Gates will remain chairwoman - for now

Monday, Nov. 17, 1997 | 7:25 a.m.

"I'm not going to do anything," Gates said, responding to reports that two commissioners, Erin Kenny and Lorraine Hunt, have asked her to step down following an Ethics Commission decision last week to investigate Gates.

Gates said perhaps Hunt, who also is under investigation by the Ethics Commission, should step down as vice chairman.

If Gates won't step down voluntarily, the issue will be put on the Dec. 2 County Commission agenda for a vote, Kenny said.

"We can't wait any longer," Kenny said, adding that it was time to "remove any encumbrances to our effectiveness leading the community."

Kenny refused comment on whether there were four votes to force Gates out as chairwoman. However, she said she was supporting Commissioner Bruce Woodbury as the best choice to replace Gates.

The Ethics Commission voted unanimously Nov. 13 to investigate whether Gates misled the panel about her involvement in a froze daiquiri business she had started with developer and neighbor Ed Nigro.

Gates did not attend Thursday's ethics hearing on the advice of her lawyers.

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