April 24, 2002

Tampa, FL - While thousands of our finest military men and women are fighting a war defending freedom and liberty, Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa elected officials are feverishly dismantling the United States Constitution.

On April 18, 2002 Gary Mitchell, a disabled decorated Vietnam War veteran, was fired from his part-time job with the county because of comments he made the previous day at a County public hearing. In his presentation Mr. Mitchell did not identify himself as a county employee or a representative of the city, he was there as private citizen. He was there to express his opinion regarding the repeated use of the word "vagina" by County Commissioner Ronda Storms during public meetings that are broadcasted via government controlled television.

As a spoof Mr. Mitchell wore a funny looking hat with a piece of paper on it that identified him as a member of the "Thunderheads," a fictitious group supporting Storms. In his satirical comment he said his group was trying to decide what new supporting chant they would use. Mitchell said the group could not decide whether to use "gina, gina, gina," or " vagi, vagi, vagi." Those comments did not sit well with Storms.

The following day Mitchell, who has worked for the county for more than 2 years as a part-time cameraman, was fired because of his outrageous comments and "contempt …for our government" said Mike Forester, Director of the government controlled television. In fact his supervisor Steve McClure told him that he was fired because ultimately they [County Commissioners] are the boss."

"I think they're trying to tell me I have to give up my rights as an American citizen just because I'm an employee of the County. I don't think that's right," said Mitchell.

With this firing it is now clear that any County employees who express their personal views at a public forum face immediate dismissal. This produces an oppressive working atmosphere for government employees and is upheld by appointed or elected officials, undermining the US Constitution and creating a chilling effect on Free Speech.