Marty Black

Former Venice, Fl, city manager

As the fifth anniversary approached, City Manager Marty Black sent notice to public employees that they were not allowed to speak to the media about 9/11 without his clearance.

The city's fire department is the only one in the county that keeps its bay doors down at almost all times. The department enacted the policy for fear of terrorists stealing chemicals or equipment.

When Venice was searching for a new police chief in the winter of 2005, city officials interviewed candidates in closed-door meetings about a range of topics. But the events of Sept. 11, 2001, were not discussed, even though the department has been responsible for around-the-clock patrols of the airport since 9/11.

Chief Julie Williams, who assumed her role in April, was not made aware of the Venice connection until someone pointed out to her that "it all kinda started here."