DEMORRIS A LEE
st. Petersburg Times

EAST LAKE - The four-term official posted a profile and photo of himself on an adult Internet site.

East Lake Fire Commissioner W. F. Bill Cannon resigned Thursday, a day after acknowledging he had posted a sexually explicit profile and photograph of himself on an adult Web site.

"By my past actions, I have brought ridicule and embarrassment to the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District and the board of fire commissioners," Cannon wrote to the board in an e-mail Thursday. "I am offering my resignation effective February 28 so that the BOC are not put in a position where they would have to call for my resignation."

Chairman Tom McKone said he accepted Cannon's resignation. Now, a special meeting will be held next week to figure out a process to fill the seat. While the board can appoint someone for the time being, the seat must be on the next general election ballot - which is Nov. 2 - for the remainder of the term. Cannon's term was due to end in 2012.

Cannon, 70, served as an East Lake Fire commissioner for 12 years. He was first elected in 1994 and served a four-year term. He didn't run in 1998, but ran and was reelected in 2000, 2004 and 2008 and was the board's vice chairman in this final term.

A copy of his Internet posting was sent anonymously to other fire commissioners and public officials this week. The profile had been posted on AdultFriendFinder.com

Asked about it Wednesday, Cannon told the St. Petersburg Times that posting the profile was a "stupid act" done out of curiosity. He said he removed the profile and never identified himself as a public official on the site.

Cannon did not return phone calls Thursday.

The East Lake Fire Commission is a five-member elected board. Each commissioner is paid $500 a month. The board oversees the district's $3.5 million fire and $1.2 million emergency medical services budgets.

Fellow Commissioner Paul Ferreri said Cannon made the correct decision.

"While I think Mr. Cannon's personal life is his own affair, the credibility of the fire services of the department is an issue," Ferreri said. "In the best interest of the fire department, he should resign."

Commissioner Chuck Schult agreed.

"I'm looking at it from a friend's point of view," Schult said. "What he did was foolish. It just floors me. If it were me, I would have resigned."

Demorris A. Lee can be reachedat dalee@sptimes.com or 727-445-4174.

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February 26, 2010