacious Rodney King said it best when he implored, "Can't we
all just get along?" But the Florida Bar was on the right track when it
asked government bodies around the state to take the civility pledge during
May.

The Citrus County Commission signed on by accepting a proclamation noting
that "displays of anger, rudeness, impatience and a lack of respect and
personal attacks detract from the open exchange of ideas, prevent fair
discussion of the issues and discourage individuals from participating in
government."

On the other hand, being civil "can uplift our daily life and make it more
pleasant to live in an organized society."

At least the Bar didn't ask the counties to release a flock of doves or
join hands and belt out a chorus of Kumbaya.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but the tenor of local political discourse
has gotten a little more civil lately. This can't all be chalked up to a
simple proclamation, but something weird certainly is going on.

[RAA: The Editorial went on to cite Example A, re a County Commissioner
questioning the accomplishments of a "volunteer" group, and Exhibit B, re
another County Commissioner who chastised his fellow Commissioners on
inaction when he was a member of the majority.]

Exhibit C: Anyone who follows the actions of the county's Planning and
Development Review Board knows that Marion Knudsen is known for her sharp
tongue and wit as much as for her knowledge of Citrus County planning
regulations.

Not everyone appreciates her colorful language.

During a recent meeting, Knudsen referred to the enormous homes being
shoe-horned onto small waterfront lots as "mafioso mansions." That did not
sit well with James DeMaria, a developer in the audience who interpreted
her remark as an insult to himself and other Italian-Americans.

DeMaria complained in a letter this month to the County Commission, which
appoints review board members, and demanded an apology. He didn't exactly
get one.

Knudsen said she has used that term many times before and realized it could
be deemed derogatory only after DeMaria pointed it out. "I'm going to be a
good girl and not use that term anymore," she said.

As for a formal apology, DeMaria should not hold his breath. "I think I'll
just leave well enough alone," Knudsen said.

While we can all do without the political correctness that sometimes chokes
off reasonable disagreements, we should applaud this wave of political
politeness, even as we lament that there is only a couple of weeks left in
Civility Month.

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/17/
Citrus/Taking_steps_to_be_ni.shtml