News-Times Whidbey
INSIDE: Have fun at the Farm Tour.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 | Vol. 113, No. 73 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Former workers claim improper dismissal by city By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
Justin Burnett / Whidbey News-Times
In a symbolic gesture, Navy Petty Officer Bart, an elite military working dog, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in Oak Harbor Saturday.
PAWS FOR REFLECTION Bart the dog honored for elite service at Military Appreciation Day
By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
A
of Arms Chief Petty Officer Blakeney Adams and his family. The Military Appreciation Picnic is an annual event put on by the Oak Harbor Council of the Navy League. Organization President Jim Slowik said he was very happy with this year’s attendance as hundreds turned out to enjoy the sun and food. “We’re cooking hotdogs just as fast as we can,” he laughed. The event is about getting together to have a good time but mostly to honor the military in Oak Harbor, thank them for their service and let them know they are appreciated for everything they do. “All we want to is let the troops know this is a friendly place to live and that they are welcome here,” he said. To that end, the effort is a great success. Capt. Jay Johnston, commander of the base, said the Navy does feel welcome in the community thanks in part to events like these. “We appreciate everything the Navy League does, and the city, too,” Johnston said.
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n unsung Navy hero was honored in Oak Harbor Saturday. As a symbolic gesture in recognition of his many contributions to the United States military, the distinguished veteran was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. While most in his position would have saluted and given a speech, his response was a throaty bark and a wagging tail. Petty Officer Bart was one of the Navy’s elite military working dogs. He has been retired from active duty and Saturday’s ceremony at the annual Military Appreciation Picnic at Windjammer Park was in recognition of his seven-year career. “Some may not understand what we do as handlers or the importance of our working dogs, but many sailors and their families are enjoying their todays and planning their tomorrows because
of what a military working dog did for them yesterday,” said Shanelle Crites, Bart’s last Navy working dog handler. Bart’s accomplishments include missions supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and the Oak Harbor Police Department. He deployed to Arifjan, Kuwait, has searched over 20,000 vehicles, 1,000 buildings, 550 open areas and 1,200 barracks. He assisted Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Security in 32 drug calls, 28 security backups, 18 alarmed responses, 12 domestic violence calls and conducted more than 40 K9 demonstrations. Bart was also presented with a certificate of appreciation by Oak Harbor City Councilman Joel Servatius. “May your couch always be comfortable, may you run with the wind at your side and may each day end with a doggy treat,” said Servatius, reading from the presented certificate. Bart has been adopted by Master
Two former employees with the city of Oak Harbor have made claims alleging that the city owes them large sums of money because of the actions of Mayor Scott Dudley. Former Oak Harbor Police Chief Rick Wallace filed a lawsuit against the city in Island County Superior Court last month claiming wrongful termination and breach of contract. Wallace first filed a tort with the city, a step that must be taken before a lawsuit, in July. He asked for $550,000 in lost wages and benefits. Former City Engineer Eric Johnston filed a claim for damages with the city last Tuesday, which was his last day of work. He is claiming that Dudley created a hostile work environment and forced him to find work elsewhere. He is asking for $300,000 in damages. Oak Harbor attorney Christon Skinner represents both Wallace and Johnston. Dudley, however, said the claims are baseless. He said he consulted with attorneys before he fired Wallace and did nothing improper that wasn’t within his authority. “I’m looking forward to being vindicated in court,” he said. Dudley promised change in last year’s mayoral campaign. When he came into office in January, he promptly fired the city administrator, the city attorney and the fire chief. In the lawsuit, Skinner writes that Dudley fired the
officials “for political reasons and in furtherance of campaign promises that he made to his political supporters.” Dudley counters that he made no promises to fire or hire anyone. Dudley said he urged Wallace, a longtime member of the police department, to retire. The claim says Wallace initially agreed, but then concluded that he could not be forced to retire because of his “for cause” employee status. The issue of whether Wallace is a “for cause” or “at will” employee is at the heart of the lawsuit. Skinner argues Wallace was a forcause employee because of a description in the city’s personnel policy manual. In addition, Wallace was never presented an employment contract and didn’t receive a severance packages as other fired at-will employees have. Dudley, on the other hand, said the former and current city attorneys advised him that Wallace was an at-will employee and could be fired without cause. Wallace’s original claim was sent to the Washington Cities Insurance Authority, which is essentially the city’s insurance company. A senior adjustor denied the claim, concluding that city code states that the police chief serves at the discretion of the mayor.